JP4864954B2 - Service point operation system, method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a service point operation system, method, and program.

  Conventionally, a point service provided to a member in a transaction using a credit card is known. In the point service, a member can acquire points calculated under certain conditions according to the use of a credit card, and can receive certain preferential treatment such as prizes or cashbacks in exchange for accumulated points. As a result, since the member's willingness to use the card is stimulated by the point service, companies that operate the credit card service can promote the use of the credit card. Furthermore, if the credit card is canceled with the points accumulated, the points are discarded, and the cancellation can be suppressed by the point service.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to a credit card system with point service.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-195061

  However, since an expiration date (for example, two years) is normally set for points, a member who cannot accumulate a large number of points within the expiration date cannot be exchanged for expensive prizes. Therefore, for such a member, the willingness to use the card is not greatly stimulated by the point service, and the effect of promoting the use of the credit card and the cancellation of the cancellation is low.

  In addition, when a company that operates a credit card service simply extends the expiration date of points, it is not preferable because the expense of the company or the like due to gift exchange or the like simply increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a service point operation system, method, and program for promoting the use of a credit card and suppressing cancellation.

  In order to solve the above problems, a service point operation system according to the present invention is a service point operation system including a plurality of computers, and a point storage unit that stores information regarding the number of points that can be used for each credit card member; Operation application receiving means for receiving operation application information relating to operation application of the credit card member identification information, at least a part of the stored number of points, and the number of points including an operation period, and the received operation Among the stored points of the credit card member specified by the credit card member identification information of the application information, the point number of the received operation application information is stored in the point storage means as an operation point that is an unusable point. Unusable setting means to memorize and credit A means for calculating point interest for the operating point based on an interest calculating condition that is information relating to a condition for calculating the point interest obtained by operating the point according to the usage status of the credit card, and the received operation application information A refund means for storing the calculated point interest and the number of points regarded as the operational points in the point storage means as points usable by the credit card member after the elapse of the operational period. To do.

  The method according to the present invention is a method executed in a service point operation system including a plurality of computers, and stores a point storage step for storing information on the number of points available for each credit card member; An operation application receiving step for receiving operation application information related to an operation application for identification information, at least a part of the stored number of points, and the number of points including an operation period, and a credit card member of the received operation application information Among the stored points of the credit card member specified by the identification information, an unusable setting step for storing the received points of the operation application information as unusable points, The point depending on usage Calculating a point interest for the operation point based on an interest calculation condition that is information on a condition for calculating a point interest obtained by operating the operation, and after the operation period of the received operation application information has elapsed, the calculation And a refund step for storing the point interest and the number of operating points as points that can be used by the credit card member.

  The computer program according to the present invention is a computer program for causing a computer to execute the method according to the present invention.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a service point operation system, method, and program for promoting the use of a credit card and suppressing cancellation.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[System Overview]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an outline of a service point operation system according to the present embodiment. The credit card member can request the service point operation system to operate a point (for example, 1000 points) whose expiration date is approaching among the service points held by the credit card member. During the operation period, members cannot use the service points being operated (hereinafter referred to as “operation points”). After the operation period elapses, the member can receive a refund of the operation point accompanied by the interest period according to the operation period and the usage status of the credit card during the period. A new expiration date (for example, one year) is set for the refunded points, and the member can use the points during the period.

[System configuration]
FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the service point operation system in the present embodiment. The service point operation system 1 includes a system 11 and a terminal device 12, and each component can communicate via the Internet N1. Although not shown, a terminal device that communicates with the system 11 via the Internet N1 may exist in addition to the terminal device 12.

  The system 11 is a system group provided in a credit card company, and includes a host 111, an Internet use server 112, and a terminal device 113.

  The host 111 is a system that includes one or a plurality of host computers. The account system 1111, member management 1112, sales management 1113, (service) point management 1114, and (service) point operation management 1115 A subsystem having the following functions. Among these, the account system 1111, the member management 1112, the sales management 1113, and the point management 1114 are systems that are generally operated in a credit card company, and their functions are well known in this technical field, and thus description thereof is omitted. To do. The point operation management 1115 performs processing for setting service points, processing for refunding operation points, and the like. Details of the function (processing) of the point operation management 1115 will be described later.

  The Internet usage server 112 manages access to the host 111 from the terminal device such as the terminal device 12 via the Internet N1, and mediates transmission and reception of data between the terminal device such as the terminal device 12 and the host 111. . The Internet use server 112 stores and manages a user ID, a password, and the like for a terminal device such as the terminal device 12 to access the host 111. The Internet use server 112 is a computer configured using a server device such as a workstation.

  The terminal device 113 receives input from an operator who has received various requests from a credit card member, transmits various requests to the host 111 in response to the input, and receives various data from the host 111. The terminal device 113 is configured by a terminal device such as a personal computer.

  The terminal device 12 receives input from a credit card member, transmits various requests to the Internet usage server 112 via the Internet N1 in response to the input, and receives various data from the Internet usage server 112. The terminal device 12 is configured by a terminal device such as a personal computer.

