JP7513570B2 - Support System - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an assistance system .

There is a demand for mechanisms to promote environmental protection. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that can popularize the idea of emission rights to general consumers. Patent Document 1 discloses technology that calculates gas emission rights points based on a vehicle's mileage and fuel efficiency, and allows the calculated gas emission rights points to be used to purchase products and enjoy services.

JP 2013-127655 A

It is desirable for such mechanisms for promoting environmental protection to be implemented in users' daily economic activities.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides a support system that can support a user's economic activities so that they become activities that protect the environment.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the present invention, the present invention provides a system including a storage unit that stores registered user information related to a user, the registered user information including points owned by the user; an acquisition unit that acquires first information related to a product or service purchased by the user , the product or service being associated with a first index indicating a degree to which a load on the environment has been reduced in the process of the product or service being provided to the user; a calculation unit that calculates a value corresponding to the first index associated with the product or service purchased by the user based on the first information, adds the calculated value to the points owned by the user, and stores the value in the registered user information; and an output unit that outputs the points held by the user stored in the registered user information, wherein the registered user information includes information regarding related parties registered by the user, and further comprises a comparison unit that determines whether the points held by the related party have been shared with a sharing destination based on sharing destination information indicating a sharing destination, during a predetermined period of time, and when the comparison unit determines that the points held by the related party have been shared with a sharing destination based on the sharing destination information, during a predetermined period of time, the calculation unit does not subtract the number of shared points of the user from the points held by the user, and the output unit outputs a message indicating that the points have been shared by the related party to the sharing destination based on the sharing destination information.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the present invention, the present invention provides a method for providing a service to a user, the method comprising: providing a service to a user by using a service provided by the user; a method for providing a service to a user by using a service provided by the user ; a method for providing a service to a user by using a service provided by the user; a method for providing a service to a user by using a service provided by the user; and an output unit that outputs points, wherein the registered user information includes information regarding related parties registered by the user, and further comprises a comparison unit that determines whether the first information of the user acquired by the acquisition unit has already been acquired as the first information regarding a product or service purchased by the related party, and when the comparison unit determines that the first information of the user has already been acquired as the first information regarding a product or service purchased by the related party, the calculation unit does not add a value based on the first information of the user to the points held by the user, and the output unit outputs a message indicating that the first information of the user has been notified by the related party .

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the present invention, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for providing a service to a user, the method comprising: providing a service to a user by using a service provided by the user; a storage unit that stores registered user information related to a user, the registered user information including points owned by the user; an acquisition unit that acquires first information related to a product or service purchased by the user, the product or service being associated with a first index indicating a degree to which a load on the environment has been reduced in the process of the product or service being provided to the user; a calculation unit that calculates a value corresponding to the first index associated with the product or service purchased by the user based on the first information, adds the calculated value to points owned by the user, and stores the added value in the registered user information; and an output unit that outputs the points owned by the user stored in the storage unit.
and an output unit which calculates a value corresponding to the degree of environmental load caused by the product or service in the process of being provided to the user, wherein the memory unit stores conversion information in which a product or service is associated with a degree of environmental load caused by the product or service in the process of being provided to the user, the points held by the user are a value obtained by subtracting consumption points consumed by the user in response to the purchase of a product or service from awarded points previously awarded to the user and adding redemption points which have been redeemed as a value corresponding to the first indicator, the acquisition unit acquires second information regarding the product or service purchased by the user, the calculation unit calculates a value corresponding to the degree of environmental load caused by the product or service in the process of being provided to the user based on the second information and the conversion information and stores the calculated value in the registered user information as the consumption points of the user, and the output unit outputs the awarded points, consumption points, and redemption points for the user .

The present invention can support users in turning their economic activities into activities that protect the environment.

1 is a diagram showing an overview of an environmental protection support system 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal 10 according to the embodiment. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing performed by the environmental protection support system 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal 10 according to the embodiment. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing performed by the environmental protection support system 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an environmental protection support system 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a computer system 100 according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a user terminal 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management server 20 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of registered user information 220 according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of conversion information 221 according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of conversion information 221 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of shared information 222 according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of exchange information 223 according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of exchange information 223 according to the embodiment.

The following describes an embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings.

[Outline of Environmental Protection Support System 1]
An overview of an environmental protection support system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The environmental protection support system 1 is a system that supports environmental protection by visualizing and notifying the impact on the environment of a user's purchase of a product or service. The following describes the case of purchasing a product or service as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. This system may be applied to any transaction (accounting transaction) such as sales, savings, donations, etc., in addition to the purchase of a product, etc.

First, the services provided by the environmental protection support system 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the environmental protection support system 1 according to this embodiment. The environmental protection support system 1 proposes an "environmental protection support service." The "environmental protection support service" provides a service that visualizes and notifies the user of the impact that products and services purchased by the user have on the environment.

The "environmental protection support service" is provided to the user terminal 10 via the management server 20. For example, a user U who wishes to use the "environmental protection support service" installs an application program (hereinafter referred to as an app) for the "environmental protection support service" provided by the management server 20 on his/her own user terminal 10 and creates an account. This allows the user U to receive the service provided by the app.

User U inputs information about products and services purchased daily (hereinafter referred to as purchase information) into the app. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, user U inputs information about products purchased by user U, such as meat, beverages, and snacks. Product information is information indicating, for example, the product name, the store where the product was purchased, the purchase amount, the number of purchases, etc.

The method of inputting purchase information into the app may be arbitrary. For example, user U manually inputs information about the product he or she purchased as purchase information into the app's input form. User U may also have the app read the receipt when the product or other item is purchased. This makes it possible for information about the product purchased by user U to be obtained by the app as purchase information.

