JP2018160268A - Electronic currency management device, electronic currency management method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable users to use points transferred between the users in an appropriate mode.SOLUTION: An electronic currency management device 10 comprises: a storage part 52 that, in association with a user ID associated with a user, stores information on the balance of points owned by the user; an execution part 513 that sets, to the points, a transfer flag indicating that some of the points owned by a first user are transferred from another user, and makes a transition of the points to a second user; and a determination part 512 that, when receiving a user request indicating that the points to which the transfer flag is set are transferred to another user from a user terminal 12 of the second user, determines that the points cannot be transferred.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic currency management apparatus, an electronic currency management method, and a program for transferring electronic currency such as points owned by users between users.

  Conventionally, point services that give points with product purchases have become widespread, and as such point services, in addition to the so-called closed loop type point service that does not allow the transfer of points between users, it is used A so-called open-loop point service that allows transfer of points between persons is known.

  In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses a point management corresponding to an open loop type point service in which points are transferred by receiving an answer input to a confirmation item using a point receiving page specified by a URL attached to an e-mail. A system is disclosed.

JP 2009-104354 A

  In the point management system of Patent Document 1, since points are transferred by receiving an answer input for a confirmation item, points can be prevented from being transferred to an incorrect user. However, in the point management system of Patent Document 1, a user who has received a transfer can freely transfer it to another user. Therefore, even if the person who transferred the point wants the transferred party to use the transferred point, the point cannot be prevented from being transferred to another user.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic currency management apparatus, an electronic currency management method, and a program that use points transferred between users in an appropriate manner.

  An electronic currency management apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores balance information of electronic currency in association with identification information associated with a user, and part of the electronic currency owned by the first user. The transfer currency information indicating that the transfer has been transferred is attached to the electronic currency, and the transfer execution information is transferred to the second user, and the transfer currency information is attached from the user terminal of the second user. A determination unit that determines that the transfer of the electronic currency is impossible when a use request indicating that the transferred electronic currency is transferred to another user is received.

  The determination unit may determine whether or not the electronic currency can be used based on a type of goods or services purchased using the electronic currency.

  The determination unit may determine whether or not the electronic currency can be used based on a place where the electronic currency is used.

  The determination unit may determine whether or not the electronic currency can be used based on a usage time of the electronic currency.

  In addition, the storage unit stores user attribute information in association with the identification information, and the determination unit determines whether or not the electronic currency can be used for a user having predetermined attribute information. It is not necessary to determine whether or not the electronic currency can be used for users other than the attribute information.

  Further, the information processing apparatus may further include a transfer acceptance unit that includes information designating another user's telephone number and receives a transfer request indicating transfer of the electronic currency to another user. In addition, it may further include a transfer acceptance unit that indicates that the electronic currency is to be transferred to another user and that receives a transfer request including information that restricts products to be purchased. Moreover, you may further provide the transfer reception part which receives the transfer request | requirement which shows transferring the said electronic currency charged in the card which a user owns.

  The electronic currency management method according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a step of storing balance information of an electronic currency in association with identification information associated with the user, and a part of the electronic currency owned by the first user. The transfer currency information indicating that the transfer currency has been transferred is attached to the electronic currency and then transferred to the second user, and the electronic device to which the transfer currency information is attached from the user terminal of the second user Receiving a use request indicating that the currency is to be transferred to another user, and determining that the electronic currency cannot be transferred.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for storing, in a computer, a step of storing balance information of an electronic currency in association with identification information associated with a user, and a part of the electronic currency owned by the first user. The transfer currency information indicating that the transfer currency has been transferred is attached to the electronic currency and then transferred to the second user, and the electronic device to which the transfer currency information is attached from the user terminal of the second user When a use request indicating that the currency is to be transferred to another user is received, the step of determining that the electronic currency cannot be transferred is executed.

  According to the present invention, points transferred between users can be used in an appropriate manner.

It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of an electronic currency management system. It is a figure which shows the system configuration | structure of an electronic currency management system. It is a figure which shows the information managed by each server which comprises an electronic currency management system. It is a figure which shows the example of a display screen of a user terminal. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement at the time of card | curd issuing. It is a figure which shows the flow of the process at the time of card | curd issuing. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement at the time of charging a card | curd. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement at the time of purchasing goods using a card | curd. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement at the time of giving a point with respect to a user. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement at the time of providing a user specific service with respect to a user. It is a figure which shows the function structure of an electronic currency management apparatus. It is a figure which shows the various information memorize | stored in an electronic currency management apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen at the time of transferring a point. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process at the time of transferring a point. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process at the time of using a point.

[Outline of Electronic Currency Management System S]
First, an outline of the electronic currency management system S will be described with reference to FIG. The electronic currency management system S is a system that manages the balance of electronic currency that can be used by the user using the card 11 and enables the management of the card 11 from the user's mobile phone (hereinafter referred to as user terminal 12). . An electronic currency is an intangible currency having a monetary value, such as credits, points, and coupons. The card is, for example, a credit card or a prepaid card that can be used when purchasing goods or services using electronic currency.

  The user can use the electronic currency stored in the account using the card 11 when the electronic currency is stored in an account associated with the card 11 in advance and purchase of goods or services. In the electronic currency management system S, the user terminal 12 is used by linking the card 11 and the user terminal 12 in the electronic currency management apparatus 10 that can be accessed via, for example, a base station of a mobile phone network. Card management is realized. Specifically, in the electronic currency management system S, the user terminal 12 is used to implement charging (payment) to a prepaid card, confirmation of a card balance, points given, usage history, and the like.

