JP2002245319A - Point service system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform a flexible and attractive point service by eliminating complexity accompanying the application or collecting and sorting of marketing information. SOLUTION: This system is provided with an application number 2 to be attached to an article for individually specifying the article, concealing means 3 for concealing the application number 2 in the distribution process until delivering the article to a consumer, terminal 5 for consumer connectable to a network 4 for the consumer to input the application number 2 and to receive point service information, receiving means 1 for receiving an entry from the terminal 5 for consumer through the network 4 and providing the point service information on the basis of a reference request from the terminal 5 for consumer, member information storage means 7 for storing the personal attribute information of the consumer, article information storage means 8 for storing the article attribute information of the article and point managing means 9 for holding the valid/invalid information of all application number and article identification codes 2 and managing a point based on the application number 2 for each consumer. It is not necessary for the consumer to input the personal attribute information again and an article provider easily acquires effective marketing information by the article information storage means, member information storage means and point managing means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a point service system which enables a product provider to give a consumer points according to the purchase of the product and to apply for a prize or a service according to the number of points. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to increase the awareness (so-called royalties) of consumers who repeatedly select and purchase the same product, a product provider such as a product maker or a sales company responds to consumers by purchasing the product. Point services are provided in which given points are given and various prizes and services are exchanged by lottery or without fail according to the accumulated points.

In the point service, consumers and merchandise providers perform, for example, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. In this example, the product provider is a manufacturer.
The consumer purchases a product for the point service (step 101), and peels or cuts out the application ticket printed on the product or its packaging (such as a wrapping paper or a packaging box) (step 102). If the number of application tickets has not reached the predetermined number required for application (Step 103; No), the products for the point service are purchased until the number of application tickets is collected. When the number of application tickets reaches the designated number required for application (Step 103; Yes), the designated number of application tickets are pasted on the application postcard (Step 104). This application postcard requires entry fields such as consumer personal attribute information (for example, name, address, age, gender, etc.) and a questionnaire for simple products. (Step 105) and mail it to the manufacturer (step 106). If the consumer wants to collect more application tickets and earn points (step 107; Y
es), during the point service period (step 1)
08; Yes), and it is also possible to purchase and apply for products for the point service.

On the other hand, the manufacturer arranges the applied postcards and records necessary items in a database (step 109).
Then, a prize lottery is performed (step 110), and the prize is mailed to the winning consumer (step 111). In some cases, the lottery is not performed and the prize is won without exception (step 110), and the prize is mailed to all the applied consumers (step 111). If it is during the point service period (Step 112; Yes), the processing of Step 109 to Step 111 is repeated.

[0005] Such a point service necessarily accompanies product purchase, and furthermore, personal attribute information of a consumer and a questionnaire can be utilized as useful marketing information for market research, and the cost of prizes can be easily reduced. Because it can be calculated, it has great benefits for product providers and is an excellent marketing method. On the other hand, consumers are also very satisfied because purchasing their own products is a direct benefit.

[0006]

However, the conventional point service has a problem that the processing is very complicated for both consumers and merchandise providers.

[0007] Consumers must peel or cut the application ticket from the product or packaging and then paste it on the application postcard. The consumer may lose the application ticket before pasting the application ticket on the application postcard, for example, while storing the application ticket up to a predetermined number. Also, in some cases, the application postcard is not attached to the product, and the consumer must purchase a separate postcard. In addition, when a consumer submits a plurality of application postcards, it is necessary to write the contents with overlapping personal attributes and the like on all application postcards one by one. In addition, since the number of application tickets does not reach the specified number required for application, the application tickets may be left behind and the application tickets may be wasted.

On the other hand, on the merchandise provider side, it takes a great deal of effort to sort out handwritten application postcards one by one and to input necessary items into a database. In particular, when the point service is implemented multiple times and multiple application postcards are sent from one consumer, duplicate data occurs, so the database management of the consumer's personal attribute information on the product provider side Becomes very complicated.

