JP2007199785A - Point management support system, point management support method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a customer to use points which have been obtained at other shops while maintaining a point system specific to its own shop. <P>SOLUTION: A system 1 includes a database 1A1 for storing exchange conditions in exchanging first points of a shop A for second points of a shop B; an exchange point calculation unit 103 for calculating that how many points of the second points can be exchanged for the first points on the basis of the exchange conditions when a customer desires to use its own first points by exchanging them with the second points in shopping at the shop B; an another shop point exchange processing unit 104 for subtracting an amount of points of the first points intended to be exchanged by the customer from the points of the unused first points given to the customer; an exchange point information notifying unit 105 for instructing so as to give the first points of the calculated points to the customer; and a price compensation processing unit 121 for compensating the money of the points of the first points given to the customer from the shop B to the shop A. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a system and method for supporting management of points given to consumers who have purchased goods or received services.

  In recent years, point systems that give points to consumers according to the price or fee paid by consumers have been actively introduced in stores that sell products or provide services to consumers. It was. This point is sometimes called a “service point” or the like. The consumer can receive a prize in exchange for a given number of points. Alternatively, the points can be used like cash, and a product can be purchased or a service can be provided at the store that issued the points.

  Some point systems that are more convenient for customers have been proposed. According to the point card system described in Patent Document 1, instead of newly issuing a point card, a card already owned by a customer is used as it is as a point card. Therefore, it is possible to realize a point card system that is low in cost and easy to use. In addition, by associating specific information recorded on a plurality of types of cards with the balance of points, the point card system can be used as long as one of the owned cards is carried. In particular, a customer who uses a plurality of wallets can use the point card system regardless of which wallet is carried by placing a plurality of registered cards in each wallet.

According to the system described in Patent Document 2, customers can commonly use one point card at a plurality of stores or various facilities in different industries.
JP 2002-133526 A JP 2002-92739 A

  However, the point card system described in Patent Document 2 has the following problems when applied to a store that has already introduced a unique point system. That is, the unique points of the store that have already been issued to the customer must be replaced with the common points used in the point card system. In addition, using the original point system as it is, it is easier to issue more points than usual during the campaign period and to determine the expiration date of points. In other words, when the point card system described in Patent Document 2 is introduced, it is necessary to cooperate with other stores, but if it is an original point system, it is useless and the point system can be operated flexibly. .

  However, on the other hand, many customers think that it is convenient if points can be used freely regardless of which store is issued. The systems described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 cannot meet this demand.

  In view of such problems, the present invention has an object to allow a customer to use points obtained from other stores while leaving a unique point system of the store.

  A point management support system according to the present invention is a point management support system for supporting management related to points given to a consumer who has purchased a product or received a service, and is consumed by a first business operator. Exchange condition information storage means for storing exchange condition information indicating exchange conditions when the point of the first unit given to the consumer is exchanged for the second unit of point given to the consumer by the second operator And, when a consumer purchases a product or receives a service from the second business operator, all or a part of the points of the first unit is exchanged for the points of the second unit. Exchange point calculation means for calculating, based on the exchange condition information, how many points of the second unit can be exchanged when the application for use is made. A point for performing processing for consuming the points of the first unit for the exchange of the consumer who has performed from the points of the unused points of the first unit given to the consumer A point giving means for performing a process for giving points of the first unit of points calculated by the exchange point calculating means to a consumer who has made the offer Exchange compensation processing means for performing processing for the money corresponding to the points of the first unit given to the consumer to be compensated for the first business from the second business; It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to make it possible for a customer to use points obtained from other stores while leaving the store's own point system. According to the second and third aspects of the invention, the business operator who exchanges the points can place his / her advertisement on the Web page, which can lead to sales expansion for acquiring new customers.

  1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the point sharing system PKS, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the point management support system 1, and FIG. 3 is an example of a functional configuration of the point management support system 1 FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the store point system 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the point sharing system PKS includes a point management support system 1, a plurality of store point systems 2, a communication line 3, and the like. The point management support system 1 and each store point system 2 are connected to each other via a communication line 3. As the communication line 3, the Internet, a public line, a dedicated line, or the like is used.

  The point management support system 1 is a point that a plurality of stores (for example, a bookstore, a supermarket, a camera mass retailer, a consumer electronics mass retailer, a video rental store, a travel agency, or a cleaning store) issues independently to a customer. Is performed to support the mutual use. That is, according to the point management support system 1, the customer can use the points given at a certain store like a cash voucher or a discount ticket to purchase a product or receive a service from another store.

  Hereinafter, such a service that supports the mutual use of points is referred to as a “point mutual use support service”. In addition, the unique points issued by each store may be described as “unique points”. The store must subscribe to this point mutual use support service in order to allow customers to use the unique points of other stores.

