JP3761083B2 - Point management device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique for managing points in a point system having an exchange value for goods as well as cash. In particular, it relates to a technique for managing prepaid points.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When purchasing goods or providing services at actual stores or electronic stores, cash, prepaid cards, credit cards, etc. are used for settlement. A prepaid card or a credit card has a function that can be exchanged for a product like cash, and the product can be purchased without having cash, so that it is excellent in convenience. Credit cards generally require registration of personal information for use, but prepaid cards do not require registration of personal information. Therefore, the prepaid card can be used more easily. Furthermore, the convenience is further improved by making the prepaid card usable not only at a specific store but also at a plurality of stores. This is because if a single prepaid card can be used in a plurality of stores, the number of cards owned by the user is reduced, and the card management by the user is simplified. As a result, if the user has one prepaid card in a plurality of stores where the prepaid card can be used, the user does not need cash in purchasing the product.
[0003]
Conventionally, such a prepaid system that can be used in a plurality of stores is configured as follows, for example. In order to use the prepaid system, the money paid in advance by the user by purchasing a prepaid card or the like is stored in a predetermined common account. After that, if the user purchases a product at a store affiliated with this prepaid system or receives a service, and wishes to pay the price with a prepaid card, the billing management computer pays the price to a predetermined common Subtract from the account. The price is transferred to the account of the store that sold the product. The above prior art is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-83237.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Under such circumstances, the present inventor has come to recognize the following problems. In the case of a prepaid card that can be used only at a specific store, when the user purchases the prepaid card, the specific store can receive the price in advance even though the product is not purchased. On the other hand, in the case of a prepaid card that can be used at a plurality of stores, when the user purchases the prepaid card, the price is accumulated in a common account. After a user purchases a product, the corresponding store can receive the price for the first time. For this reason, the store cannot receive in advance the money paid by the user by purchasing the prepaid card, and there is a problem that this money cannot be diverted.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for managing prepaid points that can be used in a plurality of stores. In particular, in a prepaid system that can be used in a plurality of stores, before a user purchases a product, a predetermined store receives a price for a prepaid card, and provides a technique for managing prepaid points that can be used for it. .
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a point management apparatus. This device includes a common point accumulation unit that accumulates prepaid points that can be commonly used in a plurality of stores, an individual point accumulation unit that accumulates prepaid points that can be used in a predetermined store, a common point accumulation unit, and an individual point accumulation. And a control unit that controls movement of the prepaid point between the units.
[0007]
A “store” is a business operator who buys and sells goods or provides services. This includes not only actual stores but also electronic stores installed on the Internet.
“Predetermined store” refers to one selected store, but includes not only that but also a case where a plurality of stores can be handled as one store, such as a chain store.
A “prepaid point” is a point corresponding to a prepaid fee and having a value that can be exchanged for a product in the same way as money. Management of these points is performed as a card or electronic information.
According to this apparatus, a prepaid point that can be used at a predetermined store and a prepaid point that can be commonly used at a plurality of stores including the predetermined store are separately managed, and the former is handled in the same manner as a prepaid point unique to a predetermined store. The store can divert the price corresponding to the prepaid point in advance.
[0008]
The control unit may permit the movement of the prepaid point from the common point accumulation unit to the individual point accumulation unit. Further, when the prepaid point is moved, a predetermined reward point may be added to the prepaid point. Further, when the prepaid point is moved prior to the purchase of a product using the point at a predetermined store, the reward point may be increased as the time margin increases. In addition, the amount corresponding to the prepaid point accumulated in the common point accumulation unit is prepared in the deposit account, and the amount corresponding to the prepaid point accumulated in the individual point accumulation unit is prepared in the store account, and the common point accumulation unit and individual point accumulation are prepared. When the prepaid point is moved between the departments, the amount corresponding thereto may be controlled to move between the deposit account and the store account. In addition, when using the prepaid points, when the number of prepaid points stored in the individual point storage unit is insufficient, the shortage may be compensated by the prepaid points stored in the common point storage unit.
