JP2019204329A - Point lending apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To appropriately set the upper limit value of points available for lending.SOLUTION: A point lending server 100 comprises a management section 122 for managing a point earning history which is a history of points to be earned by a point earning subject, a determination section 124 for determining the upper limit value of points available for lending to the earning subject on the basis of the point earning history, and a lending section 126 for, when a point balance earned by the earning subject is less than a settlement amount indicated by a settlement request from the earning subject, lending points equal to or less than the upper limit value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a point lending device.

  There has been proposed a system that lends and settles all or part of the payment amount when the balance of electronic money is insufficient with respect to the payment amount (for example, Patent Document 1). In this type of system, for example, the upper limit value of the loan amount is uniformly set in the center that provides the service.

JP-A-9-44576

  When the upper limit value of points that can be lent is set uniformly in a system such as a center that provides services, depending on a person who is lent points, more points than the appropriate points may be lent, and there is a risk that the bankruptcy may occur. Or, less points than appropriate points are lent, and there is a risk that convenience may be reduced.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a point lending apparatus according to a preferred aspect of the present invention includes a management unit that manages a point grant history that is a history of points given to a point grant target, and a loan to the grant target A determination unit that determines an upper limit value of possible points based on the point grant history, and a balance of points given to the grant target is less than a settlement amount indicated by a settlement request from the grant target And a lending unit that lends points below the upper limit.

  According to the present invention, the upper limit value of points that can be lent can be set appropriately.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the payment system containing the point lending apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of stored contents of a point management table illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the method of determining the upper limit of the point which can be lent. It is a sequence chart which shows an example of operation | movement of the payment system shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the payment system containing the point lending apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

[1. First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a payment system 10 including a point lending device (point lending server 100) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The settlement system 10 shown in FIG. 1 can settle part or all of the purchase price of goods or services using points of point service. The point is a privilege having exchange value for goods or services. For example, electronic currency corresponds to points. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the settlement system 10 and the like will be described on the assumption that one point corresponds to one yen.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the settlement system 10 includes a point lending server 100, a network NW, and a store terminal device 200 that accepts settlement using points. The number of store terminal devices 200 is not limited to one. The point lending server 100 is an example of a point lending device.

  The point lending server 100 manages points used in the point service. For example, the point lending server 100 is realized by a computer system that includes a processing device 120, a storage device 140, a communication device 160, and a timing device 180. Each element of the point lending server 100 is connected to each other by a single or a plurality of buses. Note that in this specification, the term “apparatus” in the processing device, the storage device, the communication device, and the timing device may be replaced with another term such as a circuit, a device, or a unit. Each element of the point lending server 100 may be composed of one or a plurality of devices, and some elements of the point lending server 100 may be omitted.

  The processing device 120 is a processor that controls the entire point lending server 100, and includes, for example, a single chip or a plurality of chips. The processing device 120 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, an arithmetic device, a register, and the like. Note that some or all of the functions of the processing device 120 are realized by hardware such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). May be. The processing device 120 executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

  The management unit 122, the determination unit 124, the lending unit 126, and the point settlement unit 128 illustrated in the processing device 120 in FIG. 1 are examples of functional blocks that execute point lending. For example, the processing device 120 functions as the management unit 122, the determination unit 124, the lending unit 126, and the point settlement unit 128 by reading and executing the control program PR1 from the storage device 140.

  The management unit 122 manages the points given to the owner of the point card PCD for each card ID that identifies the point card PCD. For example, the management unit 122 manages a point grant history, which is a history of points given to the owner of the point card PCD, using the point management table TBL. The contents stored in the point management table TBL will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the owner of the point card PCD is an example of a point grant target. The card ID is an example of a point management identifier for identifying a point grant target.

  The determination unit 124 determines an upper limit value of points that can be lent to the owner of the point card PCD based on the point grant history. The upper limit value is set in association with the card ID, for example. In this case, the determination unit 124 determines the upper limit value of lent points set in association with the card ID based on the point grant history associated with the card ID for which the upper limit value is set. For example, the determination unit 124 estimates a point given within a predetermined period in the future in association with a card ID for which an upper limit value is set as a scheduled point based on the point grant history, and based on the estimated scheduled point Determine the upper limit.

  Since the upper limit of points that can be lent is determined based on the estimated points estimated using the point grant history, more points than the appropriate points are lent and less than the appropriate points are lent Can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to suppress the decrease in convenience and reduce the credit loss of the lent points. A specific example of the method for determining the upper limit value will be described with reference to FIG.

  The lending unit 126, when the balance of points given to the owner of the point card PCD (hereinafter also referred to as a point balance) is less than the settlement amount indicated in the settlement request from the owner of the point card PCD, Lend points below the upper limit. For example, the lending unit 126 receives payment information including the payment amount and the card ID of the point card PCD used for payment (in the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the card ID “Q12345”) from the store terminal device 200. The card ID of the point card PCD used for payment is an example of a point management identifier used for payment. Hereinafter, the card ID of the point card PCD used for payment is also referred to as a card ID used for payment.

  Upon receiving the payment information, the lending unit 126, when the balance of points given in association with the card ID used for payment is less than the payment amount, up to the upper limit value associated with the card ID used for payment. Lend points to be used for settlement within the range of. That is, the lending unit 126 associates the point card PCD used for payment with the point card PCD used for the payment when the point held by the owner of the point card PCD used for the payment is less than the payment amount. Lend points within the range up to the upper limit.

  The point settlement unit 128 performs settlement using at least one of the points held by the owner of the point card PCD and the points lent to the owner of the point card PCD. For example, the point settlement unit 128 performs settlement using at least one of the points held by the owner of the point card PCD used for settlement and the points lent in association with the point card PCD used for settlement. Execute. Note that the function of the point settlement unit 128 may be realized by a settlement device or the like different from the point lending server 100. That is, the point settlement unit 128 may be omitted from the functional block that executes point lending.

  The storage device 140 is a recording medium readable by the processing device 120, and stores a plurality of programs including the control program PR1 executed by the processing device 120, various data used by the processing device 120, and the point management table TBL. . The storage device 140 includes, for example, one or more types of storage circuits such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

  The communication device 160 is a device that communicates with other devices via a network NW such as a mobile communication network or the Internet. The communication device 160 is also expressed as a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module, for example. The communication device 160 can communicate with, for example, the store terminal device 200 via the network NW.

  The timing device 180 generates date / time information indicating the current date / time. Specifically, date information is generated by counting pulse signals obtained by dividing a clock signal generated by a crystal oscillator or the like. The date / time information indicates the date and time. Time means the time of day.

  The store terminal device 200 is installed in, for example, a store that provides products or services to customers. Then, when the purchase price of the product or service is settled using points, the store terminal device 200 executes electronic payment using the points with the point lending server 100. For example, the store terminal device 200 has a reading device (not shown) that reads the card ID of the point card PCD, and sets the payment information including the payment amount (purchase price) and the card ID acquired through the reading device as the point lending server 100. Send to. Receiving the settlement information, the processing device 120 of the point lending server 100 functions as the lending unit 126 and the point settlement unit 128 as described above, and settles using the points. Detailed operations of the point lending server 100 and the store terminal device 200 when executing electronic payment using points will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the point management table TBL shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the point management table TBL is managed for each card ID. As shown in FIG. 2, the point management table TBL stores event dates, event contents, grant points, use points, loan points, point balances, and upper limit values in association with each other. Note that the event date, the event content, and the grant points stored in association with each other are examples of the point grant history.

