JP2008299810A - Point management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a point management system which collectively manages points given to consumers by a plurality of business firms. <P>SOLUTION: The point management system is provided with: noncontact-type terminal devices 20, which are installed in stores to cellular phones 30 having IC chips 40, the devices 20 being communicatable with IC chips 40; and a point management server 10. The cellular phones 30 preliminarily store identifiers in the IC chips 40. The noncontact-type terminal devices 20 transmit, to the point management server 10, the identifiers acquired from the IC chips 40 and point update information given to the members having the cellular phones 30. The point management server 10 acquires appropriate-member information from the point information given to the members and from preliminarily set member information which includes the identifiers of the cellular phones 30, updates the point information of the appropriate-member information on the basis of the point update information, and manages the point information generated in the respective stores as the members' points. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a point management system, and is particularly useful when applied to a point service common to a plurality of stores.

  In the past, businesses that sell products or provide services have issued unique points according to the amount of money paid by the consumer, etc., and donated products according to these points, discounted fees, A so-called point service is provided. By implementing this point service, businesses can be differentiated from other companies in the same industry, and consumers can be more motivated to purchase and expect higher sales.

  Such a point service includes, for example, a point service system in which a magnetic card is issued to a consumer, the number of points is recorded on the magnetic card, and members can receive services according to the number of points (patent) Reference 1).

  On the other hand, as the usefulness of such point services has been recognized, as a result of multiple point providers carrying out their own point services, consumers must have multiple magnetic cards, etc. The use of these magnetic cards for use, the initial registration procedure for receiving point services for each business, and the like are troublesome. For this reason, there is a point service system that stores points given to consumers from a plurality of businesses in a mobile terminal possessed by the consumers (see Patent Document 2). Such a system eliminates the need for the consumer to have a plurality of magnetic cards or the like that are different for each business operator, and can use the point service smoothly.

  However, although the medium for managing points is one mobile terminal, it is not different from the fact that different points are given by multiple operators, so the initial registration procedure required for each operator is still necessary. As a result of the fact that the points earned by consumers are distributed among the operators, the points per operator do not increase compared to the total amount of money consumed by consumers, etc. In addition, it cannot be said that the point service can be fully utilized. Furthermore, since points from each business are stored in the mobile terminal, there is a risk that all points will be lost if the mobile terminal is lost.

JP-A-6-251034 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-366821

  An object of this invention is to provide the point management system which manages the point provided to a consumer from a some provider uniformly in view of this situation.

In order to achieve the above object, the first aspect of the present invention provides:
It is a point management system that gives points according to the amount used by members at multiple stores and performs various services according to the point balance,
A non-contact type terminal device provided in each store so as to be able to communicate with the IC chip in a non-contact state with respect to the information storage means possessed by the member and having a readable / writable IC chip;
A point management server provided to be communicable with the non-contact type terminal device,
The information storage means stores an identifier for uniquely identifying the information storage means in the IC chip in advance,
The non-contact type terminal device transmits the identifier acquired from the IC chip of the information storage means and point update information that is an increase / decrease value of points given to a member possessing the information storage means to the point management server. ,
The point management server acquires, as the member information corresponding to the received identifier, from the preset member information including the point information given to the member and the identifier of the information storage means possessed by the member, Point management characterized by updating point information of corresponding member information based on the point update information received from the non-contact type terminal device and managing point information generated in a plurality of stores as points of the member In the system.

  In the first aspect, points from each store are centrally managed by the point management server together with the identifier of the information storage means. At this time, since the points from each store are accumulated cumulatively for the member, even points generated at a plurality of different stores are given to the member as common points. For example, when the system provider performs the service for the common point on behalf of each store, each store is freed from the burden of performing the service for the point. Furthermore, the point management system is easy for members to accumulate points, which stimulates the member's willingness to purchase, and can be expected to improve sales for each store.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the point management system described in the first aspect,
The contactless terminal device is a member information acquisition request that is information for transmitting the identifier acquired from the IC chip of the information storage means and member information corresponding to the identifier from the point management server to the contactless terminal device. To the point management server,
The point management server, when receiving the member information acquisition request, acquires from the member information what matches the received identifier and transmits it to the contactless terminal device It is in.

