JP2011090721A - Cooperative purchasing system and method using sns - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system and method for integrating purchase power or points to an SNS by entrusting the SNS with the payment for the purchase of members of the SNS, and returning benefit thus obtained to the members of the SNS. <P>SOLUTION: A system management computer 5 of the SNS 1 is communicably connected to a terminal 6 of an affiliated store 4 and a financial institution 2 at which an SNS account 3 is opened in the name of SNS. The computer 5 includes a member information DB which stores a credit limit of a member 7, and a store information DB which stores a settlement institution of the affiliated store. The computer further includes: a means which determines, when the member 7 who has made a purchase in the store 4 desires payment through the SNS account 3, whether the price is within the credit limit; a means which extracts the settlement institution of the store 4 from the store information DB and instructs the financial institution 2 having the SNS account 3 to remit money to the settlement institution; and a means which updates the credit limit of the member 7 who has made the purchase. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a system and method for consolidating purchasing power and points into an SNS by paying purchases of individual members of an SNS (social networking service) by the SNS, and returning the profits obtained thereby to the SNS member.

  With the spread of the Internet, various new services and systems have emerged, and SNS is one of them. SNS is originally a system that aims to make friends, but it is not just a means of networking, but there are moves to use it for business. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a membership-based Web electronic money site management system that provides a settlement service using SNS and membership-based electronic money via a mobile phone website.

JP 2008-305112 A

However, in the system described in Patent Document 1, the member pays for the payment through the account of the management company of the system. However, interest is paid to the advantage of the account of the management company acting as a payment agent. Absent. If a management company with a payment agent account is considered as one virtual huge consumer, there will be many advantages (price reduction, preferential treatment such as point addition) that take advantage of the scale. I don't see any mechanism to reduce the benefits.
In the present invention, the benefits obtained by the SNS operating entity (hereinafter referred to as “SNS”) on behalf of the individual members are paid to the members, so that the SNS, the members, and the affiliated stores can enjoy the benefits. The purpose is to propose a possible mechanism.

  By the way, point services for sales promotion have already been implemented by various retailers. However, they cannot be loaned or transferred to others, and become invalid if the card is not used for a certain period. Another object of the present invention is to propose a mechanism that enables point exchange and reduces the possibility that a card becomes invalid due to expiration.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an SNS in which payment of a purchase price for a product by an SNS member is performed by debiting from an account opened in a financial institution under the name of the SNS (hereinafter referred to as “SNS account”). The system relates to the cooperative purchase system used, and is realized by the function of a system management computer that can be connected to the store computer used by the affiliated store providing the product via the Internet. The system management computer includes a storage unit and a processing unit, and the storage unit associates the member identification information with the payable amount, and associates the partner store identification information with the settlement organization. A store information database for storing, a purchase history database for storing a history of purchases by members at affiliated stores, and a settlement information database for storing a settlement date and a settlement amount in association with a settlement organization. The processing unit receives the sales availability inquiry request from the store computer together with the member identification information and the price of the product that the member wishes to purchase, and the price of the member that the price of the product is extracted from the member information database. An inquiry response means for returning whether or not the product is within the range, and purchase information including the price transmitted from the store computer when the product price is within the payable amount range, together with the store identification information, the purchase history database The purchase history registration means for registering to the financial institution where the SNS account is opened by extracting the payment institution of the store that has transmitted the purchase information from the payment information database, from the SNS account at a predetermined timing. Payment instruction means for instructing remittance to the payment institution of the store, and for each member of the member information database, And the payable amount management means to configure and update of the payment amount available, contain.
“Stores” include not only real stores but also online shopping sites.
The “store computer” corresponds to a store terminal in the following embodiment.
“Products” include not only tangible products but also intangible products (services).
There are two types of SNS: a type that cannot be subscribed without an invitation from an existing member, and a type that anyone can join. However, the former is preferable from the viewpoint of obtaining external credit.
Not only consumers but also stores can become members of the system. This is because stores not only produce and sell, but also purchase. If a store joins this system, not only the benefit as a consumer but also the benefit of being able to advertise using SNS. This is because the Internet advertising function based on SNS is remarkable.

In this way, since the SNS serves as a payment window, the purchase of individual SNS members is regarded as a single SNS purchase, and therefore the purchasing entity also becomes an SNS. Of course, discounts and earned points are also collected in the SNS. Is done.
Since SNS purchases and pays as an agent, SNS can be regarded as a “big consumer”. Individual consumers are usually overwhelmingly weaker than sellers, but the SNS of this system can take a strong position as a huge consumer. You can also expect scale merit in situations such as discounts and earning points than normal consumers. This scale advantage is ultimately returned to members. The current SNS has no particular return from the SNS operator to the member in terms of economics, but this system can also bring a practical profit to the member.
Furthermore, since this system uses SNS as a management entity, it can utilize functions unique to SNS. For example, it is possible to utilize functions such as the ability to decide themes such as hobbies and regions and exchange on the bulletin board, the function of registering new acquaintances, the advertisement posted on the site, the function of recommending products and services to friends, and the like. For this reason, there is an advantage that the number of members increases without particularly incurring costs. As the number of members increases, the position of SNS as one consumer is strengthened, and the return to the members accompanying it is also richer. In addition, the number of affiliated stores will increase due to the excellent advertising function. This encourages competition between similar stores and allows members to obtain quality products at reasonable prices.

