JP2004139388A - Content service providing method and its system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pointing system which users utilizing various content services via mobile communicators such as cell phones unconsciously enjoy. <P>SOLUTION: This method and its system provide content services which the users 1a desire by connection through the mobile communicators 11 such as the cell phones held by the users 1a to a mobile communication network 50 provided by a carrier 2 and connection to a service providing server 30 of a service provider 3 who provides various contents via a communication line 51 such as Internet connected to the mobile communication network 50. They comprise: a database 31 provided in the service providing server 30 for managing user identification numbers (UID) and/or cell phone numbers provided for the service provider 3 by the carrier 2 which the users 1a utilize and for managing the users 1a; and a point granting means for issuing points to the users 1a depending on the services which the users utilize. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is intended for customers who connect to at least a mobile communication network using a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone and use contents provided from a game providing site, a music distribution site, a ticket selling site, a ringtone melody download site, and the like. The present invention also relates to a method for providing a content service and a system for providing the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in various businesses, a so-called point service in which points are given to a customer according to the amount of the commercial transaction and the like and a privilege according to the number of points is provided to the customer is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-2000-298773. This is performed as described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 5-282335. In addition, this point system means that a customer is made a member, points are given according to the purchase amount or the transaction amount, and some prizes or service discounts are given to the customer according to the accumulated points (points). It is a privilege that gives the right to receive. It will be understood that the points mentioned here include types of stamps that are conventionally stamped at stores.
[0003]
Various systems are known as such a point service system. For example, a card having a recording unit such as a magnetic stripe or an IC chip can be used to record point information in the recording unit of the card. Then, calculate the points according to the price of the product purchased by the customer at the time of the commercial transaction, and additionally record the points on the recording unit of the card using a card reader / writer, or calculate the accumulated points recorded in the recording unit. It can be used to process payments instead of payments. At that time, a point service system has been introduced to a merchandise management POS system using a computer system, and a point service system has been implemented.
[0004]
By the way, in recent years, there has been a remarkable spread of a mobile communication network represented by a mobile phone. For example, the mobile phone has a function as an information terminal as well as an original telephone function, and a mail function and various information services are provided. In addition, carriers such as J-Phone, NTT Docomo Group, and KDDI Group (in the present invention, businesses such as the NTT Docomo Group that provide an infrastructure that can use mobile communication devices such as mobile phones via a mobile communication network) (Referred to as "carriers") are also implementing a service of providing content data through an Internet connection service using a mobile communication network such as a mobile phone built by the company. .
[0005]
A service that can receive various types of content information is provided by a service provider for a service that wirelessly connects to the Internet from a mobile communication device via an infrastructure such as a mobile communication network provided by such a carrier. ing. For example, application services such as transmission and reception of e-mails, information providing services using the World Wide Web (WWW), mobile banking and ticket reservation, and provision of ringtones are provided. Some of these services are provided by carriers, but most of them use the mobile communication infrastructure provided by carriers to provide various types of content information to customers by service providers different from carriers. Often do.
[0006]
However, the service provider business that provides such content to customers has spread to various fields, and it is thought that there are many business opportunities, so the number of businesses trying to enter this business field is extremely small. In many cases, competition between service providers is intensifying. Therefore, an idea for cultivating a new customer who uses the content service is required, and in order to receive the service provided by the company repeatedly including the newly cultivated customer, the customer is fixed. It is necessary to aim at. As a measure for fixing such customers, the point system as described above is used in the retail business and the service business.
[0007]
By the way, in such a point giving system, it is necessary to specify a customer. For this reason, in a retail business or a service business, which provides business and services in a face-to-face relationship with the customer, the customer can present the customer authentication means, such as a membership card, at the service window or at a cash register, so that the trader can provide the customer with the customer authentication means. It is possible to identify and identify who the user is, and authentication means such as a membership card is usually issued as a customer identification means for that purpose.