  The event date indicates the date on which an event such as point grant, point use, point lending, or upper limit update occurred. The content of the event indicates the reason for granting, using, or lending points. The granted points indicate points granted by using a point service or the like. The use points indicate points used for settlement. The loan points indicate points lent at the time of settlement. The point balance indicates a balance after an event of points given in association with the card ID. When the point balance is a negative value, the absolute value of the point balance indicates an unpaid point among points lent by the event date. The upper limit value indicates the upper limit value of points that can be lent. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the upper limit value is updated on the first day of each month such as March 1 and April 1.

  The upper limit value may be set for all card IDs managed by the point lending server 100, or may be set for a specific card ID among all card IDs. The specific card ID is, for example, a card ID for which setting of an upper limit value is permitted by the owner of the point card PCD. When an upper limit value is set for all card IDs, the upper limit value may be set to an initial value “0” until point lending occurs for the first time. Points are not lent to card IDs for which no upper limit is set and card IDs for which the upper limit is set to “0”. Further, whether or not to receive point lending may be set in advance by the owner of the point card PCD for each point card PCD.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, on April 5, 2017, 500 points are given as continuation thanks points by the owner of the point card PCD corresponding to the card ID “Q12345” continuously joining the point service for one year. It was shown that it was granted. As of April 5, 2017, the point balance is “1345”, and the upper limit value is “343”.

  Also, in March 2018, it was shown that points were awarded for using Super ABC, paying mobile phone communication charges, answering questionnaires, paying electricity bills, and paying gas bills and water bills. ing. Further, it is shown that the points were used for the settlement of the product purchased at the drug store on March 18, 2018, the points were used for the settlement of the product purchased at the department store on March 26, 2018, and the settlement amount It is shown that the points to make up for the shortage were loaned. For example, the lending unit 126 determines that the point balance “1210” at the time of purchasing the product on March 26, 2018 is less than the settlement amount “1500 yen”, and thus the upper limit value updated on March 1, 2018. In the range up to “304”, the shortage point “290” is lent in association with the card ID “Q12345”. The points lent in association with the card ID “Q12345” are collected from the generated points when the points to be assigned in association with the card ID “Q12345” are generated.

  For example, a point to be granted for the use of Super ABC was generated on April 4, 2018, so part of the unpaid portion “290” of the point “290” lent by April 4, 2018. Are collected from the generated point “44”. As a result, the point balance after use of Super ABC on April 4, 2018 is updated to “−246”. In addition, since continuous gratitude points were granted on April 5, 2018, all of the unpaid portion “246” of the points “290” lent by April 5, 2018 was generated “500”. The repayment of the points collected and loaned is completed. As a result, the point balance after giving the continuous thanks points on April 5, 2018 is updated to “254”. The content stored in the point management table TBL is not limited to the example shown in FIG. For example, the column of grant points and use points may be integrated. In this case, the use point is indicated by a negative value, for example. Next, an example of a method for determining the upper limit value based on the point grant history (event date, event content, and grant points stored in association with each other) will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for determining an upper limit value of lent points. In FIG. 3, in order to make the drawing easier to see, items other than the event date, the content of the event, the granted points, and the upper limit value are omitted from the stored contents of the point management table TBL. Further, in order to make the drawing easier to see, FIG. 3 shows numerical examples of upper limit values only on March 1, 2018 and April 1, 2018 among the upper limit values of each event day. Example 1, Example 2, Example 3, Example 4, Example 5 in the upper limit value column shown in FIG. 3 respectively indicate the upper limit values calculated in the five examples described below.

  Note that the method for determining the upper limit value based on the point grant history (event date, event content and grant points stored in association with each other) is not limited to the following five examples. In the following five examples, a method for determining the upper limit value will be described, assuming that a predetermined future period is one month of the month following the update date of the upper limit value. For example, when the upper limit value is updated on April 1, 2018, the future predetermined period is one month from May 1, 2018 to May 31. In FIG. 3, the point management identifier for which the upper limit value is set is the card ID “Q12345”, the point grant history is the event date stored in the point management table TBL, the content of the event, and the grant point. Will be explained. That is, “granting object” in the description of FIG. 3 indicates the owner of the point card PCD corresponding to the card ID “Q12345”.

  In Example 1, the determination unit 124 identifies, from the point grant history, points that are regularly given to the grant target as regular points. That is, the determination unit 124 identifies, from the point grant history, a point that is periodically given in association with the card ID “Q12345” as a regular point. For example, the determination unit 124 identifies points that are repeatedly given at a specific interval as many as a threshold value or more as regular points. Then, the determination unit 124 estimates a point given in association with the card ID “Q12345” within a predetermined future period as a scheduled point based on the regular point, and determines an upper limit value based on the estimated scheduled point. .

  For example, the determination unit 124 refers to the event content stored in the point management table TBL and is given monthly points for payment of communication charges of mobile phones, payment of electricity charges, and payment of gas charges. The points given for payment of water bills are identified as the regular points given every two months. In other words, the determination unit 124 identifies points that are given to events that occur periodically as regular points.

  In the update of the upper limit on March 1, 2018, the month in which payment for water bills is not included in the predetermined period in the future. In this case, the determination unit 124 identifies the points given for the payment of the communication fee of the mobile phone, the payment of the electricity bill, and the payment of the gas bill as the regular points. For example, the determination unit 124 refers to the point grant history in February 2018, and calculates the total “261” of points given for the mobile phone communication fee payment, the electricity bill payment, and the gas bill payment. Calculate as a regular point. Then, the determination unit 124 estimates the regular point “261” as a planned point given in association with the card ID “Q12345” in a predetermined future period, and sets an upper limit value based on the estimated planned point “261”. decide. For example, the determination unit 124 determines the integer part “234” of the product “234.9” of the scheduled point “261” and the predetermined value “0.9” as the upper limit value.

  In addition, in the update of the upper limit value on April 1, 2018, a month in which payment for water bills is generated is included in the predetermined period in the future. In this case, the determination unit 124 identifies the points given for the payment of the communication fee of the mobile phone, the payment of the electricity bill, the payment of the gas bill and the payment of the water bill as the regular points. For example, the determination unit 124 refers to the point grant history in March 2018, and determines the points given for the payment of the mobile phone communication fee, the electricity bill, the gas bill, and the water bill, respectively. The total “277” is estimated as the scheduled point. Then, the determination unit 124 determines the integer part “249” of the product “249.3” of the scheduled point “277” and the predetermined value “0.9” as the upper limit value.

  Note that the determination unit 124 may determine, as the upper limit value, a value obtained by rounding off the decimal part of the product of the scheduled point and the predetermined value. The predetermined value is not limited to “0.9” as long as it is “1” or less. For example, the determination unit 124 may determine a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined amount (for example, 50) from the scheduled point as the upper limit value.

  Alternatively, the determination unit 124 calculates an average value of one month of points given periodically based on the point grant history of a plurality of months as a regular point, and based on the calculated regular point (average value), Scheduled points may be estimated. In addition, among the events that occur regularly, the points given to the electricity and gas charges (electricity charges and gas charges) that are considered to vary depending on the season, are the future explained in Example 2 It may be extracted from the point grant history of the predetermined period in the past year corresponding to the predetermined period.