Alternatively, user U may link the history of fund transfers in his/her financial account or the payment history of his/her credit card to the app. This allows the app to obtain the history of fund transfers in user U's financial account or the payment history of his/her credit card as purchase information.

In addition, user U may already be using another app and may have linked histories of financial accounts and the like in that other app. The other app may be any application program different from the app related to the "environmental protection support service", for example a household accounting app that records the user's household accounts. In this case, user U may link the app related to the "environmental protection support service" with the other app, thereby allowing the app related to the "environmental protection support service" to obtain the history of fund transfers in user U's financial account or credit card payment history as purchase information.

When a financial account is linked, the app can obtain purchase information such as the history of fund transfers in that financial account, including the date and summary of the transfer, payment amount and payee, amount held, and balance.

When a credit card is linked, the app can obtain purchase information such as the history of using the credit card, such as the date of use, the name of the store used, the amount used, and a summary.

Based on the purchase information entered into the app, the management server 20 calculates an index (hereinafter referred to as consumption points) that indicates the degree of impact on the environment of the products and services purchased by the user U. The management server 20 calculates consumption points based on, for example, information about the products.

For example, consider the case where the object of purchase is a product. In this case, the consumption points corresponding to the product are determined according to the energy used in the process of manufacturing the product and the energy used in the process of distributing the product. For example, if the product is an electrical appliance manufactured by assembling parts, the energy used in the process of manufacturing the product includes the transportation energy used when procuring the parts, the electrical energy used for driving the line and tools when assembling the parts, and the energy used for maintaining the factory where the parts are assembled and for heat and lighting. The energy used in the process of distributing the product includes the transportation energy used when delivering the product to a store, and the heat and lighting energy used in the store where the product is displayed.

Consider the case where the object of the purchase is a service. In this case, the consumption points corresponding to the service are calculated according to the energy used in the process of providing the service. For example, if the service is traveling to a destination by airplane, the energy used in the process of providing the service is the energy used by the airplane to travel, the energy used for maintenance and inspection of the airplane, etc.

In addition, when a certification mark M is attached to a product purchased by the user U, the management server 20 may calculate the certification points attached to the certification mark M. The certification mark M here is, for example, a mark given to products that are certified as environmentally friendly products. An environmentally friendly product is, for example, a product that is designed to reduce the burden on the environment as much as possible during the process of manufacturing or distributing the product. The certification points are determined according to the amount of energy saved from the amount of energy normally estimated to be used during the process of manufacturing or distributing the product. The certification points may also be determined based on the emission rights for CO2 (carbon dioxide) and the like purchased by the company that produced the product, or the amount of money donated by the company to tree planting activities, etc.

The management server 20 may also calculate consumption points based on information indicating the store where the product was purchased and the amount paid to the store, based on the history of fund transfers in the user U's financial account or the payment history of the credit card. For example, the management server 20 may use the amount paid to the store weighted according to the store as the consumption points for the product or service purchased at that store. The weighting according to the store is determined, for example, according to whether or not the store sells environmentally friendly products, and if so, the ratio of environmentally friendly products.

The management server 20 transmits the calculated consumption points to the user terminal 10. The user terminal 10 displays the consumption points received from the management server 20 on the app screen (see FIG. 2).

In addition, in this embodiment, the certified points held by user U can be shared with other users or organizations such as schools and companies via the app. By sharing points, certified points can be accumulated in organizations such as schools and companies, and points can be exchanged through organizations such as schools and companies. In the following description, the party requesting the sharing of points is referred to as the "sharing source," and the party accepting the sharing of points is referred to as the "sharing destination."

User U inputs information specifying the organization with which the certified points will be shared, and information indicating the number of points to be shared, into the input form of the app (see Figure 3). Based on the information input into the app, management server 20 sets up the points to be shared with the organization with which user U will be shared. The method by which management server 20 shares points with the sharing destination will be explained in detail later.

In addition, in this embodiment, user U can exchange points (owned points, certified points) that he or she owns with other users or organizations such as schools or companies via the app.

In the following explanation, an example of point exchange will be described in which points are given in exchange for money, but this is not limiting. Points may be exchanged not only for money, but also for goods and services. In the following explanation, the party that gives points and receives money or the like will be referred to as the "exchanger," and the party that gives money or the like and receives points will be referred to as the "exchange recipient."

User U inputs information specifying the organization with which points will be exchanged, the number of points to be exchanged, etc., into the input form of the app (see Figure 5). Based on the information input into the app, management server 20 sets up the exchange of points with the organization specified by user U. The method by which management server 20 exchanges points with the exchange destination will be explained in detail later.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal 10 according to the embodiment. Figure 2 shows an example of visualizing the degree of environmental burden caused by the user's economic activity using points. However, this is not limiting. It is sufficient to at least show the degree of environmental burden caused by the user's economic activity in a manner that is recognizable to the user.

In FIG. 2, the points held by user U (held points) are displayed as "held points of this month." For example, held points are a value obtained by subtracting consumed points from granted points and adding certified points. Granted points are points given to a user for a unit period (such as a day, a week, or a month). Consumed points are the degree of environmental burden placed on products, etc. purchased by a user, calculated by the management server 20. It is assumed here that the greater the environmental burden, the greater the value of consumed points. Certified points are the number of certification marks M affixed to products, etc. purchased by a user, calculated by the management server 20.

In addition, in FIG. 2, the "breakdown of points consumed" is shown in a pie chart. Category A shown as the breakdown of the pie chart in FIG. 2 is, for example, a category of products purchased at a store that handles many products bearing the certification mark M. Category B is, for example, a category of products purchased at a store that does not handle products bearing the certification mark M.

