JP7503343B1 - Coupon management system, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] A coupon management technology enables distribution and use of coupons that are strategic and can also be introduced between stores. [Solution] A first coupon distribution unit 118 distributes a first coupon to a user terminal 104. A second coupon distribution process 119 (#1) distributes a second coupon that can be used at one selected other store to the user terminal 104 when a user uses a coupon at a store by presenting to the user terminal 104 a set of introduction information and a second coupon related to one or more other stores introduced by that store. A first billing process 119 (#2) calculates a first introduction fee to be received by the management for the use of the first coupon by the user and bills the coupon-using store. A second billing process (#3) calculates a second introduction fee to be received by the management for the use of the second coupon by the user and bills the coupon-using store, and calculates a third introduction fee and bills the coupon-using store on behalf of the management, and settles the amount with the store that issued the second coupon. [Selected Figure] FIG.

Description

The present invention relates to a coupon management system, method, and program.

There are known coupon services that provide free coupons to users (consumers) via mobile device apps, etc. Users can use the coupons they receive to pay for products and services.

In addition, local shopping associations are known to run campaigns offering unique coupon services that can only be used within a specific area, with the aim of promoting sales by locking in customers.

Conventionally, the following system is known in which a coupon distribution server periodically distributes coupons to customers' mobile terminal devices (for example, see Patent Document 1). When an electronic coupon held by a user's mobile terminal is used, an identifier of the store where the electronic coupon was used is obtained from a smart poster installed in the store or an information processing terminal used in the store, and which user used which electronic coupon at which store is transmitted to the coupon distribution server, notifying the user that the electronic coupon has been used, and displaying the coupon usage status on the terminal of the user or the store where the coupon was used.
Using the above-mentioned conventional technology, stores can retain customers by periodically distributing coupons.

Recently, a coupon promotion circulation method implemented by a computer system having the following steps has become known (for example, Patent Document 2). The coupon issuing step performs an issuing process in which a coupon is generated as data in which a "coupon point provided free of charge to a user" and an "issuer ID" are managed, and the coupon is issued to the user. The coupon settlement step performs a settlement process for the coupon points when the issued coupon is used, between the coupon usage destination and the issuer indicated by the issuer ID of the coupon. The reward circulation step performs a receiving process in which a promotional reward for the coupon is received from the coupon usage destination, and a process of providing a part or all of the promotional reward to the issuer indicated by the issuer ID of the coupon.
With the above-mentioned conventional technology, the promotional reward is continuously paid from the coupon-using business to the coupon-issuing business, so that the promotional reward circulates between the businesses. As a result, it is technically possible to improve the fairness of the businesses by circulating the promotional reward while increasing the convenience of users by enabling the mutual use of coupons between different businesses.

JP 2014-2682 A Patent Publication No. 7315938

However, with the conventional technology described in Patent Document 1, coupons are only distributed to customers who are scheduled to receive them in advance, so there is an issue that the effectiveness of using coupons to attract more customers to a store is limited.

On the other hand, the conventional technology in Patent Document 2 only enables mutual use of coupons between businesses. There was an issue that leaving coupon distribution solely to businesses was not enough to induce users to engage in strategic consumption behavior.

For example, even if it is desired to attract users to a sale held in a specific area (region), the conventional technology of distributing coupons between businesses as described in Patent Document 2 only allows coupons to be distributed to users who have used that store, so there is an issue that it is not possible to expand the user coverage.
On the other hand, there is a problem that it is not possible to provide high-quality information by simply distributing standard coupons as in the conventional technology of Patent Document 1. In such cases, conversely, word of mouth and recommendations from local stores may provide users with higher-quality discount information.
As described above, the conventional techniques of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 each have their advantages and disadvantages, and there is a problem in that they are not able to effectively combine and meet the needs of users.

The present invention aims to enable the strategic distribution and use of coupons that can also be shared between stores.

In one example of the aspect, a coupon management system is a system in which a coupon management server manages coupons that a user can use at a store by communicating with a user terminal operated by a user or a store terminal installed at a store via a network, the coupon management server includes a memory unit that stores, for each store, referral data including referral information regarding other stores introduced by that store, an overall referral fee, and a store-side referral fee ratio, a first coupon distribution unit that issues a first coupon and distributes it to a user terminal operated by a user, and a second coupon distribution process that, when notified by a store terminal corresponding to that store or by the user terminal that a user has used a first coupon or a second coupon distributed to the user terminal at a store, presents to the user terminal a set of referral information and a second coupon related to one or more other stores introduced by that store, which is extracted from the referral information included in the referral data stored in the memory unit corresponding to that store, thereby distributing to the user terminal a second coupon that can be used at one other store selected by the user terminal, and when notified by a store terminal corresponding to that store or by the user terminal that a user has used a first coupon at the store, a first charging process for calculating the total referral fee stored in the memory unit corresponding to the coupon-using store as a first referral fee to be received by the system operating organization and charging the first coupon-using store; and a second charging process for, when a notice is received from a store terminal corresponding to the store or a user terminal that the user has used a second coupon at a store , multiplying the store-side referral fee rate stored in the memory unit corresponding to the second coupon-using store, which is the store, by the total referral fee stored in the memory unit corresponding to the second coupon-using store, and charging the second coupon-issuing store, which is the store that issued the second coupon, with the fee obtained by multiplying the store-side referral fee rate stored in the memory unit corresponding to the second coupon-using store. a coupon usage response unit which executes a series of processes consisting of a second charging process in which the system operator calculates a third referral fee to be received by the store that used the second coupon, charges the second coupon on the system operator's behalf and settles the account with the store that issued the second coupon, and calculates a fee obtained by subtracting the third referral fee from the total referral fee as a second referral fee to be received by the system operator and charges the second coupon to the store that used the second coupon; and a coupon display unit which displays information regarding the first coupon or the second coupon distributed to the user terminal on the user terminal.

The present invention makes it possible to distribute and use coupons strategically and with the ability to introduce them between stores.

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of an embodiment of a coupon management system 100. FIG. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a coupon management server. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of a first coupon distribution unit. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of a coupon display unit. 13 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an example of a process of a coupon usage processing unit. 13 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating an example of a process performed by a coupon usage unit. 13 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of a premium coupon issuing process. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of a counting unit. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the process of the tallying unit. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a second coupon distribution unit using a QR code (registered trademark). 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of a second coupon distribution unit using a QR code (registered trademark).

The following describes in detail an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the "present embodiment") with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of an embodiment of a coupon management system 100, and Figure 2 is a diagram explaining the operation of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the coupon management system 100 according to this embodiment, a user terminal 104, a store terminal 105, a system administrator terminal 102, a store operator terminal 103, etc. are connected to a coupon management server 101 via a network 106, which may be, for example, a local area network within an organization or the Internet connected via a VPN (Virtual Private Network), and communicate with each other to distribute and use coupons.
The coupon management server 101 is a server computer having the hardware configuration of a general computer, as will be described later with reference to FIG.
The user terminal 104 is, for example, a smartphone.
The system administrator terminal 102 is, for example, a general-purpose personal computer.
The store manager terminal 103 is also, for example, a general personal computer or a tablet terminal.

Next, we will explain the functional configuration of the coupon management server 101 in Figure 1.

First, a user who wishes to use a coupon accesses a cloud app store from the user terminal 104 via the network 106, and downloads and installs an application program (hereinafter referred to as an "app") for managing the coupon onto the user terminal 104.
The application is executed by a processor (not shown) of the user terminal 104 to function as an application execution unit 122 .

When a user installs the application in the user terminal 104 and inputs user information on an information input screen of the application, the user information is notified to the user registration unit 117 of the coupon management server 101 .
The user registration unit 117 generates and stores user data 154 for managing the notified user information, point balance, etc. The user data 154 includes a user ID (ID: Identification) for uniquely identifying a user, user information (user name, email address, etc.), point balance, etc.

Then, the first coupon distribution unit 118 in the coupon management server 101 issues a first coupon (a regular coupon), for example, periodically, or non-regularly, for example, specifically for a certain campaign or sale, and notifies the user terminal 104 operated by the user via the network 106 that the regular coupon has been distributed (see the flowchart in Figure 4 described later).

For example, as illustrated in step S201 of FIG. 2, a first coupon, which is a regular coupon, is distributed by the system operating organization to the user terminal 104 on a regular basis (or irregular basis), such as about five times a week.

Next, in FIG. 1, the coupon usage support unit 119 executes a second coupon distribution process 119 (#1), a first billing process 119 (#2), and a second billing process (#3).

First, in the second coupon distribution process 119 (#1), when a user uses a coupon distributed to the user terminal 104 at a store, the coupon usage response unit 119 issues a second coupon (premium coupon) that can be used at other stores introduced by that store, and distributes it to the user terminal 104 of the user who used the coupon (see S602 in Figure 6 and Figure 8 described below).

In the second coupon distribution process 119 (#1), a set of information about one or more other stores introduced by the store and information about premium coupons that can be used at the other stores can be presented on the app screen of the user terminal 104. When the user selects one set from this presentation, a premium coupon that can be used at the other stores selected on the user terminal 104 can be issued.

For example, as illustrated in step S202 of FIG. 2, a user goes to a first store, which is a restaurant, and uses a first coupon, which is a regular coupon, to pay for the purchase, for example, a "50 yen discount on a fried chicken set meal."
The fact that a coupon has been used is recognized by the functions of an application execution unit 122 executing in the user terminal 104 and a coupon display unit 120 (described later) executing in the coupon management server 101, for example, by reading a QR code (registered trademark) displayed together with the coupon screen on the display of the user terminal 104 with a scanner connected to the store terminal 105 and operated by a store clerk.

Next, as shown in step S203 of FIG. 2, a second coupon, a premium coupon with a benefit such as "one free cup of gym protein + 10 minutes extension" that can be used at a second recommended store (e.g., a gym) in a shopping district in the same area introduced by the first store is issued and distributed to the user terminal 104 of the user who used the regular coupon in step S202.
At this time, premium coupons for several stores that the first store (e.g., a restaurant) has partnered with and is introducing as second stores may be displayed on the user terminal 104, and the user may be able to select a favorite store from among them (e.g., a gym) as the second store.
As a result, a premium coupon corresponding to the second store selected by the user is issued and distributed to the user terminal 104.
In step S203, points such as "10 points earned" are awarded to the user together with the distribution of the premium coupon. The user can exchange the awarded points for, for example, a gift certificate that can be used on an electronic commerce site, a product exchange on a point exchange site operated by the system operating organization, or a product offered in a specific area.

Next, in the first billing process 119 (#2), when the user uses the first coupon at a store, the coupon usage response unit 119 calculates the first referral fee that the system operating organization should receive for the use of the first coupon, and bills the store where the first coupon was used (see S614 and S615 in Figure 7 described below).

For example, in the coupon management server 101 of FIG. 1, a first referral fee (e.g., 100 yen) for the first store is calculated, and a charge is made to the first store to be paid from the first store to the system operating organization, as in step S204.
In practice, the billing information for the first referral fee is successively stored, for example, in an external storage device 304 described later within the coupon management server 101, and the total amount of the first referral fee for the first store is tallied on this stored data group, for example, on the billing date of each month (see S901 to S903 in FIG. 9 described later), and an invoice (which may be in paper or online form) is sent from the system operating organization to the first store, and the store manager of the first store makes payment, for example, by bank transfer, credit card, or electronic money.

In this way, when a user uses the first coupon, which is a regular coupon, at the first store, the first store pays the first referral fee, which is a success fee, to the system operator organization.

Next, if the user uses the second coupon at a store, the coupon usage response unit 119 executes the second coupon distribution process 119 (#1) again.

For example, as illustrated in step S205 of FIG. 2, the user goes to a second store, which is a gym, and uses a second coupon, a premium coupon, which carries a benefit such as "one free cup of gym protein + 10 minutes extra" to make a payment there.
The manner of use is the same as in the case of the first coupon, the regular coupon, described above.

In this way, even when the premium coupon is used, the above-mentioned second coupon distribution process 119 (#1) issues a second coupon, which is a premium coupon with a benefit such as "two free roses" that can be used at a recommended third store (e.g., a florist) recommended by the second store, for example, in a shopping district in the same area, as shown in step S206 of FIG. 2, and distributes the premium coupon to the user terminal 104 of the user who used the premium coupon in step S205.
In this case, as in step S203 of FIG. 2, premium coupons for several stores that are affiliated with and introduced by the second store (e.g., a gym) may be displayed on the user terminal 104, and the user may be allowed to select a favorite store from among them (e.g., a florist) as the third store.
As a result, a premium coupon corresponding to the third store selected by the user is issued and distributed to the user terminal 104.
In step S206, similarly to step S203, points such as "35 points acquired" are awarded to the user together with the distribution of the premium coupon.

Next, in the second billing process (#3), when the user uses the second coupon at a store, the coupon usage response unit 119 calculates the second referral fee to be received by the system operator for the use of the second coupon and the third referral fee to be received by the store that issued the second coupon that was used, and charges the store where the second coupon was used (see S616 to S619 in FIG. 7 described later).

