JP4235198B2 - Integrated point management device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an integrated point management apparatus that integrates and manages point services implemented at a plurality of member stores.

  For example, in a store, it has been practiced to give a point to a customer in accordance with the purchase of a product, and to give a benefit to the customer and return the service when the accumulated point reaches a certain score. In this case, for example, each customer carries a point card made of, for example, an IC card and presents the point card to the store each time a purchase is made, so that each point is recorded on the point card. Are known.

  Conventionally, point cards have been issued for each store. For this reason, a customer who uses a point service of a plurality of stores must always carry a large number of point cards and present the store cards every time points are acquired, and the handling of the cards is complicated. There was an inconvenience. In view of this, a point system that can use point services of a plurality of stores with one point card has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In this point system, the memory area of the IC card is divided into a point information index area and a plurality of point information areas, and each point information area can be arbitrarily assigned to each store and a point card is inserted. Then, it is determined whether or not preset store information is set in the point information index area of the card, and if it is set, a point is set in the point information area of the index number recorded together with the store information. Is composed of a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal. By using this system, each store sets a vacant point information area of its own point card for each new member as its own store area, and sets the index number of that area as store information of the store. At the same time, by recording in the point information index area of the card, one point card can be shared by a plurality of stores.
JP 2002-245549 A

  However, in the conventional point system of this type, an IC card in which the memory area is divided into a point information index area and a plurality of point information areas must be used as a point card, and a customer ID code such as a membership number is used. It was not possible to use a simple card that was recorded and used only to identify customers. For this reason, if the card is lost, there is a risk of losing all the points of the stores that have been acquired so far. The POS terminal is also recorded together with processing for determining whether or not preset store information is set in the point information index area of the point card, and when the corresponding store information is set, the store information. It is a system that is difficult to spread because software for realizing processing for recording points in the point information area of the index number is required and the processing load is large.

  The present invention has been made based on such circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to use a plurality of simple media that are used only for identifying customers without causing a significant burden on the store side. It is an object of the present invention to provide an integrated point management apparatus that can share point services of other stores.

  The present invention calculates points for each customer by using arbitrary calculation means from each POS terminal that generates merchandise purchase information placed at a plurality of member stores that sell merchandise, and merchandise purchase information for each customer. An integrated point management device interposed between each point management server for each member store to be managed, wherein the device communicates with a POS terminal of each member store and each point management server for each member store. The first member store that identifies the member store from which the customer purchased the product upon receiving the product purchase information of the customer from the POS terminal placed in any member store via the communication means and the first communication unit And a purchase information distribution means for transmitting customer product purchase information to the point management server of the member store specified by the first member store specifying means via the first communication means.

  In the present invention, when the POS terminal placed at each member store transmits the customer's product purchase information to the integrated point management device, the integrated point management device transmits the customer's product purchase information via the first communication means. Receive. Then, if the member store where the customer purchased the product is specified by the first member store specifying means, the purchase information distribution means stores the product purchase information of the customer in the point management server of the specified member store. 1 through the communication means. Thereby, in the point management server, points for the customer are calculated from the received product purchase information of the customer, and the points are cumulatively managed for each customer.

  As described above in detail, by using the integrated point management device of the present invention, the store side is not greatly burdened, and a plurality of stores are used by using a simple medium used only for identifying customers. The point service can be shared.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system configuration of an embodiment according to the present invention. In this embodiment, an integrated point management center 1 is established and each chain store (member store A, This is a case where the point service implemented at the member store B) can be integrated with a single point card (hereinafter referred to as an integrated point card).

  The member store A connects each POS terminal 3A installed in each store 2A chained in various places with a headquarter server 5A installed in the headquarters 4A that manages each store through a dedicated network 6A. In addition, operations such as product registration executed at each POS terminal 3A can be centrally managed by the headquarter server 5A. The headquarters server 5A is provided with a customer database 7A for storing information related to customers registered as point members of the member store A. From the product purchase information for each customer, a predetermined calculation logic (calculation means) is used for each customer. It has a function as a point management server that calculates points and manages them cumulatively for each customer.

  Similarly to the member store A, the member store B connects each POS terminal 3B installed in each store 2B and the headquarter server 5B installed in the headquarters 4B via a dedicated network 6B, and each POS terminal The business executed in 3B can be centrally managed by the headquarter server 5B. The headquarters server 5B includes a customer database 7B for storing information related to customers registered as point members of the member store B, and also calculates points for each customer using predetermined calculation logic from product purchase information for each customer. Thus, it has a function as a point management server that performs cumulative management for each customer. Here, the point calculation logic is arbitrarily determined for each member store, and does not prevent the current point calculated by the member store from being different even with the same purchase price.