In the conventional point service, application tickets and postcards are printed matter and are distributed for a certain period of time.
It is difficult to implement point services by changing the type of application ticket in a short period of time, and lacks flexibility. In addition, if point services are performed continuously for a relatively short period with the same application ticket, the application ticket obtained by purchasing the product during the previous point service period may be diverted, and the product during this point service period Does not lead to increased sales.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a point service system capable of implementing a flexible and attractive point service while eliminating the complexity involved in collecting and organizing applications and marketing information.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a point service system capable of obtaining wide and cross-sectional marketing information for a plurality of types of products provided by a plurality of product providers.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a merchandise provider gives a point to a consumer according to a purchase of a merchandise, and provides a prize or a gift according to the number of points. A point service system that enables application to a service, wherein an application number and a product identification code to be individually specified for a product to be subjected to the point service and to be a product or a product packaging that is also an application number, and Means for concealing the application number and the product identification code in the distribution process until the product reaches the consumer's hand, and the consumer can input the application number and the product identification code and receive the point service information while being connectable to the network. And input from the consumer terminal via the network and access from the consumer terminal. Receiving means for providing point service information based on the request, member information storage means for storing personal attribute information of the consumer who has entered the application number and product identification code, and product information storage means for storing product attribute information of the product Holds the validity / invalidity information of all application numbers and product identification codes, and if the application number and product identification code input from the consumer terminal is valid, points based on the application number and product identification code are given to each consumer And a point management means for subtracting and storing points based on the prize or service for each consumer when the consumer applies for a prize or service according to the number of points.

[0013] Therefore, the consumer can purchase the target product of the point service, remove the concealment means, obtain the application number, and apply for the point service using the consumer terminal. Since the member information storage means stores the personal attribute information, the consumer does not need to repeatedly input the personal attribute information.
Also, the concealment means prevents the application number from being stolen by a malicious third party before the consumer knows the application number, and if the application number was exposed when purchasing the product, the application number may have been stolen. Can be detected. Further, the point management information holds validity / invalidity information of all application numbers and product identification codes, and prevents the same application number from being used repeatedly. Since the application number and product identification code can identify one product, a product information storage unit that stores product attribute information of the product, a member information storage unit that stores consumer personal attribute information, and an application number and product identification code By using the point management means for managing the points based on each consumer, useful marketing information such as what kind of preference a particular individual or group purchases a product can be easily obtained.

[0014] The invention described in claim 2 is the first invention.
In the described point service system, a plurality of types of products provided by a plurality of product providers are targeted for the point service. In this case, not only information specific to some products, such as the marketing information obtained with the conventional point service, but also wide and cross-sectional marketing information for multiple types of products provided by multiple product providers can get.

[0015] The invention described in claim 3 is based on claim 1.
Or in the point service system described in 2,
The point management means has an automatic notification function for notifying the consumer that the customer can apply for a prize or a service when the number of points accumulated by the consumer exceeds a certain number of points. In this case, the point management means determines whether or not a certain point is exceeded when the points are added, and if so, notifies the consumer terminal via the network of the fact.

The invention described in claim 4 is the first invention.
In the point service system according to any one of Items 1 to 3, the point management means has a point transfer function capable of transferring points acquired by one consumer to another consumer. In this case, the point management means updates the transfer-side point number by subtracting the specified point number,
Updates the number of points on the transfer side by adding the specified number of points.

The invention described in claim 5 is the first invention.
In the point service system according to any one of Items 1 to 4, the product information storage means has effective application number information indicating a range of application numbers that can be applied as product attribute information,
The point management means determines that the application number / product identification code is invalid when the application number / product identification code input from the consumer terminal is not within the valid range of the valid application number information. Therefore, the range of application numbers that can be applied can be set, and the period and number of point services can be set flexibly.

The invention according to claim 6 is the first invention.
In the point service system according to any one of Items 1 to 5, the merchandise information storage means has effective service period information indicating a period during which an application can be made as merchandise attribute information, and the point management means uses an application number and a merchandise number from a consumer terminal. If the date and time when the identification code is input is not within the valid range of the valid service period information, it is determined that the application number and product identification code are invalid. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly set the application period.

The invention according to claim 7 is the first invention.
In the point service system according to any one of Items 1 to 6, the merchandise information storage means has, as merchandise attribute information, point service attribute information for specifying a point service to which the merchandise group belongs, and the point management means uses the application number and the merchandise identification code based on the application number and the merchandise identification code. The points are added for the corresponding point service by referring to the point service attribute information. Therefore, the effective range (common range) of the application number can be provided depending on the type of the product. Point service can be performed such that the application number is valid (common) for only a single product type (group), a fixed product group group, or all products.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The configuration of the present invention will be described below in detail based on an embodiment shown in the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 8 show an embodiment of a point service system according to the present invention. This point service system allows a product provider to give consumers points according to the purchase of a product and to apply for a prize or service according to the number of points. And an application number and product identification code 2 attached to the product or product packaging that individually specifies the product and an application number, and an application number and product identification code 2 in the distribution process until the product reaches the consumer. Concealing means 3 for concealing, a consumer terminal 5 which is connectable to the network 4 and allows the consumer to input the application number and the product identification code 2 and to receive the point service information; Terminal 5
Receiving means 1 for accepting an input from the customer terminal and providing point service information based on a reference request from the consumer terminal 5, and a member information storage for storing personal attribute information of the consumer who has input the application number and product identification code 2 Means 7, product information storage means 8 for storing product attribute information of the product, and validity / invalidity information of all application numbers and product identification codes 2, and the application number and product input from the consumer terminal 5. If the identification code 2 is valid, the application number and product identification code 2
Point management for adding and storing points based on each consumer and subtracting and storing points based on the premium or service for each consumer when the consumer applies for a prize or service according to the number of points. And means 9.