  That is, the terminal devices 12 and 113 function as input means for requests from credit card members.

  Although communication between the system 11 and the terminal device 12 is performed via the Internet N1, the communication is not limited to this method, and communication may be performed by other communication methods including a dedicated line.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the main hardware configuration of the host computer that constitutes the host 111. The host computer includes a ROM 31, a RAM 32, a storage unit 33, a communication unit 34, an input unit 35, a display unit 36, a CPU 37, and the like. The CPU 37 centrally controls the operation of each unit of the host computer by developing a program stored in the ROM 31 or the storage unit 33 in the RAM 32 and executing the program. The communication unit 34 is a communication unit for communicating with external devices such as the Internet usage server 112 and the terminal device 113. The storage unit 33 stores data such as credit card member identification information (membership number, etc.), card usage amount for each member, fee paid, number of delinquent payments, and interest-related conditions.

  The configuration shown in FIG. 3 only shows the main configuration of the host computer, and may include other configurations. In some embodiments, the host computer need not include all of these configurations. Since each configuration is well known in the technical field, a detailed description is omitted.

[System Operation]
Next, the operation of the service point operation system 1 in this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a processing flow performed by one or a plurality of host computers provided in the host 111 when setting a service point held by a credit card member as an operation point. Control of processing performed by each host computer in the host 111 is performed by the CPU 37 of the host computer developing and executing a control program stored in the ROM 31, the storage unit 33, etc. in the RAM 32.

  This process is performed by inputting data such as member identification information (for example, a member number) and the number of service points to be set for operation to a terminal device 12 by a credit card member or to a terminal device 113 by an operator. This is started when a point application is requested and the request is transmitted to the host 111. FIG. 7 shows an example of a user interface displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 12 when a credit card member inputs information to the terminal device 12 in order to request an operation application. The credit card member logs in to the service point operation system 1 by inputting member identification information and password to the terminal device 12, and then displays the user interface shown in FIG. 7 and inputs necessary information for operation. Request application.

  Returning to the description of FIG. First, the host 111 receives the above-mentioned operation application request via the communication unit 34 (step S11). Next, the host 111 sets and operates the service points held by the member specified by the member identification information included in the received request according to the number of service points included in the request (step S12). Here, in the storage unit 33 of any host computer of the host 111, the number of service points available to the credit card member is stored and managed for each member. The host 111 sets the number of service points included in the received request among the available service points held by the credit card member stored and managed in the storage unit 33 as operation points. The service point set as the operation point cannot be used by the member for a predetermined period (for example, five years).

  If the requested operation point number is larger than the number of points that can be used by the member, the operation setting is not performed and an error message may be transmitted to the terminal device 12 or 113 at this time. In addition, the operation period may be set according to a period input to the terminal device 12 or 113 and requested.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a processing flow performed by one or a plurality of host computers provided in the host 111 when the service point (operation point) set for operation is paid back to the credit card member. Control of processing performed by each host computer in the host 111 is performed by the CPU 37 of the host computer developing and executing a control program stored in the ROM 31, the storage unit 33, etc. in the RAM 32.

This process starts after the operation period of the operation point has elapsed.
First, the host 111 notifies the terminal device 12 by e-mail or the like that the operation point has expired (step S21).

  Next, the host 111 receives the refund application transmitted from the terminal device 12 or 113 (step S22). FIG. 8 shows an example of a user interface displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 12 that is used when a credit card member requests a refund application from the terminal device 12. The credit card member inputs member identification information and a password to the terminal device 12 and logs in to the service point operation system 1, and then displays the user interface shown in FIG. 8 to request a refund application.

  Next, the host 111 calculates the interest for the operation point according to the operation point of the credit card member corresponding to the received refund request and the interest-related condition previously stored in the storage unit 33 (step S23). FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C show an example of the condition with interest. FIG. 6A shows an example of an interest-added condition in which interest is determined according to a fee paid by a credit card member during the operation period (for example, revolving payment, installment fee, etc.). FIG. 6B is an example of an interest-related condition in which interest is determined according to the credit card usage amount used by the credit card member during the operation period. FIG. 6C is an example of an interest-added condition for reducing the interest according to the number of delinquencies by the credit card member during the operation period. Further, as described above, when the operation period is set according to the requested period, the interest-accompanying condition according to the set operation period may be set.

  Next, the host 111 transmits the interest point number calculated in step S23 and the data of the above operating point number to the terminal device 12 or 113 (step S24). Thereafter, the terminal device 12 or 113 displays the number of points received from the host 111 on the display unit. FIG. 8 is an example of a user interface that displays the number of points on the display unit of the terminal device 12 or 113. In this example, the number of points “3,255 points” obtained by adding the interest points and the operating points is displayed. A person who operates the terminal device 12 or 113 requests the host 111 to refund the operating point via the user interface shown in FIG.