  On the other hand, the integrated point management center 1 is provided with an integrated point management device 8 mainly composed of a server computer. The POS terminals 3A and 3B and the headquarter servers 5A and 5B of the member stores A and B are connected to the integrated point management device 8 via the wide area network 9, respectively.

  The integrated point management device 8 includes a customer basic database 10 as customer information storage means for storing basic information about a customer registered as a point member in at least one of the member store A and the member store B, and the integrated point management center 1. A member store database 11 is provided for storing information about each member store A, B that has joined. The integrated point management device 8 is connected to the Internet 12 so that information can be exchanged with an Internet-compatible communication terminal such as a personal computer or a mobile phone using WWW (World-Wide-Web) technology.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main part of a record for one customer registered in the customer basic database 10. As shown in the figure, a record for one customer includes a customer code set for each customer to identify the customer, the customer's name, address, gender, age, telephone number, e-mail address, occupation, At least customer basic information such as hobbies and annual income, and member flags for each of the member stores A and B (AF: member flag of member store A, BF: member flag of member store B) are recorded. The member flags AF and BF function as member store identification information for identifying the member store in which the customer of the record is registered as a point member. When the member flag AF is registered as a point member at member store A, the member flag AF is set. When set to “1” and registered as a point member at the member store B, the member flag BF is set to “1”.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the main part of a record for one member store registered in the member store database 11. As shown in the figure, in the record for one member store, the member store code set for each member store for identifying the member store, the member store name of the member store, the communication address on the wide area network 9 and the store The number N, the store code unique to each store, the store name, and the communication address on the wide area network 9 are recorded at least.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a main part of a record for one customer registered in the customer databases 7A and 7B. As shown in the figure, at least one customer code, customer personal information, and cumulative points are recorded in the record for one customer. The customer personal information is information of items arbitrarily extracted for each member store from the basic information of the customer registered in the customer basic database 10, and which item information is extracted is set for each member store. Is possible.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the main parts of the functions related to the present invention of the integrated point management device 8, the POS terminals 3A and 3B, and the head office servers 5A and 5B. Since the POS terminals 3A and 3B and the headquarters servers 5A and 5B have the same function in the main part, the POS terminal 3A and the headquarter server 5A on the member store A side are illustrated, and the POS terminals on the member store B side 3B and the headquarter server 5B are omitted.

  The POS terminal 3A (POS terminal 3B) includes a product registration processing unit 31, a member closing processing unit 32, and a center communication processing unit 33. When product information such as a PLU (Price Look Up) code of a product purchased by the customer is input via the scanner 34 or the keyboard 35, the product registration processing unit 31 operates to store the sales data of the product. To process. In addition, the total amount of purchased products (purchased amount) is calculated for each customer. Next, when a member closing key (not shown) of the keyboard 35 is operated and a registration closing of a product purchased by a customer who is a point member is declared, the member closing processing unit 32 operates, and the flowchart of FIG. The process shown in is executed.

  That is, the POS terminal 3A (POS terminal 3B) acquires the customer code recorded on the integrated point card 36 carried by the customer who is the point member as ST (step) 1. Incidentally, when the integrated point card 36 is composed of a magnetic card, a customer code is obtained using a magnetic card reader, and in the case of an IC card, a customer code is obtained using an IC card reader. In order to obtain a customer card, a card receiver is used.

  Next, the POS terminal 3A (POS terminal 3B) generates a point transaction message as ST2. The point transaction message includes a customer code acquired from the integrated point card 36, a member store code and a store code, information such as the purchase date and time, and the purchase price. The member store code and the store code are those of the store where the POS terminal 3A (POS terminal 3B) is placed, and are preset in the memory of the POS terminal 3A (POS terminal 3B). The purchase date and time is the current date and time measured by the clock IC in the terminal. The purchase amount is the total amount of products purchased by the customer, and is acquired from the product registration processing unit 31. Here, the point transaction message is product purchase information at the member store of the customer who is the point member. The point transaction message may be added with the code of the purchased product, the number of points, etc., as extended information. This item of extended information may be different for each member store.

  When the point transaction message is generated, the POS terminal 3A (POS terminal 3B) sends this point transaction message to the center communication processing unit 33 as ST3. As a result, the center communication processing unit 33 operates, and the point transaction message is transmitted to the integrated point management device 8 of the integrated point management center 1 via the wide area network 9.

  Therefore, the POS terminal 3A (POS terminal 3B) waits for a response message from the integrated point management device 8 as ST4. If the response message is received via the center communication processing unit 33 within a predetermined time, it is determined whether or not the response message is a point information message as ST5. Here, when the response message is a point information message in which the previous point, the current point, and the accumulated points are incorporated, a receipt printer (not shown) is operated as ST6 to purchase purchase receipt 37 of the customer. The point information is printed on. Thereafter, if this purchase receipt 37 is issued as ST7, the member closing process is terminated.

