JP2004213492A - Point management device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the issuing of a dishonored point in a service point system usable in a plurality of stores. <P>SOLUTION: A member store 36 is a store affiliated with service point and prepaid point services. A store independent account 24 is an account owned by the member store 36. A common service point accumulation part 10 is a storage device for accumulating common service points. A reserve account 22 is provided for accumulation of reserve fund by the member store 36. A settlement account 16 is an account provided in conformation to the common service point accumulation part 10. A store independent point accumulation part 12 is a storage device for accumulating independent service points. A common prepaid point accumulation part 14 is a storage device for accumulating prepaid points usable in the plurality of stores. A deposit account 18 is an account provided in conformation to the common prepaid point accumulation part 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technology for managing points in a point system having an exchange value for goods as well as cash. In particular, it relates to a technology for managing service points.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There is a system in which, when a product is purchased at an actual store, an electronic store, or the like, a predetermined percentage of the payment amount is issued as a service point. Generally, this issued service point is used instead of money by the user. An advantage of the user by this system is that a discount of a service point equivalent amount can be obtained when purchasing a new product. On the other hand, the advantage of the store is that the user can use the store again by discounting the service point equivalent amount. In many cases, the service point can be used only at the store where the service point is issued. However, it is desirable for the user to be able to use the service point at a store other than the store where the service point is issued, since the opportunity to receive a discount is increased. If a service point can be used at a plurality of affiliated stores, the store that issues the service point and the store that is used may be different, so the settlement of money for the service point between the stores becomes an issue.
[0003]
In a conventional service point system that can be used between a plurality of stores, a business server accumulates service points issued at stores other than the store among service points used by a user at a predetermined store, and issues service points. Bill the store for service point equivalents. As a result, the service point issuing store bears the cost of the service point and clears the money. A store using a service point issued by another store can finally receive money equivalent to the service point, so that the store does not lose money. On the other hand, the store that issues the service point automatically pays the service point issuance responsibility because it is necessary to pay money corresponding to the issued service point to another store.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-63464
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Under such circumstances, the inventor has come to recognize the following problem. Stores that use service points issued by other stores, although temporarily, replace their service point equivalents, so that the trust relationship between member stores is generally important for smooth operation of service points. Therefore, a store that has been charged for a service point replacement fee from another store must immediately transfer the amount to a designated bank account. On the other hand, if the service point cannot be settled due to the bankruptcy of the store that issued the service point during that time, the service point will be lost.
[0006]
Since anyone can easily open an electronic store using the Internet, it is generally more difficult to judge credit risk than in an actual store. If a store with low creditworthiness joins by loosening the credit risk criterion, there is a high risk that after excessively issuing service points, it becomes impossible to pay the price before settlement. If the service points are stored as service points for each issuing store, when the user uses the service points, it is necessary to specify the issuing store of the service points, which reduces the user's convenience.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for managing service points that can be used in a plurality of stores. In particular, in a service point system that can be used in a plurality of stores, a technique for reducing the risk of a service point being undelivered is provided. Another object of the present invention is to provide a technique for reducing the risk of excessively issuing service points when clearing service points in a service point system that can be used in a plurality of stores. Further, the present invention provides a technology that is highly convenient for the user when using service points.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a point management device. This device includes a control unit that permits issuance of a common service point that can be used in a plurality of stores according to use in one of a plurality of stores, and a common point storage unit that stores a common service point. Including. In this device, the control unit refers to the reserve account in which the amount corresponding to the common service point scheduled to be issued in the future is stored, and sets the maximum number of common service points to be issued corresponding to the amount prepared in the reserve account. The number of points may be controlled.
[0009]
The “store” is a company that buys and sells products and provides services. This includes not only physical stores but also electronic stores installed on the Internet.
“One store” indicates one selected store, but includes not only that but also a case where a plurality of stores can be treated as one store like a chain store.
The “service point” is a point added by a store to purchase of a product or the like, and is a point having a value that can be exchanged for a product like money. The management of these points is performed by a card, electronic information, or the like.