The user can store electronic currency in various ways. For example, the user can save electronic money by transferring and charging cash to an account designated by a card number set in the card 11. In addition, the user can store electronic currency by shopping at a physical store or a virtual store on the Internet using the card 11 and receiving points according to the purchase amount. Since the user can confirm the balance of the electronic currency associated with the card 11 from the user terminal 12, the user's willingness to accumulate electronic currency and use it for various purposes is increased.
Hereinafter, an example of a specific configuration for realizing the electronic currency management system S will be described.

[System configuration of electronic currency management system S]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the electronic currency management system S. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic currency management system S includes a user device 1 and an electronic currency management device 10 accessible by the user device 1. The electronic currency management apparatus 10 includes a card management server 2, a carrier server 3, and a point management server 4.

  The user device 1 is a device used by each user who uses a service provided by the electronic currency management system S, and includes a card 11 and a user terminal 12.

The card 11 is a card that makes payment using the international brand payment NW50, and is a prepaid card that can make payment of the usage amount based on the amount charged in advance. In addition, it is good also as using the postpay card | curd which replaces with a prepaid card as a card | curd 11, or postpays the amount of charge postpaid instead of a prepaid card | card.
The user terminal 12 is a communication device that performs communication (call) via a communication NW provided by a communication carrier, and is, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet PC, or the like. A predetermined application program is installed in the user terminal 12, and the card 11 can be managed from the user terminal 12 through an application executed based on the program.

The card management server 2 is a server that manages the usage history of the card 11 for each user, and stores information related to the card 11. Here, FIG. 3A shows an example of various information stored in the card management server 2. As shown in FIG. 3A, the card management server 2 stores various information such as a prepaid card number (hereinafter simply referred to as “card number”), a balance, and a usage history in association with the management number.
The card number is a number consisting of approximately 16 digits of alphanumeric characters set in the card 11 and is identification information for identifying the card 11. The management number is a number uniquely corresponding to the card number, and is used to identify the card 11 instead of the card number when linking with another server. The balance is information indicating the balance of the amount charged in the account designated by the card number set in the card 11. The use history is a history of shopping using the card 11 and includes purchase date and time, products / services to be purchased, purchase price, purchase place (store name), and the like.

  The carrier server 3 is a server used by a communication carrier, and manages the usage history of the user terminal 12 of the service provided by the communication carrier for each user. The carrier server 3 calculates the amount charged to the user based on the usage history. Further, the carrier server 3 functions as an entrance (portal) for providing the service provided by the communication carrier to the user terminal 12. For example, in response to a request from the user terminal 12, the carrier server 3 acquires the balance of the electronic currency stored in the account corresponding to the card number associated with the user ID from the point management server 4, and sends it to the user terminal 12. The balance of electronic currency can be notified. The carrier server 3 may acquire points associated with the user ID from the point management server 4 and notify the user terminal 12 of the point balance.

Here, an example of various information managed in the carrier server 3 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3B, the carrier server 3 stores various information such as the telephone number of the user terminal 12, the billing amount, the contract ID, and the contractor name in association with the user ID.
The user ID is identification information for identifying the user terminal 12 or a user who uses the user terminal 12. The telephone number is a telephone number set for the user terminal 12 that is a communication terminal. The charged amount is an amount charged to the user when the user terminal 12 is used, and includes, for example, a communication fee and a usage fee for the content used on the user terminal 12. Depending on the communication carrier, not only a mobile phone but also a complex service such as a fixed telephone or cable TV may be provided to the user. Therefore, the billed amount is provided to the user indicated by the user ID. You may include charges for the services you have. The contract ID is identification information for identifying a contract made with a communication carrier, and is information indicating that the contractor has made the contract. Communication carriers sometimes charge communication charges collectively within the same person or family. The contract ID and the contractor name are information for discriminating a range in which charges for communication charges are collected and a target for charging the collected communication charges.

  Although not shown, the carrier server 3 has paid information related to the contract such as the contract deadline and contract date and time of the user terminal 12 and the amount charged according to the use of the user terminal 12 in association with the user ID. Information on payment of communication charges such as being delayed may be stored.

The point management server 4 obtains points according to use of the card 11 (for example, shopping using the card) and points according to use of the service provided to the user indicated by the user terminal 12 or the user ID. A server that is integrated and managed. Here, examples of various information managed in the point management server 4 are shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3C, the point management server 4 stores various information such as a management number, points, and detailed information in association with the user ID. The user ID is identification information for identifying a user who uses the user terminal 12, and is used when linking with the carrier server 3. The management number is a number uniquely corresponding to the card number, and is used when linking with the card management server 2. The point is information indicating the number of points given to the corresponding user according to the charge amount acquired from the carrier server 3 and the purchase amount acquired from the card management server 2 (that is, the settlement amount of the purchased product). It is. The detail information is information including the card 11 and the point usage history, and indicates the history of shopping using the card 11 and the history of points given to the user.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3D, the point management server 4 stores a point grant rate for calculating points to be granted based on the purchase amount and the charge amount in association with the usage form. As a usage form, the use of the card 11 or the user terminal 12 can be considered, but besides these, depending on whether the store using the card 11 is a normal store or a point preferential store, the rate It is good also as making it differ. Information indicating a store using the card 11 can be acquired by receiving a use history from the card management server 2.