  Next, in response to the refund request from the terminal device 12 or 113, the host 111 stores the operation point and the interest point calculated in step S23 in the storage unit 33 as a service point that can be used by the credit card member. The memory is set (step S25). That is, in step S25, the operation point accompanied by the interest is paid back to the credit card member. A new expiration date (for example, one year) is set for the refunded service point.

  In the process shown in FIG. 5, the interest calculation (step S23) is performed after receiving the refund application (step S22). However, the present invention is not limited to this method. Subsequent processing may be performed. Further, the refund (step S25) is performed after the refund point number transmission (step S24), but the refund point number transmission process may not be performed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a credit card member can use points after the operation period has elapsed even after the expiration of the expiration date by setting service points to operate. Can be saved. As a result, it is possible to promote the use of credit cards and to suppress contract cancellation.

  In addition, since interest is determined according to the usage status of the credit card during the operation period, it is possible to promote the use of the credit card and to suppress the cancellation of the contract.

  Furthermore, since service points can be used during the period of operation, the use of credit cards can be promoted despite the fact that service points cannot be used. Is different.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the outline | summary of a service point operation system. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a service point operation system. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the main hardware constitutions of a host computer. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which a host computer performs. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which a host computer performs. It is a figure which shows an example of an interest supplementary condition. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface displayed on a terminal device. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface displayed on a terminal device.

Explanation of symbols

1 Service Point Operation System 11 System Group for Credit Card Company 12 Terminal Device N1 Network

Claims (11)

A service point operation system comprising a plurality of computers,
Point storage means for storing information on the number of points available for each credit card member;
Usage status storage means for storing credit card usage status information for each credit card member;
Operation application receiving means for receiving operation application information relating to operation application of the credit card member identification information, at least a part of the stored number of points, and the number of points including the operation period;
Of the stored points of the credit card member specified by the credit card member identification information of the received operation application information, the operation points that are unavailable points are the points of the received operation application information. Unusable setting means for storing in the point storage means;
The credit card usage status information stored in the usage status storage means, the credit card member credit card usage status information specified by the credit card member identification information, and using the points obtained points interest based on the interest calculation conditions is information about conditions for calculating a calculation means for calculating a point interest on the operational point,
Refund storing the point interest calculated by the calculation means and the number of points determined as the operation points in the point storage means as points that can be used by the credit card member after the operation period of the received operation application information has elapsed. A service point operation system comprising: means. Means for receiving refund application information for the stored operation point;
The refund means can be used by the credit card member after receiving the refund application information after the operation period of the received operation application information has elapsed, and using the calculated point interest and the number of points determined as the operation points. The service point operation system according to claim 1, wherein the service point operation unit stores the points in the point storage unit. The usage status storage means stores the commission information of paid credit card during the operation period of the received operational application information,
The service point operation system according to claim 1, wherein the interest calculation condition is a condition according to the stored fee information of the credit card. The usage status storage means stores the credit card spending information during the operational period of the received operational application information,
The service point operating system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the interest calculation condition is a condition corresponding to the stored credit card usage amount information. The usage status storage means stores the credit card payment arrears information on the number of times during the operational period of the received operational application information,
The service point operation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the interest calculation condition is a condition corresponding to the stored payment arrears count information. A method executed in a service point operation system including a plurality of computers,
A point storage step for storing information on the number of points available for each credit card member;
A usage status storage step for storing credit card usage status information for each credit card member;
An operation application receiving step for receiving operation application information related to operation application of the credit card member identification information, at least a part of the stored number of points, and the number of points including an operation period;
Of the stored number of points of the credit card member specified by the credit card member identification information of the received operation application information, the point number of the received operation application information is stored as an operation point that is an unusable point An unusable setting step,
The credit card usage status information stored in the usage status storage step, the credit card usage status information specified by the credit card member identification information, and the points are used. obtained points interest based on the interest calculation conditions is information about conditions for calculating and a calculation step of calculating a point interest on the operational point,
A refund step of storing the point interest calculated by the calculation step and the number of points determined as the operation points as points usable by the credit card member after the operation period of the received operation application information has elapsed. A method characterized by that. Receiving refund application information for the stored operational points;
In the refund step, the credit card member can use the calculated point interest and the number of points determined as the operation points after receiving the refund application information after the operation period of the received operation application information has elapsed. The method according to claim 6, wherein the method is stored as a point. The usage situation storing step includes storing charge information of paid credit card during the operation period of the received operation item,
The method according to claim 6, wherein the interest calculation condition is a condition according to the stored fee information of the credit card. The usage situation storing step includes storing the credit card spending information between operational period of the received operation item,
The method according to claim 6, wherein the interest calculation condition is a condition according to the stored credit card usage amount information. The usage situation storing step includes storing the credit card payment overdue count information during operational periods of the received operation item,
The method according to claim 6, wherein the interest calculation condition is a condition corresponding to the stored payment arrears count information.   The computer program for making a computer perform the method in any one of Claims 6-10.

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