JP7370361B2 - Benefit granting system and benefit granting method - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a privilege granting system and a privilege granting method.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in retail stores such as supermarkets, benefit services are known in which benefits such as points are given according to the amount of purchases. Points awarded through such privilege services can be used, for example, to pay at checkout.

However, such points may have a fixed expiration date. Once the expiration date has passed, the points expire and cannot be used. Therefore, there is a need for technology that increases opportunities to use points and prevents points from expiring.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a privilege granting system and a privilege granting method that can increase opportunities to use points.

The privilege grant system of the embodiment includes an acquisition means, an extraction means, a first calculation means, a setting means, a second calculation means, and a third calculation means . The acquisition means acquires identifiable customer information. The extraction means extracts the setting information associated with the customer information acquired by the acquisition means from a storage unit that stores the customer information in association with setting information in which a threshold value of points that can be used at checkout is set. Extract. The first calculation means calculates surplus points by subtracting the threshold from the points given to the customer of the customer information acquired by the acquisition means. The setting means is configured to calculate, based on the setting information extracted by the extraction means, the surplus calculated by the first calculation means among the points given to the customer in the customer information acquired by the acquisition means. All or part of the points are set as payment points used for payment. The second calculation means calculates the price based on the payment points set by the setting means. The third calculation means calculates points to be given to the customer based on the price.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a privilege granting system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a POS terminal. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the management server. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the customer table. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of characteristic functional configurations of various devices included in the privilege granting system. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of sales data processing.

Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing device and a program will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is one embodiment of an information processing device and a program, and does not limit the configuration, specifications, etc. thereof. The information processing device of this embodiment is an example of application of a benefit granting system that grants benefits such as points according to the purchase amount to a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a privilege granting system 1 according to the present embodiment. The privilege granting system 1 includes a POS terminal 10 and a management server 20. The POS terminal 10 and the management server 20 are connected via a network 30 such as the Internet or a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Further, although the privilege granting system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of POS terminals 10 and one management server 20, the number of each device is arbitrary. Further, the privilege granting system 1 may include a device (not shown) such as a store server that manages the POS terminal 10 between the POS terminal 10 and the management server 20.

The POS terminal 10 is an information processing device that performs sales registration processing for registering products to be sold, accounting processing for accounting for products registered through the sales registration processing, and the like. Further, the POS terminal 10 provides benefits such as points according to the purchase amount. Here, the points awarded can be used in place of money in accounting. Then, the POS terminal 10 executes accounting processing using both points and money. Note that the POS terminal 10 may be used in conjunction with points, electronic money, or a credit card. Furthermore, the POS terminal 10 may perform accounting processing not only using points but also using points.

The management server 20 is a server device that stores points given to customers. Note that the management server 20 may be formed by a plurality of server devices or the like. Furthermore, the management server 20 may be provided by a cloud service or the like that provides computer resources such as hardware and software.

Next, the hardware configurations of various devices included in the privilege granting system 1 will be explained.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 10. As shown in FIG. The POS terminal 10 includes a control section 101, a storage section 102, a communication interface 103, a keyboard 104, a scanner device 105, a first display section 106, a second display section 107, a printing section 108, a card reader/writer 109, and a contactless card reader. A writer 110 is provided. These units are interconnected via a system bus 111 such as a data bus or an address bus.

The control unit 101 is a computer that controls the overall operation of the POS terminal 10 and implements various functions that the POS terminal 10 has. The control unit 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU centrally controls the operation of the POS terminal 10. ROM is a storage medium that stores various programs and data. RAM is a storage medium that temporarily stores various programs and data. The CPU then executes a program stored in the ROM, storage unit 102, etc. using the RAM as a work area.

The storage unit 102 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 102 stores a control program 112. The control program 112 is an operating system or a program for making the POS terminal 10 perform its functions. The control program 112 includes a program that performs characteristic functions according to this embodiment.

The communication interface 103 is an interface for communicating with the management server 20 and the like connected to the network 30.

The keyboard 104 includes various keys for operating the POS terminal 10. For example, the keyboard 104 includes a point payment key 113 that specifies that points are used for payment. When the point payment key 113 is pressed, the POS terminal 10 accepts an input indicating points to be used for payment.

Scanner device 105 reads information indicated by code symbols. For example, the scanner device 105 reads a product code that is identification information that can identify a product.

The first display unit 106 is a liquid crystal display device or the like in which a touch panel is laminated on a display surface. The first display unit 106 displays various screens for store employees, for example. The second display unit 107 is a liquid crystal display device or the like with a touch panel laminated on the display surface. The second display unit 107 displays various screens for the customer, for example.

