JP2006309493A - System and method for reducing point generated by use of credit card - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a point reduction system capable of promoting the use of a credit card and generating an effect for attracting customers, without excessive burden of a specified member store by reducing a point generated by the use of the credit card by discount from the charge of the credit card according to an amount used in the specified member shop. <P>SOLUTION: A point calculation program acquires the amount used of the credit card used by a customer during a predetermined period from a usage list table, calculates an acquired point according to the use of the credit card, and records it in a point table. A cash-back calculation program acquires the amount used during the predetermined period in the specified member store from the usage list table, and multiplies this by a cash-back rate corresponding to the acquired point recorded in the point table to calculate the cash-back amount. The calculated cash-back amount is written in a usage list table for the next charge. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a point return system and a point return method for returning points generated by using a credit card by a discount from a credit card charge according to the amount used at a specific member store.

  As means for promoting the use of credit cards, point services that allow credit card users to receive points according to the amount of use and exchange the points for prizes or cash vouchers have become widespread.

  In such a point service, an invention relating to a point information management method for granting bonus points according to the cumulative number of points (see, for example, Patent Document 1), caching, etc. so as to be advantageous to members who are frequently used. An invention relating to a credit card point processing method for granting points according to an outstanding balance rather than a usage amount, so as to be advantageous to users of other financial services and users who have selected revolving payment or installment payment (For example, refer to Patent Document 2). In addition, as a means of returning points, not only is it exchanged for prizes or cash vouchers, but for example, a service that provides substantial cash back by offsetting the accumulated points with the credit card usage amount is provided. The invention regarding the privilege point exchange method of the credit card for enforcing is disclosed (for example, refer to patent documents 3).

JP 2001-344495 A JP 2002-222354 A JP 2002-150187 A

  In recent years, as one of the major categories of credit cards, there is an increasing number of cases where a credit card company issues an affiliated card in cooperation with a specific operator for the purpose of enclosing the customers of the specific operator. . A partner card is required to be beneficial for both the credit card company and the partner company, but for the credit card company, the use of the credit card is promoted. The effect of increasing the purchase price of goods and services is expected.

  On the other hand, as in the inventions described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, points are given for a usage method preferable for a credit card company, for example, an increase in usage amount or a revolving payment with a high profit rate. If the ratio is increased, it is possible to expect an effect of promoting use in a method preferable for a credit card company. However, considering the partner company when the partner card is issued, it is not possible to expect the effect of guiding the customer to the products and services of a specific company.

  On the other hand, in the point return method described in Patent Literature 3, the credit card company makes a contract with the member store in advance with respect to the reduction rate of the point exchange, so that the credit card user can reduce the amount using the accumulated points. Since discounts according to the rate can be received, it becomes possible to purchase goods and services at a lower price than the normal price at a specific member store. Since credit card users are expected to actively use merchants that can receive discounts based on points, they should promote the use of credit cards and at the same time expect the effect of guiding customers to specific merchants. It can be used effectively for alliance providers of affiliated cards. However, when such a point return method is adopted, setting the reduction rate to a low level will reduce the guidance effect for credit card users, while setting the reduction rate to a high level to increase the guidance effect. If so, the burden of discounts on member stores will increase, so it is expected that it will be difficult to operate in practice.

  The present invention has been made in order to cope with such a problem, and the points generated by the use of the credit card are reduced by a discount from the charge amount of the credit card in accordance with the use amount at a specific member store. It is an object of the present invention to provide a point return system and a point return method that can promote the use of a credit card and allow a specific member store to produce a customer guidance effect without excessive burden. .