In order to achieve the above object, the system management computer further includes an acquisition point database and point management means, and the point management means is issued to the SNS by a partner store where a member purchased the product. The valuable value information may be registered in the acquisition point database together with the store identification information, and the valuable information acquired for each member may be aggregated and updated and registered in the member information database.
The “value information” corresponds to “point” in the following embodiment. In other words, it is the “point” of the point service introduced by various retailers.

  As a result, points are accumulated in the SNS at a time, so that each member can use his / her favorite points from among the accumulated points (there are points of stores that he has not purchased). In other words, virtual point exchange becomes possible.

In order to achieve the above object, the system management computer further comprises deposit / withdrawal inquiry means for querying a financial institution where the SNS account is opened for deposit / withdrawal information related to the SNS account. However, when receiving the deposit information including the member identification information and the deposit amount, the payable amount management means may add the received deposit amount to the payable amount of the member in the member information database.
Here, as a depositing method, there are normal transfer and depositing by electronic money.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the payable amount management means can pay the member in the member information database for a member who is given a predetermined limit of credit from the SNS or a financial institution performing a credit operation. You may make it add the amount within the limit amount credited to the amount.
Thereby, even when there is no cash on hand that can be deposited in the SNS account, the product can be purchased.

In order to achieve the above object, the payable amount management means converts the payable amount in the member information database into a monetary amount obtained by converting all or part of the number of acquired points of the member into an amount by a predetermined method. May be added. The member information database may include information indicating a member's age, and the payable amount managing means may add the converted amount only to a member whose age satisfies a predetermined condition.
The “information indicating age” corresponds to the date of birth in the following embodiment.
For example, if an arrangement is made to use points after the age of 60, it will be a substitute for a future pension.

A member terminal used by an SNS member can be connected to the system management computer via a communication network, and the system management computer includes the usable amount and the purchase history in response to a request from the member terminal. A member information providing means for transmitting information on the member may be further provided.
As a result, the member can appropriately view his / her own usage record, etc., so that even if there is a fraud by another person, the member can grasp the damage at an early stage and can use this system with confidence.

  A method of operating a computer as a system management computer of the above joint purchase system also achieves the object of the present invention.

In the present invention, since the SNS aggregates the consumption behavior of individual members, there may be a direction that pays attention to the similarities with existing cooperatives. However, this system is not similar to the cooperative as follows.
Co-ops mainly conduct joint purchasing activities in which products are purchased jointly and retailed to members. On the other hand, in the present invention, the main SNS, that is, the system, does not assume that it purchases or retails itself.
Co-ops are limited to small societies such as communities and universities. On the other hand, in the case of this invention, if it can connect to a communication network, it will become possible to participate in SNS whatever the residence is. In other words, this system can be deployed nationwide. In addition, a large amount of information is exchanged between members via a communication network, which includes information on merchandise and commercial entities. If SNS adopts a membership system, the reliability of information is high. Participants are motivated to purchase by contacting a large amount of reliable information. This system has the potential to create a huge virtual consumer and affect the entire industry.
In addition, some co-ops have a point service for store users, but the points collected by each individual are managed and used by themselves. However, according to the present invention, the point service of all the merchants that are affiliated with the present system (limited to the own store in the case of a living cooperative) is an object and is easy to use. Furthermore, since the SNS manages points in a lump, each member has the flexibility to use points from various vendors.

  The SNS acts as a proxy for the payment of the product purchase price of each SNS member, so that the purchasing power and points can be aggregated in the SNS, and the profits obtained thereby can be returned to the SNS member.

It is a whole lineblock diagram showing roughly the system for realizing the joint purchase method concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows simply the function of the system management computer which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a data structure figure which shows an example of the member information which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a data structure figure which shows an example of the shop information which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a data structure figure showing an example of purchase history information concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a data structure figure which shows an example of the payment information which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the process outline | summary of the whole cooperative purchase method which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the system management computer used by 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the system management computer used by 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the system management computer used by 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows simply the function of the system management computer which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a data structure figure which shows an example of the shop information which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the system management computer used by 2nd Embodiment. It is a data structure figure showing an example of purchase history information concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a data structure figure showing an example of member information concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a data structure figure which shows an example of the acquisition point information which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the system management computer used by 2nd Embodiment.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram schematically showing a system according to this embodiment (hereinafter “this system”), and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a configuration in a system management computer used in this system. It is.
In this embodiment, an SNS subscriber 7 (hereinafter referred to as an “SNS member”) deposits funds in the SNS account 3 established in the financial institution 2 by the SNS operator 1 under the SNS name, and forms a partnership with the SNS operator 1. A case will be described in which when a product is purchased from a store 4 designated as a store, payment is made via the SNS account 3 within the range of funds deposited.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cooperative purchase system used in the present embodiment is installed by the SNS operator 1, and has opened a system management computer 5 storing various data and programs necessary for this system, and an SNS account 3. The terminal of the financial institution 2, the store terminal 6 used by the store that receives payment of the purchase price via the SNS account 3, and the SNS member 7 who deposits funds in the SNS account 3 and withdraws the purchase price from the account. And a member terminal 8 used by the. The system management computer 5 is configured to be able to exchange information with the store terminal 6 and the SNS member terminal 8 via a communication line network N such as the Internet, a wired telephone line, a wireless telephone line, and a CATV (cable television) line. Has been.

