JP2002092445A - Site on network, and system for providing service - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the number of customers on a network, and to make a benefit for the customer increased by usage. SOLUTION: A using experience database 5b (figure 4A) provided in a site comprises user IDs, the dates and hours of the users specified by the user IDs, used services thereof, using frequencies thereof, the volumes of business thereof and created points thereof. A benefit information database comprises two databases. One of the databases is a database (figure 4B) for point creating conditions, and the other is a database for specifying the number of points required to receive a benefit in every benefit (4C). A correspondence among a service content, a point generating unit and the generated point is specified in the figure 4B, and calculated points are recorded therein as the created points. The number of points required to receive the benefit in the every benefit is specified in the figure 4C, the customer selects the benefit within a range of own accumulated points, and the site provides the benefit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a site on the Internet and a service providing system applicable to a site providing services to customers via the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the rapid spread of the Internet, services and sales of goods have been made through a great number of WWW sites. For example, the number of providers that provide connection services has become very large, and it is necessary to secure more members as providers. In order to acquire new members and maintain existing members, it is conceivable to provide benefits for the use of members. For example, as a service provided by airlines, FTP (Frequent Flyer Program) (so-called mileage)
It has been known. This is a preferential treatment system for regular customers, and is a system that can receive benefits such as free air tickets according to the boarding distance of registered customers.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the invention] F provided by the airline company
TPs are usually based solely on boarding distance,
There are various forms of use of the portal site, and it is necessary to set a privilege in consideration of the form.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a network site and a service providing system capable of providing a customer with a privilege that matches a use form of a portal site in a network society.

[0005]

According to an aspect of the present invention, a site connected to a customer via a network has a use record database and a privilege information database. The performance database records usage data for each registered customer, and the privilege information database stores point generation conditions,
A request to determine the points to be generated based on the usage result data recorded in the usage results database and point generation conditions, and to redeem the accumulated points obtained by accumulating the generated points, for points and benefits. When the customer receives the customer from the customer, the customer is presented with benefits that can be received according to the customer's accumulated points,
Sites on the network that offer customer selected benefits.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in a service providing system in which a customer and a site are connected via a network, the site has a use record database and a privilege information database, and the site is registered in the use record database. The usage record data is recorded for each customer, and the privilege information database records the point occurrence conditions and the correspondence between points and benefits. The use record data and point generation conditions recorded in the use record database are recorded. When the customer receives a request for redeeming the accumulated points obtained by accumulating the accumulated points based on the accumulated points based on the accumulated points, the customer is presented with the benefits that can be received according to the accumulated points of the customer. , Offer the customer's selected benefits, the customer registers for the site and accumulates points A request redeem the Dian a service providing system that is adapted to transmit to the site.

According to the present invention, the points to be generated are determined based on the usage record and the point generation conditions. Therefore, points can be generated according to various forms of use of the customer, and a privilege suitable for a site on the network can be provided.

[0008]

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Network 1
For example, a portal site via the Internet
(Referred to as a site as appropriate) 2, partner 3a, 3b, customer 4
(Hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a user) are connected. Site 2 is an Internet provider, WWW (World W
ide Web) site. The site 2 has a content server 5a in which contents for the original service are stored, a database 5b of the usage record of the customer 3, and a service for providing the customer 4 or returning other convenience based on the usage record. The bonus information database 5c is included.

The site 2 has a customer 4 who wants to receive a privilege according to the use record register basic information such as a name, an address, a contact, and a password. When the registered customer 4 uses the service provided by the registered customer 4, the site 2 updates the use record database and accumulates the use record of the customer.

The form in which the customer 4 uses the site 2 includes simple access to the site 2, electronic commerce through the site 2, use of other services via the site 2,
There may be use of participatory services such as auctions and comment assignment. The site 2 has a function of converting a used service into points. For example, one point is given to access, and when a service or article is purchased through e-commerce through the site 2, points are given according to the usage amount. Further, if a comment is given to a participatory project, for example, a work of a photo contest, or if a rating is given, 100 points are given. As described above, the number of points differs depending on the type of use of the customer.

The privilege information database 5c is used to convert the use results into points. In addition, the privilege information database 5c gives a privilege according to the point to the customer. The customer 4 can select a privilege to be provided in accordance with his / her accumulated points. Benefits include receiving free services and goods and, if participating, reducing membership fees and usage fees.

