JP7239211B1 - Gift promotion support system and physical store - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a system that can be suitably used when giving gift assets, and enables small-scale stores and chain stores to effectively issue gift assets as a sales promotion measure. SOLUTION: A gift card 3 as a gift asset that can be used as a purchase price at a store is issued by a store operator to a gift giver and presented to a gift recipient. The recipient presents the gift card 3 at the store, the on-card code is read by the store terminal 5, the gift ID is transmitted to the support server 1, and the use application processing program 14 is executed. If the gift card 3 has not been used, the use application processing program 14 returns a message indicating that the gift card 3 can be used only if it was sent from the store terminal 5 of the store operated by the store operator that issued the gift card 3 and is within the expiration date. If it is not unused, even if it is transmitted from the store terminal 5 of a store managed by another store business operator, if it is within the expiration date, it returns that it can be used. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

The invention of this application relates to a technique for supporting sales promotion measures by issuing a gift asset, which is a right that can be used as payment when purchasing goods or services or a right that can be exchanged for goods or services. It is.

It is said that the Japanese are a people who like gifts. It can be said that giving gifts is indispensable for smoothening interpersonal relationships, and gifts are frequently given to friends, acquaintances, business associates, and the like. With respect to such gifts, the use of IT is also progressing, and services that provide catalog-type gifts on websites have also appeared.

As types of such gifts, names such as formal gifts and casual gifts are sometimes used. There is no strict distinction, but formal gifts refer to gifts for formal occasions such as mid-year gifts, year-end gifts, and wedding receptions, while casual gifts refer to small gifts in everyday life, such as birthday gifts and Valentine's gifts. there is Furthermore, inexpensive gifts are sometimes called petit gifts. Hereinafter, in this specification, the term "casual gift" is used to mean "a gift that can be easily given," including petit gifts.

In recent years, casual gift services using the Internet have appeared, one of which is known as Non-Patent Document 1. In this type of gift service, a gift can be purchased on a website by credit card payment or the like, and the purchased gift can be sent to the other party's terminal (smartphone, etc.) by SNS, e-mail, or the like. A gift here is a right (claim) that can be exchanged for goods or services, and what is sent to the other party is a code for exchange. A code is a code symbol like a bar code, and an image of the code symbol is sent by SNS or the like. The person receiving the code symbol (the recipient) displays the code symbol on a terminal at the store and presents it to the store clerk. or provide services to the giftee.

Hereinafter, in this specification, a right that can be used as a price for purchasing goods or services or a right that can be exchanged for goods or services and given to the other party as a gift is referred to as a "gift asset". Note that the gift asset given via the SNS as described above is sometimes called a social gift.

https://giftee.com/

As described above, a casual gift service has appeared and is being used, in which a gift asset can be easily purchased on a website and given to the other party via SNS or the like.
Such a service is convenient because it allows users to easily present gifts, but it has several problems. One of them is that the goods and services that can be gifted are limited. In many cases, what can be purchased and given as a gift is a product that is normally sold at a convenience store or the like, or a meal ticket at a large-scale restaurant chain. Although this point is a consideration to make it possible for the person who received the gift to easily exchange it for goods or services, this kind of service cannot be used at privately owned stores or small chain stores. .

Another challenge is that the sales of gift assets are not initially credited to the store, thus creating a credit condition. Since the gift assets are sold on the website, the payment for the sale of the gift assets is received by the website operator (casual gift presentation service provider). After the purchased gift asset is sent via SNS or the like, and the gift recipient exchanges it for a product or service, the store where the exchange is performed bills the operating business operator. After that, the operator pays the price to the store. Therefore, from the time of exchange to the time of payment, the product is on credit. For this reason, small-scale stores that do not want to be out of stock have little incentive to use the casual gift presentation service.

In addition, casual gift giving services such as those mentioned above often target products that are commonly sold at many stores, so excluding the case of large-scale chain stores, they are meant to promote store visits. is not very effective. Since the product is commonly sold at many stores, it can be exchanged at any store, and there is no need to go to a specific store. The gift assets themselves are sometimes sold on the website, making the service less attractive for the purpose of promoting visits to specific stores.

On the other hand, there is the issuance of gift certificates as a conventional service. A gift certificate is basically a gift asset that can be exchanged at the store that issued the gift certificate (or stores of the same chain). With gift certificates, the payment for the sale goes directly to the store, so there is no need to go to the store to sell or use the gift certificate.

However, at small-scale stores such as privately-owned stores and small-scale chain stores, there are complicated tasks such as printing gift certificates, managing their issuance, and checking the authenticity of gift certificates. It's a big burden.
The invention of this application has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a system that can be suitably used when gift assets are given, enabling small-scale stores and chain stores to issue gift assets. The purpose is to enable effective implementation as a sales promotion measure.

In order to solve the above problems, an invention of a gift promotion support system is disclosed in this specification. The gift promotion support system according to the disclosed invention can issue a gift asset, which is a right that can be used as payment when purchasing a product or service at a store or a right that can be exchanged for a product or service, to the giver. It is a system that assists stores in carrying out gift promotions as sales promotion measures.
This system includes a support server, a storage unit, gift issue recording means, and usage application processing means.
The storage unit stores a gift issuance information file that records information on the gift assets that have been issued.
A gift ID that identifies each gift asset is recorded in the gift issuance information file. Usage/non-use information that can identify whether or not the gift is unused after the issuance of the gift, and the remaining amount of each gift asset are recorded.
The gift issuance recording means is configured by a gift issuance recording program implemented in the support server, and the gift issuance recording program identifies the gift ID of the issued gift asset and the store operator of the store that issued the gift asset. It is a program for recording possible information in the gift asset information file and recording the amount of the issued gift asset as the remaining amount in the gift issuance information file.
The usage application processing means is configured by a usage application processing program implemented in the support server, and the usage application processing program contains information that can identify the store operator of the store where the gift asset is used, the gift ID, and the amount used. is sent and a usage application is made, searches the gift issuance information file with the gift ID, and is used when the balance recorded for the corresponding gift asset is greater than or equal to the usage amount. It is a program that outputs a return value of yes and performs an update process, which is a process of updating the balance by subtracting the usage amount from the balance.
Then, if the gift asset specified by the transmitted gift ID is unused, the usage application processing program is for the store specified by the information recorded in the gift issuance information file for the transmitted gift ID. A program that performs update processing by outputting a usable return value when the business operator and the store business operator specified by the transmitted information are the same, and is a gift asset specified by the transmitted gift ID. is not used, and the shop operator specified by the information recorded in the gift issuance information file for the sent gift ID is not the same as the shop operator specified by the information sent is a program that outputs a return value to the effect that it cannot be used and does not perform update processing.

Also, in order to solve the above problems, this specification discloses an invention of a physical store. A physical store according to the disclosed invention is a store that provides products or services to customers, and is a physical store that is not a virtual store on the Internet.
This physical store is provided with a store terminal that can access a support server via the Internet.
In this physical store, there is a gift card material that materializes the gift asset that is issued to the giver and can be used as payment when purchasing goods or services at the store or the right to exchange for goods or services A gift card material is provided.
The gift card material is printed with a code symbol that can be read by the store terminal to access the support server, and is provided with an issue date entry field. The code symbol includes a gift ID, and the gift issuing information stored in the storage unit by transmitting information that can identify the store operator of the actual store with the gift ID and the gift card material to the support server. A symbolic code that can execute the gift issuance recording program on the support server that records the program execution date as the issue date for the gift ID in the file and records the identifiable information of the store operator. is.
The issue date entry column is a column for entering the execution date as the gift card issue date when the code symbol is read by the store terminal and the gift issuance recording program is executed.
A use application processing program is installed in the support server, and payment for the code symbol or the code symbol printed separately from the code symbol will be made using the gift ID and gift assets. It is a symbol of a code that can transmit a shop ID specifying the shop and the usage amount to the support server and execute a use application processing program.
The usage application processing program searches the gift information file with the gift ID, and if the remaining amount recorded for the corresponding gift asset is greater than or equal to the usage amount, subtracts the usage amount from the remaining amount to update the balance. This is a program that performs update processing.
In addition, if the gift asset specified by the transmitted gift ID is unused, the usage application processing program is used to store the store specified by the information recorded in the gift issuance information file for the transmitted gift ID. A program that outputs and displays a usable return value on the store terminal and performs update processing when the business operator and the store business operator specified by the transmitted information are the same. When the gift asset specified by the ID is unused, the shop operator specified by the information recorded in the gift issuance information file for the transmitted gift ID and the store business specified by the transmitted information This program outputs and displays a return value indicating that the user is not the same as the store terminal, and does not perform update processing.
The code symbols printed on each gift card material include gift IDs different from each other, and when the store terminal reads the code symbols, it obtains the gift ID, transmits the gift ID as an argument, and issues the gift. A terminal that executes a recording program.

In order to solve the above problems, this specification discloses an invention of a gift card material. The gift card material pertaining to the disclosed invention is a gift that tangible gift asset, which is the right that can be used as payment when purchasing goods or services, or the right that can be exchanged for goods or services, issued to the giver. card material.
This gift card material is printed with a code symbol that can be read by a terminal to access the support server, and is provided with an issue date entry field . Information that can identify the store operator of the actual store with the ID and gift card material is sent to the support server, and the execution date of the program is added to the gift issuance information file stored in the storage unit for the gift ID. It is a symbol of a code that can execute a gift issuance recording program on a support server that records as the date of issue and records identifiable information about the store operator .
A use application processing program is installed in the support server, and payment for the code symbol or the code symbol printed separately from the code symbol will be made using the gift ID and gift assets. It is a symbol of a code that can transmit a shop ID specifying the shop and the usage amount to the support server and execute a use application processing program.
The issue date entry column is a column in which when the code symbol is read by the shop terminal and the gift issue recording program is executed, the execution date is entered as the gift card issue date.
The usage application processing program searches the gift information file with the gift ID, and if the remaining amount recorded for the corresponding gift asset is greater than or equal to the usage amount, subtracts the usage amount from the remaining amount to update the balance. This is a program that performs update processing.
In addition, if the gift asset specified by the transmitted gift ID is unused, the usage application processing program is used to store the store specified by the information recorded in the gift issuance information file for the transmitted gift ID. A program that outputs and displays a usable return value on the store terminal and performs update processing when the business operator and the store business operator specified by the transmitted information are the same. When the gift asset specified by the ID is unused, the shop operator specified by the information recorded in the gift issuance information file for the transmitted gift ID and the store business specified by the transmitted information This program outputs and displays a return value indicating that the user is not the same as the store terminal, and does not perform update processing.