  In the second aspect, the member information is centrally managed by the point management server, so that it is not necessary to manage the member information at each store for the same person. As a result, for each store, the point management is performed. The cost of introducing a device having a function corresponding to a server is not required. In addition, it is not necessary for a consumer who intends to become a new member to have duplicate membership registration procedures for each store. From these things, there exists an effect that it is easy to spread the point management system concerning the present invention to many stores.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the point management system according to any one of the first to second aspects,
The information storage means includes communication means for exchanging data with the point management server,
The point management server acquires a member who has purchased at a store as a target member from purchase history information indicating whether or not the member has purchased at each store, and is set in advance corresponding to the store. In the point management system, the store information is provided to the information storage means possessed by the target member via the communication means.

  In the third aspect, store information from the store is provided to the information storage means possessed by the member who purchased the product or the like at a store. In this way, since the member can expect to use the store as a so-called repeater because the product information is provided only to members who have purchased the product in the past, the point management according to the present invention for such a store can be expected. The system is a useful advertising means for acquiring good members who use the store continuously.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the point management system according to any one of the first to third aspects,
The information storage means includes communication means for exchanging data with the point management server,
The point management system comprises point information inquiry means for providing point information of member information that matches the identifier received from the member information to the information storage means via the communication means. It is in.

  In the fourth aspect, the information storage unit can directly communicate with the point management server to acquire the point information. As a result, the member who possesses the information storage means can confirm his / her points without going to a store with a non-contact type terminal device.

  According to the present invention, even if the points are independently given in different stores, since the points are easily accumulated and accumulated by the consumers, the consumer's willingness to purchase is stimulated. Stores can expect increased sales. In addition, by managing points intensively with the point management server, it is not necessary to introduce devices such as servers and databases at each store, so that the introduction cost can be reduced. Furthermore, as a result of centralized management of points by the point management server, even if the information storage means possessed by the member is lost, the point is not lost, so the member can use this point management system with peace of mind.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described. The description of the present embodiment is an exemplification, and the present invention is not limited to the following description.

<Embodiment 1>
In the first embodiment, the points generated as a result of the consumer purchasing goods etc. at each store are unified using the non-contact type terminal device provided at each store and the information storage means possessed by the consumer. Realize a point management system to manage. As a result, even if the points are independently given to consumers in different stores, the points are cumulatively added to the consumers, so that it is easy to receive point services that require many points. Arise. Moreover, as a result of stimulating consumers' willingness to purchase due to such merits, each store can expect an improvement in sales.

  Note that the plurality of stores is not limited to whether or not they have a capital relationship, but here, it is assumed that each store in a shopping street is not a plurality of independent stores, that is, a plurality of stores owned by the same company, for example. To do. Hereinafter, a business operator who operates the point management system according to the first embodiment is referred to as a system provider, a consumer who has information storage means and receives a point service as a member, and assumes two stores as a plurality of stores. These are called store A and store B.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a point management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the configuration of the point management system according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the point management system 1 is provided in a mobile phone 30 and an IC card 31 which are information storage means in which an IC chip 40 is embedded, and in each store A and B, and the IC chip 40. And a point management server 10 provided on the system provider side and capable of communicating with the contactless terminal device 20 via the Internet 2. .

  The mobile phone 30 and the IC card 31 as information storage means have an IC chip 40 for storing identifiers. Here, the identifier is a code that uniquely identifies the information storage means in which the IC chip 40 is embedded. The information storage means possessed by the member is associated with the identifier by the member registration process described later. Therefore, by specifying the identifier, not only the information storage means but also the member who owns the information is identified. can do.