  Furthermore, the point management support system 1 performs a process for supporting the management of points related to the point system determined so that it can be commonly used by a plurality of stores from the beginning. Hereinafter, a service that supports such management is referred to as a “common point support service”. Points used under this point system may be described as “common points”. By joining this common point support service, the store can issue common points to customers or allow customers to shop using the common points.

  The point management support system 1 is installed and operated, for example, in a company having an IDC (Internet Data Center). Hereinafter, the case where the company X having IDC operates the point management support system 1 will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the point management support system 1 includes a CPU 10a, a RAM 10b, a ROM 10c, a hard disk 10d, a communication interface 10e, and the like.

  Software for providing the point mutual use support service and the common point support service to each store as a subscriber is installed in the hard disk 10d. That is, the point information notification unit 101, the point information acquisition unit 102, the exchange point calculation unit 103, the other store point exchange processing unit 104, the exchange point number information notification unit 105, the price compensation processing unit 121, and the usage fee collection processing unit shown in FIG. 122, programs and data for implementing functions such as the Web advertisement processing unit 131, the common point exchange processing unit 132, the common point consumption processing unit 141, the exchange rate database 1A1, the accumulated common point database 1A2, and the store database 1A3 are installed. Has been. These programs and data are loaded into the RAM 10b as necessary, and the programs are executed by the CPU 10a.

  Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the point management support system 1 is realized by a single server machine, the point management support system 1 may be realized by being distributed to a plurality of server machines.

  The store point system 2 is installed for each store that subscribes to the point mutual use support service or the common point support service. As the store point system 2, a personal computer or a workstation is used. The store point system 2 includes an instruction receiving unit 201, an exchange point inquiry unit 202, a unique point exchange request unit 203, an accumulated point notification unit 204, a common point exchange request unit 205, a unique point consumption processing unit 206, a screen shown in FIG. Programs and data for realizing functions such as display unit 207, common point use request unit 208, customer database 2A1, and point rule database 2A2 are installed.

  The store may construct a store point system 2 by introducing a device such as a new personal computer when subscribing to the point mutual use support service or the common point support service, or already used for managing the unique points. The store point system 2 may be constructed by installing a program and data for each function shown in FIG. 1 shows an example in which the store point system 2 is realized by a single personal computer as in the case of the point management support system 1, but it is realized by being distributed to a plurality of personal computers. In some cases.

  Next, regarding the processing contents of each part of the point management support system 1 shown in FIG. 3 and each part of the store point system 2 shown in FIG. 4, six stores SH1 to SH6 have a point mutual use support service and a common point support service. A case where the user is subscribed to will be described as an example. Further, processing for responding to inquiries regarding exchange of points from customers, processing for exchanging unique points of one store with original points of other stores, and processing relating to common points will be broadly described.

[Process to respond to inquiries regarding customer point exchange]
5 is a diagram showing an example of the point issuance table TP, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the value of each unique point and common point, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the customer database 2A1, and FIG. 8 is a diagram of the exchange rate table HT FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage fee rate table UT, FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a storage common point database 1A2, FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a store database 1A3, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of screen HG1.

  Each of the stores SH1 to SH6 issues (provides) unique points to customers. The rules for issuing unique points, such as how many points are issued for how many yen worth of shopping, are determined by the stores SH1 to SH6 as before. For example, in the store SH1, such rules as the point issue table TP in FIG. 5 are defined. A point issuance table TP based on each rule is stored in the point rule database 2A2 of the store point system 2 of each store.

  Further, the stores SH1 to SH6 each determine how many yen the product or service is discounted for each unique point, that is, the value per unique point. In addition, the company X determines the value per common point. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the values of the common points and the unique points of each store are determined as shown in FIG.

  Thus, in the point sharing system PKS of the present embodiment, there are point units as many as the types of unique points and common points. That is, there are seven types of point units. Hereinafter, the unit of points handled by the point sharing system PKS is referred to as “point unit”. In some cases, the value per point of a plurality of unique points or common points may be the same by chance, but in the point sharing system PKS, these points are handled as points of different units (types).

  In the point rule database 2A2 of the stores SH1 to SH6, in addition to the point issue table TP of the own store described above, at least the point value information related to the own store and the common points among the point value information shown in FIG. Stores point value information.

  In addition, the stores SH1 to SH6 each issue a point card to their own customers as before. This point card is recorded with a number for identifying it (hereinafter referred to as “unique card number”). Further, the company X issues a point card for common points to customers of member stores. In this point card for common points, a number for identifying it (hereinafter referred to as “common card number”) is recorded. One card may be used as a point card issued by a store or as a point card for common points. In this case, both the unique card number and the common card number may be recorded on one card.

  As the point card and the common point card, a card incorporating RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) may be used, or a magnetic stripe type card may be used.

  Each time a customer purchases a product or receives a service provided at the stores SH1 to SH6, a unique point corresponding to the price is given from the store that paid the price. For example, when shopping at the store SH1, unique points of the store SH1 are given. Alternatively, the customer can be given common points instead of unique points.