[0010]
The control unit may issue a prepaid point that can be used in one store, and control the transfer of a predetermined amount from the store account storing the amount to be received by one store to the reserve account. Further, when the common service point is issued, the control unit determines the amount corresponding to the service point to be issued from the fixed amount account storing the amount corresponding to the common service point stored in the common point storage unit. You may control to move to an account. It may further include a collating unit for collating the common service points accumulated in the common point accumulating unit with the amount prepared in the financing account as appropriate, and confirming a match between them.
“Prepaid points” are points corresponding to prepaid rates, and are points that have a value that can be exchanged for merchandise in the same manner as money. The management of these points is performed as a card or electronic information.
[0011]
It may further include an individual point storage unit that stores individual service points that can be used in one store. In this device, the control unit may control the change of the type of the service point from the common service point to the individual service point. It may further include an operation unit that receives an instruction regarding a change in the type of service point from the user and outputs the instruction to the control unit. The control unit may add a predetermined reward point to the individual service point when controlling the change of the type of the service point. Further, when the type of the service point is changed prior to the purchase of the product using the individual service point in one store, the control unit may increase the reward point as the time margin increases.
“Reward points” are points added without the user paying the point equivalent price. Further, the setting may be different for each store.
[0012]
A log collection unit that records a change between the common service point of the common point storage unit and the individual service point of the individual point storage unit may be further included. When the number of individual service points is insufficient in using the individual service points, the control unit may compensate for the shortage by using a common service point.
According to this device, service points that can be used in common at a plurality of stores and service points that can be used at an issuing store are separately managed, and the former issuance limit is limited to the balance of the course.
In addition, any combination or rearrangement of the above-described constituent elements, and those expressing the present invention as a method, a computer program, and the like are also effective as embodiments of the present invention.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(Embodiment 1)
When the user uses a predetermined member store, the common settlement system according to the first embodiment issues service points (hereinafter, referred to as “common service points”) that can be used in a plurality of stores including the member store. In order to prevent the issue of common service points that exceed the ability of the member stores to pay, the member stores prepare a predetermined amount of money in the reserve account in advance, and the common settlement system corresponds to the amount accumulated in the reserve account Issue common service points up to the number of points to be issued. Further, the common settlement system adds a reward point to a service point (hereinafter, referred to as an “individual service point”) that can be used only at a predetermined member store when the service point is changed from the common service point. To change the type. As a result, the affiliated store can receive in advance the amount corresponding to the individual service point, and can obtain the same incentive as the prepaid points issued by the affiliated store independently.
[0014]
When a user uses a service point at a given affiliated store, the common settlement system first uses the individual service point of the affiliated store, and automatically uses the common service point if it is still insufficient. No special processing is required. In addition, a prepaid point service is implemented together with the service point service, and the common settlement system transfers the amount received by the member store by issuing the prepaid point to the reserve account, thereby paying for the member store to issue the common service point. The burden can be reduced.
[0015]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a common settlement system 100 according to the first embodiment. The common settlement system 100 has a common settlement center 110 and a member store 36. In addition, the common settlement center 110 includes a store-owned account 20, a common service point storage unit 10, a confirmed money account 16, a store individual point storage unit 12, a common prepaid point storage unit 14, a security deposit account 18, a control unit 28, and an operation unit 26. , A log collection unit 34, a service point collation unit 30, and a prepaid point collation unit 32, and the store-owned account 20 has a reserve account 22 and a store individual account 24.
[0016]
The common settlement center 110 is a device that manages common service points and individual service points for stores participating in the service of service points and prepaid points. This does not need to be a single device, and devices that exist individually may be connected by a network or the like.
[0017]
The member store 36 is a store participating in the service of the service point and the prepaid point, and a plurality of stores may exist in addition to the one store shown in FIG. This includes not only physical stores but also electronic stores on the Internet. The store individual account 24 is an account owned by the member store 36, but includes financial institutions other than banks.