For example, in the coupon management server 101 of FIG. 1, a second referral fee (e.g., 70 yen) for the second store is calculated, and a charge is made to the second store to be paid from the second store to the system operating organization, as in step S207.
In practice, as in the case of the first billing process 119 (#2), the billing information for the second referral fee is stored in the coupon management server 101, for example in an external storage device 304 described below, and, for example, on the monthly billing date, the total amount of the second referral fee at the second store is added to the first referral fee and tallied (see S901 to S903 in FIG. 9 described below), and an invoice is sent from the system operating organization to the second store (for example, a florist), and the store operator of the second store makes payment thereto.

In addition, in the coupon management server 101 of FIG. 1, a third referral fee (e.g., 30 yen) for the second store is calculated, and a charge is made to the second store for payment from the second store to the first store, as in step S208.
In reality, the second store does not make a direct payment to the first store, but the system operating organization acts on its behalf. That is, the billing information for the third referral fee is stored in, for example, the external storage device 304 described later in the coupon management server 101, and the total amount of the third referral fee at the second store is tallied, for example, on the billing date of each month (see S904 to S906 in FIG. 9 described later), and an invoice is sent from the system operating organization to the second store, and the store manager of the second store makes payment to the system operating organization in response to the invoice.

The total amount of the third referral fee received by the system operating organization on behalf of the customer is totaled together with the other third referral fees for each referring store (see S904, S907, and S908 in FIG. 9 described below), and the system operating organization settles the amount for each referring store.
More specifically, the system operating organization subtracts the total amount of the third introduction fee for each month from the total amount of the first introduction fee and the second introduction fee for each month that the introducing store should pay to the system operating organization, and the introducing store pays the amount resulting from this subtraction to the system operating organization. If the subtraction results in a negative amount, the negative amount is subtracted from the total amount of the first introduction fee and the second introduction fee for each month of the following month, for example, to settle the amount.

In addition, instead of the above settlement, each store may be able to submit an application to the system operator for an immediate transfer request for the third referral fee that can be earned when the store itself becomes a referral source from a store management homepage (not shown in the figure, for example, My Page), and receive the third referral fee in cash via bank transfer within 1 to 3 business days.

The use of the premium coupon at the third store (step S209), the issuance of a further premium coupon and the allocation of points in response thereto (step S210), and the payment of the second referral fee (step S211) and the payment of the third referral fee (step S212) are also similar to the cases in steps S205 to S208 at the second store.

In the above embodiment, the coupon usage support unit 119 may set a total referral fee and a store-side referral fee ratio for the store to refer to, and store them in, for example, the external storage device 304 described below.
The total referral fee is basic charging data corresponding to the first referral fee charged to the store, or the total amount of the second referral fee and the third referral fee.
The store's referral fee ratio is data that determines the ratio of the second referral fee to the total referral fee when a premium coupon is used at a store and the store is charged the second referral fee and the third referral fee.

In this case, when the coupon usage response unit 119 executes the first billing process 119 (#2), it charges the entire amount of the total referral fee stored corresponding to the store where the first coupon was used as the first referral fee.
In addition, when the coupon usage response unit 119 executes the second billing process (#3), it multiplies the total referral fee stored corresponding to the store where the second coupon was used by the store's referral fee ratio, charges the result of the multiplication as the third referral fee, and charges the amount obtained by subtracting the result of the multiplication from the total referral fee as the second referral fee.

In this way, the total referral fee for the store to refer to is first determined, and when a premium coupon is issued and used, the second referral fee paid to the system operator and the third referral fee paid to the referring store are paid by dividing the total referral fee mentioned above. This makes it possible to distribute the referral fees in a well-balanced manner.

In the embodiment described above, a customer unit price category for classifying the customer unit price of each store may be set for each store and stored in, for example, the external storage device 304 described later.
In addition, a set of the above-mentioned total referral fee and shop side referral fee ratio may be set in association with one or more customer unit price categories, and stored in, for example, the external storage device 304 described later.
The coupon usage response unit 119 may then execute a first billing process 119 (#2) and a second billing process (#3) using a set of the total referral fee and the store's referral fee ratio that are further set and stored in correspondence with the customer unit price category that is set and stored for each store where the coupon was used.

This allows the combination of the total referral fee and the store's referral fee ratio to be determined based on the size of the store's customer unit price, making it possible for even small stores to reasonably use the coupon management system.

Furthermore, rather than determining the above-mentioned overall referral fee and store referral fee ratio based only on the customer unit price category, it may be possible to make it possible to change these values by overwriting them individually when editing store information (e.g., store data 155 described below).
This allows for more flexible parameter settings according to the individual circumstances of each store.

In the embodiments described above, the area in which the store is located may be set and stored in association with the store.
In response to this, the user registers, via the information input screen of the app being executed by the app execution unit 122 on the user terminal 104, up to three locations, such as the place where the user lives, the company/school where the user commutes to/from work, or a station, area, shopping district, etc. that the user wants to go to or frequently visits, as a user area.
More specifically, the application execution unit 122 of the user terminal 104 displays an information input screen on the application screen of the display of the user terminal 104, which displays, for example, a prefecture, a city, a ward, a town, a village, an address, a station name, a region name, a shopping street name, or a map and allows the user to select one of the locations. The user uses this information input screen to register up to three user areas.
The user area registered in the application of the user terminal 104 is notified to the user registration unit 117 of the coupon management server 101 in Fig. 1. The user registration unit 117 sets and stores the notified user area in the user data 154 generated for the user.
The first coupon distribution unit 118 and the coupon usage response unit 119, which executes the second coupon distribution process 119 (#1), distribute to the user terminal 104 the first coupon or the second coupon that can be used at a store whose area matches or is stored in a nearby area that is set in the user data 154 corresponding to the user performing the distribution.

In this way, according to this embodiment, it is possible to issue regular coupons (first coupons) or premium coupons (second coupons) for stores in the vicinity of an area related to the user. This makes it possible to realize a strategy of attracting local residents, students of local schools or companies, etc. to shopping districts in the surrounding area using the coupon management system according to this embodiment.

In this case, the system operator can, for example, operate a coupon portal site, which allows the first coupon to be sent to users who are not limited to specific stores, making it possible to implement a coupon strategy for a wide range of users.

On the other hand, once a user can be guided to, for example, a specific area using the first coupon, premium coupons initiated (created) by local stores can be issued, making it possible to issue coupons based on word of mouth and recommendations from local stores, thereby making it possible to provide users with even better value and quality service.
In this case, the user can receive introductions to premium coupons from several other stores, and can use premium coupons that suit his/her preferences.

Furthermore, when a premium coupon is used, a third referral fee is kicked back from the referred store to the referring store, which helps maintain high motivation for the issuance of premium coupons between stores.

In the above embodiment, for each of the first coupon and the second coupon, a reward type, which is the type of reward benefit the user receives when the coupon is used by the user, and an adjusted store referral commission rate may be set and stored, for example, in the external storage device 304 described below.

Depending on the reward type, a variety of benefits can be offered, such as a flat-rate discount on the payment amount, a percentage discount, free of charge, or extra points.

Then, when executing the second billing process (#3), if the type of reward benefit set for the second coupon used at the store is the point increase type described above, the coupon usage response unit 119 may replace the store's referral fee ratio stored corresponding to the store with the adjusted store's referral fee ratio stored corresponding to the second coupon, and calculate the second referral fee and the third referral fee.

If the reward type set for the coupon used is a point increase type that allows the user to increase the points they receive, the system operating organization will give the user a reward that increases the points awarded by a certain percentage on behalf of the store, so there is no burden on the store associated with giving the reward. Therefore, only when a point increase premium coupon is used, the store's referral fee ratio, which determines the referral fee to the referring store, is replaced with the adjusted store's referral fee ratio, making it possible to balance the referral fees paid to the referring store and the system operating organization.

In addition, the number of user points to be awarded may be set corresponding to the store, and the point awarding rate may be set corresponding to the first coupon and the second coupon, and each may be stored, for example, in the external storage device 304 described later. The number of user points to be awarded may be set corresponding to each of the above-mentioned customer unit price categories as a pair of the above-mentioned total referral fee and the store side referral fee ratio, and stored.
The number of points to be awarded to a user is data for awarding points corresponding to the number of points awarded to the user when the user uses the first coupon or the second coupon at a store.
The point award multiplier is multiplier data that is multiplied by the number of user points awarded to increase the points awarded to a user when the type of reward benefit set in the reward type of the first coupon or second coupon used at a store is the point increase type described above.

Then, the number of user points stored in association with the store where the first coupon or the second coupon was used may be assigned to the user who used the coupon, and may be stored, for example, in the external storage device 304 described below.

As described above in the explanation of step S203 in FIG. 1, the user can exchange the awarded points for, for example, gift certificates that can be used on an electronic commerce site, for products on a points exchange site operated by the system operator, or for products offered in a specific region.
This makes it possible to motivate the user to continuously use the coupon.

Furthermore, if the type of reward benefit set in the reward type of the first coupon or the second coupon used at a store is the point increase type described above, the number of user points awarded stored in association with the store may be multiplied by the point awarding rate stored in association with the first coupon or the second coupon, and the resulting number of points may be awarded to the user who used the coupon, and may be stored, for example, in the external storage device 304 described below.

This allows users to enjoy using coupons more, while allowing stores to increase coupon usage rates, thereby attracting more customers and boosting sales.

Next, the operation of the tallying unit 121 in the coupon management server 101 in the coupon management system of FIG. 1 will be described.
The tallying unit 121 tallies the first referral fee charged in the first billing process 119 (#2) executed by the coupon usage handling unit 119 and the second referral fee charged in the second billing process (#3) so that they can be claimed for each store. The total amount is the fee that the system operating organization receives from each store.
The tallying unit 121 also tallies the third referral fee charged in the second charging process (#3) executed by the coupon usage unit 119 so that it can be claimed by each referred store and can be paid by each referred store. The total amount is the fee received by each referred store.

This allows smooth settlement of the first referral fee, the second referral fee, and the third referral fee associated with the use of the first coupon and the second coupon.

The second coupon distribution unit 124 using QR code (registered trademark) will be described later with reference to the explanatory diagram in FIG. 11.

Next, a description will be given of various data 150 to 160 in Fig. 1 that are used in this embodiment. The various data 150 to 160 described below are stored in, for example, an external storage device 304 (storage unit) in Fig. 3, which will be described later.
First, the store data 155 is information about the store where the first coupon or the second coupon can be used.

Next, the area data 151 is information relating to an area.
In this case, the above-mentioned store data 155 may store area identification information (hereinafter, referred to as "area ID") for identifying the area data 151 corresponding to the area in which the store is located.
When the coupon usage response unit 119 recognizes the area in which a store is located as described above, it may search for area data using the above-mentioned area ID stored in the store record corresponding to the store as a key, and recognize the area based on the area information registered there.

Next, the customer unit price category data 152 is information on a customer unit price category corresponding to a combination of the number of user points given, the total referral fee, and the store side referral fee ratio.
In this case, the store data 155 may store customer unit price category identification information (hereinafter referred to as "customer unit price category ID") that identifies the customer unit price category data 152 corresponding to the customer unit price of the store.
In this case, the coupon usage response unit 119 may search the customer unit price category data 152 using the customer unit price category ID in the store data 155 as a key to obtain the number of user points awarded, the total referral fee, and the store's referral fee ratio from there.

Next, as user data 154, at least information regarding points to be assigned to the user is set.

This allows users to check their points balance at any time on the user terminal 104.

Next, coupon data 156 is coupon information relating to the first coupon or the second coupon.

This allows for more detailed coupon settings and management for the first and second coupons.

In this case, the coupon data 156 may include coupon type information to identify the first coupon or the second coupon.

This has the effect of making it easier to distinguish whether each coupon is a regular coupon or a premium coupon.

In addition, for each of the first coupon and the second coupon, the coupon data 156 may include information on the reward type and the point award rate.

This allows you to set detailed reward types for each coupon.

Furthermore, for the second coupon, if the reward type is a point increase type that can increase the points received by the user, the coupon data 156 may include an adjusted store referral commission rate that replaces the aforementioned store referral commission rate.
In this case, when the coupon usage support unit 119 executes the second billing process (#3), it replaces the store's referral fee rate with the adjusted store's referral fee rate set in the coupon data 156 corresponding to the second coupon used by the user, and calculates the second referral fee and the third referral fee (see S607 to S611 in Figure 6 described below).

This will increase the motivation for users to use point-adding coupons.

Next, the user coupon data 157 is information regarding the first coupon distributed by the first coupon distribution unit 118 and information regarding the second coupon distributed by the second coupon distribution process 119 (#1) executed by the coupon usage response unit 119.

This makes it possible to efficiently manage information about issued coupons.