  The IC chip 40 is driven by receiving a radio wave transmitted from a contactless terminal device 20 to be described later, and is configured to transmit an identifier to the contactless terminal device 20. Further, since the IC chip 40 does not require a power source such as a battery or a battery, the structure of a device such as a card or a mobile terminal is simplified, and there is no problem that the battery cannot be used due to running out of the battery. It is possible to provide a good information storage means.

  An IC chip 40 is embedded in the mobile phone 30. The IC chip 40 stores an identifier in the member registration process. Further, the mobile phone 30 is provided with a communication means 33 for exchanging information with the point management server 10. Furthermore, the first embodiment includes an output unit 35 and an input unit 34. The output means 35 is, for example, a liquid crystal display that displays various information from the point management server. The input unit 34 is, for example, a button for inputting characters or numerical values or selecting a menu displayed on the output unit 35.

  Similarly, an IC chip 40 is embedded in the IC card 31, and an identifier is stored in the IC chip 40.

  As described above, the mobile phone 30 and the IC card 31 can be suitably used as the information storage means. Although there is no particular difference between the two in terms of processing such as adding points, the cellular phone 30 inquires point information from the point management server 10 or browses store information as compared to the IC card 31 as will be described later. It is a feature that can be done.

  The non-contact type terminal device 20 is configured by a combination of a reading unit 22 that writes information on the IC chip 40 or reads information on the IC chip 40 and a terminal body unit 21, and the reading unit 22 is a terminal body unit 21. It can be separated from. Note that the reading unit 22 and the terminal body unit 21 may be an apparatus in which the functions included in each are integrally formed.

  The reading unit 22 transmits radio waves from the reading unit 22 a, receives the identifier transmitted from the IC chip 40 corresponding to this, and transmits it to the terminal body unit 21. Further, the reading unit 22 is configured to be able to write information from the terminal body unit 21 to the mobile phone 30 or the like when the mobile phone 30 or the IC card 31 is inserted in the reading unit 22a.

  The terminal body unit 21 may be a terminal having a general function of a so-called POS terminal. In the case of such a terminal, a barcode reading function may be provided. In addition, the terminal includes an input unit 24 such as a button for inputting the amount purchased by the member, an output unit 25 for displaying a product name, a purchase amount, or various information acquired from the point management server 10, and a member. Communication means 23 is provided for exchanging necessary information with the point management server 10 when processing such as adding points is performed.

  The terminal body unit 21 is not limited to the above terminal, and may be a personal computer installed at a member's home, for example. In this case, the non-contact type terminal device including the personal computer and the reading unit 22 cannot perform the point addition process, but can inquire about point information described later and receive store information.

  The information transmitted to the point management server 10 by the communication unit 23 includes at least point update information in addition to the read identifier. Here, the point update information is information given by the store in accordance with the amount of money purchased by the member, a store identifier for uniquely identifying the store to which the point is given, and a numerical value (increase / decrease in points) Point increase / decrease value). The point increase / decrease value may be calculated by multiplying the purchase price of the product acquired by the input means 24 such as a barcode by the number of points (point rate) per purchase price preset in the terminal main unit 21. However, it may be simply given directly through the input means 24. The point increase / decrease value is signed with a positive / negative sign. When the value is positive, it means that the points are added, and when it is negative, it means that the points are subtracted. The negative point increase / decrease value is used to reduce points for correction after giving excessive points due to incorrect input, or when the store provides point services according to member points, Is used to subtract.

  The above point rate may be set in the point management server 10. In this case, the point increase / decrease value included in the point update information transmitted by the non-contact terminal device 20 is simply the purchase price of the member. As a result, the number of points to be added to or subtracted from the member is calculated on the point management server 10 side.

  The point management server 10 is an information communication device having a function of a general computer, and includes a database 11 for storing member information, store information, and purchase history information, and a point management unit 12 for managing member points. , Member information inquiry means 13 for presenting member information to each store A, B, point information inquiry means 14 for presenting the number of points to the member, and a store that provides the store with store information prepared in advance by the store Information providing means 15.