The product provider is, for example, a product manufacturer (maker) or a sales company. The product is a target of the point service, and its type is not limited. Although the contents of the prize or service are not limited, it is preferable to prepare various kinds of contents so that the prize or service can be selected according to the consumer's preference according to the number of points obtained by the consumer.

Here, the point service system of the present invention is preferably operated by a plurality of merchandise providers, and it is preferable that a plurality of types of merchandise provided by a plurality of merchandise providers are targeted for the point service. With a single product point service, the number of points you can earn
This is because the contents of the prize or the service are also limited.

The application number and product identification code 2 is a product that individually specifies a product and also serves as an application number. A unique code is assigned to each of all products targeted for the point service. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the application number and product identification code are referred to as application number 2. In this specification, application number 2
Affixing to a product includes, in addition to the case of applying the application number 2 to the product itself, the case of, for example, attaching the product to packaging (wrapping paper, a packaging box, a packaging container, or the like). In addition, application number 2
Is preferably composed of, for example, alphanumeric characters. If the application number 2 is composed of alphanumeric characters, a wide variety of consumer terminals 5
Thus, the entry of the application number 2 becomes possible.

The concealing means 3 conceals the application number 2 in the distribution process until the commodity reaches the consumer. Thereby, the consumer can know the application number 2 only after purchasing the product. The concealment means 3 is not particularly limited in its form as long as it has a function of concealing the application number 2 in the distribution process until the product reaches the consumer's hand. Things.

For example, when the concealing means 3 is formed of a package and the bag or box in which the product is wrapped is broken, the application number 2 printed on the inside can be recognized. Further, for example, when the silver concealment printing used in a so-called scratch card is rubbed with a nail or a coin as the concealing means 3, the application number 2 can be recognized. Further, for example, a seal that is not adhered again once it is peeled off is used as the concealing means 3 so as to conceal the application number 2.

By using the concealment means 3, it is possible to prevent a malicious third party from stealing the application number 2 before the consumer knows the application number 2. Also, the bag or box with the application number 2 printed on the inside is torn, the scratched area where the application number 2 is concealed has already been rubbed, or the seal for concealing the application number 2 has been peeled off. In such a case, the application number 2 may have been stolen by a malicious third party. In such a case, the consumer can detect when purchasing the product, or can detect when the salesperson delivers the product to the consumer. The consumer only has to select and purchase the same kind and a different product in which the application number 2 is hidden. The application number 2 that may have been stolen by a malicious third party may be invalidated by a sales clerk or a system administrator accessing the point service system.

The consumer terminal 5 is an information processing device that can be connected to the network 4 and allows the consumer to input the application number 2 and receive the point service information. The accepting unit 1 is an information processing device that accepts an input from the consumer terminal 5 via the network 4 and provides point service information based on a reference request from the consumer terminal 5. The network 4 is an information infrastructure that enables bidirectional data communication between various information processing apparatuses. For example, in the present embodiment, the Internet is used. Hereinafter, the network is referred to as the Internet 4 in the present embodiment.

As the consumer terminal 5 for performing data communication via the Internet 4 and the receiving means 1, for example, a WWW (World Wide Web) browser, which is a known technique, and a WW
The use of the WWW system by the W server is easy and preferable.

The receiving means 1 is, for example, a WWW server executed by a computer. The computer includes known hardware resources such as a central processing unit, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, a communication interface for connecting to the Internet 4, an input / output interface to which a display, a keyboard, and the like are connected, and these hardware resources. And a WWW server software and the like, and has a function as a so-called WWW server. The receiving means 1 functions as a portal site serving as an entrance of the point service system viewed from the consumer. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the reception unit is referred to as a portal site 1.

The consumer terminal 5 has a function of WWW browser software for connecting to the Internet 4 and browsing the information of the reception means 1 and has a predetermined input function such as an image display function and a menu selection function. The form is not limited as long as it has an output device. For example, known personal computers, portable information terminals, mobile phones, Internet televisions, and the like can be used.