  The integrated point management device 8 has a member registration processing unit 81 and a customer code generation unit 82. When the customer basic information described in the point member application form is input by operating the input / output device 88 such as a personal computer or a workstation, the member registration processing unit 81 operates. The member registration processing unit 81 generates a record of the customer basic database 10 from this basic information and an unused new customer code generated by the customer code generation unit 82. At this time, the member flags AF and BF are both reset to “0” as an initial state. Thereafter, the generated record is additionally registered in the customer basic database 10. Further, the integrated point card 36 in which the new customer code is recorded is issued.

  The integrated point management device 8 includes a communication processing unit 83 and an interface processing unit 85. The communication processing unit 83 is connected to each of the POS terminals 3A and 3B located in the stores 2A and 2B of the member stores A and B, and the central servers 5A and 5B of the member stores A and B and the wide area network 9. It functions as a first communication means for performing communication.

  The interface processing unit 85 receives customer product purchase information (point transaction message) from the POS terminals 3A and 3B placed in any of the member stores A and B via the first communication means (communication processing unit 83). Upon receipt, the first member store specifying means for specifying the member stores A and B from which the customer has purchased the product, and the point management server (headquarters server 5A, headquarters) of the member store specified by the first member store specifying means. 5B) purchase information distribution means for transmitting the customer's product purchase information (point transaction message) received from the POS terminals 3A, 3B via the first communication means (communication processing unit 83), and the first communication. When the point information calculated by the server is received from any of the point management servers (headquarter servers 5A, 5B) via the means (communication processing unit 83), the customer who is given the point of the point information is given Point management is performed on the second member store specifying means for specifying the member stores A and B that have purchased the goods, and the POS terminals 3A and 3B placed in the member stores A and B specified by the second member store specifying means. It has a function as point information distribution means for transmitting point information received from the server (headquarter servers 5A, 5B) via the first communication means (communication processing section 83).

  That is, the interface processing unit 85 is waiting for a message sent via the wide area network 9 as ST11 as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Here, when a point transaction message is received from one of the POS terminals 3A, 3B via the communication processing unit 83 as ST12, the member store database 11 is searched as ST13, and the member store code in the point transaction message is searched. The head office communication address set correspondingly is acquired (first member store specifying means). Then, as ST14, the point transaction message is transmitted to the headquarter server where the headquarters communication address is set via the communication processing section 83 via the wide area network 9 (purchasing information distribution means).

  Further, when the interface processing unit 85 receives a response message for the point transaction message from any of the headquarter servers 5A and 5B via the communication processing unit 83 as ST15, the interface processing unit 85 searches the member store database 11 as ST16 and responds to the response. The store communication address set corresponding to the member store code and store code in the message is acquired (second member store specifying means). Then, as ST17, the response message is transmitted to the POS terminal set with the store communication address via the communication processing unit 83 via the wide area network 9 (point information distribution means).

  The integrated point management device 8 has a customer information response unit 86. When the customer information response unit 86 receives an inquiry command for customer information from any of the point management servers (headquarter servers 5A, 5B) via the first communication unit (communication processing unit 83), the customer information storage unit (customer The basic information of the customer who has been queried is read from the information stored in the basic database 10), and the point management server (headquarter servers 5A, 5B) as the inquiry source is connected via the first communication means (communication processing unit 83). The customer information responding means to be transmitted and the member store of the point management server (headquarter servers 5A, 5B) that transmitted the basic customer information by the customer information responding means indicate that the customer is registered as a point member. Therefore, it functions as member store identification information updating means for updating member store identification information (member flag).

  That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the customer information response unit 86 waits for a customer information inquiry command sent via the wide area network 9 as ST21. When a customer information inquiry command including the member store code set in the headquarter server 5A, 5B and the customer code to be inquired is received from any headquarter server 5A, 5B via the communication processing section 83, ST22. The customer basic database 10 is searched, and the customer basic information stored corresponding to the customer code to be queried is read. And this customer basic information is transmitted to the headquarter servers 5A and 5B of the command transmission source via the communication processing unit 83 via the wide area network 9 (customer information response means). In addition, the member flag AF or member flag BF of the inquiry source member store corresponding to the customer code inquired as ST23, that is, the member store specified by the member store code included in the command is set to “1”. (Member store identification information update means).