  In addition, a store can issue a common point according to the rule of a common point support service instead of an original point, when there is a request from a customer. At that time, the store must pay the company X the amount corresponding to the issued common points.

  In the customer database 2A1 of the stores SH1 to SH6, information related to the customer (that is, a member of the own store) from which the own store has issued a point card is stored. For example, in the store SH1, as shown in FIG. 7, for each issued point card, a unique card number, the name and address of the customer who owns the point card, the number of accumulated unique points (remaining points) Information on the number of points) and the expiration date of the accumulated unique points are stored as customer information 7C. Also in the customer database 2A1 of the stores SH2 to SH6, customer information 7C is stored for each point card issued to each customer.

  In FIG. 3, the exchange rate database 1A1 of the point management support system 1 stores information on conditions for exchanging a unique point of a certain store with a unique point or a common point of another store. In this embodiment, as the exchange condition, as shown in FIG. 8, an exchange rate table showing exchange rates (exchange rate, conversion rate) from a unique point in a certain point unit to a unique point in another point unit or a common point. HT is stored.

  The exchange rate shown in the exchange rate table HT is set lower than the equivalent exchange rate calculated based on the point value shown in FIG. 6 in view of the operation cost of the point management support system 1 by the company X. .

  For example, since the unique point of the store SH1 has a value of “2 yen / 1 point”, the unique point of the store SH2 has a value of “20 yen / 1 point”, so the unique point of the store SH1 is changed to the store SH2. The exchange rate when exchanging for the original point is “2/20 = 0.1” if equivalent exchange is performed. However, the exchange rate table HT indicates “0.08” as the exchange rate from the unique point of the store SH1 to the unique point of the store SH2. This is set in view of the operating cost of the point management support system 1 as described above. That is, when the company X exchanges points from the original point of the store SH1 to the original point of the store SH2, it corresponds to a point corresponding to the rate difference “0.1−0.08 = 0.02” between the two. The amount will be collected from the customer. Hereinafter, when simply described as “exchange rate”, it means the exchange rate indicated in the exchange rate table HT. The exchange rate of equivalent exchange is described as “equivalent exchange rate”.

  In general, a store is reluctant to use an original point issued by another store (that is, a rival store) that is a trader at the store. Therefore, the stores SH1 to SH6 can set a lower exchange rate from the original point of the rival store to the original point of the own store. On the other hand, when the customer of another specific store is urged to visit the store, the exchange rate from the original point of the specific store to the original point of the own store can be set higher.

  The exchange rate database 1A1 stores a usage fee rate table UT in addition to the exchange rate table HT. This usage fee rate table UT is used to calculate the usage fee of the point management support system 1 that should be collected from the customer who requests the exchange when a point in a point unit is exchanged for another point unit. In this embodiment, the rate of points to be collected as usage charges from the points before the customer's exchange is determined for each point unit before and after the exchange, and the usage fee rate table UT is as shown in FIG. These rates are shown. This rate is approximately equal to the difference between the equivalent exchange rate and the exchange rate, as can be seen by comparing FIG. 8 and FIG. Hereinafter, this rate is referred to as a “use fee rate”.

  Each value of the exchange rate table HT and the usage fee rate table UT is set by the person in charge of the company X according to the operating cost of the point management support system 1 and the requests from the stores SH1 to SH6. The contents of the exchange rate table HT and the usage fee rate table UT can be changed as appropriate.

  The stored common point database 1A2 in FIG. 3 stores information indicating the number of unused common points acquired by the customer shopping at the stores SH1 to SH6. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, as such information, for each customer, the number of unused common points of the customer (the number of remaining points), the expiration date of the common points, and the common card number of the customer The common point accumulation information 7D shown is stored.

  In the store database 1A3, as shown in FIG. 11, for each store SH1 to SH6, identification information for identifying the store, URL of an advertisement web page opened by the store (hereinafter referred to as “advertisement page URL”) Store information 7E indicating the URL of the banner image for advertisement (hereinafter referred to as “banner URL”).

  In FIG. 4, the command receiving unit 201 of the store point system 2 receives a command from the store clerk of the store where the store point system 2 is installed. That is, the store clerk operates an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse of the store point system 2 to input a command for responding to the customer's request. The command receiving unit 201 detects such a command. And each part of the store point system 2 is controlled so that the process which concerns on the instruction | command is performed.

  For example, it is assumed that a customer who has visited the store SH2 desires to purchase a product handled at the store SH2 by using the unique points of the store SH1, which is another store. Therefore, it is assumed that the store clerk asks how many points of the unique points of the store SH1 that the user owns corresponds to the points of the unique points of the store SH2. That is, it is assumed that if the original point of the store SH1 is exchanged for the original point of the store SH2, the number of points will be asked. The store clerk inputs the unique card number (for example, “A00003”) of the point card of the customer store SH1 and a predetermined command into the store point system 2 of the store.