Here, the store terminal 6 refers to a personal computer or a mobile phone owned by a store connected to the system management computer 5 so as to be able to exchange information. In the present embodiment, a store action including an action performed by a store through these terminals may be simply referred to as “partner store”.
The member terminal 8 refers to a personal computer or a mobile phone owned by a member connected to the system management computer 5 so as to be able to exchange information. In the present embodiment, a member's actions including actions performed by a member through these terminals may be simply referred to as “SNS member”.
Since information transmission / reception between the member and the store and the system management computer 5 is performed exclusively via the Web page, the member terminal 8 and the store terminal 6 are required to have screen display means and software called a Web browser. Note that a system using the Internet, such as SNS, usually reads a file described in the HTML language and displays it on a screen, which is used as a user interface. Therefore, the description regarding the user interface is omitted below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the system management computer 5 includes a storage unit 9, a processing unit 10, and communication interface means 11.
The storage unit 9 includes at least a member information database 12, a store information database 13, a purchase history database 14, and a payment information database 15. The storage unit 9 is implemented by a hard disk drive device or a database server separate from the system management computer 5.

  The processing unit 10 includes at least member information registration means 16, store information registration means 17, deposit / withdrawal inquiry means 18, payable amount management means 19, inquiry response means 20, purchase history registration means 21, and settlement instruction. It comprises means 22 and member information providing means 23. Each means of these processing units 10 is realized mainly by a CPU (not shown) reading a predetermined program from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM onto a memory and executing it.

Although not shown, the system management computer 5 stores an HTML file describing an operating system, various application programs, various data, and Web pages in a hard disk drive, RAM, or the like. Also, input means such as a keyboard and a mouse and output means such as a display and a printer are provided as appropriate.
The function of the system management computer 5 may be distributed over a plurality of computers. For example, transmission and reception of information with members and stores are performed exclusively via a Web page, but a Web server that manages this Web site may be provided separately.

The member information registration means 16 is a person who subscribes to the SNS, receives personal information regarding the SNS member who wants to shop at the affiliated store using this system, and stores this information in the member information database 12. Remember.
Here, the information regarding the SNS member is a member ID given to the member by the system, information that can specify the member such as an address and name, a payable amount indicating the amount of money that can be purchased within a predetermined period of the member, etc. This information can be referred to in order to determine whether or not the system can be purchased. The member ID is issued by the member information registration unit 16 based on a predetermined rule.

The store information registration means 17 is associated with the system, receives information on the affiliated store that is going to receive the purchase price via the SNS account 3, and stores the store information together with the store ID given to the store by the system. Such information is stored in the database 13.
The store ID is issued by the store information registration unit 17 based on a predetermined rule.

  The deposit / withdrawal inquiry means 18 performs processing for inquiring transaction contents such as deposit, withdrawal, transfer, and transfer to the SNS account 3 managed by the financial institution 2. The deposit to the SNS account 3 includes a transfer from a member or a fund transfer between accounts in a form using electronic money.

  The payable amount management means 19 sets and updates the payable amount for each member in the member information database 12. If the deposit / withdrawal inquiry means 18 acquires the deposit information from the member to the SNS account 3, the acquired deposit amount is added to the payable amount of the member.

The inquiry response means 20 accepts an inquiry from the affiliated store as to whether or not payment is possible via the SNS account 3 when any member tries to shop at the affiliated store, and the payment agent from the SNS account 3 receives the payment agent. It is determined whether or not it is possible, and a process of notifying the partner store is performed.
That is, since the store terminal 6 transmits the member ID of the member who is going to shop and the amount of the product, the payable amount is extracted from the database using this member ID as a key, and this amount must be less than the amount of the product. For example, it is determined that the payment from the SNS account 3 is possible, and the fact that payment is possible is transmitted to the store terminal 6.

When the purchase information by the member who transmitted that the inquiry response means 20 is able to settle is transmitted from the store terminal 6, the purchase history registration means 21 receives this information and registers it in the database.
That is, since the member ID of the member, purchase information including the purchased product and the purchase price are transmitted together with the store ID, the purchase information is registered in the purchase history database 14 and the payable amount of the member in the member information database 12 is calculated. Subtract the purchase amount and write the updated payable amount. At the same time, the store information database 13 is referred to based on the store ID, and the account number, settlement amount, and settlement date of the store are registered in the settlement information database 15. The settlement date is determined in advance when the store is registered as a partner store. For example, the same day or payment on the 27th of the month following the end of the month.

The settlement instructing means 22 refers to the settlement information database 15 and, when the settlement date has arrived, transfers money from the SNS account 3 to the settlement institution of the store to the financial institution 2 in which the SNS account 3 has been opened. Perform the process of instructing.
As the system management computer 5, it is only necessary to send a signal requesting the transfer of funds to the account opened by the store to the financial institution 2 where the SNS account 3 is opened. To transfer funds between accounts, an existing system such as net banking may be used.

  In response to the inquiry from the member terminal 8, the member information providing unit 23 performs a process of transmitting information about the member including the usable amount and the purchase history.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the member information database 12 is associated with a member ID, and personal information such as a member name, an address, a telephone number, an e-mail address, and a date of birth is purchased by the member through the SNS account 3. The payable amount is stored. In addition, information related to the member's personal account, and authentication information such as a personal identification number and fingerprint data for authenticating the member himself / herself are also stored as appropriate.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the store information database 13 is associated with a store ID, information that can specify a store such as a location, name, and telephone number, and the name, account number, and account of a financial institution established by the store in a financial institution. Information that can identify an account such as type is stored. In addition, information for authenticating that the store is a legitimate store is also stored as appropriate.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the purchase history database 14 stores who, at what store, when, what, and how much, together with a purchase ID assigned by the system. Information indicating whether or not the payment has been completed is also stored.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the settlement information database 15 stores an ID for identifying an event of purchase and information indicating when and how much is transferred.