[0008]
However, when using a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone or a communication terminal such as a personal computer to use some service through a communication network such as a mobile communication network or the Internet, the presentation of a membership card is completely meaningless. Not having it requires another means of identifying himself. Therefore, as a method commonly used in such a case, the service provider issues an ID or password certifying that the user is a member to the customer who uses the service, and this is used when the service is used. Is input. However, requesting such an input operation from the customer is a complicated and troublesome operation for the customer. Further, the customer may forget a code such as an ID or a password for identifying the user.
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-298773 A
[0010]
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-5-282335
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In view of the above-mentioned problems of the related art, problems to be solved by the present invention are as described below.
[0012]
That is, first, the carrier wishes to give a privilege to a customer who frequently uses the service by downloading content from a site connectable to a mobile communication network provided as an infrastructure, and the customer wants to further use the service. It is an object of the present invention to provide a content service providing method and a providing system that can provide such an incentive.
[0013]
Secondly, when connecting to the Internet using a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone and thereby giving the points to a customer who wants to provide a service, an ID, a password, or a member for identifying the customer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a content service providing method and a providing system which do not require a complicated operation of inputting a code such as a certificate number.
[0014]
Third, a content service that can use points given to customers in all businesses developed by content providers by centrally managing points in combination with the conventional point giving system. And a providing system for the same.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Here, the present invention according to claim 1 for solving the above-mentioned problem is described as follows. "A mobile communication device such as a customer's mobile phone is connected to a mobile communication network provided by a carrier, and A method for connecting to a service providing server of a service provider that provides various contents via a communication network such as the Internet connected to a network, and providing the content service desired by the customer,
A database for managing a customer by managing a customer identification number (UID) and / or a mobile phone number provided by the carrier used by the customer to the service provider is provided in the service providing server, and the service used by the customer is provided. A content service providing method "characterized by issuing points to the customer in response.
[0016]
Preferably, the invention according to claim 2 is a method for providing a content service according to claim 1, wherein the service provider provides various content services via a service providing server connected to the Internet. Is done.
[0017]
Further, as in the present invention according to claim 3, when a customer inputs an ID or a password from a communication terminal such as a personal computer, the customer is authenticated by a service providing server, and various contents provided by a service provider are provided. It is desirable to provide the content service providing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the commonly used points are given to a customer who has received the service.
[0018]
Further, as in the present invention according to claim 4, in face-to-face sales with a customer, a POS communication terminal is connected to the service providing server via a communication line, and a magnetic recording medium attached to a membership card or the like given to the customer. The content service providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the customer is authenticated and identified from the data recorded in the customer, and the common customer can be provided with the identified customer. It is desirable that
[0019]
Then, as in the present invention according to claim 5, for a customer who accesses various content services provided by a service provider via the Internet, a product and / or a product and / or a product related to the service purchased by the customer are provided to the customer. It is desirable to provide the method of providing a content service according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a list of services is displayed.
[0020]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method according to claim 6, wherein the points can be used in common in one or more types of services provided by the service provider, and allotments and / or discounts of a product price and / or a service usage fee. A method for providing a content service according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the method can be used for a content service.
[0021]
Next, as another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone, a mobile communication network provided by a carrier capable of using the mobile communication device, and a mobile communication network via the Internet. Service providing server that provides various types of content services to customers by connecting to the same, and a content service providing system including at least a database provided in the service providing server as a component requirement, a customer identification number provided by the carrier (UID) and / or customer identification means for identifying and identifying a customer from customer information at least consisting of a mobile phone number of the customer;
A table that associates at least the customer, goods and / or services, and points provided in the database in which the customer information, customer attribute information, point information, and product and service information are stored;
A content service providing system "which includes a point giving means for giving points to a customer with reference to the table for the customer identified and identified by the customer identifying means."
[0022]
At this time, as in the present invention according to claim 8, when the customer accesses the service providing server in hope of various contents services and uses the service, the list information of the related products and / or services is provided by the customer. A content service providing system according to claim 7, wherein a related information transmitting means for transmitting to a communication terminal is provided in the service providing server.