  As described above, in Example 1, the scheduled point is estimated based on the regular point that is a point given periodically. For this reason, in Example 1, it can reduce that the estimated plan point becomes a larger value than the point actually given within the future predetermined period. As a result, the credit loss of the lent points can be reduced.

  In Example 2, the determination unit 124 estimates a scheduled point based on a history of a predetermined period in a past year corresponding to a predetermined period in the future among the history included in the point grant history. For example, the determination unit 124 selects the future based on the point grant history for a predetermined period in the past year corresponding to the future predetermined period from the history included in the point grant history associated with the card ID “Q12345”. Points given in association with the card ID “Q12345” within a predetermined period are estimated as scheduled points. Then, the determination unit 124 determines an upper limit value based on the estimated scheduled point.

  In the update of the upper limit on March 1, 2018, the predetermined period in the past year corresponding to the predetermined period in the future (one month from April 1, 2018 to April 30, 2018) is, for example, 2017 It is one month from April 1 to April 30. In this case, the determination unit 124 determines the points for one month (predetermined period in the past year) from April 1, 2017 to April 30, 2017 in the point grant history associated with the card ID “Q12345”. Refer to the grant history.

  Then, the determination unit 124 assigns the point “795” given in association with the card ID “Q12345” in April 2017 to the point (scheduled point) given in April 2018 (predetermined period in the future). presume. The determination unit 124 determines the integer part “715” of the product “715.5” of the scheduled point “795” and the predetermined value “0.9” as the upper limit value. In the update of the upper limit on March 1, 2018, the month in which the continuous gratitude points are given is included in the predetermined period in the future, so the upper limit is compared to the upper limit on April 1, 2018, etc. Is set larger.

  In the update of the upper limit on April 1, 2018, the predetermined period in the past year corresponding to a predetermined period in the future (one month from May 1, 2018 to May 31) is, for example, 2017 One month from May 1st to May 31st. In this case, the determination unit 124 uses the point “331” given in May 2017 (predetermined period in the past year) as the point (scheduled point) given in May 2018 (predetermined period in the future). presume. Then, the determination unit 124 determines the integer part “297” of the product “297.9” of the scheduled point “331” and the predetermined value “0.9” as the upper limit value.

  Note that the determination unit 124 may determine, as the upper limit value, a value obtained by rounding off the decimal part of the product of the scheduled point and the predetermined value. The predetermined value is not limited to “0.9” as long as it is “1” or less. For example, the determination unit 124 may determine a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined amount (for example, 50) from the scheduled point as the upper limit value.

  Further, the predetermined period in the past year corresponding to the predetermined period in the future may be a predetermined period in a year two or more years ago. Or the determination part 124 may estimate the point provided in the future predetermined period based on the average value of the point provided in the predetermined period in the past several years.

  As described above, in Example 2, the scheduled point is estimated based on the history of the predetermined period in the past year corresponding to the predetermined period in the future. For this reason, in Example 2, it can reduce that the estimation result of a scheduled point is influenced by the difference of the amount of point grants by the difference in time, such as a spring electricity bill and a winter electricity bill. As a result, the upper limit value can be set appropriately, and the credit loss of the lent points can be reduced.

  In Example 3, the determination unit 124 estimates a scheduled point based on the history of the latest fixed period among the history included in the point grant history. For example, the determination unit 124 selects the card ID “Q12345” within a predetermined period in the future based on the point grant history for the most recent fixed period among the histories included in the point grant history associated with the card ID “Q12345”. A point given in association with is estimated as a scheduled point. Then, the determination unit 124 determines an upper limit value based on the estimated scheduled point.

  In the update of the upper limit value on March 1, 2018, for example, the history for the most recent fixed period is a point grant history for one month from February 1, 2018 to February 28, 2018. In this case, the determination unit 124 refers to the point grant history in February 2018 out of the point grant history associated with the card ID “Q12345”, and determines the point “348” granted in February 2018, Estimated points (planned points) given in April 2018 (predetermined period in the future). Then, the determination unit 124 determines the integer part “278” of the product “278.4” of the scheduled point “348” and the predetermined value “0.8” as the upper limit value.

  In Example 3, since the estimated points are estimated including points other than the points that are regularly given (periodic points), the estimated scheduled points are larger than in Example 1. For this reason, in Example 3, the predetermined value is set to “0.8” which is smaller than “0.9” in Example 1.

  In the update of the upper limit value on April 1, 2018, for example, the history for the most recent fixed period is a point grant history for one month from March 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018. In this case, the determination unit 124 assigns the point “384” given in association with the card ID “Q12345” in March 2018 to the points (planned points) given in April 2018 (predetermined period in the future). Estimated. Then, the determination unit 124 determines the integer part “307” of the product “307.2” of the scheduled point “384” and the predetermined value “0.8” as the upper limit value.

  Note that the determination unit 124 may determine, as the upper limit value, a value obtained by rounding off the decimal part of the product of the scheduled point and the predetermined value. The predetermined value is not limited to “0.8” as long as it is “1” or less. For example, the predetermined value may be “0.9”. For example, the determination unit 124 may determine a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined amount (for example, 50) from the scheduled point as the upper limit value.

  Further, the history of the latest fixed period may be a point grant history of a period longer than one month. For example, in the update of the upper limit value on April 1, 2018, the determination unit 124 uses the history of the most recent fixed period as the point grant history for two months from February 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018. Good. In this case, the determination unit 124 may estimate the scheduled points based on the points (average value) per month of the points given from February 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the points given per month from February 1 to March 31, 2018 (the average value of the points “348” in February and the points “384” in March) ) Is “366”. In this case, in the update of the upper limit value on April 1, 2018, the determination unit 124 estimates the point “366” per month of the points given in February and March 2018 as a scheduled point. Then, the determination unit 124 sets the integer part “292” of the product “292.8” of the scheduled point “366” and the predetermined value “0.8” as the upper limit value. By using the point grant history for several months, it is possible to reduce the estimated result of the scheduled points from being affected by an event having a low occurrence frequency.

  As described above, in Example 3, the scheduled point is estimated based on the history of the latest fixed period. For this reason, when the method of Example 3 is employ | adopted, the capacity | capacitance for memorize | storing a point provision log | history can be made small compared with the case where the method of Example 2 is employ | adopted.

  In Example 4, the determination unit 124 identifies, from the point grant history, a point that is periodically given in association with the card ID “Q12345” as a regular point. For example, the determination unit 124 specifies points to be given to events that occur periodically, such as payment of a mobile phone communication fee, as in Example 1 described above. Then, the determination unit 124 estimates a point periodically given in association with the card ID “Q12345” within a predetermined period in the future as a regularly scheduled point based on the periodic point.

  Further, the determination unit 124 identifies, from the point grant history, the points given irregularly in association with the card ID “Q12345” as irregular points. For example, when there are a plurality of points given to a specific event such as the use of a super ABC or an answer to a questionnaire, the determination unit 124 determines whether there is a similar event scheduled in a predetermined period in the future (the same type as the specific event). It is presumed that points are also given to (event). That is, the determination unit 124 identifies points given to events that occur irregularly, such as the use of super ABC or questionnaire responses, as irregular points. Then, the determination unit 124 estimates, based on the irregular points, the points given irregularly in association with the card ID “Q12345” within a predetermined period in the future.