The customer 4 can confirm his or her use record (cumulative points) using the password when he / she desires. Also, when desired, the points can be changed to the right (privilege) to receive the service. The type of privilege to be received within the range of the own point can be selected by the customer 4.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a hardware configuration of the site 2. A hard disk 22, a memory 23, a memory management unit 24, an I / O controller 25, and a network adapter 26 are provided around a processor 21. With such a hardware configuration, Site 2
Has a management function of managing the content database, the use record database, and the privilege information database in the hard disk 22, and has a function of converting the use record into points and a function of converting points into benefits. Further, the site 2 has a billing function and a network management function. Further, the site 2 provides functions such as a data input / output function and an image processing function for providing and displaying information to the customer 4 and receiving information from the customer 4.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the customer 4. Hard disk 4 with processor 41 at the center
2, a memory 43, a memory management unit 44, an I / O controller 45, and a network adapter 46 are provided.
As input / output devices, an image display device 47, a digital camera 48, a scanner 49, and a printer 50 are provided. The configuration shown in FIG. 3 is a configuration of a general network computer. A browser is installed as software, and the site 2 can be accessed via the network 1.

With the hardware configuration described above, the computer of the customer 4 has a function of browsing the site 2, an input / output device management function, an image processing function, a data archive (storage) function, a payment processing function, and a network management function.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the usage record database 5b and the privilege information database 5c provided in the site 2. As shown in FIG. 4A, the usage record database 5b includes items of a user ID, a date and time of use of the user specified by the user ID, a used service, a number of uses, a transaction amount, and an occurrence point. The accumulated points are calculated by accumulating the generated points. In this case, the item of the accumulated points may be set on the database.

The privilege information database 5c is composed of two databases. One of them, as shown in FIG. 4B,
It is a database of point occurrence conditions. That is, the correspondence between the service content, the point generation unit, and the generation point is defined as each item, and the number of points actually generated can be calculated by referring to the database of the point generation conditions. The calculated points are recorded in the usage record database as occurrence points. For example, when the use service is “questionnaire”, the point that is generated by replying once is defined as “10”. Therefore, as shown in the use record database (FIG. 4A), when the questionnaire is answered five times, , 50 points are generated, and the number of points is recorded in the database.

FIG. 4 shows another example of the privilege information database.
As shown in C, the number of points required to receive the privilege is defined for each privilege. The relationship between the privilege name, category, and required number of points is defined. For example, when the privilege is a notebook computer, the category is a present, and the required number of points is 6000 points.

The processing of the above-described embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, referring to FIG. 5, customer 4 (user)
Will be described with reference to FIG. In step S1, the user accesses the site 2 and performs user registration. That is, registration of a name, a mail address, an address, a password and the like is performed. Then, the customer 4 receives the user ID issued by the site 2 (Step S2). The site 2 may issue a password.

FIG. 6 shows a flow of processing when the site 2 provides a service to the customer 4 (user). Step S1
At 1, a service is provided to a user. Step S
At 12, the privilege information database 5c is searched to find conditions for generating points for the provided service. Points are calculated based on the occurrence conditions, and the calculated points are recorded in the column of points of the user's use result in the use result database 5b.

FIG. 7 shows a flow of a process in which the customer 4 (user) checks the number of points on the site 2 for himself / herself. In step S21, the site 2 receives a point confirmation request from the user. In step S22, site 2
After confirming the user ID and the password, the user searches the usage record database 5b, searches for the effective cumulative points of the user, and transmits it to the user. On the device on the user side, the accumulated points are displayed. If necessary,
Detailed information such as the acquired date and the number of points is also provided to the user.

FIG. 8 shows a processing flow when the customer 4 (user) exchanges his / her effective accumulated points for the site 2 with the privilege. FIG. 4 shows a display example to be presented. In the first step S31, a privilege withdrawal request is received from the user. The site 2 prompts the user to enter a user ID and a password, and confirms the identity (step S32).
Display D1 shown in FIG. 9A is a display example for urging the user to input an ID and a password.

When the identity is confirmed, the use record database 5b is searched based on the user ID, the accumulated points that can be exchanged for the benefits are calculated and displayed, and at the same time, what kind of benefits are accumulated for the user. In order to confirm whether or not points are to be exchanged, the types of benefits that can be exchanged are displayed (step S33). The display D2 shown in FIG. 9B is presented to the user in step S33.

In step S34, the user selects one of the options on the display D2. The options are "get a gift", "use the service", and "reduce usage fee". In step S35, in the site receiving the selection of the privilege from the user, the privilege database 5c
Search for and display the available benefits based on the number of points the user has and the number of points required. If necessary,
Calculate the point balance after receiving the privilege and display the point balance. A display D3 shown in FIG. 9C indicates that any one of a robot dog, a notebook computer, and a memory stick can be selected as a present. This display D
3, the user selects a desired present.

In step S36, a screen of the privilege and the point balance selected by the user is transmitted, and a confirmation screen is displayed.
In step S37, it is determined whether or not the user agrees. FIG. 9D shows an example of a display D4 for confirmation when the user desires a robot dog. When the user presses the agreement button in display D4, a privilege providing process is performed in step S38. FIG. 9E shows a display D5 presented to the user in that case. If not, step S37
In step S33, if the user does not agree,
Then, the above-described privilege selection process is repeated.