  The point management server 4 may store the balance of the electronic currency managed by the card management server 2 in association with the card number in association with the user ID. In this case, the point management server 4 updates the stored electronic currency balance in synchronization with the update timing of the electronic currency balance in the card management server 2. In response to a request from the user terminal 12, the point management server 4 reads the balance of the electronic currency stored in association with the user ID corresponding to the user terminal 12 from the storage unit, and via the carrier server 3, The balance can be notified to the user terminal 12. The point management server 4 acquires the balance of the electronic currency associated with the card number corresponding to the user ID from the card management server 2 at the timing when the balance of the electronic currency is requested from the user terminal 12, and the acquired balance May be notified to the user terminal 12.

  As described above, in the electronic currency management system S, the card management server 2, the carrier server 3, and the point management server 4 cooperate to manage the card number and the user ID in association with each other. That is, the electronic currency management system S associates and manages card identification information and user identification information for identifying a user who uses the user terminal. Specifically, in the electronic currency management system S, the point management server 4 associates the card number with the user ID via the management number associated with both the card number and the user ID.

  And the electronic currency management system S manages the balance of the electronic currency which can be settled with a card in the card management server 2 in association with the card number. In response to a request from the user terminal 12, the carrier server 3 acquires the balance of the electronic currency stored in the account corresponding to the card number associated with the user ID from the card management server 2 via the point management server 4. Then, the balance of the electronic currency can be notified to the user terminal 12. By doing in this way, in the electronic currency management system S, it is as if the user manages the electronic currency in association with the user terminal 12 without inputting information on the electronic currency account to the user terminal 12. It is possible to grasp the balance of electronic currency with a sense.

  In the electronic currency management system S having the above configuration, the point management server 4 integrates the usage status of the card 11 managed by the card management server 2 and the usage status of the user terminal 12 managed by the carrier server 3. And achieve point integration. Specifically, the point management server 4 integrates the usage status of the card 11 and the usage status of the user terminal 12 by linking the management number and the user ID.

Since the point management server 4 manages the integrated information in association with the user ID, the usage status of the card 11 and the usage status of the user terminal 12 of the corresponding user can be acquired using the user ID as a key.
Therefore, in the electronic currency management system S, when a user using the user terminal 12 designates a user ID and makes a request, the user can grasp various information managed by the point management server 4. Specifically, when the user terminal 12 transmits predetermined information including a user ID to the carrier server 3, the carrier server 3 acquires various pieces of related information from the point management server 4 using the user ID as a key, and the user Provided to the terminal 12. Note that the point management server 4 and the carrier server 3 may provide the user terminal 12 with difference information with respect to the information provided at the previous request.

[Display screen example of user terminal 12]
Here, an example of the display screen displayed on the user terminal 12 based on various information provided from the carrier server 3 is shown in FIG. FIG. 4A is a display screen 200 showing an example of a top screen displayed during execution of the above-described application, and FIG. 4B is a display showing an example of a menu screen displayed during execution of the application. This is a screen 210.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the display screen 200 includes a card balance display 201, a point number display 202, a charge button 203, and a menu button 204.
The card balance display 201 is a display showing the balance of the prepaid card 11, and the point number display 202 is a display showing the number of points given to the user. The display contents of the card balance display 201 and the point number display 202 are controlled based on the balance and the number of points of the card 11 acquired from the point management server 4 using the user ID as a key.

The charge button 203 is used when the user charges the card 11 with a desired amount. When the charge button 203 is operated and the user performs a predetermined charging operation, a charge request is made to the card management server 2 in cooperation with the user ID and the management number.
The menu button 204 is used when calling up menu screens of various services provided by the carrier server 3. When the menu button 204 is operated, a display screen 210 shown in FIG. 4B is displayed on the user terminal 12.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the display screen 210 includes a point menu 211, a shopping menu 212, and a card menu 213.
The point menu 211 includes a menu that prompts the user to use points, such as “Purchase a product using points” and “Get a privilege (coupon) using points”. Thereby, since various services that can use the points are provided to the user, the user can use the given points in various scenes.

The shopping menu 212 includes a menu that prompts the user to use the card 11 such as “Introduction of point preferential stores” and “Introducing stores that can shop using the card 11”. When the card 11 is used, points according to the purchase amount are given in the point management server 4, and by providing such a menu, it is possible to increase the opportunities for giving points.
The card menu 213 includes a menu for confirming the usage details of the card 11. By selecting this menu, the user can check the usage history of the card 11.

[Operation of Electronic Currency Management System S]
The configuration of the electronic currency management system S has been described above. Next, the operation of the electronic currency management system S will be described with reference to FIGS.

[Operation when issuing a card]
First, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the operation at the time of issuing a card will be described. In the electronic currency management system S, the card 11 is issued in a locked state so that it cannot be used, and the card 11 and the user terminal 12 are linked to release the lock of the card 11. The locked state is, for example, a state in which a request for payment or charge is disabled on the card management server 2 side.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the card 11 is provided with an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip 111 that can be read by the user terminal 12, and the card can be read by the user terminal 12 by reading the IC chip 111. 11 is unlocked and the card 11 becomes usable. In the present embodiment, an IC chip 111 corresponding to NFC (Near Field Communication) is provided in the card 11, and the user terminal 12 reads the IC chip 111 using its own NFC communication function.