As explained below, according to the invention of the gift promotion support system of the present application, the first use of the given gift asset is limited to the store that issued the gift asset or another store of the same store operator as the store. Therefore, for store operators, the issuance of gift assets will certainly lead to the promotion of customer visits and purchases, and the gift promotion will be highly effective.
On the other hand, for the recipient, the first use is limited to the store that issued the gift asset or the store of the same store operator, but the remaining amount can be used at other store operators It is very convenient because you can also The fact that the surplus can be used at other store operators' stores means that although the amount is relatively small, the other store operators can expect visits and sales from gift assets issued by other store operators. As a result, a synergistic effect, killing two birds with one stone, can be obtained.
Also, since the recording of the issuance of the gift asset and the processing of the application for use are performed by the program on the support server, it does not take time and effort for management by each store operator.

Further, according to the physical store or gift card material according to the disclosed invention, in addition to the above effect, the gift asset is issued in the form of a gift card as a tangible gift and presented to the recipient, thus promoting store visits. , to promote sales more effectively.
At this time, if the symbol code printed on the gift card is designed to be able to execute both the gift issuance recording program and the usage application processing program with a single code, it is necessary to determine which symbol code should be read. There is no problem with reading the wrong symbol code and it does not work properly.
In addition, if the gift card material is a gift card material that materializes a gift asset that is the right to be exchanged for goods or services at a store, and the price of the goods or services is printed, Although it is unusual in custom, the giftee can easily grasp the remaining amount when exchanged for other goods or services at a lower price, and the remaining amount can be used easily.

1 is a schematic diagram of a gift promotion support system of a first embodiment; FIG. It is the schematic which showed an example of the gift tangible thing in embodiment. It is the schematic which showed an example of the structure of an enterpriser information file. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of a store information file. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of a gift issuance information file; It is the schematic which showed about the screen transition of the store terminal at the time of issuing a gift. It is the flowchart which showed the outline of a gift card reception program. It is the flowchart which showed the outline of a gift issue recording program. 10 is a flow chart showing an overview of a usability inquiry receiving program; It is the schematic which showed about the screen transition of the store terminal in a use propriety inquiry. It is the flowchart which showed the outline of a use application processing program. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration when gift cards are used in a virtual shop, and is a diagram showing an example of a payment page in a certain virtual shop. It is a schematic diagram of the gift promotion support system of the second embodiment. It is the schematic which showed an example of the gift tangible thing in 2nd embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the top page of the recipient's site; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a giftee registration page; 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of a giftee information file; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of a point information file; FIG. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of a business operator information file in the second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an accompanying web shop page; It is the flowchart which showed the outline of the use application processing program performed by the call|call from a store terminal in 2nd embodiment. It is the schematic which showed the screen transition of the store terminal at the time of point use in 2nd embodiment. It is the schematic which showed an example of a usage application page. It is the schematic which showed an example of the balance conversion page. It is the schematic which showed an example of a shop point setting page.

Hereinafter, modes (embodiments) for carrying out the invention of this application will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the gift promotion support system of the first embodiment. In the following description, "gift promotion" refers to the promotion of sales at a store through the issuance of gift assets to customers and the use of the issued gift assets at the store.

The gift promotion support system of the embodiment includes a support server 1, a storage unit 2, gift issuance recording means, and usage application processing means. The support server 1 is a server on the Internet 9 and also functions as a web server. Therefore, a web server program is implemented. The support server 1 is operated and managed by a business that provides gift promotion services (hereinafter referred to as a support service provider).
The storage unit 2 is a storage such as a hard disk provided in the support server 1, but may be provided in a server other than the support server 1, such as a storage server.

First, a gift asset issued using the gift promotion support system of the embodiment will be described.
In this embodiment, a tangible gift asset (hereinafter referred to as a tangible gift) is provided to the purchaser. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a tangible gift in the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tangible gift 3 in this example is card-shaped. However, unlike a general gift card, the gift material 3 is printed with a code symbol 31 that symbolizes a code that allows access to the support server 1 . In this example, the code symbol 31 is a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark). The code symbol 31 is hereinafter referred to as an "on-card code".
In addition, the tangible gift 3 is provided with a portion printed with the name of the store and the amount of the gift. Further, there is provided a portion printed with the store address, the store's PR text, and the like. In the example of FIG. 2, the printed matter is in the form of a business card-sized card, but it may be in the form of an elongated rectangular ticket or in the form of a heart-shaped printed matter.

Although different from a general gift card, the tangible gift 3 of the embodiment is card-shaped, and is hereinafter called a gift card. As shown in FIG. 2, the gift card 3 has an issue date entry field 32 . The issue date is the date on which the gift card 3 was sold. The issue date entry column 32 is a column in which the issue date is entered by handwriting or with a rubber stamp.
The gift card 3 is issued and validated by being sold to a customer. At this time, the issue date (selling date) is entered in the issue date entry field 32 . For convenience of explanation, the gift card 30 before being issued is referred to as "gift card material", and the gift card 3 after being issued is simply referred to as "gift card". FIG. 2(1) shows the gift card material 30, and (2) shows the gift card 3. As shown in FIG. A gift ID is printed on both.

On the other hand, the storage unit 2 stores a business operator information file 21, a shop information file 22, a gift issuance information file 23, and the like.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of the business operator information file. The business information file 21 is a database file that records information on businesses that receive gift promotion support services, that is, businesses that carry out gift promotions. This business operator is hereinafter referred to as a store business operator.
As shown in FIG. 3, the business information file 21 contains "business ID", "password", "business name", "business address", "telephone number", "printing image file name", " This is a database file containing records consisting of fields such as "gift amount" and "name of person in charge".

"Business ID" is a field in which an ID that uniquely identifies a store business is recorded. The store operator makes a contract with the support service providing company for the provision of the gift promotion support service and starts providing the service.
"Password" is a field in which information necessary for logging into the support server 1 as a store operator is recorded. The password is determined in advance and notified to the store operator together with the operator ID.
"Business name" is a field in which the name (company name, etc.) of the store business is recorded, and "business address" is a field in which the location (head office address, etc.) of the business is recorded. "Telephone number", "name of person in charge" and the like are contact information for the store operator.

The "printing image file name" is the file name of the printing image file of the gift card material 30 provided to the store operator. This image file is a file in which the image data of the gift card material 30 shown in FIG. The value for "Print Image File Name" may contain this path.
The “gift amount” is the price (sales amount) of one gift card 3 as a gift asset. In this embodiment, one type of gift asset is provided by one business operator, and a price-based gift card 3 is issued. Therefore, the amount of gift assets to be issued is determined in advance by the store business operator and notified to the support service provider business operator. Based on this, the "gift amount" value is recorded. Even when gift assets are issued as rights that can be exchanged for goods or services (gift assets based on goods or services), the store operator notifies the support service provider of the price of the goods or services, Recorded in "gift amount".

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of a store information file. The store information file 22 is a database file in which information of all stores managed by the support server 1 is recorded. Store information can be created and stored as a file for each store operator (each operator ID). I am recording.

As shown in FIG. 4, the store information file 22 is a database file containing records consisting of fields such as "store ID", "store password", "store name", "business ID", and "business name". is.
"Store ID" is an ID that uniquely identifies each record of the store information file 22, and is assigned and recorded for each store.
"Store password" is a field in which a password given in advance to each store is recorded.
"Store name" is a field in which the store name is recorded in text.
The “company ID” and “company name” are the same as the information in the company information file 21 .

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of the gift issuance information file. As shown in FIG. 5, the gift issuance information file 23 includes "gift ID", "enterprise ID", "material provision date", "issuance date", "issuing store ID", "expiration date", and "usage date". This is a database file containing records consisting of fields such as "existence", "balance", and "end of use".

As shown in FIG. 1, a management terminal 4 is connected to the support server 1 . The management terminal 4 is a terminal installed in the office of the support service provider. The information of the business operator information file 21 and the store information file 22 is provided by each store business operator, and is recorded by being input in the management terminal 4 .
Information of each record of the gift issuance information file 23 is recorded in advance by the management terminal 4 when the gift card material 30 is provided from the support service provider to each store operator. The support service provider prints and delivers the requested number of gift card materials 30 in response to the request from the store business operator. At this time, an on-card code is generated with the company ID and gift ID incorporated, and is printed together with other information as shown in FIG.

More specifically, the support server 1 or the management terminal 4 is equipped with a card printing program for printing as described above. Delivery of a large number of gift card materials 30 is typically requested. The card printing program is a program that is executed with the business operator ID and the number of prints as arguments. The card printing program searches the business information file 21 with the business ID and acquires the print image file according to the value of the "print image file name". Then, it is programmed to generate an on-card code with the business operator ID and gift ID as arguments, incorporate it into the image file for printing, and print it on the card paper for the gift card material 30 . The card printing program generates and prints on-card codes with the same business ID but different gift IDs. In addition, the card printing program is programmed to record the execution date of the program in the "material provision date" of the gift issuance information file 23 for the gift ID used (embedded in the on-card code). As for the date of material provision, the date of shipment of the gift card material 30 may be input by the management terminal 4 and recorded.

Note that the support service provider and each store operator make a contract in advance regarding the provision of the gift promotion support service. In addition, a business ID and a business password are assigned to each store business operator. Further, based on an application from each store business operator, information on the store managed by the store business operator is recorded in the store information file 22 . The store ID and store password of each store are also notified in advance to the store operator.

Next, the gift asset issuance recording means will be described.
Gift asset issuance is an act of selling a gift tangible item 3 as shown in FIG. 2 to a customer. At this time, the necessary information is sent to the support server 1 and recorded in the gift issuance information file 23 by the gift asset issuing means.

As shown in FIG. 1, a store terminal 5 is connected to the support server 1 via the Internet 9 . The store terminal 5 is a terminal installed in a store. The support server 1 is a server that provides web pages for each store. A general-purpose terminal such as a notebook PC or a tablet PC can be used as the store terminal 5, but a dedicated terminal for supporting gift promotion services may also be used. In either case, the store terminal 5 is equipped with a camera, and a terminal capable of reading and executing the gift card material 30 and the on-card code 31 of the gift card 3 is used.

When the store terminal 5 accesses the support server 1 and the store ID and password are entered correctly and sent, the store user is logged in. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing screen transition of the store terminal 5 when issuing a gift. Among them, FIG. 6(1) shows an example of a standby page (hereinafter referred to as a store standby page) displayed after logging in as a store user.