The connection form of the portal site 1 and the consumer terminal 5 to the Internet 4 is not particularly limited. For example, public telephone lines, or OCN (Op
en Computer Network) and dedicated communication lines, ISDN (I
ntegrated Services DigitalNetwork), ADSL (Asy
mmetric Digital Subscriber Line), data communication via a mobile phone base station, and the like.

The portal site 1 has a web page which is described in a language such as HTML or CompactHTML according to the form of the consumer terminal 5 and serves as a contact point of the point service system. The configuration of the web page is not particularly limited. For example, the web page may be divided for each product genre, or a single application number input web page may be prepared since the product can be identified from the application number 2.

The point service information includes, for example, the number of points acquired by the corresponding consumer, the presentation of prizes or services that can be applied at the current points, and the contents of the prizes or services provided by the point service system. Introduction. The consumer can apply for the point service by accessing the portal site 1 using the consumer terminal 5, and can obtain the number of points currently acquired and what kind of point service is currently available. It is possible to confirm whether or not it is implemented.

The member information storage means 7 is, for example, a database for storing personal attribute information in this embodiment. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the member information storage means is referred to as a member database 7. The personal attribute information is information belonging to each individual of a consumer who is a member of the point service system, and includes, for example, “member ID (identification code for identifying a member)”, “name”, “age”, “sex”. ,"Street address",
"Phone number", "E-mail address", "Password" and the like.

The member database 7 is realized by a computer having a known database function. Also,
The member database 7 cooperates with, for example, the portal site 1. When the portal site 1 receives the personal attribute information from the consumer terminal 5, the member database 7 stores the personal attribute information in a predetermined database format. A consumer who intends to apply for the point service can access the portal site 1 from the consumer terminal 5 and enter personal attribute information to register as a member, for example, at the first application. Note that the method of member registration is not necessarily limited to the method via the consumer terminal 5 and the portal site 1, and may be an application by mail, FAX, or the like.
Further, the portal site 1 can specify the member who has accessed by referring to the member database 7 from the member ID automatically transmitted by the consumer terminal 5 or input by the consumer. Therefore, the consumer does not need to input the personal attribute information every time the application number 2 is input once the member registration is completed.

The product information storage means 8 is, for example, a database for storing product attribute information in the present embodiment. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the product information storage means is referred to as a product database 8. The product attribute information is information belonging to a product targeted for the point service, and is, for example, “application number 2”, a product type (hereinafter, referred to as a product group).
"Product group ID", "product name", "manufacturer name", "product point unit" indicating the number of points given to one product, points for applying for a prize or service In the point service system, "Applicable point unit" indicating the number, "Effective application number information" indicating the range of application numbers 2 that can be applied and managed for each product group, "Effective service period information" indicating the period during which application is possible In the case of implementing a plurality of types of point services, the information includes "point service attribute information" for specifying the point service to which the product group belongs. The application number 2 may be configured to include the product group ID, and the code may be designed so that the type of the product, that is, the group can be specified from the application number 2.

The product database 8 is realized by a computer having a known database function. The product provider registers the product attribute information of the product targeted for the point service in the product database 8 in advance. The product database 8 is linked to, for example, the portal site 1 and is configured to be referred to when it is necessary to specify a product in the portal site 1.

The point management means 9 is, for example, a database for storing point management information in this embodiment.
Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the point management means is referred to as a point database 9. The point database 9 is realized by a computer having a known database function, and is configured in cooperation with, for example, the portal site 1, the member database 7, and the product database 8, and manages points for each member.

The point management information includes, for example, the “member ID” of the consumer who applied for the point service, the “application number 2” for each member input by the member, and the number of points that the member has already acquired in the point service. The "uncounted accumulated points" for each member indicating the number of unused points that have not yet been applied for prizes, etc., the number of points that the member has already earned in the point service, and used members who have already applied for prizes etc. The “accumulated accumulated points” for each member indicating the number of points, the “service status” indicating whether the point service is in service or has ended, and the like.
When a plurality of types of point services are implemented in the point service system, for example, the point management information is managed for each point service.

The point database 9 holds valid / invalid information of all application numbers 2. For example,
There is an application number table 11 consisting of all application numbers 2 and application bits 10 corresponding to each application number 2 (FIG. 7).
reference). For example, an application number 2 where the application bit 10 is “0”
Is valid, and the application number 2 whose application bit 10 is “1” is invalid. The initial value of the application bit 10 is “0”, and when an application is made, the application bit 10 of the application number 2 is set to “1”. Therefore, the application number 2 before the application is valid is valid, but the application number 2 once applied becomes invalid, and double entry of the application number 2 can be prevented.