The printing unit 108 is a printer that prints a receipt showing transaction details, point status, etc. on paper.

The card reader/writer 109 is a device that reads and writes information stored in a storage medium such as a magnetic material attached to a card. The contactless card reader/writer 110 writes and reads information to and from an IC tag of a contactless IC card using near field communication (NFC) or other short-range wireless communication.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the management server 20. The management server 20 includes a control section 201, a storage section 202, a communication interface 203, a display section 204, and an operation section 205. These units are interconnected via a system bus 206 such as a data bus or an address bus.

The control unit 201 is a computer that controls the overall operation of the management server 20 and implements various functions that the management server 20 has. Control unit 201 includes a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The CPU centrally controls the operation of the management server 20. ROM is a storage medium that stores various programs and data. RAM is a storage medium that temporarily stores various programs and data. The CPU then executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 202, using the RAM as a work area.

The storage unit 202 is a storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. The storage unit 202 stores a control program 207 and a customer table 208. Note that the customer table 208 may be stored in another device.

The control program 207 is a program for making the operating system and the functions of the management server 20 perform. The control program 207 includes a program that performs characteristic functions according to this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the customer table 208. The customer table 208 stores customer information in which customer codes, point information, and setting information are associated. A customer code is identification information that can identify a customer. The point information is information indicating points given to the customer of the associated customer code. The point information includes a point value and an expiration date. The point value is information indicating the cumulative value of points and the like. That is, the point value is the value obtained by subtracting the points used up to the present time from the value obtained by adding the points given up to the present time. The expiration date is information indicating the expiration date for which the associated points can be used until they expire. Points that have passed their expiration date can no longer be used for payment. For example, the expiration date may be the date and time when the points were awarded, or the expiration date and time when the points expire. The setting information is information in which rules for using points are set. Note that the setting information may be set by a customer with an associated customer code, or may be set by a store clerk.

The setting information is associated with a payment flag, a threshold setting, a period setting, a fraction setting, and a notification period setting. The payment flag is a setting for determining whether or not to confirm whether or not points are to be used for payment each time. If the payment flag is set to require confirmation, points are used for payment on the condition that an operation specifying the use of points is accepted. On the other hand, if the payment flag is set to not require confirmation, points are used for payment even if no operation to clearly indicate the use of points is accepted.

The threshold value setting is the setting of a threshold value for extracting points to be used for payment. Surplus points that exceed the threshold setting will be used for payment. By using the surplus points in this way, the customer can use the points while saving them. The period setting is a setting of a period for extracting points to be used. Points whose remaining period until they expire are less than or equal to the period setting will be eligible for use. Note that when setting a period, all points are eligible for use if no period is set.

The notification period setting is the setting of the period in which notification is made to encourage the use of points that are about to expire. The POS terminal 10 makes a notification when there is a point for which the remaining period until expiration is set as the notification period. For example, the notification period setting is set to a shorter period than the period setting, such as the period setting is one year until expiration and the notification period setting is two months until expiration. The notification period setting is the setting of the period in which notification is performed when points are used during the period set, but there are points that cannot be used up by the period set. The fraction setting is a setting of whether or not to pay a fraction of the payment amount using points. If fraction settings are enabled, points will be used for fractional payments. If the fraction setting is invalid, points are not limited to fractional payments. For example, the fraction settings may include settings that define fractions. In this case, the fraction setting is a setting such as whether to use the first digit as a fraction or the second digit as a fraction.

The communication interface 203 is an interface for communicating with the POS terminal 10 via the network 30.

The display unit 204 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The operation unit 205 is, for example, an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. Furthermore, the management server 20 may include a touch panel display or the like in which the display section 204 and the operation section 205 are integrated.

Next, characteristic functions of various devices included in the privilege granting system 1 will be explained. Here, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of characteristic functional configurations of various devices included in the privilege granting system 1.

The control unit 101 of the POS terminal 10 expands the control program 112 in the storage unit 102 into the RAM, and operates according to the control program 112 to generate each functional unit shown in FIG. 5 on the RAM. Specifically, the control unit 101 of the POS terminal 10 includes, as functional units, a communication control unit 1001, a sales registration unit 1002, an operation control unit 1003, a display control unit 1004, a customer information control unit 1005, and a point control unit 1004. It includes a calculation section 1006, a point setting section 1007, an accounting processing section 1008, and a point updating section 1009.