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is a point return system that returns points generated by using a credit card by discounting the amount charged by a credit card according to the amount used at a specific member store. In the record provided for each credit card customer, customer information including whether or not a discount service is used according to the amount used at a specific member store and the member store code of the member store subject to the discount service. Customer information storage means for storing, usage details storage means for storing usage details including member store codes of member stores using credit cards in a record provided for each payment by credit card, and for each credit card customer Point information storage for storing information on the point acquisition status used for the discount service in the provided record A discount rate memory that associates and stores a discount rate for converting a discount amount from a credit card charge according to the total amount of points earned during one period and the amount used at a specific member store And the usage information is read from the usage details storage means for the customer recorded in the customer information storage means as having the usage of the discount service, and based on a predetermined rule from the usage amount recorded in the usage details Point information recording means for calculating points and recording the calculated points in the point information storage means; and customers whose use of the discount service is recorded in the customer information storage means are subject to the discount service The usage amount for the previous period for the member store code of the member store is read from the use detail storage means and stored in the point information storage means. The discount rate corresponding to the total amount of points acquired in the previous period of the customer is read from a discount rate storage means, and the discount amount is multiplied by the discount rate to reduce the discount from the credit card usage amount for the current period. And a discount amount calculating means for calculating a discount amount to be performed.

  In the present invention, when a point generated in a credit card user is returned with a discount from the credit card usage amount, a discount rate corresponding to the point generated with respect to the entire credit card usage amount and a specific amount By configuring so that the discount amount is calculated based on two factors of the amount used at the member store, the promotion of the use of the credit card and the customer guidance to a specific member store are made compatible. In other words, for customers, the discount rate increases as the credit card usage amount increases, so the incentive to use the credit card works, and the larger the usage amount at a specific merchant, the higher the discount amount is calculated. Therefore, an incentive to use a specific member store will work. Further, since the actual discount amount covers the credit card usage amount at all member stores, there is no burden on the discount for a specific member store.

  In the present invention, one period corresponds to one period in which the credit card usage amount is settled, and the credit card usage amount is normally produced every month, so it is preferable to set it as one month. . In other words, in general operation, to calculate the discount amount for a certain month, the discount rate is determined from the points generated from the credit card usage amount for the month before the previous month, and this is the amount used at a specific member store for the previous month. The discount amount for the current month is calculated by multiplying by.

  The method for calculating the points generated in one period is not particularly limited. For example, when ribo payment or installment payment is selected as the payment method, the point grant rate is increased. Can do. By configuring in this way, credit card companies can be expected to promote the use of revolving payments and installments with high profit margins, and credit card users can efficiently earn points by using revolving payments and installments. It becomes possible to do. In addition, in order to promote the use of credit cards for merchants other than the specific merchant that is the basis for calculating the discount amount, it is possible to set a point ratio that can be multiplied by the normal earned points for each merchant. Also good.

  The point return system generated by using the credit card according to the present invention can also be regarded as a point return method executed by the point return system.

  That is, the point return method using the credit card according to the present invention is a point return method for reducing the points generated by the use of the credit card by a discount from the charge amount of the credit card according to the use amount at a specific member store. In the computer system for managing credit card usage information, a record provided for each credit card customer indicates whether or not a discount service is used according to the usage amount at a specific member store, and the discount Customer information storage unit that stores customer information including the member store code of the member store to be serviced, and usage that includes the member store code of the member store using the credit card in the record provided for each payment by credit card Use record storage section to store details and records provided for each credit card customer From a point information storage unit that stores information on the point acquisition status used for the discount service, a total amount of points acquired during one period, and a credit card charge according to the amount used at a specific member store A discount rate storage unit that associates and stores a discount rate for converting the discount amount, and the computer system records the customer information stored in the customer information storage unit for the use of the discount service. Reading the usage statement from the usage statement storage unit, calculating points based on a predetermined rule from the usage amount recorded in the usage statement, and recording the calculated points in the point information storage unit; and the computer For the customer whose use is recorded in the customer information storage unit, the discount service is recorded. The total amount of points earned in the previous period of the customer stored in the point information storage unit is read out from the usage details storage unit for the previous term usage amount of the member store code of the member store subject to Reading a discount rate corresponding to the item from a discount rate storage unit, and multiplying the use amount by the discount rate to calculate a discount amount for discounting from the use amount of the credit card of the current period. It is a point reduction method.