[0023]
Further, as in the present invention according to the ninth aspect, the provision of a point granting service from a membership card attached with a POS communication terminal for providing products and / or services in direct contact with the customer and a magnetic recording medium or the like. The service providing server is connected to the service providing server through a communication line, and a card reader / writer that can read and write information that can identify and identify the customer who can receive the service is provided, and points are given by the point giving means. It is desirable to provide a content service providing system according to claim 7 or 8.
[0024]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as necessary. According to the present invention, a service providing server is provided with an identification unit for identifying a customer's mobile phone number or customer identification number (UID) in order to identify a customer who has used a service of a provider that provides various contents. Utilizing the customer's mobile phone number or customer identification number (UID), a database of the customer using the content is created, and from this database, a service providing server is sent to the service providing server according to the service used by the customer. One feature is that points are provided by the provided point providing means. In this way, a carrier can download content from various content service providing sites that can be connected to a mobile communication network provided as an infrastructure and give benefits to customers who frequently use the service. In addition, the incentive that the customer wants to use the service can be given, and the customer can be fixed.
[0025]
In this case, a mobile phone number for specifying and managing a customer and a customer identification number (UID) have important meanings, and therefore, the relationship between them will be described first.
[0026]
Currently, carriers providing mobile communication network infrastructure to customers using mobile communication devices such as mobile phones use the customer's mobile phone number as an identification means to identify and identify the customer. I have. However, providing a customer's mobile phone number, which is a part of personal information, to a content service provider outside the carrier's network has a security problem. Therefore, the carrier converts the mobile phone number into a customer identification number (UID) based on a specific rule, and transmits this UID to a provider of the content service instead of the mobile phone number. . In this case, it goes without saying that the customer's mobile phone number and customer identification number (UID) correspond one-to-one. Therefore, a site for connecting to the mobile communication network provided by the carrier should be provided, and a business operator providing content services from this site should use the mobile phone number or customer identification number (UID) of the customer provided by the carrier. Thus, it is possible to create a customer database and manage the service usage history used by the customer.
[0027]
In this case, the service usage fee charged for the service used by the customer is usually collected by the carrier on behalf of the service provider from the customer, and the collection fee excluding the collection fee etc. is provided. There is a system to return to the business.
[0028]
In the present invention, a client connected to a mobile communication network provided by a carrier from a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone can transmit various contents via a communication line such as the Internet by using such a mechanism skillfully. When accessing the server of the providing service provider, the customer is uniquely identified by the customer identification means, and the customer is specified. Therefore, even if the customer unconsciously uses the service provided by the service provider, from the viewpoint of the service provider, the customer can be specified regardless of the customer's intention. For this reason, the customer management database is provided in the service providing server only by the act of the customer using the service, the database is collated, and the server is subjected to the collation processing of the customer. With the given point giving means, points according to the service used by the customer can be issued.
[0029]
Therefore, even if a service that does not directly meet the customer is provided through the Internet or the like, the point issuance work can be performed without requiring the customer to input the ID and password for certifying the membership. Can be done automatically. In other words, a customer who accesses a mobile communication network provided by a carrier using a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone does not need to memorize codes such as an ID and a password at all, and the customer can use these codes. Even if you forget, the service provider and the customer can be unconsciously received points issued by the service provider by the point awarding means provided on the service providing server without any influence. it can.
[0030]
One of the features of the point issuing system of the present invention is that points are issued even for the use of such a small amount of service. Therefore, there is no time limit for customers to use the points, or for example, for 10 years. It is preferable to use a point system having a very long validity period such that the points are valid.
[0031]
As described above, in the content service providing method and the providing system of the present invention, a customer who connects to a mobile communication network provided by a carrier from a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone is not aware of the customer. This has the great advantage that points can be issued.
[0032]
However, the present invention does not exclude the conventional point giving system, and conversely seeks to obtain a greater effect by using the system in combination with the conventional system. Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention including such a case will be described in detail with reference to FIG. However, since the embodiments of the present invention described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention, various technically preferable limitations are added. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specified in the following description.
[0033]
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, as a mode of “customer 1” with reference numerals omitted, in the case of the customer 1 a using the mobile communication device 11 such as a mobile phone as described above, a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as “customer 1”) is used. Such cases include a customer 1b using a communication terminal 1b such as “PC”, and a customer 1c using a membership card 1c provided with a magnetic recording medium or the like.