Next, an overview of processing in the present system configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.
The SNS operator opens an SNS account 3 in any financial institution 2 (step [A]). This SNS account 3 is an account that acts as a proxy for payment of the purchase price of the member, and the name of the established financial institution, account number, and account type are made known to the member.

An SNS participant who wishes to purchase a product using this system registers the system as a member of the SNS operator (step [B]). The member registration means stores necessary information in the member information database 12. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a member whose name is “Yamao”, whose address is “1-1-1 Shibuya-ku Nishi”, whose telephone number is “0300010002”, and whose mail address is “Az@bbb.jp” It is newly registered and stored in association with the member ID “0123” assigned by this system.
In addition, as long as the member of this system is a participant of the said SNS, you may make it possible for anyone to become a member by performing said registration, and only the person who passed the examination of this system may become a member. .

  The person who has registered as a member deposits a predetermined or arbitrary amount into the SNS account 3 (step [C]). The depositing method may be any method such as transfer or using electronic money. The amount of money deposited in the SNS account 3 is grasped by the deposit / withdrawal inquiry means 18 and the payable amount column of the member information database 12 is updated. In the example shown in the middle part of FIG. 3, it is shown that the member “Yamao Yamao” is currently depositing 30000 yen into the SNS account 3. The member deposits the SNS account 3 as many times as appropriate, such as when trying to purchase a large amount of money or when the payable amount decreases.

  A store that intends to receive the payment agent service from the SNS account 3 using this system registers with the SNS operator as a partner store of this system (step [D]). The store information registration unit 17 stores necessary information in the store information database 13. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a store having a name “◎ ○ bookstore”, an address “Shinjuku-ku Minami 2-2”, and a telephone number “0310002000” is newly registered and is called “S1001” given by this system. Stored in association with the store ID.

  After the above steps [A], [B], [C] and [D] have been processed, the registered member will shop at the registered partner store and pay the SNS to the SNS. I can get it. Here, the process of step [B] and step [D] is performed at an arbitrary timing whenever a newly registered member or store appears.

Next, the member tries to shop at the affiliated store (step [E]). A plurality of shopping forms are possible.
For example,
First, if a card with a member ID is issued when you become a member of an SNS, after deciding the product you want to purchase, present this card to the store and communicate with the system management computer 5 A mode in which the member himself / herself inputs authentication information to the store terminal 6 in a state of being connected,
Secondly, after determining a product to be purchased, the member himself / herself inputs a member ID and authentication information into the store terminal 6 in a state of being communicably connected to the system management computer 5;
Third, a form in which a member accesses a net shopping site established by a partner store from his / her terminal, specifies a product to be purchased, and inputs a member ID and authentication information,
And so on.
In this system, it doesn't matter what kind of shopping is done, but the second and third methods above do not require a card, so the system saves the card issuance, and the member loses the card. There are many advantages, such as no fear.

The store transmits to the system management computer 5 the member ID desired to be purchased and the price of the purchase desired product (step [F]).
The inquiry response means 20 refers to the member information database 12 based on the received member ID, and extracts the payable amount of the member. If the transmitted product price is less than or equal to the payable amount, proxy settlement by SNS is possible, so that the store side can be purchased (step [G]).

The store that has received the purchase permission by the member from this system sells the product and transmits purchase history information such as the sold product, the price of the product, and the sales date to the system management computer 5 (step [H]). ).
The purchase history registration means 21 of the system management computer 5 registers the received information in the purchase history database 14, the payable amount management means 19 updates the payable amount in the member information database 12, and the settlement instruction means 22 The account information, the amount, and the settlement date of the store are registered in the settlement information database 15 (step [I]).

The settlement instructing means 22 refers to the settlement information database 15 periodically, and if the settlement required data with the settlement date is found, it corresponds to the financial institution 2 that has opened the SNS account 3 from the SNS account 3. Request the transfer of funds to the store account (step [J]).
The requested financial institution 2 moves the funds to the requested store account according to the agreement between the financial institutions (step [K]).
If the existing Internet banking mechanism is used, funds can be easily transferred between accounts.

The above is an outline until the SNS member makes a purchase at the affiliated store and the payment of the price is performed by the SNS.
For affiliated stores, it is possible to make transactions with a virtual giant consumer called SNS and receive payment for certainty. In order to keep such influential consumers as customers, affiliated stores often provide added value such as discounts and member-only gifts, and members can enjoy such economies of scale. For example, it is assumed that the original product price is 1,000 yen, but a discount is given in return for using the SNS account 3. Of the discounted ¥ 100, 20% (¥ 20) is received as a fee on the SNS side, and the remaining 80% (¥ 80) is returned to the member's payable amount.
This means that a product of 1000 yen was purchased for 920 yen.
As described above, this system is a system that brings benefits to partner stores, members, and SNS that can receive commissions, and contributes to the expansion of personal consumption.

Next, an example of the operation of the system management computer 5 in the system configured as described above will be described.
The processing of the system management computer 5 is as follows:
First, the process for registering and updating stores and members,
Second, a process for grasping the deposit from the member corresponding to step [C] in FIG.
Third, processing corresponding to the purchase by the member corresponding to steps [F] to [I],
Fourthly, it is roughly divided into processes for instructing the financial institution corresponding to step [J] to make a settlement, and these processes are executed independently.