The information regarding the second coupon stored in the above-mentioned user coupon data 157 may include referral source coupon identification information (hereinafter referred to as "referral source coupon ID") that identifies the first coupon or the second coupon used by the user at the referral source store that issued the second coupon.

This makes it easy to identify the coupon that was used to issue the premium coupon.

Next, when a first coupon or a second coupon is used by a user, the coupon usage history data 158 is information related to at least user identification information (hereinafter referred to as "user ID") that identifies the user and coupon identification information (hereinafter referred to as "coupon ID") that identifies the first coupon or the second coupon that was used.

This makes it easy to keep track of coupon usage.

Next, the fee history data 159 received by the management is information regarding the first referral fee charged by the first billing process 119 (#2) and the second referral fee charged by the second billing process (#3) each executed by the coupon usage response unit 119.

This allows the aggregation unit 121 to aggregate the first referral fee and the second referral fee by referring to the fee history data received by the operator (see S901 to S905 in Figure 9 described below).

This makes it possible to accurately and efficiently manage information regarding the first referral fee and the second referral fee.

Next, the fee history data 160 received by the store is information regarding the third referral fee charged by the second charging process (#3) executed by the coupon usage response unit 119.

This allows the aggregation unit 121 to aggregate the third referral fee by referring to the fee history data 160 received by the store (see S904, S907, and S908 in Figure 9 described below).

This makes it possible to accurately and efficiently manage information regarding the third referral fee.

The system administrator data 150 manages the login information when the system administrator logs in from the system administrator terminal 102.

Store operator data 153 manages login information when the store operator logs in from the store terminal 105.

Referral data 161 is a registered "recommendation for the partner store" to which the premium coupon is issued. The referral data 161 will be described later using the flowchart in FIG. 8.

1 also includes a system login management unit 110, a customer unit price category registration unit 112, a store registration unit 113, a coupon registration unit 116, and a store login management unit 114. Each of these units manages coupons while appropriately accessing each of the data 150 to 160.
Here, the system administrator terminal 102 is connected to the coupon management server 101 via the network 106, and accesses each of the functional blocks 110 to 113 in FIG.
1. The store manager terminal 103 is connected to the coupon management server 101 via the network 106, and accesses each of the functional blocks 114 to 116 in FIG.
Furthermore, the store terminal 105 connects to the coupon management server 101 via the network 106 and accesses the coupon usage section 119 .
Then, the user terminal 104 accesses the first coupon distribution unit 118 , the second coupon distribution process 119 (# 1 ) in the coupon usage response unit 119 , and the coupon display unit 120 via the network 106 .
The details of each of the above functional blocks will be described later in order.

Next, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the coupon management server 101 in FIG. 1. This hardware has a configuration of a server computer in which a processor (central processing unit) 301, a ROM (read-only memory) 302 that stores programs, a RAM (random access memory) 303 in which the programs are loaded from the ROM 302 and executed, an external storage device 304 that stores various data 150 to 160 in FIG. 1, a network interface 305 that controls access to the network 106 in FIG. 1, and a user interface 306 that includes an input unit consisting of a keyboard and a mouse, a display for display, a printer, etc., are all connected to each other via a system bus 307.

The operation of the coupon management system 100 having the configurations of Figures 1 and 3 will be described in detail below. In the following description, the processor 301, ROM 302, RAM 303, etc. will refer to the blocks with the same reference numbers in Figure 3 unless otherwise specified.

First, the operation of the system administrator of the system operating organization will be described.
When a system administrator executes each system management process of the area registration unit 111, the customer unit price category registration unit 112, and the store registration unit 113 enclosed in dashed lines in Figure 1, the system administrator logs in before accessing the system management homepage corresponding to each system management process from a system administrator terminal 102, such as a personal computer for system management, via network 106.

The login process for the system administrator is executed by the system login management unit 110 shown in FIG.
Furthermore, one or more system administrators can be set. Information on each system administrator is registered as system administrator data 150 in FIG.
The system administrator may be able to additionally register the system administrator data 150 as one function of the processing of the system login management unit 110, for example.

System administrator data 150 includes at least a system administrator ID and password to uniquely identify the system administrator.

1, the system administrator accesses each system management homepage (not shown) corresponding to each process from the system administrator terminal 102. As a result, the system login management unit 110 causes the system administrator terminal 102 to display a login screen (not shown) on the system administrator terminal 102.
The system administrator logs in by inputting the system administrator ID and password on this login screen. In the processing of the system login management unit 110, the processor 301 executes a login authentication process to search the system administrator data 150 using the set of the system administrator ID and password input from the system administrator terminal 102. As a result, if it is confirmed that the set of the input system administrator ID and password matches the registered contents of any of the system administrator data 150 and the login authentication is OK, in the processing of the system login management unit 110, the processor 301 permits the system administrator terminal 102 to log in and causes the screen of each system administration homepage to be displayed.

Next, in FIG. 1, the processing of the area registration unit 111 has a function of setting the area data 151 and storing it in the external storage device 304, for example.
The system administrator can access an area registration section homepage (not shown) from the system administrator terminal 102 via the network 106 in FIG. 1 and log in via the system login management unit 110 described above, thereby causing an area registration section screen (not shown) to be displayed on the system administrator terminal 102 and executing the processing of the area registration unit 111 in FIG. 1.

The area data 151 is location data for identifying an area, and includes information such as prefecture, city, ward, town, village, address, station, shopping district, and the like.
The area data 151 includes information such as an area ID and an area name.
The area ID is set in the store data 155 and is identification information for uniquely identifying and referencing the area data 151 including the area ID from the store data 155 .

Furthermore, the system administrator can use an area data registration form (not shown) displayed on the area registration screen displayed by the processor 301 on the system administrator terminal 102 of FIG. 1 to generate area data 151 in a number corresponding to the number of regions (areas) for which coupons are to be managed, and store the data in, for example, the external storage device 304.

The area ID is automatically assigned and registered when area data is registered.

Next, in FIG. 1, the process of the customer unit price category registration unit 112 has a function of setting the customer unit price category data 152 and storing it in the external storage device 304, for example.
The system administrator can access a customer unit price category registration section home page (not shown) from the system administrator terminal 102 via the network 106 in FIG. 1 and log in via the system login management section 110 described above, thereby causing a customer unit price category registration section screen (not shown) to be displayed on the system administrator terminal 102 and executing processing of the customer unit price category registration section 112 in FIG. 1.

The customer unit price category data 152 is generated in advance for a plurality of customer unit price categories according to the store category and the range of the customer unit price.
The customer unit price category data 152 includes a customer unit price category ID, the number of granted user points, the total referral fee, and the store's referral fee ratio.
The customer unit price category ID is set in the store data 155 and is information for uniquely identifying and referencing the customer unit price category data 152 including the customer unit price category ID from the store data 155 .

The system administrator can set the customer unit price category data 152 using a customer unit price category data registration form (not shown) displayed on the customer unit price category registration section screen displayed by the processor 301 on the system administrator terminal 102 of FIG. 1, and store the customer unit price category data 152 in, for example, the external storage device 304.

The customer unit price category ID is automatically assigned and set when customer unit price category data is registered.

The customer unit price category data 152 allows the system administrator to determine the number of points, the total referral fee, and the store's referral fee ratio, as described above in the explanation of the coupon usage response unit 119 in Figure 1, for each store and for each unit price range.

Next, in FIG. 1, the process of the store registration unit 115 has a function of setting the store data 155 and causing the external storage device 304, for example.
When a store signs a contract with the system operating organization, the system administrator can access a store registration unit homepage (not shown) from the system administrator terminal 102 via the network 106 in FIG. 1, log in via the system login management unit 110 described above, and display a store registration screen (not shown), thereby executing the processing of the store registration unit 115 in FIG. 1.

As the store data 155, information related to the store is collected and set.
The store data 155 includes basic information such as a store ID, store name, store description, address, telephone number, latitude, longitude, and SNS URL (Uniform Resource Locator), as well as an area ID, a customer unit price category ID, a valid regular coupon ID, a next valid regular coupon ID, a valid premium coupon ID, a next valid premium coupon ID, and a premium coupon update cycle.
The store ID is set in coupon data 156, which will be described later, and is identification information for uniquely identifying and referencing store data 155 including the store ID from the coupon data 156, etc.
The SNS URL indicates the web address of the site for SNS (social network service) information posted by the store.
The area ID is identification information for uniquely identifying and referencing the above-mentioned area data 151 including the area ID.
The customer unit price category ID is identification information for uniquely identifying and referencing the above-mentioned customer unit price category data 152 including the customer unit price category ID.
The valid regular coupon ID, next valid regular coupon ID, valid premium coupon ID, next valid premium coupon ID, and premium coupon update cycle will be described later in the explanation of the store editing unit 115 in FIG.

The system administrator can use the store registration unit 115 processing executed by the processor 301 to set store data corresponding to a new store to be registered using a store data registration form (not shown) on the store registration unit screen displayed on the system administrator terminal 102 in FIG. 1, and store the data in, for example, the external storage device 304.

At this time, the system administrator may press, for example, an area button (not shown) on the store registration screen displayed by processor 301 on the system administrator terminal 102, so that processor 301 can access a collection of the above-mentioned area data 151 stored, for example, in external storage device 304, and select the area to which the new store to be registered belongs from a list of areas (region names) (not shown) displayed on the system administrator terminal 102.
In processing the store registration unit 115, the processor 301 can register, based on the area name selected by the system administrator, the area ID registered in the area data 151 corresponding to that area name in the newly registered store data 155.
As a result, the store data 155 is linked to the area data 151 using the area ID as a key, and it is determined which area (region) each store belongs to.

In addition, the system administrator may, for example, press a customer unit price category button (not shown) displayed on the system administrator terminal 102 on the store registration screen displayed by the processor 301 on the system administrator terminal 102, so that the processor 301 accesses the collection of customer unit price category data 152 stored in, for example, the external storage device 304, and selects the customer unit price category 152 corresponding to the new store to be registered from a list of the contents of the customer unit price category 152 (not shown) displayed on the system administrator terminal 102.

If there is no appropriate customer unit price category data 152, the system administrator may register and select new customer unit price category data 152.

In processing the store registration unit 115, the processor 301 can register the customer unit price category ID registered in the customer unit price category data 152 corresponding to the customer unit price category selected by the system administrator in the newly registered store data 155.
As a result, the store data 155 is linked to the customer unit price category data 152 using the customer unit price category ID as a key. The customer unit price category data 152 thus linked is referenced by the coupon usage response unit 119 in Fig. 1 to determine the above-mentioned total referral fee and the store's referral fee ratio, which are the basis for calculating the charge to the store when the user uses a regular coupon or premium coupon.

The store ID is automatically assigned and registered when the store data 155 is registered.

Next, the operation by the store manager of the store will be described.
When the store manager executes each store management process of the store editing unit 115 and the coupon registration unit 116 in FIG. 1 , the store manager first logs in and then accesses a store management homepage (for example, a homepage generally referred to as "my page") corresponding to each store management process from a store manager terminal 103, such as a personal computer for store management, a smartphone terminal, or a tablet terminal, via network 106.

The login process for the store manager is executed by the store login management unit 114 shown in FIG.
As described above, when a new contract is made for a store, the system administrator registers the store data 155 via the store registration unit 115 executed by the processor 301. At this time, the system administrator generates store operator data 153 and stores it in, for example, the external storage device 304.

The store manager data 153 includes at least a store manager ID, a password, and a store ID.
The store manager ID is identification information for uniquely identifying the store manager.
The store ID is identification information of the store to which the store manager corresponding to the store manager ID belongs.

One or more store managers can be set. Each store manager data 153 is stored in the external storage device 304, for example.
The store manager may be able to additionally register store manager data as one of the functions of the store login management unit 114 .
Also, as one function of the processing of the store login management unit 114, the store manager may be able to edit the initial password of the first store manager that was initially registered by the system administrator.

1, the store manager accesses a store management homepage (not shown) corresponding to each process from the store manager terminal 103. As a result, the store login management unit 114 causes the store manager terminal 103 to display a login screen (not shown).
The store manager logs in by inputting a store manager ID and a password on this login screen. In the processing of the store login management unit 114, the processor 301 executes a login authentication process by collating the set of the store manager ID and password input from the store manager terminal 103 with the store manager data 153 stored in, for example, the external storage device 304. As a result, if it is confirmed that the set of the input store manager ID and password matches the registered contents of any of the store manager data 153 and login authentication is OK, in the processing of the store editing unit 115 or the coupon registration unit 116 described later, the processor 301 permits the store manager terminal 103 to log in and causes a store editing unit screen or a coupon registration screen, not shown, to be displayed.

Next, in FIG. 1, the process of the store editing unit 115 has a function of editing and updating a part of the store data 155 stored in, for example, the external storage device 304 .
The store operator can access a store editing department homepage (not shown) from the store operator terminal 103 via the network 106 in Figure 1 and log in via the store login management unit 114 described above, thereby displaying a store editing department screen (not shown) on the store operator terminal 103 and executing the processing of the store editing unit 115 in Figure 1.

