JP7039400B2 - Benefit management system and information processing program - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a privilege management system and an information processing program.

It has already been done to change the grant rate of benefits given to users according to the member rank determined according to the transaction performance of each user.
However, the transactions to which the award is granted are fixedly determined by the award provider and are uniform for all users. For example, when the privilege is a discount, the discount rate is different for each user, but the products subject to the discount are the same for all users to which the discount rate is applied.
Under these circumstances, it has been desired to be able to grant benefits according to the needs of users.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-259792

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a privilege management device and an information processing program capable of managing privileges for granting privileges according to user needs.

The privilege management device of the embodiment includes a storage means and an update means. The storage means stores grant rate data representing the grant rate of benefits individually set for a plurality of users for each of the plurality of categories defined by classifying the plurality of transaction items. The updating means updates the grant rate data stored in the storage means as being set for the user in response to the instruction from the user.

A block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of a customer server according to an embodiment and a schematic configuration of a payment system configured using the customer server. The figure which shows an example of the grant point table in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the upper limit point table in FIG. The figure which shows the structure of the data record included in the rank table in FIG. The figure which shows the structure of the data record included in the setting table in FIG. Flowchart of information processing by the processor. The figure which shows the setting screen.

Hereinafter, an example of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a customer server having a function as a privilege management device will be described as an example.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of a customer server 10 according to the present embodiment and a schematic configuration of a payment system 100 configured by using the customer server 10.

The payment system 100 is configured to enable communication between the customer server 10, the information terminal 20, and the POS (point-of-sale) system 30 via the communication network 40. As the communication network 40, the Internet, VPN (virtual private network), LAN (local area network), public communication network, mobile communication network and the like can be used alone or in combination as appropriate. The payment system 100 typically includes a plurality of information terminals 20, but only one is shown in FIG. Further, the payment system 100 may include a plurality of POS systems 30.

The customer server 10 performs various information processing for management regarding the user of the payment service provided by the payment system 100.
The information terminal 20 accepts an operation by the user for setting related to the granting of benefits in the payment service. The information terminal 20 is typically a portable information processing device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, or a tablet terminal. The information terminal 20 may be a stationary information processing device such as a desktop personal computer or the like. When a plurality of information terminals 20 are included in the payment system 100, these plurality of information terminals 20 may be used by the same user or may be individually used by different users. Alternatively, one information terminal 20 may be shared by a plurality of users.

The POS system 30 performs processing for registration of transaction contents, accounting, and the like. The transaction to be processed by the POS system 30 is the sale of goods in the present embodiment. However, the transaction may be a non-existent service such as a food and drink service or a service that does not involve the provision of goods. The subject of a transaction includes multiple transaction items classified into multiple categories. For example, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that each of a large number of products to be sold corresponds to a transaction item, and these many products are classified into a plurality of categories.

The customer server 10 includes a processor 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, a communication interface 14, a transmission line 15, and the like. The processor 11, the main memory 12, the auxiliary storage device 13, and the communication interface 14 are connected by a transmission line 15.
In the customer server 10, the processor 11, the main memory 12, and the auxiliary storage device 13 are connected by a transmission line 15 to configure a computer that performs information processing for controlling the customer server 10.

The processor 11 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 11 controls each part in order to realize various functions as a customer server 10 according to various information processing programs such as an operating system, middleware, and an application program.

The main memory 12 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 12 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores the above information processing program in the non-volatile memory area. Further, the main memory 12 may store data necessary for the processor 11 to execute a process for controlling each part in a non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 12 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 11.

The auxiliary storage device 13 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage device 13 is, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), an HDD (hard disk drive), an SSD (solid state drive), or the like. The auxiliary storage device 13 stores data used by the processor 11 for performing various processes, or data generated by the processes of the processor 11. The auxiliary storage device 13 may store the above information processing program.

The communication interface 14 is an interface for data communication via the communication network 40. As the communication interface 14, for example, a well-known communication device for performing data communication via the Internet can be used.
The transmission line 15 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like, and transmits data and control signals transmitted and received between the connected parts.