As shown in FIG. 6(1), the store standby page displays a message requesting that the on-card code 31 of the gift card material 30 be read, and a two-dimensional code reading frame 51 is provided. there is The program (script, etc.) included in the store standby page displays the image captured by the camera of the store terminal 5 in the two-dimensional code reading frame 51, and if the two-dimensional code is correctly captured, the installed two-dimensional It is programmed to run on-card code 31 using the code reading API.

On the other hand, in the support server 1, a gift card receiving program 11 and a gift issue recording program 12 are installed as components of gift issue recording means. The gift issue record program is a subroutine of the gift card reception program 11. FIG. The on-card code 31 of the gift card material 30 is an execution code for executing the gift card reception program 11 with the business operator ID and the gift ID as arguments.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an outline of the gift card reception program 11. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the gift card reception program 11 searches the gift issue information file 23 with the gift ID. If there is no corresponding record or the value of "Material provision date" is Null, an error message such as "There is no corresponding gift issuance record." . If there is a record and the value of "material provision date" is not Null, the gift card reception program 11 executes the gift issue record program 12 with the gift ID and the company ID as arguments.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an outline of the gift issuance recording program. As shown in FIG. 8, the gift issuance recording program 12 records the delivered business operator ID in the "business operator ID" field of the corresponding record, and records the program execution date in the "issue date" field. Then, six months after the date of program execution is recorded in the "replacement expiry date", and a value indicating unused is recorded in the "usage" (if unused is recorded as a default value, it is left as it is). Further, the company information file is searched by the company ID, the value of the "gift amount" is acquired, and the value is recorded in the "balance" of the corresponding record in the gift issuance information file 23. FIG. Then, a message to the effect that the recording of gift issuance is completed is transmitted so as to be displayed on the store terminal 5, and the program is terminated. FIG. 6(2) shows the state when the on-card code is captured by the store terminal 5, and FIG. 6(3) shows the state in which the fact that the recording is completed is displayed. there is

Next, the configuration for using the gift card 3 will be described.
The use of the gift card 3 is roughly divided into the case of using it in a virtual shop (website shop) on the Internet and the case of using it in a real shop that is not a virtual shop on the Internet. First, the case of use in an actual store will be described.
In the support server 1, a usability inquiry reception program 13 is installed as a program constituting usability inquiry reception means. The usability inquiry reception program 13 is also implemented as a subroutine of the gift card reception program 11 . As shown in FIG. 7, when the gift card receiving program 11 performs a search using the gift ID, if the "issuance date" value of the corresponding record is not a null value, the gift card receiving program 13 uses the gift ID as an argument to is programmed to perform The return values of the usability inquiry reception program 13 are the restriction type and the amount of money that can be used. The support server 1 hosts a usability inquiry result display page, and these return values are incorporated into the usability inquiry result display page and displayed on the store terminal 5 . The type of restriction is the type in which use is limited to stores operated by the store operator associated with the business operator ID included in the on-card code printed on the gift card 3 (hereinafter referred to as "restricted"). It is one of the types (hereinafter referred to as "unrestricted") that can be used at stores managed by other store operators who receive the gift promotion support service.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an outline of the usability inquiry acceptance program. As shown in FIG. 9, the usability inquiry reception program 13 searches the gift issuance information file 23 with the gift ID. The usability inquiry reception program 13 first searches the gift issuance information file 23 with the gift ID to acquire the value of the "expiration date". If the execution date of the program has passed this value, the gift asset has expired, so a message to the effect that it cannot be used is sent back to the store terminal 5 so that a message to the effect that it cannot be used is displayed on the usability inquiry result display page. Exit the program.

If the expiration date has not passed, the usability inquiry program acquires the value of "usage" and the value of "remaining amount" of the record. Then, if the value of "usage" is a value indicating that it is unused, it is displayed on the store terminal 5 as a return value indicating that it is restricted to the store of the issuing store business operator, the value of the "remaining amount", and the expiration date. Reply to the availability inquiry page. If the value of "usage" indicates that the item has been used, the result of the inquiry on whether or not the item can be used on the store terminal 5 is the return value indicating that there is no store restriction, the value of the "remaining amount", and the value of the "expiration date". Send to display page.

The usability inquiry reception program 13 incorporates the return value into the usability inquiry result display page and displays it. 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing screen transitions of the shop terminal 5 in the usability inquiry, and FIGS. 10B and 10C show an example of a usability inquiry result display page.
When the on-card code is read on the store standby page shown in FIG. 10(1), in the case of gift card 3, the usability inquiry result display page shown in FIGS. 10(2) and 10(3) is displayed. FIG. 10(2) is a screen when the restriction type is restricted, and FIG. 10(3) is a screen when the restriction type is no restriction.

Next, the usage application processing means will be described. The use application processing means includes a use application processing program 14 installed in the support server 1 , and the use application processing means is configured by the use application processing program 14 . FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an outline of the usage application processing program 14. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 10(2) and 10(3), the use permission inquiry result display page is provided with a use application button 52 labeled "use gift". The support server 1 hosts a usage application page, and the usage application button 52 links to the usage application page. FIGS. 10(4) and 10(5) respectively show examples of usage application pages. As shown in FIGS. 10(4) and 10(5), the usage application page is provided with a usage amount input field 53 for inputting the usage amount and a send button 54 . The send button 54 is an execution button for the usage application processing program 14 .

The use application processing program 14 is a program that is executed using the gift ID, the amount of money used, the store ID, and the restriction type as arguments. When the usability inquiry result display page is displayed, the gift ID and restriction type are held as variables. The send button on the usage application page contains a code for executing the usage application processing program 14 using the retained gift ID and restriction type, the input usage amount, and the shop ID input at the time of login as arguments. Embedded.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the restriction type is restricted, the usage application processing program 14 searches the store information file 22 with the store ID and acquires the value of the "company ID" of the corresponding record. Next, it is determined whether the company ID stored in the variable matches the company ID acquired from the corresponding record. If they do not match, a message to the effect that use is not possible is returned as displayed on the use application page, and the program ends. If the business ID matches, the gift issuance information file 23 is searched with the gift ID to acquire the value of the "balance" of the corresponding record. If the amount of money sent exceeds this value, an error message is returned and the program ends. If the transmitted usage amount is equal to or less than the balance, the usage amount is subtracted from the balance to update the "balance" value. Next, the use application processing program 14 updates the value of "use" of the record in the gift issuance information file 23 by changing it to the value of "used". After that, a message to the effect that the use record has been completed and the remaining amount of the gift after updating are returned to the store terminal 5 to be displayed, and the program is ended.

If the restriction type is free, the usage application processing program 14 searches the gift issuance information file 23 with the gift ID as it is to obtain the remaining amount, and if the used amount is equal to or less than the remaining amount, similarly subtracts the used amount and updates the remaining amount. do. Thereafter, a message to the effect that the record of usage record is completed is returned to the store terminal 5 in the same manner, displayed, and the program ends.

Next, the configuration when the gift card 3 is used in a virtual shop on the Internet will be described.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration when a gift card is used in a virtual shop, and is a diagram showing an example of a settlement page in a certain virtual shop.
As shown in FIG. 12(1), the settlement page of the virtual shop is provided with a gift use button 901 labeled "Use gift card" and a gift ID input field 902. FIG. The payment page can execute the use propriety inquiry reception program 13 of the support server 1 . The usability inquiry reception program 13 basically has the same configuration when called from the settlement page of the virtual shop. The gift issuance information file 23 is searched with the gift ID, and if there is no corresponding record, an error is returned and the program ends. If there is a corresponding record, after confirming that the "issuance date" is not a null value, the limit type and balance are obtained from the record. Then, as shown in FIG. 12(2), the restriction type and the remaining amount are displayed in the settlement page. At this time, a usage application button 903 and a usage amount input field 904 are also included and displayed. FIG. 12(2) is an example of a case with restrictions.

The configuration of the usage application processing program 14 executed by the usage application button 903 is also substantially the same as in the actual store. However, the shop ID embedded in the usage application button 903 is the shop ID of the virtual shop including the payment page. In addition to the gift ID, the store ID, and the amount (used amount) entered in the used amount input field 904, the use application button 52 uses as arguments the payment amount held in the session variable when the payment page is displayed. Then, the usage application processing program 14 is executed.

If the restriction type is restricted, the usage application processing program 14 retrieves the store information file 22 with the store ID to acquire the business ID, determines whether or not it matches the variable business ID, and if not, will display that it cannot be used on the payment page and exit the program. If they match and the usage amount exceeds the balance, an error is displayed and the process ends. If it does not exceed, the amount obtained by subtracting the usage amount from the settlement amount is displayed on the settlement page. FIG. 12(3) shows an example of the payment page in which the application for use has been processed. The use application processing program 14 then subtracts the amount used from the balance to update the value of the "balance". Next, the use application processing program 14 updates the value of "use" of the record in the gift issuance information file 23 by changing it to the value of "used". If the restriction type is no restriction, similarly, after confirming that the usage amount is equal to or less than the balance, the amount obtained by subtracting the usage amount from the settlement amount is displayed on the settlement page, and the "balance" is updated.

Next, the operation of the gift promotion support system of such an embodiment will be described.
The support service provider advertises the gift promotion support service on its own website and solicits usage. In addition, sales activities are carried out for each store operator to explain the gift promotion support service and to solicit its use. Each store operator that responds to these contracts with a support service provider. At this time, each store operator informs the support service provider of information on the store it operates, the amount of gift assets it wishes to issue as a gift promotion, and the like. A person in charge at the support service provider operates the management terminal 4 to record information on each store and information on each store in the business information file 21 and the store information file 22 . When one business operator manages a plurality of shops, two or more records are recorded in the shop information file 22 for the same business operator ID.

Further, the support service provider and each store operator hold a meeting about the design of the gift card material 30 and decide on the design. Then, the support service provider creates a printing image file with the decided design and stores it in a predetermined path in the storage unit 2 .

Thereafter, each store business operator notifies the support service provider of the number of gift card materials 30 to be prepared and requests delivery of the gift card materials 30.例文帳に追加The person in charge at the support service provider operates the management terminal 4, executes the card printing program on the support server 1 or the management terminal 4, prints the requested number, and produces the gift card material 30. To manufacture. At this time, the card printing program converts the execution code of the gift card receiving program 11 into a two-dimensional code using the gift ID different from the business ID of the store business that made the request as an argument, prints the image, and prints the image on the card. Code 31. The produced gift card material 30 is delivered to each store operator.

