JP2002216000A - Information processing method and point management method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a customer to integrate points generated by a plurality of payment cards to be used. SOLUTION: The points generated in purchasing a commodity by payment cards provided by card companies 6, 7 in retail stores 4, 5 are obtained by a point obtaining means 1a of a point totaling server 1. A assortment means 1b sorts the points by each customer. A value unifying means 1c unifies the value in the case where the values of points vary with the payment cards. An accumulating means 1d sorts the points made uniform in value by each customer and accumulates the same. In the case of referring to the information on the thus accumulated points, an authentication information transmitting means 2a of a customer side client 2 transmits the authentication information for logging-in the point totaling server 1. A point information obtaining means 2b obtains point information transmitted from the point totaling server 1 when the authentication is successful. An output means 2c outputs point information to a display device 2d.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing method and a point management method, and more particularly, to an information processing method and a point management method for processing and managing points generated by buying and selling goods or services.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In payment cards such as credit cards,
The card company issues so-called "points" to the customer in accordance with the card usage fee, and when a certain amount of points are accumulated, provides a service to exchange for goods or services (hereinafter referred to as goods etc.) Often it is done.

[0003] In recent years, there has been a case where a retail store issues a card called, for example, a "point card", issues points in accordance with the purchase price of products, etc., and exchanges accumulated points for products. Not a few.

[0004]

However, such payment cards and point cards have incompatibility between points since each company provides their own services, and for example, there is a certain payment card. There is a problem that the accumulated points cannot be exchanged for a product or the like provided by another payment card.

[0005] Further, the types of exchangeable products and the like are at most several tens of types, and there is a problem that there are few choices of the products and the like. Furthermore, there was no way to increase points other than the act of purchasing goods, etc., so even if there is a desired product, etc., you must wait until the points reach a certain amount. There was a problem that it did not become.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing method capable of prompting a customer to use a payment card.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an information processing method for processing points generated by buying and selling goods or services. A point acquisition step of acquiring from the point service provider, a classification step of classifying the points acquired by the point acquisition step for each customer, and an accumulation step of accumulating the points classified by the classification step for each customer. An information processing method characterized by the following is provided.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the point obtaining means 1a obtains points generated by payment using a payment card at a retail store or the like. Classification means 1b
Separate points for each customer. The value unifying means 1c unifies the value of points when the value of each payment card is different. The accumulating means 1d accumulates points having unified values for each customer. The customer can exchange his / her own points thus accumulated for goods and the like.

Further, according to the present invention, in a client information processing method for exchanging information with a server which performs processing for points generated by trading goods or services, an authentication method for accessing a server and authenticating a customer is provided. An authentication information transmitting step of transmitting information, a point information obtaining step of obtaining information on points generated by buying or selling goods or services, and an output step of outputting point information to a display device. A processing method is provided.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the authentication information transmitting means 2a transmits authentication information for logging in to the point totaling server 1 in an attempt to refer to the points stored in the accumulating means 1d. Point information acquisition means 2
b acquires the point information transmitted from the point totaling server 1 when the authentication is successful. The output unit 2c outputs the point information obtained by the point information obtaining unit 2b to the display device 2d. Customers,
By referring to the point information displayed on the display device 2d of the client-side client 2, it is possible to know the points currently owned.

According to the present invention, in a point management method for managing points generated by buying and selling goods or services, a point obtaining step of obtaining points generated by buying or selling goods or services and customer information from a point totaling server. An identification code assigning step of assigning an identification code for uniquely identifying each point to the points acquired by the point acquisition step, and the points to which the identification code is assigned by the identification code assigning step together with the customer information. A point management method is provided, comprising: a storing step of storing; and a point transmitting step of transmitting a point to which an identification code is assigned by the identification code assigning step to the point totalizing server.

In such a point management method, a server for assigning an identification code is provided, points generated by buying and selling goods or services and customer information are acquired from a point totalizing server, and each point is uniquely assigned to the acquired points. , An identification code for identification is assigned, and the assigned points are stored. In addition, the point to which the identification code is assigned is transmitted to the point totalizing server. In this way, points that are not assigned an identification code and that are handled by a third party who commits wrongdoing are differentiated.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a principle diagram for explaining the operation principle of the present invention.

In this figure, the point totaling server 1
Collects points provided by the card companies 6 and 7 or the retail stores 4 and 5 to customers in connection with buying and selling of products and the like, and provides various services to the customers.