The customer server 10 can use, for example, a general-purpose computer device as basic hardware. At this time, typically, the information processing program related to information processing described later and the computer device in which the information processing program is not stored in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13 are individually transferred to the operator of the customer server 10. Will be done. The transfer of the information processing program can be realized by recording on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, or by downloading via a network. In this case, the receipt server application P21 is written to the auxiliary storage device 13 in response to an operation by the administrator of the customer server 10 or the installation worker of the customer server 10. However, the customer server 10 in which the above information processing program is stored in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13 may be transferred.

The data stored in the auxiliary storage device 13 includes the member master T1, the grant point table T2, the upper limit point table T3, the rank table T4, and the setting table T5.
The member master T1 describes various information such as a name and authentication information for managing the user in association with the member code for identifying the user.

The grant point table T2 describes the number of grant points and the number of allowable categories in association with the member rank. The number of points granted is the number of points granted to users belonging to the associated member rank. The number of permissible categories is the number of categories that are allowed to allocate the given points.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the grant point table T2.
There are 10 levels of membership rank from 1 to 10, with 10 being the maximum. The given point table T2 shows that, for example, a user having a member rank of 10 is given 30 points, and the 30 points are allowed to be allocated to up to 6 categories.

The upper limit point table T3 describes the upper limit value in association with each of the category codes for identifying the category. The upper limit represents the upper limit of points that can be allocated to the category identified by the associated category code.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the upper limit point table T3.
FIG. 3 shows an example in which 10 categories exist, and their category codes are Ca, Cb, Cc, Cd, Ce, Cf, Cg, Ch, Ci, and Cj. The upper limit point table T3 indicates that, for example, up to 5 points can be allocated to a category whose category code is Ca.

The rank table T4 describes the member rank in association with the member code.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the data record R1 included in the rank table T4.
The rank table T4 is a set of a plurality of data records R1 associated with each of the plurality of users. The data record R1 includes fields F11 and F12. The membership code of the associated member is described in the field F11. The member rank of the associated member is described in the field F12.

The description contents of the upper limit point table T3 and the rank table T4 are determined, for example, by a manager or the like on the privilege providing side. The upper limit point table T3 and the rank table T4 are created by the processor 11 under the operation of the management person or the maintenance person of the customer server 10. The upper limit point table T3 and the rank table T4 may be arbitrarily updated by the processor 11 under the operation of the above-mentioned management person or maintenance person.

The setting table T5 represents the number of applicable points for each category in association with the membership code.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the data record R2 included in the setting table T5.
The setting table T5 is a set of a plurality of data records R2 associated with each of the plurality of users. The data record R2 includes fields F21 to F31. The membership code of the associated member is described in the field F21. The fields F22 to F31 correspond to the category codes Ca to Cj, respectively. In the fields F22 to F31, the number of applicable points set for the category identified by the corresponding category code is described. Here, the number of applicable points represents the discount rate related to the discount as a privilege, as will be described later. That is, the setting table T5 is an example of grant rate data representing grant rates individually set for a plurality of users for each of the plurality of categories. The auxiliary storage device 13 is an example of a storage means for storing the setting table T5, which is an example of the grant rate data.

Next, the operation of the payment system 100 configured as described above will be described.
The member rank of a user is determined, for example, based on the transaction record of the user. More specifically, the member rank of the user for the next month is determined according to the total transaction amount settled by the user using the POS system 30 in one month. However, the method for determining the member rank is not a feature of this embodiment, and any method may be used. Further, the information processing for determining the member rank may be performed by the customer server 10 or may be performed by any other information processing device. Alternatively, the member rank may be determined by humans. The customer server 10 determines or acquires a member rank for each user at an appropriate timing, and writes the member rank in the rank table T4.

Further, the POS system 30 grants a privilege according to the setting shown in the setting table T5 for the user at the time of a new transaction for the user. For example, the POS system 30 discounts the payment amount related to a product when the user purchases the product. Then, the POS system 30 determines the rate to be applied to the discount according to the number of applicable points described in the field corresponding to the category code of the category to which the corresponding product belongs in the data record R2 associated with the user. For example, the POS system 30 discounts 5% of the settlement amount when the number of applicable points is 5. However, the content of the benefits and the size of the benefit grant rate for the number of applicable points are arbitrary. For example, in the POS system 30, when the number of applicable points is 5, a number of points corresponding to 2.5% of the payment amount may be added to the user's point amount. The points here are different from the points that can be used as the number of applicable points described above, for example, points that can be used as a part of the payment amount in future settlement.