The store manager can use the store data editing form (not shown) for his/her own store, which is displayed on the store editing screen of the store manager terminal 103 by the store editing unit 115 executed by the processor 301, to edit and update the contents of each store data 155, such as the store description information, address, telephone number, SNS URL, or latitude and longitude.

Furthermore, the store operator can use the store data editing form to edit the valid regular coupon ID, next valid regular coupon ID, valid premium coupon ID, next valid premium coupon ID, and premium coupon update cycle contained in the store data 155.

The valid regular coupon ID is a coupon ID corresponding to a regular coupon that should be selected when the first coupon distribution unit 118 in Fig. 1 distributes a regular coupon (first coupon) for a store corresponding to the store data 155. This coupon ID specifies coupon data 156, which will be described later.
In this embodiment, only one regular coupon is distributed to one store at a time, and the coupon ID of that one regular coupon is stored in the valid regular coupon ID.

The next valid regular coupon ID is the coupon ID that should become the new valid regular coupon ID when the update period for the valid regular coupon ID has elapsed.

The store operator first sets, as a valid regular coupon ID, the coupon ID in the coupon data 156 corresponding to the coupon that the store operator wants to be distributed as a regular coupon when the store operator's store is selected by the first coupon distribution unit 118 described above. At the same time, the store operator sets, as a next valid regular coupon ID, the coupon ID in the coupon data 156 corresponding to the coupon that the store operator wants to be distributed as the next regular coupon after the update period of that regular coupon has elapsed.

When the first coupon distribution unit 118 distributes a regular coupon corresponding to a valid regular coupon ID in the selected store data 155, after a predetermined update period has elapsed, it switches the valid regular coupon ID to the next valid regular coupon ID and distributes a new regular coupon.

The store manager sets the coupon ID in the coupon data 156 corresponding to the next regular coupon that the store manager wants to receive as the next valid regular coupon ID before the next update cycle.
In this way, regular coupons can be distributed smoothly even across update periods.

The relationship between the valid premium coupon ID and the next valid premium coupon ID is the same as the relationship between the valid regular coupon ID and the next valid regular coupon ID.

The valid premium coupon ID is a coupon ID corresponding to the premium coupon that should be selected when the second coupon distribution process 119 (#1) in Figure 1 distributes a new premium coupon (second coupon) at the store where the coupon was used.
As in the case of regular coupons, in this embodiment, only one premium coupon is distributed simultaneously from one store to other affiliated stores, and the coupon ID of that one premium coupon is held in the valid premium coupon ID.
As in the case of regular coupons, in this embodiment, only one premium coupon is distributed from one store to other affiliated stores at the same time, and the coupon ID of that one premium coupon is held in the valid premium coupon ID. Also, only one premium coupon can be distributed from the store where the coupon was used to other affiliated stores at the same time, and the coupon ID of that one premium coupon is held in the valid premium coupon ID.

The next valid premium coupon ID is the coupon ID that should become the new valid premium coupon ID when the update period for the valid premium coupon ID has elapsed.

When a coupon (regular coupon or premium coupon) is used at the store and a new premium coupon for the affiliated store is issued and distributed by the second coupon distribution process 119 (#1) of the coupon usage response unit 119, the store operator first sets the coupon ID in the coupon data 156 corresponding to the premium coupon to be issued as a valid premium coupon ID. At the same time, the store operator sets the coupon ID in the coupon data 156 corresponding to the coupon that is to be distributed next as a premium coupon after the renewal period of that premium coupon has elapsed as the next valid premium coupon ID.
In the second coupon distribution process 119 (#1), when a new premium coupon corresponding to a valid premium coupon ID in the store data 155 corresponding to the store where the coupon was used is distributed, the valid premium coupon ID is switched to the next valid premium coupon ID after an update period has elapsed, and the premium coupon is distributed.
The store manager sets the coupon ID in the coupon data 156 corresponding to the next premium coupon to be distributed as the next valid premium coupon ID before the next update cycle.
In this way, the distribution of premium coupons can also be carried out smoothly even across renewal periods.
Although the renewal cycle of the regular coupons described above is predetermined, the renewal cycle of the premium coupons can be determined by the store manager by editing the premium coupon renewal cycle using the store data editing form.

Next, in FIG. 1, the process of the coupon registration unit 116 has a function of registering coupon data 156 .
By accessing a coupon registration section homepage (not shown) from the store operator terminal 103 via the network 106 in FIG. 1 and logging in via the store login management unit 114 described above, a coupon registration section screen (not shown) can be displayed on the store operator terminal 103 and processing of the coupon registration unit 116 in FIG. 1 can be executed.

The coupon data 156 includes a coupon ID, a coupon name, coupon description information, a store ID, a remuneration type, a coupon type, and an adjusted store side referral commission rate.
The coupon ID is information that uniquely identifies a coupon defined by coupon data 156 .
The coupon description information includes, for example, information such as the discount amount, the discount percentage, and the free product in the case of a free coupon.
The store ID is linked to the store data 155 by this store ID, and is identification information that identifies the store in which this coupon data 156 can be used.
As described above, the reward type is information that specifies a fixed discount on the payment amount, a percentage discount, free of charge, increased points, or other reward benefits.
As described above, the coupon type is information that specifies whether the coupon to be distributed or used is a regular coupon (first coupon) or a premium coupon (second coupon) as described in FIG.

The store operator uses the coupon registration unit 116 executed by the processor 301 to input and register each piece of data, such as the coupon name, coupon description information, reward type, and coupon type, into a coupon data registration form (not shown) displayed on the coupon registration unit screen of the store operator terminal 103.
The coupon ID is automatically assigned and registered when the coupon data 156 is registered.
As the store ID, the store ID of the store data 155 corresponding to the currently accessed store manager is automatically registered.
Furthermore, when the store manager inputs "point increase" as the reward type, the system operating organization will give the user a point benefit instead of the store. At this time, when the store manager inputs "premium coupon (second coupon)" as the coupon type, the adjusted store side referral commission rate explained in FIG. 1 for reducing and adjusting the store side referral commission rate associated with the store data 155 corresponding to the store manager is automatically set and registered in the coupon data 156 by the system operating organization. As mentioned above, the store side referral commission rate is referenced from the customer unit price category data 152 corresponding to the customer unit price category ID registered in the store data 155.

Next, the registration operation of a user who uses a store will be described.
When executing the processing of the app in Figure 1, a user downloads and installs an app that can access the coupon management system 100 of this embodiment from an app store website on the Internet (network 106 in Figure 1) that corresponds to the user terminal 104, for example a smartphone, on the user terminal 104.
When the application is installed in the user terminal 104, user information such as an email address and a user name set in the application is transmitted from the user terminal 104 in Fig. 1 to the coupon management server 101 via the network 106 by the application execution unit 122, which is a function of a processor (not shown) in the user terminal 104 to execute the application. This user information is processed in the user registration unit 117 in Fig. 1.

The user registration unit 117 generates user data 154 by aggregating the user information notified from the user terminal 104 , and stores the data in, for example, the external storage device 304 .
The user data 154 includes a user ID, an email address, a user name, and a point balance.
The user ID is identification information for uniquely identifying and referencing the user data 154 including the user ID from the first coupon distribution unit 118, the coupon usage support unit 119, and the like in FIG.

In the user data 154 generated by the user registration unit 117, for example, an automatically generated user ID is set as the user ID.
Alternatively, the email address notified from the app may be set as the user ID.
As the email address and user name, the email address and user name notified from the application of the user terminal 104 are stored, respectively.
The initial value of the point balance is set to 0 (zero).

Next, a series of processes when a user uses a coupon will be described.
Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the first coupon distribution unit 118 in Fig. 1. In this processing, the processor 301 loads a first coupon distribution unit processing program stored in the ROM 302 into the RAM 303 and executes it.
The processing of the first coupon distribution unit 118 is executed at regular time intervals (for example, 15 minutes).
The processing of the first coupon distribution unit 118 realizes the operation of step S201 in FIG.

First, the processor 301 reads one user data 154 and obtains the user ID (step S401 in FIG. 4).

Next, the processor 301 extracts the user coupon data 157 described in FIG. 1, which includes the user ID acquired in step S401, in descending order of acquisition date and time, and acquires the first data (step S402 in FIG. 4).

The user coupon data 157 is information about a first coupon distributed by the first coupon distribution unit 118 in FIG. 1, or information about a second coupon distributed by the second coupon distribution process 119 (#1) executed by the coupon usage response unit 119 in FIG. 1.

User coupon data 157 includes a user coupon ID, a user ID, a coupon ID, a referral source coupon ID, and an acquisition date and time.

The user coupon ID is identification information for uniquely identifying this user coupon data 157 .
The user ID is identification information for uniquely identifying the user to whom the coupon is distributed.
The coupon ID is identification information for uniquely identifying a distributed coupon.
The acquisition date and time is the date and time when the coupon was distributed.

The processor 301 determines whether data acquisition in step S402 was successful (step S403 in FIG. 4).

If the determination in step S403 is YES, i.e., if user coupon data 157 including the target user ID is found, the acquisition date and time of this user coupon data 157 is newer than the acquisition date and time of any other user coupon data 157 having the same user ID, since this user coupon data 157 is the first data found by searching user coupon data 157 including the same user ID in descending order of acquisition date and time. In other words, the searched user coupon data 157 is data corresponding to the most recently distributed coupon.
In this case, the processor 301 determines whether the current date and time is longer than a certain time (e.g., 24 hours) from the latest acquisition date and time of the user coupon data 157 found in the processing of step S402 (step S404 in FIG. 4).

If the determination in step S404 is YES, the processor 301 executes a series of processes from step S405 to step S409 in FIG. 4 to obtain and distribute a new coupon to the user corresponding to the user ID obtained in step S401.
Also, if no user coupon data 157 corresponding to the user ID obtained in step S401 has yet been registered and the determination in step S403 described above is NO, the processor 301 executes a series of processes from step S405 to step S409 in FIG. 4 to obtain and distribute a new coupon to the user corresponding to the user ID obtained in step S401.

In this series of processes, the processor 301 first acquires the above-mentioned user area transmitted from the application of the user terminal 104 of the user corresponding to the user ID acquired in step S401 (step S405 in FIG. 4).

Next, the processor 301 extracts one or more store data 155 having an area ID that matches the area ID included in the user area acquired in step S405 (step S406 in FIG. 4).
By the process of step S406, the user can receive coupons from stores that are close to the user or that belong to an area that the user has been to or wants to visit.

Next, the processor 301 randomly or cyclically selects one piece of store data 155 from the store data 155 extracted in step S406 (step S407 in FIG. 4).
Alternatively, the processor 301 may select, from the above store data 155, store data 155 of a store that has been specially flagged for a sale, event, or the like.

Then, the processor 301 generates new user coupon data 157 in which the user ID acquired in step S401 is set as the user ID, the aforementioned valid regular coupon ID in one of the store data 155 selected in step S407 is set as the coupon ID, and the current date and time is set as the acquisition date and time, and stores the data in, for example, the external storage device 204.
The processor 301 sets the automatically generated user coupon ID in the newly generated user coupon data 157 .
Furthermore, if a regular coupon is used, the processor 301 sets the referral source coupon ID of the newly generated user coupon data 157 to a null value (step S408 in FIG. 4).

Finally, the processor 301 notifies the application of the user terminal 104 corresponding to the user ID acquired in step S401 of information indicating that a new regular coupon has been distributed (step S409 in FIG. 4).
As a result, a pop-up notification or the like is displayed in the application on the user terminal 104 to inform the user that a new regular coupon has been distributed.

If the determination in step S404 is NO because not much time has passed since the acquisition date and time of the latest coupon, the processor 301 proceeds to step S410 without executing the series of processes from step S405 to step S409 described above. Therefore, a new coupon is not distributed.

The processor 301 then determines whether acquisition of all user data 154 has been completed (step S410 in FIG. 4).

If the determination in step S410 is NO, the processor 301 returns to the processing of step S401 in FIG. 4 and continues reading the next user data 154.

When the determination in step S410 becomes YES because acquisition of all user data 154 has been completed, the processor 301 ends the processing of the first coupon distribution unit 118 in FIG. 1 shown in the flowchart in FIG. 4 for the current distribution timing.

The coupon distributed to the user by the processing of the first coupon distribution unit 118 described above is displayed on the user terminal 104 as follows, by the processing of the application execution unit 122 executed on the user terminal 104 and the processing of the coupon display unit 120 executed on the coupon management server 101 in FIG. 1.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing (coupon display unit processing) of the coupon display unit 120 in Fig. 1. This processing is processing in which the processor 301 loads a coupon display unit processing program stored in the ROM 302 into the RAM 303 and executes it.
When a user taps a coupon display button (not shown) on the information screen of the app displayed on the display of the user terminal 104 operated by the user, a coupon display command is sent from the user terminal 104 to the coupon display unit 120 of the coupon management server 101 via the network 106 by the app execution unit 122, which is software executed by a processor (not shown) of the user terminal 104. Upon receiving this notification, the processor 301 starts executing the coupon display unit process exemplified in the flowchart of FIG.