  The member registration process is performed by a member who wishes to register, accessing the system, displaying a web page for member registration on the member terminal 8, and inputting predetermined information such as name and email address. The registration means 16 stores the input information in the member information database 12. The affiliated store registration process is performed in the same manner. FIG. 3 shows an example of registration of member information, and FIG. 4 shows an example of registration of store information.

Processing for grasping the deposit from the member corresponding to step [C] in FIG. 7 on the system side will be described with reference to FIG.
The deposit / withdrawal inquiry means 18 queries the financial institution 2 that has established the SNS account 3 at a predetermined timing (for example, once every day at 9:00 am, etc.) for information related to deposit within a predetermined period (step S1). If there is new deposit information (“Yes” in step S2), the member information database 12 is searched based on information identifying the member such as a member ID (step S3). If the corresponding member record does not exist ("no" in step S4), it is determined that the deposit is not received from the member, and appropriate processing such as error processing is performed. If there is a record of the corresponding member (“yes” in step S4), the payable amount of the member is extracted and updated by adding the deposit amount (step S5). The processing after step S3 is repeated until there is no new deposit data.

  Next, processing corresponding to purchase by a member corresponding to steps (F) to (I) will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the notation “U *” indicates the process of the user, that is, the member or the store, and the notation “Step S *” indicates the process of the system management computer 5.

When the store receives an intention to purchase the product from the member (U1), the store transmits the member ID and authentication information desired to be purchased and the price of the purchase desired product together with the store ID to the system management computer 5 (U2).
The inquiry response means 20 searches the member information database 12 for member data that matches the received member ID and authentication information. In addition, the store information database 13 is searched for store data that matches the received store ID (step S31). If at least one of the member and the store does not exist in the database (“no” in step S31), the purchase using this system is not permitted (step S32), and the store side does not sell or does not accept other payments such as cash settlement. Respond to sales by payment method.

  When the member is going to shop at the affiliated store (“Yes” in step S31), the member information database 12 is referred to based on the member ID, the payable amount of the member is extracted, and the transmitted product price can be paid It is determined whether it is within the amount range (step S33). If it is within the payable amount (“Yes” in step S33), since the proxy settlement by SNS is possible, the fact that the purchase is possible is transmitted to the store side (step S35). If the amount exceeds the payable amount (“no” in step S33), the fact that the purchase is not possible is transmitted (step S34), and the store side does not sell or sells with another payment method such as cash settlement. Take measures such as responding.

  The store that received the purchase permission by the member from the system management computer 5 notifies the SNS member that the system can be used (U3), confirms the intention of purchase (U4), and then sells the desired product. The purchase information such as the sold product, product price, and sales date is transmitted to the system management computer 5 together with the store ID and member ID (U5). When the system management computer 5 receives these pieces of information, the purchase history registration means 21 registers the received information in the purchase history database 14 (step S36), and the payable amount management means 19 pays the payment in the member information database 12. The commodity price is reduced from the numerical value in the possible amount column and updated (step S37), and the settlement instruction unit 22 registers the account information, the amount and the settlement date of the store in the settlement information database 15 (step S38).

  For example, a history in which a member with a member ID of 0123 purchased a Hanwa dictionary of 6000 yen on December 30, 2008 at a store with a store ID of S1001 is recorded in the purchase history database 14 as shown in FIG. Here, a purchase ID “E0012” is issued by this system, and is identified from other purchase histories. In this example, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 3, the member information database 12 is updated as the current payable amount of 24,000 yen, which is a reduction of 6000 yen from 30000 yen before purchase. The settlement information is stored as illustrated in FIG. The payment corresponding to the purchase ID “E0012” is 6000 yen on January 31, 2009. Store account with store ID S1001 (account information extracted from store information database 13: savings account 0123456 opened in bank aa ) Is recorded.

If an arrangement for payment at the same time as the purchase is made between the system and the store, the payment is made immediately, but in other cases, it is registered in the payment information database 15 and a settlement date arrives at a later date. Processing is sometimes performed (processing of step [J] in FIG. 7).
This process will be described with reference to FIG.

The settlement instruction unit 22 refers to the settlement information database 15 at a predetermined timing (for example, every day at 9:00 am) (step S51). If there is data to be settled today ("Yes" in step S52), the amount and remittance account information are extracted (step S53) and sent to the financial institution 2 where the SNS account 3 is opened, and this SNS account Requests a transfer of funds from 3 (step S54). For example, if today is January 31, 2009, the purchase ID “E0012” has arrived at the settlement date as shown in FIG. Therefore, it requests the financial institution 2 to transfer 6000 yen from the SNS account 3 to the ordinary deposit account 0123456 of the aa bank.
Next, purchase history data having the same ID as the purchase ID of the payment data is extracted from the purchase history database 14 and the payment flag column is updated (step S55). For example, in the example of FIG. 5, since the purchase ID “E0012” has been settled, the settlement flag 0 is updated to 1 indicating settlement as shown in the lower row.
The processing after step S53 is repeated until there is no more data to be settled.

When a member wants to refer to his / her current payable amount and past purchase history, the following is performed.
The system management computer 5 prepares Web screen data (not shown) for responding to browsing requests from members and stores it in the storage means. When a member inputs his member ID and authentication information via this Web screen and makes an inquiry, the member information providing means 23 confirms whether the member is a valid member. Data with a matching member ID is extracted from the member information database 12 and the purchase history database 14 and transmitted to the member terminal 8.