  According to the present invention, the credit card use is promoted by reducing the points generated by the use of the credit card by discounting the credit card bill according to the use amount at the specific member store, and the specific membership It is possible for the store to produce a customer induction effect without excessive burden. For credit card companies, not only can the promotion of credit card use be expected, but it also leads to an increase in affiliated merchants, and not only can merchants guide customers to their own stores, but customers also get more cash back Therefore, it is possible to expect an increase in sales in order to increase the amount of use at a specific member store.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The following description is an example of an embodiment of a point redemption system generated by using a credit card according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an embodiment of a point reduction system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the point reduction system according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a customer master in the point redemption system according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a member store master in the point redemption system according to the present invention. 5-7 is a figure which shows an example of a monthly transition of the use details of a credit card in the point redemption system concerning the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a point table in the point redemption system according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a conversion rule table in the point reduction system according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of calculating points for each usage detail in the point reduction system according to the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow for calculating the cash back amount by the point return in the point return system according to the present invention.

  The point reduction system according to the present invention is implemented with a system configuration as shown in FIG. When payment by credit card is performed at the store of the member store, the credit card usage information is transmitted to the credit card company system via the dedicated network through the CAT terminal installed at the store. When the credit card company system accepts credit card usage information, it creates a usage statement for the usage information and stores it in the usage statement DB.

  In addition, when a mobile phone charge is settled with a credit card, the mobile phone company, etc. that charges the price, uses MT (magnetic tape) to send the information on the usage fee for the current month to the credit card company. provide. The credit card company system causes the host computer to read the MT provided by the mobile phone company using an MT reader, creates a usage statement for the usage fee of the mobile phone, and stores it in the usage statement DB.

  The example of using a credit card for periodic usage charges as described above is not limited to mobile phone charges, but can also be used for payment of public charges such as electricity charges and gas charges, connection charges for Internet providers, etc. it can. Furthermore, the means for providing information related to these usage fees is not limited to MT, and other storage media such as a DVD-R may be used, or by file transmission via a communication network. Also good.

  In FIG. 2, the point redemption system according to the present invention includes a CPU 11, a RAM 12, a ROM 13, and an HDD 14. In the HDD 14, application programs of the point calculation program 141 and cashback calculation program 142, customer master 143, member store master 144, usage details table 145, point table 146, conversion rule table 147 customer database, member store database, usage Data necessary for functioning as a detail database is stored.

  In order to execute predetermined processing by the point calculation program 141 and the cashback calculation program 142 stored in the HDD 14, various basic programs for hardware control such as input control and output control stored in the ROM 13 are used. The CPU 11 performs arithmetic processing while starting up and causing the RAM 12 to function as a work area for the application program.

  As for the timing for starting the point calculation program 141, it is considered efficient to start the batch at the timing of monthly tightening as part of the monthly tightening process. However, the activation timing is not particularly limited, and it may be activated at any time when usage information is received from a CAT terminal or MT.

  When the point calculation program 141 is activated, the usage details table 145 is read for each customer (for each credit card), and points to be acquired are calculated based on a predetermined rule for the usage details data for the target period. The obtained points are stored in the point table 146 for each customer (for each credit card). At this time, if a credit card is used at a specific member store by setting a point magnification for each member store in the member store master 144, a credit card can be provided. It becomes possible to guide the user to a specific member store. Furthermore, in order to promote the use of revolving payment or installment payment that is highly profitable for the credit card company, the point magnification may be set higher than usual for the usage details data for which these payment methods are selected. The point magnification for each payment method may be used by referring to a table for setting the point magnification, or may be included in the calculation logic of the point calculation program 141.

  As for the activation timing of the cashback calculation program 142, as in the point calculation program 141, it is considered efficient to perform batch activation at the timing of monthly tightening as part of the monthly tightening process. However, the activation timing is not particularly limited.