First, the processor 301 receives the user ID notified from the application execution unit 122 of the user terminal 104 (step S501 in FIG. 5).

Next, the processor 301 extracts the user coupon data 157 including the user ID received in step S501 in descending order of acquisition date and time, and acquires the first data, in the same manner as in step S402 of FIG. 4. This allows the processor 301 to extract the user coupon data 157 with the most recent acquisition date and time, and acquire the coupon ID in that user coupon data 157 (step S502 of FIG. 5).

The processor 301 acquires coupon data 156 including the coupon ID acquired in step S502 (step S503 in FIG. 5).

Furthermore, the processor 301 obtains coupon information such as the coupon name, coupon description information, reward type (fixed amount discount/percentage discount/free/point increase, etc.), and free product when a free coupon is applied from the coupon data 156 extracted in step S503 (step S504 in FIG. 5).

The processor 301 also extracts store data 155 that includes the store ID from the coupon data 156 extracted in step S503 (step S505 in FIG. 5).

The processor 301 also obtains store information such as the store name, store description information, address, telephone number, the store's SNS URL, and a map display based on latitude and longitude from the store data 155 extracted in step S505 (step S506 in FIG. 5).

The processor 301 also obtains the point balance in the user data 154, which includes the user ID received in step S501 (step S507 in Figure 5).

Then, the processor 301 causes the display of the user terminal 104 on which the application is being executed via the accessed application execution unit 122 to display the coupon information acquired in step S504, the store information acquired in step S506, and the point balance acquired in step S507 (step S508 in FIG. 5).

Finally, the processor 301 generates a QR code (registered trademark) in which the user coupon ID in the user coupon data 157 acquired in step S502 is embedded, and displays it on the display of the user terminal 104 via the application execution unit 122 (step S509 in FIG. 5).
Thereafter, the processor 301 ends the coupon display process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

In this way, users can check the details of the most recently distributed coupons, details of the store, and the current balance of points they can use.

In addition, in step S502, in addition to information about the most recently distributed coupon, coupon data 156 about a specified number of most recently distributed coupons or coupons from the current date and time up to a certain period of time in the past (e.g., one week ago) may be obtained, and information about those coupons may be displayed and used.

6 and 7 are flow charts showing an example of the process of the coupon usage handling unit 119 in Fig. 1. This process is a process in which the processor 301 loads a coupon usage handling unit processing program stored in the ROM 302 into the RAM 303 and executes it.
The processing of the coupon usage response unit 119, as shown in steps S202, S205, or S209 of FIG. 2, realizes a mechanism for issuing a premium coupon that can be used at other affiliated stores to a user when the user uses a regular coupon or premium coupon at a store, which is a feature of the present invention, and a mechanism for charging an introduction fee to the system operating organization or the referring store in response to this operation.

The processor 301 first receives a user coupon ID and waits until it determines that the user has used a coupon (a regular coupon or a premium coupon) (repeated NO determination at step S601 in FIG. 6).

The fact that a coupon has been used by a user can be recognized, for example, in the following manner.
First, when a user is at a store corresponding to the coupon, the user operates an app on the user terminal 104 operated by the user, and the coupon is displayed on the display of the user terminal 104 by the function of the app execution unit 122 described above executed on the user terminal 104 in Figure 1 and the coupon display unit processing exemplified in Figure 5 executed as the function of the coupon display unit 120 described above on the coupon management server 101.
In response, the store staff activates the used coupon information transmission unit 123 from an operation screen (not shown) of the store terminal 105, and scans the QR code (registered trademark) embedded with the user coupon ID of the coupon displayed on the user terminal 104 in step S509 of Figure 5 using a scanner connected to the store terminal 105, thereby inputting the user coupon ID as information regarding the used coupon.
Alternatively, the user verbally notifies the store staff of the code of the user coupon ID displayed together with the coupon on the display of the user terminal 104. In response, the store staff inputs the user coupon ID into an input screen (not shown) of the used coupon information transmission unit 123 executed in the store terminal 105 as information regarding the used coupon.
As a result, the user coupon ID is notified from the store terminal 105 to the coupon usage section 119 of the coupon management server 101 as information regarding the used coupon.

Alternatively, the opposite to the above, the app execution unit 122 of the user terminal 104 may be provided with the same functionality as the coupon usage information transmission unit 123, and the store may set up a board or display showing a QR code (registered trademark) with an embedded store ID. When a user visits the store, the app on the user terminal 104 may read the QR code (registered trademark), and the app execution unit 122 may notify the coupon usage response unit 119 of the coupon management server 101 of the fact that a coupon has been used, together with the store ID embedded in the read QR code (registered trademark).

If the determination in step S601 is YES, the processor 301 executes a premium coupon issuing process for the user who has used the coupon (step S602 in FIG. 6). This process corresponds to the second coupon distribution process 119 (#1) in FIG.
This process realizes the operation of step S203, S206, or S210 in FIG.

The following describes the premium coupon issuing process in step S602 of FIG. 6.

First, the store manager accesses the store editing department homepage described above and registers the referral information about other stores that the store wishes to introduce as referral data 161 on the store editing department screen that appears.

The referral data 161 includes each piece of data: a referral ID, which is identification information for uniquely identifying the referral text; an "introducing store ID," which is the store ID of the referring store; an "introduced store ID," which is the store ID of the affiliated store receiving the referral; and a "referral text for the affiliated store."

The store manager can display a referral data editing form (not shown) from the aforementioned store editing screen displayed on the store manager terminal 103 in FIG. 1, generate new referral data 161, store it in the external storage device 304 in FIG. 3, and set an "introduction for the affiliated store" in the referral data 161.

At this time, the store ID of the store itself is automatically set as the aforementioned "store ID to introduce" in the newly generated introduction data 161.

In addition, the store operator can display a list of store names set in a set of store data 155, for example, that have the same area ID, as part of the aforementioned referral data editing form, and select a store name from the list to select store data 155 that includes that store name.
The store ID in the store data 155 selected in this manner is set as the aforementioned “introduced store ID” in the newly generated introduction data 161 .

The automatically generated referral ID is set as the referral ID for the newly generated referral data 161.

The store manager can register multiple pieces of the above-mentioned referral data 161 corresponding to multiple other stores that the store wishes to introduce, and store them, for example, in the external storage device 304 of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of premium coupon issuing process 1 ( Figure 8 (a) ) in step S602 of Figure 6 and premium coupon issuing process 2 ( Figure 8 (b) ) for receiving a request from the user terminal 104.

First, the premium coupon issuing process 1 in FIG. 8(a) will be described.
The processor 301 first obtains the coupon ID from the user coupon data 157 including the user coupon ID notified by the store in step S601 of FIG. 6, and then extracts the store ID where the coupon was used from the coupon data 156 including that coupon ID (step S801 of FIG. 8).

Then, in step S802, the processor 301 searches for the aforementioned referral data 161 that includes the store ID where the coupon acquired in step S801 was used as the "recommended store ID," and repeatedly executes the series of processes from step S802 to S807 while the search is successful in step S803, i.e., while the referral data 161 for all other stores that the store wishes to introduce is detected.

In this series of processes, the processor 301 first extracts the "introduced store ID" and the "introduction text of the listed store" from the introduction data 161 corresponding to one other store that the processor 301 wishes to introduce, searched for in step S802 (step S804 in FIG. 8).

Next, the processor 301 extracts the valid premium coupon ID and store information such as the store name, store description information, address, telephone number, SNS URL of the store, and a map display based on latitude and longitude from the store data 155 that includes the "introduced store ID" as a store ID (step S805 in FIG. 8).

Next, the processor 301 obtains coupon information related to the premium coupon from the coupon data 156 that includes the valid premium coupon ID as the coupon ID, such as the coupon name, coupon description information, reward type (fixed amount discount/percentage discount/free/point increase, etc.), and free product when the free coupon is applied (step S806 in FIG. 8).

Then, the processor 301 creates a premium coupon candidate data set including the store information extracted in step S805, the introduction of the partner store extracted in step S804, the coupon information related to the premium coupon extracted in step S806, and in addition to these, the valid premium coupon ID extracted in step S805 and the user coupon ID notified by the store in step S601 of FIG. 6 (step S807 of FIG. 8).

The processor 301 then returns to the search process of step S802.

As a result of repeatedly executing the series of processes from step S802 to S807, if it is determined in step S803 that the search was not successful (determination is NO), that is, that detection of the referral data 161 for all other stores that the store wishes to refer has been completed, the processor 301 transmits the premium coupon candidate data set created in step S807 for all other stores that the store wishes to refer to the user terminal 104 corresponding to the user ID obtained in step S801 (step S808 in FIG. 8).

The application execution unit 122 of the user terminal 104 in FIG. 1 that has used the coupon receives the premium coupon candidate data set transmitted in step S808 by the second coupon distribution process 119 (#1) of the coupon usage handling unit 119.
As a result, the application execution unit 122 displays, on the application screen of the display of the user terminal 104, store information and introductions of a plurality of affiliated stores introduced by the store where the coupon was used, and coupon information of premium coupons that can be used at the affiliated stores, and displays a screen prompting the user to select one pair of affiliated stores and the premium coupon that can be used there.

The user selects one pair of affiliated stores and premium coupons that can be used there on the selection screen on the user terminal 104 described above. As a result, the application execution unit 122 returns, for example, a valid premium coupon ID and a user coupon ID (see step S807 in FIG. 8 ) included in the premium coupon candidate data set that corresponds to the affiliated store and premium coupon that can be used there selected by the user.

In response to the reply from the user terminal 104, the processor 301 receives the reply from the user terminal 104 according to a program for a premium coupon issuing process 2, an example of which is shown in the flow chart of FIG. 8(b).
The processor 301 constantly executes the program for the premium coupon issuing process 2.

In the flowchart of FIG. 8(b), the processor 301 first waits until a reply is received from the user terminal 104 (repeated NO determinations in step S810 of FIG. 8).

When the determination in step S810 is YES due to a reply from the user terminal 104, the processor 301 obtains the user ID and the coupon ID corresponding to the used coupon from the user coupon data 157 including the user coupon ID received from the user terminal 104 (step S811 in FIG. 8).

Then, the processor 301 sets the user ID acquired in step S811 as the user ID, sets the valid premium coupon ID received from the user terminal 104 as the coupon ID, sets the coupon ID acquired in step S811 as the referral source coupon ID, and sets the current date and time as the acquisition date and time, and newly generates user coupon data 157 corresponding to the premium coupon, and stores the data in, for example, the external storage device 304 of FIG. 3.
The processor 301 sets the automatically generated user coupon ID as the user coupon ID of the newly generated user coupon data 157 (step S812 in FIG. 8).

Finally, the processor 301 notifies the application of the user terminal 104 corresponding to the user ID acquired in step S803 of information indicating that a new premium coupon has been distributed (step S813 in FIG. 8). As a result, a pop-up notification or the like is displayed in the application of the user terminal 104 indicating that a new premium coupon has been distributed.
Thereafter, the processor 301 returns to the standby process of step S810.

When the user taps a coupon display button (not shown) on the input screen of the application displayed on the display of the user terminal 104 operated by the user as described above, the application execution unit 122 notifies the coupon display command from the user terminal 104 to the coupon display unit 120 of the coupon management server 101 via the network 106. The processor 301 of the coupon management server 101 executes the coupon display unit process exemplified in the flowchart of FIG. 5 described above to receive the notification of the display command for the coupon, and can display on the user terminal 104 details of the coupon information for the premium coupon, a QR code (registered trademark) to be presented when using the premium coupon, and details of the store information where the premium coupon can be used, in the same manner as in the case of a regular coupon. As a result, the user can use the premium coupon displayed on the user terminal 104 at the store via the QR code (registered trademark) displayed at the same time.

In this way, by using a regular coupon distributed by the system operating organization at a store, a user can obtain a new premium coupon that can be used at other stores that are affiliated with and introduced by that store.
In addition, when a user acquires a new premium coupon in addition to a regular coupon and uses it at a new store, the execution of steps S601 and S602 in FIG. 6 described above enables the user to obtain further premium coupons that can be used at other stores that are affiliated with the new store.
Then, when the user uses the premium coupon at a certain store, the user can read a more heartfelt introduction of the affiliated store written by the store that issued the premium coupon.
This business model allows users to explore new stores at great value.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 6, after the premium coupon issuance process in step S602, the processor 301 generates new coupon usage history data 158 indicating that the coupon corresponding to the user coupon ID notified in step S601 has been used, and stores the data in, for example, the external storage device 304 in FIG. 3 (step S603 in FIG. 6).

Coupon usage history data 158 includes a coupon usage history ID, a user ID, and a coupon ID.

The user ID and coupon ID in the coupon usage history data 158 are the user ID and coupon ID in the user coupon data 157 that includes the user coupon ID notified in step S601.
The processor 301 sets the automatically generated coupon usage history ID as the coupon usage history ID of the newly generated coupon usage history data 158 .