  The integrated point management device 8 has a point inquiry processing unit 87. The point inquiry processing unit 87 includes a second communication means for communicating with a communication terminal (such as a personal computer or a mobile phone) connected via a public network (Internet 12), and a communication terminal via the second communication means. When a customer point inquiry command is received from a personal computer (mobile phone, etc.), the member store identification information (member flag) of the customer who has made an inquiry out of the information stored by the customer information storage means (customer basic database 10). A member member store extracting means for extracting a member store in which the customer is registered as a point member with reference to, and point management servers (headquarter servers 5A, 5B) of all member stores extracted by the member member store extracting means. The accumulated point collecting means for collecting the accumulated points of the customer from the first communication means (communication processing unit 83), and the accumulated point collecting means Functions as accumulated points transmitting means for transmitting via the second communication means to the point inquiry command transmission source communication terminal accumulated points of the customer who has more collected (PCs, mobile phones, etc.).

  Further, the point inquiry processing unit 87 transmits the member store list data extracted by the member member store extraction means to the communication terminal (personal computer, mobile phone, etc.) of the point inquiry command transmission source via the second communication means. Store list transmitting means and at least one member store in the list data from the communication terminal (personal computer, mobile phone, etc.) that transmitted the member store list data by the member store list transmitting means via the second communication means Is received from the point management server (headquarter servers 5A, 5B) of the designated member store, the first communication means (communication processing unit 83) receives the accumulated points of the customer. The accumulated point collection means that collects the points and the accumulated points of the customer collected by this accumulated point collection means Shin terminal (PC, mobile phone, etc.) also functions as a total point transmission means for transmitting via the second communication means.

  That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, the point inquiry processing unit 87 waits for reception of a point inquiry command as ST31. The point inquiry command is an individual inquiry for each member store, whether it is a collective query to inquire about the points of one customer code subject to point inquiries and the points of all member stores where the customer code is registered as a member. And inquiry classification information for identifying whether it is an inquiry. When the point inquiry processing unit 87 receives the point inquiry command from an Internet-compatible communication terminal (such as a personal computer or a mobile phone) connected through the Internet 12, whether the collective inquiry is designated from the inquiry classification information of the command as ST32. Determine whether an individual query is specified.

  Here, when the collective inquiry is designated, the customer basic database 10 is searched as ST33, and the member flag stored corresponding to the customer code subject to point inquiry is examined. Then, the member store corresponding to the member flag set to “1” is extracted as a member store in which the customer set with the customer code is registered as a point member. For example, if the member flag AF is set to “1” and the member flag BF is reset to “0”, the member store A is extracted, the member flag AF is reset to “0”, and the member flag BF is set to “0”. If it is set to “1”, the member store B is extracted, and if both the member flags AF and BF are set to “1”, the member store A and the member store B are extracted (member member store extracting means).

  Next, the point inquiry processing unit 87 refers to the member store database 11 as ST34, acquires the headquarters communication address of the member store extracted in the process of ST33, and sets the headquarters communication address via the communication processing unit 83. A point inquiry command including the customer code subject to point inquiry is transmitted to the headquarters server via the wide area network 9. At this time, if a plurality of member stores have been extracted, a point inquiry command is transmitted in parallel to the headquarter server of each member store. (Cumulative point collection means).

  After that, if a point response message incorporating the accumulated points is received from the command transmission destination headquarters server in ST35, the member store database 11 is referred to in ST36 and the member store code included in the response message is registered. Get the store name. Then, the point information including the member store name and the accumulated points in the response message is stored until the same point response message is received from all the headquarter servers of the command transmission destination. Then, in ST37, it is confirmed that point response messages have been received from all the headquarters servers at the command transmission destination, or if a predetermined time has elapsed since the command was transmitted, it is determined that the inquiry has ended, and ST38 The point information stored in the processing is transmitted to the communication terminal that is the point inquiry command transmission source via the Internet 12 (cumulative point transmission means).

  This completes the current batch inquiry process, returns to ST31, and waits for reception of the next point inquiry command.

  On the other hand, when the individual inquiry is designated, the customer basic database 10 is searched as ST39, and the member flag stored corresponding to the customer code subject to point inquiry is examined. Then, the member store corresponding to the member flag set to “1” is extracted as a member store in which the customer set with the customer code is registered as a point member. In ST40, the member store database 11 is referred to create a member store name list of the extracted member stores and transmit it to the communication terminal of the point inquiry command transmission source via the Internet 12 (member store list transmitting means).

  Next, the point inquiry processing unit 87 waits for a command from the communication terminal. If a member store designation command indicating that any member store in the member store list is designated as ST41 is designated as ST42 by referring to the member store database 11 and designated by this member store designation information. The point inquiry command including the customer code subject to point inquiry is transmitted via the wide area network 9 to the headquarter server to which the headquarters communication address is set via the communication processing unit 83. Cumulative point collection means).