  The database 11 stores member information, store information, and purchase history information. Here, the member information refers to information including point information given to the member and an identifier of the information storage means possessed by the member. The point information is the total value of points given to the members from the stores A and B. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the member information includes personal information such as name and email address.

  By identifying the identifier by identifying the identifier by associating the identifier with the point information and personal information, the point information and personal information given to the member possessing the corresponding information storage means can be obtained. Can be identified.

  On the other hand, the store information is information representing the advertisement items of the store set in advance for each store A and B, and for members (target members) who have purchased products in a store in the past. Provided. More specifically, information including advertisement items of the stores A and B is created in a format that can be displayed on the mobile phone 30 of the member. For example, if the mobile phone 30 is a model compatible with i-mode (registered trademark), store information is created in an HTML format defined exclusively for i-mode (registered trademark).

  The identification of the target member is realized by managing purchase history information for each member. Here, the purchase history information is composed of a flag indicating whether or not a member has purchased a product or the like at the stores A and B in the past. The purchase history information sets a flag indicating that the purchase is made at the store specified by the store identifier included in the point update information when the identifier and the point update information are acquired from the non-contact type terminal device 20. Is created by associating with an identifier. Table 1 illustrates this purchase history information.

  The purchase history information of the row whose identifier is “1000” in Table 1 has been purchased in the past because the flag of the store A specified by the store identifier is “1”, while the flag of the store B is Since it is “0”, it indicates that it has not been purchased in the past. As described above, since the member having the information storage means corresponding to the identifier is specified by specifying the identifier, the purchase history information indicates that the “member” has purchased at which store. It also indicates whether or not there is.

  In addition, when a store desires, store information may be provided also to members who have never purchased a product or the like at the store. In this case, the purchase history information is not particularly referred to, and all members are extracted from the member information, or members are selectively extracted, and store information is provided to these members.

  The point management means 12 obtains, as member information, the member information stored in the database 11 that matches the identifier received from the non-contact type terminal device 20, and also updates the point received from the non-contact type terminal device 20. The point information of the corresponding member information is updated based on the information. That is, the points given to the members by purchasing products etc. at the stores A and B are totaled with the points already possessed and stored in the database 11 by the point management means 12 as member information. This makes it possible to give points cumulatively to one member even though the points generated at the stores A and B are generated at different stores. Further, by centrally managing member points with the point management server 10, it is not necessary to record point information on the mobile phone 30 or the IC card 31. As a result, even if the mobile phone 30 or the like is lost, the point information held before the loss can be given to the member again if the identity of the member can be confirmed. A management system can be provided.

  As described above, the non-contact type terminal device 20 on each store A, B side calculates a point from the purchase price of a product or the like, and transmits this point to the point management server 10 as point update information. However, the non-contact type terminal device 20 may be configured to transmit the purchase price itself instead of the points as the point update information to the point management server 10.

  In this case, a point rate is preset for each store in the database 11, points are calculated by multiplying the purchase amount transmitted as point update information by the point rate corresponding to the store, and the points are included in the member information based on the points. Update point information.

  When the member information inquiry means 13 receives the identifier and the member information acquisition request from the contactless terminal device 20, the member information inquiry means 13 acquires the member information stored in the database 11 that matches the identifier, It transmits to the terminal device 20. Here, the member information acquisition request is information transmitted from the non-contact type terminal device 20 to the point management server 10 and causes the member information corresponding to the identifier transmitted together with this request to be transmitted to the non-contact type terminal device 20. Information.

  Thereby, the store having the non-contact type terminal device 20 can browse the member information regarding the owner of the mobile phone 30 or the IC card 31 dressed as the reading unit 22. Since the member information is centrally managed by the point management server 10, it is not necessary to manage the member information in each store A and B for the same person. As a result, for each store A and B, The cost of introducing a device having a function corresponding to the database 11, the point management means 12, and the member information inquiry means 13 becomes unnecessary, and for consumers who are newly becoming members, the stores A and B respectively Duplicate member registration procedures are not required. From these things, there exists an effect that a system provider tends to spread the point management system 1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 to many stores.