  When the cashback calculation program 142 is activated, the customer master 143 is referred to for each customer (for each credit card), and whether or not the user is eligible for the cashback service by the point return system generated by using the credit card according to the present invention. Determine whether. For customers determined to be cashback service users, the customer's usage details are read from the usage details table 145, and the previous month's credit card usage at the member store corresponding to the member store code specified in the customer master 143 Get the amount. Moreover, the point acquired in the month before last is acquired from the data regarding the point acquired by the customer stored in the point table 146. For the acquired points, the cashback rate corresponding to the points acquired in the conversion rule table 147 is specified. Then, the cashback amount of the customer is calculated by multiplying the previous month's usage amount of the designated member store acquired from the usage details table 145 by the cashback rate acquired from the conversion rule table 147.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a customer master used in the point reduction system according to the present invention. In the customer master, in addition to general customer information such as customer code, name, card number, etc., a flag indicating whether or not to use the cashback service with point return, and membership to calculate the cashback amount The merchant code that specifies the store is included. Since the cashback amount is determined in conjunction with the credit card usage amount at the designated merchant, if the customer wants to increase the cashback amount, increase the usage at the designated merchant. Incentives to work will work. In addition, since the cashback rate is applied to the amount spent at a member store, it becomes possible to conduct advertising such as discounting the amount spent at the member store according to the amount spent on the credit card. It is particularly suitable when a credit card company issues a partner card with a specific member store.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a member store master used in the point redemption system according to the present invention. In addition to general customer information such as the member store code and the name of the member store, the member store master includes a flag indicating the presence or absence of partnership in the cashback service using the point redemption system, and an extra point from the normal point when calculating points. The point magnification to be included.

  Regarding the point magnification, an arbitrary magnification can be set for each member store. If the point magnification is set high, an effect of promoting the use of the member store can be expected. The member store for setting the point magnification is not necessarily limited to the partner in the cash back service, and depending on the member store, only the use promotion by the point increase may be selected.

  Next, a specific flow from the point calculation to the cash back amount calculation by the point return system according to the present invention will be described with reference to examples of FIGS. 5 to 7 are related to the same customer (credit card), and the usage details table shown in FIG. 5 is the first month of April 15 (previous month), FIG. 7 shows the usage details for the second month (previous month) closed on May 15th, and the usage details table shown in FIG. 7 shows the usage details for the third month (current month) closed on June 15th. Each usage statement stored in the usage statement table is composed of information contained in the usage statement used in a normal credit card company, such as a statement code, usage date, usage amount, payment method, member store code, etc. The points obtained from the numerical values recorded in these items are calculated.

  In this example, the point grant is calculated as 1 point for every 1,000 yen used, but the rules for giving points are not particularly limited, and are linked to the credit card use amount. Thus, it is only necessary that the acquisition points increase as the usage amount increases.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the usage details for the first month, which ends on April 15th. The point calculation method during the target period will be described using this example. For example, for the record with the detail code “2005050305”, since the usage amount is “30,000 yen”, the normal point is 30 points. Since this record indicates that revolving payment has been selected as the payment method, 30 times is multiplied by a double factor applied to revolving payment to 60 points. Since the member store code is “0002”, referring to the member store master shown in the example of FIG. 4, since the point magnification is not set for the member store code “0002”, The point magnification is not applied, and the number of acquired points is calculated as 60 points. The confirmed acquired points are stored in the point table shown in the example of FIG.

  Similarly, for the record with the detail code “2005050306”, since the usage amount is “8,000 yen”, the normal point is 8 points. Since the payment method is selected as a lump sum, the premium by the payment method is not applied, and the member store code “0001” is referred to the member store master to obtain the point magnification “3 times”. 24 points obtained by multiplying 8 points of the normal points by the point magnification “3 times” acquired from the member store master are calculated as acquired points and stored in the point table. In this way, the earned points are calculated for each usage statement, and the earned points are stored in the point table for each customer (for each credit card).