Also, FIG. 2 shows a "message." The message here may display, for example, advice from an environmental perspective regarding a purchase made by the user. It may also display advice based on the user's spending tendency, such as advice from a consumer's perspective on points that promote environmentally friendly consumption behavior, such as "Instead of purchasing product P1 (a product with a relatively large consumption point), purchase product P2 (a product with a relatively small consumption point) and your consumption points will be reduced to PT points." By displaying such a message, it is possible to suggest more environmentally friendly consumption behavior, and to support the user's economic activities so that they become activities that protect the environment.

Generally, when considering purchasing a product or service, factors such as the brand and selling price of the product are taken into consideration. However, no consideration has been given to the burden placed on the environment during the manufacturing or distribution process of the product. This is because it is not easy for the average user to know the extent to which a product places a burden on the environment during its manufacturing or distribution process.

As a countermeasure, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the degree of environmental impact of a product or the like purchased by user U is displayed as consumption points. This allows user U to easily know the extent of the environmental impact of the item being purchased. If user U can know the environmental impact, he or she can take into consideration the magnitude of the environmental impact when considering purchasing a product or service, and can therefore act to purchase environmentally friendly products or the like. Therefore, the environmental protection support system 1 of this embodiment can support the user's economic activities to reduce the impact on the environment.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal 10 according to the embodiment. Figure 3 shows an example of a screen displayed when sharing points.

In FIG. 3, the certification points held by user U are displayed as the upper limit of the number of points that can be shared. Also shown in FIG. 3 is a "shared party list." The shared party list is, for example, a list of shared party organizations that have been registered in advance by the user. For example, if the school that the user's child attends is an organization with which certified points can be shared, the user registers the school as a shared party. In the example of FIG. 3, columns for each of organizations A to C are displayed as shared party.

The user sets the number of points to be shared in the sharing destination field and touches the button marked "Share." This causes information related to sharing to be sent from the user terminal 10 to the management server 20. The management server 20 receives the information related to sharing from the user terminal 10, and performs processing to share points with the sharing destination based on the received information. The information related to sharing here is, for example, information entered into the screen shown in the example of Figure 3, and is information indicating the sharing destination and the number of points to be shared.

Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing performed by the environmental protection support system 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 4 shows the flow of processing performed before points are displayed on the user terminal 10, and the flow of processing performed before points are shared.

The user terminal 10 acquires the purchase information (step S10). For example, the user U inputs the purchase information into the user terminal 10 by performing input operations according to an input form displayed on the app. Alternatively, the user U has the app read a receipt, and the purchase information of the user U is input into the user terminal 10. The user terminal 10 acquires the input purchase information and transmits the acquired purchase information to the management server 20.

Here, when user U links the app to the user's credit card, management server 20 obtains usage details related to user U's credit card by accessing a server device that handles usage details of user U's credit card.

The management server 20 calculates points (consumption points and certified points) based on the purchase information (step S11). The management server 20 updates the registered user information based on the calculated points. The registered user information is registered user information 220, which will be described later, and includes information indicating the points held by user U registered in the app. Here, the management server 20 updates information relating to the points held by user U in the registered user information 220 based on the calculated points. The management server 20 transmits information indicating the calculated points to the user terminal 10.

The user terminal 10 displays the points calculated by the management server 20 on the screen (step S13). For example, the user terminal 10 receives information indicating the consumed points and certified points from the management server 20, and displays the received information on the screen.

The user terminal 10 also requests the app to share the certified points (step S14). For example, the user U performs an input operation (sharing operation) to share the certified points according to an input form displayed on the app (for example, the input home page shown in FIG. 3). This causes information indicating the recipient of the certified points and the number of points to be shared to be input to the user terminal 10. The user terminal 10 acquires the input information indicating the recipient, etc., and transmits the acquired purchase information to the management server 20.

The management server 20 checks the certification points specified by the user terminal 10 (step S15). For example, the management server 20 verifies that the points have not already been shared with the specified sharing destination by the user's family, etc.

For example, consider a case where the school attended by user U's child calls for cooperation in sharing the certification points held by each household with the school. In such a case, when user U attempts to share the certification points, it may happen that user U's child or other family members have already performed operations to share points using their respective user terminals 10. In such a case, the family ends up sharing more points with the school than they had expected.

To address this issue, in this embodiment, before sharing points with a sharing destination specified by the user terminal 10, the system checks whether points have already been shared by family members or others.

For example, the management server 20 determines whether or not a family member of the user U has shared points with the same sharing organization within a specified period (e.g., within one week) prior to the time when the user U attempts to share. The method by which the management server 20 determines whether or not such a case has occurred will be described later.

If the management server 20 has received a request to share points from a family member's user terminal 10 between a specified period ago and the present time, it notifies the user's user terminal 10 of that fact. The management server 20 notifies the user terminal 10 of user U of information indicating, for example, "when, who, and where the points were shared" (hereinafter referred to as confirmation information).

When the user terminal 10 receives confirmation information from the management server 20, it displays the received confirmation information on the screen. For example, a message such as "On M/D, Mr. X has already shared Z certified points with organization A. Would you like to share the points this time?" is displayed on the screen of the user terminal 10. User U visually checks the message displayed on the screen, and if he determines, for example, that the points he is trying to share with organization A are duplicated, he responds that he will cancel the sharing. On the other hand, if he determines that the points he is trying to share with organization A are not duplicated, he responds that he will proceed with the sharing without canceling it. This makes it possible for family members to adjust the number of points to be shared with a particular organization.

When the management server 20 is to share the certification points specified by the user terminal 10, the management server 20 notifies the sharing destination server 30 of information related to the sharing. The information related to the sharing includes, for example, information indicating the user terminal 10 that is the sharing source and the number of certification points to be shared.

The shared server 30 receives information about sharing from the management server 20. Based on the received information about sharing, the shared server 30 determines whether or not the points may be shared, and if sharing is permitted, responds that sharing is approved (step S16).