[0034]
First, in the case of the customer 1a using the mobile communication terminal 11 such as a mobile phone as described above, the customer 1a connects from the mobile communication terminal 11 to the mobile communication network 50 provided by the carrier 2 as infrastructure. Then, the mobile communication network 50 connects to the service provider 3 that provides various contents, and uses the provided various contents. At this time, the service provider 3 is hanging on a communication network 51 (hereinafter simply referred to as “Internet”) such as the Internet connected to the mobile communication network 50, and the customer 1 a is connected to the mobile communication device 11 by the mobile communication device 11. Various contents are used via the Internet 51. The service provider 3 uploads various contents on the service providing server 30 connected to the Internet 51. At this time, the service provider uses the telephone number and / or customer identification number (UID) of the mobile communication device 11 such as a mobile phone to connect the customer 1a one-on-one through customer identification means (not shown). That is, it can be uniquely recognized and specified as described above.
[0035]
As described above, when the customer 1a uses the mobile communication device 11 to use various contents, the service provider 3 stores what kind of content the customer 1a used in the reference table of the database 31. It is checked against the telephone number and / or customer identification number (UID). Then, the service information such as what kind of content was used in the corresponding storage area and how to use the attribute information of the customer 1a (if it can be known, the name, address, age, gender, Fixed telephone number, e-mail address, etc.). At this time, at the same time, the points to be given to the customer 1a in accordance with the service used by the customer 1a are referred to the master table stored in the database, and the points to be given to the customer 1a are calculated by the point calculating means. The points are calculated and points are provided by the point providing means based on the calculated points. The point calculating means and the point providing means are usually implemented by a program stored in the service providing server 30. Details of such processing will be described later.
[0036]
Next, when the customer 1b accesses the service providing server 30 of the service provider 3 from the Internet 51 via the Internet connection provider or the like from the communication terminal 12 such as a PC, various contents are provided without passing through the carrier 2. The case of receiving a service will be described.
[0037]
In this case, when the customer 1b connects to the content that the customer 1b wants to use, the user first operates the communication terminal 12 such as a PC to provide the content via the communication line 51 such as the Internet. It connects to the homepage (service providing server 30) of the business operator. At this time, if the customer 1b wishes to use the paid content displayed on the homepage 30 of the business 3 to which the customer 1b is connected, if the customer 1b wishes to use the paid content, the ID such as the member number previously registered with the customer 1b is registered. The customer 1b is required to input an authentication code such as a password and a password. In response to this request, the customer 1b inputs an authentication code from the keyboard of the PC terminal 12, and the service provider 3 stores the authentication code input at this time and stored in the customer database 31 of the service providing server 30. Check with the authentication code. When they match, the customer 1b is permitted to use the content. Therefore, in this case, the customer 1b is requested to input a code such as an ID and a password as in the conventional case, and the input code is used to uniquely identify the customer 1b who uses the service.
[0038]
At this time, the content provider 3 manages the customer 1b that associates the identification code input by the customer 1b with the mobile phone number and / or the customer identification number (UID) described above. The two are collated using the collation table stored in the database 31 to be compared. If the two match, the customer 1b (1a) is identified as the same customer, the corresponding point is calculated by the point calculation means using the master table, and the identified customer 1b (1a) is calculated. The newly generated points are added to the accumulated points.
[0039]
Note that, depending on the customer 1b (1a), the service from the mobile communication device 11 such as a mobile phone connected to the mobile communication network 50 provided by the carrier 2 as an infrastructure is not accepted, or the Internet is transmitted from the communication terminal 12 such as a PC. In some cases, a service that directly accesses the homepage 30 of the content provider via the communication line 51 may not be accepted. However, even in such a case, the matching table is provided with an area for storing the identification code and the mobile phone number and / or the customer identification number (UID). Be ready to enter these at any time. It should be noted that, in the case where the consent of the customer 1b is obtained, even in such a case, it is preferable to have the customer 1b provide necessary data and store both in the reference table. No.