[0018]
The common service point storage unit 10 is a storage device in which the user 38 purchases a product at the affiliated store 36 and stores the common service points issued thereby. The common service point is issued at a predetermined ratio with respect to the amount of money used by the user 38, and has a function of being exchangeable for goods and services like money. Since the common service point may be electronic information, the common service point storage unit 10 is generally configured by a storage medium such as a hard disk.
[0019]
In the reserve account 22, reserves are accumulated by the affiliated store 36, and the affiliated store 36 can issue a common service point up to the accumulated amount.
The fixed money account 16 is an account provided corresponding to the common service point storage unit 10, and stores an amount corresponding to the issued common service points.
[0020]
The store individual point storage unit 12 is a storage device that stores individual service points that can be used only in the member store 36. Although not shown, a store individual point accumulation unit 12 corresponding to stores other than the member store 36 also exists separately.
[0021]
The common prepaid point storage unit 14 is a storage device that stores prepaid points that can be used in a plurality of stores (hereinafter, referred to as “common prepaid points”). The prepaid points have a function that can be exchanged for goods and services like money, and are converted, for example, into 1 yen per point. In addition, since the common prepaid point may be electronic information, the common prepaid point storage unit 14 is generally configured by a storage medium such as a hard disk. The common prepaid points are changed to prepaid points (hereinafter, referred to as “individual prepaid points”) that can be used only in the member store 36 and are stored in the store individual point storage unit 12. The individual service points and the individual prepaid points may be stored separately in the store individual point storage unit 12, but both are used here without distinction.
[0022]
The deposit account 18 is an account provided corresponding to the common prepaid point storage unit 14, and stores an amount corresponding to the common prepaid points stored in the common prepaid point storage unit 14.
[0023]
The control unit 28 controls processes such as movement of service points and prepaid points among the common service point storage unit 10, the store individual point storage unit 12, the common prepaid point storage unit 14, and the member stores 36. One control unit 28 does not need to perform all the processing, and the function of controlling the store individual point accumulation unit 12 may be outside the common settlement center 110. As a result, service points and prepaid points that can be used in common at a plurality of stores can be used in combination with existing service point systems and prepaid point systems for individual stores.
[0024]
The operation unit 26 is instructed by the user 38 to change the type of service point from the common service point to the individual service point or to change the type of the prepaid point from the common prepaid point to the individual prepaid point. This is provided with a user interface that can be connected to the control unit 28, the common service point storage unit 10, the store individual point storage unit 12, the common prepaid point storage unit 14, and the like via a network and can receive a user's instruction. It can also be realized by a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as “PC”).
[0025]
The log collection unit 34 appropriately records the change in the type of service points and prepaid points between the common service point storage unit 10, the store individual point storage unit 12, and the common prepaid point storage unit 14, that is, the increase or decrease of the service points or prepaid points. It is composed of a storage medium such as a hard disk. Further, it may be configured as a part of a device such as the common service point storage unit 10, the store individual point storage unit 12, and the common prepaid point storage unit 14. The recording timing of the log collection unit 34 may be at a time interval when a service point or a prepaid point increases or decreases, or at a fixed time interval.
[0026]
The service point collating unit 30 accumulates the amount corresponding to the common service point accumulated in the common service point accumulating unit 10 and the amount prepared in the financing account 16, and the prepaid point collating unit 32 accumulates in the common prepaid point accumulating unit 14. This is an apparatus for appropriately recording the amount corresponding to the common prepaid points and the amount prepared in the deposit account 18. Generally, the financing account 16 and the deposit account 18 are installed in a financial institution such as a bank, so that information about the amount is input from the financial institution to the service point matching unit 30 and the prepaid point matching unit 32 via a network or the like. .
[0027]
FIG. 2 shows a procedure for changing the type of prepaid points from the common prepaid point storage unit 14 to the store individual point storage unit 12. It is assumed that each member store of the prepaid point separately contracts with the common settlement center 110. The common settlement center 110 issues a prepaid point card common to member stores. Generally, only the point ID and the date of manufacture are stored in this card, but no personal information is stored. Even if the card itself is not provided, the same function can be realized by storing card information in a device existing on the network and accessing the device using information such as a password. .