Each store business operator prepares the delivered gift card material 30 at the store. For example, a leaflet (desktop POP) with the notation "Gift card on sale!" is placed on a cash register table (a table on which a cash register is installed), and gift card materials 30 are stacked near it. Also, the store terminal 5 in the store is activated, the support server 1 is accessed and logged in, and the store standby page is displayed on the store terminal 5.例文帳に追加

A customer who has used the store and paid the price sees the leaflet and becomes interested, and offers to purchase the gift card 3. - 特許庁A store clerk picks up one gift card material 30 and reads its on-card code 31 with a store terminal 5.例文帳に追加As a result, the gift issuance recording program 12 is executed, and the program execution date is recorded in the "issue date" of the record of the gift issuance information file 23 in which the gift ID included in the on-card code 31 is recorded. Also, the business information file 21 is searched by the business ID included in the on-card code 31 to acquire the value of the "gift amount", and the value is posted to the "balance" of the corresponding record of the gift ID. .

When the gift issuance record is completed, the gift card material 30 becomes the gift card 3, and the screen of FIG. After confirming this, the clerk writes the issue date (date of the day) on the gift card 3. - 特許庁Then, it is handed over to the customer in exchange for payment.
A customer presents the gift card 3 to a friend, an acquaintance, or the like. The recipient goes to a store, for example, with the gift card 3, presents the gift card 3 to a store clerk, and tells them that they want to use it. The store clerk reads the on-card code 31 of the presented gift card 3 with the store terminal 5. - 特許庁As a result, the usability inquiry acceptance program 13 is executed, and the usage application page shown in FIG. The store clerk asks the customer what merchandise he/she wants to purchase using the gift card 3 and inputs the amount, or asks the customer what amount the customer wants to use and inputs the amount. After that, the send button 54 is pushed.

As a result, the usage application processing program 14 is executed. The usage application processing program 14 acquires the value of the "company ID" from the store information file 22 according to the store ID. Then, if the restriction type is restricted, it is determined whether or not the business ID stored in the variable matches the business ID acquired from the corresponding record. 5. If the company IDs match, it is determined whether or not the used amount exceeds the "balance" value of the corresponding record in the gift issuance information file 23, and if it exceeds, an error message is displayed on the store terminal. If not, the amount used is subtracted from the balance to update the "balance" value. Then, the use application processing program 14 changes the value of "use" of the record in the gift issuance information file 23 to "used", and displays on the store terminal 5 a message to the effect that the record of the use has been completed.

If the restriction type is free, the usage application processing program 14 acquires the balance from the gift issuance information file 23, and if the usage amount is less than or equal to the balance, subtracts the usage amount to update the balance, indicating that the usage record has been completed. is displayed on the store terminal 5.
When the shop terminal 5 confirms the reply of the completion of the record of the use record, the salesclerk subtracts the application amount from the settlement amount, and collects the amount if the amount after the reduction is not zero. Then, the product purchased using the gift card 3 is delivered to the customer. In the case of service, the above operations are performed before or after the service is provided.

Also, when the gift recipient uses the gift card 3 at the virtual store, he or she operates a PC, smartphone, or the like to access the web page of the virtual store and select an arbitrary product. Then, the gift ID printed on the gift card 3 is entered in the gift ID input field 902 on the payment page, and the gift use button 901 is pressed. After confirming the displayed restriction type and available amount (remaining amount), the giftee enters the amount in the amount input field 904 and presses the application button 903 . As a result, the settlement amount with the usage amount reduced is displayed, and settlement is made with the amount after the reduction. Then, similarly, the remaining amount is updated by subtracting the usage amount from the remaining amount.

According to the gift promotion support system of the first embodiment, the support service provider is requested to deliver the gift card material 30, and the on-card code 31 of the delivered gift card material 30 is Since the gift asset can be issued only by accessing the support server 1 and entering the date of issue, each store business operator can easily carry out promotion by issuing the gift asset. In the conventional general practice, gift cards are printed and sold by oneself. used), difficult to detect. There are techniques such as copy guard printing, but the printing costs are high. When the system of the embodiment is used, use is recorded by reading the on-card code 31, and the remaining amount recorded in the gift issuance information file 23 is reduced, so even if the gift card 3 is copied, it will be worth two copies. There can be no abuse that would allow it to be used.

In addition, since the first use of the gift card 3 (use when unused) is limited to the store that issued the gift card 3 or another store whose business operator is the same as the store, For us, the issuance of gift assets will surely lead to the promotion of customer visits and purchases, making it highly effective as a gift promotion.

Furthermore, when a general gift card 3 is issued by a store, it corresponds to prepaid payment means, so notification or registration with the Financial Services Agency is required, and payment of a deposit is required. In this embodiment, the expiry date is limited to 6 months from the date of issuance, so no such procedure is required. The management of the 6-month time limit is also performed by the program in the support server 1 (usability inquiry reception program 13), so that each store and each store operator does not need time and effort for management.

On the other hand, for the giftee who has been presented with the gift card 3, the first use is limited to the store that issued the gift card 3 or the store of the same store business operator, but the surplus amount can be used by the support It is highly convenient because it can be performed at stores of other store operators who have contracted with the service provider.
The fact that the surplus can be used at stores of other store operators means that although the amount is relatively small, for the other store operator, the gift card 3 issued by the other store operator will increase the number of visits and sales. It can be expected, and a synergistic effect and an effect of killing two birds with one stone can be obtained.

In the configuration of the first embodiment, the gift card reception program 11 is significant in that it enables gift issuance record and usage permission inquiry with one on-card code 31 . As described above, it is necessary to obtain the gift ID and record the date of issue for the gift issuance record, which must be obtained from the gift card material 30 . For the gift card 3 that has already been issued, it is necessary to transmit the gift ID to the support server 1 and inquire whether or not it can be used. Since these are performed by separate programs on the support server 1, it is conceivable to provide two on-card codes 31 as well. However, if two on-card codes 31 are provided, it is troublesome to determine which on-card code 31 should be read, and the wrong on-card code 31 is read. There is also a problem that it does not work well. In the configuration of the above-described embodiment, the gift card receiving program 11 is installed, and if the gift issuance information file 23 does not have a record of the date of issue, the gift issuance record program 12 is executed. 13 is executed, one on-card code 31 is sufficient, and the configuration is simple.

In the above-described first embodiment, the gift card 3 is more preferably printed with information for introducing the store. For example, when searching the Internet to find the location of a store, enter keywords that are easy to hit, or use a QR code (registered trademark) to display the store's website or store map. A dimension code may be printed.

As a suitable configuration for introducing a store, the gift card receiving program 11 may be implemented with a subprogram for processing access from other than the store terminal 5 . In the above configuration, when the store ID is used to log in, the gift issuance recording program 12 and the usability inquiry reception program 13 are executed. In this case, if the gift card receiving program 11 is called without logging in with the store ID (when the on-card code 31 is executed), an error will normally be sent, but the customer (or potential customer) ) to jump to the store's website (virtual store) or to display a page with a link to the store's introduction page. good. It is preferable to store the gift ID in a session variable when jumping to a website, and not to enter the gift ID when using the gift card 3 on the website.

Next, the gift promotion support system of the second embodiment will be explained.
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the gift promotion support system of the second embodiment, and FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of gift card material in the second embodiment.
The gift promotion support system of the second embodiment employs a structure for registering a giftee to promote promotion for a giftee who has been presented with a gift card. One of the purposes of giftee registration is to provide the giftee with points, which are discounted amounts for subsequent purchases of goods or services. A giftee registration program 15 is installed in the support server 1 in order to register the giftee.

Also, in the second embodiment, use of the gift card at a virtual shop on the Internet 9 is assumed in addition to the actual shop. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, a terminal 7 operated by a giftee (hereinafter referred to as a giftee terminal) is connected to the support server 1 via the Internet 9 . There are roughly two types of situations in which the gift card 3 is used in the virtual shop on the Internet 9 . One is when the gift card 3 is used in a virtual store corresponding to the actual store that issued the gift card 3 (virtual store operated by the store operator of the actual store), and the case where the gift card 3 is issued is different from the actual store. This is the case when used in a virtual store operated by a store business operator. The latter is limited to using the balance of the gift card 3 that has already been used, as in the case of use in a physical store.

As for the virtual shop corresponding to the real shop that issued the gift card 3, two different ones are conceivable. One is the website of the physical store itself (the site on the server operated and managed by the store operator of the physical store), and the other is operated and managed by the support service provider. is a website hosted on a server hosted by In the following description, as one specific example, the case where the gift card 3 is used on the website provided by the support server 1 operated and managed by the support service provider will be taken up.

Specifically, in the second embodiment, the support server 1 hosts a web shop page for each store operator. Each web shop is provided on the support server 1 by the support service provider as an incidental service to the provision of the support service, and is hereinafter referred to as an incidental web shop. As shown in FIG. 13, the storage unit 2 stores an HTML file (hereinafter referred to as an accessory shop page file) 24 for the web shop page of each shop operator. Further, the shop information file 22 is provided with a field in which the file name of the supplementary shop page file 24 is recorded.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a tangible gift in the second embodiment. FIG. 14(1) shows the gift card material 30, and (2) shows the issued gift card 3. FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, in the second embodiment, a gift card 3 as a tangible gift has two on-card codes 31 and 311 printed thereon. The first on-card code 31 has the same function as the on-card code 31 in the first embodiment, and is a code symbol for issuing the gift card 3 and applying for use. The second on-card code 311 is a code symbol for accessing the site for the giftee.

The storage unit 2 stores an HTML file (not shown) that displays each page of the site for the recipient. These include an HTML file for the top page and an HTML file for the recipient registration page. The second on-card code 311 is a two-dimensional code symbol representing access information for logging in to the top page of the recipient site. The code to display the top page is written. The gift ID is the same as in the first on-card code 31 of the gift card 3 .

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the top page of the recipient site. As shown in FIG. 15, a giftee registration button 61, a product/service browsing button 62, a gift balance conversion button 63, and the like are provided on the top page of the giftee site.
A program for displaying a giftee registration page 61 is embedded in the giftee registration button. This program searches the gift issuance information file 23 with the gift ID, judges whether or not a value is recorded in the "presentee ID" of the corresponding record, and automatically generates the giftee ID if it is not recorded. Then, the presentation recipient registration page is displayed on the presentation recipient terminal 7 in a state in which it is incorporated. If it is recorded, an error message to that effect is displayed and the program is terminated. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the giftee registration page.