Then, the determination unit 124 sets an upper limit value based on a value obtained by multiplying the regular scheduled point by a weighting factor and a value obtained by multiplying the irregular scheduled point by a weighting factor smaller than the weighting factor of the regular scheduled point. decide. If the periodic scheduled point is PP, the irregular scheduled point is IP, the periodic scheduled point weighting factor is Wp (Wp ≦ 1), and the irregular scheduled point weighting factor is Wi (Wi <Wp), The upper limit (L) is expressed by, for example, the formula (1). In the expression (1), “int ()” indicates the integer part of the value in parentheses, and “*” indicates multiplication.
L = int (PP * Wp + IP * Wi) (1)

  For example, in the update of the upper limit value on March 1, 2018, the determination unit 124 adds “261” as the total of points given to the mobile phone communication fee payment, the electricity bill payment, and the gas bill payment. Is estimated as a regularly scheduled point. In addition, the determination unit 124 estimates the total “87” of points given to the use of the super ABC and the answer to the questionnaire as irregular scheduled points.

  Then, the determination unit 124 determines the upper limit value based on the weighted periodic scheduled points and the weighted irregular scheduled points. In Example 4, a numerical example of the upper limit value when the weighting factor (Wp) of the regularly scheduled point is “0.9” and the weighting factor (Wi) of the irregularly scheduled point is “0.8”. Show. The determination unit 124 sets “304” calculated by substituting the regular scheduled point “261” and the irregular scheduled point “87” into the PP and IP of the above-described formula (1), respectively, as the upper limit value. .

  In the update of the upper limit on April 1, 2018, the determination unit 124 adds the points given to the mobile phone communication fee, the electricity bill, the gas bill, and the water bill. “277” is estimated as a regularly scheduled point. Further, the determination unit 124 estimates the total “107” of points given to the use of the super ABC and the answer to the questionnaire as irregular scheduled points. Then, the determination unit 124 sets, for example, the upper limit “334” calculated by substituting the regular scheduled point “277” and the irregular scheduled point “107” into the PP and IP of the formula (1) described above, respectively. Set to value.

  That is, the determination unit 124 identifies points that are regularly given to the grant target from the point grant history as regular points, and periodically gives points that are regularly given to the grant target within a predetermined period in the future. As an estimate based on regular points. In addition, the determination unit 124 identifies the points given irregularly to the grant target from the point grant history as irregular points, and schedules the points given irregularly to the grant target within a predetermined period in the future. Estimate based on irregular points as points. Then, the determination unit 124 sets an upper limit value based on a value obtained by multiplying the regular scheduled point by a weighting factor and a value obtained by multiplying the irregular scheduled point by a weighting factor smaller than the weighting factor of the regular scheduled point. decide.

  Note that the determination unit 124 may determine the sum of the integer part of “PP * Wp” and the integer part of “IP * Wi” in Expression (1) as the upper limit value. Or the determination part 124 may determine the value which rounded off the decimal point of "PP * Wp + IP * Wi" of Formula (1) to an upper limit. Further, the determination unit 124 may determine the sum of the value obtained by rounding off the decimal point of “PP * Wp” and the value obtained by rounding off the decimal point of “IP * Wi” in Equation (1) as the upper limit value. Good. Moreover, the weighting factor (Wp) of the regular scheduled point and the weighting factor (Wi) of the irregular scheduled point are not limited to the above numerical examples as long as Wi <Wp ≦ 1.

  In addition, the determination unit 124 calculates, as a regular point, an average value of points given periodically based on point grant history for a plurality of months, and based on the calculated regular point (average value), Periodic scheduled points may be estimated. Similarly, the determination unit 124 calculates an average value of one month of points given irregularly as irregular points based on the point grant history of a plurality of months, and sets the calculated irregular points (average value). Based on this, irregular scheduled points may be estimated. In addition, among the events that occur regularly, the points given for the electricity and gas charges (electricity and gas charges) that are considered to vary depending on the season, are the future explained in Example 2. It may be extracted from the point grant history of the predetermined period in the past year corresponding to the predetermined period.

  As described above, in Example 4, the upper limit value is set based on the weighted periodic scheduled points and the weighted irregular scheduled points. For this reason, in Example 4, it can reduce compared with Example 1 that an upper limit becomes small too much. In addition, since the weighting coefficient of the irregular scheduled point is smaller than the weighting coefficient of the regular scheduled point, it is possible to reduce the setting of an upper limit value that is larger than the points actually given within a predetermined period in the future. As a result, the credit loss of the lent points can be reduced.

  In Example 5, the determination unit 124 estimates the regularly scheduled points described in Example 4 based on points whose fluctuations periodically given in association with the card ID “Q12345” are less than a predetermined amount. It is divided into fixed points that are points and variable points that are points other than fixed points. In addition, the determination unit 124 determines the value obtained by multiplying the fixed point by the first weighting factor, the value obtained by multiplying the variation point by the second weighting factor smaller than the first weighting factor, and the irregular intervals described in Example 4. The upper limit value is determined based on a value obtained by multiplying the scheduled point by a third weighting factor smaller than the second weighting factor.

The fixed point is PP1, the variation point is PP2, the irregular scheduled point is IP, the first weighting factor is Wp1 (Wp1 ≦ 1), the second weighting factor is Wp2 (Wp2 <Wp1), and the third weighting factor is Assuming that Wi (Wi <Wp2), the upper limit value (L) is expressed by, for example, Expression (2). Note that the meanings of “int ()” and “*” in Expression (2) are the same as in Expression (1).
L = int (PP1 * Wp1 + PP2 * Wp2 + IP * Wi) (2)

  For example, when the predetermined amount is “10”, among the points given periodically, there are a plurality of points given for payment of communication charges of mobile phones, payment of gas charges, and payment of water charges. The amount of change in the month is less than 10. In addition, the amount of change in points given for payment of electricity bills in a plurality of months is 10 or more. In this case, out of the regularly scheduled points, the points estimated based on the points given for the payment of the mobile phone communication fee, the payment of the gas bill and the payment of the water bill are fixed points, respectively. The points estimated based on the points given for the payment of the bill are the variation points.

  In the update of the upper limit value on March 1, 2018, the determination unit 124 determines the total “131” of points given for the payment of the communication fee of the mobile phone and the payment of the gas fee, as the regularly scheduled points. Estimated as a fixed point. In addition, the determination unit 124 estimates the point “130” given to the payment of the electricity bill as a fluctuation point among the regularly scheduled points. That is, the determination unit 124 determines the regularly scheduled point “261” described in Example 4 as a fixed point “131” that is a point estimated based on a point whose fluctuation of the periodically given points is less than a predetermined amount. And a variable point “130” which is a point other than the fixed point. Further, as described in Example 4, the determination unit 124 estimates the total “87” of points given to the use of the super ABC and the answer to the questionnaire as irregular scheduled points.

  Then, the determination unit 124 determines the upper limit value based on the weighted fixed points, the weighted variation points, and the weighted irregular scheduled points. In Example 5, the first weighting factor (Wp1) is set to “0.9”, the second weighting factor (Wp2) is set to “0.85”, and the third weighting factor (Wi) is set to “0.8”. A numerical example of the upper limit value is shown. The determination unit 124 calculates “298” calculated by substituting the fixed point “131”, the fluctuation point “130”, and the irregular scheduled point “87” into PP1, PP2, and IP of the above-described formula (2), respectively. Set to the upper limit.