[0028]
The user 38 who uses the prepaid card deposits into the deposit account 18 corresponding to the point ID through an input cooperating organization such as a convenience store or a financial institution (S10). When confirming the deposit in the deposit account 18, the control unit 28 issues a corresponding common prepaid point and adds it to the common prepaid point storage unit 14 corresponding to the point ID (S12). Further, the user 38 can change some or all of the common prepaid points to individual prepaid points (Y in S14).
[0029]
The control unit 28 subtracts the changed common prepaid point from the common prepaid point accumulating unit 14 (S16), and adds it to the store individual point accumulating unit 12 as an individual prepaid point (S18). Further, the control unit 28 issues an instruction to move the amount corresponding to the changed common prepaid point from the deposit account 18 to the store individual account 24 (S20), and the individual prepaid point stored in the store individual point storage unit 12. (S22). On the other hand, when the user 38 does not designate the change from the common prepaid point to the individual prepaid point, the control unit 28 does not perform these processes (N in S14). The above processing may be performed at any timing.
[0030]
FIG. 3 shows a procedure for issuing a common service point. As a premise, each store affiliated with the service point separately contracts with the common settlement center 110 like the prepaid point. The common settlement center 110 issues a service point card common to the member stores, which may be the same as the prepaid point card.
[0031]
The member store 36 deposits the reserve for the common service point into the reserve account 22 (S30). Further, part or all of the amount accumulated in the store individual account 24 may be paid. The user 38 purchases a product at the affiliated store 36 (S32). At this time, the user 38 presents the service point card to the affiliated store 36, and the affiliated store 36 uses a dedicated card reader to check the point ID, the number of balance points, and the like. The same function can be realized even when the user 38 accesses the device existing on the network in which the information on the service point is stored using the information such as the password without using the card itself. It is.
[0032]
After acquiring the information, the control unit 28 calculates the amount corresponding to the common service point issued at this time, and compares the calculated amount with the balance of the reserve accumulated in the reserve account 22 (S34). . When the issuance point equivalent amount is smaller than the reserve balance (Y in S34), the control unit 28 issues a common service point (S36). Further, the control unit 28 adds the issued common service points to the existing common service points stored in the common service point storage unit 10 and adds the amount corresponding to the issued common service points from the reserve account 22 Move to account 16 (S38). On the other hand, when the issuance point equivalent amount is larger than the reserve balance (N in S34), no common service point is issued (S40).
[0033]
FIG. 4 shows a procedure for changing the common service points stored in the common service point storage unit 10 to the individual service points stored in the store individual point storage unit 12. The user 38 confirms the number of common service points owned. FIG. 5 shows a display screen for changing from a common service point to an individual service point, which also shows a common prepaid point. This screen is displayed on, for example, a terminal installed in a convenience store or a PC connected to a network, and includes a current point display unit 60 and a movement point display unit 62. On the current point display section 60, currently owned service points and prepaid points are displayed.
[0034]
The user 38 inputs a predetermined value for changing the type of the service point or the prepaid point to the moving point display section 62, and changes the common service point or the common prepaid point to the individual service point. When the user 38 presses the move button 64 to specify a change in the type of service point or prepaid point, information such as a point ID, a specific store name, and the number of changed points is transmitted to the control unit 28, and a service point change instruction is received. (S50). If the number of service points instructing the change is smaller than the number of common service points (Y of S52), the control unit 28 adds the individual service points of the store individual point storage unit 12, and adds the common service points of the common service point storage unit 10. The service points are subtracted, and the amount corresponding to the number of service points to be changed is transferred from the fixed-value account 16 to the store individual account 24 (S54). On the other hand, if the number of service points instructing the change is larger than the number of common service points (N in S52), the type of the service point is not changed (S56).