When the portal site 1 receives the application number 2 from the consumer terminal 5, the point database 9
Whether the application number 2 input from the consumer terminal 5 is valid or not is determined with reference to the application number table 11. Also,
Further, in the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the application number 2 is within the effective range by referring to “valid application number information”, “valid service period information”, and the like of the corresponding product in the product database 8. Then, if the application number 2 is valid, referring to the “commodity point unit” of the commodity in the commodity database 8, the corresponding point number is added to the “uncalculated cumulative point number” of the corresponding member ID and updated. At this time, if a plurality of types of point services are implemented in the point service system, the point database 9
Refers to “point service attribute information” of the product database 8 from the application number 2 and adds points for the corresponding point service. Also, when a member applies for a prize or service according to the number of points, the corresponding points are subtracted from the “uncalculated accumulated points” and updated, and the subtracted points are updated to the “accumulated accumulated points”. And update it.

For example, in the present embodiment, the member database 7, the commodity database 8, and the point database 9 are commonly used by a plurality of commodity providers, and are commonly used for a point service for a plurality of commodities.

Further, for example, in the point database 9 in the present embodiment, when the number of points accumulated by a consumer exceeds a certain point, the consumer is notified that application for a prize or service is possible. It has an automatic notification function. As such an automatic notification function, for example, when a consumer accesses the portal site 1 using the consumer terminal 5 and points are added to the point database 9, the point database 9 is, for example, the “application point” of the product database 8. It may be determined whether or not a certain point is exceeded by referring to "unit" or the like, and if it exceeds, a notification may be made using a web page through the portal site 1. Alternatively, the consumer terminal 5 may be notified by e-mail with reference to the member database 7, for example.

For example, the point database 9 in the present embodiment has a point transfer function that can transfer points acquired by one consumer to another consumer. Thereby, the consumer who is a member can present the points that he / she has accumulated to other members. In this case, for example, the consumer who is a member may access the portal site 1 by inputting his / her member ID, and input the member IDs of other members who present points and the number of points to be presented. The point database 9 updates the transfer-side “uncalculated cumulative points” by subtracting the designated points by the designated number of points, and adds the transfer-side “uncalculated cumulative points” by the specified number of points to update. It should be noted that the points may or may not be transferred depending on the product. In this case, for example, point transfer availability information may be added to the product attribute information.

An example of the processing in the point service system configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The consumer purchases a target product for the point service (step 1). After the purchase, the consumer has the concealment means 3
And get application number 2. Next, the consumer accesses the portal site 1 using the consumer terminal 5 (step 2). A member ID input web page 12 as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the consumer terminal 5. In this example, it is assumed that the consumer has already registered as a member in the point service system. If the consumer has not registered as a member yet, a member registration web page (not shown) is displayed, for example.

The consumer inputs the member ID and the application number 2 (step 3). The consumer who is a member inputs the member ID on the member ID input web page 12 and presses the input determination button 13. The portal site 1 refers to the member database 7 and specifies the member from the member ID. If the portal site 1 can automatically recognize the member by, for example, automatically transmitting the member ID by the consumer terminal 5,
There is no need to enter a member ID.

When the input of the member ID is accepted, an application number input web page 14 displaying the name of the applied member is displayed on the consumer terminal 5, for example, as shown in FIG. The consumer inputs the application number 2 and presses the input determination button 15. Portal site 1 is product database 8
, And specify the product from application number 2. Further, the portal site 1 inquires the point database 9 whether the application number 2 is valid.

Whether the application number 2 is valid or not is determined, for example, as follows (see the flowchart shown in FIG. 8). The point database 9 is the application number table 1
The application bit 10 of the application number 2 is checked with reference to 1 (step 11). If the application bit 10 is "0" and the application number 2 is valid (step 11; Yes), it is further determined whether or not the reception date and time of the application number 2 is during the point service period by checking the "valid service" of the product database 8. Check with reference to "period information" (step 12). If it is within the valid service period information (Step 12; Yes),
With reference to the "valid application number information" of the product database 8, it is checked whether the application number 2 is included in the effective range (step 13). If the application number 2 is included in the valid range (step 13; Yes), the application number 2 is determined to be valid (step 14). Other (Step 11; No,
In the case of Step 12; No, Step 13; No),
Application number 2 is determined to be invalid (step 15). If the application number 2 is invalid, the portal site 1 displays, for example, an error web page (not shown) on the consumer terminal 5.
To be displayed.