As shown in FIG. 16, the recipient registration page displays the store name of the store that issued the gift card 3, the amount of the gift, and the like for confirmation. When the top page of the recipient site is displayed, the gift ID is held in a session variable, and the program for displaying the recipient registration page searches the gift issuance information file 23 with the gift ID and extracts these from the corresponding record. is programmed to retrieve and display information from
As shown in FIG. 16, the giftee registration page is a page that displays an input column for the personal information of the giftee. In this example, the input fields for personal information are a name input field, an address input field, a gender input field, an age input field, an e-mail address input field, and the like. A password entry field is also provided for entering an arbitrary password.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, the support server 1 has a program for recording giftee information, and the storage unit 2 stores a giftee information file 25 . FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of the giftee information file.
As shown in FIG. 17, the giftee information file 25 includes "giftee ID", "password", "name", "address", "age", "gender", "e-mail address", "point information". This is a database file consisting of fields such as "file name", "common point balance", and "common point expiration date".

As shown in FIG. 16, the giftee registration page is provided with an OK button 64, and the OK button 64 is linked to a page for confirming the entered personal information. A send button provided on this page serves as an execution button for the giftee registration program 15 . The giftee registration program 15 adds a new record to the giftee information file 25, records the giftee ID in the "presentee ID" field, and records each input personal information in each field. programmed. Further, the giftee information recording program is programmed to generate a point information file name identifiable by the giftee ID and record it in the "point information file name".

In this embodiment, two types of points can be given: store points that are uniquely set by each store operator, and common points that can be used in each store by the support service provider (hereinafter referred to as common points). It's becoming Among them, the "common point balance" of the giftee information file 25 is a field in which the balance of the common points of the giftee is recorded.

Further, in this embodiment, the gift issuance information file 23 has a "presentee ID" field. The giftee registration program 15 adds a new record to the giftee information file 25 and records each information. It is programmed to record an automatically generated giftee ID.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of a point information file. Each point information file 26 is a database file that records the balance of store points held by each recipient. As shown in FIG. 18, the point information file 26 records records consisting of fields such as "enterprise ID", "store point balance", and "store point expiration date".

The “company ID” is a field in which the company ID of the store company that gave the store points is recorded.
"Store point balance" is a field in which the balance of store points is recorded. In this embodiment, it is a field in which a value to be discounted from the purchase amount of goods or services is recorded as 1 point = 1 yen.
"Shop point expiry" is a field that is entered when an expiry date is set for shop points. For example, a period of one year is set from the date when store points were last updated. The 'updated date' is the date on which shop points are newly given or the date on which shop points are converted from the gift balance as described later, or the date on which shop points are last used.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of the business operator information file in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, the business operator information file 21 records records consisting of fields such as "business operator ID", "business name", "head office address", "store point type", and "point set value". database file. The "company ID" and "company name" are the same as in the first embodiment.
The "store point type" is a field for recording whether the store point is a flat-rate system or a pay-as-you-go system according to the purchase amount. For example, if 100 points are given for each use regardless of the amount of the gift card 3 applied for, it is a flat-rate system. If the amount of points, for example, 5% of the application amount of the gift card 3 is not required, it is a pay-as-you-go system. "Point setting value" is a field in which such a point setting value is recorded. In the example above, a value of "100" is recorded for a flat rate, and a value of "0.05" is recorded for a metered rate.

Such store point types and point setting values are determined by each store operator when the provision of the support service is started, and the person in charge at the support service provider operates the management terminal 4 to enter the operator information file 21. to record. Furthermore, as will be described later, store point types and point setting values can be changed by accessing the support server 1 by a person in charge (store manager) of the store operator.

Next, the accompanying web shop page will be described.
Although illustration is omitted, the above-described giftee registration program 15 displays a message such as "Would you like to view products or services that can be exchanged with the gift card 3?" It is programmed to send a page including a button labeled "view" and a button labeled "end without viewing" to the giftee terminal 7 for display. Embedded in the button labeled "Browse" is code that displays the accompanying web shop page while adding the giftee ID to the session variables.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an accompanying web shop page. The supplementary web shop page is a page provided by a support service provider, but as shown in FIG. 20, it is a page that introduces products or services of a specific store. "Specific shop" is a page that introduces products or services of the shop where the gift card 3 was issued.
The program that displays the accompanying web shop page acquires the gift ID from the session variable and searches the gift issuance information file 23 with the gift ID. Then, the store ID is acquired from the corresponding record, the store information file 22 is searched by the store ID, and the file name of the supplementary shop page file 24 is acquired from the corresponding record. Then, the accessory shop page file 24 with this file name is transmitted to the gift recipient terminal 7 and displayed. By browsing the accompanying web shop page, the giftee can learn about the goods or services that can be obtained using the gift card 3 .

Next, use of the gift card 3 in the second embodiment will be explained.
In the second embodiment, the use application processing program 14 is programmed to perform different processing depending on whether or not the giftee is registered, from the viewpoint of promoting registration of the giftee. In the following, this point will be explained using an example of use in an actual store. FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing an outline of a usage application processing program executed by calling from a store terminal in the second embodiment.
Also in the second embodiment, the use application processing program 14 is a program that is executed with arguments of the gift ID, the amount used, the store ID, and the restriction type. This is a program that displays an impossibility or an error message, which is the same as in the first embodiment.

The usage application processing program 14 of the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in the processing when usage is restricted (unused). As shown in FIG. 17, when the use is restricted, the use application processing program 14 searches the gift issuance information file 23 with the gift ID and acquires the value of the "presentee ID" of the corresponding record. If this value is Null, it means that the gift recipient has not been registered, so the use application processing program 14 records 0 in the "gift balance" of the corresponding record in the gift issuance information file 23. FIG. If the giftee ID is recorded, the giftee is registered, so the amount after deducting the amount requested for use is recorded in the "gift balance", as in the first embodiment.
In other words, in the second embodiment, if the giftee is not registered, the gift asset is terminated after the first use, and the balance is not saved. As shown in FIG. 14, a message is printed on the gift card 3 to the effect that the balance cannot be used unless the giftee is registered.

Further, in the second embodiment, the support server 1 is equipped with a file creation program 16, a point granting program 17, a point usage recording program 18, and the like, in order to support promotion for giftees.
The file creating program 16 is a program for creating a new point information file 26 and storing it in the storage unit 2 when the giftee is registered, and is called from the giftee registration program 15 and executed. At this time, the point information file 26 is created with the file name recorded in the new record of the giftee information file 25 .

The point granting program 17 is a program called and executed by the usage application processing program 14 . The usage application processing program 14 is programmed to execute the point granting program 17 using the gift ID, the store ID, and the usage application amount as arguments when the remaining balance is updated because the gift asset is usable. .
The point granting program 17 searches the gift issuing information file 23 using the gift ID as an argument, and acquires the giftee ID of the corresponding record. Then, the giftee information file 25 is searched by the giftee ID, the point information file name of the corresponding record is obtained, and the point information file 26 is opened. Next, the store information file 22 is searched using the store ID, and the company ID of the corresponding record is obtained. Then, the company information file 21 is searched with the acquired company ID, and the store point type and point setting value of the corresponding record are acquired.

The point granting program 17 uses the acquired point setting value as the granting point when the store point type is the flat-rate system. In the case of the pay-as-you-go system, the value obtained by multiplying the requested amount of use by the point setting value is used as the given point. The point granting program 17 searches the point information file 26 by the company ID, and updates the value of the point balance of the corresponding record by adding the granted points. If there is no corresponding record, a new record is added, and the company ID and the given points are recorded. Also, a predetermined date is recorded in the "store point expiration date". For example, if the expiration date of the points is one year from the last update, the date one year after the execution date of the program is recorded in the "store point expiration date".

The point usage recording program 18 may be executed upon request from the store terminal 5 provided in the actual shop, or may be executed upon calling from the virtual shop (attached web shop site or other web shop site). be. In both cases, the gift card 3 has been used initially and the balance is used. This is because, in the case of initial use, points have not yet been given and the balance is zero.

First, a case where points are used when using the balance of the gift at the physical store will be described. FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing screen transitions of the store terminal when points are used in the second embodiment. When the first on-card code 31 is read on the store standby page shown in FIG. 22(1), in the case of the issued gift card 3, the usability inquiry result display page shown in FIG. 22(2) is displayed. The usage availability inquiry result page shown in FIG. 22(2) is a screen in the case of no limit because the balance is used. In the case of unrestricted use (use of gift balance), there are cases of use at the store that issued the gift card 3 and cases of use at other stores. An example shown in FIG. 22(2) is an example of using the gift balance at the store that issued the gift card 3 .

As shown in FIG. 22(2), as in the first embodiment, the restriction type, remaining amount, store operator that issued the gift card 3, and expiration date are displayed. In addition, in the second embodiment, the name of the store (the name of the store where the store terminal 5 is provided) that made the inquiry about whether or not it can be used, the store point balance that can be used at the store, and the common point balance are displayed. It has become so. The expiry date for each point is also displayed. In this embodiment, for both store points and common points, the period from the last update (giving points or using points) is set as the expiration date, and this expiration date is displayed.

In other words, the use propriety inquiry reception program 13 in the second embodiment searches the gift issuance information file 23 with the gift ID and acquires the giftee ID when the expiration date has not passed. Then, the giftee information file 25 is searched by the giftee ID, the point information file name is obtained, and the point information file 26 with that file name is opened. Then, the shop information file 22 is searched by the shop ID to obtain the business operator ID, and the open point information file 26 is searched by the business operator ID. get the value of Then, it is programmed to display the acquired point balance as shown in FIG. 22(2). If there is no corresponding company ID, point 0 is displayed.

In the second embodiment, the use application processing program 14 constituting the point application processing means includes code for processing when points are used. As shown in FIG. 22(2), the usability inquiry result page of the second embodiment includes a use application button for selecting the use of the balance of the gift card 3 without using points (hereinafter referred to as a no-use button ) 52, and buttons 521 and 522 for selecting to use the balance of the gift card 3 while using the points (hereinafter referred to as buttons with points used) 521, 522. The point use button 521 is a button for applying for use using store points (hereinafter referred to as a store point use button), and the point use button 522 is a button for applying for use using common points (hereinafter referred to as common point use button). button). The no points use button 52 is a button similar to the use application button 52 shown in FIG. 10(4), and is linked to a page similar to the use application page shown in FIG. 10(5).

Buttons 521 and 522 with use of points are linked to use application pages for applying for use while using points. FIG. 22(3) shows a use application page linked to the store point use button 521 as an example. As shown in FIG. 22(3), the use application page when the store point use button 521 is pressed has a use point input field 531 in addition to a use amount input field 53 . The used amount input field 53 and the used point input field 531 are fields that can be input with the numeric keypad.