[0035]
FIG. 6 shows a procedure for using service points. The user 38 purchases a product at the affiliated store 36 (S60). The user 38 presents the service point card to use the individual service points for the affiliated store 36 (S62), and the affiliated store 36 uses a dedicated card reader or the like to obtain the point ID and the number of balance points. Check. The same function can be realized even when the user 38 accesses the device existing on the network in which the information on the service point is stored using the information such as the password without using the card itself. It is.
[0036]
After acquiring these pieces of information, the control unit 28 compares the service points to be used with the number of individual service points stored in the store individual point storage unit 12. When the number of used service points is smaller than the number of individual service points and the payment is completed (Y in S64), the control unit 28 uses the individual service points stored in the store individual point storage unit 12. On the other hand, when the payment is not completed (N in S64), the control unit 28 uses all the individual service points stored in the store individual point storage unit 12, and then uses the common service point storage unit 10 that lacks the common service points. Is subtracted, and the amount corresponding to the subtracted common service point is transferred from the financing account 16 to the store individual account 24 (S66).
[0037]
Further, if the payment is not completed (N in S68), the control unit 28 uses the common prepaid points stored in the common prepaid point storage unit 14, and transfers the amount corresponding to the used common prepaid points from the security deposit account 18 to the individual store. Move to account 24 (S70).
[0038]
FIG. 7 shows a log file recorded by the log collection unit 34. When the log collection unit 34 is configured by a storage medium such as a hard disk, the log file is realized by a text file or an electronic file having another format. The log file contains the common prepaid point balance stored in the common prepaid point storage unit 14, the common service point balance stored in the common service point storage unit 10, and the individual service point balance for each store with respect to time for each point ID. Has been recorded. These recordings themselves may be performed by the control unit 28. In FIG. 7, reward points are considered.
[0039]
FIG. 8 shows a management file managed by the control unit 28. This indicates a change in the balance of the reserve account 22 due to the issuance of the common service point, in which the ID is used to identify a plurality of users 38. Here, since the balance of the reserve account 22 is larger than the amount corresponding to the common service point to be issued, the common service point is issued.
[0040]
FIG. 9 shows a management file recorded in the prepaid point collating unit 32. The management file records the common prepaid point balance accumulated in the common prepaid point accumulation unit 14 and the balance accumulated in the security deposit account 18 with respect to time for each prepaid point ID. Further, when the comparison is made and the values match, the determination result is recorded as OK. However, when the balance is larger than the point balance, it may be determined as OK. The management file recorded in the service point collating unit 30 has the same configuration.
[0041]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a common service point is issued by using a predetermined store, the balance of the reserve account is set as an issue limit, so that non-delivery of the common service point can be prevented. Further, by making the operation of changing from the common service point to the individual service point and the operation of changing from the common prepaid point to the individual prepaid point common, it is possible to improve the user's convenience. Further, when the service points are used, if the individual service points are insufficient, the common service points are automatically used, so that the convenience for the user can be improved.
[0042]
(Embodiment 2)
The second embodiment relates to a common settlement system for service points as in the first embodiment, but presupposes the use of an electronic store on a network such as the Internet. Therefore, user authentication and the like are important.
[0043]
The configuration shown in FIG. 1 is effective as a configuration of the common settlement system 100 according to the second embodiment.
The user 38 accesses the common settlement center 110 using the WWW browser of the PC. The user 38 uses the operation unit 26 to perform various processes related to the service point. At this time, the common settlement center 110 requests the user 38 to input predetermined information in order to prevent access by an invalid user. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the request screen. Here, the input of the user ID and the password is requested. Generally, there is no need to disclose personal information to such information.
[0044]
The control unit 28 determines whether or not the user 38 is valid based on the information. If the user 38 is valid, the common service point of the common service point storage unit 10 is stored in the individual service point of the store individual point storage unit 12. And individual service points can be used at the affiliated store 36. When changing the type of service point, a screen similar to that shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the WWW browser. When the user 38 inputs predetermined information on this screen and decides to change, the information is transmitted to the control unit 28 via the Internet, and the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed. The same applies to the use of service points.