If the application number 2 is valid, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the purchase name in which the product name of the product purchased by the consumer and the application points corresponding to the product (that is, the number of points acquired this time) are displayed. The product confirmation web page 16 is displayed on the consumer terminal 5. If there is no difference in the displayed contents, the consumer presses the confirmation button 17. When the confirmation button 17 is pressed by the consumer, the portal site 1 requests the point database 9 to update the number of points.

The point database 9 refers to the “point service attribute information” of the corresponding product in the product database 8 and stores the “uncalculated cumulative points” of the corresponding member ID corresponding to the corresponding point service in the product database 8. The number of points this time is added with reference to "product point unit" (step 6). Also,
The point database 9 sets the application bit 10 of the application number 2 to “1” to avoid using the application number 2 a plurality of times thereafter.

Further, the portal site 1 obtains information such as “uncalculated cumulative points” and “calculated cumulative points” from the point database 9 and, for example, as shown in FIG. A point service information web page 18 indicating the application status of the consumer so far is displayed on the consumer terminal 5. For example, in the figure, “current owned points” represents “uncalculated accumulated points”, and “applied points” in the figure represents “calculated accumulated points”. Also, for example, the “number of application services” in the figure indicates that the consumer has applied for 5 applications (ie, 100 points) for application of 20 points per unit, for example. If the consumer presses the end button 19, the input process of the application number 2 ends.

If the number of points after the addition in the point database 9 exceeds the predetermined number of points (step 7; Yes), for example, the consumer is notified to that effect, and the consumer applies for a prize or service. Is selected, for example, a lottery of a prize or a service is performed (step 8). The winning consumer is sent a prize or a service voucher (step 9). In some cases, the lottery is not performed, and the prize or service is won without exception (step 8), and the prize may be sent to all the consumers who have reached the predetermined number of points (step 9). During the point service period (Step 10; Ye)
s), the processing of step 6 to step 9 is repeated.

The method of giving a prize or a service to a consumer is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the following method may be used. For example, when the number of points in the point database 9 exceeds a certain number of points, the consumer is automatically notified to that effect by the automatic notification function. Then, a prize or service that can be applied with the current number of points is displayed on the consumer terminal 5. Consumers can apply for the displayed prizes or services, or they can save more points and select more expensive prizes or services. The prize or service may be awarded without exception, or may be awarded by lottery.

When the consumer selects an application for a prize or service, the corresponding point number is subtracted from the point database 9 and updated.

If the consumer desires to collect application number 2 and earn points (step 4; Ye
s), during the point service period (step 5;
Yes), it is possible to further purchase and apply for products for the point service.

According to the point service system of the present invention, the point database 9 stores the application number 2 for each member inputted by the member. This is equivalent to storing the histories of the purchased products and the quantity of the products as the member consumers, since the individual products can be specified by the application number 2. Therefore, the point database 9, the member database 7, and the product database 8 are also very useful sources of marketing information. That is, by performing statistical processing on the point database 9, the member database 7, and the product database 8, for example, it is possible to obtain information such as what preference a particular individual or group purchases a product based on. Can be This effect is particularly effective when the point service system is operated by a plurality of product providers as in the present embodiment, a plurality of types of products provided by the plurality of product providers are targeted for the point service, and the point database 9 and the member database 7 are used. This is remarkable when the product database 8 is used in common for point services for a plurality of product providers and a plurality of products. That is, according to the present invention, not only information specialized for only some products such as marketing information obtained by the conventional point service, but also a wide variety of products provided by a plurality of product providers can be provided. You can also get the best marketing information.

Further, according to the present invention, the application number 2 according to the type of the product based on the “point service attribute information”
By providing an effective range (common range), attractive and flexible point services can be provided. For example, for points given to consumers, a point service can be provided that is valid (common) for only a single product group, a certain product group group, or all products. This effect is particularly remarkable when the point service system is operated by a plurality of product providers and a plurality of types of products provided by the plurality of product providers are targeted for the point service as in the present embodiment. For example,
"Let's go to see cherry blossoms with company A's beer, company B's snacks and company C's lunch box" or "Let's get clean with company A's cosmetics, company B's dress, and company C's shoes." Campaigns such as " For consumers, points can be earned for various products provided by various product providers, so that the points can be easily accumulated and become attractive.

In the point service, the prizes or services obtained differ depending on the number of points, and more points are required to receive more expensive prizes or services. According to the present invention, the point transfer function allows the member consumer to present his / her accumulated points to other members, so that the point service becomes more attractive and the use of the point service becomes active. This also contributes to an increase in product sales.