  Note that the point magnification set by the payment method is not limited to two, but may be arbitrarily set according to the business strategy of the credit card company. In addition, the point rate set by the payment method and the point rate set by the member store may be multiplied by each point rate as in this embodiment, or the points calculated by each point rate may be multiplied. It may be based on other calculation rules such as addition.

  FIG. 8 is an example of a point table storing points for the April 15th deadline calculated from the example of the usage details of FIG. 5. As shown in this example, a record is provided for each detail code to store the points. Alternatively, only the numerical value of 240 points obtained by adding up the acquired points during the target period may be stored.

  Next, FIG. 6 shows an example of usage details at the end of May 15 which is the second month. For the customer code “1003456” recorded in the usage details table, referring to the customer master of FIG. 3, the usage of the cashback service is set to “1” and the member store code is set to “1111” in the corresponding record. Yes. Assuming that “1” is a flag indicating use, the usage amount in the member store code “1111” is used as a basis for calculating the cashback amount for the customer.

  In the usage details of the second month shown in FIG. 6, when the usage details corresponding to the member store code “1111” of the member store, which is the basis of the previous cashback amount, are searched, the settlement is made on April 30. The usage details that paid “10,000 yen” are hit. The usage amount “10,000 yen” recorded in this usage statement is used as the basis for calculating the cashback amount, but the cashback amount is determined by multiplying this usage amount by a predetermined cashback rate. As the amount of money used at member stores increases, the amount of cash back increases. In addition, since the discount corresponding to the cashback rate is provided for the usage amount at the member store, it is possible to explain the effect of cashback such as “the usage amount of our store will be discounted by XX%” Especially suitable for affiliated cards.

  On the other hand, the cash back rate to be multiplied by the above usage amount is determined as follows. In the point table of FIG. 8, 240 points are recorded as acquisition points for the closing date of April 15, but referring to the conversion rule table shown in the example of FIG. 9 for the acquired 240 points, the cashback rate is “ 40% ". In this way, the cash back rate is specified as “40%”.

  As described above, when the usage amount “10,000 yen” as the basis of the cash back amount and the cash back rate “40%” are specified, the cash back amount is calculated by multiplying the usage amount by the cash back rate. Calculated as “4,000 yen”. The calculated cashback amount is subtracted from the billing amount of the third month, which is the next month of the second month, and as shown in the example of FIG. 7, “4,000 yen” is charged on the closing date of the usage details. A record for subtracting from the record will be provided.

  The flow of point calculation by the point reduction system according to the present invention will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  When the point calculation program is started, the usage details table is read (S01), and it is determined whether the usage details of the target month exist in the read usage details table (S02). If the usage details do not exist, the process ends. If there is a usage statement, a point corresponding to the usage amount of the usage statement is calculated (S03).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether the payment method specified in the previous usage details is installment payment or revolving payment (S04). If installment payment or revolving payment is specified, the previously calculated point is doubled. (S05). Further, the member store master is referred to using the member store code of the previous usage details as a key (S06), and it is confirmed whether the point magnification is set for the member store (S07). If the point magnification is not set, the points so far are determined as acquired points, but if the point magnification is set, the set magnification is acquired (S08), and the acquired magnification is the first. Is multiplied by the calculated point (S09) and determined as an acquired point. The confirmed acquired points are recorded in the point table (S10), and the same processing is executed for the next usage details. When the earned points for all usage details during the target period are calculated, the point calculation process is terminated.

  With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11, the flow of cash back amount calculation by the point return system according to the present invention will be described.

  When the cashback calculation program is started, the usage details table is read (S21), and the customer code of the customer to be cashback calculation target is acquired (S22). The customer master is read using the acquired customer code as a key (S23), and it is determined whether 1 indicating use is set as the use flag of the cashback service (S24). If it is not set as being used, it is determined that it is not necessary to calculate the cashback amount, and the processing is ended as it is.