  When the point information inquiry means 14 receives the identifier and the point information acquisition request from the mobile phone 30, the point information inquiry means 14 acquires the member information stored in the database 11 that matches the identifier, and includes the point included in the member information. Information is transmitted to the mobile phone 30. Here, the point information acquisition request is information transmitted from the mobile phone 30 to the point management server 10, and information that causes the mobile phone 30 to transmit point information included in the member information corresponding to the identifier transmitted together with the request. It is.

  As described above, the mobile phone 30 can directly communicate with the point management server 10 to acquire point information. As a result, the member who has the mobile phone 30 can check his / her points without going to the stores A and B where the non-contact type terminal device 20 is located.

  Note that the timing at which the point information inquiry unit 14 transmits the point information to the mobile phone 30 is not limited to when the point information acquisition request is received from the mobile phone 30. For example, member information may be acquired from the database 11 at regular intervals, and an e-mail including point information may be transmitted to a mail address of personal information included in the member information. Thus, for example, when a valid period is provided for a point, the member can be alerted so that the point does not expire.

  In addition, the IC card 31 does not have a communication unit that directly communicates with the point management server 10 to acquire point information, but is configured such that the non-contact type terminal device 20 acquires point information on behalf of the IC card 31. May be. That is, when the IC card 31 is put on the non-contact type terminal device 20, the identifier of the IC card 31 is read and the identifier and the point information acquisition request are transmitted to the point management server 10. By displaying the point information returned from the point management server 10 in response to this point information acquisition request on the output means 25, the member possessing the IC card 31 can confirm his / her points.

  The store information providing means 15 specifies the mobile phone 30 having the identifier by acquiring the identifier of the mobile phone 30 possessed by a member who has purchased a product or the like in the store from the purchase history information, The store information of the store is provided to the specified mobile phone 30. Specifically, the point management server 10 is provided with a function as a web server accessible from the mobile phone 30, and the mobile phone 30 transmits an identifier when accessing the web server function of the point management server 10. Constitute. The store information providing means 15 searches for store information to be provided to the mobile phone 30 based on the identifier acquired via the web server function, and transmits this. The mobile phone 30 displays the transmitted store information on the output means 35.

  Thereby, store information from the store is provided to the mobile phone 30 possessed by a member who purchased a product or the like at a store. Since the member can expect to use the store as a so-called repeater because the product information is provided only to members who have purchased the product or the like in this way, the point management system 1 It becomes a useful advertising means for acquiring excellent members who use the store continuously.

  Here, in the point management system 1 having the above-described configuration, the member registration process will be described first, and various processing procedures will be described for each function.

[Member registration process]
Here, the member registration process refers to a process of giving a member qualification to use the point management system 1 according to the first embodiment to the consumer. Specifically, the consumer has a mobile phone 30 including the IC chip 40. If so, an identifier unique to the IC chip 40 of the mobile phone 30 is set. When the consumer does not have the mobile phone 30, the IC card 31 is lent or transferred, and a unique identifier is set for the IC card 31. Furthermore, by setting this identifier and member information on the database 11, the consumer is registered as a member.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a processing procedure for member registration processing of the point management system according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the point management server 10 creates a unique identifier to be set in the mobile phone 30 or the IC card 31, and transmits it to the non-contact terminal device 20 (S41). The non-contact type terminal device 20 writes the identifier transmitted via the reading unit 22 in the mobile phone 30 or the IC chip 40 of the IC card 31 (S42).

  On the other hand, the non-contact type terminal device 20 transmits the personal information acquired from the consumer to the point management server 10 (S43). The point management server 10 associates the transmitted personal information with the previously created identifier as member information and stores it in the database 11 (S44). In principle, the point information included in the member information is “0”. However, for example, when a sales promotion campaign or the like is performed, points other than “0” may be set as point information given initially.