  Then, the input content is received by the command receiving unit 201, the point information notification unit 101 of the point management support system 1, the point information acquisition unit 102, the exchange point calculation unit 103, the accumulated point notification unit 204 of the store SH1, And the exchange point inquiry part 202 of store SH2 performs the process for acquiring the information for the answer with respect to the question from a customer as follows.

  The exchange point inquiry unit 202 indicates to the point management support system 1 the point unit of the original point before exchange, the point unit of the original point after exchange, the unique card number of the customer's point card, and the like input by the store clerk. The inquiry is processed by transmitting the exchange point inquiry information 7F. In this example, the exchange point inquiry section 202 of the store SH2 exchange point inquiry information indicating that the unique points before and after the customer exchange are unique points of the stores SH1 and SH2, respectively, and that the unique card number is “A00003”. 7F is transmitted.

  When the point information acquisition unit 102 receives the exchange point inquiry information 7F from the store point system 2, the point information acquisition unit 102 inquires about a unique point of another store held by the customer based on the content of the exchange point inquiry information 7F. That is, in this example, the store SH1 of the store SH1 is inquired of the store SH1 unique points stored in the point card having the unique card number of “A00003”. The inquiry is made by transmitting the accumulated point inquiry information 7G indicating the unique card number to the store SH1.

  When the storage point notification unit 204 of the store point system 2 receives the storage point inquiry information 7G from the point management support system 1, it stores the customer information 7C of the unique card number shown in the local customer database 2A1 (see FIG. 7). And the accumulated point response information 7H indicating the value of the “remaining points” indicated in the found customer information 7C, that is, the number of unique points accumulated in the customer's point card related to the inquiry is transmitted to the point management support system 1. To do. In this example, the customer information 7C of “A00003” is searched, and the accumulated point answer information 7H indicating “771 points” is transmitted to the point management support system 1.

The exchange point calculation unit 103 of the point management support system 1 exchanges (converts) the points of the unique points indicated in the transmitted accumulated point answer information 7H into points after exchange indicated in the exchange point inquiry information 7F. ) Is calculated based on the exchange rate table HT (see FIG. 8) of the exchange rate database 1A1. In this example, since the inquiry about the points when the original points of 771 stores SH1 are exchanged for the original points of store SH2 is received, the original points of store SH2 from the original points of store SH1 from the exchange rate table HT. The exchange rate (0.08) is extracted, and the exchange rate and the number of points the customer has (771 points) are substituted into the following equation (1).
Py = Rt × Px (1)
However, Py is the number of points in point units after conversion (exchange). Px is the number of points in units before conversion (exchange). Rt is the extracted exchange rate.

  The point information notifying unit 101 transmits the information about the original points before the exchange obtained by the point information acquiring unit 102 and the result calculated by the exchange point calculating unit 103 to the inquiring store point system 2 as exchange point information 7J. (Notice. In this example, the point unit before the exchange and its points “original point of the store SH1” and “771 points” and the point unit after the exchange and the points thereof, “original point of the store SH2” and “61.68 points” Is sent to the store point system 2 of the store SH2.

  The exchange point inquiry unit 202 of the store point system 2 receives the exchange point information 7J indicating the result of the inquiry to the point management support system 1, and the screen display unit 207 displays the exchange point screen based on the exchange point information 7J. HG1 is displayed. In this example, an exchange point screen HG1 as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the store point system 2 of the store SH2. In addition, the exchange rate and the equivalent exchange rate may be displayed together. Information related to the expiration date of the unique point may be acquired and displayed together with the information.

  Or you may make it inquire about the original point of several or all the stores at once. In this case, it may be displayed in the order of the expiration date, or may be displayed in the order of the one with the highest exchange rate.

  In addition, although this example demonstrated the case where the point obtained when exchanging the predetermined point of the original point of the store SH1 for the original point of the store SH2 was obtained, in order to obtain the predetermined point of the original point of the store SH2 Can inquire how many unique points of the store SH2 are necessary. In this case, the exchange point calculation unit 103 of the point management support system 1 may obtain Px using equation (1).

  Here, the store clerk of the store SH2 answers the question from the customer while looking at the exchange point screen HG1. The customer listens to it and exchanges the original point of the store SH1 that the customer owns for the original point of the store SH2 and decides whether to use the product for purchasing the product of the store SH2 or receiving the service. Decide.

[Processing when using the original points of one store with the original points of another store]
When the customer exchanges the original point of the store SH1 with the original point of the store SH2, the customer asks the store clerk of the store SH2 how many stores SH1 are to be exchanged. The store clerk operates the store point system 2 and inputs information such as point units and points of the unique points of the store SH1 to be exchanged this time and an exchange command.

  Then, the content is received by the command receiving unit 201. Then, the other point exchange processing unit 104, the exchange point information notification unit 105, the price compensation processing unit 121, the usage fee collection processing unit 122, and the Web advertisement processing unit 131 of the point management support system 1, the store that received the offer (that is, Here, the unique point exchange request unit 203 of the store point system 2 of the store SH2) and the unique point consumption processing unit 206 of the store point system 2 of the store that issued the used unique points (that is, the store SH1 here) The process for exchanging the unique points is executed as follows.