  Thereafter, if a point response message in which the accumulated points are incorporated from the command transmission destination headquarter server is received as ST43, the accumulated points included in the response message are transmitted to the communication terminal of the point inquiry command transmission source as the ST44. 12 is transmitted (cumulative point transmission means).

  Thereafter, the point inquiry processing unit 87 waits for a command from the communication terminal again. When a member store designation command indicating that another member store has been designated is received, the processes of ST42 to ST44 are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, when a command indicating the end of inquiry is received, the current individual inquiry process is terminated, and the process returns to ST31 to wait for reception of the next point inquiry command.

  The headquarter server 5A (headquarter server 5B) includes a center communication processing unit 51, a point calculation unit 52, and a customer database management unit 53. When the center communication processing unit 51 receives a point transaction message from the integrated point management device 8 connected via the wide area network 9, the point calculation unit 52 operates. The point calculation unit 52 calculates the current point from a purchase amount included in the point transaction message by a predetermined calculation logic. For example, when 1 point is designated for 100 yen of purchase price, the purchase price is divided by 100, and the positive number of the quotient is set as the current point. In addition, when the change rate is limited to the day of the week, if double is specified, and the day of the purchase day falls, the purchase amount is divided by 100 and the positive number of the quotient is doubled to calculate the current point. .

  After calculating the current point, the point calculation unit 52 refers to the customer database 7A (customer database 7B) and determines whether or not the customer code included in the point transaction message exists. Here, when the record of the corresponding customer code exists in the customer database 7A (customer database 7B), after acquiring the accumulated points of the record as the previous point, the current point is added to the accumulated points of the record and accumulated. Update points. After that, a point information response message including the customer code of the point transaction message, the member store code and the store code, the previous point, the current point, the updated total points, etc. is created, and this point information response message is centered. The data is transmitted to the integrated point management device 8 through the wide area network 9 via the communication processing unit 51. In addition, the message etc. which are printed on a receipt as extended information may be added to the point information response message. This item of extended information may be different for each member store.

  On the other hand, if the customer code record does not exist in the customer database 7A (customer database 7B), a new customer code record is newly added to the customer database 7A (customer database 7B). And this time point is set as the accumulated point of this record. Thereafter, a point information response message including the customer code of the point transaction message, the member store code and the store code, and the current point is created, and the point information response message is transmitted to the integrated point management device 8 in the same manner. It is supposed to be.

  In the central server 5A (the central server 5B), when the center communication processing unit 51 receives a point inquiry command from the integrated point management device 8 connected via the wide area network 9, the customer database management unit 53 operates. The customer database management unit 53 searches the customer database 7A (customer database 7B), reads the accumulated points corresponding to the customer code in the command, and creates a point response message including the accumulated points. Then, the point response message is transmitted to the integrated point management device 8 through the wide area network 9 via the center communication processing unit 51.

  Further, the customer database management unit 53 periodically searches the customer database 7A (customer database 7B) to check whether there is a record for which customer information is not set. If a record for which customer information is not set is detected, a customer information inquiry command is created from the customer code of the record and the member store code set in advance in the headquarter server 5A (headquarter server 5B). Then, a customer information inquiry command is transmitted to the integrated point management device 8 through the wide area network 9 via the center communication processing unit 51. Thereafter, upon receiving the customer basic information of the customer who made the inquiry from the integrated point management device 8, the customer information necessary for the member store is extracted from the basic information, and the customer information is stored in the customer database 7A (customer database 7B). It is to be added to the record of the corresponding customer code.

  In the present embodiment configured as described above, the customer who receives the point service implemented at the member store A and the member store B performs membership registration with the integrated point management center 1 in advance. Membership registration is performed by filling in the necessary items on the application forms prepared at each member store A and B. Note that membership registration may be performed by accessing a website established by the integrated point management center 1 and inputting necessary items on the member registration homepage.

  When the member registration is approved, a new customer code is set for the customer in the integrated point management center 1, and an integrated point card 36 in which the customer code is recorded is issued and delivered to the customer. Further, the customer code and customer basic information of the customer are registered in the customer basic database 10 managed by the integrated point management device 8.

  The customer who acquired the integrated point card 36 presents the integrated point card 36 to the store side when shopping at the member store A or the member store B. For example, it is assumed that the customer first purchases at the store 2A of the member store A, and after the sales data of the purchased product is processed at the POS terminal 3A, the member closing key is operated. Then, the point transaction message composed of the customer code of the integrated point card 36 presented by the customer, the member store code of the member store A and the store code of the store 2A, the purchase date and time, the purchase price, etc. And sent to the integrated point management device 8 of the integrated point management center 1 through the wide area network 9.