  Table 2 illustrates member information.

  The member information of the row whose identifier is “1000” in Table 2 is that the person who has the mobile phone 30 or the IC card 31 whose identifier is “1000” has “0” points (no points). In addition, the personal information includes a name “Ayama Ao” and a mail address “address1@example.com”.

  When the consumer has the mobile phone 30 having the IC chip 40, the member registration may be performed by directly communicating with the point management server 10 without using the non-contact type terminal device 20. . In this case, for example, a registration program having a function for inputting / transmitting personal information, a function for acquiring an identifier from the point management server 10, and a function for writing an identifier to the IC chip 40 can be downloaded from the mobile phone 30. Place on 10. The cellular phone 30 downloads the registration program by the consumer's operation, and the program acquires an identifier from the point management server 10 (corresponding to the process of S41) and writes the identifier to the IC chip 40 (corresponding to the process of S42). ), The member registration process is performed with the point management server 10 by sequentially executing the input / transmission of personal information (corresponding to the process of S43).

[Point management function]
The point management function allows each store A, B to give points to the member via the mobile phone 30 or the IC card 31 and the non-contact terminal device 20 when the member purchases a product or the like at each store A, B. Used when giving.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a processing procedure for the point management function of the point management system according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the non-contact type terminal device 20 reads the identifier from the mobile phone 30 via the reading unit 22 (S1). Further, the purchase amount of the product purchased by the member is acquired via the input means 24, and the point is calculated by multiplying the purchase amount by a preset point rate (S2). Next, the non-contact type terminal device 20 transmits the read identifier and the calculated point to the point management server 10 via the communication unit 23 (S3).

  Next, in the point management server 10, the point management unit 12 is the main body, acquires the corresponding member information that matches the identifier received in the process of S <b> 3 from the member information in the database 11, and corresponds based on the received point The point information of the member information is updated (S4). After this update, a notification that processing is complete is transmitted to the non-contact type terminal device 20 (S5).

  For example, when 50 points are given at the store A and 100 points are given at the store B to the member who has the mobile phone 30 with the identifier “1000”, the member information shown in Table 2 is updated as shown in Table 3 (Update) <> (Angle brackets) is attached to the part).

  Thus, in the point management function, even points generated at a plurality of stores are cumulatively given to one member.

[Member information inquiry function]
The member information inquiry function is used when confirming member information about a member possessing the mobile phone 30 or the IC card 31 in the contactless terminal device 20 of each store A or B.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a processing procedure for the member information inquiry function of the point management system according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the non-contact type terminal device 20 reads the identifier from the mobile phone 30 via the reading unit 22 (S1). Next, the non-contact type terminal device 20 transmits the read identifier and the member information acquisition request to the point management server 10 via the communication unit 23 (S11).

  Next, in the point management server 10, the member information inquiry means 13 is the main member, and the member information matching the identifier received in the process of S11 is acquired from the member information in the database 11, and this is obtained as a non-contact type terminal device. 20 (S12). The non-contact type terminal device 20 displays the received member information on the output means 25 (S13).

  For example, when a member information acquisition request is transmitted to the point management server 10 for a member having the mobile phone 30 with the identifier “1000”, the personal information and point information in the row with the identifier “1000” in Table 2 are contactless type. It is transmitted to the terminal device 20.

  As described above, in the member information inquiry function, it is possible to confirm the member information regarding the member who owns the mobile phone 30 or the IC card 31.

[Point information inquiry function]
The point information inquiry function is used when a member carrying the mobile phone 30 or the IC card 31 confirms his / her points.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a processing procedure for the point information inquiry function of the point management system according to the first embodiment. As illustrated, the cellular phone 30 transmits the identifier stored in the IC chip 40 and the point information acquisition request to the point management server 10 (S21).