[0040]
Therefore, there are cases where the identification code cannot be collated with the mobile phone number and / or the customer identification number (UID). In such a case, the customer 1 is identified by using one of the customer identification means. Manage. The points calculated based on the recognition code and the points calculated based on the mobile phone number and / or the customer identification number (UID) are stored in separate storage areas, and both of these points are stored. May be summed up as needed, and if total points are needed, they may be used at any time. Alternatively, separate storage areas may be provided according to the types of services to be provided, and points may be stored in the storage areas. In this way, it is possible to analyze the contents of the service used by a specific customer 1 and to provide each customer 1 with an individual service according to his / her preference.
[0041]
The services not directly facing the customers 1a and / or 1b as described above can be used by the customers 1a and / or 1b by accessing the service providing server 30 by the customers 1a and / or 1b. Management by the database of 1b is very easy. However, it can also be used in combination with a point issuing system such as a retail business that is provided to face the customer 1c directly. Therefore, such an embodiment, for example, in the case of a point issuing system in which point information can be recorded in a recording unit of a card using a card having a recording unit such as a magnetic stripe or an IC chip. This will be described below with reference to FIG.
[0042]
In this case, at the time of the commercial transaction, the point is calculated according to the price of the product purchased by the customer 1c and the service used, and the point is additionally recorded in the recording unit 13a of the member card 13 using the card reader / writer 143. Alternatively, payment processing is performed instead of the price using the accumulated points recorded in the recording unit 13a. At this time, the card reader / writer 143 has a POS terminal 14 composed of a computer such as that found in a POS management system connected online to a POS management computer also serving as the service providing server 30. However, the POS terminal 14 includes a POS terminal body 141, a barcode reader 142, and the card reader / writer 143. At this time, the barcode reader 142 is used to read barcode information described in a product or service purchased from the service provider 3 by the customer 1c. Then, the price of the product or service read from the barcode reader 142 in this way is read into the service providing server via the dedicated communication line 52 (in some cases, the Internet 51), and is stored in the database 31.・ Points corresponding to the table will be given. In the present invention, this POS management computer and the service providing server 30 are separately provided, and these are connected by a dedicated communication line to construct a LAN (local area network). Can be shared.
[0043]
When the system described above is constructed, the barcode attached to the product is read by the barcode reader 142, and points are added to the recording unit 13a of the membership card 13 from the read data using the card reader / writer 143. When recording or using the accumulated points recorded in the recording unit 13a to perform payment processing instead of the price, it is always necessary to connect to the service providing server via a POS management computer. The customer management database 31 provided in the providing server 30 can be easily used. In this case, since the customer 1c uses the membership card 13 having the recording unit 13a such as a magnetic stripe or an IC chip, the card 13 has the latest accumulated points stored in the service providing server 30. Is read and the points to be accumulated are added and subtracted so that the latest total points can be recorded in the service providing server 30, the POS management computer depending on another system, and the card 13 stored by the customer 1c. There is a need.
[0044]
In this way, by linking with the conventional point system, when a customer who is given points with a service different from the service from a mobile phone receives a paid service such as a mobile phone, You can confirm that the fee is free or that it is significantly discounted, and you can strongly impress the sense of value as well as the unexpectedness. It is also possible to send a confirmation message as to whether or not to use the accumulated points to the customer who receives the service from the mobile phone, and request the customer 1 to select whether to use the points. it can.
[0045]
FIG. 2 shows a customer 1a using various contents from a mobile communication device 11 via a mobile communication network 50 provided by a carrier 2, a customer 1b using various contents directly from a PC communication terminal 12, and a retail business. FIG. 9 is a diagram summarizing how to recognize the customer 1 with respect to the customer 1c who uses the member card 13 in face-to-face sales. As can be seen from the figure, in the case of the mobile communication device 11, the customer 1a automatically authenticates the customer 1a on the service provider 3 side only by using the service provided by the service provider 3. And give points.
[0046]
When the service provided by the service provider 3 is used directly from the PC communication terminal 12 via the Internet 51 without using the carrier 2, the customer 1b receives an ID such as a member number and a password. Prompt for input. Then, the customer 1b can be authenticated by these IDs or passwords, and points corresponding to the services used by the customer 1b can be given to the customer 1b specified by the authentication.