Here, with reference to FIG. 6, an example of processing at the time of issuing a card will be described.
First, in step S <b> 1, the card issuer (card management server 2) stores information usable for unlocking in the IC chip 111, and sets the information on the card 11. Note that the information stored in the IC chip 111 is arbitrary information. In this embodiment, for example, a user ID for identifying the user terminal 12 is used. When information usable for unlocking is set in the card 11, the card management server 2 issues the card 11 to the user in step S2.

  When the card 11 issued from the card management server 2 arrives, the user reads the IC chip 111 of the card 11 using the user terminal 12 in step S3. That is, when the user brings the user terminal 12 into contact with the card 11, the NFC function of the user terminal 12 is exhibited, and information usable for unlocking stored in the IC chip 111 is read from the card 11. Subsequently, in step S4, the user terminal 12 determines whether or not the information held by itself matches the read information. If both pieces of information (user ID) match at this time, the user terminal 12 makes a use permission request in step S5, and the card management server 2 releases the lock of the issued card 11 in step S6. , Allow use. On the other hand, if the two pieces of information do not match in step S4, the user terminal 12 performs predetermined error processing in step S7.

In the foregoing, an example of processing at the time of issuing a card has been described. Information that can be used for unlocking the card 11 may be encrypted by a predetermined method. In this case, it is determined whether or not both pieces of information match in the user terminal 12 by holding information obtained by encrypting the user ID of the user terminal 12 or storing encryption key information. be able to.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the user terminal 12 performs determination for unlocking. In this regard, the determination may be performed not by the user terminal 12 but by any of the card management server 2, the carrier server 3, and the point management server 4.

  When the user terminal 12 reads the IC chip 111 provided on the card 11 after unlocking the card 11, a display screen (for example, the display screen shown in FIG. 4A) displayed during the execution of the application described above. 200) may be automatically displayed on the user terminal 12. That is, when the user terminal 12 reads the IC chip 111, the user terminal 12 requests various information from the carrier server 3, and displays the information acquired in response to the request.

[Operation when charging]
Next, with reference to FIG. 7, an operation when charging the money to the card 11 will be described. FIG. 7A shows a display screen 220 showing a charge menu screen displayed when the charge button 203 is operated on the display screen 200 showing the top screen (see FIG. 4A).

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the electronic currency management system S of the present embodiment includes at least a charging method 221 and a charging method 222 as a method of charging the amount of money to the card 11. The charging method 221 is a charging method in which an amount of money is charged to the card 11 using at least a part of the given points, and charging is performed by converting the points into money at a predetermined rate. The charging method 222 is a charging method for charging using carrier settlement. Carrier payment is to make a payment together with the communication fee of the user terminal 12. In this charging method 222, the charged amount is added to the amount charged by the user terminal 12 and charged. In the present embodiment, only the charging methods 221 and 222 will be described, but the charging method to the card 11 is not limited to these, and may be realized by other methods. For example, a bank account used by the user may be set in advance, and the card 11 may be charged via this bank account.

  FIG. 7B shows a flow of operations of the charging method 221 and the charging method 222. As shown in FIG. 7B, in step S11, the user terminal 12 makes a charge request to the carrier server 3. In this charge request, the user terminal 12 notifies the carrier server 3 of the charge method and the charge amount together with the user ID.

  Upon receiving the charge request, the carrier server 3 notifies the point management server 4 that the charge request has been received from the user terminal 12 in step S12. Specifically, the carrier server 3 notifies the point management server 4 using the user ID that identifies the user terminal 12 that has received the charge request.

  In step S13, the point management server 4 specifies a management number corresponding to the user ID, and the card associated with the card number set in the card 11 corresponding to the management number with respect to the card management server 2. To charge the requested amount. Upon receiving this notification, the card management server 2 deposits the amount notified to the account corresponding to the card number set in the card 11 of the card number corresponding to the management number. In detail, the process of step S13 is performed after the processes of steps S14A and B are performed.

Step S14A is a process executed when the charge method 221 is selected, and step S14B is a process executed when the charge method 222 is selected.
In step S14A, the point management server 4 subtracts a point corresponding to the charge amount from the point associated with the user ID.

In step S14B, the carrier server 3 adds an amount corresponding to the charge amount to the charge amount associated with the user ID, and charges the user at a predetermined timing.
In carrier payment, a payment available frame may be set according to the contents of a contract with a communication carrier. As an example, there may be a case where a settlement frame is set according to the number of months of subscription to a service provided by a communication carrier. For example, a settlement frame of “5000 yen” for a user with a subscription month of “12 months” For a user with a subscription month of “36 months”, a settlement available frame “10,000 yen” is set. In such a case, in the process of step S14B, the carrier server 3 determines whether or not the sum of the charge amount of the current month is within the settleable frame, and only when the carrier server 3 is within the settleable frame. You may enable payment.

[Operation when purchasing a product]
Next, an operation when purchasing a product using the card 11 will be described with reference to FIG. The card 11 can be used in an actual store or a virtual store on the Internet.
When purchasing a product in an actual store, as shown in step S21A, by reading the card 11 through a card reader, the card number of the card 11 and information related to the product purchase are notified to the settlement NW50 provided by the international brand. The Note that the information related to product purchase is, for example, information such as the purchase price, purchased product, purchased store, and the like. Also, as shown in step S21B, when purchasing a product at a virtual store, the user terminal 12 notifies the settlement NW 50 of the card number of the card 11 and information related to the product purchase.