Next, the processor 301 extracts the user ID of the user who used the currently used coupon and the coupon ID of that coupon from the user coupon data 157 including the user coupon ID notified in step S601.
Furthermore, if the currently used coupon is a premium coupon, the processor 301 extracts the referral source coupon ID that caused the premium coupon to be issued.
Then, the processor 301 extracts the coupon data 156 including the extracted coupon ID (step S604 in FIG. 6).

Next, the processor 301 extracts the store ID from the coupon data 156 extracted in step S604, extracts the store data 155 including the store ID, and further extracts the customer unit price category data 152 including the customer unit price category ID from the store data 155.
Then, the processor 301 acquires the number of user points given, the total referral fee, and the store side referral fee ratio from the extracted customer unit price category data 152 (step S605 in FIG. 6).

The number of user points awarded is the base number of points awarded to a user when using a coupon.

The total referral fee obtained in step S605 is the referral fee to be paid to the system operating organization if a regular coupon is used, and is the sum of the referral fees to be paid to the system operating organization and the store that issued the premium coupon if a premium coupon is used.

The store's referral fee ratio obtained in step S605 is the ratio of the referral fee to be paid to the store that issued the premium coupon when the premium coupon is used to the total referral fee. The referral fee to be paid to the system operator is the remaining amount.

Furthermore, the processor 301 obtains the coupon type (regular coupon/premium coupon) and reward type (fixed amount discount/percentage discount/free/point increase, other) from the coupon data 156 extracted in step S604 (step S606 in FIG. 6).

First, the processor 301 determines whether the reward type extracted in step S606 is a point increase type that increases the user's owned points (step S607 in FIG. 6).

If the reward type of the coupon being used this time is a point increase type and the determination in step S607 is YES, the processor 301 obtains the point awarding multiplier from the coupon data 156 extracted in step S604 (step S608 in FIG. 6).

When the user uses the coupon, normally points are given to the user in the amount equal to the number of user points obtained in step S605.
Here, if the reward type of the coupon is a point increase type that increases the points held by the user, the number of user points given to the user is increased by the point giving magnification.
In other words, if the reward type of the coupon is a point increase type, the processor 301 replaces the number of user points awarded with the multiplication result obtained by multiplying the number of user points awarded obtained in step S605 by the point awarding multiplier obtained in step S608 (step S609 in FIG. 6).

Next, if the reward type of the coupon is a point increase type, the processor 301 obtains the adjusted store side referral commission rate from the coupon data 156 extracted in step S604 (step S610 in FIG. 6).

As described above, when a premium coupon is used, the total amount of referral fee obtained in step S605 is usually divided in proportion to the store's referral fee ratio also obtained in step S605, and paid by the store where the premium coupon was used to the store that issued the premium coupon and the system operator.
In this case, the store where the premium coupon was used will provide the user with a special benefit, such as a fixed amount or a fixed percentage discount on the price of the product or menu item being sold, depending on the reward type set in the premium coupon. In this case, the store will be responsible for the cost of providing this special benefit to the user.
On the other hand, if the reward type of the used coupon is a point increase type, the system operating organization gives the user a bonus to increase the points awarded by a certain percentage on behalf of the store, so there is no burden on the store associated with giving the bonus.
Therefore, only when a premium coupon for increased points is used, the processor 301 replaces the store's referral fee ratio, which determines the referral fee to the referring store, with the adjusted store's referral fee ratio obtained in step S610 (step S611 in FIG. 6).

If the reward type of the coupon currently being used is not a point increase type and the determination in step S607 is NO, the processor 301 skips the series of processes from step S608 to step S611 and proceeds to step S612 in FIG. 7.

After processing of step S611 or if the determination of step S607 is NO, the processor 301 updates the point balance in the user data 154 with the number of user points granted obtained in step S605 or increased in step S609 (step S612 in FIG. 7).

Specifically, the processor 301 updates the point balance of the user data 154 including the user ID in the user coupon data 157 including the user coupon ID received in step S601 by adding the number of user points granted (acquired points) acquired in step S605 or increased in step S609.

In this way, users can earn points regardless of whether they use regular coupons or premium coupons, and when they use point-increasing coupons, they can earn points that are increased by the point award multiplier.

Users can use these points to exchange for local specialties, campaign items at local shopping malls, online gift certificates offered on online EC (Electronic Commerce) sites, and the like. These point utilization technologies are generally well known, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

After processing step S612, the processor 301 determines whether the coupon type acquired in step S606 is a regular coupon or a premium coupon (step S613 in FIG. 7).

If it is determined in step S613 that the coupon type of the used coupon is a regular coupon (the case of step S202 in FIG. 2), the processor 301 executes the following steps S614 and S615. These steps, together with steps S603 to S611 in FIG. 6, correspond to the first billing process 119 (#2) in FIG. 1.

First, the processor 301 calculates the entire referral fee obtained in step S605 of FIG. 6 as the aforementioned first referral fee to be paid to the system operator for the use of the regular coupon (step S614 of FIG. 7).

Then, the processor 301 generates fee history data 159 received by the operator corresponding to the use of the regular coupon, in which the first referral fee to be paid to the system operator for the use of the regular coupon calculated in step S614 is set, and stores the data, for example, in the external storage device 304 of FIG. 3 (step S615 of FIG. 7).

The fee history data 159 received by the operator includes the fee history ID, fee, coupon usage history ID, and registration date and time data received by the operator.

Specifically, the processor 301 sets the first referral fee to be paid to the system operator for the use of the regular coupon calculated in step S614 as the fee in the fee history data 159 received by the operator that is newly generated.
In addition, the processor 301 sets the coupon usage history ID set in the coupon usage history data 158 corresponding to the currently used regular coupon, which was generated in step S603 of Figure 6, as the coupon usage history ID of the newly generated fee history data 159 received by the operator.
Furthermore, the processor 301 sets the current date and time as the registration date and time of the newly generated commission history data 159 received by the operator.
In addition, the processor 301 sets the automatically generated fee history ID received by the operation as the fee history ID received by the operation of the newly generated fee history data 159 received by the operation.

In this way, the first referral fee paid to the system operator is registered as the fee history data 159 received by the operator, and the first referral fee for the use of the regular coupon shown in step S204 of Figure 2 is charged by the system operator (case of step S204 of Figure 2).

In this manner, the processor 301 executes the processing of steps S614 and S615 in FIG. 7 for the use of the regular coupon, and then returns to the processing of step S601 in FIG. 6, which waits for the user to use the coupon.

If it is determined in step S613 of FIG. 7 that the coupon type of the used coupon is a premium coupon (the case of steps S205 or S209 of FIG. 2), the processor 301 executes the series of processes from steps S616 to S619 below. These processes, together with steps S603 to S611 of FIG. 6, correspond to the second billing process (#3) of FIG. 1.

In the above series of processes, the processor 301 first calculates a second referral fee to be paid to the system operator for the use of the premium coupon by multiplying the total referral fee obtained in step S605 of FIG. 6 by the store referral fee rate obtained in step S605 or replaced by the adjusted store referral fee rate in step S611, and subtracting the result from the total referral fee (step S616 of FIG. 7).
When a user uses a premium coupon introduced by another store to visit that store, the store will split the total introduction fee and pay a second introduction fee and a third introduction fee to both the system operating organization that issued the premium coupon and the store that introduced the coupon (steps S207 and S208 or steps S211 and S212 in FIG. 2).
The shop side referral commission ratio is the ratio of the third referral commission paid to the referral source through this division to the total referral commission.
As mentioned above, if the reward type of the coupon is a point increase type that increases the user's accumulated points, the system operating organization instead of the store will give the user a benefit for using the coupon, so the above-mentioned store's referral fee ratio is replaced with the adjusted store's referral fee ratio in step S610 of Figure 6 described above, and the second referral fee to be paid to the system operating organization is calculated in step S616 of Figure 7.

Then, the processor 301 generates fee history data 159 received by the operator, in which the second referral fee to be paid to the system operator for the use of the premium coupon calculated in step S616 is set, as in the case of the regular coupon in step S615, and stores the data, for example, in the external storage device 304 in FIG. 3 (step S617 in FIG. 7).

Specifically, the processor 301 sets the second referral fee to be paid to the system operator for the use of the premium coupon calculated in step S616 as the fee in the fee history data 159 newly generated by the operator.
In addition, the processor 301 sets the coupon usage history ID set in the coupon usage history data 158 corresponding to the premium coupon used this time, which was generated in step S603 of Figure 6, as the coupon usage history ID of the newly generated fee history data 159 received by the operator.
Furthermore, the processor 301 sets the current date and time as the registration date and time of the newly generated management-received fee history data 159 .
In addition, the processor 301 sets the automatically generated fee history ID received by the operation as the fee history ID received by the operation of the newly generated fee history data 159 received by the operation.

In this way, the second referral fee to be paid to the system operator is set in the fee history data 159 received by the operator, and the second referral fee for the use of the premium coupon shown in step S207 or step S211 of FIG. 2 is charged by the system operator.

Next, the processor 301 multiplies the total referral fee calculated in step S616 of FIG. 7 by the store's referral fee ratio, and calculates the result as a third referral fee to be paid to the referring store for the use of the premium coupon (step S618 of FIG. 7).

The processor 301 then generates new commission history data 160 received by the store, in which the third referral commission to be paid to the referring store for the use of the premium coupon calculated in step S618 is set, and stores the data, for example, in the external storage device 304 in FIG. 3 (step S619 in FIG. 6).

The commission history data 160 received by the store includes the commission history ID received by the store, the commission, the store ID of the referring store, the coupon usage history ID, and the registration date and time.

Specifically, the processor 301 sets the third referral commission to be paid to the referral source store calculated in step S618 as the commission in the commission history data 160 to be received by the newly generated store.
Furthermore, the processor 301 sets the store ID of the introducing store extracted in step S605 of FIG. 6 as the store ID of the commission history data 160 to be received by the newly generated store.
Furthermore, the processor 301 sets the coupon usage history ID set in the coupon usage history data 158 corresponding to the premium coupon used this time, which was generated in step S603 of FIG. 6, as the coupon usage history ID of the newly generated fee history data 160 received by the store.
Then, the processor 301 sets the current date and time as the registration date and time of the newly generated commission history data 160 received by the shop.
The processor 301 sets an automatically generated store-received commission history ID as the store-received commission history ID of the newly generated store-received commission history data 160 .

In this way, the third referral fee paid to the referring store is registered as the fee history data 160 received by the store, and the third referral fee for the use of the premium coupon shown in step S208 or step S212 of FIG. 2 is paid not only to the system operating organization (step S207 or step S211 of FIG. 2) but also to the referring store.

In this manner, the processor 301 executes a series of processes from steps S616 to S619 in FIG. 7 for the use of the premium coupon corresponding to steps S207 and S208 or steps S211 and S212 in FIG. 2, and then returns to the process of step S601 in FIG. 6, which waits for the user to use the coupon.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the tallying unit 121 in Fig. 1. This processing is processing in which the processor 301 loads a tallying unit processing program stored in the ROM 302 into the RAM 303 and executes it. This processing corresponds to the processing of the tallying unit 121 in Fig. 1.
In the processing of the tallying unit 121, the following two tallying processes are executed by the processor 301 of the coupon management server 101.

As the first aggregation process, the processor 301 executes a process of tallying up, for example, on a monthly basis, the first referral fee and the second referral fee received by the management, as exemplified in steps S204, S207, and S211 of FIG. 2, which are recorded as the fee history data 159 received by the management based on the user's use of regular coupons or premium coupons, and billing each store.

As a second aggregation process, the processor 301 aggregates, for example, monthly, the third referral fees received by the stores exemplified in steps S208 and S212 of FIG. 2, which are stored as the fee history data 160 received by the stores based on the use of the premium coupon by the user, and bills each store where the premium coupon was used, while also executing a process of settling the amount with each store that issued the premium coupon.

In the process of the flowchart exemplified in FIG. 9, the processor 301 first establishes a relationship between the fee history data 159 and the coupon usage history data 158 received by the operator, using the coupon usage history ID as a key.
Next, the processor 301 establishes a relation between the coupon usage history data 158 and the coupon data 156 using the coupon ID as a key.
Furthermore, the processor 301 establishes a relation between the coupon data 156 and the store data 155 using the store ID as a key (step S901 in FIG. 9).
The method of establishing relationships between data using each of the above IDs as a key can be realized, for example, by configuring each data as each table of a SQL (Structured Query Language) database, and establishing table relationships between common database items corresponding to the ID items that are set as the above keys in each table.