When the management server 20 receives a response from the sharing destination server 30 agreeing to share, it updates the registered user information 220 based on the shared points (step S17). Specifically, the management server 20 updates the registered user information 220 of the user U who is the sharing source and the registered user information 220 of the sharing destination server 30 who is the sharing destination. The management server 20 notifies the user terminal 10 that sharing has been completed. The user terminal 10 receives the information that sharing has been completed from the management server 20 (step S18).

Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal 10 according to the embodiment. Figure 5 shows an example of a screen displayed when exchanging points.

In FIG. 5, the points held by user U are displayed as the upper limit of the number of points that can be exchanged. Here, user U's certified points may also be displayed as the upper limit of the number of points that can be exchanged.

Figure 5 shows examples of exchange conditions. The exchange conditions here are the conditions presented by the exchange source when exchanging points, and are composed of fields indicating, for example, the number of points, priorities, and exchange deadline. The number of points is a field for setting the number of points to be exchanged, and it is possible to set, for example, whether to exchange all points or a specified number of points. The priorities are a field for setting the conditions to be prioritized when exchanging points, and it is possible to set, for example, whether to exchange as soon as possible or at the highest possible rate. The exchange deadline is a field for setting the deadline for exchanging points.

The user sets the number of points to be exchanged, priorities, and the exchange deadline, and touches the button marked "Match." This causes information related to the exchange to be sent from the user terminal 10 to the management server 20. The management server 20 receives the information related to the exchange from the user terminal 10, and performs processing to exchange points with the exchange destination based on the received information. The information related to the exchange here is, for example, information entered into the screen shown in the example of Figure 5, and is information indicating the number of points to be exchanged, priorities, and the exchange deadline.

In this case, matching refers to linking (matching) the source and destination of an exchange. The management server 20, for example, compares the exchange conditions of the source user terminal 10 with the exchange conditions of the destination server 40, and matches exchange partners whose conditions match.

In this case, the management server 20 may match multiple user terminals 10 with one exchange destination server 40. In cases where the number of points to be exchanged proposed by the source user terminal 10 is small and does not reach the lower limit of the number of points to be exchanged proposed by the destination exchange server 40, multiple user terminals 10 can be integrated and the total number of points each wishes to exchange meets the lower limit of the number of points to be exchanged proposed by the exchange destination server 40, thereby realizing a point exchange that could not be realized by individual user terminals 10. The following describes the flow of the process in which the management server 20 exchanges points with the destination.

Figure 6 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing performed by the environmental protection support system 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 6 shows the flow of processing performed up until points are exchanged.

The exchange destination server 40 sets the exchange conditions (step S20). The exchange conditions here are the conditions presented by the exchange destination when exchanging points, such as an upper limit on the exchange rate, a lower limit on the number of points to be exchanged, etc. The exchange destination server 40 requests matching from the management server 20 to find an exchange partner with whom to exchange points according to the set exchange conditions (step S21). The management server 20 receives the exchange conditions from the exchange destination server 40, and stores the received conditions as the exchange destination's conditions (step S22).

Meanwhile, the user terminal 10-1 sets the exchange conditions (step S23). The exchange conditions here are the conditions presented by the exchange source when exchanging points, such as the number of points to be exchanged, priorities, and exchange deadline. The user terminal 10-1 requests matching from the management server 20 to find an exchange partner with whom to exchange points according to the set exchange conditions (step S24).

User terminal 10-k (k is an integer equal to or greater than 2), which is a terminal different from user terminal 10-1, also sets exchange conditions (step S25). The exchange conditions here are the conditions presented by the exchange source when exchanging points, such as the number of points to be exchanged, priorities, and exchange deadline. User terminal 10-k requests matching from management server 20 to find an exchange partner with whom to exchange points according to the set exchange conditions (step S26).

The management server 20 receives the exchange conditions from each of the user terminals 10-1 and 10-k, and stores the received conditions as the original exchange conditions (step S27).

The management server 20 performs matching based on the term ring conditions of the exchange destination and the exchange source (step S28).

Matching may be performed in any manner. For example, it may be performed based on the priority set in the exchange source. In this case, the management server 20 extracts user terminals 10 that have made matching requests, and that have a priority of exchanging as quickly as possible, from among the user terminals 10. The management server 20 calculates the total number of points to be exchanged that have been set for the extracted user terminals 10. The management server 20 extracts exchange destination servers 40 that have made matching requests, and that have a lower limit of the number of points to be exchanged that is below the total value. The management server 20 matches the extracted exchange destination servers 40 with a group of user terminals 10 that have a priority of exchanging as quickly as possible.

When matching is established, the management server 20 notifies each of the user terminal 10 and the exchange destination server 40 of the exchange partner. The user terminal 10 and the exchange destination server 40 that have been notified of the exchange partner respond as to whether or not they accept the exchange (steps S20 to S31). The management server 20 determines that matching has been established when responses to the effect that the exchange is accepted are received from each of the exchange partners (step S32). When matching is established, the management server 20 updates the registered user information.

[Configuration of Environmental Protection Support System 1]
Next, the configuration of the environmental protection support system 1 will be described. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the environmental protection support system 1. The environmental protection support system 1 includes, for example, a plurality of user terminals 10 (user terminals 10-1 to 10-N, N is an integer equal to or greater than 2), a management server 20, a sharing server 30, and an exchange server 40. These components of the environmental protection support system 1 are connected to a wireless or wired communication network NW and can communicate with each other.

The user terminal 10 is a computer equipped with a computer system 100 (see FIG. 8). For example, the user terminal 10 may be a personal computer, a wearable device, a tablet device, a smartphone, or a mobile phone. The user terminal 10 displays points based on consumption to the user U via an app. For example, the user terminal 10 displays consumption points related to products and services purchased by the user U via an app.