Further, by implementing an attractive point service, points are input with a very high probability without a delay after purchase by a consumer. The product provider can refer to the point database 9 and check the point service status of the products of the company's own products, so that the sales results of the products can be grasped extremely quickly and easily as compared with application postcards and the like. Also, for example, the product database 8 is configured to have product attribute information for each application number 2 that can individually identify products, and information such as “sales area” and “seller” is added to the product attribute information. For example, the point service system exhibits a function similar to that of the POS (Point of Sales) system. Thereby, for example, the product maker can confirm the point service status of the product and directly grasp the sales information of the product.

Further, according to the present invention, application postcards and application tickets are not required, and the complexity of handling these is eliminated. In addition, since the personal attribute is registered in the member database 7, there is no complicated entry like an application postcard. Also, by using the same member database 7 for all point service applications, consistent point services can be implemented. Further, since the application number 2 is managed as data in the point database 9, there is no possibility that the required number of applications will not be reached and the fraction of the application ticket will not be obtained.

By managing "valid application number information" and "valid service period information" as product attribute information in the product database 8, it is possible to set the range and date and time of the application number 2 that can be applied. The service period and frequency can be set flexibly. For example, a special point service limited to three days can be implemented.

The above embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the point service system is operated by a plurality of product providers, and a plurality of types of products provided by the plurality of product providers are targeted for the point service. However, in some cases, a point service system may be operated by one product provider, and a specific product may be targeted for the point service. In the above-described embodiment, the point database 9, the member database 7, and the product database 8 are commonly used for the point service of a plurality of product providers and a plurality of products, but are not necessarily limited to this example. Instead, a plurality of merchandise providers may have the point database 9, the member database 7, and the merchandise database 8 for their own merchandise, or may be provided separately for each point service.

In the above-described embodiment, the target of the point service is a commodity. However, the target of the point service may be, for example, a service (service) that is independently subjected to a commercial transaction. In this case, the application number 2 is, for example, a material related to the provision of services (a material to be used by a person who receives the services,
(E.g., those pertaining to the provision of the services of the person who receives the services). The concealing means 3 conceals the application number 2 and the product identification code 2 until the object related to the service reaches the consumer. It should be noted that products and services may be mixed as targets of the point service.

Further, the number of points may be increased or decreased depending on the difference of the application number 2. For example, a game in which a lucky number is drawn when the application number 2 is entered may be executed on the portal site 1, and the point number may be doubled if the lucky number and the last two digits of the application number 2 match. .

In the automatic notification function or the like when a predetermined number of points is reached, when a consumer selects to apply for a prize or service, a questionnaire is conducted on the product and then the user can apply for the prize or service. May be.
As a result, a highly accurate questionnaire can be obtained.

[0069] Further, "first-come-first-served information" may be added to the product attribute information so that a limited point service is provided to a certain number of consumers on a first-come-first-served basis.

Although the application number 2 is alphanumeric in the above embodiment, it is not necessarily limited to alphanumeric characters, and may be other characters. Further, the application number 2 may be used as an existing number (for example, a production serial number). Further, the application number 2 may be a mark, a design, a bar code, or the like for the consumer terminal 5 having an input device such as a CCD camera or an optical mark reading device.

In the above-described embodiment, the Internet 4 is used as the network 4 to which the present invention is applied. However, if the data communication network has bidirectionality,
However, it is not limited to this. For example, CATV network,
A contract subscription type information infrastructure that enables bidirectional data communication such as BS digital broadcasting and CS digital broadcasting may be used. in this case,
For example, by providing the consumer terminal 5 and the portal site 1 with a predetermined communication interface corresponding to these networks 4, it is possible to implement the same point service system as described above.

[0072]

As is clear from the above description, according to the point service system of the first aspect, an application postcard or an application ticket is not required, and the complexity of handling these is eliminated. In addition, since the personal attribute is registered in the member information storage means, there is no complicated entry as in an application postcard. In addition, by using the same member information storage unit for all point service applications, a consistent point service can be implemented. In addition, since the application number is managed as data by the point management means, the number of application tickets does not reach the number required for application unlike the prior art.

Further, the concealment means prevents the application number from being stolen by a malicious third party before the consumer knows the application number. If the application number is exposed at the time of purchasing the product, the consumer can use the application number. Can be detected that they have been stolen.

Further, since the point management information holds valid / invalid information of all application numbers and product identification codes, it is possible to prevent the same application number from being used repeatedly.

Since the application number and the product identification code can specify one product, the product provider can use the product information storage means, the member information storage means, and the point management means to determine whether a particular individual or group is based on what preference. And useful marketing information, such as whether or not a product is purchased, can be easily obtained. In addition, by confirming the point service status of the product, the product provider can grasp the sales performance of the product extremely quickly and easily compared with the application postcard or the like. In addition, since the application number and product identification code can specify one product, if information contributing to sales management is added to the product attribute information, the product manufacturer can check the point service status of the product and directly grasp the product sales information You can also do that.