The processor 301 simultaneously takes the three relations set in step S901, and then searches the fee history data 159 received by the operation whose registration date and time falls within the range of the billing month, sorting it in order of store ID in the store data 155, then in order of registration date and time in the fee history data 159 received by the operation, and then in order of coupon ID in the coupon usage history data 158, and extracts table data, for example, consisting of store ID, registration date and time, coupon ID, and fee data, as exemplified by the list table of the first aggregation process in Figure 10 (a).
In the list of the first aggregation process illustrated in FIG. 10(a), data is extracted by store ID, by registration date and time within the same store ID group, and by coupon ID order within the same registration date and time group (above, step S902 in FIG. 9).
The search and extraction process in step S902 can also be realized by expanding the above data into each table of the SQL database described above and performing search and extraction process using SQL statements.

The processor 301 totals the fees (first referral fee and second referral fee) for each store ID group in the table data of the list of the first aggregation process output in step S902, thereby calculating the first and second referral fees received by the operator as exemplified in steps S204, S207, and S211 of Figure 2 based on the user's use of regular coupons or premium coupons, to be charged to the store corresponding to each store ID in the target month (step S903 of Figure 9).
Each shop pays the amount charged in the process of step S903 to the system operating organization as a commission to be received by the operator.

Next, the processor 301 uses the coupon usage history ID as a key to establish a relationship between the fee history data 159 received by the operator and the coupon usage history data 158 .
Next, the processor 301 establishes a relation between the coupon usage history data 158 and the coupon data 156 using the coupon ID as a key.
Furthermore, the processor 301 establishes a relation between the coupon data 156 and the store data 155 using the store ID as a key (step S904 in FIG. 9).
The method of establishing relationships between data using the IDs as keys can be realized, for example, as a method using an SQL database, similar to the case of step S901.

The processor 301 simultaneously takes the three relations set in step S904, and then searches the commission history data 160 received by stores whose registration dates and times in Figure 1 are within the range of the billing month, sorting them in order of the store ID of the referred store (the store where the premium coupon was used) in store data 155, then in order of the registration date and time of the commission history data 160 received by the store, and then in order of the coupon ID in coupon usage history data 158, and extracts table data, for example, consisting of the store ID of the referred store, the registration date and time, the coupon ID, and the commission data, which is exemplified as the first list of the second aggregation process in Figure 10 (b).
In the first list of the second aggregation process illustrated in FIG. 10(b), data is extracted by the store ID of the referred store (the store where the premium coupon was used), by registration date and time within the same store ID group, and by coupon ID order within the same registration date and time group (above, step S905 in FIG. 9).
The search and extraction process in step S905 can be realized in the same manner as in step S902 described above, for example, by expanding the above data into each table of the SQL database described above and performing search and extraction process using SQL statements.

The processor 301 totals the fees (third referral fees) for each store ID group of referred stores (stores where the premium coupon was used) in the table data of the first list of the second aggregation process output in step S905, thereby calculating the total of the third referral fees to be paid to the referring stores (stores that issued the premium coupons) exemplified in steps S208 and S212 of Figure 2 based on the user's use of the premium coupon, and to be charged to the stores corresponding to each store ID in the target month (step S906 of Figure 9).
Each referred store (store where the premium coupon was used) pays the amount calculated in step S906 to the system operating organization acting on behalf of the referred store as the total of the third referral fee to be paid to the referral source.

Furthermore, the processor 301 simultaneously takes the three relations set in step S904, and then searches the commission history data 160 received by the store whose registration date and time is within the range of the billing month, sorting it in the order of the store ID of the introducing store (the store that issued the premium coupon) in the commission history data 160 received by the store, then in the order of the registration date and time of the commission history data 160 received by the store, and then in the order of the coupon ID of the coupon usage history data 158, and extracts table data, for example, consisting of the store ID of the introducing store, the registration date and time, the coupon ID, and the commission data, which is exemplified as the second list of the second aggregation process in Figure 10 (c).
In the second list of the second aggregation process illustrated in FIG. 10(c), data is extracted by the store ID of the referring store (the store that issued the premium coupon), by registration date and time within the same store ID group, and by coupon ID order within the same registration date and time group (above, step S907 in FIG. 9).
The search and extraction process of step S907, similar to the above-mentioned steps S902 and S905, can be realized by expanding the above-mentioned data into each table of the above-mentioned SQL database and performing search and extraction process using SQL statements.

The processor 301 calculates the total of the third referral fees to be settled to each referring store illustrated in steps S208 and S212 of FIG. 2 based on the user's use of the premium coupon in the target month by totaling the fees for each store ID group of the referring store (store that issued the premium coupon) in the table data of the second list of the second aggregation process output in step S907 (step S908 in FIG. 9).
Each introducing store that has issued the premium coupon receives the amount calculated in step S908 from the system operating organization acting on behalf of the introducing store as the total of the third commission it receives as an introducing store.
The system operating organization subtracts the total amount of the third introduction fee calculated in the calculation process of step S908 from the total amount of the first introduction fee and the second introduction fee, for example, for each month, that the introducing store should pay to the system operating organization, calculated in the calculation process of step S903, and the introducing store pays the amount resulting from this subtraction to the system operating organization. If the subtraction result is negative, the negative amount is subtracted in the next month from the total amount of the first introduction fee and the second introduction fee, for example, for each month, calculated in the calculation process of step S903, to settle the amount.
As mentioned above, instead of the settlement, each shop may apply to the system operating organization for an immediate transfer request for the third referral fee that can be acquired when the shop itself becomes a referral source from a homepage (e.g., My Page) for managing the shop (not shown), and the third referral fee may be received in cash by bank transfer within 1 to 3 business days. In this case, the amount transferred from the system operating organization may be, for example,

Total amount of third referral fees to be paid to the store in the target month × instant transfer fee ratio (for example, 0.7 to 0.8)
- Bank transfer fee

It is said.

The second coupon distribution unit 124 using a QR (two-dimensional) code in the coupon management server 101 of FIG. 1 will be described below. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the second coupon distribution unit 124 using a QR code (registered trademark).

For example, when the coupon management system 100 of the embodiment is introduced in a specific region, in order to encourage users in that region to use coupons, the system operating organization issues a QR code (registered trademark) (two-dimensional code) with an embedded URL for downloading and installing the above-mentioned app from a specified app store website to the user terminal 104 via the network 106 in FIG. 1 to each store in that region (step S1101 in FIG. 11).
Each store places the distributed QR code (registered trademark) in a conspicuous location in the store, such as a table or a cash register (step S1102 in FIG. 11).

This QR code (registered trademark) is read by a user terminal such as a smartphone of a customer who visits the store, and the app is downloaded and installed. The user starts the app and inputs, on the information input screen of the app, for example, a user name, an email address, and the like, together with the QR code (registered trademark), a store code that identifies the store (for example, the above-mentioned store ID) (step S1103 in FIG. 11).
The store code may be embedded in the QR code (registered trademark) in advance.

As a result, as described above in the explanation of Figure 1, the app execution unit 122 in Figure 1, which is a function in which a processor (not specifically shown) in the user terminal 104 executes the app, notifies the user information and store code entered by the user on the information input screen of the app from the user terminal 104 via the network 106 to the user registration unit 117 of the coupon management server 101.

As described above, the user registration unit 117 generates user data 154 that aggregates the user information notified from the user terminal 104, and stores the data in, for example, the external storage device 304.

Next, in the coupon management server 101, the second coupon distribution unit 124 using a QR code (registered trademark) issues a second coupon (premium coupon) that can be used at other stores introduced by the store corresponding to the user ID set in the user data 154 generated in the user registration unit 117 and the store ID, which is the notified store code, and distributes it to the user terminal 104 on which the app is installed.

For example, as shown in step S1104 of FIG. 11, similar to the case of step S203 of FIG. 2, a second coupon, a premium coupon with a benefit such as "one free cup of gym protein + 10 minutes extension" that can be used at a second store (e.g., a gym) recommended by the first store whose QR code (registered trademark) is read by the user and located in a shopping district in the same area, is issued and distributed to the user terminal 104 of the user who used the regular coupon in step S202.
At this time, similar to the second coupon distribution process 119 (#1) of the coupon usage response unit 119 described above, premium coupons for several stores that are affiliated with and introduced by the first store (e.g., a restaurant) are displayed on the user terminal 104, and the user can select a favorite store from among them (e.g., a gym) as the second store.
As a result, a premium coupon corresponding to the second store selected by the user is issued and distributed to the user terminal 104.
As in step S203 of FIG. 2, in step S1104 of FIG. 11, points, such as "10 points earned," are awarded to the user together with the distribution of the premium coupon.

In this way, by reading the QR code (registered trademark) installed at the first store and downloading and installing the app, the user can obtain premium coupons that can be used at, for example, a second store introduced by the first store, and can also earn points.

When the app is downloaded and installed on the user terminal 104, or when a coupon is used for the first time at a store using the app, the second coupon distribution unit 124 using the QR code (registered trademark) can distribute the second coupon (premium coupon) described above, and can also pay or settle the payment of an app download promotion reward, such as "105 yen," to the first store that has the QR code (registered trademark) installed (step S1105 in FIG. 11).

When a user uses the premium coupon distributed as described above at another store, such as the second store in FIG. 11, the operation is shown in steps S205 to S208 in FIG. 11, which are similar to the case in FIG. 2 described above.

12 is a flowchart showing an example of process 1 (FIG. 12(a)) of the second coupon distribution unit 124 using the QR code (registered trademark) in FIG. 1, and process 2 (FIG. 12(b)) of the second coupon distribution unit 124 using the QR code (registered trademark) for receiving a request from the user terminal 104.
First, a process 1 of the second coupon distribution unit 124 using the QR code (registered trademark) in FIG. 12(a) will be described.

The processor 301 first waits until it receives user information and a store ID, which is a store code, from the user terminal 104 (repeated NO determination at step S1201 in FIG. 12).

Next, the processor 301 generates user data 154 including the user information notified to the user terminal 104 in step S1201, such as an email address and a user name, and stores the user data 154 in, for example, the external storage device 204 (step S1202 in FIG. 12).
As the user ID, for example, an automatically generated user ID may be set, or an email address notified from the application may be set as the user ID.
The initial value of the point balance is set to 0 (zero).

Thereafter, in step S1203, the processor 301 searches for the aforementioned referral data 161 that includes the store ID for which the QR code (registered trademark) received in step S1201 was read as the "recommended store ID," and repeatedly executes the series of processes from step S1203 to S1208 while the search is successful in step S1204, i.e., while the referral data 161 for all other stores that the store wishes to introduce is detected.
This series of processes is similar to the series of processes from steps S802 to S807 in FIG.

In this series of processes, the processor 301 first extracts the "introduced store ID" and the "introduction text of the listed store" from the introduction data 161 corresponding to one other store that the processor 301 wishes to introduce, searched for in step S1203 (step S1205 in FIG. 12).

Next, the processor 301 extracts the valid premium coupon ID and store information such as the store name, store description information, address, telephone number, SNS URL of the store, and a map display based on latitude and longitude from the store data 155 that includes the "introduced store ID" as a store ID (step S1206 in FIG. 12).

Next, the processor 301 obtains coupon information related to the premium coupon from the coupon data 156 that includes the valid premium coupon ID as the coupon ID, such as the coupon name, coupon description information, reward type (fixed amount discount/percentage discount/free/point increase, etc.), and free product when the free coupon is applied (step S1207 in FIG. 12).

Then, the processor 301 creates a premium coupon candidate data set including the store information extracted in step S1206, the introduction of the partner store extracted in step S1205, the coupon information related to the premium coupon extracted in step S1207, and in addition to these, the valid premium coupon ID extracted in step S1206 and the user ID set in the user data 154 generated in step S1202 (step S1208 in FIG. 12).

The processor 301 then returns to the search process of step S1203.

As a result of repeatedly executing the series of processes from step S1203 to S1208, if it is determined in step S1204 that the search was not successful (determination is NO), that is, that detection of the referral data 161 for all other stores that the store wishes to refer has been completed, the processor 301 transmits the premium coupon candidate data set created in step S1208 for all other stores that the store wishes to refer to the user terminal 104 corresponding to the user information received in step S1201 (step S1209 in FIG. 12).

The application execution unit 122 of the user terminal 104 in FIG. 1, which has read the QR code (registered trademark) and installed the application, receives the premium coupon candidate data set transmitted in step S1209 by the second coupon distribution unit 124 via QR code (registered trademark).
As a result, the application execution unit 122 displays, on the application screen on the display of the user terminal 104, store information and descriptions of multiple affiliated stores introduced by the store where the QR code (registered trademark) is installed, as well as coupon information for premium coupons that can be used at the affiliated stores, and displays a screen that prompts the user to select one pair of affiliated stores and a premium coupon that can be used there.

The user selects one pair of affiliated stores and premium coupons that can be used there on the selection screen on the user terminal 104. As a result, the application execution unit 122 returns, for example, a valid premium coupon ID and a user ID (see step S1208 in FIG. 12) included in the premium coupon candidate data set that corresponds to the affiliated store and premium coupon that can be used there selected by the user.