The management server 20 is a computer equipped with a computer system 100. For example, the management server 20 is a server device, a personal computer, etc. The management server 20 calculates consumption points based on the purchase information received from the user terminal 10. The management server 20 notifies the user terminal 10 of the calculated consumption points.

The sharing destination server 30 is a computer equipped with the computer system 100. For example, the sharing destination server 30 is a server device, a personal computer, etc. The sharing destination server 30 receives a notification from the management server 20 inquiring about the sharing of points requested by the user terminal 10. The sharing destination server 30 determines whether or not to accept the sharing of points. The sharing destination server 30 notifies the management server 20 of the result of the determination indicating whether or not to accept.

The exchange destination server 40 is a computer equipped with the computer system 100. For example, the exchange destination server 40 is a server device, a personal computer, etc. The exchange destination server 40 sets the exchange conditions for the exchange destination, and requests matching from the management server 20 to find an exchange destination that can receive points under the set conditions. The exchange destination server 40 receives information about the matched exchange destination from the management server 20. The exchange destination server 40 notifies the management server 20 of the determination result indicating whether or not to accept the exchange.

[Configuration of computer system 100]
Next, a description will be given of the configuration of a computer system 100 of each device included in the environmental protection support system 1. Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the computer system 100. The computer system 100 includes a communication unit 101, an input unit 102, an output unit 103, a storage unit 104, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 105. These components are connected to each other via a bus B so as to be able to communicate with each other.

The communication unit 101 is a communication module such as a communication IC (Integrated Circuit). The input unit 102 is an input module including, for example, a pointing device such as a mouse or a touchpad, a keyboard, a microphone, a camera, and various other sensors (for example, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor, and a proximity sensor). The input unit 102 may be configured as a touch panel, integrated with a display. The output unit 103 is an output module such as a display panel, a speaker, and a woofer.

The storage unit 104 is a storage module including, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a read-only memory (ROM), and a random access memory (RAM). Note that the storage unit 104 is not limited to being built-in, and may be an external storage module connected via a digital input/output port such as a universal serial bus (USB). The CPU 105 executes various programs stored in the storage unit 104 and controls each component of the computer system 100.

[Configuration of user terminal 10]
Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the user terminal 10. Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the user terminal 10. The user terminal 10 includes, for example, a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, a control unit 13, and a display unit 14.

The communication unit 11 communicates with the management server 20, the shared server 30, and the exchange server 40. Note that in order to protect the user's personal information, the user terminal 10 and the shared server 30, and the user terminal 10 and the exchange server 40 may be configured not to be able to communicate directly. In this case, the communication unit 11 may be able to communicate indirectly with the shared server 30 or the exchange server 40 via the management server 20.

The storage unit 12 stores variables, various data, programs, etc., necessary to realize the functions of the user terminal 10. The storage unit 12 stores, for example, app information 120. The app information 120 is information for realizing an app.

The control unit 13 controls each component of the user terminal 10. The control unit 13 is realized, for example, by the CPU of the user terminal 10 executing a program pre-stored in the storage unit 12. The control unit 13 may also be realized as an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 13 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 130 and a display control unit 131.

The acquisition unit 130 acquires information related to consumption points from the management server 20 via the communication unit 11. The information related to consumption points includes, for example, information indicating the points owned by the user U, purchase information, consumption points and certified points calculated based on the purchase information, a breakdown of the consumption points, the points owned by the user U after taking into account the consumption points calculated based on the purchase information, etc.

The display control unit 131 causes the display unit 14 to display the information received from the management server 20. The display control unit 131 causes the display unit 14 to display an image such as that shown in the example of FIG. 2 based on information indicating the points owned by user U after taking into account the points owned by user U, purchase information, consumption points and certified points calculated based on the purchase information, a breakdown of the consumption points, and consumption points calculated based on the purchase information.

The display unit 14 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and displays an image according to the control of the display control unit 131.

[Configuration of management server 20]
Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the management server 20. Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management server 20. The management server 20 includes, for example, a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23.

The communication unit 21 communicates with the user terminal 10, the sharing server 30, and the exchange server 40.

The memory unit 22 stores variables, various data, programs, etc. necessary to realize the functions of the management server 20. The memory unit 22 stores, for example, registered user information 220, conversion information 221, shared information 222, and exchange information 223. The registered user information 220 is information about users registered in the app. The conversion information 221 is information used when calculating consumed points from purchase information. The shared information 222 is information used when sharing points. The exchange information 223 is information used when exchanging points.

The control unit 23 controls each component of the management server 20. The control unit 23 is realized, for example, by the CPU of the management server 20 executing a program pre-stored in the storage unit 12. The control unit 23 may also be realized as an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 23 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 230, a point calculation unit 231, a shared point matching unit 232, a point exchange matching unit 233, and a device control unit 234.

The acquisition unit 230 acquires the purchase information notified from the user terminal 10 via the communication unit 21. The acquisition unit 230 outputs the acquired purchase information to the point calculation unit 231.

The point calculation unit 231 calculates consumption points based on the purchase information acquired from the acquisition unit 230. The point calculation unit 231 calculates consumption points for each store or each product, for example, by referring to the conversion information 221. The point calculation unit 231 stores the calculated consumption points in the memory unit 22 as owned points in the registered user information 220.

When calculating consumption points for each store, the point calculation unit 231 obtains, for example, from the purchase information, the store where the user U purchased a product or the like and the amount paid to that store. The point calculation unit 231 refers to the conversion information 221 based on the obtained store.

For example, a weighting coefficient is associated with each store in the conversion information 221 (see conversion information 221A in FIG. 12). The weighting coefficient is determined based on the degree to which the store is environmentally friendly, for example, the proportion of products bearing the certification mark M. For example, if the store is environmentally friendly, the weighting coefficient is set to a value between 0.0 and 1.0. If the store is not environmentally friendly, the weighting coefficient is set to a value of 1.0 or greater.