  In the update of the upper limit value on April 1, 2018, the determination unit 124 calculates the sum “171” of the points given for the payment of the communication fee of the mobile phone, the payment of the gas bill, and the payment of the water bill, Estimated as a fixed point among regularly scheduled points. In addition, the determination unit 124 estimates the point “106” given to the payment of the electricity bill as a fluctuation point among the regularly scheduled points. Further, the determination unit 124 estimates the total “107” of points given to the use of the super ABC and the answer to the questionnaire as irregular scheduled points. Then, for example, the determination unit 124 calculates by substituting the fixed point “171”, the variation point “106”, and the irregular scheduled point “107” for PP1, PP2, and IP in the above-described formula (2). 329 "is set to the upper limit value.

  That is, the determination unit 124 identifies points that are regularly given to the grant target from the point grant history as regular points, and periodically gives points that are regularly given to the grant target within a predetermined period in the future. As an estimate based on regular points. Further, the determination unit 124 includes fixed points that are points estimated based on points whose fluctuations of points periodically given to the grant target are less than a predetermined amount, and points other than the fixed points. Divide into a certain variation point. In addition, the determination unit 124 identifies the points given irregularly to the grant target from the point grant history as irregular points, and schedules the points given irregularly to the grant target within a predetermined period in the future. Estimate based on irregular points as points. The determination unit 124 then multiplies the fixed point by the first weighting factor, the variable point by the second weighting factor smaller than the first weighting factor, and the irregular scheduled point by the second. The upper limit value is determined based on a value obtained by multiplying a third weighting factor smaller than the weighting factor.

  The determining unit 124 may determine the sum of the integer part of “PP1 * Wp1”, the integer part of “PP2 * Wp2”, and the integer part of “IP * Wi” in Expression (1) as the upper limit value. . Or the determination part 124 may determine the value which rounded off the decimal point of "PP1 * Wp1 + PP2 * Wp2 + IP * Wi" of Formula (2) to an upper limit. In addition, the determination unit 124 rounds the value after rounding off the decimal point of “PP1 * Wp1” in Formula (2), the value rounded off the decimal point of “PP2 * Wp2”, and the decimal point of “IP * Wi”. You may determine the sum with the made value as an upper limit.

  Further, the first weighting factor (Wp1), the second weighting factor (Wp2), and the third weighting factor (Wi) are not limited to the numerical examples described above as long as Wi <Wp2 <Wp1 ≦ 1. In addition, the determination unit 124 calculates, as a regular point, an average value of points given periodically based on point grant history for a plurality of months, and based on the calculated regular point (average value), Periodic scheduled points may be estimated. Further, the determination unit 124 calculates an average value for one month of points periodically given with a fluctuation amount less than a predetermined amount based on the point grant history for a plurality of months, and based on the calculated average value, A fixed point may be estimated. Further, the determination unit 124 calculates an average value for one month of the points given irregularly based on the point grant history for a plurality of months, and estimates the irregular scheduled points based on the calculated average value. May be.

  As described above, in Example 5, the regularly scheduled points are divided into fixed points and variable points, and the second weighting coefficient applied to the variable points is made smaller than the first weighting coefficient applied to the fixed points. For this reason, in Example 5, the upper limit value determined using fixed points, fluctuating points, and irregular scheduled points is affected by differences in the amount of points given due to differences in the timing of electricity charges in the spring and winter. It can reduce receiving. As a result, the upper limit value can be set appropriately, and the credit loss of the lent points can be reduced.

  FIG. 4 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the payment system 10 shown in FIG. The operation shown in FIG. 4 is an example of a point lending method. Note that before the determination in step S120 is performed, the upper limit value is set by the determination unit 124 as described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S20, the shop terminal device 200 reads a card ID used for settlement. For example, when the owner of the point card PCD purchases the merchandise, the owner tells the store clerk that the price of the merchandise is paid in full, and causes the reading device of the shop terminal device 200 to read the card ID of the point card PCD.

  Next, in step S <b> 40, the shop terminal device 200 transmits payment information including the payment amount (product price) and the card ID acquired via the reading device to the point lending server 100. Receiving the payment information, the point lending server 100 executes the determination in step S120.

  In step S120, the processing device 120 of the point lending server 100 functions as the lending unit 126, and determines whether or not the point balance is less than the settlement amount. If the point balance is less than the settlement amount, the operation of the processing device 120 moves to step S140. On the other hand, when the point balance is equal to or greater than the settlement amount, the operation of the processing device 120 proceeds to step S180.

  In step S140, the processing device 120 functions as the lending unit 126, and determines whether or not the sum of the shortage of the point balance with respect to the settlement amount and the unpaid portion of the loan points is equal to or less than the upper limit value. When the sum of the shortage and the unpaid portion is equal to or less than the upper limit value, the operation of the processing device 120 moves to step S160. On the other hand, if the sum of the shortage and the unpaid portion exceeds the upper limit value, the processing device 120 functions as the lending unit 126 in step S220, and stores the point shortage information including the point balance and / or the shortage amount in the store terminal. The device 200 is notified and the operation related to the point settlement is ended.

  In step S160, the processing device 120 functions as the lending unit 126, and lends points that make up for the shortage in association with the card ID. That is, the lending unit 126 lends the points used for settlement to the owner of the point card PCD within the range up to the upper limit value. After the process of step S160 is executed, the operation of the processing device 120 proceeds to step S180.

  In step S <b> 180, the processing device 120 functions as the point settlement unit 128 and executes point settlement for settlement using points. For example, when the point balance is equal to or greater than the payment amount, the point settlement unit 128 executes the point settlement using the points held in association with the card ID. Alternatively, the point settlement unit 128 executes the point settlement using the points lent in association with the card ID when the lending unit 126 lends the points to compensate for the shortage in step S160.

  Next, in step S200, the processing device 120 functions as the point settlement unit 128, notifies the store terminal device 200 of settlement completion information indicating the point balance, settlement completion, and the like, and ends the operation related to point settlement.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the determination unit 124 determines the upper limit value of points that can be lent to the grant target based on the point grant history. Further, the lending unit 126 lends points that are equal to or lower than the upper limit value when the balance of points given to the grant target is less than the settlement amount indicated by the settlement request from the grant target. Specifically, the determination unit 124 sets the upper limit value of lent points set in association with a point management identifier (for example, a card ID) to the point associated with the point management identifier for which an upper limit value is set. Determine based on the grant history. The lending unit 126 receives settlement information including a settlement amount and a point management identifier used for settlement. For example, the lending unit 126 that has received the payment information is associated with the point management identifier used for payment when the balance of the points given in association with the point management identifier used for payment is less than the payment amount. Lending points for settlement within the range up to the upper limit. As a result, the upper limit value can be set appropriately, and the credit loss of the lent points can be reduced. Therefore, for example, the owner of the point card PCD can purchase a product by point payment without changing to another payment method even when the point balance is less than the price of the product.

  In the point lending server 100, since the determination unit 124 determines the upper limit value that can be lent based on the point grant history associated with the point management identifier for which the upper limit value is set, the credit loss of the lent points is reduced. it can. For example, when the upper limit value is determined based on the point grant history, the value is larger than the points actually given within a predetermined period in the future compared to the case where the upper limit value is uniformly set in the point service system or the like. It is possible to reduce the setting of the upper limit value. As a result, the credit loss of points lent within a range up to the upper limit value can be reduced. Further, in the point lending server 100, since the determination unit 124 determines the upper limit value based on the point grant history associated with the point management identifier, the upper limit is determined by investigating the occupation, income, debt, etc. of the point lending subject. The upper limit value can be easily set as compared with the case of determining the value.