In response to the reply from the user terminal 104 described above, the processor 301 receives the reply from the user terminal 104 by the program of processing 2 of the second coupon distribution unit 124 using a QR code (registered trademark) as exemplified in the flowchart of Figure 12 (b).
The processor 301 constantly executes the program for process 2 of the second coupon distribution unit 124 using the QR code (registered trademark).

In the flowchart of FIG. 12(b), the processor 301 first waits until a reply is received from the user terminal 104 (repeated NO determinations in step S1210 of FIG. 12).

Furthermore, the processor 301 newly generates user coupon data 157 corresponding to the premium coupon in which the user ID set in the user data 154 generated in step S1202 is set as the user ID, the valid premium coupon ID extracted in step S1203 is set as the coupon ID, and the current date and time is set as the acquisition date and time, and stores the data in, for example, the external storage device 304 of FIG. 3.
The processor 301 sets the automatically generated user coupon ID as the user coupon ID of the newly generated user coupon data 157 (step S1204 in FIG. 8).

Then, the processor 301 notifies the application of the user terminal 104 corresponding to the user ID acquired in step S1204 of information indicating that a new premium coupon has been distributed (step S1212 in FIG. 12). As a result, a pop-up notification or the like is displayed in the application of the user terminal 104 indicating that a new premium coupon has been distributed.
Thereafter, the processor 301 returns to the standby process of step S1210.

As described above in the explanation of step S1105 in FIG. 11, the processor 301 can pay the app download promotion reward or perform settlement in the same manner as described above to the store corresponding to the store ID notified from the user terminal 104 in step S1201 in FIG. 12.

Specifically, according to the policy of the system operating organization, when the app is downloaded and installed on the user terminal 104 or when a coupon is used at a store for the first time by the app, the processor 301 records, for example, the store ID notified from the user terminal 104 in step 1201 of FIG. 12, the user ID set in the user data 154 generated in step S1202, and the date and time as app download promotion reward history data (not shown), and then tallying up this data by month and by store, and making payments to each store or settling the accounts for payment.

Here, when a store that has installed a QR code (registered trademark) wishes to receive the app download promotion reward through settlement, as described above, the system operating organization subtracts the total amount of the monthly app download promotion reward from the total amount of the first referral fee and the second referral fee, for example, for each month, that should be paid to the system operating organization as a result of the use of a regular coupon or premium coupon at the store that has installed a QR code (registered trademark), and the store pays the amount resulting from this subtraction to the system operating organization. Note that if the subtraction results in a negative amount, the negative amount is subtracted from the total amount of the first referral fee and the second referral fee, for example, for each month of the following month, to settle the amount.

Furthermore, if a store that has installed a QR Code (registered trademark) wishes to receive the app download promotion reward in cash, as described above, the store may be able to make an application download promotion reward immediate transfer request to the system operating organization from a store management homepage (not shown in the figure, for example, My Page), and receive the reward in cash via bank transfer within 1 to 3 business days. In this case, the amount transferred from the system operating organization may be, for example,

Total amount of app download promotion rewards to be paid to the store in the target month × Instant transfer handling fee ratio (for example, 0.7 to 0.8)
- Bank transfer fee

It is acceptable to do so.

The amount of the reward for promoting app downloads may be an amount determined in advance by the system operating organization, or may be set as amount data for each store in the customer unit price category data 152 described above.

As described above, during special campaigns such as regional launches, when an app is downloaded and installed on a user terminal 104 via a QR code (registered trademark) installed in a store, a premium coupon is issued to the user and points are awarded, and a reward for promoting the app download is paid to the store, making it possible to implement a strategy to ensure that coupons are widely distributed in the region, etc.

The embodiment described above allows users to explore new stores at a discount, and stores can acquire new customers, support other stores, and earn multi-store referral fees. As a result, coupons can be distributed and used strategically and for referrals between stores.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Coupon management system 101 Coupon management server 102 System administrator terminal 103 Store operator terminal 104 User terminal 105 Store terminal 106 Network 110 System login management unit 111 Area registration unit 112 Customer unit price category registration unit 113 Store registration unit 114 Store login management unit 115 Store editing unit 116 Coupon registration unit 117 User registration unit 118 First coupon distribution unit 119 Coupon use response unit 120 Coupon display unit 121 Counting unit 122 Application execution unit 123 Used coupon information transmission unit 124 Second coupon distribution unit using QR code (registered trademark) 150 System administrator data 151 Area data 152 Customer unit price category data 153 Store operator data 154 User data 155 Store data 156 Coupon data 157 User coupon data 159 Commission history data received by management 160 Commission history data received by store 161 Referral data

Claims (11)

A system for managing coupons that can be used by a user at a store by communicating with a user terminal operated by a user or a store terminal installed at a store via a network, comprising:
The coupon management server includes:
A storage unit for storing, for each store, introduction data including introduction information regarding other stores introduced by the store, a total introduction fee, and a store side introduction fee ratio;
a first coupon distribution unit that issues a first coupon and distributes it to a user terminal operated by a user;
a second coupon distribution process, when notified by the store terminal corresponding to the store or the user terminal that the user has used the first coupon or the second coupon distributed to the user terminal at the store, by presenting to the user terminal a set of information on one or more of the other stores introduced by the store, the information being extracted from the introduction information included in the introduction data stored in the storage unit corresponding to the store, and the second coupon, thereby distributing to the user terminal the second coupon usable at one of the other stores selected by the user terminal;
a first charging process for, when a notification is received from the store terminal or the user terminal corresponding to the store that the user has used the first coupon at the store, calculating the total referral fee stored in the storage unit corresponding to the store where the first coupon was used as a first referral fee to be received by the system operating organization and charging the first coupon used store ;
a second charging process, when notified by the store terminal or the user terminal corresponding to the store that the user has used the second coupon at the store, multiplying the store side referral fee ratio stored in the memory unit corresponding to the second coupon using store by the total referral fee stored in the memory unit corresponding to the second coupon using store to calculate a third referral fee to be received by the second coupon issuing store that is the store that issued the second coupon, charging the second coupon using store on behalf of the second coupon using store and settling the account with the second coupon issuing store, and also calculating a fee by subtracting the third referral fee from the total referral fee as a second referral fee to be received by the system operating organization and charging the second coupon using store;
A coupon usage unit that executes a series of processes including :
a coupon display unit that displays, on the user terminal, information regarding the first coupon or the second coupon distributed to the user terminal;
Perform the functions of
Coupon management system. The storage unit further stores, in correspondence with each of the stores, an area in which the store is located as area data , and further stores one or more user areas corresponding to each of the users as user data corresponding to the users ;
the first coupon distribution unit distributes, to the user terminal corresponding to the user, the first coupon usable at the store corresponding to one or more of the area data in which an area that matches or is close to any of the user areas in the user data stored in the storage unit corresponding to the user ;
The coupon management system according to claim 1 . The coupon management system according to claim 1 , wherein the recommendation information and the information relating to the other store include a recommendation introducing the other store. The storage unit further stores customer unit price category data including at least the total introduction fee and the store side introduction fee ratio for each customer unit price category that classifies the customer unit price of the store ,
the coupon usage support unit executes the first charging process or the second charging process by using a set of the total referral fee or the store-side referral fee ratio included in the customer unit price category data stored in the storage unit in correspondence with the customer unit price category to which the store in which the first coupon or the second coupon is used belongs .
The coupon management system according to claim 1 . The storage unit further stores, for each of the first coupon and the second coupon, a reward type that is a type of reward benefit that the user receives when the coupon is used by the user, and further stores , for the second coupon, an adjusted store side referral commission rate;
When the coupon usage response unit executes the second charging process, if the reward type stored in the storage unit in correspondence with the second coupon used at the store is a point increase type , the coupon usage response unit replaces the store side referral commission rate with the adjusted store side referral commission rate stored in the storage unit in correspondence with the second coupon, and executes the second charging process .
The coupon management system according to claim 1 . the storage unit further stores a number of user points to be awarded corresponding to the store , and further stores a point award rate corresponding to the first coupon and the second coupon;
the coupon usage response unit executes a point granting process in which, when the reward type stored in the storage unit corresponding to the first coupon or the second coupon used by the user at the store is not the point increase type, points are granted to the user in the user point grant number stored in the storage unit corresponding to the store, and, when the reward type is the point increase type, points are granted to the user in the number obtained by multiplying the user point grant number by the point granting rate stored in the storage unit corresponding to the first coupon or the second coupon .
The coupon management system according to claim 5 . The coupon management server includes:
a process of tallying up the first referral fee calculated in the first charging process executed by the coupon usage handling unit and the second referral fee calculated in the second charging process for each of the first coupon usage stores and the second coupon usage stores , and charging the first coupon usage store and the second coupon usage store for the same ;
a process of tallying the third referral fee calculated in the second charging process executed by the coupon usage handling unit for each store where the second coupon is used, and charging the store where the second coupon is used;
a process of tallying up the third referral fee for each of the second coupon issuing stores and settling the amount between the second coupon issuing store and the store;
Further performing the functions of the counting unit, including
The coupon management system according to claim 1 . 2. The coupon management system of claim 1, wherein the store terminal executes the function of a used coupon information sending unit that sends information about the first coupon or the second coupon used by the user at the store and information about the user to the coupon usage response unit of the coupon management server by having an information reading device equipped in the store terminal installed in the store read information about the first coupon or the second coupon used by the user from the user terminal operated by the user, or by store staff inputting the information into the store terminal. 2. The coupon management system of claim 1, wherein the user terminal corresponding to the user who used the first coupon or the second coupon at the store executes the function of a used coupon information sending unit that sends to the coupon usage response unit of the coupon management server information about the store that the user used the first coupon or the second coupon at the store by inputting information about the store at the store. A method executed in a coupon management system in which a coupon management server manages coupons that can be used by a user at a store by communicating with a user terminal operated by a user or a store terminal installed at the store via a network, the method comprising:
The coupon management server,
A process of storing, for each store, introduction data including introduction information regarding other stores introduced by the store, a total introduction fee, and a store-side introduction fee ratio;
a first coupon distribution process for issuing and distributing the first coupon to the user terminal;
a second coupon distribution process, when notified by the store terminal corresponding to the store or the user terminal that the user has used the first coupon or the second coupon distributed to the user terminal at the store , by presenting to the user terminal a set of information on one or more of the other stores introduced by the store, the information being extracted from the introduction information included in the introduction data stored in correspondence with the store, and the second coupon, thereby distributing to the user terminal the second coupon usable at one of the other stores selected by the user terminal ;
a first charging process for, when a notification is received from the store terminal or the user terminal corresponding to the store that the user has used the first coupon at the store, calculating the total referral fee stored in association with the store that is the first coupon-used store as a first referral fee to be received by a system operating organization and charging the first coupon-used store ;
a second charging process, when notified by the store terminal or the user terminal corresponding to the store that the user has used the second coupon at the store, multiplying the store side referral fee ratio stored corresponding to the second coupon using store by the total referral fee stored corresponding to the second coupon using store to calculate a fee as a third referral fee to be received by the second coupon issuing store, which is the store that issued the second coupon, charging the second coupon using store on its behalf and settling the account with the second coupon issuing store, and also calculating a fee by subtracting the third referral fee from the total referral fee as a second referral fee to be received by the system operating organization and charging the second coupon using store;
a coupon display process for displaying information on the first coupon or the second coupon distributed to the user terminal on the user terminal;
A coupon management method to be implemented. A coupon management system in which a coupon management server manages coupons that can be used by a user at a store by communicating with a user terminal operated by the user or a store terminal installed at the store via a network, comprising:
The coupon management server includes:
A process of storing, for each store, introduction data including introduction information regarding other stores introduced by the store, a total introduction fee, and a store-side introduction fee ratio;
a first coupon distribution process for issuing and distributing the first coupon to the user terminal;
a second coupon distribution process, when notified by the store terminal corresponding to the store or the user terminal that the user has used the first coupon or the second coupon distributed to the user terminal at the store , by presenting to the user terminal a set of information on one or more of the other stores introduced by the store, which is extracted from the introduction information included in the introduction data stored in correspondence with the store, and the second coupon, thereby distributing to the user terminal the second coupon usable at one of the other stores selected by the user terminal ;
a first charging process for, when a notification is received from the store terminal or the user terminal corresponding to the store that the user has used the first coupon at the store, calculating the total referral fee stored in association with the store that is the first coupon- used store as a first referral fee to be received by a system operating organization and charging the first coupon-used store ;
a second charging process, when notified by the store terminal or the user terminal corresponding to the store that the user has used the second coupon at the store, multiplying the store side referral fee ratio stored corresponding to the second coupon using store by the total referral fee stored corresponding to the second coupon using store to calculate a fee as a third referral fee to be received by the second coupon issuing store, which is the store that issued the second coupon, charging the second coupon using store on its behalf and settling the account with the second coupon issuing store, and also calculating a fee by subtracting the third referral fee from the total referral fee as a second referral fee to be received by the system operating organization and charging the second coupon using store ;
a coupon display process for displaying information on the first coupon or the second coupon distributed to the user terminal on the user terminal;
A program for executing the above .

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