  When a predetermined payment process is performed in the payment NW 50, in step S22, the payment NW 50 notifies the card management server 2 of the card number and information related to product purchase. Upon receiving this information, the card management server 2 updates the usage history by subtracting the purchase amount from the balance corresponding to the card number, and notifies the settlement NW 50 that the subtraction process has been completed.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 23, the card management server 2 notifies the point management server 4 of information related to product purchase together with a management number corresponding to the card number. The point management server 4 updates the points associated with the user ID corresponding to the management number based on the acquired information related to product purchase.

[Operation when points are given]
Next, with reference to FIG. 9, an operation when giving points to the user will be described. As described above, in the electronic currency management system S of the present embodiment, points are given according to the purchase of a product using the card 11, and points are also given according to the use of the user terminal 12.

In the case where points are given according to the purchase of the product, the point management server 4 acquires information related to the product purchase from the card management server 2 together with the management number in step S31. Then, in step S32, the point management server 4 specifies a rate according to the store where the product is purchased, and calculates a point according to the purchase amount based on the rate. Note that the processes in steps S31 and S32 are performed each time the user purchases a product using the card 11.
When the points corresponding to the purchase amount are calculated, in step S35, the point management server 4 adds the calculated points to the points stored in association with the user ID corresponding to the management number.

In step S <b> 33, the point management server 4 acquires the billed amount from the carrier server 3 together with the user ID. Then, in step S34, the point management server 4 calculates points according to the billed amount based on a predetermined rate. Note that the processing of step S33 and step S34 is performed at the timing when the amount charged is determined.
When the point corresponding to the amount charged is calculated, in step S35, the point management server 4 adds the calculated point to the point stored in association with the user ID.

[Operations when providing services to users]
Next, with reference to FIG. 10, an operation at the time of providing a user-specific service to a user who uses the electronic currency management system S will be described.

In step S41, when the user terminal 12 accesses the carrier server 3 with the user ID, the carrier server 3 notifies the point management server 4 of the user ID in step S42. In step S43, the point management server 4 acquires information related to the service corresponding to the notified user ID, and notifies the carrier server 3 of the information. In step S44, the service is provided from the carrier server 3 to the user terminal 12. Is done.
The point management server 4 manages the access history for each user ID, and based on this access history, the difference information from the previous access (use amount, charge amount, increase / decrease of points), the current balance and Get the current number of points. Then, the acquired information is provided to the user terminal 12 via the carrier server 3, so that the user terminal 12 displays a difference from the previous time, the current balance, the number of points, and the like.

The service corresponding to the user ID is, for example, a service that makes it possible to confirm the balance of the card 11 owned by the user and the points given, and introduces a product that matches the user's attributes (recommendation). Service.
As an example, the point management server 4 can purchase a product that can be purchased with the balance or points based on the balance or points associated with the user ID, or a little more than the balance or points that can be purchased. Providing services that introduce Further, the point management server 4 provides a service for introducing a product preferred by the user based on a user attribute (gender, age, date of birth, hobby preference) associated with the user ID. Such services can also be provided that have been updated since the previous access.

  Further, the point management server 4 may change the point management server 4 to a state where the points cannot be used when the contract with the service provider using the user terminal 12 is canceled. For example, it is assumed that a communication carrier provides a communication service using the user terminal 12 and gives a point corresponding to the communication fee to the user of the user terminal 12. In this case, when the point management server 4 acquires information from the carrier server 3 that the user of the user terminal 12 has canceled the contract with the communication carrier, the point management server 4 deletes the points stored in association with the user terminal 12. When the point management server 4 acquires information that the user of the user terminal 12 has canceled the contract with the communication carrier, the point management server 4 may store the point balance with a flag indicating that points cannot be used. When the point management server 4 receives a notification from the carrier server 3 that the user has resumed the contract with the communication carrier within a predetermined period after canceling the contract, the point management server 4 You may make it usable.

[First Embodiment]
The electronic currency management device of the present invention is preferably used in the electronic currency management system S described above. Hereinafter, the electronic money management apparatus of the present invention will be described.

[Functional configuration of electronic currency management apparatus 10]
First, the configuration of the electronic currency management apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the electronic currency management apparatus 10 of the present invention. The electronic money management apparatus 10 may be realized by any one of the above-described card management server 2, carrier server 3, and point management server 4. Also, the card management server 2, carrier server 3 and the point management server 4 may be realized by cooperation. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the electronic currency management apparatus 10 is realized by the cooperation of the carrier server 3 and the point management server 4.

As shown in FIG. 11, the electronic currency management apparatus 10 includes a control unit 51 and a storage unit 52.
The storage unit 52 is a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, or a storage medium such as a hard disk. The storage unit 52 stores a program for operating the control unit 51 and data generated when the control unit 51 operates. Further, the storage unit 52 stores data for realizing transfer of points between users.

  An example of data stored in the storage unit 52 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12A, the storage unit 52 associates the user ID associated with the user who uses the service with the telephone number of the user terminal 12 used by the user, the point balance information, and the user's Store attribute information. In addition, as a user's attribute, it is good also as including the relationship between users like a parent and child, a brother, etc. other than the information regarding individual users, such as age, sex, and an address, for example.