[0045]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the common settlement system can be used not only at an actual store but also at an electronic store on the Internet. Further, the service point accumulating units in the actual store and the electronic store are made common, and convenience is improved by common use of one service point.
[0046]
(Embodiment 3)
In the third embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, reward points are added by changing the type of service point from the common service point to the individual service point. In the first embodiment, a certain reward point is added by the change. However, in the third embodiment, reward points are added according to the period from change to use. That is, the reward points are increased as the time from when the type of the service points is changed to when the individual service points are used is increased.
[0047]
The configuration shown in FIG. 1 is effective as the configuration of the common settlement system 100 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 shows how the reward points to be added change over time in the third embodiment. Reward points when the service points are changed to individual service points before use are increased in proportion to the period after the change, and become constant after a predetermined period elapses. Here, as an example of the predetermined period, it is 10 days. The control unit 28 calculates the reward points, and the reward points are added to the individual service points stored in the store individual point storage unit 12.
[0048]
When the user 38 uses the individual service point at time a in FIG. 11, the reward point does not become the maximum value that can be added, but when the user 38 uses it at time b, the reward point becomes the maximum value that can be added.
[0049]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the reward points when the common service point is changed to the individual service point prior to the use of the service point are increased as the period from the change to the use of the service point is longer. Designed to prompt users to change to individual service points early.
[0050]
(Embodiment 4)
The fourth embodiment relates to a technology for performing settlement when a user uses a service point in the first to third embodiments. In the fourth embodiment, a mobile phone or the like is used instead of a card to use a service point in consideration of user's convenience.
[0051]
FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a settlement system 2100 according to the embodiment. The settlement system 2100 has a user terminal 210, a member store terminal 212, and a common server 214.
[0052]
The user terminal 210 is a terminal operated by the user 38. The user terminal 210 has a function of accessing the common server 214 via a network. For example, it is a mobile phone terminal or a PDA. The user terminal 210 does not need to be owned by the user, and may be installed in a store.
[0053]
The member store terminal 212 is a terminal used when the member store 36 performs authentication and settlement for the user 38 who uses the service point. The member store terminal 212 has an interface for inputting predetermined information and a function of accessing the common server 214 via a network. A general-purpose PC may be used as long as it has these functions, and need not be a dedicated device.
[0054]
The common server 214 is located in the common settlement center 110, manages service point IDs and balance point numbers owned by the user 38, and authenticates them in response to requests from the user terminal 210 and the member store terminal 212. And a device for transmitting information necessary for settlement. FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of the common server 214. The common server 214 includes a login authentication unit 230, a specific code input unit 232, an information output unit 234, an authentication information confirmation unit 236, a payment information confirmation unit 238, and a completion information output unit 240. This configuration can be realized in terms of hardware by the CPU, memory, or other LSI of any computer, and can be realized in terms of software by a program or the like loaded in the memory. The functional blocks are drawn. Therefore, it is understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof. Further, it is not necessary for one device to have these functions, and a plurality of devices may be used.
[0055]
The login authentication unit 230 receives a login request from the user terminal 210 and performs authentication. The specific code input unit 232 receives the specific code from the member store terminal 212. The information output unit 234 outputs predetermined information to the user terminal 210 or the member store terminal 212 according to the results of the login authentication unit 230 and the specific code input unit 232. The predetermined information will be described later. The authentication information confirmation unit 236 receives information indicating that the authentication has been completed from the member store terminal 212, and confirms this. After the confirmation by the authentication information confirmation unit 236, the payment information confirmation unit 238 receives the information regarding the payment from the member store terminal 212 and performs a predetermined process. The completion information output unit 240 outputs completion information to the member store terminal 212 when the settlement is completed.
[0056]
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a procedure of settlement when using service points. It is assumed that the user 38 already has the user ID of the service point and the amount corresponding to the user ID has been transferred to a predetermined account. The user 38 purchases a product using the service point at a store affiliated with the service point service.