Here, the point obtaining means 1a obtains points generated by buying and selling goods and the like in the retail stores 4 and 5 from a plurality of point service providers. The classification unit 1b classifies the points acquired by the point acquisition unit 1a for each customer.

The value unifying means 1c unifies the value if the acquired points have different values for each point service provider. The accumulating means 1d accumulates the points whose values have been unified by the value unifying means 1c for each customer.

The client 2 on the customer side is a card company 6,
7 is a client of a customer having a plurality of payment cards provided by the retailers 7 or point cards provided by the retailers 4 and 5.

Here, when logging in to the point totaling server 1, the authentication information transmitting means 2a transmits authentication information to authenticate the customer. Point information acquisition means 2b
Obtains information on points generated by buying and selling products and the like in the retail stores 4 and 5.

The output means 2c outputs the point information to the display device 2d. The network 3 is, for example, the Internet, and connects the point totalizing server 1, the client 2 on the customer side, the retail stores 4, 5 and the card companies 6, 7 to each other, and transmits and receives data between them.

The retail stores 4 and 5 may be either a retail store that provides a point card service or a retail store that does not.
Card companies 6 and 7 provide payment cards,
Provide customers with points according to the use of the payment card.

Next, the operation of the above principle diagram will be described. Now, suppose that the customer having the client side client 2 purchases a product or the like at the retail store 4 using the payment card provided by the card company 6, and the retail store 4 inquires the card company 6 to obtain the payment card. A credit check is performed, and when the credit check is cleared, the product or the like is delivered to the customer. Further, information regarding the settlement is transmitted to the card company 6 and recorded there.

The card company 6 issues points according to the price of the purchased goods and the like, classifies and records the points for each customer, and transmits information indicating that points have been generated to the point totalizing server 1. I do.

In the point totalizing server 1, the point obtaining means 1a receives this information and transfers it to the classification means 1b. The classification means 1b classifies the information supplied from the card company 6 for each customer and supplies it to the value unification means 1c.

The value unifying means 1c unifies the value of different points for each card company or retail store. For example, if one point is equivalent to 1 yen in the card company 6 and 5 yen in the card company 7, the points are unified to the latter point.

The accumulating means 1d accumulates the points whose values have been unified by the value unifying means 1c for each customer. Subsequently, assuming that the customer purchases a product or the like at the retail store 5 using the payment card of the card company 7, newly generated points are accumulated in the accumulating means 1d by the same processing as described above. Will be.

In this way, every time the customer uses the payment card (or point card), the points generated are recorded in the point totaling server 1. In such a state, if the customer operates the client-side client 2 and makes an inquiry request for the accumulated points to the point totaling server 1, first, the authentication information transmitting means 2a transmits the authentication information to the point Total server 1
And if the user is authenticated as a valid user after being authenticated, the point information obtaining means 2b is stored in the accumulating means 1d of the point tallying server 1 The customer's point information.

The output means 2c supplies the acquired point information to the display device 2d for display. As a result, the customer can easily know the number of points accumulated in all payment cards up to the present.

At this time, a list of exchangeable products and the like is displayed on the display device 2d, and a desired product or the like is selected from the list. It is done for store 4,
If the number of points stored in the accumulating means 1d is subtracted by a corresponding amount, points and commodities can be easily exchanged.

Next, a configuration example of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the first embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, a point tallying server 30 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit).
30a, ROM (Read Only Memory) 30b, RAM
(Random Access Memory) 30c, HDD (Hard Disk)
Drive) 30d, bus 30e, and I / F (Interfa
ce) 30f and 30g, accumulate points issued when a customer purchases a product or the like at a retail store or the like, and provide various services related to the points.

The network 31 is constituted by, for example, the Internet, and connects the point totalizing server 30, the clients 32-1, 32-2, and the clients 33-1, 33-2 to each other. Send and receive information between

Clients 32-1 and 32-2 on the customer side
Is a client located on the customer side, for example,
It is composed of a personal computer. The retail store clients 33-1 and 33-2 are clients arranged in a retail store, and are configured by, for example, personal computers.

The network 34 is composed of, for example, the Internet or a dedicated line, connects the point totalizing server 30 and the card company servers 35-1 to 35-3 to each other, and transmits and receives information between them.

Although not shown in this figure, the network 31 and the network 34 are connected to each other, and information can be exchanged between them. Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

First, in order for a customer to enjoy the service provided by the point totalizing server 30, it is necessary to access the point totalizing server 30 and register as a user. Hereinafter, a case will be described where the customer operates the customer side client 32-1 to perform user registration.