The communication control unit 1001 controls the communication interface 103 to control communication via the network 30. For example, the communication control unit 1001 controls communication with the management server 20.

The sales registration unit 1002 controls sales registration for registering products to be sold to customers. For example, the sales registration unit 1002 registers for sale the product with the product code read from the code symbol by the scanner device 105.

The operation control unit 1003 is an example of a second input means. The operation control unit 1003 controls the keyboard 104 to accept various operations. Further, the operation control unit 1003 controls touch panels stacked on the first display unit 106 and the second display unit 107 to receive various operations. For example, the operation control unit 1003 accepts an operation using the point payment key 113 to specify that points are to be used for payment. Further, the operation control unit 1003 accepts an operation that specifies using the buttons displayed on the first display unit 106 and the second display unit 107 to use the points for payment. Furthermore, the operation control unit 1003 accepts an operation for setting the value of points used for payment.

The display control unit 1004 is an example of a notification means. The display control unit 1004 controls the first display unit 106 and the second display unit 107 to display various screens.

The customer information control unit 1005 is an example of an input means and an extraction means. The customer information control unit 1005 controls the scanner device 105 to accept input of a customer code, which is identification information that can identify a customer. The customer information control unit 1005 causes the communication control unit 1001 to transmit a request to transmit the customer information of the input customer code. The customer information control unit 1005 then causes the communication control unit 1001 to receive the customer information. Thereby, the customer information control unit 1005 extracts the customer information of the input customer code from the customer table 208.

Point calculation unit 1006 is an example of first calculation means. The point calculation unit 1006 calculates surplus points by subtracting the threshold setting from the point value of the received customer information. For example, if the point value is 1200 and the threshold setting is 1000, the surplus points will be 200.

Point setting section 1007 is an example of setting means. Based on the received customer information, the point setting unit 1007 sets all or part of the surplus points calculated by the point calculation unit 1006 out of the cumulative value of points given to the customer as payment points to be used for payment. . The point setting unit 1007 sets payment points to be used for payment in the order of points with the least remaining period until expiration.

The point setting unit 1007 sets payment points regardless of whether or not there is an operation that explicitly indicates the use of points, provided that the payment flag is set to not require confirmation. For example, if the period setting of the customer information, the fraction setting of the customer information, and the notification period setting of the customer information are set to "None", the point setting section 1007 calculates the surplus points calculated by the point calculation section 1006. Set all of them as payment points.

Point setting section 1007 determines that when the period setting is set in the customer information, the points that are within the range of surplus points calculated by point calculation section 1006 among the points given to the customer and set in the period setting. Set the points that expire within the specified period as payment points.

When fraction setting is set in the customer information, the point setting unit 1007 uses the points granted to the customer to pay fractions of the total amount of the transaction, which are within the range of surplus points. Set points as payment points. Here, the total amount is the sum of the products registered by the sales registration unit 1002 and taxes and the like required when purchasing the registered products. Note that the priority for applying the period setting of customer information and the fraction setting of customer information may be set arbitrarily. For example, the priority for applying the period setting may be increased. In this case, when the fraction setting is set in the customer information, the point setting unit 1007 selects the points to be used for paying the fraction of the total amount among the points that expire within the period set in the period setting. Set as payment point.

Further, the point setting unit 1007 determines whether the payment points include points whose remaining period until expiration is shorter than the period set in the notification period setting. The point setting unit 1007 notifies the display control unit 1004 that there are points with a short remaining period until they expire, on the condition that the points with a short remaining period before expiration are not included in the payment points. let In other words, the point setting unit 1007 causes the display control unit 1004 to display a confirmation screen for confirming whether or not to add and use these points as payment points, since there are points that have a short period remaining until they expire. . For example, the confirmation screen displays a message indicating that the points are about to expire, the point value of the points that are about to expire, the expiration date of the points, and controls for inputting operations to determine whether or not to use the points. There is.

The point setting unit 1007 additionally sets, as payment points, points that have not yet been set and have a short remaining period, on the condition that the operation control unit 1003 has received an operation to additionally set points that are about to expire. Here, if there are more points with a short remaining period that have not yet been set than the payment amount, it is not possible to use all of the points with a short remaining period. Therefore, the point setting unit 1007 sets the points that can be used for payment as the limit, and additionally sets points that have not yet been set and have a short remaining period as payment points. On the other hand, the point setting unit 1007 does not perform additional settings on the condition that an operation to reject additional settings is received.