(Second Embodiment)
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the affiliated store issues points to customers, and members who are customers can use the points when shopping. In other words, there is no difference from the first embodiment except that the point system is taken into account, and therefore, in the following description, the same reference numerals are used for elements having the same function (for example, “payment / withdrawal inquiry means 18”). The description is omitted while being used.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the system management computer 101 used in the system of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11, the system management computer 101 includes a storage unit 102, a processing unit 103, and a communication interface unit 11.
The storage unit 102 includes at least a member information database 104, a store information database 105, a purchase history database 106, a payment information database 15, and an acquisition point database 107.

  The processing unit 103 includes at least member information registration means 16, store information registration means 108, deposit / withdrawal inquiry means 18, payable amount management means 19, inquiry response means 20, purchase history registration means 109, and settlement instruction. It comprises means 22, member information providing means 23, and point management means 110.

In the present embodiment, when the affiliated store is registered by adopting the point system, the store information registration unit 108 determines whether or not the store has issued points, and if so, the conversion rate of points. The expiration date is also stored in the store information database 105.
In the example of FIG. 12, for example, A store and B store employ a point system with a conversion rate of 1/100, and C store employs a point system with a conversion rate of 5/100. Here, a conversion rate of 1/100 means that when 100 yen is purchased, points 1 that can be exchanged for 1 yen are attached. Similarly, a conversion rate of 5/100 means that if you purchase 100 yen, you get 5 points that can be converted into 5 yen. One point of A store and B store corresponds to 100 yen shopping, while one point of C store corresponds to 20 yen shopping.

Next, processing of the system management computer 101 when a member of this system makes a purchase at a store adopting the point system will be described with reference to FIG.
From the store terminal 6, the number of points given together with purchase history information such as a sold product, a product price, and a sales date is received together with a store ID and a member ID (step S101). This process corresponds to step S36 in FIG. 9 of the first embodiment.
The purchase history registration unit 109 registers the received information in the purchase history database 106 (step S102). In the example of FIG. 14, it is shown that 30 points have been given by purchasing a product of 3000 yen.

The point management unit 110 updates the acquired point database 107 by adding the number of points newly added to the current acquired point of the member purchased from the member information database 104 (step S103). . In the example of FIG. 15, it is shown that 120 points before the update has become 150 points. In this example, the purchase amount corresponding to the acquired points is also stored together with the number of points.
As illustrated in FIG. 16, the acquisition point database 107 stores the accumulated point number of the store and the conversion rate extracted from the store information database 105 in association with the store ID. Here, the value obtained by dividing the cumulative number of points by the conversion rate is the purchase amount that is the basis for acquiring points at the store. The purchase price at the store whose ID is “S1012” in FIG. 16 is 24000 yen (= 240 / (1/100)).
In addition, the day when the point of the store is first used and the date when the latest point is used are also stored. Further, the date obtained by adding the expiration date (in this example, one year) from the date of the latest usage is stored as the usage date. This is because when using the point system, it is often necessary to set a rule to invalidate acquired points when not in use for a long time.

  Here, the acquired point database 107 records how many points are acquired at which stores as the entire SNS, and information on which member has acquired points at which stores is unnecessary. The member information database 104 records how many points have been acquired in total, but information on which store the points have been acquired is unnecessary.

Next, the processing of the system management computer 101 when a member of this system performs shopping using the points already acquired at a store adopting the point system will be described with reference to FIG.
The number of points that the member wishes to use is received from the store terminal 6 together with the member ID and the store ID (step S111).
The point management means 110 takes out the accumulated point number and the expiration date from the acquired point database 107 based on the store ID (step S112).
When the accumulated point number is less than the desired use point number or when the usage time limit has passed (no in step S113), a message indicating that the use is not possible is transmitted to the store terminal 6 (step S114).

If the accumulated point number is equal to or greater than the desired use point number and the expiration date has not passed (yes in step S113), the acquisition point number of the member is extracted from the member information database 104 based on the member ID (step S115). ).
If the cumulative number of points of the individual member is less than the desired number of points to use (no in step S116), a message indicating that the member cannot be used is transmitted to the store terminal 6 (step S114). In other cases (yes in step S116), the store terminal 6 is transmitted to the effect that it can be used (step S117).
When the conversion rate of points differs depending on the affiliated store, the determination process in step S116 is performed as follows. The point conversion rate of the store is extracted from the store information DB 107, and the desired point use amount is obtained by dividing the desired use point number by this point conversion rate. If the purchase amount of the member extracted from the member information database 104 is not less than the desired point use amount, it is determined that the point can be used. That is, if the conversion rates of all the affiliated stores are equal, the points may be compared with each other. However, if the conversion rates differ depending on the affiliated stores, the points are converted into monetary amounts and then compared.

  In the second embodiment, it has been described that a member can use points within the acquired range. However, an age limit may be provided. For example, in the determination process in step S116 of FIG. 17, the date of birth may be extracted from the member information database 104, and use of the points may be permitted only when the age is within a predetermined age range. If it is determined that points can only be used by people over the age of 60, the accumulated points can be used as if they were pensions. It is also possible to make up for the decline in income after retirement with points accumulated when you are young and earn a lot of money. This is one of the advantages of this system.

  In the second embodiment, points are used for all or part of payment when purchasing a product. The portion where points are not used is premised on settlement from the SNS account 3 within the range of payable amounts. However, the acquired points may be converted into an amount and incorporated in the payable amount of each member, and the entire amount may be settled from the SNS account 3. An age limit may be set when incorporating the acquisition points into the payable amount.