[0057]
The user 38 accesses the login authentication unit 230 in the common server 214 using the WWW browser of the user terminal 210. At this time, the user inputs a user ID, a password, and an ID of a member store to be used (S210). This display screen is shown in FIG. When the user terminal 210 successfully logs in to the common server 214, the information output unit 234 in the common server 214 transmits the user ID, the member store ID, the specific code, the specific code validity period, the service point balance, and the like from the database to the user terminal 210. (S212). FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a screen of the user terminal 210 that receives and displays the above information. Here, the specific code is a code sequence having a certain length determined from a user ID, a member store ID, time, and the like. Here, the specific code received by the user terminal 210 at this time is valid only within the specific code validity period in terms of location within the member store to be used. The user presents this information to the clerk of the member store (S214).
[0058]
If the member store ID is correct, the clerk of the member store inputs the specific code to the user interface of the member store terminal 212 and accesses the specific code input part 232 of the common server 214 (S216). FIG. 17 shows a display screen of the member store terminal 212. Here, the specific code input unit 232 may request the member store terminal 212 for authentication information about the member store such as a password. The information output unit 234 in the common server 214 transmits the user ID, member store ID, specific code validity period, service point balance, and the like corresponding to the specific code from the database to the member store terminal 212 (S218). FIG. 18 shows a display screen on the member store terminal 212. The clerk of the member store compares the information with the display contents of the user terminal 210, and if they match, authenticates the user 38 and treats the same as the one that presented the service card (S220). At that time, the clerk at the member store selects the Yes button 220 in FIG. 18 and transmits the information to the authentication information confirmation unit 236 in the common server 214 (S222).
[0059]
The member store terminal 212 transmits the user ID, the member store ID, the specific code, and the number of payment points to the payment information confirmation unit 238 in the common server 214 (S224). The number of settlement points is the number of service points used by the user 38 for purchasing a product. Further, these pieces of information may be transmitted not to the common server 214 but to a separate payment server. The payment information confirmation unit 238 subtracts the number of payment points from the number of service points corresponding to the user ID, and completes the payment. The completion information output unit 240 in the common server 214 transmits the settlement completion information to the member store terminal 212 (S226), and then, the member store delivers the product to the user 38 (S228).
[0060]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when using a service point having exchange value for goods as well as cash, when there is no card and there is no dedicated device such as a barcode reader, the period is By using a random specific code whose area is restricted, a general-purpose PC or the like can be used with high security.
[0061]
The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. . Here are some examples.
[0062]
In the first embodiment, a service point is acquired by purchasing a product in an actual store or an electronic store as the member store 36. However, acquisition of service points is not limited to purchase of a product. For example, you may acquire as a premium | prize by play, such as a game. According to this modification, the service points can be widely applied. In short, the service point issuer only has to pay the amount corresponding to the points.
[0063]
In the first embodiment, service points are used for purchasing merchandise at an actual store or an electronic store as the member store 36. However, the use of the service point is not limited to the purchase of a product, and may be used when receiving provision of a service. For example, when accessing the Internet, a service point may be used for use of a provider. In short, it may be used for payment of a predetermined price.
[0064]
In the first embodiment, when using service points, the individual service points in the store individual point storage unit 12 are used first, and the common service points in the common service point storage unit 10 are used for the shortage. However, the method of using the service point is not limited to this. For example, various service points may be used at a fixed rate. Alternatively, a separately existing prepaid point may be used. The point is that the use of these points may be paid for accordingly.
[0065]
In the first embodiment, the individual service points and the individual prepaid points are used in the store individual point accumulation unit 12 without distinction. However, both may be strictly distinguished and used. For example, if there is a store that is affiliated with only one of them, it may be preferable in some cases.
[0066]
In the third embodiment, the control unit 28 increases reward points at a fixed rate according to time. However, the rate of increase in reward points over time is not limited to this. For example, it may be increased quadratically according to time. According to this modification, the store can provide various service points according to the assumed user class. In short, it is sufficient that a user who takes a long time from the change of the service point type to the use thereof can receive more reward points. Further, a predetermined limit value may be set for the reward points.