[0047]
When the customer 1c purchases a product or uses a service as in a retail business, the barcode information attached to the product or service is read. On the one hand, the product purchased by the customer 1c and the service used by the customer 1c are specified from the read barcode information. On the other hand, the customer 1c stored in the membership card such as a membership card presented to the customer 1c is identified. Based on the attribute information, the customer 1c is identified by collation, and points are given to the identified customer 1c.
[0048]
By the way, as for the embodiment of the service in which the customer 1 can use various contents, as shown in FIG. 3, the incoming melody site 301, the ticket sales site 302, the game site 303, the CD sales site 304, and Various contents provided by various sites such as the mail order site 305 can be exemplified. At this time, these sites can be provided from a single service providing server 30, but a plurality of service providing servers 30 may construct a LAN to provide a database for sharing data with each other.
[0049]
By doing as described above, for example, the customer 1a or customer 1b who has accessed the ringing melody site 301 can download a ringing melody that suits his / her preference from this site 301. At this time, a fee is charged for the download service used by the customer 1a or the customer 1b. On the other hand, points are given as a privilege by using the service by the customer 1a or the customer 1b. In addition, points corresponding to the contents of the services used by the customer 1a or 1b are given to the customer 1a or 1b who played the game provided by the game site 303 provided by the service provider 3. Can be. At that time, for example, every time the customer 1a or 1b clears the barrier set in the game, a fine-grained service can be provided such that points are given according to the difficulty level. Further, even when the service is provided to the customer 1c in a face-to-face manner as in a retail business, if the service 1 is connected to the service providing server 30 via the dedicated communication line 52 or the Internet 51 as shown in the figure, such a situation is obtained. The same service can be received by the customer 1c who has used the appropriate service.
[0050]
A system in which the customer 1 who receives various services provided by the service provider as described above pays for the services will be described with reference to FIG. First, only when the customer 1a uses the mobile communication device 11 such as a mobile phone, the carrier 2 that provides the mobile communication network 50 as an infrastructure charges the customer 1a for the service fee used by the customer 1a. It is also possible to have the user 1a collect the usage fee from 1a. When the carrier 2 is asked to collect the service fee, the service provider 3 requests the carrier 2 to pay the price collected from the customer 1a, and the customer 1a uses the payment through the carrier 2. Indirect charges will be collected.
[0051]
For the customer 1b who uses the service from the PC communication terminal 12 via the Internet 51, the service provider 3 bills the credit card company 4 or the like for the service fee used by the customer 1b, and the customer 1b makes a contract. The service usage fee is collected from the credit card company 4 to be used. Similarly, in the retail business, the customer 1c can use settlement by a credit card, and of course, can also make cash settlement.
[0052]
Here, finally, regarding the point providing system according to the present invention, taking the case of the customer 1a or 1b using the mobile communication device 11 or the PC communication terminal 12 as an example, the processing flow described in the flowchart shown in FIG. This will be described in detail.
[0053]
First, the customer 1a or 1b using the service starts by accessing the service providing server (homepage) 30 of the service provider 3. The customer 1a or 1b who has accessed the homepage 30 of the service provider 3 executes a step of selecting a desired product (S01). Then, the process enters a step (S02) of confirming whether or not the customer 1a or 1b wants to provide a product related to the product other than the product selected by the customer 1a or 1b. At this time, if the customer 1a or 1b does not want to provide the related merchandise, the process proceeds to the settlement method selection step (S06). However, if the customer 1a or 1b is interested in related products, the process proceeds to a step (S03) of displaying what related products can be provided, and a list of related products is displayed on the customer 1a or 1b. On the terminal display by the related information transmitting means. Then, the process proceeds to a step (S04) for selecting whether or not to purchase the related product displayed on the customer 1a or 1b. In this S04 step, if there is no related product desired by the customer 1a or 1b, the process proceeds to the settlement method selection step (S06). If there is a related product, the product is determined and selected (S05). Proceed to.