In the example described above, the user exchanges the accumulated points for a present. FIG. 10 shows a display example when the accumulated points are exchanged for the reduced usage fee. The display D11 for prompting the user to input the user ID and the password shown in FIG. 10A is the same as the display D1 shown in FIG. 9A. The display D12 for displaying the accumulated points shown in FIG. 10B and the option for selecting the type of privilege for exchanging the accumulated points is the same as the display D2 shown in FIG. 9B.

In the display D12, when the user selects a privilege for reducing the usage fee (membership fee), the display D13 shown in FIG. 10C is displayed.
Is presented. The display D13 displays the maximum possible amount of reduction according to the accumulated points. Within this range, the user is prompted to enter the amount of money that he or she wants to reduce.
In display D13, a maximum reduction of 9629 yen is possible,
An example in which the user desires a reduction of 8000 yen is shown.

Then, a confirmation display D as shown in FIG.
14 is presented to the user. If there is a user's agreement, the display D15 of privilege provision shown in FIG. 10E is displayed. In the display D15, the specific contents of the reduction are displayed. If the user does not agree, the process returns to the step of displaying the display D12. Then, the process of determining the privilege to be exchanged is repeated.

FIG. 11 shows a flow of a process of searching for a user's use record based on the use record database 5b and calculating a user's use fee. When the usage fee is a pay-as-you-go system, the usage fee is calculated according to this flow. First, in step S41, a use result is searched for each user based on the use result database 5b, and a usage fee is calculated for each user. The calculated usage fee is charged to the user in step S42.

FIG. 12 shows a flow of processing for calculating a fee to be paid to the owner of the work. For example, a site that distributes music electronically needs to calculate such a usage fee. In step S51, the use record of the data of the owner of the copyrighted work is searched based on the use record database 5b. In step S52, a usage fee to be paid to the owner is calculated, and the usage fee is paid. As described above, the usage record database 5b is used for accounting such as calculation of a normal usage fee.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0032]

According to the present invention, an incentive is provided for a user to receive a service through a specific site, and the site can enclose customers and acquire new customers. By enclosing such customers, it is possible to increase the recognition of the site, increase advertising revenue, and increase the number of affiliated companies.

According to the present invention, the more privileges the user uses, the more privileges the user can receive. For example, there is a benefit that the usage fee is reduced and the usage unit price is reduced. In a participatory project such as a contest, a user is given a privilege by participating, so that an increase in the number of participants can be expected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a system to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration on a site side according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration on a user side according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a database provided on a site side according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a user registration process in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of a process for adding contents of a usage record database according to use of a user in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when an accumulated point inquiry request is received from a user in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when a user exchanges accumulated points for a privilege in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of display displayed when a user exchanges accumulated points for a privilege.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a display displayed when a user exchanges accumulated points for a privilege.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when calculating a user usage fee in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when calculating a royalty for the owner of a work in one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ・ ・ ・ Portal site, 4 ・ ・ ・ Customer, 5a ・ ・ ・ Content server, 5b ・ ・ ・ Usage record database, 5
c ・ ・ ・ Privilege information database

Claims (6)

[Claims] Claims: 1. A site connected to a customer via a network, comprising a use result database and a privilege information database, wherein the use result database records use result data for each registered customer; The above privilege information database contains point generation conditions,
Points and the corresponding relationship of benefits are recorded, and based on the use result data recorded in the use result database and the point generation conditions, the generated points are determined, and the accumulated points obtained by accumulating the generated points are rewarded. A site on a network that, when receiving a request from the customer for redemption, presents to the customer the benefits that can be received according to the accumulated points of the customer and provides the benefits selected by the customer. 2. The network according to claim 1, wherein the point generation condition defines a relationship between a form of use of the site by the customer and the number of points generated for each form of use. site. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the form of use is a form in which the customer receives provision of goods or services via the site, or answers a questionnaire in the site, or plans in the site. A site on a network characterized by participating in a site. 4. The site on a network according to claim 1, wherein the benefits are classified into a plurality of categories, and the customer designates the category when exchanging the accumulated points for the benefits. 5. The site on a network according to claim 4, wherein the categories include gifts of goods, provision of services, and reduction of usage fees. 6. In a service providing system in which a customer and a site are connected via a network, the site has a use result database and a privilege information database, and the use result database is used for each registered customer. Results data is recorded, and the privilege information database contains point generation conditions,
Points and the corresponding relationship of benefits are recorded, and based on the use result data recorded in the use result database and the point generation conditions, the generated points are determined, and the accumulated points obtained by accumulating the generated points are rewarded. Upon receiving a request from the customer to redeem the offer, present the customer with the benefits that can be received according to the accumulated points of the customer, provide the customer with the selected benefits, A service providing system for performing user registration and transmitting a request for redeeming the accumulated points to a privilege to the site.