[0009]
It may further include an operation unit that receives an instruction regarding movement of the prepaid point from the user and outputs the instruction to the control unit. It may further include a log collection unit that records the movement of the prepaid points between the common point accumulation unit and the individual point accumulation unit. It may further include a prepaid collation unit that appropriately collates the prepaid points accumulated in the common point accumulation unit and the amount prepared in the deposit account and confirms the match.
[0010]
The “reward points” are points that are added without the user paying an amount equivalent to points. Different settings may be used for each store.
According to this apparatus, when moving from a prepaid point that can be used in common to a plurality of stores to a prepaid point that can be used in a predetermined store, at the same time, the amount corresponding to the prepaid point is transferred to an account owned by the predetermined store. The price corresponding to the prepaid point can be used in advance. In addition, movement is promoted because reward points are added during movement.
Note that any combination or recombination of the above-described components, or a representation of the present invention as a method, a computer program, or the like is also effective as an aspect of the present invention.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a common settlement system 100 according to the first embodiment. The common payment system 100 includes a common payment center 110, a member store A30, a store A account 32, a member store B40, a store B account 42, and a user 50. The common settlement center 110 includes a common point storage unit 10, a store A individual point storage unit 12, a store B individual point storage unit 14, a control unit 16, an operation unit 18, a log collection unit 20, a verification unit 22, and a deposit account 24. Have
[0012]
The common settlement center 110 is a device that manages prepaid points that can be used at all stores that are affiliated with the prepaid point service and prepaid points that can be used individually at those stores. This does not have to be a single device, and devices that exist individually may be connected via a network or the like.
The member store A30 and the member store B40 are stores that are members of the prepaid point service. These include not only actual stores but also electronic stores on the Internet.
The store A account 32 and the store B account 42 are accounts owned by the member store A30 and the member store B40. These include financial institutions other than banks.
[0013]
The common point accumulation unit 10 is a storage device that accumulates prepaid points that can be used at a plurality of stores. The accumulation may be performed for each user 50. Prepaid points have a function that can be exchanged for goods and services in the same way as money. Therefore, as an example, 1 point is converted as 1 yen. For example, since the prepaid point can be realized as electronic information, the common point storage unit 10 is configured by a hard disk or the like.
[0014]
The deposit account 24 is an account corresponding to the common point accumulation unit 10. The deposit account 24 may be a single account or may be a separate account for each user 50. In the deposit account 24, an amount corresponding to the prepaid points accumulated in the common point accumulation unit 10 is accumulated. For example, in the case of 1 yen per point, if 10,000 points are accumulated in the common point accumulation unit 10, the amount accumulated in the deposit account 24 is 10,000 yen.
[0015]
The store A individual point storage unit 12 and the store B individual point storage unit 14 are storage devices that store prepaid points that can be used in the member store A30 and the member store B40. The accumulation may be performed for each user 50. The prepaid points accumulated in the common point accumulating unit 10 can be used in both the member store A30 and the member store B40, whereas they are accumulated in the store A individual point accumulating unit 12 and the store B individual point accumulating unit 14. The prepaid point can be used only at the member store A30 and the member store B40, respectively.
[0016]
The control unit 16 controls processing such as movement of prepaid points among the common point storage unit 10, the store A individual point storage unit 12, the store B individual point storage unit 14, the member store A30, and the member store B40. It is not necessary for one control unit 16 to perform all processing. For example, the function of controlling the store A individual point storage unit 12 and the store B individual point storage unit 14 may be outside the common settlement center 110. As a result, a prepaid point system that can be used in common by a plurality of stores can be used in combination with a prepaid point system for each store that has conventionally existed.