The accounting processing unit 1008 is an example of second calculation means. Accounting processing unit 1008 executes accounting processing. The accounting processing unit 1008 calculates the total amount of the product registered by the sales registration unit 1002 and the tax required when purchasing the product. Then, when points are used for payment, the accounting processing unit 1008 calculates the price of the product registered by the sales registration unit 1002 based on the payment points set by the point setting unit 1007. For example, the accounting processing unit 1008 calculates the price of the product according to the exchange rate between points and money. Note that the setting of points used for payment is not limited to the points set by the point setting section 1007. For example, when the operation control unit 1003 receives an operation specifying that points are to be used for payment, the accounting processing unit 1008 determines the number of points registered by the sales registration unit 1002 based on the points received by the operation control unit 1003. Calculate the price of the product.

The point updating unit 1009 calculates points to be added based on the price of the product calculated by the accounting processing unit 1008. Further, the point updating unit 1009 calculates points to be subtracted based on the points used by the accounting processing unit 1008 for payment. Point update unit 1009 causes communication control unit 1001 to transmit an update request requesting update of point information in customer table 208 based on the added points and subtracted points.

The control unit 201 of the management server 20 expands the control program 207 in the storage unit 202 into the RAM, and operates according to the control program 207 to generate each functional unit shown in FIG. 5 on the RAM. Specifically, the control unit 201 of the management server 20 includes a communication control unit 2001 and a customer management unit 2002 as functional units.

The communication control unit 2001 controls the communication interface 203 to control communication via the network 30. For example, the communication control unit 2001 controls communication with the POS terminal 10.

A customer management unit 2002 manages a customer table 208. For example, when the communication control unit 2001 receives a request to send customer information stored in the customer table 208, the customer management unit 2002 extracts the customer information of the customer code included in the send request from the customer table 208. The customer management unit 2002 then causes the communication control unit 2001 to transmit the extracted customer information. Furthermore, when the communication control unit 2001 receives an update request requesting update of point information in the customer table 208, the customer management unit 2002 updates the customer code included in the update request based on the update content indicated by the update request. Update associated point information.

Next, sales data processing executed by the POS terminal 10 will be explained. Here, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of sales data processing executed by the POS terminal 10 of this embodiment.

The sales registration unit 1002 executes sales registration processing to register products to be sold (step S1).

The customer information control unit 1005 receives the input of the customer code (step S2).

The communication control unit 1001 receives the customer information by transmitting a request to send the customer information of the customer with the input customer code (step S3).

The point setting unit 1007 determines whether the payment flag in the received customer information is set to not require confirmation (step S4).

On the condition that confirmation is required (step S4; No), the operation control unit 1003 determines whether an operation specifying that points are to be used for payment has been input (step S5).

On the condition that no operation indicating that points are to be used for payment has been input (step S5; No), the POS terminal 10 moves to step S13. That is, if the points are not used for payment, the process moves to step S13.

On the other hand, on the condition that an operation specifying that points are to be used for payment has been input (step S5; Yes), the operation control unit 1003 accepts an input for setting the value of points to be used (step S6). The POS terminal 10 then proceeds to step S13.

In step S4, on the condition that the payment flag is set to not require confirmation (step S4; Yes), the point calculation unit 1006 calculates surplus points to be used for payment (step S7).

The point setting unit 1007 sets payment points to be used for payment based on the setting information of the customer information (step S8).

The point setting unit 1007 determines whether the payment points include points that expire within the period set in the notification period setting of the setting information (step S9). On the condition that the payment points include points that expire within the period set in the notification period setting (step S9; No), the POS terminal 10 moves to step S13.

On the other hand, on the condition that the payment points do not include points that expire within the period set in the notification period setting of the setting information (step S9; Yes), the point setting unit 1007 confirms with the display control unit 1004. A screen is displayed (step S10).

The operation control unit 1003 accepts an operation for selecting whether or not to additionally set points whose remaining period until expiration is shorter than the period set in the notification period setting as payment points (step S11). On the condition that an operation not to make additional settings has been accepted (step S11; No), the POS terminal 10 moves to step S13.

On the other hand, on the condition that the operation for additional setting is accepted (step S11; Yes), points whose remaining period until expiration is shorter than the period set in the notification period setting are additionally set as payment points. (Step S12).

The accounting processing unit 1008 calculates the price of the product registered by the sales registration unit 1002 based on the product registered by the sales registration unit 1002, the tax required when purchasing the product, and the payment points (step S13). .

The accounting processing unit 1008 executes accounting processing based on the calculated price (step S14).