  Thereby, in the integrated point management device 8, the head office communication address of the member store A is acquired from the member store database 11 based on the member store code in the point transaction message. Then, the point transaction message is transmitted via the wide area network 9 to the headquarter server 5A of the member store A in which the headquarter communication address is set.

  Thereby, in the headquarters server 5A, the current point is calculated based on the purchase amount in the point transaction message. At this time, since the customer record does not exist in the customer database 7A, the customer code of the customer and the current point are set, and a record in which personal information is not set is added to the customer database 7A. Further, the point response message including the customer code of the point transaction message, the member store code, the store code and the current point is transmitted from the headquarter server 5A to the integrated point management device 8 via the wide area network 9.

  Thereby, in the integrated point management device 8, the store communication address of the store 2A of the member store A is acquired from the member store database 11 based on the member store code and the store code in the point response message. Then, the point response message is transmitted via the wide area network 9 to the POS terminal 3A of the store 2A in which the store communication address is set. As a result, the POS terminal 3A issues a purchase receipt 37 on which the current point in the point response message is printed.

  Similarly, when the customer makes a purchase at the store 2B of the member store B for the first time and the sales data of the purchased product is processed at the POS terminal 3B, the member closing key is operated. The transmitted point transaction message is transmitted to the headquarter server 5B of the member store B via the integrated point management device 8. Then, the current point is calculated in the headquarter server 5B, and a record in which the customer code and the current point of the customer are set is additionally registered in the customer database 7B, and a point response message including the current point and the like is It is transmitted to the POS terminal 3B of the store 2B via the integrated point management device 8. Then, a purchase receipt 37 on which the current point is printed is issued from the POS terminal 3B.

  Thereafter, when the customer makes a purchase at another store 2A ′ of the member store A, the point transaction message transmitted from the POS terminal 3A ′ of the store 2A ′ becomes a member via the integrated point management device 8. It is transmitted to the head office server 5A of the store A. The current point is calculated in the headquarter server 5A and added to the accumulated points of the customer stored and managed for each customer in the customer database 7A. Further, a point response message including the previous point, the current point, the updated cumulative point, and the like is transmitted to the POS terminal 3A ′ of the store 2A ′ via the integrated point management device 8. Then, a purchase receipt 37 on which the previous point, the current point, and the accumulated points are printed is issued from the POS terminal 3A ′.

  Similarly, when the customer makes a purchase at another store 2B ′ of the member store B, the point transaction message transmitted from the POS terminal 3B ′ of the store 2B ′ is transmitted via the integrated point management device 8. It is transmitted to the headquarter server 5B of the member store B. The current point is calculated in the headquarter server 5B and added to the accumulated points of the customer stored and managed for each customer in the customer database 7B. Further, a point response message including the previous point, the current point, the updated cumulative point, and the like is transmitted to the POS terminal 3B ′ of the store 2B ′ via the integrated point management device 8. Then, a purchase receipt 37 on which the previous point, the current point and the accumulated points are printed is issued from the POS terminal 3B '.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, each member store A, B receives a unique point service by using the simple integrated point card 36 in which only the customer code for specifying the customer is recorded. be able to. In this regard, the headquarter servers 5A, 5B of each member store A, B of each member store A, B calculate the current point based on the purchase information of the point transaction message received via the network, and this point, etc. This is the same as the mechanism that the existing point system has, since it only returns the point response message including "" and also manages the accumulated points for each customer. Further, the POS terminals 3A and 3B placed in the respective stores 2A and 2B respectively create a point transaction message including the customer code which is the card information of the point card 36, and transmit it to the integrated point management device 8, and respond accordingly. Since the point information in the received point response message is simply printed and issued on the purchase receipt 37, the processing load is small, and it can be dealt with by a simple software improvement.

  Incidentally, customer personal information is not initially set in the records newly added to the customer databases 7A and 7B of the headquarter servers 5A and 5B. Therefore, in this embodiment, the headquarter servers 5A and 5B periodically search the customer databases 7A and 7B, respectively, extract customer codes for which personal information is not set, and store the basic information of the customers in the integrated point management device 8. An inquiry is made via the wide area network 9. The integrated point management apparatus 8 acquires the basic information of the corresponding customer from the customer basic database 10 and transmits the inquiry to the headquarter servers 5A and 5B as the inquiry source via the wide area network 9. Thereby, the headquarter servers 5A and 5B are configured to register the personal information of the customer in the customer databases 7A and 7B based on the customer basic information.

  Therefore, since the customer only needs to present the common integrated point card 36 when receiving the point service at each member store A, B, handling and management of the card is easy. Further, since the customer does not need to register as a member at each of the member stores A and B, there is no inconvenience of having to register as a member for each member store. Moreover, the member store side can also have the effect of reducing the cost for member registration.