[0017]
The operation unit 18 is an operation unit that instructs the user 50 to move a prepaid point from the common point storage unit 10 to the store A individual point storage unit 12 or the store B individual point storage unit 14. This does not have to be a dedicated terminal. For example, a personal computer connected to the control unit 16, the common point storage unit 10, the store A individual point storage unit 12, the store B individual point storage unit 14 and the like by a network or the like (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) Or “PC”). The PC is assumed to have a user interface that can accept user instructions.
[0018]
The log collection unit 20 is a device that appropriately records movements of prepaid points in the common point accumulation unit 10, the store A individual point accumulation unit 12, and the store B individual point accumulation unit 14, that is, increase / decrease in prepaid points. When the prepaid point is electronic information, this is constituted by a hard disk or the like. Moreover, you may be comprised as some apparatuses, such as the common point storage part 10, the store A individual point storage part 12, and the shop B individual point storage part 14. FIG. The recording timing of the log collection unit 20 may be when a prepaid point increases or decreases, or may be at regular time intervals.
[0019]
The collation unit 22 is an apparatus that appropriately records the amount corresponding to the prepaid point accumulated in the common point accumulation unit 10 and the amount prepared in the deposit account 24 and collates them. This is configured similarly to the log collection unit 20. In general, since the deposit account 24 is installed in a financial institution such as a bank, information related to the amount is input from the financial institution to the verification unit 22 via a network or the like.
[0020]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for moving prepaid points from the common point storage unit 10 to the store A individual point storage unit 12 and the store B individual point storage unit 14. As a premise, each prepaid point member store individually contracts with the common settlement center 110. The common settlement center 110 issues, for example, a prepaid point card common to member stores. Generally, this card only stores the point ID and the date of manufacture, and does not store personal information. Even if there is no card, for example, the same function can be realized by storing the card information in a device existing on the network and accessing it using information such as a password.
[0021]
The user 50 using the prepaid card deposits money into the deposit account 24 corresponding to the point ID through an input cooperating organization such as a convenience store or a financial institution (S10). When confirming the deposit of the deposit account 24, the control unit 16 in the common settlement center 110 issues a corresponding prepaid point and adds it to the common point storage unit 10 corresponding to the point ID (S12). For example, if 10000 yen is deposited in the deposit account 24, 10000 points are added to the common point accumulation unit 10. This prepaid point is a common prepaid point that can be used in common at a plurality of member stores, but the user 50 can change a part or all of them to individual prepaid points that can be used only at a specific store. (S14). By changing, the specific store has an advantage of obtaining the same incentive as the prepaid point issued independently by the store by receiving the amount corresponding to these points in advance. On the other hand, the user 50 who has decided to change has an advantage of receiving reward points unique to the store from a specific store, for example. For example, it is assumed that the change from an individual prepaid point to a common prepaid point is not possible.
[0022]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display screen for changing prepaid points from the common point storage unit 10 to the store A individual point storage unit 12 and the store B individual point storage unit 14. This screen is displayed on, for example, a terminal installed in a convenience store or a PC connected to a network, and is composed of a current point display unit 60 and a movement point display unit 62. The current point display section 60 displays the current prepaid point. Here, 10,000 common prepaid points and 2,000 and 3000 individual points for stores A and B are accumulated, respectively. The user 50 can change the prepaid point from the common prepaid point to the individual prepaid point by inputting a predetermined value in the movement point display unit 62. Here, the user 50 designates changing 1000 points to the individual points of the individual points for the stores A and B, respectively. When this is determined, the user 50 presses the movement button 64. Information such as a point ID, a specific store name, and the number of moving points is transmitted to the control unit 16, and the control unit 16 recognizes the change of the prepaid point (Y in S14).