FIG. 12B is a diagram showing details of the balance information of points stored in the storage unit 52, and FIG. 12B shows details of balance information of points with the user ID “TARO97”. As illustrated in FIG. 12B, the storage unit 52 stores the point type, the number of points, information on the transfer source user, and restriction information in association with the user ID.
The point type is information for determining whether or not a corresponding point is transferred from another user. In the present embodiment, a transfer flag is attached to points transferred from other users, and it is possible to determine that the transferred points are included. The restriction information is information on restrictions attached to the corresponding points. For example, usage of the points (type of product or service to be purchased), place of use (available stores, usable areas) , Information indicating that the use time and whether or not the point can be reassigned (whether or not the point received in the transfer can be used as a transfer point) are limited. As an example, by limiting the usage to “books” when transferring points, the user who receives the transfer can use the points only for purchasing “books”.

  Returning to FIG. 11, the control unit 51 is, for example, a CPU, and functions as a reception unit 511, a determination unit 512, and an execution unit 513 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 52.

  The accepting unit 511 accepts a use request for points owned by a user who uses the user terminal 12 from the user terminal 12. In addition, as a use request received by the receiving unit 511, in addition to a transfer request for requesting transfer of points from a user using the user terminal 12 to another user, points owned by the user using the user terminal 12 are used. Includes purchase requests that require purchasing goods or services.

  Here, the transfer request includes the user ID of the user to be transferred, the number of points to be transferred, information for specifying the transfer destination user, and restriction information set for the transferred points. In the present embodiment, the telephone number of the user terminal 12 used by the transfer destination user is used as information for specifying the transfer destination user. That is, when transferring points to another user, the user designates the telephone number of the other user and makes a transfer request.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on the user terminal 12 when points are transferred. The display screen 250 shows an example of a display screen for designating a transfer destination user, and the display screen 260 shows an example of a display screen for designating restriction information set for points to be transferred.

As shown in FIG. 13, the display screen 250 has an input field 251 for inputting the telephone number of the transfer destination user, an input field 252 for inputting the number of points to be transferred, and for specifying restriction information for points to be transferred. A limit button 253 and a cancel button 254 for canceling the transfer of points are included.
When the user to whom points are transferred inputs the telephone number of the transfer destination user in the input field 251, inputs the number of points to be transferred in the input field 252, and operates the limit button 253, the user terminal 12 displays a display screen. 260 is displayed.

On the display screen 250, when the telephone number of the transfer destination user is input in the input field 251, a message 255 indicating the transfer destination user name corresponding to the telephone number may be displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 13, since the telephone number input in the input field 251 is the telephone number of the user terminal 12 owned by “Mr. Hanako”, a message 255 “I will transfer to Mr. Hanako” is displayed. .
Such a message can be realized by cooperating with the address book of the transfer source user terminal 12. In other words, in the transfer source user terminal 12, when the telephone number of the transfer destination user is input in the input field 251, the user name set for the input telephone number is read from the address book and "[user name ] Is displayed as a message 255. Thereby, since the user of the transfer source can grasp the user corresponding to the telephone number input in the input field 251, erroneous input to the input field 251 can be suppressed.

  Note that the input in the input field 251 may be performed using an address book. That is, an operation button “input from the address book” (not shown) is provided on the display screen 250, and when this operation button is operated, the address book is read out so that the transfer source user can select it. Then, the telephone number selected by the user from the read address book may be entered in the input field 251.

  Subsequently, the display screen 260 includes a check box 261, a transfer button 262, and a cancel button 263. The check box 261 is a check box for designating a restriction attached to points to be transferred. When the transfer source user selects a restriction in the check box 261 and operates the transfer button 262, the point with the selected restriction is transferred from the transfer source user to the transfer destination user.

Some transfer-source users may wish to restrict the products purchased using the transferred points, for example, to books and stationery. In such a case, the user of the transfer source can restrict the products to be purchased by selecting “purchase permitted products” on the display screen 260. Similarly, when the transfer source user wants to restrict the place of use such as a store where points are used or a region where the points are used, the transfer source user selects the “purchase-permitted store” on the display screen 260 to obtain points. The place of use can be restricted. In addition, when the transfer source user desires to limit the time zone in which the points are used, the transfer source user may limit the use time of the points by selecting “use permission time” on the display screen 260. it can.
In the example shown in FIG. 13, a so-called white list format for selecting a permitted condition using the check box 261 is adopted, but a so-called condition for not permitting is selected instead of (or in addition to) the white list format. A black list format may be adopted.
Further, when the transfer source user restricts the retransfer of the transferred points, the transfer source user selects “non-transferable” (not shown) to retransfer the points by the transfer destination user. Can be limited. By doing in this way, it can prevent that the point which the parent transferred to the child is transferred to other users.

  The accepting unit 511 accepts various types of information from the user terminal 12 via the display screens 250 and 260. The accepting unit 511 may accept not only the transfer destination user's telephone number, but also the transfer destination user's name or a part of the name, and the transfer source user's user terminal 12 phone number. . The name or part of the name of the transfer destination user can be accepted based on the input from the transfer source user. The telephone number of the transfer source user may be received based on an input from the transfer source user, or may be received by acquiring from the storage unit 52 based on the user ID of the transfer source user. Also good.

Returning to FIG. 11, the determination unit 512 determines whether to permit the use of points based on the use request received from the user terminal 12. Specifically, the determination unit 512 determines whether or not it can be used on the basis of a transfer flag and / or restriction information attached to a use request target point.
As an example, when the determination unit 512 receives a use request indicating that a point with restriction information prohibiting reassignment is transferred from another user terminal 12 to another user, the determination unit 512 cannot use (transfer) the point. Is determined. Further, the determination unit 512 determines whether or not the point can be used based on the type of the product or service purchased using the point, the point usage location, or the point usage time. In other words, the determination unit 512 determines whether or not the point can be used based on whether the type of the product to be purchased, the usage location, or the usage time satisfies the restriction defined by the restriction information attached to the point to be used. To do.