  Moreover, in 1st Embodiment, the determination part 124 estimates based on a point grant log | history as a point given to the provision object within the predetermined period in the future, and determines an upper limit based on a plan point. Specifically, the determination unit 124 estimates a point given within a predetermined period in the future in association with the point management identifier for which an upper limit value is set as a scheduled point based on the point grant history, The upper limit value is determined based on this.

  For example, in the first method for determining the upper limit value, the determination unit 124 identifies points that are regularly given to the grant target from the point grant history as the regular points, and estimates the scheduled points based on the regular points. Specifically, the determination unit 124 identifies, from the point grant history, a point that is periodically given in association with the point management identifier that is the target of setting the upper limit value as a regular point. And the determination part 124 estimates a scheduled point based on a regular point, and determines an upper limit based on the estimated scheduled point. In this case, since the scheduled point is estimated based on the points given periodically, it is possible to reduce the estimated scheduled point from becoming a value larger than the points actually given within a predetermined period in the future. As a result, the credit loss of the lent points can be reduced.

  Further, in the second method, the determination unit 124 estimates a scheduled point based on a history of a predetermined period in a past year corresponding to a future predetermined period among the history included in the point grant history. Specifically, the determination unit 124 includes a history of a predetermined period in a past year corresponding to a future predetermined period, out of the history included in the point grant history associated with the point management identifier for which the upper limit value is set. Based on the above, the scheduled point is estimated. Then, the determination unit 124 determines an upper limit value based on the estimated scheduled point. In this case, since the scheduled points are estimated based on the history of the specified period in the past year, the estimated results of the scheduled points are affected by the difference in the amount of points given due to the difference in time between the spring electricity bill and the winter electricity bill. Can be reduced. As a result, the upper limit value can be set appropriately, and the credit loss of the lent points can be reduced.

  Further, in the third method, the determination unit 124 estimates a scheduled point based on the history of the latest fixed period among the history included in the point grant history. Specifically, the determination unit 124 estimates a scheduled point based on the history of the latest fixed period among the history included in the point grant history associated with the point management identifier for which the upper limit value is set. . Then, the determination unit 124 determines an upper limit value based on the estimated scheduled point. In this case, since the scheduled point is estimated based on the history of the latest fixed period, the capacity for storing the point grant history can be reduced as compared with the second method described above.

  Further, in the fourth method, the determination unit 124 identifies points that are periodically given to the grant target from the point grant history as regular points, and points that are regularly given to the grant target within a predetermined period in the future. Is estimated based on the regular points as regular scheduled points. In addition, the determination unit 124 identifies the points given irregularly to the grant target from the point grant history as irregular points, and schedules the points given irregularly to the grant target within a predetermined period in the future. Estimate based on irregular points as points. Then, the determination unit 124 sets an upper limit value based on a value obtained by multiplying the regular scheduled point by a weighting factor and a value obtained by multiplying the irregular scheduled point by a weighting factor smaller than the weighting factor of the regular scheduled point. decide.

  Specifically, the determination unit 124 identifies, from the point grant history, a point that is periodically given in association with the point management identifier that is the target of setting the upper limit value as a regular point. Then, the determination unit 124 estimates points that are periodically given within a predetermined period in the future in association with the point management identifier for which the upper limit value is to be set, based on the regular points. In addition, the determination unit 124 identifies, from the point grant history, a point given irregularly in association with the point management identifier for which the upper limit value is set as an irregular point. Then, the determination unit 124 estimates a point given irregularly within a predetermined period in the future in association with the point management identifier for which the upper limit value is set as an irregular scheduled point based on the irregular point.

  Then, the determination unit 124 sets an upper limit value based on a value obtained by multiplying the regular scheduled point by a weighting factor and a value obtained by multiplying the irregular scheduled point by a weighting factor smaller than the weighting factor of the regular scheduled point. decide. In this case, since the upper limit value is set based on the weighted regular scheduled point and the weighted irregular scheduled point, it is possible to reduce that the upper limit value becomes too small as compared with the first method described above. In addition, since the weight smaller than the weight of a regular scheduled point is given to the irregular scheduled point, it can reduce that the upper limit of a value larger than the point actually given within a predetermined period in the future is set. As a result, the credit loss of the lent points can be reduced.

  Further, in the fifth method, the determination unit 124 identifies points periodically given to the grant target from the point grant history as regular points, and points regularly given to the grant target within a predetermined period in the future. Is estimated based on the regular points as regular scheduled points. Further, the determination unit 124 includes fixed points that are points estimated based on points whose fluctuations of points periodically given to the grant target are less than a predetermined amount, and points other than the fixed points. Divide into a certain variation point. In addition, the determination unit 124 identifies the points given irregularly to the grant target from the point grant history as irregular points, and schedules the points given irregularly to the grant target within a predetermined period in the future. Estimate based on irregular points as points. The determination unit 124 then multiplies the fixed point by the first weighting factor, the variable point by the second weighting factor smaller than the first weighting factor, and the irregular scheduled point by the second. The upper limit value is determined based on a value obtained by multiplying a third weighting factor smaller than the weighting factor.

  Specifically, the determination unit 124 identifies, from the point grant history, a point that is periodically given in association with the point management identifier that is the target of setting the upper limit value as a regular point. Then, the determination unit 124 estimates points that are periodically given within a predetermined period in the future in association with the point management identifier for which the upper limit value is to be set, based on the regular points. Further, the determination unit 124 estimates the regularly scheduled points based on points whose fluctuations of points periodically given in association with the point management identifiers for which the upper limit value is set are less than a predetermined amount. It is divided into a fixed point and a variable point that is a non-fixed point. In addition, the determination unit 124 identifies, from the point grant history, a point given irregularly in association with the point management identifier for which the upper limit value is set as an irregular point. Then, the determination unit 124 estimates a point given irregularly within a predetermined future period in association with the point management identifier to be set as an irregular scheduled point based on the irregular point.

  The determination unit 124 then multiplies the fixed point by the first weighting factor, the variable point by the second weighting factor smaller than the first weighting factor, and the irregular scheduled point by the second. The upper limit value is determined based on a value obtained by multiplying a third weighting factor smaller than the weighting factor. That is, in the fifth method, the second weighting coefficient of the fluctuation point among the regularly scheduled points is made smaller than the first weighting coefficient of the fixed point among the regularly scheduled points. For this reason, in the fifth method, the upper limit determined using fixed points, fluctuating points, and irregular scheduled points is the difference in the amount of points given due to the difference in time between the spring electricity bill and the winter electricity bill, etc. The influence can be reduced. As a result, the upper limit value can be set appropriately, and the credit loss of the lent points can be reduced.

[2. Second Embodiment]
The main difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment described above is that the processing device 120 also functions as a collection unit 127 that collects unpaid portions of loan points.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a settlement system 10A including a point lending device (point lending server 100A) according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Elements that are the same as or similar to those described in FIGS. 1 to 4 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. The payment system 10A is the same as or similar to the payment system 10 shown in FIG. 1 except that it has a point lending server 100A instead of the point lending server 100 shown in FIG. For example, the settlement system 10A includes a point lending server 100A, a network NW, and a store terminal device 200 that accepts settlement using points. The number of store terminal devices 200 is not limited to one. The point lending server 100A is an example of a point lending device.