[0023]
Thereafter, the control unit 16 subtracts the prepaid point from the common point accumulation unit 10 corresponding to the point ID (S16), and adds it to the store A individual point accumulation unit 12 and the store B individual point accumulation unit 14 (S18). Further, the control unit 16 instructs to transfer the amount corresponding to the moving point from the deposit account 24 to the store A account 32 and the store B account 42 (S20). Since the member store A30 and the member store B40 receive the amount corresponding to the individual prepaid points in advance, it is possible to divert them. The control unit 16 adds the reward points set for each member store A30 and member store B40 to the individual prepaid points stored in the store A individual point storage unit 12 and the store B individual point storage unit 14 (S22). On the other hand, when the user 50 has not designated the change from the common prepaid point to the individual prepaid point, the control unit 16 does not perform these processes (N in S14). The above processing may be performed at any timing.
[0024]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a procedure for using prepaid points. The user 50 determines to purchase a product using the prepaid point at the member store A30 (S30). The user 50 presents a prepaid point card to the member store A30, and the member store A30 confirms the point ID and the number of balance points using a dedicated card reader or the like. Even if there is no card, for example, the same function is realized when the user 50 uses a password or the like to access a device existing on the network in which information about the prepaid point is stored. Is possible. After acquiring these pieces of information, the control unit 16 compares the number of prepaid points to be used with the number of individual prepaid points stored in the store A individual point storage unit 12 (S32).
[0025]
When the number of individual prepaid points is larger than the number of used prepaid points (N in S32), the control unit 16 subtracts the number of points to be used from the store A individual point storage unit 12 corresponding to the point ID (S34). On the other hand, when the number of individual prepaid points is smaller than the number of used prepaid points (Y in S32), the control unit 16 uses all the points accumulated in the store A individual point accumulation unit 12 corresponding to the point ID (S36), Calculate the number of points missing. Further, the control unit 16 subtracts the insufficient number of points from the common point accumulation unit 10 corresponding to the point ID (S38). The control unit 16 instructs to transfer an amount corresponding to the number of points from the deposit account 24 to the store A account 32 (S40).
[0026]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a log file recorded in the log collection unit 20. When the log collection unit 20 is configured by a hard disk or the like, this log file is, for example, a text file or an electronic file having another format. Generally, this file is created for each prepaid point ID. As shown in FIG. 5, the log file includes the common prepaid point balance accumulated in the common point accumulation unit 10 with respect to time, the store A individual point accumulation unit 12 and the store B individual point accumulation unit 14 for each store. Individual prepaid point balance is recorded. These recordings may be performed by the control unit 16. In FIG. 5, reward points are considered.
[0027]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the management file recorded in the collation unit 22. When the collation unit 22 is configured by a hard disk or the like, this log file is, for example, a text file or an electronic file having another format. Generally, this file is created for each prepaid point ID. As shown in FIG. 6, in the management file, the common prepaid point balance accumulated in the common point accumulation unit 10 with respect to time and the remaining balance accumulated in the deposit account 24 are recorded in the same manner as the log collection unit 20. Furthermore, when these comparisons are made and they match, the determination result is recorded as OK. In addition, you may determine with OK, when there are more balances than a point balance. These recordings may be performed by the control unit 16.
[0028]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, after securing the convenience of the user with the common prepaid points that can be used in a plurality of stores, the individual prepaid points that can be used only in a predetermined store are set, and the user When a pre-paid point is changed from a common pre-paid point to an individual pre-paid point, the predetermined store can receive the amount corresponding to the point, so that the predetermined store can use those money in advance. It is.
[0029]
(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a common settlement system 100 according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the user 50 uses prepaid points at an electronic store from a PC via the Internet.
The user 50 accesses the common settlement center 110 using a WWW browser on a PC (not shown). The user 50 performs various processes related to prepaid points from the operation unit 18 in the common settlement center 110. At that time, in order to prevent the common settlement center 110 from being accessed by an invalid user, the common settlement center 110 requests the user 50 to input predetermined information. FIG. 7 shows the request screen. Here, input of a point ID and a password is requested. Generally, it is not necessary to disclose personal information for such information.