  If the use is set, the member store code that is the target of the cashback service is acquired from the customer master (S25). Next, the usage amount of the previous month in the member store code acquired from the customer master is acquired from the usage details table read out earlier (S26). Further, the point table corresponding to the customer code is read (S27), and the acquired points for the previous month are acquired (S28). Next, the conversion rule table is read (S29), the cash back rate corresponding to the points acquired in the previous month is acquired, and the cash amount is multiplied by the previous month's usage amount of the target member store to obtain the cash back rate. The amount is calculated (S30). The calculated cashback amount is recorded as an amount to be deducted from the billed amount in the usage statement table for the current month (S31), and the cashback amount calculation processing is terminated.

It is a figure showing an outline of an embodiment of a point reduction system concerning the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the point reduction | restoration system concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the customer master in the point reduction | restoration system concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the member store master in the point reduction | restoration system concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of the use specification of a credit card in the point redemption system concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the utilization specification of the credit card in the point redemption system concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example of the use specification of a credit card in the point redemption system concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the point table in the point reduction | restoration system concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the conversion rule table in the point reduction | restoration system concerning this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow which calculates the point for every use specification with the point reduction | restoration system concerning this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow which calculates the cash back amount with the point return system concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 point reduction system 11 CPU
12 RAM
13 ROM
14 HDD
141 Point calculation program 142 Cash back calculation program 143 Customer master 144 Merchant master 145 Usage details table 146 Point table 147 Conversion rule table

Claims (2)

A point return system that returns points generated by using a credit card by discounting the amount charged by a credit card according to the amount used at a specific member store,
Stores customer information including whether or not a discount service is used according to the amount used at a specific member store and the member store code of the member store subject to the discount service in a record provided for each credit card customer Customer information storage means,
A usage statement storage means for storing a usage statement including a member store code of a member store using a credit card in a record provided for each payment by a credit card;
Point information storage means for storing information on the acquisition status of points used in the discount service in a record provided for each credit card customer;
A discount rate storage means for associating and storing a discount rate for converting a total amount of points acquired during one period and a discount amount from a credit card charge according to the amount used at a specific member store;
For the customer recorded as having the use of the discount service in the customer information storage means, the usage details are read from the usage details storage means, and points are calculated based on a predetermined rule from the usage amounts recorded in the usage details. Point information recording means for recording the calculated points in the point information storage means;
For the customer recorded as having the use of the discount service in the customer information storage means, the usage amount for the previous period for the member store code of the member store subject to the discount service is read from the use detail storage means, and A discount rate corresponding to the total amount of points acquired for the customer's previous period stored in the point information storage means is read from the discount rate storage means, and the credit card for the current period is multiplied by the discount rate and the discount rate Discount amount calculation means for calculating a discount amount for discounting from the usage amount of
A point reduction system comprising: A point return method that returns points generated by using a credit card by discounting the amount charged by a credit card according to the amount used at a specific member store,
The computer system for managing credit card usage information includes a record provided for each credit card customer, whether or not a discount service is used according to the amount used at a specific member store, and the discount service target. A customer information storage unit for storing customer information including a member store code of a member store;
A usage statement storage unit for storing a usage statement including a member store code of a member store using a credit card in a record provided for each payment by a credit card;
A point information storage unit that stores information on the acquisition status of points used in the discount service in a record provided for each credit card customer;
A discount rate storage unit is provided to store the total amount of points earned during one period and the discount rate for converting the discount amount from the credit card charge according to the amount used at a specific member store. Being
The computer system reads a usage statement from the usage statement storage unit for a customer recorded in the customer information storage unit as having the usage of the discount service, and uses the usage amount recorded in the usage statement as a predetermined rule. Calculating a point based on, and recording the calculated point in the point information storage unit;
For the customer recorded as having the use of the discount service in the customer information storage unit, the computer system stores the usage amount for the previous period for the member store code of the member store that is the target of the discount service. And reading from the discount rate storage unit a discount rate corresponding to the total amount of points acquired in the previous period of the customer stored in the point information storage unit, and multiplying the usage amount by the discount rate Calculating a discount amount for discounting from the credit card usage amount for the current period,
The point reduction method characterized by having.