  Next, the point management server 10 mainly obtains point information included in the member information that matches the identifier received in the process of S21 from the member information in the database 11 by using the point information inquiry means 14 as a mobile phone. 30 (S22). The mobile phone 30 displays the received point information on the output means 35 (S23).

  For example, when a point information acquisition request is transmitted from the mobile phone 30 with the identifier “1000” to the point management server 10, the point information in the row with the identifier “1000” in Table 3 is transmitted to the mobile phone 30.

  Although not shown, even in the case of the IC card 31, the point information can be similarly confirmed via the non-contact type terminal device 20. In this case, the non-contact type terminal device 20 reads the identifier of the IC card 31 via the reading unit 22 and transmits the identifier and the point information acquisition request to the point management server 10. The non-contact type terminal device 20 receives the point information returned as a result of the processing of S22 performed by the point management server 10 and displays it on the output means 25. That is, the non-contact type terminal device 20 inquires the point information on behalf of the IC card 31.

  Thus, in the point information inquiry function, it is possible to confirm the member information regarding the member who owns the mobile phone 30 or the IC card 31.

[Store information provision function]
The store information providing function is used when providing store information from a store to a member who has purchased in the past at a store and has a mobile phone 30.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a processing procedure for the store information providing function of the point management system according to the first embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the mobile phone 30 transmits the identifier stored in the IC chip 40 to the point management server 10 (S31).

  Next, in the point management server 10, the store information providing means 15 is the main body, and from the purchase history information in the database 11, the one that matches the identifier received in the process of S 31 is acquired and the identifier has been purchased in the past. Get a store that may be. Next, store information corresponding to the acquired store is acquired and transmitted to the mobile phone 30 (S32). The mobile phone 30 displays the received store information on the output means 35 (S33).

  For example, assume that the store information shown in Table 4 is set in the database 11.

  Further, when the store information shown in Table 4 is provided using the purchase history information shown in Table 1, it is as follows. The store information providing means 15 can acquire the store A as a store that has been purchased in the past from the purchase history information of the identifier “1000”. Therefore, the store information providing unit 15 provides store information about the store A in Table 4 to the mobile phone 30 having the identifier “1000”.

  As described above, in the store information providing function, store information from stores that have been purchased in the past can be provided to members who possess the mobile phone 30.

  As described above, in the point management system 1 according to the first embodiment, points generated in various stores with different types of business are given to members as common points. For example, when the system provider performs the service for the common points on behalf of the stores A and B, the stores A and B are freed from the burden of performing the service for the points. Become. Furthermore, the point management system 1 tends to accumulate points for the members, stimulates the members' willingness to purchase, and the stores A and B can expect an increase in sales.

<Other embodiments>
The contactless terminal device 20 of the first embodiment may be lent to the stores A and B from the system provider for a fee. In this case, when the point management system charges the rental fee from each store A, B, the rental fee is calculated in consideration of whether each store A, B has returned goods to the member in accordance with the points. You may further have an accounting means.

  Normally, the system provider returns goods to members according to points. At this time, the system provider uses the money collected according to the number of points from the store where the points are generated as a source of goods, etc. to be returned to the member. For example, when store A gives 50 points to a member, the system provider collects a corresponding amount of 50 yen from store A and returns 50 yen worth of goods to the member.

  However, when each store A, B returns merchandise or the like to its members according to points independently, there is a problem in collecting the charges that are the source of such funds. Is solved.

  Specifically, the billing means is not the system provider, but when the store returns the product etc. to the point given to the member, the amount of the product etc. that the store returned to the member from the rental fee for the store Calculate the amount minus the minutes.

  More specifically, the rental fee for each store is stored in the database 11, and the charging means acquires point consumption information, which is the number of points consumed by returning points to the member, via the contactless terminal device, An amount obtained by multiplying the point consumption information by a predetermined point rate is subtracted from the rental fee.