[0067]
In the fourth embodiment, the authentication technique when using the service point has been described. However, this is not limited to using service points. For example, it is also possible to accumulate service points. In short, it is only necessary to be able to authenticate a user who does not own a reward card.
[0068]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, service points that can be used in a plurality of stores can be managed. In particular, in a service point system that can be used at a plurality of stores, the risk of a service point being defeated can be reduced. Further, in a service point system that can be used in a plurality of stores, the risk of excessively issuing service points when clearing service points can be reduced. Further, the convenience for the user when using the service point can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a common settlement system according to Embodiment 1.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a procedure for changing the type of a prepaid point by the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a procedure in issuing a service point by the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a procedure in changing the type of a service point by the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display screen for changing the type of service point by the device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a procedure in using a service point by the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a log file in a log collection unit by the device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a service point issuance management file in a control unit of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
9 is a diagram showing a management file in a prepaid point collating unit by the device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen for user authentication according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a change over time of reward points according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a settlement apparatus according to Embodiment 4.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a common server in the apparatus of FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a procedure of settlement by the apparatus of FIG.
15 is a diagram showing a display screen of a user terminal requesting a specific code by the device of FIG. 12;
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display screen of a user terminal that has obtained a specific code by the device of FIG. 12;
17 is a diagram showing a display screen of a member store terminal requesting information on a person to be authenticated by the device shown in FIG. 12;
18 is a diagram showing a display screen of a member store terminal performing collation by the device of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 common service point accumulating unit, 12 store individual point accumulating unit, 14 common prepaid point accumulating unit, 16 cash account, 18 deposit account, 20 store owned account, 22 reserve account, 24 store individual account, 26 operation unit, 28 Control section, 30 service point collation section, 32 prepaid point collation section, 34 log collection section, 36 member stores, 38 users, 60 current point display section, 62 movement point display section, 64 move button, 100 common settlement system, 110 common Payment Center, 210 User Terminal, 212 Member Store Terminal, 214 Common Server, 220 Yes Button, 222 No Button, 230 Login Authentication Unit, 232 Specific Code Input Unit, 234 Information Output Unit, 236 Authentication Information Confirmation Unit, 238 Payment Information Confirmation Part, 240 completed Broadcast output unit, 2100 settlement system.

Claims (10)

A control unit that permits issuance of a common service point that can be used in the plurality of stores, according to use in one of the plurality of stores,
A common point storage unit that stores the common service point,
The control unit refers to a reserve account that stores an amount corresponding to the common service point scheduled to be issued in the future, and sets the issue limit of the common service point to an amount corresponding to the amount prepared in the reserve account. A point management device for controlling the number of points to be controlled. The control unit controls the transfer of a predetermined amount from the store account storing the amount to be received by the one store to the reserve account by issuing a prepaid point usable in the one store. The point management device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit, when the common service point is issued, from a fixed-charge account storing an amount corresponding to the common service point stored in the common point storage unit, an amount corresponding to the issued service point. 3. The point management device according to claim 1, wherein the point management device is controlled so as to move the number to the determined money account. 4. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a matching unit that appropriately matches the common service points stored in the common point storage unit with the amounts prepared in the financing account and confirms a match between them. Point management device. Further including an individual point storage unit that stores individual service points that can be used in the one store,
The point management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit controls a change in a type of a service point from the common service point to the individual service point. The point management device according to claim 1, further comprising: an operation unit configured to receive an instruction regarding a change in the type of the service point from a user and output the instruction to the control unit. The point management device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit adds a predetermined reward point to the individual service point when controlling the change of the type of the service point. The control unit, when the type of the service point is changed prior to the purchase of the product using the individual service point in the one store, the larger the time margin, the larger the reward points. The point management device according to claim 7, wherein: 9. The point according to claim 1, further comprising a log collection unit that records a change between the common service point of the common point storage unit and the individual service point of the individual point storage unit. Management device. 10. The system according to claim 1, wherein, when the number of the individual service points is insufficient in using the individual service points, the control unit compensates for the shortage with the common service points. Point management device.

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