  The unique point exchange request unit 203 of the store point system 2 provides the point management request system 7K with point exchange request information 7K indicating the point unit of the unique point to be exchanged, the number of points, and the card number of the customer who offered the exchange. Requesting that the exchange process be performed. Thereafter, the unique point exchange request unit 203 of the store SH2 transmits the point exchange request information 7K indicating that 100 unique points of the customer store SH1 whose card number is “A00003” should be exchanged for the unique points of the store SH2. An example will be described.

  Upon receiving the point exchange request information 7K, the other store point exchange processing unit 104 of the point management support system 1 performs the following processing based on the point exchange request information 7K.

  First, based on the point exchange request information 7K, a command is issued to the store point system 2 of the store that issued it so as to reduce the unique points to be exchanged from the unique points owned by the customer. Here, the store point system 2 of the store SH1 is instructed to reduce 100 unique points from the unique points owned by the customer whose card number is “A00003”. This command is performed by transmitting consumption command information 7B.

  Then, the unique point consumption processing unit 206 of the store point system 2 that has received the instruction retrieves the customer information 7C with the card number “A00003” from the customer database 2A1 (see FIG. 7), A process of reducing 100 points from the remaining number of information 7C is performed. That is, a process for consuming the unique points used for the exchange is performed. Then, consumption completion information 7N indicating that the processing is completed is transmitted (notified) to the point management support system 1.

  Upon receipt of the consumption completion information 7N, the other store point exchange processing unit 104 replaces the original point 100 of the store SH1 to be exchanged with the original point of the store SH2 based on the previous equation (1). Calculate what you can do. Here, according to the exchange rate shown in FIG. 8, “0.08 × 100 points = 8 points”, that is, it is calculated that the points can be exchanged for 8 points unique to the store SH2.

  The exchange point information notification unit 105 of the point management support system 1 transmits exchange point information 7A indicating the points calculated by the other store point exchange processing unit 104 to the store point system 2 of the request source (here, the store SH2) ( Notice. The exchange point information 7A serves as an issue command for issuing a unique point of the store SH2, as will be described next.

  Upon receiving this exchange point information 7A, the screen display unit 207 of the store point system 2 displays a screen including a message indicating that points have been exchanged as desired by the customer. Further, when the exchange point information 7A is received, the store SH2 issues unique points of the store SH2 to the customer by the number indicated by the exchange point information 7A (that is, 8 points). If customer information 7C of the customer is stored in the customer database 2A1, an original point is issued by adding to the remaining points of the customer information 7C. If it is not stored, it can be issued by handing a voucher.

  When such a screen is displayed, the store clerk of the store SH2 informs the customer that the unique point of the store SH1 that the customer had was exchanged for the unique point of the store SH2 at the exchange rate of the exchange rate table HT. Then, the customer performs shopping using the exchanged unique points in accordance with the conventional unique point rules in the store SH2.

  By the way, although the original point used in the store SH2 as in this example is exchanged for the original point of the store SH2, it is originally issued by the store SH1, which is another store. Therefore, for the store SH2, even if the unique points of other stores are exchanged for the unique points of the store SH2, the amount used is not profitable. Further, even for the company X that operates the point management support system 1, the operation cost cannot be covered unless the usage fee for the point mutual use support service is collected.

  Accordingly, the price compensation processing unit 121 and the usage fee collection processing unit 122 of the point management support system 1 respectively store stores (in this example, the store SH2 in which the original points of other stores are exchanged for the original points of their own stores) ) To compensate for the current point exchange cash, and to collect the usage fee of the point mutual use support service for the current series of processing.

  Specifically, the amount equivalent to the number of unique points of the store SH1 that was the subject of the exchange this time is for the discounted cash by the unique points used this time and the usage fee of the point mutual use support service as follows It is divided into. The usage fee collection processing unit 122 replaces the current unique point indicated in the usage fee rate table UT in FIG. 9 among the unique points of the store SH1 to be exchanged this time indicated in the point exchange request information 7K. The processing for collecting cash for the usage fee rate corresponding to the direction (in this example, the exchange from the original point of the store SH1 to the store SH2) from the store SH1 is performed. That is, since 100 unique points of the store SH1 have been exchanged for unique points of the store SH2, a usage fee rate of “0.40” is applied, and an amount of 40 points, that is, 80 yen (see FIG. 6) is collected. .

  The price compensation processing unit 121 performs processing for collecting the remaining points, that is, 60 points of cash from the store SH1. Note that the value of the unique point of the store SH1 is determined in advance as described above with reference to FIG. As a technique for collecting cash, a known electronic money technique or the like may be used.

  Through the above processing, in the store SH2, the customer can exchange and use the unique points of other stores with the unique points of the store SH2.