The point calculation unit 231 calculates the consumption points by, for example, multiplying the amount paid by the user U to a store by a weighting coefficient associated with that store. For example, if the store is environmentally friendly, a value equal to or less than the amount paid to the store is calculated as the consumption points. If the store is not environmentally friendly, a value equal to or more than the amount paid to the store is calculated as the consumption points.

When calculating the consumption points for each product, the point calculation unit 231 obtains, for example, the product names and purchase quantities of the products purchased by the user U from the purchase information. The point calculation unit 231 refers to the conversion information 221 based on the obtained product names.

In the conversion information 221, for example, consumption points are associated with each product (see conversion information 221B in FIG. 13). The consumption points are determined based on the degree to which the product is environmentally friendly, for example, the total value of the energy used in production and the energy used in distribution. For example, if the product is environmentally friendly, the consumption points are set to a small value. If the product is not environmentally friendly, the consumption points are set to a large value.

The point calculation unit 231 regards the consumption point value associated with the product purchased by the user U as the consumption points for that product. For example, if the product is environmentally friendly, a small value is calculated as the consumption points. If the product is not environmentally friendly, a large value is calculated as the consumption points.

When a certification mark M is affixed to a product purchased by user U, the point calculation unit 231 may calculate the certification points affixed to the certification mark M. In this case, information indicating whether or not the product has the certification mark M is included in, for example, the purchase information, and the point calculation unit 231 calculates the certification points based on the purchase information. The point calculation unit 231 stores the calculated certification points in the storage unit 22 as certification points in the registered user information 220.

The shared point matching unit 232 checks (matches) the points that user U wants to share with the sharing destination. The shared point matching unit 232 determines whether or not a request for point sharing has been made by a family member of user U within a predetermined period of time prior to the present time (e.g., within one week). Specifically, the shared point matching unit 232 refers to the registered user information 220 of user U to identify the family member of user U. The shared point matching unit 232 refers to the registered user information 220 of the identified family member to acquire a history of point sharing performed by the family member's user terminal 10. Based on the acquired history, the shared point matching unit 232 determines whether or not the family member has shared points with the sharing destination organization.

In addition, when the shared point matching unit 232 receives purchase information from the user terminal 10, it may determine whether the certified points based on the purchase information are already held by the family of the user U. Specifically, the shared point matching unit 232 refers to the registered user information 220 of the user U to identify the family of the user U. The shared point matching unit 232 refers to the registered user information 220 of the identified family to acquire the history of the certified points made by the user terminal 10 of the family. The shared point matching unit 232 determines whether the family has shared points with the sharing destination organization based on the acquired history. Note that, in the above, an example is given of a case where the points shared by the user U and the family of the user U overlap, but this is not limited to this. Of course, the shared point matching unit 232 may determine whether the points shared by each other do not overlap when the points are shared with the same sharing destination with friends, associates, etc. that the user U has arbitrarily set, not limited to the family.

The point exchange matching unit 233 matches exchange destinations with which points can be exchanged under the conditions desired by the user U. For example, the point exchange matching unit 233 extracts user terminals 10 that have requested matching and that prioritize exchanging points as quickly as possible. The point exchange matching unit 233 calculates the total number of points to be exchanged that are set for the extracted user terminals 10.

Meanwhile, the point exchange matching unit 233 extracts, from among the exchange destination servers 40 that have requested matching, exchange destination servers 40 whose lower limit for the number of points to be exchanged is below the total value. The point exchange matching unit 233 matches the extracted exchange destination servers 40 with a group of user terminals 10 for which the priority is to exchange points as quickly as possible.

The point exchange matching unit 233 extracts user terminals 10 that have requested matching and that prioritize exchanging at the highest possible rate. The point exchange matching unit 233 calculates the total number of points to be exchanged that are set for the extracted user terminals 10.

Meanwhile, the point exchange matching unit 233 extracts the exchange destination server 40 with the highest exchange rate from among the exchange destination servers 40 that have requested matching. The point exchange matching unit 233 determines whether the lower limit of the number of points to be exchanged set for the extracted exchange destination server 40 is below the total value. If it is below the total value, the point exchange matching unit 233 matches the extracted exchange destination server 40 with a group of user terminals 10 that prioritizes exchange at the highest possible rate.

The device control unit 234 controls the management server 20 overall. For example, the device control unit 234 outputs purchase information received by the communication unit 21 to the acquisition unit 230. The device control unit 234 notifies the user terminal 10 by outputting the consumed points and certified points calculated by the point calculation unit 231 to the communication unit 21. The device control unit 234 outputs information related to point sharing received by the communication unit 21 to the shared point matching unit 232. The device control unit 234 outputs information related to point exchange received by the communication unit 21 to the point exchange matching unit 233.

[Data structure]
Next, the configuration of various data used in the processing by the environmental protection support system 1 will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the registered user information 220. The registered user information 220 is information about a registered user. The registered user information 220 is created for each user (registered user) registered in the "environmental protection support service". The registered user information 220 includes items such as a registered user number, family information, date, remarks, granted points, consumed points, certified points, and owned points. The registered user number stores identification information such as a number that uniquely identifies a registered user. The family information stores information about the family of the registered user identified by the registered user number. The items of date, remarks, granted points, consumed points, certified points, and owned points store the history of points owned by the registered user. In the example of this figure, it is shown that granted points (100,000 points) were granted on date (YY-4-01). It shows that on date (YY-4-05), the user used store A, resulting in the consumption of consumed points (9,720 points) and the return of certified points (9,720 points), bringing the registered user's owned points to (41,076 points). It also shows that on date (YY-4-10), certified points (1,000 points) were shared and awarded to school B, bringing the registered user's owned points to (40,076 points).

Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of conversion information 221. In Figure 12, information used when calculating consumption points for each store is shown as conversion information 221A. Conversion information 221A includes items such as store number, ratio of marked products handled, and weighting coefficient. Store number stores identification information such as a number that uniquely identifies a store. Ratio of marked products handled stores the ratio of products with certification mark M handled by the store identified by store number. Weighting coefficient stores the weighting coefficient of the store identified by store number.

Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of conversion information 221. In Figure 13, information used when calculating consumption points for each product is shown as conversion information 221B. Conversion information 221B includes items such as product number, manufacturing energy/distribution energy, and consumption points. Product number stores identification information such as a number that uniquely identifies the product. Manufacturing energy/distribution energy stores the total energy used in the manufacturing and distribution process of the product identified by the product number. Consumption points store the consumption points of the product identified by the product number.

Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the shared information 222. The shared information 222 includes items such as registered user number, shared history 1, shared history 2, etc. The registered user number stores identification information such as a number that uniquely identifies a registered user. The shared history stores a history of points shared by a registered user identified by the registered user number. The shared history includes items such as shared points and shared destination, for example. The shared points store the number of points shared. The shared destination stores information indicating the shared destination with which the points were shared.

Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of exchange information 223. In Figure 15, information indicating the exchange conditions of the original is shown as exchange information 223A. Exchange information 223A includes items such as the original exchange number and exchange conditions. The original exchange number stores identification information such as a number that uniquely identifies the original user terminal 10. The exchange conditions store the exchange conditions set in the user terminal 10 identified by the original exchange number.

Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of exchange information 223. In Figure 16, information indicating the exchange conditions of the exchange destination is shown as exchange information 223B. Exchange information 223B includes items such as exchange destination number and exchange conditions, for example. In the exchange destination number, identification information such as a number that uniquely identifies the exchange destination server 40 of the exchange destination is stored. In the exchange conditions, the exchange conditions set in the exchange destination server 40 identified by the exchange destination number are stored.

[Summary of this embodiment]
As described above, the environmental protection support system 1 according to the embodiment includes a memory unit 22, an acquisition unit 230, a point calculation unit 231, and a communication unit 21. The memory unit 22 stores registered user information 220. The registered user information 220 includes information indicating points held by the user. The acquisition unit 230 acquires information indicating the presence or absence of a certification mark related to a product or service purchased by the user. The point calculation unit 231 calculates certification points according to the certification mark. The communication unit 21 transmits the certification points to the user terminal 10. This allows the environmental protection support system 1 according to the embodiment to present certification points based on the purchase information of the user U. This allows support to ensure that the user's economic activity contributes to protecting the environment.

Here, the purchase information includes information indicating whether or not the product or service purchased by the user has a certification mark, and is an example of "first information." The certification mark is an example of "the degree to which the burden on the environment is reduced in the process of providing the product or service to the user," and is an example of a "first index." The certification points are an example of a "first index." The certification points are an example of a "value based on the first information." The point calculation unit 231 is an example of a "calculation unit." The communication unit 21 is an example of an "output unit." The purchase information includes statement data indicating the history of fund transfers at financial institutions such as banks or card companies. Furthermore, the information on the buying and selling transaction as the purchase information includes information automatically extracted from statement data indicating the purchase history that can be obtained from an EC (Electronic Commerce) site or a POS system such as a cash register in a store.

In addition, in the environmental protection support system 1 according to the embodiment, the acquisition unit 230 acquires information indicating the number of shared points held by the user U to be shared with the sharing destination, and sharing destination information indicating the sharing destination. The point calculation unit 231 subtracts the number of shared points from the points held by the user and stores the result in the registered user information 220. In this way, in the environmental protection support system according to the embodiment, the points held by the user can be shared with the sharing destination. Therefore, it becomes possible for related parties of the sharing destination to exchange the shared points for money, goods, etc., thereby improving the equipment environment of the sharing destination organization.

The environmental protection support system 1 according to the embodiment further includes a shared point matching unit 232. The shared point matching unit 232 is an example of a "matching unit." Before sharing the certified points with the sharer, the shared point matching unit 232 determines whether the certified points have already been shared by the user's family. If the certified points have already been shared by the user's family, the points are not shared and the user terminal 10 is notified of this. In this way, the environmental protection support system 1 according to the embodiment can prevent a situation in which the user and a family member share points with a sharer in an overlapping manner.

In addition, in the environmental protection support system 1 according to the embodiment, the shared point matching unit 232 determines whether the certification points have already been returned to the user's family before returning the certification points to the user. If the certification points have already been returned to the user's family, the certification points are not returned and a notification to that effect is sent to the user terminal 10. This makes it possible for the environmental protection support system 1 according to the embodiment to prevent a situation in which the certification points are returned to the user and a family member in duplicate.

In the environmental protection support system 1 according to the embodiment, the storage unit 12 stores conversion information 221. The conversion information 221 is information in which a product or service is associated with the degree of environmental burden in the process of the product or service being provided to the user. The owned points are a value obtained by subtracting the consumed points from the granted points and adding the certified points. The certified points are an example of "return points". The acquisition unit 230 acquires the purchase information. The purchase information is an example of "second information". The point calculation unit 231 calculates the consumed points based on the purchase information and the conversion information 221. The consumed points are an example of "a value corresponding to the degree of environmental burden in the process of the product or service being provided to the user". The point calculation unit 231 stores the calculated consumed points in the registered user information 220. The communication unit 21 notifies the user terminal 10 of the granted points, consumed points, and certified points of the user U. This makes it possible to recognize the breakdown of the points owned by the user.