Further, a full use button 532 is provided next to the use point input field 531 . The full use button 532 is a button that can be executed when the value input in the amount input field 53 is equal to or less than the point balance. A script to be input to 531 is described.
The send button 54 provided on the usage application page is similarly an execution button for the usage application processing program 14 on the support server 1 . The use application processing program 14 of the second embodiment, in addition to the gift ID, the usage amount (the value entered in the usage amount input field 53), the store ID, and the restriction type, the value entered in the use point input field 531 ( Hereafter, the program is executed with the use application point) as an argument.

The usage application processing program 14 performs different processing depending on whether the usage application points are zero (or Null value). If it is zero (or Null value), the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed. If it is not zero (and Null value), the usage application processing program 14 searches the gift issuance information file 23 with the gift ID and acquires the giftee ID from the corresponding record. Then, the point information file name of the corresponding record is obtained, and the point information file 26 with that file name is opened. Also, the store information file 22 is searched by the store ID, and the company ID is acquired from the corresponding record. Then, the opened point information file 26 is searched by the company ID, the application points for use are subtracted from the value of the "point balance" of the corresponding record, and the "point balance" is updated with the value after the subtraction. Also, the value of "point expiration date" is updated under a predetermined condition. For example, the date one year after the execution date of the program is recorded in the "point expiration date".
Then, the usage application processing program 14 subtracts the usage application points from the gift usage amount to obtain the gift usage amount. Then, the "remaining amount" of the corresponding record in the gift issuance information file 23 is updated with the value after the subtraction from the amount used as the gift. After performing these processes, the use application processing program 14 displays on the store terminal 5 the fact that the record of the use record has been completed and the gift balance after the update, and ends.

The processing when the common point use button 522 is pressed is also basically the same as in the case of the shop points described above, except for the point update processing. If the use application points are not zero (and the null value), the use application processing program 14 searches the giftee information file 25 by the giftee ID, and uses the value of the "common point balance" of the corresponding record to obtain the use application points. Subtract and update the "common point balance".
The usage application processing program 14 is programmed so that the processing as described above is performed. The store clerk of the store transmitting from the store terminal 5 subtracts the gift usage amount from which the use application points have been subtracted from the settlement amount, and collects the amount when the amount after the reduction is not zero.

Next, use of the gift card 3 in the virtual store will be described.
The use of the gift card 3 in the virtual store is the same as the use in the physical store, except that the usage application processing program 14 is executed on the support server 1 or upon request from another server. As an example, we describe the use of gift cards 3 in an accessory web shop.

In the supplementary web shop page illustrated in FIG. 20, the images and texts introducing each product or service are hyperlinks and serve as selection buttons for selecting the product or service. The selection button is linked to a usage application page for receiving the provision of the product or service using the gift card 3 .
The storage unit 2 stores a product information file (not shown), which is a database file that records information on products and services posted on each supplementary web shop page corresponding to each supplementary shop page file 24. there is Each product information file records information such as the name and price of the product/service, and information such as the file name of an image file such as a photograph for introducing the product/service.

The program that displays the accompanying web shop page first retrieves the gift issuance information file 23 with the gift ID and acquires the value of the "expiration date" of the corresponding record. If the expiration date is before the date of execution of the program, a message to the effect that the expiration date of the gift card 3 has passed is returned to the recipient terminal 7 and displayed, and the program is terminated.

If the expiration date has not passed, the program acquires the value of the "balance" of the record, acquires the image files and texts of the goods or services whose price is equal to or less than the balance, and incorporates them into the accompanying web shop page, It is returned to the presenter terminal 7 and displayed. That is, the product information file is searched to obtain information on products or services whose price is equal to or less than the balance, and the image display or text display is performed as shown in FIG.

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a usage application page. As shown in FIG. 23, the usage application page is a page that displays the name and price of the selected product or service for confirmation. The usage application page is provided with an application button 65 for applying for provision of the selected product or service. The application button 65 is an execution button for the usage application processing program 14 . In many cases, services are limited to visits to actual shops (for example, services at esthetic salons), and there are many cases in which applications are not provided on the accompanying web shop page. However, there may be cases where a ticket that allows the service to be provided is provided as a product. In addition, there may be cases where applications for services that can be provided on the web, such as the provision of paid software, are accepted on the usage application page.

As shown in FIG. 23, the usage application page is provided with a balance display field 66 that displays the balance when the usage application is approved. This balance display column 66 is a column displayed when the giftee is registered, that is, when the session variable holds the giftee ID. The program that displays the usage application page searches the gift issuance information file 23 with the gift ID and acquires the "balance" value. If the price of the selected product or service is less than the remaining amount, the program will calculate the difference and display it in the remaining amount display field 66 .

The application button 65 is a button for executing the usage application processing program 14 with the gift ID, the amount of money used, and the store ID as arguments. When the second on-card code 311 is read by the gift recipient terminal 7 and the attached web shop page is displayed, the attached web shop page becomes the attached web shop page of the store that issued the gift card 3 . In addition, since it is confirmed that the goods or services that can be selected are less than the gift balance and that the expiration date has not passed, check whether the gift card 3 can be used (restriction type) and check the expiration date. is not specified. That is, the use application processing program 14 subtracts the used amount from the gift balance, and updates the "balance" of the record in the gift issuance information file 23 with the value after the subtraction. Next, the use application processing program 14 updates the value of "use" of the record in the gift issuance information file 23 by changing it to the value of "used". After that, the delivery information input page is displayed on the gift recipient terminal 7, and the program ends.

The shipping information input page is a page displayed when a product to be shipped is selected and a usage application is made. Since this page can be configured in the same way as a normal web shopping site, a detailed explanation is omitted. If the information input at the time of registration of the giftee is the same as the destination, it is possible to select to use the information in the giftee information file 25 as it is for the sending process. In addition, a message will be sent to the effect that if a giftee who has not been registered as a giftee has entered a shipping address on the shipping information input page, that information can be used as the information for registration of the giftee to register as a giftee. and an execution button for a program that performs such processing may be provided on the shipping information input page.

Even when the gift card 3 is used on the accompanying web shop page, the use application processing program 14 executes the point giving program 17 as a subroutine. The point awarding program 17 is the same as in the case of using the gift card 3 at the actual store, but there may be cases where less store points are imparted than in the case of use at the actual store. This is a value that can be appropriately set by each store operator, but in order to encourage customers to visit the actual store, it is possible that more points will be awarded when the gift card 3 is used at the actual store.

Such a gift promotion support system of the second embodiment has a configuration for converting the balance into points. This point will be described below.
As described above, the balance conversion button 63 is provided on the top page of the giftee site. An HTML file of a balance conversion page is stored in the storage unit 2, and a program for displaying the balance conversion page is installed in the support server 1. - 特許庁By pressing the balance conversion button 63 on the top page of the gift recipient site, the program is executed and the balance conversion page is displayed.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the balance conversion page. As shown in FIG. 24, the balance conversion page displays the gift ID, the name of the store that issued the gift card 3, the balance of the gift, the expiry date of the gift, and the like for confirmation. The program for displaying the balance conversion page retrieves the gift issuance information file 23 with the gift ID, acquires each piece of information, and incorporates it into the balance conversion page.

The gift promotion support system of this embodiment includes store points that can be used at the store that issued the gift card 3 or other stores that have the same store operator as the store, and other stores that receive the gift promotion service. It also manages common points that can be used in common. As shown in FIG. 24, the balance conversion page is provided with a point type selection field 67 for selecting either shop points or common points as points to be converted. In this example, the point type selection field 67 is a radio button.

The support server 1 is equipped with a balance conversion program 19 that converts the balance into one of points. The OK button 68 provided on the balance conversion page is linked to the balance conversion confirmation page, and the send button provided on the confirmation page is an execution button for the balance conversion program 19 . This send button is a button for executing the balance conversion program 19 using the gift ID and the presented person ID held at the time of logon and the conversion destination point type selected on the balance conversion page as arguments.

The balance conversion program 19 first searches the gift issuance information file 23 with the gift ID to acquire the "balance" of the corresponding record. Subsequent processing differs depending on the conversion destination point type. If the conversion destination point type is store points, the balance conversion program 19 searches the giftee information file 25 by the giftee information ID, acquires the “point information file name”, and opens the point information file 26 . Then, the gift issuing information file 23 is searched with the gift ID, and the shop ID of the corresponding record is acquired. Then, the store information file 22 is searched using the store ID, and the company ID of the corresponding record is acquired. Next, the point information file 26 that has been opened is searched by the business operator ID, and the acquired gift balance is added to the store point balance of the corresponding record to update the store point balance. Then, the "balance" of the gift issuance information file 23 is updated to zero.
If the conversion destination point type is common points, the balance conversion program 19 adds the gift balance to the "common point balance" of the presentation recipient information file 25 and updates it. After that, the "balance" of the gift issuance information file 23 is updated to zero.

Note that the expiration date of the gift card 3 as a gift asset is 6 months from issuance, but the expiration date of store points and common points may exceed 6 months. Store points are points that can be used at the store that issued the gift card 3 or at other stores related to the same store operator, and an appropriate time limit is set by the store operator. In the example above, it has been a year since the point balance was last updated, but it could be a year and a half, or two years.
Common points are appropriately set by the service provider with the consent of all store operators receiving the gift promotion support service. Therefore, store points and common points may have different expiration dates. For example, for a certain store operator, the expiration date of the store points is one and a half years, but the common points may be one year.

In the second embodiment described above, the setting of store points can be changed by the store operator. This point will be described below.
In the second embodiment, each store operator is issued an ID and password with special authority. A person to whom this authority is given is hereinafter referred to as a store manager. As shown in FIG. 13 , the store manager operates the store manager terminal 8 to access the support server 1 via the Internet 9 .

The support server 1 hosts a site for the store manager. When the ID as the store manager (store manager ID) and password are entered to log in, the page of the site for the store manager is displayed on the store manager terminal. 8. Although not shown in FIG. 19, the store manager ID and password are recorded in fields provided in the company information file.
When the user logs in with the store manager ID and password, the business information file 21 is searched with the store manager ID, the business ID is acquired, and the business ID is held in the session variable, and the shop point setting page is displayed in this state. FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a shop point setting page.

As shown in FIG. 25, on the store point setting page, the current setting is displayed for confirmation, and a point type selection column 81 and a setting value input column 82 are provided. The point type selection column 81 is a column for selecting either a flat-rate system or a pay-as-you-go system. The setting value input column 82 is a column for inputting a point value which is a fixed amount in the case of a flat-rate system, and a percentage of points to the purchase amount in the case of a pay-as-you-go system.