  The web advertisement processing unit 131 performs a process for placing a banner advertisement of a store according to the current point exchange on a portal site operated by the company X. In the case of the above example, a process for placing a banner advertisement of the store SH2 is performed. The URL of the banner advertisement image of the store SH2 and the URL of the Web page linked to the image are the banner URL and the advertisement page URL indicated in the store information 7E of the store SH2 stored in the store database 1A3, respectively. Please refer to. The number or period of posting may be determined to increase or increase as the number of exchanged points or their value increases, or to increase or increase as the number of exchanged points increases. . A publicly known technique may be used as a technique for posting a banner advertisement.

  The Internet user who accesses the portal site can move to the advertisement Web page of the store SH2 by clicking on the banner advertisement.

[Common point processing]
The common point exchange processing unit 132, the common point consumption processing unit 141 of the point management support system 1, and the common point exchange request unit 205 of the store point system 2 perform processing for exchanging unique points for common points as follows. Do.

  When the store clerk receives a request from the customer to exchange the store's original points for common points, the number of the original points to be exchanged, the customer's common card number, the customer's point card's original card A number and a predetermined command are input to the store point system 2 of the store. Hereinafter, a case where a request for exchanging 50 unique points of the store SH2 with a common point is received will be described as an example.

  Then, the common point exchange request unit 205 of the store SH2 transmits to the point management support system 1 common point exchange information 7L indicating that the original point 50 of the store SH2 is exchanged for a common point and the common card number of the customer. . Further, the customer information 7C corresponding to the customer's unique card number is searched from the customer database 2A1 of the store SH2, and the number of points that have been offered, that is, 50 points, is reduced from the remaining number of the customer information 7C.

  When the common point exchange processing unit 132 of the point management support system 1 receives the common point exchange information 7L, the exchange rate table HT indicates the number of common points corresponding to the 50 unique points of the store SH2 indicated therein. Calculation is based on the exchange rate from the unique point of the store SH2 shown in (see FIG. 8) to the common point. Thereby, “50 points × 1.60 = 80 points” is calculated. Then, the calculated number of common points is added to the number of remaining points in the common point accumulation information 7D (see FIG. 10) related to the common card number indicated in the common point exchange information 7L.

  Furthermore, the common point exchange processing unit 132 performs a predetermined process so that the added common points are handled as those issued from the store SH2. For example, a process for collecting an amount corresponding to the added common points from the store SH2 is performed using a known electronic money technique.

  With the above process, the process of exchanging from the unique point of the store SH2 to the common point is completed.

  In addition, the customer who visited store SH2 can ask a store clerk how many points will be obtained if it exchanges for a common point similarly to the case of exchanging the original point of store SH1 for the original point of store SH2. At this time, the store clerk performs a predetermined operation and makes an inquiry to the point management support system 1. Then, the exchange point calculation unit 103 of the point management support system 1 calculates the number of points related to the inquiry based on the exchange rate from the unique point of the store SH2 shown in the exchange rate table HT to the common point, and answers this. .

  Customers can also shop using common points. In this case, the common point use request unit 208 of the store point system 2 of the store where shopping is performed and the common point consumption processing unit 141 of the point management support system 1 perform the following processing.

  The common point use request unit 208 transmits to the point management support system 1 common point use information 7M indicating the number of common points desired by the customer and the common card number of the customer.

  The common point consumption processing unit 141 searches the common point accumulation information 7D of the common card number indicated in the received common point use information 7M from the accumulation common point database 1A2, and from the remaining points indicated in the common point accumulation information 7D, The number of points indicated in the common point usage information 7M is reduced. Thereby, common points are consumed.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the flow of inquiry processing related to point exchange, FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the flow of processing when exchanging a unique point for another unique point, and FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a process at the time of exchanging for a common point.

  Next, the overall processing flow of the point management support system 1 and the store point system 2 will be described with reference to flowcharts.

  In FIG. 13, for example, when a customer who visits the store SH2 asks the store clerk how many points the store SH1 has to be exchanged for the store SH1 unique points, the store SH2 store points The system 2 transmits the exchange point inquiry information 7F indicating the contents requested by the customer to the point management support system 1 (# 201).

  Upon receiving the exchange point inquiry information 7F, the point management support system 1 calculates the number of exchanged points based on equation (1) and the exchange rate table HT (see FIG. 8) (# 101). The exchange point information 7J indicating the result is transmitted to the inquiry point store point system 2 (# 102).

  When there is an inquiry about the case where all the points of unique points owned by the customer are exchanged, the point management support system 1 stores the store point system of the store that issued the unique points (that is, the store SH1). 2 is inquired about the number of points the customer has by transmitting the accumulated point inquiry information 7G. Based on the answer (accumulated point answer information 7H) obtained from the store point system 2 of the store, the score for the exchange is calculated (# 101).

  When the inquiry point store point system 2 receives the exchange point information 7J, it displays the contents (# 202). The clerk sees it and gives an answer to the customer.