[0054]
As described above, for the customer 1a or 1b using the communication terminal 11 or 12, a list of products or services related to the product or service used by the customer 1a or 1b is displayed on the display of the communication terminal 11 or 12. The advantage that the information can be displayed on the related information sending means (not shown) is that the customer 1a or 1b wants to further use various contents provided by the service provider 3 from such information. Is to give.
[0055]
When the customer 1a or 1b completes the process of selecting a product as described above, the process proceeds to a step of selecting a settlement method for the product (S06), and determines whether the customer 1a or 1b uses the accumulated points. Step (S07). If the customer 1a or 1b does not want to use the points, a step (S08) of performing the settlement of the commodity price is executed. However, if the customer 1a or 1b has already acquired many points in the commodity price settlement step (S08), a step of discounting the provision fee of the commodity or service according to the number of points (S13). It is a preferred embodiment of the present invention that the processing is terminated after performing the above. In addition, along with such a step, a step (S09) of returning points according to the amount paid by the customer 1a or 1b, the contents of the used service, and the like with reference to the master table is executed, and thereafter, the point calculation is performed. The step (S14) of adding the points redeemed by the means and writing necessary data to the management storage area of the corresponding customer in the database 31 is performed, and the process ends.
[0056]
If the customer 1a or 1b wants to use the points in the step of selecting the use of the points (S07), the process proceeds to the next point balance inquiry step (S10). Then, in this inquiry step (S10), the accumulated number of points of the customer 1a or 1b obtained from the database is compared with the settlement price of the product, and the entire price of the product is settled in points, or a partial price of the product is settled. A step (S11) of determining whether to settle with points is executed. If the entire price of the product can be settled with points, the process proceeds to the next step (S12), and the entire price of the product purchased by the customer 1a or 1b is point-processed. If only a part of the commodity price purchased by the customer 1a or 1b can be settled with points, the process proceeds to a step (S13) of discounting only a part of the commodity purchased by the customer 1a or 1b with points.
[0057]
In this way, the process is completed after the point calculation means and the database update step (S14) are finally executed. In this step (S14), if the customer 1a or 1b does not wish to use the points, the newly calculated points are added by the point calculating means while referring to the customer collation table or the master table, and the database is added to the database. To memorize. It goes without saying that the commodity price purchased by the customer 1a or 1b is settled by the settlement system already described with reference to FIG.
[0058]
Next, when the customer 1a or 1b desires to use the points for the settlement of the product, if the accumulated points held by the customer 1a or 1b have reached the number necessary for the settlement of the product, the point calculation means Accordingly, the points consumed in the settlement of the product are subtracted from the accumulated points of the customer 1a or 1b, and newly generated points are added. Then, the updated data is written to a storage area for managing the customer 1a or 1b in the database 31. Further, the same processing is performed when the full amount of the product cannot be settled by the accumulated points of the customer 1a or 1b. In this case, however, the product settlement is performed by discounting a part of the product price using all the accumulated points. , All accumulated points are consumed, and only newly generated points are written to the database. At this time, it goes without saying that the remaining price that could not be settled by points is settled by the settlement system described with reference to FIG.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention described above, even if a customer receives a service of a content provider that provides various contents unconsciously using a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone, points are given without being conscious. . Therefore, even customers who use the service unconsciously can enjoy the benefits by using the service, and customers who know that such points have been given will not only get unexpected feelings but also profitable feelings Become. For this reason, the customer who uses the service can fix the customer in order to receive the service from the company having more benefits, and can also provide an incentive for the customer to further use the service. . Further, in such a point giving system, a small settlement can be made.
[0060]
Furthermore, such services can be extended to other business areas, for example, to a conventional point giving system in a retail business where services are provided in a face-to-face manner with customers, and by using these systems together, content from mobile phones can be obtained. The scope of service provision can be expanded not only to the provided business but also to other business fields. In this way, the customer can be given an incentive to use services in other business fields. In addition, customers will be able to use the points given in each service in common, so they will be able to consume points more efficiently, and will revitalize the consumption of points for service providers. This has the effect of allowing debt to be expedited.