The point update unit 1009 causes the communication control unit 1001 to transmit a point update request (step S15).

With the above steps, the POS terminal 10 ends the sales data processing.

As described above, according to the POS terminal 10 of the present embodiment, when receiving the input of a customer code, the customer information control unit 1005 communicates the customer information of the customer table 208 specified by the input customer code. The control unit 1001 receives the information. The point calculation unit 1006 calculates, as surplus points, the points that exceed the threshold set in the threshold information, out of the points given to the customer. Further, the point setting unit 1007 sets all or part of the calculated surplus points as payment points to be used for payment based on the setting information. Then, the accounting processing unit 1008 calculates the price based on the payment points. In this way, in the POS terminal 10 of this embodiment, the points exceeding the threshold set in the threshold information are used as appropriate. Therefore, the POS terminal 10 of this embodiment can increase opportunities to use points and prevent points from expiring.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the information processing device is applied to the POS terminal 10 has been described as an example, but the information processing device can be applied to other devices such as the POS terminal 10, for example. For example, the information processing device may be applied to the management server 20. Furthermore, the information processing device may be applied to a store server or the like that manages the POS terminal 10. Furthermore, some of the functional units included in the POS terminal 10 may be included in these devices.

It is assumed that the programs to be executed by each device of the above-described embodiments and modified examples are provided by being pre-installed in a storage medium (ROM or storage unit) included in each device, but the program is not limited to this. For example, files in an installable or executable format may be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). It may be configured as follows. Furthermore, the storage medium is not limited to a medium independent of a computer or an embedded system, but also includes a storage medium in which a program transmitted via a LAN, the Internet, etc. is downloaded and stored or temporarily stored.

Further, the program executed by each device of the above embodiments and modified examples may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and may be provided by being downloaded via the network. It may also be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as

1 Privilege granting system 10 POS terminal 20 Management server 208 Customer table 1001 Communication control section 1002 Sales registration section 1003 Operation control section 1004 Display control section 1005 Customer information control section 1006 Point calculation section 1007 Point setting section 1008 Accounting processing section 1009 Point updating section 2001 Communication control department 2002 Customer management department

JP2017-68448A

Claims (6)

an acquisition means for acquiring identifiable customer information;
Extracting means for extracting the setting information associated with the customer information acquired by the acquiring means from a storage unit that stores the customer information in association with setting information in which a threshold value of points that can be used for accounting is set. and,
a first calculation means for calculating surplus points by subtracting the threshold from the points given to the customer of the customer information acquired by the acquisition means;
Based on the setting information extracted by the extraction means, all or one of the surplus points calculated by the first calculation means among the points given to the customer in the customer information acquired by the acquisition means; a setting means for setting the part to a payment point used for payment;
a second calculation means for calculating the price based on the payment points set by the setting means;
a third calculation means for calculating points to be given to the customer based on the price;
A benefit granting system equipped with. The setting means is configured to use the payment points even if an input indicating that the points are to be used for payment is not received, provided that the setting information is set to use the points for payment. Set,
The second calculation means calculates the price based on the payment points set by the setting means.
The privilege granting system according to claim 1. The extraction means extracts the setting information in which a remaining period until the points expire is set as a condition to be set for the payment points,
The setting means is configured to select the settings extracted by the extraction means, which are within the range of the surplus points calculated by the first calculation means among the points with expiration dates assigned to the customer. setting points that expire within the period set in the information as the payment points;
The privilege granting system according to claim 1 or 2. Further, on the condition that there is a point whose remaining period until expiration is shorter than the notification period set in the setting information, a notification means for notifying that there is a point whose remaining period until expiration is shorter than the notification period set in the setting information; prepare,
The privilege granting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Further comprising input means for accepting an input for confirming whether to add the points with a short remaining period until expiration notified by the notification means to the payment points,
The privilege granting system according to claim 4. A benefit granting method executed by an information processing device that grants benefits, the method comprising:
a retrieval step of retrieving identifiable customer information;
an extraction step of extracting the setting information associated with the acquired customer information from a storage unit that stores the customer information in association with setting information in which a threshold value of points that can be used for accounting is set;
a first calculation step of calculating surplus points by subtracting the threshold from the points given to the customer of the acquired customer information;
a setting step of setting all or part of the calculated surplus points among the points given to the customer of the acquired customer information as payment points to be used for payment based on the extracted setting information; ,
a second calculation step of calculating the price based on the set payment points;
a third calculation step of calculating points to be given to the customer based on the price;
Benefit granting methods including.

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