  In addition, for example, when a customer who visits the store SH2 asks the store clerk how many points are obtained when the original point of the store SH2 is exchanged for a common point, the processing is basically executed as shown in FIG. That is, the store point system 2 of the store SH2 transmits the exchange point inquiry information 7F indicating the contents requested by the customer to the point management support system 1 (# 201).

  The point management support system 1 calculates the number of points when exchanged based on the equation (1) and the exchange rate table HT (# 101), and transmits the calculation result to the store point system 2 of the store SH2 (# 102). ).

  The store point system 2 of the store SH2 receives and displays the calculation result (# 202). The clerk sees it and gives an answer to the customer.

  In FIG. 14, for example, when a customer who visits the store SH2 asks the store clerk to exchange and use the original point of the store SH1 that he owns with the original point of the store SH2, the store point system of the store SH2 2 requests processing for exchange by transmitting point exchange request information 7K indicating the number of unique points to be exchanged and the card number of the point card of the customer's store SH1 to the store point system 2 ( # 231).

  When the point management support system 1 receives the point exchange request information 7K, the number of unique points of the store SH1 to be exchanged is reduced from the number of unused unique points (remaining points) possessed by the customer. Command (request) the store point system 2 of the store SH1 (# 131).

  Then, the store point system 2 of the store SH1 performs a process of reducing the number of points to be exchanged this time from the number of remaining points of the customer as instructed from the point management support system 1 (# 241).

  In parallel with or before or after the processing of the command to the store SH1, the point management support system 1 uses the expression (1) and the exchange rate table HT to indicate how many points the store SH2 will have by this exchange. Based on the calculation (# 132).

  When the point management support system 1 receives from the store point system 2 of the store SH1 the completion notification of the process for reducing the number of points to be exchanged this time, the calculation result of step # 132, that is, the store SH2 that the customer can receive by this exchange is unique. Exchange point information 7A indicating the point score is notified to the store point system 2 of the store SH2 (# 133).

  Upon receiving the exchange point information 7A, the store point system 2 of the store SH2 displays the content (# 232). The store clerk at store SH2 sees it and tells the customer that the exchange is complete. Then, the customer can receive a discount on the purchase price at the store SH2 by using the unique points of the store SH2 for the obtained points.

  Further, the point management support system 1 performs the following processing. In order to prevent the store SH2 from losing due to the use of the points exchanged this time, the store SH2 is compensated for profit (# 134). Processing for collecting the usage fee for the point mutual use support service is performed (# 135). Processing for placing the banner advertisement of the store SH2 in accordance with the exchange of points on the portal site of the company X is performed (# 136).

  In FIG. 15, for example, when a customer who visits the store SH2 offers the store clerk that he / she wants to exchange the original points of the store SH2 that he / she owns with common points, the store point system 2 of the store SH2 performs point management. The support system 1 is requested to perform the exchange process by transmitting the common point exchange information 7L (# 251), and the number of unique points to be exchanged is reduced from the number of remaining points of the customer. (# 252).

  Upon receiving the common point exchange information 7L, the point management support system 1 calculates how many common points the number of unique points to be exchanged becomes (# 151). Then, the calculated score is added to the remaining score of the common points of the customer (# 152).

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to make it possible for a customer to use points obtained from other stores while leaving the store's own point system. That is, both convenience for the store and convenience for the customer can be improved as compared with the conventional case.

  Moreover, since the business operator who responds to the point exchange has his / her own advertisement posted on the Web page, it can lead to sales expansion for acquiring a new customer.

  The point management support system 1 is provided with means for exchanging the original points of each store for common points. As a result, the customer can exchange the unique points of each store with common points and bundle them together, so that the points can be used effectively and the opportunities for benefiting from the point system can be increased. In general, a repeater customer desires a unique point of a store as usual, and a so-called first-time customer often desires a common point, but according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily cope with these requests.

  In this embodiment, when exchanging original points of one store for original points of another store, the usage fee of the point mutual use support service of the point management support system 1 is collected from the customer, but it is collected from the store. May be. In this case, you may make it collect from any one store, and you may make it collect from both stores. The usage fee may be collected according to the number of exchanges, may be collected according to the number of exchanged points, or a certain amount may be collected as a monthly or annual fee.

  Alternatively, even when a usage fee is collected from a customer who offers point exchange, a fixed usage fee may be collected every time instead of depending on the number of points to be exchanged. Alternatively, a certain amount may be collected as a monthly fee or an annual fee. Or you may combine these collection methods.

  There are various types of stores to which the store point system 2 can be applied. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a chain store where the same manager directly manages in various places or provides management know-how. Such stores often adopt the chain's own point system. In that case, if the unit of points issued under the point system is handled as one point unit in this embodiment, Good. Or, in places where multiple stores open, such as shopping streets, department stores, shopping centers, etc., the point system unique to the place is often adopted, but in that case as well, May be handled as one point unit in the present embodiment.