[0030]
The control unit 16 determines whether or not the user 50 is valid based on these pieces of information, and if valid, the prepaid point is transferred from the common point accumulation unit 10 to the store A individual point accumulation unit 12 or the store B individual point. It is possible to move the storage unit 14 and use prepaid points at the member store A30 and the store A account 32. When prepaid points are moved, a screen similar to that shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the WWW browser. When the user 50 inputs predetermined information on this screen and decides to move, the information is transmitted to the control unit 16 in the common settlement center 110 via the Internet. The control unit 16 performs the same process as in the first embodiment. The same applies to the use of prepaid points.
[0031]
Thus, according to the present embodiment, the common settlement system can be used not only at an actual store but also at an electronic store on the Internet. Furthermore, by sharing the prepaid point accumulation unit in the actual store and the electronic store, one prepaid point can be used in common, and convenience is improved. Further, since a predetermined store can receive in advance an amount corresponding to an individual prepaid point, it is possible to use those moneys.
[0032]
(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a common settlement system 100 according to the third embodiment. The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the method of adding reward points when the common prepaid points are changed to individual prepaid points. In Embodiment 1, a predetermined reward point is added when a prepaid point is changed. On the other hand, FIG. 8 shows reward points to be added in the third embodiment. When the prepaid points are changed to individual prepaid points in advance before using the prepaid points, the reward points increase in proportion to the time after the change and become constant after the predetermined time. Here, 10 days is set as an example of the predetermined time. These calculations are performed by the control unit 16 in the common settlement center 110 and added to the individual prepaid points stored in the store A individual point storage unit 12 and the store B individual point storage unit 14.
[0033]
When the user 50 uses an individual prepaid point at time a in FIG. 8, the reward point is not the maximum value that can be added, but when it is used at time b, the reward point is the maximum value that can be added. The user 50 changes the common prepaid point to the individual prepaid point as soon as possible because the reward point increases as the time from the change to the individual prepaid point to the use increases. On the other hand, since the member store A30 and the member store B40 can receive the amount corresponding to the individual prepaid points earlier, the opportunity to operate them increases.
[0034]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the reward point when the common prepaid point is changed to the individual prepaid point prior to the use of the prepaid point is increased as the time from the change to the use becomes longer. Thus, it is possible to prompt the user to make an early change.
[0035]
(Embodiment 4)
Embodiment 4 describes a technique in which the user 50 uses a prepaid point in the above-described embodiment and makes a settlement thereof.
FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of the payment system 2100 according to the embodiment. The payment system 2100 includes a user terminal 210, a member store terminal 212, and a common server 214.
The user terminal 210 is a terminal operated by the user 50. The user terminal 210 has a function capable of accessing the common server 214 via the network. For example, a mobile phone terminal or a PDA. Moreover, the user terminal 210 does not need to be owned by the user and may be installed in a store.
[0036]
The member store terminal 212 is a terminal used when a member store such as the member store A30 or the member store B40 performs authentication or settlement with respect to the user 50 who uses the prepaid point. The member store terminal 212 has a function of accessing the common server 214 via an interface for inputting predetermined information and a network. A general-purpose personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) may be used as long as it has these functions, and does not need to be a dedicated device.
[0037]
The common server 214 is located in the common settlement center 110, manages the ID of prepaid points owned by the user 50 and the number of balance points, and authenticates them in response to requests from the user terminal 210 and the member store terminal 212. It is a device that transmits information necessary for payment. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of the common server 214. The common server 214 includes a login authentication unit 230, a specific code input unit 232, an information output unit 234, an authentication information confirmation unit 236, a payment information confirmation unit 238, and a completion information output unit 240. This configuration can be realized in terms of hardware by a CPU, memory, or other LSI of any computer, and in terms of software, it can be realized by a program loaded in the memory, but here it is realized by their cooperation. Draw functional blocks. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof. Further, it is not necessary for one device to have these functions, and it may be configured by a plurality of devices.