When the user intends to set the number of applicable points, the user accesses the customer server 10 via the communication network 40 by using a predetermined URL (uniform resource locator) from the information terminal 20. In the customer server 10 that has received such access, the processor 11 starts the information processing described below.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of information processing by the processor 11. The processor 11 executes this information processing according to the information processing program stored in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13. The content of the information processing described below is an example, and it is possible to change the order of some processes, omit some processes, or add another process as appropriate.

As Act1, the processor 11 executes an authentication process for authenticating a user. As this authentication process, a well-known process such as using authentication information such as a membership code and a password can be applied. Then, if the authentication fails, the processor 11 either redoes Act1 or ends this information processing. If the authentication is successful, the processor 11 proceeds to Act2.

As Act2, the processor 11 instructs the information terminal 20 to display the setting screen. The setting screen is a screen for an operation of setting the number of applicable points. For example, the processor 11 generates a file in which the setting screen is represented by HTML (hypertext markup language) or the like, and sends the file to the information terminal 20 via the communication network 40.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the setting screen S1.
The setting screen S1 includes character strings C1, C2, C3, C4 and a list L1. The setting screen S1 shows an example when the member rank of the user is "10".
The character string C1 represents the name of the member. For example, the processor 11 adds "sama" to the end of the name associated with the member code in the member master T1 to generate the character string C1.

The character string C2 represents the current member rank. The processor 11 searches for the data record R1 in which the member code of the user is described in the field F11 from the rank table T4, and determines the value described in the field F12 of the corresponding data record R1. Then, the processor 11 adds the determined value after the fixed character string "degree rank", and before the fixed character string, a character string such as "May 2018" indicating the current year and month. Is added to generate the character string C2.

The character string C3 represents the number of points given to the user according to the member rank. The processor 11 determines the number of granted points described in the granted point table T2 in association with the member rank of the user. Then, the processor 11 adds the determined number of granted points to the end of the fixed character string "presentation point =", and further adds "P" to the end to generate the character string C3.

The character string C4 represents the number of categories to which the number of granted points shown in the character string C3 is allowed to be allocated. The processor 11 determines the number of allowable categories described in the grant point table T2 in association with the member rank of the user. Then, the processor 11 adds the determined number of allowable categories to the end of the fixed character string "number of allowable categories =" to generate the character string C4.

Thus, in the character strings C1 to C4 in the example shown in FIG. 7, the current member rank of the user operating the information terminal 20 is "10", and 30 points are allocated to up to 6 categories. It configures a message to notify the user that it can be done.

In the list L1, the name of each category is shown in the left column of each of the second to eleventh rows. Although it is shown in the form of "AAA" in FIG. 7, in reality, for example, "vegetables", "fresh fish", "meat", "side dishes", "general foods", "daily deliveries", "rice", and "types" A predetermined name is given so that the user can identify the category such as "Sunday miscellaneous goods" and "frozen food".

The list L1 represents the upper limit of the number of points allowed to be set in each category in the central column of each of the second to eleventh rows. The processor 11 represents each of the upper limit values described in the upper limit point table T3 in the central column of each of the second to eleventh rows.

The list L1 represents the number of points set in each category in the right column of each of the second to eleventh rows. The processor 11 searches for the data record R2 in which the member code of the user is described in the field F21 from the setting table T5, and determines the number of applicable points described in the fields F22 to F31 of the corresponding data record R2, respectively. Then, the processor 11 represents each of the determined number of application points in the column on the right side of each of the second to eleventh rows. In the example of FIG. 7, when the number of applicable points is "0", the corresponding column is left blank.

When the user confirms the setting screen S1 and changes the setting, the information terminal 20 performs a predetermined operation for selecting a line corresponding to the category for which the number of applicable points is to be changed. Then, the information terminal 20 is in a state of waiting for the numerical input in the right column of the selected line. Then, when the user performs an operation for inputting a numerical value, the information terminal 20 notifies the customer server 10 of the input value together with the category code of the category corresponding to the selected line. The information processing in the above information terminal 20 can be executed by using, for example, the function of a general-purpose web browser.