In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which detailed data from a financial institution is acquired by linking a financial account and a credit card, and consumption points and the like are calculated based on the payment amount shown in the detailed data. However, this is not limited to this. In the environmental protection support system 1, the detailed data from the financial account may be combined with information obtainable by the user terminal 10 to estimate details of the products and/or services that the user would have purchased. The information obtainable by the user terminal 10 here refers to information indicating the user's consumption behavior obtained by the user terminal 10, such as user location information indicating the user's behavior history, calendar information, information posted to a social networking service (SNS), household accounting information recorded in a household accounting app, etc.

For example, assume that the credit card statement data records the date of use, the amount used, and the name of the store used, and the household accounting app records that the store has been used regularly in the past. In this case, the management server 20 extracts from the household accounting app the products and amounts regularly purchased at that store in the past, and compares the extracted amounts with the amount used in the credit card statement data. If the difference between the two amounts is within a predetermined amount and the two amounts can be considered to be approximately the same, the management server 20 estimates that the product purchased by the user this time with the credit card is a product that has been regularly purchased at that store in the past. The management server 20 may then calculate the points consumed by considering the estimated product as the product purchased by the user. Products and services purchased by the user are examples of "goods or services".

In addition, a program for implementing the functions of the environmental protection support system 1 and the management server 20 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to perform processing as the environmental protection support system 1 and the management server 20. Here, "reading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into the computer system. The "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The "computer system" may also include multiple computer devices connected via a network including the Internet, WAN, LAN, and communication lines such as a dedicated line. The "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as a flexible disk, optical magnetic disk, ROM, and CD-ROM, and storage devices such as a hard disk built into a computer system. In this way, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The recording medium also includes a recording medium provided inside or outside the computer system that can be accessed from the distribution server in order to distribute the program. The code of the program stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the code of the program in a format executable by the terminal device. In other words, the format in which the program is stored on the distribution server does not matter as long as the program can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form that can be executed on the terminal device. The program may be divided into multiple parts, each of which may be downloaded at a different time and then combined on the terminal device, or each of the divided programs may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" includes a storage medium that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or client when a program is transmitted over a network. The program may also be a program that realizes part of the above-mentioned functions. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already stored in the computer system.

In addition, some or all of the functions of the environmental protection support system 1 and management server 20 described above may be realized as an integrated circuit such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration). Each of the above-mentioned functions may be individually processed, or some or all of them may be integrated into a processor. The integrated circuit method is not limited to LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. Furthermore, if an integrated circuit technology that can replace LSI appears due to advances in semiconductor technology, an integrated circuit based on that technology may be used.

1...Environmental protection support system, 10...User terminal, 20...Management server, 21...Communication unit, 22...Storage unit, 23...Control unit, 220...Registered user information, 221...Conversion information, 222...Shared information, 223...Exchange information, 230...Acquisition unit, 231...Point calculation unit, 232...Shared point verification unit, 233...Point exchange matching unit

Claims (3)

A storage unit that stores registered user information related to a user, the registered user information including points owned by the user;
an acquisition unit that acquires first information related to a product or service purchased by the user, the first information being associated with a first index indicating a degree to which an environmental load has been reduced in the process of the product or service being provided to the user;
a calculation unit that calculates a value corresponding to the first indicator associated with the product or service purchased by the user based on the first information, adds the calculated value to the points owned by the user, and stores the calculated value in the registered user information;
an output unit that outputs the points owned by the user stored in the storage unit;
Equipped with
the registered user information includes information about related parties registered by the user;
The system further includes a collation unit that determines whether or not the points held by the related person have been shared with a sharee based on sharee information indicating a sharee during a predetermined period of time,
When the collation unit determines that the points held by the related person have been shared with a sharee based on the sharee information during a predetermined period,
The calculation unit does not subtract the number of shared points of the user from the points owned by the user,
The output unit outputs a message indicating that the information has been shared by the related person to a sharing destination based on the sharing destination information.
Support system. A storage unit that stores registered user information related to a user, the registered user information including points owned by the user;
an acquisition unit that acquires first information related to a product or service purchased by the user, the first information being associated with a first index indicating a degree to which an environmental load has been reduced in the process of the product or service being provided to the user;
a calculation unit that calculates a value corresponding to the first indicator associated with the product or service purchased by the user based on the first information, adds the calculated value to the points owned by the user, and stores the calculated value in the registered user information;
an output unit that outputs the points owned by the user stored in the storage unit;
Equipped with
the registered user information includes information about related parties registered by the user;
A collation unit that determines whether the first information of the user acquired by the acquisition unit has already been acquired as the first information related to a product or service purchased by the related person,
When the collation unit determines that the first information of the user has been acquired as the first information regarding a product or service purchased by the related person,
The calculation unit does not add a value based on the first information of the user to points held by the user,
The output unit outputs a message indicating that the first information of the user has been notified by the related person.
Support system. A storage unit that stores registered user information related to a user, the registered user information including points owned by the user;
an acquisition unit that acquires first information related to a product or service purchased by the user, the first information being associated with a first index indicating a degree to which an environmental load has been reduced in the process of the product or service being provided to the user;
a calculation unit that calculates a value corresponding to the first indicator associated with the product or service purchased by the user based on the first information, adds the calculated value to the points owned by the user, and stores the calculated value in the registered user information;
an output unit that outputs the points owned by the user stored in the storage unit;
Equipped with
the storage unit stores conversion information in which a degree of environmental load imposed in a process in which the product or service is provided to a user is associated with the product or service;
The points held by the user are a value obtained by subtracting the points consumed by the user in response to the user's purchase of a product or service from the points given in advance to the user, and adding thereto the points returned as a value corresponding to the first indicator,
The acquisition unit acquires second information related to a product or service purchased by the user,
the calculation unit calculates a value corresponding to a degree of environmental load in a process in which the product or service is provided to the user based on the second information and the conversion information, and stores the calculated value in the registered user information as the consumption points of the user;
The output unit outputs the given points, the consumed points, and the return points of the user.
Support system.

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