An OK button 83 is provided on the store point setting page, and the OK button 83 is linked to a page for confirming the entered information. This page is provided with a send button, which serves as an execution button for a store point setting program (not shown) installed in the support server.
The store point setting program is executed with the input store point type and set value, and the business operator ID held in the session variable as arguments. The shop point setting program is programmed to search the business information file 21 with the business ID and update the "store point type" and "point setting value" of the corresponding record with arguments.

The operation of the gift promotion support system of the second embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.
Also in the second embodiment, the giver purchases the gift card 3 at the physical store, has it issued, and presents it to the giftee. The giftee reads the message printed on the gift card 3 and reads the second on-card code 311 at the giftee terminal 7 . As a result, the top page of the recipient site shown in FIG. 15 is displayed. The giftee presses the giftee registration button 61 to register the giftee. As a result, the giftee registration page shown in FIG. 16 is displayed on the giftee terminal 7 .
The giftee inputs each information on the giftee registration page, presses the OK button 64 to display a confirmation page, confirms the input contents, and presses the send button to register the giftee. Afterwards, on the accompanying web shop page that appears, browse the goods or services that can be obtained using the gift card 3 .

The recipient uses the presented gift card 3. Taking the case of using the gift card 3 at a physical store as an example, the gift recipient confirms the location on the accompanying web shop page or the official website of the physical store, visits the physical store, and offers to use the gift card 3 . The store clerk reads the first on-card code 31 with the store terminal 5. - 特許庁As a result, the usability inquiry receiving program 13 displays a restricted usability inquiry result display page as shown in FIG. 10(2). At this point, the balance of both store points and common points is zero (or null value). is displayed.

When the store clerk presses the usage application button 52, the usage application processing program 14 is executed, and the "balance" of the corresponding record in the gift issuance information file 23 is updated with the value obtained by subtracting the usage amount. Also, a true value is recorded in the “usage/nonuse” field of the gift issuance information file 23 . Then, the store clerk provides the gift recipient with the goods or services that the gift card 3 is used to obtain.

The recipient reads the second on-card code 311 at the recipient terminal 7 when he/she wants to use the gift card 3 at the website instead of at the physical store. As a result, you are automatically logged in to the accompanying web shop site, and the gift ID and the giftee ID are held in session variables. In some cases, after registration of the gift recipient, the user may be redirected to the accompanying web shop page.
On the accompanying web shop page, the giftee browses the available goods or services and then selects any goods or services. As a result, a usage application page is displayed. In this case as well, since neither the store points nor the common points are zero (or null value) at this point, only the normal application button 65 is displayed on the usage application page, and the remaining gift amount can be used after using the points. The apply button is not displayed.

When the recipient presses the application button 65, the usage application processing program 14 is executed and the balance of the gift is updated. If the item selected is a product or a service ticket, the giftee terminal 7 displays a shipping information input page. Alternatively, the giftee presses a button requesting that the gift be sent to the same destination as the information given when the giftee was registered. With these, a ticket for use of the product or service is sent to the giftee.

The usage application processing program 14 executes the point granting program 17 to record store points in both cases of use at a real store and use at a virtual store such as an attached web shop site. When the recipient wants to convert the balance of the gift into points, the second on-card code 311 is read, the top page of the recipient site is displayed on the recipient terminal 7, and the balance conversion button 63 is pressed. . Then, a conversion destination is selected in the point type selection column 67 on the displayed balance conversion page, and the OK button 68 is pressed. Then, after confirming on the confirmation page, press the send button. As a result, the balance conversion program 19 is executed, the balance of the gift in the gift issuance information file 23 becomes zero, and the store points or common points in the point information file 26 are updated by adding this amount.

After the first use, if the recipient wants to use the remaining gift amount or points to obtain a product or service, he/she goes to a physical store and presents the gift card 3, for example. The store clerk similarly reads the first on-card code with the store terminal 5 . As a result, the usability inquiry result display page shown in FIG. 22(2) is displayed. The store clerk asks the recipient's intention, presses either the point use non-use button 52 or the point use button 521, 522, and displays a use application page on the store terminal 5. - 特許庁Then, the amount of money to be used is entered, and if the intention is to use points, the points to be used are entered. Then, the application button 65 is pressed to transmit the usage of the gift balance and/or the usage of the points to the support server 1.例文帳に追加In the support server 1, the use application processing program 14 updates the gift balance and/or the point balance.

If the giftee wishes to use the gift balance or points to obtain goods or services on the website after the first use, the giftee terminal 7 reads the second on-card code 311 of the gift card 3. , displays the top page of the recipient site. Then, the product/service browsing button 62 is pressed to display the accompanying web shop page. At this time, only the products/services that are equal to or less than the gift balance or point balance are displayed on the page. The recipient selects an arbitrary product or service, and presses the application button 65 on the usage application page, as in the case of the first use. Shipping information is entered as necessary, and goods or services are provided.

On the other hand, the store manager of each store operator appropriately changes the setting of store points. That is, the store manager terminal 8 is operated to log in with the store manager ID, and the store point setting page is displayed. Then, appropriate values are entered in the point type input field 81 and the set value input field 82, and the OK button 83 is pressed to change the settings.

According to the gift promotion support system of the second embodiment, since the information of the giftee is registered, effective promotion can be carried out for the giftee. Sales promotion can be expected. In other words, by giving points (store points or common points) to the giftee, use of the store by the giftee is promoted, and an increase in sales can be expected. Even if the remaining gift amount becomes zero, points are accumulated by using the remaining gift amount up to that point, and sales can be expected by using the points.

At this time, since the balance of the gift cannot be used (it is considered to be abandoned) unless the recipient is registered, the recipient is encouraged to do so. Therefore, the promotion for the giftee becomes more effective. "Treatment" means that a contract for such treatment is made between the store operator and the giver when the gift card 3 is sold.
In addition, since the setting of store points can be changed by accessing from each store manager terminal 8, each store operator can appropriately change the promotion by giving store points, thereby optimizing the promotion. Easy.

It should be noted that the description of the configuration in which the website (virtual shop) is used in a shop that is neither the shop that issued the gift card 3 nor the shop of the same shop operator as the shop, has been omitted. On the associated web shop page shown, it is conceivable to provide a button with a notation such as "used by other store operators". This button displays a list of other store operators that receive support services, selects a specific store operator from the list, and adopts a configuration that jumps to the associated web shop page of that store operator. obtain. A page for selecting the genre of the store business may be provided separately, and after the genre is selected, the list of the store business may be displayed.

Except that the first gift card 3 cannot be used, the remaining gift amount and points used at other stores are basically the same as those used at the gift card 3 issuer. However, store points or common points awarded when using the gift balance may be set lower than when used at the issuing store. This is because the issuer of the gift card 3 takes time and effort when issuing the gift card 3, and it is based on the idea that priority should be given to the use of the remaining gift amount and points at the issuer.

It should be noted that the use of the gift card 3 and the use of points on the website may be other than the incidental web shop site. For example, when the gift card 3 is used on the official website of the store that issued the gift card 3, a card use button labeled "Use gift card" is provided. The card use button is linked to a window for entering the gift ID printed on the gift card 3 or a window for reading the second on-card code 311, where the gift ID is acquired and the use application page is displayed. A configuration displayed on the giftee terminal 7 may be adopted. The gift card 3, including the issuing store and stores other than the issuing store, can be used on other web shop sites (sites other than ancillary web shop sites, such as https://www. rakuten.co.jp/).

Also, it is preferable to be able to check the gift balance and the point balance by accessing from the gift recipient terminal 7 . Specifically, on the top page of the recipient's site shown in FIG. 15, a page that displays a gift balance and point balance by providing a button with a notation such as "Confirm gift balance/point balance" and linking to this button. is hosted on the support server 1.

In the description of each embodiment described above, the gift asset is described as an asset based on amount. It is in the form of a gift card worth XX yen that can be used at a store. Other than this, gift assets may be issued or presented as goods or service-based assets. For example, a gift asset may be issued as a right to receive one △□ cake from a ○× sweets store. In such a case, even if the product or service is not specified, it can be exchanged for a cheaper product or service, and a balance will be generated. The remaining amount can be used at stores of store operators that similarly receive the gift promotion support service, even if it is not at the store concerned. Therefore, it is desirable that the price of a gift asset specifying a product or service is displayed (although this is unusual in gift giving customs). That is, even in the case of the gift card 3 that materializes gift assets based on goods or services, it is desirable that the price of the goods or services is printed. If the price is printed, the gift recipient can easily grasp the remaining amount when exchanging for other goods or services cheaper than the relevant goods or services, and the remaining amount can be used easily.

In the description of each of the above embodiments, it was explained that one type of gift asset is issued and used, but there are cases where two or more types of gift assets are issued and used by one store operator. . Two or more types means that two or more gift assets with different prices, such as a gift of 500 yen and a gift of 1000 yen, are issued on a price basis. In the case of goods or service-based gift assets, this means that gift assets are issued in respect of two or more of the goods or services offered at the store operator's store.

When multiple types of gift assets are issued, a gift type information file is created and stored in the storage unit 2 in a form linked to the business operator ID. The gift type information file records the name of the product or service of the type, the gift type ID, and the price of the gift asset of the type (gift amount). Each record of the gift issuance information file 23 records a gift type ID in addition to the gift ID. The usability inquiry reception program 13 refers to the gift type information file when the gift is not used, and displays the name of the product or service of that type on the store terminal 5 (or the giftee terminal 7). .

In each of the above-described embodiments, the fact that the gift asset is issued in the form of a tangible gift and presented to the recipient is significant in making visits and sales promotions at actual stores more effective. Recipients who have been given a tangible gift bring it to a physical store and receive the product or service. have the effect of promoting sales.

In addition to being sold at actual stores, tangible gift items may also be sold on websites (official websites) operated by the store operators of the actual stores. In this case, the gift property is delivered to the presenter or the giftee in the form of a gift tangible. At this time, a program for issuing a gift is installed, and a print module included in this program is configured to automatically print the date of issue.
In some cases, the gift asset is provided to the presenter as digital data and presented to the giftee. That is, when the information is downloaded from the support server 1 to the terminal operated by the presenter (presenter terminal), or sent to the presenter terminal in the form of an e-mail attachment, and then transferred to the giftee terminal 7 There is also In these cases as well, the sale of the gift asset is carried out on the shop operator's own site, so it is not in a state of non-selling.

In some cases, the support service provider may set up a page on its own website to introduce the gift assets of each store operator. In this case as well, when purchasing gift assets introduced, the page is configured to jump to the site of the store operator, or when purchasing on the page of the support service provider, the price is the store Configure to be credited to the operator's account. If this is done, the payment will be received before the goods or services are provided without being in a short-selling state.