  For example, it is assumed that 100 points are given to a member as a result of the member purchasing a product or the like at the store A. Next, it is assumed that the store B returns the product for 100 points to this member (since this point is common to the stores A and B, this is possible). As a result, an unreasonable problem that store B will pay an amount equivalent to 100 points that should be borne by store A would occur, so this amount will be reduced from the rental fee charged to store B Offset the burden.

  In the first embodiment, the points generated independently at each of the stores A and B are cumulatively given to members and managed as point information. However, the present invention is not limited to such management. That is, the point information included in the member information stored in the database 11 may be managed as point information for each store. Specifically, the point information in the database 11 is managed in association with the store identifier. On the other hand, the point management means 12 specifies the point information of the store to be updated from the database 11 based on the store identifier included in the point update information from the non-contact type terminal device 20, and for the specified point information The point information is updated by reflecting the point increase / decrease value included in the point update information.

  Such point management is particularly useful in the case where the point provider is independently provided for each store rather than centrally providing a point service such as gifting a member or the like according to the point by the system provider.

  For example, in the store A, during a certain period, the point rate is doubled to give the member a point, or the store A's original original product is given to the member as a product returned to the point. This is a case where a point service is implemented.

  In such a case, member points are given for each store. Therefore, even if the store A generates or consumes points as in the point service that is uniquely implemented for each store, the points related to the store B are not affected.

  Of course, even when managing point information for each store in this way, as in the first embodiment, the stores A and B do not require devices having functions corresponding to the database 11 and the point management means 12. Also, it is not necessary for the member to have a plurality of information storage means different for each store.

  The present invention can be widely used in industries that sell products or provide services to consumers.

1 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a point management system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a configuration of a point management system according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the process sequence about the member registration process of the point management system which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the process sequence about the point management function of the point management system which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the process sequence about the member information inquiry function of the point management system which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the process sequence about the point information inquiry function of the point management system which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the process sequence about the shop information provision function of the point management system which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Point management system 2 Internet 10 Point management server 11 Database 12 Point management means 13 Member information inquiry means 14 Point balance inquiry means 15 Store information provision means 20 Non-contact type terminal device 21 Terminal body unit 22 Reading unit 22a Reading part 23 Communication means 24 input means 25 output means 30 mobile phone 31 IC card 33 communication means 34 input means 35 output means 40 IC chip

Claims (4)

It is a point management system that gives points according to the amount used by members at multiple stores and performs various services according to the point balance,
A non-contact type terminal device provided in each store so as to be able to communicate with the IC chip in a non-contact state with respect to the information storage means possessed by the member and having a readable / writable IC chip;
A point management server provided to be communicable with the non-contact type terminal device,
The information storage means stores an identifier for uniquely identifying the information storage means in the IC chip in advance,
The non-contact type terminal device transmits the identifier acquired from the IC chip of the information storage means and point update information that is an increase / decrease value of points given to a member possessing the information storage means to the point management server. ,
The point management server acquires, as the member information corresponding to the received identifier, from the preset member information including the point information given to the member and the identifier of the information storage means possessed by the member, Point management characterized by updating point information of corresponding member information based on the point update information received from the non-contact type terminal device and managing point information generated in a plurality of stores as points of the member system. In the point management system according to claim 1,
The contactless terminal device is a member information acquisition request that is information for transmitting the identifier acquired from the IC chip of the information storage means and member information corresponding to the identifier from the point management server to the contactless terminal device. To the point management server,
The point management server, when receiving the member information acquisition request, acquires from the member information what matches the received identifier and transmits it to the contactless terminal device . In the point management system according to claim 1 or 2,
The information storage means includes communication means for exchanging data with the point management server,
The point management server acquires a member who has purchased at a store as a target member from purchase history information indicating whether or not the member has purchased at each store, and is set in advance corresponding to the store. The point management system, wherein the store information is provided to the information storage means possessed by the target member via the communication means. In the point management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The information storage means includes communication means for exchanging data with the point management server,
The point management system comprises point information inquiry means for providing point information of member information that matches the identifier received from the member information to the information storage means via the communication means. .

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