  Further, only the customer code for specifying the customer is recorded in the integrated point card 36, and the customer code is stored and managed by the customer basic database 10 of the integrated point management device 8. Moreover, the integrated point management device 8 stores member flags AF and BF for each member store in the customer basic database 10 for each customer. When the customer information inquiry command of a customer is received from the headquarter server 5A of the member store A, the member flag AF for the member store A of the customer is set, and the customer becomes a point member at the member store A. The registered information is stored and managed. Similarly, when a customer information inquiry command of a customer is received from the headquarter server 5B of the member store B, the member flag BF for the member store B of the customer is set, and the customer is a point member at the member store B. As a result, it is memorized and managed to be registered.

  Accordingly, since the points acquired by the customer at each member store A, B are stored and managed for each customer at the headquarter servers 5A, 5B of each member store, even if the integrated point card 36 is lost, the license, As long as the integrated point management center 1 can prove the identity by using an insurance card or the like, the points of each member store are guaranteed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a function is provided in which a customer can confirm his / her accumulated points at each member store A and B using an Internet-compatible communication device such as a personal computer or a mobile phone. That is, the customer operates the communication device to access the Web site of the integrated point management center 1 established on the Internet 12, and inputs his / her customer code on the homepage for point inquiry on this site. Select either collective query or individual query.

  When the collective inquiry is selected, the integrated point management device 8 determines the member stores A and B in which the customer is registered as a point member based on the information in the customer basic database 10, and the member stores A and B The current accumulated points of the customer are read from the headquarter servers 5A and 5B and displayed on the home page. As a result, the customer can easily confirm the current accumulated points of all member stores in which the customer is registered as a point member.

  On the other hand, when the individual inquiry is selected, first, the integrated point management device 8 determines the member stores A and B in which the customer is registered as a point member based on the information in the customer basic database 10, and the membership is determined. The store list is displayed on the homepage. Next, when the customer selects a desired member store, for example, member store A, from the member store list, the current accumulated points of the customer are read from the headquarters server 5A of the member store A and displayed on the homepage. Is done. Thus, the customer can easily confirm the current accumulated points of the member store A.

The present invention is not limited to the one embodiment.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the member stores are described as two stores, the member store A and the member store B. However, even if there are three or more member stores, the POS terminal of each store in each member store Needless to say, this can be dealt with by connecting the headquarters server of the headquarters to the wide area network 9 and adding the member flag of the member store to the record of the customer basic database 10. In addition, the member stores are not limited to the business formats in which the stores exist, and business formats that do not have a card but perform point management, such as mail order sales, can also be applied as member stores.

  Further, the medium for recording the customer code is not limited to the card. For example, the customer code may be recorded in the memory of a mobile phone, and the customer code may be acquired from the mobile phone memory carried by the customer using the short-range wireless communication such as infrared communication by the POS terminal.

  In the embodiment, the function as a point management server (customer database, center communication processing unit 51, point calculation unit 52, customer database management unit 53) is provided to the headquarter servers 5A and 5B of the member stores A and B. However, this function is excluded from the head office servers 5A and 5B, and a dedicated server specializing in point management is provided in the head office 4A and 4B of each member store A and B and connected to the wide area network 9, and the head office server 5A and 5B may be disconnected from the wide area network 9. In this case, the integrated point management center 1 can also outsource the point management of each member store.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a system configuration of another embodiment in which the point management of each member store is outsourced in the present invention, and the same parts as those in FIG. That is, in this other embodiment, the integrated point management center 1 is provided with a dedicated server 13A specialized for point management at the member store A and a dedicated server 13B specialized for point management at the member store B. Dedicated servers 13A and 13B and the integrated point management device 8 are connected by a LAN (Local Area Network) 14.

  Each dedicated server 13A, 13B has a customer database 7A, 7B of its own member store, as well as a center communication processing unit 51, a point calculation unit 52, and a customer database management unit 53.

  Thus, the integrated point management device 8 performs the same process S as the process S performed for the headquarter servers 5A, 5B of the member stores A, B via the wide area network 9 via the LAN 14 in the above embodiment. By performing the operations on the dedicated servers 13A and 13B, the same operational effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