  The point lending server 100A has the same or similar configuration as the point lending server 100 shown in FIG. For example, the point lending server 100A is realized by a computer system that includes the processing device 120, the storage device 140, the communication device 160, and the timing device 180. The storage device 140 shown in FIG. 5 is the same as the storage device 140 shown in FIG. 1 except that the control program PR1A is stored instead of the control program PR1 shown in FIG. Each element of the point lending server 100A is connected to each other by a single or a plurality of buses. Further, each element of the point lending server 100A may be composed of one or a plurality of devices, and some elements of the point lending server 100A may be omitted.

  The processing device 120 shown in FIG. 5 is the same as or similar to the processing device 120 shown in FIG. 1 except that the control program PR1A is executed instead of the control program PR1 shown in FIG. The management unit 122, the determination unit 124, the lending unit 126, the collection unit 127, and the point settlement unit 128 illustrated in the processing device 120 in FIG. 5 are examples of functional blocks that execute point lending. Note that the point settlement unit 128 may be omitted from the functional block that executes point lending. For example, the function of the point settlement unit 128 may be realized by a settlement device other than the point lending server 100A.

  The processing device 120 functions as, for example, the management unit 122, the determination unit 124, the lending unit 126, the collection unit 127, and the point settlement unit 128 by reading and executing the control program PR1A from the storage device 140. The management unit 122, the determination unit 124, the lending unit 126, and the point settlement unit 128 are the same as the management unit 122, the determination unit 124, the lending unit 126, and the point settlement unit 128 illustrated in FIG. The collection unit 127 collects at least a part of the points for which repayment has not been completed from the generated points when points to be given to the grant target for which repayment of the lent points has not been completed have occurred.

  For example, in the point management table TBL shown in FIG. 2, on April 4, 2018 after the March 26, 2018 when points were lent in association with the card ID “Q12345” Points to be granted. In this case, the collection unit 127 uses a point “44” generated on April 4, 2018 as a part of the unpaid portion “290” of the point “290” lent by April 4, 2018. Recover from. Further, for example, since the continuous thanks point “500” has been granted on April 5, 2018, the collection unit 127 has received the unpaid portion “246” of the point “290” lent by April 4, 2018. Are collected from the generated point “500”. As a result, the repayment of the points lent in association with the card ID “Q12345” is completed.

  That is, when a point to be given in association with the card ID “Q12345” of the point card PCD to be granted for which the repayment of the lent point has not been completed, the generated point is associated with the card ID “Q12345”. Priority is used to repay points lent. For this reason, the credit loss of the points lent in association with the card ID “Q12345” can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, also in 2nd Embodiment, the effect similar to 1st Embodiment can be acquired. In the second embodiment, when a point to be given to a grant target for which repayment of the lent point has not been completed occurs, the collection unit 127 determines at least one of the points for which repayment has not been completed from the generated point. Collect parts. In other words, in the second embodiment, every time a point to be given in association with a point management identifier to be granted for which repayment of the lent point is not completed, the generated point may be used for repayment of the lent point. Since it is possible, the credit loss of the lent point can be reduced.

[3. Modified example]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments exemplified above. Specific modifications are exemplified below. Two or more aspects arbitrarily selected from the following examples may be merged.

[First modification]
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, an example in which the upper limit value is regularly updated has been described, but the upper limit value may be updated irregularly. For example, the determination unit 124 may determine the upper limit every time the lending unit 126 determines that the point balance is less than the settlement amount. That is, in the determination in step S120 of the sequence chart shown in FIG. 4, the determination unit 124 determines the upper limit value before the determination in step S140 is executed when it is determined that the point balance is less than the settlement amount. May be. Also in this case, the determination unit 124 may determine the upper limit value by any one of the methods of Example 1, Example 2, Example 3, Example 4, and Example 5 described with reference to FIG.

[Second modification]
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, an example in which the predetermined future period is one month of the month following the update date of the upper limit value is shown. However, the future predetermined period is the update date of the upper limit value. It is not limited to one month of the next month. For example, the future predetermined period may be two months from the month following the upper limit update date, or may be one week of the week following the upper limit update date. Alternatively, the predetermined period in the future may be one month from the update date of the upper limit value or the day following the update date, or one week from the update date of the upper limit value or the day after the update date.

[Third Modification]
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the owner of the point card PCD is described as an example of the point grant object, but the point grant target is not limited to the owner of the point card PCD. For example, when an application having the same role as the point card PCD is downloaded and used in a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, the user of the application is also an example of a point grant target. In this case, the ID for identifying the user of the application is an example of a point management identifier. When points are managed using a point account, the owner of the point account is an example of a point grant target, and identification information such as an account number for identifying the point account is an example of a point management identifier. . In addition, for example, when a plurality of point cards PCD are assigned to one point account, the owner of the point account is an example of a point grant target, and identification information such as an account number for identifying the point account is point management It is an example of an identifier.

[Fourth modification]
The point lending servers 100 and 100A in the first and second embodiments described above have an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse that accepts external input, and a display device such as a display that displays information such as images. May be. In addition, the input device and the display device may have an integrated configuration (for example, a touch panel).

[Fifth Modification]
In FIG. 3 described above, an example is shown in which the points given for using the super ABC are not included in the regular points, but the points given for using the super ABC may be included in the regular points. . For example, the determination unit 124 refers to a plurality of unit periods when a period having the same length or approximately the same length as a predetermined period in the future is set as a unit period, and generates an event that occurs every time in the plurality of referred unit periods. You may identify the point provided with respect to it as a regular point.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the generation interval of the points given for the use of the super ABC is about 2 weeks or about 3 weeks, and is not a fixed interval. However, points awarded for using Super ABC are generated every month. In this case, the determination unit 124 may include the points given for using the super ABC in the regular points. In Example 5 described with reference to FIG. 3, since the amount of change in points given to the use of super ABC in a plurality of months is 10 or more, it is based on the points given to the use of super ABC. The estimated points are included in the fluctuation points among the regularly scheduled points.

[Sixth Modification]
In FIG. 4 described above, when the sum of the shortage and the unpaid portion exceeds the upper limit value, the point is not loaned. However, the lending unit 126 determines that the sum of the shortage portion and the unpaid portion has the upper limit value. Even in the case of exceeding, the points may be lent in a range in which the total with the unpaid points does not exceed the upper limit value. In this case, for example, the owner of the point card PCD can pay the shortage with the points lent out with cash, and can purchase goods even when the cash balance is small. That is, it is possible to suppress a decrease in convenience.

[Seventh Modification]
The determination unit 124 in the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above may change the point lending condition according to the amount or period of the point grant history stored in the point management table TBL. The lending condition means a condition for lending points to a point grant target (for example, the owner of the point card PCD), and corresponds to a predetermined period in the future and a weighting factor, for example. For example, the determination unit 124 changes the value of the weighting factor to be multiplied by the scheduled point (point given in a predetermined future period) according to the amount of history included in the point granting history, and multiplies the scheduled point by the weighting factor. The upper limit value may be determined based on the obtained value. Specifically, the determination unit 124 increases the amount of point grant history referred to when estimating the points given in a future predetermined period (or the longer the point grant history period), the more predetermined the future You may enlarge the value of the weighting coefficient multiplied by the point estimated to be provided in a period.