  In the above-described embodiment, the amount that can be paid is supported by the amount deposited in the SNS account 3 or the sum of the amount deposited in the SNS account 3 and the converted amount of the acquisition points. However, the SNS may provide the member with a certain amount of credit, and the SNS account 3 may be repaid for the SNS account 3 at a later date. That is, the SNS assumes payment to the store and charges the member at a later date. Although this is a so-called credit function, instead of the SNS providing credit directly, a financial institution affiliated with the SNS may provide credit to the member.

  In short, in the system of the present invention, it is important that the SNS acts as a proxy for members, manages points in a lump, and the SNS behaves as if it were one huge consumer. Therefore, the data structure and processing flow of the database in each embodiment described above are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  By using the SNS that is becoming popular, it is possible to expand personal consumption by forming a cooperative purchase system that has advantages for consumers, producers and sellers.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 SNS administration entity 2 Financial institution where SNS account is opened 3 SNS account 4 Partner store 5 System management computer 6 (in the first embodiment) Store terminal 7 SNS member 8 Member terminal 9 Storage unit 10 Processing unit 11 Communication Interface means 12 Member information database 13 Store information database 14 Purchase history database 15 Settlement information database 16 Member information registration means 17 Store information registration means 18 Deposit / withdrawal inquiry means 19 Payable amount management means 20 Inquiry response means 21 Purchase history registration means 22 Settlement Instructing means 23 Member information providing means N Communication network 101 (second embodiment) System management computer 102 Storage section 103 Processing section 104 Member information database 105 Store information database 106 Purchase history database 107 Acquisition point database 108 Store information registration means 109 Purchase history registration means 110 Point management means

Claims (3)