In the embodiment, the integrated point management device 8 includes the customer information response unit 86. When the customer information inquiry command is received from any of the headquarter servers 5A and 5B, an inquiry is made from the customer basic database 10. The basic information of the customer was read out and sent to the headquarter servers 5A and 5B as the inquiry source. However, instead of the customer information response unit 86, the basic information of the customer newly added to the customer basic database 10 is periodically updated. You may provide the new customer information delivery part delivered to each headquarter server 5A, 5B. In this case, in each of the headquarter servers 5A and 5B, when receiving the basic information of the new customer from the integrated point management device 8, the customer database management unit 53 operates and the basic information of the customer code registered in the customer database 7A. And is added to the record of the corresponding customer code in the customer database 7A. Further, the customer code of the extracted basic information is returned to the integrated point management device 8. In the integrated point management device 8, the customer basic database 10 is accessed, the member flag AF of the customer code returned from the headquarters server 5A is set to “1”, and the member of the customer code returned from the headquarters server 5B. The flag BF is set to “1”. In this way, if it is configured so that it can be recognized that it is a member of the member store, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as in the one embodiment.
Of course, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The schematic diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the data structure of the record memorize | stored in a customer basic database in the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the data structure of the record memorize | stored in a member store database in the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the data structure of the record memorize | stored in a customer database in the embodiment. The block diagram which shows the principal part of the function in connection with this invention of the system in the embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the member closing process part which is one of the main function parts. The flowchart for demonstrating the interface process part which is one of the main function parts. The flowchart for demonstrating the customer information response part which is one of the main function parts. The flowchart for demonstrating the point inquiry process part which is one of the main function parts. The schematic diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of other embodiment which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

    DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Integrated point management center, 2A, 2B ... Member store, 3A, 3B ... POS terminal, 4A, 4B ... Member store headquarters, 5A, 5B ... Head office server, 7A, 7B ... Customer database, 8 ... Integrated point management device , 9 ... Wide area network, 10 ... Customer basic database, 11 ... Member store database, 12 ... Internet, 13A, 13B ... Point management dedicated server, 81 ... Member registration processing unit, 82 ... Customer code generation unit, 83 ... Communication processing unit 85 ... Interface processing unit, 86 ... Customer information response unit, 87 ... Point inquiry processing unit.

Claims (4)

Each POS terminal that generates merchandise purchase information placed at multiple merchants that sell products and the merchandise purchase information for each customer calculates points for each customer by any means of calculation, and manages the cumulative total by customer First communication means for communicating with each point management server of
First merchant identifying means for identifying a merchant from which the customer has purchased the merchandise when receiving customer merchandise purchase information from the POS terminal placed at any of the merchants via the first communication means When,
Purchase information distribution means for transmitting the customer product purchase information via the first communication means to the point management server of the member store specified by the first member store specifying means;
When the point information calculated by the point management server is received from any of the point management servers via the first communication means, the customer to whom the point of the point information is given specifies the member store from which the product is purchased. Means to identify member stores of
Point information distribution means for transmitting the point information via the first communication means to the POS terminal placed in the member store specified by the second member store specifying means;
An integrated point management apparatus characterized by comprising: Customer information storage means for storing basic information such as the name and address of each customer;
Upon receiving a customer information inquiry command from any of the point management servers via the first communication means, the basic information of the customer who has made an inquiry is read out of the information stored by the customer information storage means Customer information response means for transmitting to the point management server of the inquiry source via the first communication means;
The integrated point management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Customer information storage means for storing member store identification information for identifying a member store in which the customer is registered as a point member together with basic information such as the name and address of each customer;
A second communication means for communicating with a communication terminal connected via a public network;
When a customer point inquiry command is received from the communication terminal via the second communication means, the customer store identification information of the customer that has been queried is referred to from the information stored by the customer information storage means, Member merchant extraction means for extracting the merchant where the customer is registered as a point member;
Cumulative point collecting means for collecting the cumulative points of the customer from the point management server of all member stores extracted by the member member store extracting means via the first communication means;
Cumulative point transmitting means for transmitting the cumulative points of the customer collected by the cumulative point collecting means to the communication terminal of the point inquiry command transmission source via the second communication means;
The integrated point management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Customer information storage means for storing member store identification information for identifying a member store in which the customer is registered as a point member together with basic information such as the name and address of each customer;
A second communication means for communicating with a communication terminal connected via a public network;
When a customer point inquiry command is received from the communication terminal via the second communication means, the customer store identification information of the customer that has been queried is referred to from the information stored by the customer information storage means, Member merchant extraction means for extracting the merchant where the customer is registered as a point member;
Member store list transmission means for transmitting the member store list data extracted by the member member store extraction means to the communication terminal of the point inquiry command transmission source via the second communication means;
Member store designation information indicating that at least one member store in the list data is designated from the communication terminal that has transmitted the member store list data by the member store list sending means via the second communication means. When received, the accumulated point collecting means for collecting the accumulated points of the customer from the point management server of the designated member store via the first communication means;
Cumulative point transmitting means for transmitting the cumulative points of the customer collected by the cumulative point collecting means to the communication terminal of the point inquiry command transmission source via the second communication means;
The integrated point management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

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