[0038]
The login authentication unit 230 receives a login request from the user terminal 210 and performs authentication thereof. The specific code input unit 232 receives the specific code from the member store terminal 212. The information output unit 234 outputs predetermined information to the user terminal 210 or the member store terminal 212 according to the results of the login authentication unit 230 and the specific code input unit 232. The predetermined information will be described later. The authentication information confirmation unit 236 receives information on the completion of authentication from the member store terminal 212 and confirms this. After the confirmation by the authentication information confirmation unit 236, the payment information confirmation unit 238 receives information related to the payment from the member store terminal 212 and performs a predetermined process. The completion information output unit 240 outputs completion information to the member store terminal 212 when the payment is completed.
[0039]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a payment procedure when using prepaid points. It is assumed that the user already has a prepaid point user ID and the corresponding amount has been transferred to a predetermined account. A user purchases a product using a prepaid point at a store participating in the prepaid point service.
[0040]
The user accesses the login authentication unit 230 in the common server 214 using the WWW browser of the user terminal 210. At this time, the user ID, password, and ID of the member store scheduled to be used are input (S210). This is shown in FIG. When the user terminal 210 successfully logs in to the common server 214, the information output unit 234 in the common server 214 transmits the user ID, member store ID, specific code, specific code valid time, prepaid point balance, etc. from the database to the user terminal 210. (S212). FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a screen of the user terminal 210 that receives the above information and displays it. Here, the specific code is a code sequence having a certain length determined from the user ID, member store ID, time, and the like. Here, the specific code received by the user terminal 210 at this time is valid only within the member store scheduled to be used in terms of location and within the specific code valid time in terms of time. The user presents this information to the clerk of the member store (S214).
[0041]
If the member store ID is correct, the member store clerk inputs the specific code into the user interface at the member store terminal 212 and accesses the specific code input unit 232 in the common server 214 (S216). FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display screen of the member store terminal 212. Here, the specific code input unit 232 may request authentication information about the member store such as a password from the member store terminal 212. The information output unit 234 in the common server 214 transmits the user ID corresponding to the specific code, the member store ID, the specific code valid time, the prepaid point balance, and the like from the database to the member store terminal 212 (S218). FIG. 15 is a display screen on the member store terminal 212. The store clerk of the member store compares these pieces of information with the display contents of the user terminal 210, and if they match, the user is authenticated and handled in the same manner as presenting the prepaid card (S220). At that time, the clerk of the member store selects the Yes button 220 in FIG. 15 and transmits the information to the authentication information confirmation unit 236 in the common server 214 (S222).
[0042]
The member store terminal 212 transmits the user ID, member store ID, specific code, and number of payment points to the payment information confirmation unit 238 in the common server 214 (S224). The number of settlement points is the number of prepaid points that the user uses for purchasing products. Further, these pieces of information may be transmitted not to the common server 214 but to a separate settlement server. The settlement information confirmation unit 238 subtracts the number of settlement points from the number of prepaid points corresponding to the user ID to complete the settlement. The completion information output unit 240 in the common server 214 transmits settlement completion information to the member store terminal 212 (S226), and then the member store delivers the product to the user (S228).
[0043]
Thus, according to the present embodiment, when using prepaid points having exchange value for goods as well as cash, when there is no such card, and there is no dedicated device such as a barcode reader, By using a specific code that is randomly generated and has a valid time and a region, it is possible to authenticate while ensuring security even when using a general-purpose PC or the like.
[0044]
The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combinations of these components and processing processes, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. . Here are some examples.
[0045]
In the first embodiment, the user deposits a prepaid fee into a predetermined account before using the prepaid point. However, the payment need not be made by the user himself. For example, it may be automatically transferred from an account owned by the user. In short, it is only necessary that the fee be transferred to the account before using the prepaid point.