After instructing the display of the setting screen as Act2 on the customer server 10, the processor 11 proceeds to Act3.
As Act 3, the processor 11 confirms whether or not the number of applicable points has been notified from the information terminal 20. Then, the processor 11 determines No if the notification is not given, and proceeds to Act4.
As Act4, the processor 11 confirms whether or not the termination declaration has been made. Then, the processor 11 determines No if the end declaration has not been made, and returns to Act3.
Thus, the processor 11 waits for the number of applicable points to be notified or the end declaration to be made for Act3 and Act4. Then, when the information terminal 20 notifies the number of applicable points as described above, the processor 11 determines Yes in Act3 and proceeds to Act5.

As Act5, the processor 11 confirms whether or not the notified input value is equal to or less than the upper limit value defined for the category identified by the notified category code. Specifically, the processor 11 reads the upper limit value associated with the category code from the upper limit point table T3, and compares the upper limit value with the input value. Then, if the processor 11 confirms that the input value is equal to or less than the upper limit as a result of this comparison, the processor 11 determines Yes and proceeds to Act6.

As Act6, the processor 11 sets the notified input value as the number of applicable points for the category identified by the category code notified together. Specifically, the processor 11 is notified of the number of applicable points described in the field corresponding to the category identified by the notified category code among the fields F22 to F31 of the data record R2 found by Act2. Update to the input value.

As Act 7, the processor 11 updates the setting screen so as to reflect the update of the number of applicable points as described above. Then, the processor 11 then returns to the standby state of Act3 and Act4. If the processor 11 confirms that the input value is not equal to or less than the upper limit value, it determines No in Act5, passes Act6 and Act7, and returns to the standby state of Act3 and Act4. Therefore, at this time, the information terminal 20 ignores the input of the numerical value by the user, and is in a state of receiving the input of a new number of applicable points and the end declaration. However, at this time, the processor 11 may display a screen on the information terminal 20 for notifying the operator that the input numerical value exceeds the upper limit and cannot be set as the number of applicable points. ..

The user repeats the selection of the category and the input of the numerical value as necessary, and allocates the given points to the category arbitrarily. In response to this, the processor 11 repeats Act5, Act6 and Act7, and updates the setting table T5. As the processor 11 executes information processing based on the information processing program in this way, the computer having the processor 11 as a central portion functions as an update means for updating the setting table T5 as the grant rate data. Then, the processor 11 updates the setting table T5 when the input value is equal to or less than the upper limit value, so that the function as the updating means is given and the grant rate set for the category is within the permissible range defined in the category. The grant rate data will be updated so that it is within.

Then, when the allocation is completed, the operator performs a predetermined operation for the end declaration on the information terminal 20. In response to this operation, the information terminal 20 declares the end to the customer server 10. Specifically, for example, the information terminal 20 transmits predetermined data for the termination declaration to the customer server 10.
When the termination declaration is transmitted to the customer server 10 via the communication network 40 and captured by the communication interface 14, the processor 11 determines Yes in Act4 and proceeds to Act8.

As Act8, the processor 11 confirms whether or not the total number of applicable points Pa set by the user is equal to or less than the number of granted points Pb. Specifically, the processor 11 calculates the total number Pa as the sum of the values described in the fields F22 to F31 of the data record R2 found in Act2. Then, the processor 11 compares the total number Pa with the number of granted points Pb determined by Act2, and if the total number Pa is equal to or less than the number of granted points Pb, determines Yes and proceeds to Act9.

As Act9, the processor 11 confirms whether or not the number Na of the categories set as the target of application of the discount is equal to or less than the allowable number of categories Nb. Specifically, the processor 11 counts the category number Na as the number of fields in which the value described in the fields F22 to F31 of the data record R2 found in Act2 is not "0". Then, the processor 11 compares the number of categories Na with the number of allowable categories Nb determined by Act2, and if the number of categories Na is equal to or less than the number of allowable categories Nb, determines Yes and ends the information processing shown in FIG. do. That is, the processor 11 determines that the content described at this point in the data record R2 found in Act2 is applied to the discount.