  The determination unit 512 may determine whether or not the user with the predetermined attribute information can use the information, but may not determine whether or not the user other than the attribute information can use the information. The predetermined attribute information for discriminating whether to use or not is arbitrary, but the user's age can be used as an example. In the case of using the user's age, for example, the determination unit 512 determines whether or not it can be used for a minor user, but does not determine whether or not it can be used for an adult user. Conceivable.

When the determination unit 512 determines that the points can be used, the execution unit 513 uses the points owned by the user using the user terminal 12 in response to the use request received from the user terminal 12.
As an example, when a purchase request is received from the user terminal 12, the execution unit 513 subtracts a point corresponding to the product to be purchased from the points of the user terminal 12.

  If the transfer request has been received from the user terminal 12, the execution unit 513 first acquires the user ID corresponding to the transfer destination user's telephone number received from the transfer request from the storage unit 52, thereby transferring the transfer destination. Identify users. Then, in response to the transfer request received from the user terminal 12, the execution unit 513 shifts to the transfer destination user who specified a part of the points that the user terminal 12 has. At this time, the execution unit 513 adds the transfer flag and the restriction information to the point, and then transfers the point to the transfer destination user.

[Processing of Electronic Currency Management Device 10]
The functional configuration of the electronic currency management apparatus 10 according to the present invention has been described above. Next, a processing flow of the electronic currency management apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 14 is an example of a flowchart showing a processing flow of the electronic currency management apparatus 10 when points are transferred between users. FIG. 15 is a processing flow when a user purchases a product using points. It is an example of the flowchart which shows.

  First, in step S <b> 101, the reception unit 511 receives a transfer request from the user terminal 12. This transfer request includes at least the user ID of the transfer source user, information for specifying the transfer destination user, and the number of points to be transferred. Subsequently, in step S102, the determination unit 512 refers to the attribute information of the user who has made the transfer request, and determines whether or not the user should limit the use of points. In the example illustrated in FIG. 14, the determination unit 512 determines whether or not the user who has made the transfer request is over 20 years old. That is, if the user is 20 years old or older, the determination unit 512 determines that there is no need to restrict the use of points for the user, and the process proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, when the user is under the age of 20, the determination unit 512 determines that it is necessary to limit the use of points for the user, and the process proceeds to step S103.

  In step S103, the determination unit 512 determines whether or not restriction information prohibiting retransfer is attached to the points to be transferred. If it is determined in step S103 that the points to be transferred include a point with restriction information, in step S104, the execution unit 513 notifies the user terminal 12 of the user who made the transfer request a transfer non-permission notification. The process is terminated. In other words, the execution unit 513 ends the process without assigning the points with the restriction information that cannot be reassigned to another user again.

  On the other hand, if transfer based on the transfer request is possible, in step S105, the execution unit 513 transfers a point from the transfer source user to the transfer destination user after attaching a transfer flag. That is, the execution unit 513 subtracts the number of points to be transferred from the number of points owned by the transfer source user and adds the number of points to be transferred to the number of points owned by the transfer destination user. Subsequently, in step S106, the determination unit 512 determines whether or not restriction information is included in the transfer request. When this determination is YES, in step S107, the execution unit 513 sets the restriction received together with the transfer request to the transferred point. Subsequently, in step S108, the execution unit 513 notifies the user terminal 12 of the transfer source user that the transfer has been completed, and ends the process. The notification that the transfer is completed may be notified to the user terminal 12 of the transfer destination user in addition to the user terminal 12 of the transfer source user.

  Next, a flow of processing when the user purchases a product using points will be described with reference to FIG. When a user purchases a product or the like using points at a virtual store on the Internet, for example, first, a purchase request is transmitted from the user terminal 12 to the electronic currency management apparatus 10 in step S111. This purchase request includes at least the user ID of the user who makes the purchase request, the type of product to be purchased, the number of points used, and the name of the virtual store that handles the product.

  In the electronic money management apparatus 10, when the accepting unit 511 accepts a purchase request, in step S121, the determining unit 512 refers to the attribute information of the user who made the purchase request and is a user who should restrict the use of points. It is determined whether or not. In the example shown in FIG. 15, it is determined whether or not the user is over 20 years old. Since it is not necessary to restrict the use of points for users over the age of 20, a predetermined settlement process is subsequently performed via the settlement NW 50 or the like in step 131, and the purchase of the product is completed in step S112. Is notified to the user terminal 12 and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S121 that the user is under the age of 20, then in step S122, the determination unit 512 determines whether or not the purchase request corresponds to the restriction attached to the points to be used. . Specifically, it is determined whether or not the type of the product to be purchased, the name of the store that handles the product, or the time zone in which the product etc. is to be purchased falls under the restrictions attached to the points.

If the determination in step S122 is NO, then in step 131, a predetermined settlement process is performed via the settlement NW 50 or the like, and in step S112, the user terminal 12 is notified that the product has been purchased, and the process Exit.
On the other hand, if the determination in step S122 is YES, then in step S123, the execution unit 513 disallows the purchase of a product or the like based on the purchase request, and the user terminal indicates that the product could not be purchased in step S112 12 is notified, and the process ends.