FIG. 3 is an example of a screen displayed on the client side client 32-1 when performing user registration. In this display example, text boxes 40a to 40f for inputting information necessary for user registration are displayed, and an OK button 40g operated when registering with setting contents is displayed at the bottom of the screen. Is displayed. In this example, the text boxes 40a to 40f respectively have
The addresses of "name", "sex", "age", "address", "telephone number", and "e-mail" are input.

As described above, when the OK button 40g is operated after inputting each item, the input information is transmitted to the point totalizing server 30 via the network 31.

The point totalizing server 30 registers the received information in the HDD 30d and makes an inquiry to the card company side servers 35-1 to 35-3 to determine whether or not the customer has a payment card. judge.

It is assumed that the customer has a payment card "A-CAR"
D "," V-CARD "," M-CARD "," FC "
ARD "and" Z-CARD "can be confirmed to be used, the point totaling server 30
A screen for allowing the customer to select a payment card for which points are to be collected from these card groups is displayed on the customer side client 32-
1 is displayed.

FIG. 4 shows the client 3 at this time.
It is an example of the screen displayed on 2-1. In this example, a list of payment cards owned by the customer is displayed in the area 50a together with check boxes. When the customer specifies a payment card for which points are to be collected by the check box and operates the OK button 50b, information indicating the selected payment card is transmitted to the point collection server 30.

Subsequently, the point tallying server 30 determines whether the point
The screen for inputting the card number of the payment card selected on the screen shown in FIG.
To be displayed.

FIG. 5 shows the client 3 at this time.
It is an example of the screen displayed on 2-1. In this display example, the name of the payment card selected on the screen shown in FIG. 4, text boxes 60a to 60c and text boxes 60e to 60g are displayed, and the card number and password of each payment card are input. . When the input is completed, by operating the OK button 60d, the card number and the personal identification number are stored in the point totaling server 3.
Sent to 0.

The point totalizing server 30 transmits the received card number and personal identification number and the customer name to the card company side servers 35-1 to 35-3, and performs an authentication process to determine whether or not the user is an authorized user. Ask. As a result, if the authentication is successful, the card company servers 35-1 to 35-35
-3 sends information about points given to this user.

The point totaling server 30, which has received the information on the points, generates the user ID of the customer and displays a screen 70 as shown in FIG. 6 on the client side client 32-1. In this display example, the number of points of each card and its total are displayed in an area 70a of the screen 70, and the user ID “U0000001” of this customer is displayed in an area 70b.
Is displayed. In the area 70c, a text box for the customer to input a desired password is displayed.

In such a text box, when the password “XYZ012345” desired by the customer is input and the OK button 70d is operated, the password is transmitted to the point totalizing server 30.

The point totaling server 30, which has received the password, registers customer information for the customer in the HDD 30d. FIG. 7 is an example of customer information. As shown in this figure, customer information includes the customer's “name”, “gender”, “age”, “user ID”, “password”,
It consists of “address”, “telephone number”, “e-mail”, “used card”, and “total points”. The total point is a value obtained by summing the points of all the payment cards.

Further, the point tallying server 30 notifies the card company side server 35-1 corresponding to the payment card for which points are to be tallyed that the point has been subjected to the tallying service. As a result, the card company server 35-
The fact that the aggregation service is used is recorded for the customer information (details will be described later) shown in FIG.

Next, when the customer enters the retail store client 33-
An operation in the case where a product or the like is purchased using a payment card at a retail store where 1 is arranged will be described. The payment card used by the customer is “A-CARD”, and this payment card is provided by the card company in which the card company server 35-1 is located.

A customer purchases a product or the like at a retail store,
If it is desired to settle the payment by A-CARD, the clerk first makes an inquiry to the card company server 35-1 to perform credit processing of the card and use the payment card. Check if there is.

FIG. 8 shows an example of customer information on the customer stored in the card company server 35-1. This example shows the customer ’s name, gender, age,
It consists of "card number", "card expiration date", "address", "telephone number", "e-mail", "aggregate service", "breakdown for this month", "total points", and "accumulated points". ing. Here, "Aggregation service"
Is information indicating whether or not the user has subscribed to the point collection service provided by the point collection server 30. In this example, the information is "used" because the user has already applied for the service.
The “use breakdown of this month” stores the history of settlement by A-CARD in the relevant month and points generated at that time. “Total points” is the sum of points generated in the month, and “cumulative points” indicates all points accumulated up to the month.