Further, in the point service system according to the second aspect, since a plurality of types of products provided by a plurality of product providers are targeted for the point service, a part of the point service system is provided like marketing information obtained by the conventional point service. It is possible to obtain not only information specialized for only one product, but also wide and cross-sectional marketing information for a plurality of types of products provided by a plurality of product providers. In addition, for consumers, it is easy to accumulate points because they can earn points with various products from various product providers,
Point service becomes more attractive.

Further, in the point service system according to the third aspect, the point management means can apply to the consumer for a prize or service when the number of points accumulated by the consumer exceeds a certain number of points. Since an automatic notification function is provided for notifying that there is a certain effect, the intimacy of the consumer with the product provider is increased, the use of the point service by the consumer is activated, and the sales of the product are also increased.

Further, in the point service system according to the fourth aspect, the point management means is provided with a point transfer function for transferring the points acquired by one consumer to another consumer, so that the cost is high. Many points are required to receive a good prize or service, but consumers can present their points to other consumers, making the point service more attractive. As a result, consumers can use the point service more actively, which also contributes to an increase in product sales.

Further, according to the point service system according to the fifth and sixth aspects, the effective application number information and the effective service period information are managed by the product information storage means, so that the applicable application number range and The date and time can be set, and the period and number of point services can be set flexibly. For example, a special point service limited to three days can be implemented.

Further, according to the point service system of the present invention, by giving the effective range (common range) of the application number depending on the type of the product, a more attractive and flexible point service can be provided. For example, for points given to consumers, a point service can be provided that is valid (common) for only a single product group, a certain product group group, or all products.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a point service system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a member ID input web page included in a receiving unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an application number input web page included in a receiving unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a purchased product confirmation web page included in a receiving unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a point service information web page included in a receiving unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the point service system of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic image diagram showing an application number table which is an example of valid / invalid information of all application numbers possessed by the point management means.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of determining whether an application number and a product identification code are valid or invalid in a point management unit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in a conventional point service.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 portal site (reception means) 2 application number (application number and product identification code) 3 concealment means 4 Internet (network) 5 consumer terminal 7 member database (member information storage means) 8 product database (product information storage means) 9 Point database (point management means)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A point service system in which a product provider gives a consumer points according to the purchase of a product and allows the customer to apply for a prize or a service according to the number of points. And the application number and product identification code attached to the product or the packaging of the product, which individually specifies the product to be used and also serves as the application number, and the application number and product identification code in the distribution process until the product reaches the consumer's hand. A concealing means for concealing a product identification code, a consumer terminal connectable to a network, and a consumer terminal for receiving the point service information while the consumer inputs the application number and the product identification code; and It accepts input from the consumer terminal and, based on the reference request from the consumer terminal, points service information. Receiving means for providing the information, member information storing means for storing personal attribute information of the consumer who has input the application number and product identification code, product information storing means for storing product attribute information of the product, Holds valid / invalid information of the application number and product identification code, and if the application number and product identification code input from the consumer terminal is valid, points based on the application number and product identification code are given to each consumer. And a point management means for subtracting and storing points based on the prize or service for each consumer when the consumer applies for a prize or service according to the number of points. And point service system. 2. The point service system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of types of products provided by a plurality of product providers are targeted for point service. 3. The point management means has an automatic notification function for notifying the consumer that the customer can apply for a prize or a service when the number of points accumulated by the consumer exceeds a certain number of points. The point service system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: 4. The point management unit according to claim 1, wherein the point management unit has a point transfer function capable of transferring points acquired by one consumer to another consumer. Point service system. 5. The product information storage means has effective application number information indicating a range of application numbers that can be applied as product attribute information, and the point management means stores the application number inputted from the consumer terminal. The point service system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the application number / product identification code is determined to be invalid if the product / item identification code is not in the valid range of the valid application number information. 6. The product information storage means has effective service period information indicating a period during which an application can be made as product attribute information, and the point management means inputs the application number and product identification code from the consumer terminal. The point service system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the set date and time are not in the valid range of the valid service period information, the application number and product identification code are determined to be invalid. 7. The merchandise information storage means has, as merchandise attribute information, point service attribute information for specifying a point service to which a merchandise group belongs, and the point management means uses the application number and merchandise identification code to determine the point service attribute information. The point service system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the points are added for the corresponding point service by referring to (1).