[Effect of electronic currency management apparatus 10]
The example of the embodiment of the electronic currency management apparatus 10 of the present invention has been described above. The electronic currency management apparatus 10 of the present invention restricts the use of transferred points while allowing transfer of points between users. In other words, the electronic currency management apparatus 10 manages the points transferred to other users with a transfer flag and restriction information attached thereto, and applies predetermined restrictions when using the points with the transfer flag. Thereby, the points transferred between users can be used in an appropriate manner.

For example, by restricting the reassignment of points, if the transfer source user wants the transfer destination user to use the transferred point, the point is transferred to another user. Can be prevented. In addition, it is preferable that the use of the transferred points can be controlled by the user of the transfer source by restricting the use application, use location, or use time of the points. As an example, by restricting the usage, etc., when the parent transfers points to the child, the child can use the point only for the purpose intended by the parent, so the user can use the service related to the point transfer with peace of mind. be able to.
In addition, by applying such restrictions according to the attribute information of the user of the transfer destination, without restricting the user unnecessarily, the use of points by the user is unnecessarily prevented. Can be prevented.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. In particular, the specific embodiments of the distribution / integration of the devices are not limited to those illustrated above, and all or a part thereof may be added in arbitrary units according to various additions or according to functional loads. It can be configured functionally or physically distributed and integrated.

In the embodiment described above, the electronic currency management apparatus 10 makes it possible to transfer points given to users between users, but the transfer target is not limited to points, and may include other electronic currencies. As an example, the electronic currency management apparatus 10 may make it possible to transfer the balance of the amount charged on the card 11 owned by the user between the users.
For example, the transfer of the charge amount can be realized by notifying the card management server 2 of a transfer instruction from the point management server 4 and transferring the balance in the card management server 2 in response to the notification.

Further, the electronic currency management apparatus 10 may transfer the points (electronic currency) at different rates. The rate may be less than 1 or 1 or more. That is, when the point “10” owned by the transfer source user is transferred, “9” may be added to the transfer destination user point, or “11” may be added.
Moreover, it is good also as changing a rate according to the relationship between the users to transfer. As an example, when the transfer destination user is registered in the transfer source user's address book, points may be transferred at a higher rate than when the transfer destination user is not registered. When the transfer source user is registered in the book, the points may be transferred at a higher rate than when the transfer source user is not registered.

Moreover, in the electronic currency management apparatus 10 of the present invention, whether or not it can be used is determined according to the user's attribute information. In the above embodiment, whether or not the user can use is determined according to whether or not the user is an adult. It is said. In this regard, whether or not an adult is an example is merely an example, and other attribute information may be adopted to determine whether or not it can be used.
In addition, the determination of availability according to the attribute information may be performed uniformly for all of reassignment, intended use, use place, and use time, or may be performed for only some of them. . As an example, for adult users, regarding reassignment and usage time, points can be used freely without applying the restrictions set by the transferring user, while the usage and place of use are The restrictions set by the transfer source user may be applied so that points cannot be used freely.

S ... Electronic currency management system, 1 ... User equipment, 11 ... Card, 12 ... User terminal, 2 ... Card management server, 3 ... Carrier server, 4 ... Point management Server 10, electronic currency management device 51, control unit 511, reception unit, 512, determination unit, 513, execution unit, 52, storage unit, 50,. Settlement NW

Claims (10)

A storage unit for storing electronic currency balance information in association with identification information associated with the user;
A transfer execution unit for transferring a part of the electronic currency owned by the first user to the electronic user with transfer currency information indicating that the part is transferred,
When a use request indicating that the electronic currency with the transfer currency information is transferred from another user terminal to the other user is received from the second user's user terminal,
An electronic currency management device comprising: The determination unit determines whether or not the electronic currency can be used based on the type of goods or services purchased using the electronic currency.
The electronic currency management apparatus according to claim 1. The determination unit determines whether or not the electronic currency can be used based on the usage location of the electronic currency.
The electronic currency management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The determination unit determines whether or not the electronic currency can be used based on the usage time of the electronic currency.
The electronic currency management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The storage unit stores user attribute information in association with the identification information,
The determination unit determines whether or not the electronic currency can be used for a user having predetermined attribute information, and does not determine whether or not the electronic currency can be used for a user other than the predetermined attribute information.
The electronic currency management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A transfer acceptance unit that includes information designating another user's telephone number and receives a transfer request indicating transfer of the electronic currency to another user;
The electronic currency management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A transfer accepting unit for accepting a transfer request indicating that the electronic currency is to be transferred to another user and including information for restricting products to be purchased;
The electronic currency management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A transfer acceptance unit for receiving a transfer request indicating transfer of the electronic currency charged in a card owned by the user;
The electronic currency management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Storing the balance information of the electronic currency in association with the identification information associated with the user;
A step of transferring to a second user after attaching to the electronic currency transfer currency information indicating that a part of the electronic currency owned by the first user has been transferred;
When receiving a use request indicating that the electronic currency with the transfer currency information is transferred to another user from the user terminal of the second user, determining that the transfer of the electronic currency is not possible;
Including electronic currency management method. On the computer,
Storing the balance information of the electronic currency in association with the identification information associated with the user;
A step of transferring to a second user after attaching to the electronic currency transfer currency information indicating that a part of the electronic currency owned by the first user has been transferred;
When receiving a use request indicating that the electronic currency with the transfer currency information is transferred to another user from the user terminal of the second user, determining that the transfer of the electronic currency is not possible;
A program for running

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