  Or, companies such as credit card companies, airlines, or Internet shops can use other points (stores) to exchange their own points or adopt common points by using the point sharing system PKS. can do.

  The processing by the price compensation processing unit 121 and the usage fee collection processing unit 122 may be performed at a predetermined time for a predetermined period. For example, one month may be collected at the end of the month.

  It is also possible to accept a request for posting an advertisement other than a store participating in the point sharing system PKS, and use the advertising revenue obtained as a result for the operating fee of the point management support system 1.

  In addition, the entire point sharing system PKS, the point management support system 1, the store point system 2, the configuration of each part, the processing content, the processing order, the configuration of the database, and the like can be appropriately changed in accordance with the spirit of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the example of the whole structure of a point sharing system. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of a point management assistance system. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure of a point management assistance system. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure of a shop point system. It is a figure which shows the example of a point issue table. It is a figure which shows the example of the value of each original point and a common point. It is a figure which shows the example of a customer database. It is a figure which shows the example of an exchange rate table. It is a figure which shows the example of a usage fee rate table. It is a figure which shows the example of an accumulation | storage common point database. It is a figure which shows the example of a store database. It is a figure which shows the example of an exchange point screen. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of the process of the inquiry regarding point exchange. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a process at the time of exchanging a certain original point for another original point. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a process at the time of exchanging an original point for a common point.

Explanation of symbols

PKS point sharing system 1 Point management support system 103 Exchange point calculation unit (exchange point calculation means)
104 Other store point exchange processing part (point consumption means)
105 Exchange point information notifying part (point giving means)
121 Price compensation processing unit (exchange compensation processing means)
131 Web advertisement processing section (advertisement processing means)
1A1 exchange rate database (exchange condition information storage means)
HT exchange rate table (exchange condition information)

Claims (5)

A point management support system for supporting management related to points given to consumers who have purchased products or received services,
Exchange condition information indicating exchange conditions when the point of the first unit given to the consumer by the first company is exchanged for the point of the second unit given to the consumer by the second company Exchange condition information storage means for storing;
When a consumer purchases a product or receives a service from the second business operator, all or a part of the points of the first unit is exchanged for the second unit points. An exchange point calculation means for calculating, based on the exchange condition information, how many points of the second unit can be exchanged when making an offer to use;
The processing for causing the consumer who made the offer to exchange the points of the first unit points from the unused points of the first unit points given to the consumers is performed. , Point consumption means,
Point granting means for performing processing for giving the points of the first unit of the points calculated by the exchange point calculating means to the consumer who made the offer;
Exchange for processing to compensate the first company for money corresponding to the points of the first unit given to the consumer who made the offer Compensation processing means,
A point management support system characterized by comprising: An advertisement placement processing means for executing processing for placing an advertisement of the second business operator on a web page when the point of the first unit is exchanged for the point of the second unit in response to the offer; Having
The point management support system according to claim 1. The advertisement placement processing means places the advertisement of the second company on the web page for a period according to the size of the points of the exchanged first unit.
The point management support system according to claim 2. A point management support method for supporting management related to points given to consumers who have purchased goods or received services,
Exchange condition information indicating exchange conditions when the point of the first unit given to the consumer by the first company is exchanged for the point of the second unit given to the consumer by the second company Store it in the exchange condition information storage means,
When a consumer purchases a product or receives a service from the second business operator, all or a part of the points of the first unit is exchanged for the second unit points. Based on the exchange condition information, calculate how many points of the second unit can be redeemed when making an offer to use,
The processing for causing the consumer who made the offer to exchange the points of the first unit points from the unused points of the first unit points given to the consumers is performed. ,
For the consumer who made the offer, a process for giving the first unit points of the points calculated by the exchange point calculating means,
For the consumer who made the offer, a process for giving the first unit points of the points calculated by the exchange point calculating means,
Processing to compensate the first company for money corresponding to the points of the first unit given to the consumer who made the offer, from the second company;
A point management support method characterized by that. A computer program used in a computer for supporting management related to points given to consumers who have purchased goods or received services,
Exchange condition information indicating exchange conditions when the point of the first unit given to the consumer by the first company is exchanged for the point of the second unit given to the consumer by the second company Processing to be called from the exchange condition information storage means;
When purchasing goods or receiving services from the second business operator, all or a part of the points of the first unit is exchanged for the second unit points. A process for calculating, based on the exchange condition information, how many points of the second unit can be exchanged for the consumer who has made the offer;
Processing for causing the consumer to exchange the points of the first unit for the offer of the offer from the points of the unused points of the first unit given to the consumer;
Processing for giving the points of the first unit of the points calculated by the exchange point calculating means to the consumer who made the offer;
Processing for giving the first unit of the number of points calculated by the exchange point calculation means to the consumer who has made the offer;
Processing for the money for the points of the first unit given to the consumer who made the offer to be compensated for the first business from the second business;
A computer program for causing a computer to execute.