Also, as described above, when purchasing a gift asset and presenting it to a friend, acquaintance, etc., there is a store that oneself likes, and there is a case where the user wants to introduce that store to the friend, acquaintance, etc. In some cases, a gift is presented as an introduction. In such a case, since the store operator has been introduced to its own store, it is possible that the gift giver (purchaser of the gift assets) may receive some benefits as a reward. For example, points may be given to the gift giver to discount the amount of money for the next purchase. In order to realize such a thing, the presenter is asked to register as a member, and at the stage when the gift recipient uses the gift assets, the customer information file and the support server 1 are stored so that the points held by the presenter increase. to implement the program.

Each store operator who has a contract with the service provider receives sales from the issuance of gift assets at their own place, but it is unlikely that all the value of the issued gift assets will be used at their own store. It is not limited, and may be used in stores of other store operators. Conversely, gift assets used in one's own store may be gift assets issued in stores of other store operators (surplus use). In this case, it is necessary to charge the other store operator for the used amount of the gift asset issued at the store of the other store operator. Therefore, the support server 1 is equipped with a settlement program for settlement of charges for using gift assets between these store operators.

Specifically, the settlement program consists of a billing amount calculation module that aggregates the usage amounts of gift assets issued at the stores of other store operators during the aggregation period and obtains the billing amount, and a billing amount calculation module, and a The program includes a billed amount summarizing module for summing the amount of assets used in the stores of other store business operators in the summing period to obtain the billed amount. The settlement program is then programmed to output the difference between the billed amount and the invoiced amount as the settlement amount for the store operator. If the billed amount is greater than the billed amount, the service provider will pay the difference to the store operator, and if the billed amount is greater than the billed amount, the service provider will bill the store operator for the difference. get it done
It should be noted that, usually, each shop operator is billed for the usage fee of the support system by the service provider. In this case, the usage fee is deducted from the amount of money deposited or added to the amount of billing.

1 support server 11 gift card reception program 12 gift issuance recording program 13 usability inquiry reception program 14 usage application processing program 2 storage unit 23 gift issuance information file 3 gift card (gift tangible)
31 On-card code (two-dimensional code)
4 Management terminal 5 Store terminal

Claims (10)

Stores carry out gift promotions as sales promotion measures by issuing gift assets, which are the rights that can be used as payment when purchasing goods or services at the store or the rights that can be exchanged for goods or services, to the giver. A gift promotion support system for supporting
a support server;
a storage unit;
gift issuance recording means;
use application processing means,
The storage unit stores a gift issuance information file that records information on the issued gift asset,
In the gift issue information file, a gift ID that identifies each gift asset is recorded, and corresponding to each gift ID,
Information that can identify the store operator that issued each gift asset,
usage information that can identify whether or not each gift asset is unused after it is issued;
The remaining amount of each gift asset is recorded,
The gift issuance recording means consists of a gift issuance recording program implemented on the support server,
The gift issuance recording program records the gift ID of the issued gift asset and the information that can identify the store operator that issued the gift asset in the gift asset information file, and records the amount of the issued gift asset as the balance. A program that records in the gift issuance information file,
The usage application processing means consists of a usage application processing program implemented in the support server,
The usage application processing program is a program that is executed when a usage application is made by transmitting information that can identify the store operator of the store where the gift asset is used, the gift ID, and the usage amount, Search the gift issuance information file with the gift ID, and if the balance recorded for the corresponding gift asset is greater than or equal to the usage amount, output a usable return value, subtract the usage amount from the balance, and update the balance. It is a program that performs the update process, which is the process to
If the gift asset identified by the transmitted gift ID has not been used, the use application processing program is used for the store operator identified by the information recorded in the gift issuance information file for the transmitted gift ID. and the shop operator specified by the transmitted information are the same, the program outputs a usable return value and performs update processing, and the gift asset specified by the transmitted gift ID has not yet been processed. In the case of use, if the shop operator identified by the information recorded in the gift issuance information file for the sent gift ID is not the same as the shop operator identified by the information sent, use A gift promotion support system characterized by being a program that outputs a return value to the effect that it is not possible and does not perform update processing. The gift issuance information file records a recipient ID for each gift asset,
The storage unit stores a giftee information file,
The giftee information file is a database file in which the giftee ID and the personal information of the giftee including the name of the giftee are recorded,
A giftee registration program is implemented in the support server,
The giftee registration program is a program that is executed when a gift ID is transmitted from a giftee terminal, which is a terminal operated by a giftee to whom the gift assets have been presented. When the personal information of the giftee is transmitted, the giftee ID and the personal information of the giftee are recorded in the giftee information file, and the giftee ID is recorded in the gift issuance information file for the gift ID. 2. The gift promotion system according to claim 1, wherein the program is a program for When the gift asset specified by the transmitted gift ID is not unused and the balance recorded in the gift issuance information file is greater than 0, the usage application processing program is configured to 3. The gift promotion system according to claim 2, wherein the program outputs a return value indicating that the gift cannot be used when the giftee ID is not recorded in the gift promotion system. The support server is equipped with a file creation program, a point granting program, and a point usage recording program,
The file creating program creates a point information file corresponding to the giftee ID when the giftee ID is recorded in the giftee information file by the giftee registration program, and stores the file in the storage unit. is a program,
Each point information file is a database file in which the point balance, which is the balance of store points to be discounted for the next and subsequent products or services at the store, is recorded corresponding to the store operator of the store;
The point granting program is a program for calculating store points and adding them to the store point balance to update the record in the point information file when the use application processing program is executed and update processing is performed,
The point giving program searches the gift issuing information file with the transmitted gift ID to obtain the corresponding giftee ID, and the point information file corresponding to the giftee ID is stored in the storage unit. a program for updating the store point balance recorded in the point information file corresponding to the store operator specified by the transmitted information,
The store point usage recording program is a program that is executed when the information that can identify the store operator, the giftee ID or gift ID, and the used store point value, which is the information on the store points to be used, are transmitted. can be,
The store point usage record program searches the gift issuance information file with the transmitted giftee ID or the transmitted gift ID, and stores the transmitted information in the point information file corresponding to the giftee ID obtained by searching the gift issuing information file. 4. The gift promotion support system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the program updates the store point balance corresponding to the specified store operator by subtracting the transmitted use store point value from the store point balance. The support server is a server that provides a balance conversion page to a giftee terminal, which is a terminal operated by a giftee to whom the gift assets have been presented, and is equipped with a balance conversion program;
The balance conversion page is a page for converting the remaining balance after the first use of the gift assets into the store points, and for transmitting the gift ID and executing the balance conversion program. contains the elements
The balance conversion program acquires the gift issuance information file with the transmitted gift ID, acquires the identifiable information of the corresponding store operator and the balance, and operates the giftee terminal that provided the balance conversion page. open the point information file corresponding to the recipient ID of the person, add the remaining amount to the store point balance corresponding to the store business operator, update it, and subtract the added value from the remaining amount in the gift issuance information file. 5. The gift promotion support system according to claim 4, wherein the program is a program for updating the remaining balance. A store operated by the store operator that issued the gift asset is equipped with a store terminal for sending an application for use of the gift asset,
The point granting program receives a store ID, the gift ID, and the amount of money used as information that can identify the store operator from the store terminal, and executes the usage application processing program, resulting in a usable return value. is output, the store point of the first value is calculated, and the store ID, the gift ID, and the usage amount as information that can identify the store operator are transmitted from other than the store terminal, and the use A program for calculating store points of a second value when an application processing program is executed and a return value of usable is output, and the store points of the first value are greater than the store points of the second value. 6. The gift promotion support system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by: A store that provides products or services to customers and is a real store that is not a virtual store on the Internet,
There is a store terminal that can access the support server via the Internet,
A gift card material, which is a gift card material that tangible gift assets that are issued to the giver and can be used as payment when purchasing goods or services at a store, or rights that can be exchanged for goods or services is provided,
The gift card material is printed with a code symbol that can be read by the store terminal to access the support server, and has an issue date entry field.
The code symbol includes a gift ID, and the gift issuing information stored in the storage unit by transmitting information that can identify the store operator of the actual store with the gift ID and the gift card material to the support server. A symbolic code that can execute the gift issuance recording program on the support server that records the program execution date as the issue date for the gift ID in the file and records the identifiable information of the store operator. and
The issue date entry field is a field where, when the code symbol is read by the store terminal and the gift issuance record program is executed, the execution date is entered as the gift card issue date.
The support server has a usage application processing program installed,
The code symbol or the code symbol printed separately from the code symbol is a gift ID, information that can identify the store operator of the physical store where payment is made using the gift asset, and the amount of money used. is a symbolic representation of code that can be sent to the to run the application processing program,
The usage application processing program searches the gift information file with the gift ID, and if the remaining amount recorded for the corresponding gift asset is greater than or equal to the usage amount, subtracts the usage amount from the remaining amount to update the balance. It is a program that performs update processing,
If the gift asset identified by the transmitted gift ID has not been used, the use application processing program is used for the store operator identified by the information recorded in the gift issuance information file for the transmitted gift ID. is the same as the store operator specified by the transmitted information, it is a program that outputs and displays a usable return value on the store terminal and performs update processing, and the transmitted gift ID When the specified gift asset is unused, the store operator specified by the information recorded in the gift issuance information file for the transmitted gift ID and the store operator specified by the transmitted information is not the same, it is a program that outputs a return value to the store terminal to the effect that it cannot be used and displays it, and does not perform update processing,
The code symbol printed on each gift card material includes different gift IDs, and the store terminal obtains the gift ID when reading the code symbol and transmits the gift ID as an argument to the gift issuance recording program. A physical store characterized by being a terminal that executes The code symbol capable of executing the gift issuance recording program and the symbol code capable of executing the usage application processing program are a single symbol code, which is a symbolized execution code of the gift card receiving program on the support server. can be,
The gift card reception program is a program that executes the gift issuance recording program if the issue date is not recorded in the gift issuance method file for the gift ID sent, and if the issue date is recorded, the use application is made. 8. The physical store according to claim 7, wherein the program is a program for executing a program for executing a processing program. 8. The gift card material is material for a gift card in which a gift asset, which is a right to be exchanged for goods or services at a store, is tangible, and the price of the goods or services is printed. Or the physical store according to 8. The code symbol printed on the gift card material is a code symbol that allows access to the giftee registration page on the support server, or accesses the giftee registration page on the support server. possible code symbols are separately printed on said gift card material,
The giftee registration page is a page for inputting the personal information of the giftee including the name of the giftee, and the entered personal information is stored in the giftee information file on the storage unit together with the giftee ID. 10. The physical store according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it is a page on which a program on a support server can be executed.

Images