[0061]
In addition, by linking with the conventional point system, when a customer who is given points with a service different from the mobile phone service receives a paid service such as a mobile phone, the service fee is reduced. When it becomes free or is greatly discounted, it is possible to strongly impress customers with not only unexpectedness but also great value. As a result, the service provider has a favorable impression, which is a significant effect in terms of securing customers.
[0062]
Further, if a list of goods or services related to the goods or services used by the customer can be displayed on the display of the communication terminal by the related information transmitting means for the customer using the communication terminal, From such information, it is possible to provide an incentive for the customer to further use various contents provided by the service provider. For the service provider, business opportunities can be further expanded, and opportunities for providing products and services also increase.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view for explaining an entire embodiment of a content service providing method and a content providing system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for comparing and explaining a case in which a customer is specified and authenticated according to a service usage form of the customer.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram specifically illustrating services of various contents provided by a service provider;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying a service usage fee settlement system between a customer using a content service and a provider providing the service;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a point giving system for giving points to a customer.
[Explanation of symbols]
1a, 1b, 1c: customer
2: Career
3: Service provider
11: Mobile communication device (mobile phone)
12: PC communication terminal
13: Member card
13a: magnetic recording medium
14: POS terminal
30: Service providing server
31: Database
50: Mobile communication network
51: Internet
52: Dedicated communication line
141: POS terminal body
142: Barcode reader
143: Card reader / writer

Claims (9)

A service provider that connects to a mobile communication network provided by a carrier from a mobile communication device such as a customer's mobile phone, and further provides various contents via a communication network such as the Internet connected to the mobile communication network. A method for connecting to a service providing server to provide a content service desired by the customer,
A service management server for managing a customer by managing a customer identification number (UID) and / or a mobile phone number provided by a carrier used by the customer to a service provider; and a service used by the customer. A content service providing method, wherein points are given to the customer in accordance with the following. The content service providing method according to claim 1, wherein the service provider provides various content services through a service providing server connected to the Internet. When a customer inputs an ID or password from a communication terminal such as a personal computer, the customer is authenticated by the service providing server, and is commonly used by customers who have received various content services provided by the service provider. 3. The content service providing method according to claim 1, wherein the possible points are given. In face-to-face sales with customers, a POS communication terminal or the like is connected to the service providing server via a communication line, and the customer is authenticated from data recorded on a magnetic recording medium or the like attached to a membership card or the like given to the customer. The content service providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the specified customer is provided with the commonly usable points. A list of goods and / or services related to goods and / or services purchased by the customer is displayed to a customer who accesses various content services provided by the service provider via the Internet. 5. The method for providing a content service according to any one of 4. The point may be used in common in one or more types of services provided by the service provider, and may be used for appropriation and / or discount of a product price and / or a service usage fee. 5. The method for providing a content service according to any one of 4. A mobile communication device such as a mobile phone, a mobile communication network provided by a carrier capable of using the mobile communication device, and a service for providing various content services to customers by connecting to the mobile communication network via the Internet or the like. A providing server, a content service providing system including at least a database provided in the service providing server,
Customer identification means for identifying and specifying a customer from at least customer information including a customer identification number (UID) and / or a mobile phone number of the customer provided by the carrier;
A table that associates at least the customer, goods and / or services, and points provided in the database in which the customer information, customer attribute information, point information, and product and service information are stored;
Point providing means for giving points to the customer by referring to the table for the customer identified and identified by the customer identifying means. When the customer accesses the service providing server in hope of various content services and uses the service, the service providing server includes related information transmitting means for transmitting list information of related products and / or services to the communication terminal of the customer. 8. The contents service providing system according to claim 7, wherein the contents service is provided. Recognizing that it is a customer who can receive the point granting service from a POS communication terminal for providing products and / or services in direct contact with the customer and a membership card attached with a magnetic recording medium or the like. 9. The point providing device according to claim 7, wherein the service providing server is connected to a card reader / writer that can read and write the information that can be specified by a communication line to the service providing server, and points are given by the point giving means. Content service provision system.

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