[0046]
In the first embodiment, prepaid points are used for purchasing merchandise at an actual store or an electronic store. However, the use of prepaid points is not limited to the purchase of products, and may be used when receiving provision of services. For example, prepaid points may be used for provider use when accessing the Internet. In short, it may be used for payment of a predetermined price.
[0047]
In the first embodiment, when using prepaid points, individual prepaid points are used first, and common prepaid points are used for shortages. However, the method of using prepaid points is not limited to this. For example, both prepaid points may be used at a certain rate. In short, it is only necessary to pay for the use of prepaid points.
[0048]
In the third embodiment, the reward points increase at a constant rate according to time. However, the rate of increase of reward points with respect to time is not limited to this. For example, it may be increased like a quadratic function or a step function according to time. In short, it is only necessary for a user who takes a long time from changing the prepaid point type to using it to receive more reward points. Further, a predetermined limit value may be set for the reward points.
[0049]
In the fourth embodiment, the authentication technique when using prepaid points has been described. However, this is not limited to using prepaid points. For example, it is also possible when accumulating prepaid points. In short, it is only necessary to authenticate a user who does not own a point card.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to manage prepaid points that can be used in a plurality of stores. In particular, in a prepaid system that can be used in a plurality of stores, before a user purchases a product, it is possible for a predetermined store to receive a price for a prepaid card and manage prepaid points that can be used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a prepaid point management apparatus according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a procedure for moving prepaid points by the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display screen for movement of prepaid points by the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a procedure for using prepaid points by the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a log file in a log collection unit by the apparatus of FIG. 1;
6 is a diagram showing a management file in a collation unit by the apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 7 shows a user authentication display screen according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a time change of reward points according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a settlement apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.
10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a common server in the apparatus of FIG.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a procedure for settlement by the apparatus of FIG. 9;
12 is a diagram showing a display screen of a user terminal that requests a specific code by the apparatus of FIG. 9;
13 is a diagram showing a display screen of a user terminal that has acquired a specific code by the apparatus of FIG. 9;
14 is a diagram showing a display screen of a member store terminal that requests authenticated user information by the apparatus of FIG.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display screen of a member store terminal that performs collation by the apparatus of FIG. 9;
[Explanation of symbols]
10 common point storage unit, 12 store A individual point storage unit, 14 store B individual point storage unit, 16 control unit, 18 operation unit, 20 log collection unit, 22 verification unit, 24 deposit account, 30 member store A, 32 store A account, 40 member store B, 42 store B account, 50 user, 60 current point display unit, 62 movement point display unit, 64 move button, 100 common payment system, 110 common payment center, 210 user terminal, 212 member store terminal , 214 common server, 220 Yes button, 222 No button, 230 login authentication unit, 232 specific code input unit, 234 information output unit, 236 authentication information confirmation unit, 238 settlement information confirmation unit, 240 completion information output unit, 2100 settlement system .

Claims (1)

A common point accumulation unit that accumulates prepaid points that are connected to a network and can be commonly used in a plurality of stores in a storage device as electronic information;
An individual point accumulating unit that accumulates prepaid points that are connected to the network and can be used in a predetermined store as electronic information in a storage device;
While providing a user interface capable of accepting user instructions, the user interface provides instructions regarding movement of prepaid points from the storage device in the common point storage unit to the storage device in the individual point storage unit. An operation unit for receiving information;
Based on the instruction information received in the operation unit via the network, the prepaid points stored in the storage device in the common point storage unit are subtracted in advance and stored in the storage device in the individual point storage unit. A control unit that controls movement of the prepaid point from the storage device in the common point storage unit to the storage device in the individual point storage unit by adding the prepaid points stored in advance ,
The control unit calculates the time from use to change to a prepaid point accumulated in the storage device in the individual point accumulation unit, and generates reward points as electronic information that increase as the time increases, Reward points are added to prepaid points stored in a storage device in the individual point storage unit.

Images