If the total number of Pa is larger than the number of granted points Pb, or if the number of categories Na is larger than the number of allowable categories Nb, the processor 11 determines No in Act8 or Act9, and puts it in the standby state of Act3 and Act4. return. That is, the processor 11 considers that the content described at this point in the data record R2 found in Act2 is inappropriate for applying to the discount, and shifts to a state of waiting for an operation for correction by the user. do. As a result, the processor 11 functions as an update means so that the total sum of the grant rates set for each of the plurality of categories does not exceed the total grant rate set for the user. The grant rate data shall be updated. Further, the processor 11 updates the grant rate data as a function as an update means so that the number of categories to which the privilege is granted does not exceed the upper limit number set for the user.

As described above, the user can allocate the given points as the applicable points of each of the plurality of categories. That is, the user can set the discount conditions according to his / her needs, and can receive the discount according to the settings as a privilege. Thus, according to the customer server 10, it is possible to manage the privilege for granting the privilege according to the needs of the user. In this way, it is possible to increase the motivation of the user to improve the rank by giving the privilege that is easy to use according to the needs of the user. As a result, an increase in the transaction amount can be expected.

Further, according to the customer server 10, the allocation of applicable points is permitted within the range in which the total number of applicable points is equal to or less than the number of granted points. This makes it possible to limit the total amount of benefits given to the user.

Further, according to the customer server 10, the application points for each category are set so as to be within the permissible range defined as not exceeding the upper limit value for each category. Thereby, the amount of the privilege given to the user can be limited according to the circumstances of the provider of the privilege and the like.

Further, according to the customer server 10, the number of categories to which the privilege is given is set to be within the permissible range set not to exceed the upper limit set by the user according to the member level. To. Thereby, the amount of the privilege given to the user can be limited according to the circumstances of the provider of the privilege and the like.

This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows.
Act5 may be any process as long as it is a process of confirming whether or not the number of applicable points is within the allowable range, and the allowable range can be arbitrarily changed, such as a range between a predetermined lower limit value and an upper limit value. Is. The permissible range may be the same regardless of the category.

Act8 may be any process as long as it is a process of confirming whether or not the total number of applicable points is within the permissible range, and the permissible range is arbitrarily changed, such as being a range between a predetermined lower limit value and upper limit value. Is possible.

Act9 may be any process as long as it is a process of confirming whether or not the number of categories to which the privilege is granted is within the permissible range, and the permissible range can be arbitrarily changed. It is assumed that the permissible range is, for example, a range that does not exceed the upper limit set for each user regardless of the membership level, or a range between the predetermined lower limit value and the upper limit value.

At least one of Act5, Act8 and Act9 may be omitted.

In addition to the POS system 30, or instead of the POS system 30, another device such as a server that performs information processing for Internet shopping may be included.

Each function realized by the processor 11 by information processing can also be realized by hardware that executes information processing that is not based on a program such as a logic circuit or the like. Further, each of the above-mentioned functions can be realized by combining software control with the above-mentioned hardware such as a logic circuit.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1 ... Processor, 10 ... Customer server, 11 ... Processor, 12 ... Main memory, 13 ... Auxiliary storage device, 14 ... Communication interface, 15 ... Transmission line, 20 ... Information terminal, 30 ... POS system, 40 ... Communication network, 100 … Payment system.

Claims (5)

A storage means for storing grant rate data representing the grant rate of benefits individually set for a plurality of users for each of a plurality of categories defined by classifying a plurality of transaction items.
An update means for updating the grant rate data stored in the storage means as being set for the user in response to an instruction from the user, and an update means.
A privilege management device equipped with. The update means updates the grant rate data so that the sum of the grant rates set for each of the plurality of categories does not exceed the total grant rate set for the user. conduct,
The privilege management device according to claim 1. The update means updates the grant rate data so that the grant rate set for the category is within the permissible range defined for the category.
The privilege management device according to claim 1 or 2. The updating means updates the grant rate data so that the number of categories to which the privilege is granted is within the permissible range determined for the user.
The privilege management device according to any one of claims 1-3. A privilege management system equipped with a storage means for storing grant rate data representing grant rates individually set for multiple users for each of a plurality of categories defined by classifying multiple transaction items. A computer to control the
An update means for updating the grant rate data stored in the storage means as being set for the user in response to an instruction from the user.
An information processing program to function as.

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