A store terminal installed in a store that sells products, a financial institution terminal that manages an account opened in a financial institution, and a management computer that manages a purchase system are connected to be communicable via the Internet. A joint purchasing system that uses an SNS account, which is an account opened by an SNS operating entity in an institution, pays the purchase price for merchandise sales to the SNS member in the store from the SNS account, and manages the points for purchase. ,
The management computer
Corresponding to the identification information of the SNS member, payable amount information indicating the amount deposited by the SNS member in the SNS account, member authentication information that can authenticate the member, member acquisition point information, purchase amount information, and member age Member information storage means for storing member information including information,
Store information storage means for storing store information including account information relating to an account opened by the store in the financial institution, store authentication information capable of authenticating the store, point conversion rate, in association with store identification information;
Stores purchase history information including SNS member identification information that is a purchaser, store identification information related to a store that has sold a product, product price information, and purchase date, in association with purchase identification information that can be identified every time a sale is made at the store. Purchase history information storage means,
Payment information storage means for storing payment information associated with purchase identification information, including payment scheduled date, payment destination account information, payment amount information,
Acquired point information storage means for storing store point information including cumulative point information, point conversion rate, which represents usable point information acquired by buying and selling related to the store, in association with store identification information;
Upon receiving a payment request inquiry from the store terminal, whether or not matching member information is stored with reference to the member information storage means based on the SNS member identification information and member authentication information included in the inquiry request Member authentication means for determining
If there is matching member information as a result of the authentication determination, the payable amount information included in the member information is extracted, and the commodity price information included in the payment availability inquiry request is within the range of the payable amount information. A payment determination unit for determining whether or not there is,
As a result of the determination as to whether payment is possible or not, if the product price information is within the range of payable amount information, a payment inquiry result notifying means for transmitting a notification that the purchase is possible to the store terminal;
Upon receipt of an inquiry request relating to point consumption from the store terminal, based on the store identification information included in the point inquiry request, the store point information is identified and the accumulated point information is extracted by referring to the acquired point information storage means. , Point range determination means for determining whether or not the desired use point information included in the point inquiry request is within the range of the cumulative point information;
As a result of the point range determination, when the accumulated point information is a value equal to or greater than the desired use point information, the store information storage means is referred to based on the store identification information, the store information is specified, and the point conversion rate is extracted. , Point amount conversion means for calculating point use desired amount information obtained by dividing the desired use point information by the point conversion rate;
When the point usage amount information is calculated, based on the SNS member identification information included in the point inquiry request, the member information storage means is referred to, the member information is specified and the purchase amount information is extracted. Point amount range determining means for determining whether or not the desired amount information is within the range of the purchase amount information;
If the point amount desired amount information is within the purchase amount information range as a result of the above point amount range determination, a point use notification that points can be consumed for the point inquiry request is generated and the point inquiry request is transmitted. Point use approval notifying means for transmitting the point usable notification to the shop terminal,
Upon receiving purchase information from the store terminal, purchase history registration means for generating purchase history information by giving identification information for identifying the purchase information, and storing it in the purchase history information storage means;
By referring to the member information storage means, when the age of the member satisfies a predetermined condition, the conversion is made by converting all or part of the number of points acquired by the member into the amount that can be paid by a predetermined method. The payable amount information is updated by adding the amount, and referring to the member information storage means based on the SNS member identification information included in the received purchase information, and specifying the member information. Payable amount management means for calculating a value obtained by subtracting the commodity price information included in the purchase information from the payable amount information, and updating and storing the value as payable amount information of the member information;
When grant point information is included in the received purchase information, the member acquisition point information and purchase price information are extracted from the identified member information, and the value obtained by adding the grant point information to the member acquisition point information is Calculate and store as member acquisition point information of the member information, calculate a value obtained by adding the product price information included in the purchase information to the purchase amount information, and update and store as purchase amount information of the member information Member-specific point management means,
When the received purchase information includes point information, the store point information is identified based on the store identification information included in the purchase information, and the accumulated point information is extracted by specifying the store point information. A point management unit for each store that calculates a value obtained by adding the given point information to the accumulated point information and updates and stores the value as accumulated point information of the store point information;
With reference to the payment information storage means, the presence / absence of the payment information corresponding to the payment date is determined. If there is applicable payment information, the payment amount for the account information of the payee included in the payment information from the SNS account is calculated. Settlement instruction means for transmitting remittance instruction information to the financial institution terminal;
A joint purchase system characterized by having a configuration. The management computer
The withdrawal request means for making a withdrawal request for the withdrawal information related to the SNS account to the financial institution terminal,
When the payment amount management means receives the payment information inquiry result as a response to the payment information inquiry request, the member information is based on the SNS member identification information included in the payment information related to the inquiry result. Refer to the storage means, identify the member information, calculate the value obtained by adding the payment amount information included in the payment information to the payable amount, and update and store it as the payable amount information of the member information.
The joint purchase system according to claim 1, wherein: The store terminal installed in the store where the product is sold, the financial institution terminal managing the account opened in the financial institution, and the SNS member identification information are associated with each other, and represents the amount deposited by the SNS member in the SNS account. Corresponding to member information storage means for storing member information including payable amount information, member authentication information that can authenticate the member, member acquisition point information, purchase amount information, information indicating the age of the member, and store identification information , Store information storage means for storing store information including account information relating to an account opened by the store in the financial institution, store authentication information capable of authenticating the store, and a point conversion rate, and can be identified for each successful transaction in the store Purchase history including SNS member identification information that is a purchaser, store identification information related to a store that sells the product, product price information, and purchase date in association with the purchase identification information A purchase history information storage means for storing information, a payment information storage means for storing payment information associated with purchase identification information, a payment scheduled date, payment destination account information, payment amount information, and store identification information, An acquired point information storage means for storing store point information including accumulated point information representing the usable point information acquired in the purchase and sale related to the store, a point conversion rate, and a management computer for managing the purchase system; Is communicatively connected via the Internet, uses an SNS account, which is an account opened by the SNS operating entity in the financial institution, pays the purchase price for merchandise purchases to SNS members in the store from the SNS account, A joint purchase processing method for managing points in purchase,
The management computer is
Upon receiving a payment request inquiry from the store terminal, whether or not matching member information is stored with reference to the member information storage means based on the SNS member identification information and member authentication information included in the inquiry request A step of determining
If there is matching member information as a result of the authentication determination, the payable amount information included in the member information is extracted, and the commodity price information included in the payment availability inquiry request is within the range of the payable amount information. Determining whether there is,
As a result of determining whether or not payment is possible, if the product price information is within the range of payable amount information, sending a notification that the purchase is possible to the store terminal;
Upon receipt of an inquiry request relating to point consumption from the store terminal, based on the store identification information included in the point inquiry request, the store point information is identified and the accumulated point information is extracted by referring to the acquired point information storage means. Determining whether or not the desired use point information included in the point inquiry request is within the range of the accumulated point information;
As a result of the point range determination, when the accumulated point information is a value equal to or greater than the desired use point information, the store information storage means is referred to based on the store identification information, the store information is specified, and the point conversion rate is extracted. Calculating desired point usage amount information by dividing the desired usage point information by the point conversion rate;
When the point usage amount information is calculated, based on the SNS member identification information included in the point inquiry request, the member information storage means is referred to, the member information is specified and the purchase amount information is extracted. Determining whether the desired amount information is within the purchase amount information;
If the point amount desired amount information is within the purchase amount information range as a result of the above point amount range determination, a point use notification that points can be consumed for the point inquiry request is generated and the point inquiry request is transmitted. Sending the point availability notification to the shop terminal
Receiving purchase information from the store terminal, generating purchase history information by giving identification information capable of identifying the purchase information, and storing the purchase history information in the purchase history information storage means;
By referring to the member information storage means, when the age of the member satisfies a predetermined condition, the conversion is made by converting all or part of the number of points acquired by the member into the amount that can be paid by a predetermined method. The payable amount information is updated by adding the amount, and referring to the member information storage means based on the SNS member identification information included in the received purchase information, and specifying the member information. Calculating a value obtained by subtracting the product price information included in the purchase information from the payable amount information, and updating and storing the value as payable amount information of the member information;
When grant point information is included in the received purchase information, the member acquisition point information and purchase price information are extracted from the identified member information, and the value obtained by adding the grant point information to the member acquisition point information is Calculate and store as member acquisition point information of the member information, calculate a value obtained by adding the product price information included in the purchase information to the purchase amount information, and update and store as purchase amount information of the member information And steps to
When the received purchase information includes point information, the store point information is identified based on the store identification information included in the purchase information, and the accumulated point information is extracted by specifying the store point information. Calculating a value obtained by adding the given point information to the accumulated point information, and updating and storing the value as accumulated point information of the store point information;
With reference to the payment information storage means, the presence / absence of the payment information corresponding to the payment date is determined. If there is applicable payment information, the payment amount for the account information of the payee included in the payment information from the SNS account is calculated. Transmitting remittance instruction information to the financial institution terminal;
A joint purchase processing method characterized in that