[Eighth Modification]
The determination unit 124 in the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above may change the point lending condition depending on the reason for the point. The reason for granting means the content of the event to which points are granted. For example, if there are events that occur almost certainly in the future, such as regular payments by credit card, payment of electricity bills, etc., the loan conditions will be relaxed (for example, set a predetermined period in the future longer than usual) Also good. Specifically, the determination unit 124 searches the point grant history for the reason for granting the points given to the grant target, and periodically detects the grant of points for events that occur periodically based on the grant reason. The predetermined period in the future may be lengthened as compared with the case where no point is added to the event that occurs.

[4. Other]
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the storage device 140 is a recording medium that can be read by the processing device 120. The ROM and RAM are exemplified, but a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (for example, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk) Disk, Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk, smart card, flash memory device (eg, card, stick, key drive), CD-ROM (Compact Disc-ROM), register, removable disk, hard disk, floppy (registered trademark) A) a disk, magnetic strip, database, server or other suitable storage medium. In addition, the program may be transmitted from a network via a telecommunication line. In addition, the program may be transmitted from a communication network via an electric communication line.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G, 5G, FRA (Future Radio Access), W-CDMA (registered trademark) , GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, UWB (Ultra-WideBand), Bluetooth (registered trademark) ), A system using other appropriate systems, and / or a next-generation system extended based on these systems.

(3) In the embodiments described above, the information and signals described may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, commands, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description are voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or photons, or any of these May be represented by a combination of
Note that the terms described in this specification and / or terms necessary for understanding this specification may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meaning.

(4) In the embodiment described above, input / output information or the like may be stored in a specific location (for example, a memory) or may be managed by a management table. Input / output information and the like can be overwritten, updated, or additionally written. The output information or the like may be deleted. The input information or the like may be transmitted to another device.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, the determination may be performed by a value (0 or 1) represented by 1 bit, or may be performed by a true / false value (Boolean: true or false). The comparison may be performed by numerical comparison (for example, comparison with a predetermined value).

(6) The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, and the like exemplified in the above-described embodiment may be switched in order as long as there is no contradiction. For example, the methods described herein present the elements of the various steps in an exemplary order and are not limited to the specific order presented.

(7) The functions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5 are realized by any combination of hardware and software. Each function may be realized by a single device, or may be realized by two or more devices configured separately from each other.

(8) The program exemplified in the above-described embodiment, regardless of whether it is called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or another name, is an instruction, instruction set, code, code segment, It should be interpreted broadly to mean program code, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures or functions, etc.
Also, software, instructions, etc. may be transmitted / received via a transmission medium. For example, software may use websites, servers, or other devices using wired technology such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair and digital subscriber line (DSL) and / or wireless technology such as infrared, wireless and microwave. When transmitted from a remote source, these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

(9) In the above-described embodiments, the terms “system” and “network” are used interchangeably.

(10) In the embodiments described above, the term “connected”, or any variation thereof, means any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements and It can include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two “connected” elements. The connection between the elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. As used herein, the two elements are radio frequency by using one or more wires, cables and / or printed electrical connections, and as some non-limiting and non-inclusive examples By using electromagnetic energy, such as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the region, the microwave region and the light (both visible and invisible) region can be considered “connected” to each other.

(11) In the above-described embodiments, the description “based on” does not mean “based only on”, unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase “based on” means both “based only on” and “based at least on.”

(12) As long as “including”, “comprising”, and variations thereof in the above-described embodiments are used in the present specification or claims, these terms Similar to “comprising” is intended to be comprehensive. Further, the term “or” as used herein or in the claims is not intended to be an exclusive OR.

(13) Throughout this application, if articles are added by translation, for example, a, an and the in English, these articles are clearly not otherwise indicated by context, Includes multiple.

(14) It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present invention can be implemented as modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined based on the description of the scope of claims. Accordingly, the description of the present specification is for illustrative purposes and does not have any limiting meaning to the present invention. Moreover, you may combine the some aspect selected from the aspect illustrated in this specification.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10A ... Payment system, 100, 100A ... Point lending server, 120 ... Processing device, 122 ... Management part, 124 ... Determination part, 126 ... Lending part, 127 ... Collection part, 128 ... Point settlement part, 140 ... Storage device , 160 ... communication device, 180 ... timing device, 200 ... store terminal device.

Claims (10)

A management unit for managing a point grant history which is a history of points given to a point grant target;
A determination unit that determines an upper limit value of points that can be lent to the grant target based on the point grant history;
When the balance of the points granted to the grant target is less than the settlement amount indicated by the settlement request from the grant target, a lending unit that lends points below the upper limit value;
A point lending device comprising: The determination unit estimates a point given to the grant target within a predetermined period in the future as a scheduled point based on the point grant history, and determines the upper limit value based on the scheduled point.
The point lending apparatus according to claim 1. The determination unit identifies a point periodically given to the grant target from the point grant history as a regular point, and estimates the scheduled point based on the regular point.
The point lending apparatus according to claim 2. The determination unit estimates the scheduled point based on a history of a predetermined period in a past year corresponding to the future predetermined period among the history included in the point grant history.
The point lending apparatus according to claim 2. The determination unit estimates the scheduled point based on a history of the latest fixed period among the history included in the point grant history,
The point lending apparatus according to claim 2. The determination unit
Points given periodically to the grant target are identified from the point grant history as regular points, and points regularly given to the grant target within the predetermined period in the future are regularly scheduled points. Estimate based on points,
The point given irregularly to the grant target is specified as the irregular point from the point grant history, and the point given irregularly to the grant target within the predetermined period in the future is set as the irregular scheduled point. Estimate based on irregular points,
The upper limit value is determined based on a value obtained by multiplying the periodic scheduled point by a weighting factor and a value obtained by multiplying the irregular scheduled point by a weighting factor smaller than the weighting factor of the periodic scheduled point.
The point lending apparatus according to claim 2. The determination unit
Points given periodically to the grant target are identified from the point grant history as regular points, and points regularly given to the grant target within the predetermined period in the future are regularly scheduled points. Estimate based on points,
A fixed point that is a point obtained by estimating the regularly scheduled point based on a point whose fluctuation regularly given to the grant target is less than a predetermined amount; and a variable point that is a point other than the fixed point; Divided into
The point given irregularly to the grant target is specified as the irregular point from the point grant history, and the point given irregularly to the grant target within the predetermined period in the future is set as the irregular scheduled point. Estimate based on irregular points,
A value obtained by multiplying the fixed point by a first weighting factor, a value obtained by multiplying the variation point by a second weighting factor smaller than the first weighting factor, and the second weighting on the irregular scheduled point. Determining the upper limit based on a value multiplied by a third weighting factor smaller than the factor,
The point lending apparatus according to claim 2. When a point to be granted to the grant target for which repayment of the lent point has not been completed occurs, a recovery unit is provided that collects at least a part of the point for which repayment has not been completed from the generated point.
The point lending device according to claim 1, wherein the point lending device is any one of claims 1 to 7. The determination unit changes the lending condition of points according to the amount of history included in the point grant history,
The point lending device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that The determination unit changes the lending condition of points depending on the reason for granting the points granted to the grant target.
The point lending device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that

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