In the credit check, "card number" and "card expiration date" of the information shown in FIG. 8 are referred to.
It is determined whether the card can be used. Then, as a result of the credit check, when it is determined that the payment card is usable, a procedure for debiting the payment card is performed, and the payment information is transmitted to the card company server 35-1.

Card company server 3 which has received the settlement information
Step 5-1 adds information regarding a new product to “use breakdown of this month” as shown in FIG. 9 and also adds points generated for the product. In this example, as apparent from the comparison with FIG.
In the "book", it is indicated that a product or the like of "8000 yen" has been purchased, and it is understood that 16 points have been generated at that time. As a result, the “total points” increased from 27 points to 43 points,
"Cumulative points" have increased from 32 points to 48 points.

Since this customer has subscribed to the point totalizing service, the card company server 35-1 notifies the point totalizing server 30 of information on newly generated points.

As a result, the point totaling server 30 adds the newly generated points to the customer information of the corresponding customer. FIG. 10 shows customer information after newly generated points have been added. From the comparison with FIG.
The cumulative points of CARD have been changed from 32 to 48. In addition, the corresponding total points are 643 to 6
It has been changed to 59.

Subsequently, the point totalizing server 30 creates an e-mail notifying that a point has been generated, and transmits it to the client-side client 32-1. FIG.
At this time, it is an example of an electronic mail transmitted to the client side client 32-1. In this example, information on the purchased product and the like, the number of points generated, and the like are described. In addition, "accumulated number of points used"
Indicates points accumulated in A-CARD. The “total card total points” is the sum of the accumulated points of all the cards.

The above processing is also performed when another payment card is used, and the points are totaled by the point totalizing server 30. By the way, the information stored in the point totalizing server 30 can be independently accessed and referred by the customer. FIG.
In such a case, it is an example of a screen displayed on the client side client 32-1. In this example, the accumulated points of each card and the total accumulated points are displayed in the area 75a. In order to display such a screen, the customer accesses the point totaling server 30 from the client side client 32-1 and confirms that the user is a legitimate user through an authentication process. It becomes possible by sending it to the server 30.

Next, a process for exchanging points for goods will be described. For example, when a customer who knows that a predetermined amount of points have been accumulated from the e-mail shown in FIG. 11 or the screen shown in FIG. Access is made, and a screen 80 for commodity exchange shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. This display example shows that the accumulated points are 659, and also shows an example of commodities that can be exchanged for 600 points or less.

At the bottom of the screen 80, a previous page button 80a for moving to the previous page, a next page button 80b for moving to the next page, and exchange with the product selected on this screen 80 are executed. OK operated when
Button 80c is displayed.

For example, in such a screen 80,
If "violin" is selected and the OK button 80c is operated, the point tallying server 30 recognizes that the violin has been selected as a commodity to be exchanged,
First, the inventory of this product is confirmed. Then, when the stock is confirmed, the point “480” corresponding to the violin is subtracted from the customer information stored in the HDD 30d. As a result, the total points are reduced by 480, as shown in FIG. Also, the accumulated points of each card need to be subtracted by the corresponding amount,
In this example, the value obtained by dividing the remainder obtained by subtracting the product points from the total points by the number of payment cards is used as each accumulated point. In addition to this, as shown in FIG. 15, a method of causing the customer to specify a payment card and subtracting points from the specified card can be considered.

In this example, the payment card to be subtracted is specified in the area 85a of the screen 85, and the subtraction selection button 85
By operating b, desired points can be subtracted from the target payment card.

Upon completion of the point subtraction, the point totalizing server 30 notifies the card company server corresponding to the payment card whose accumulated points have changed that the points have been used. As a result, points are subtracted by a predetermined amount from the accumulated points of the customer information stored in the card company server.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to count points generated by a plurality of payment cards and to exchange the collected points with products and the like. As a result, the range of exchangeable products can be expanded.

When the customer uses the payment card, the details of the use and the number of points generated are notified by e-mail, so that the card company collectively sends a letter every fixed period as in the past. As compared with the case where the usage statement is sent, the customer can immediately know the usage status. On the other hand, the card company can save the trouble of sending a letter.

Furthermore, by accessing the point totalizing server 30, the point accumulation status can be immediately known, so that the customer can accumulate the points at any time as compared with the conventional case of notifying with the usage statement. It is possible to check the situation.

Next, the operation for transferring points between customers will be described. In the first embodiment,
It is also possible to transfer points between customers. In that case, the conditions at the time of transfer are basically based on agreement between the parties, but in the first embodiment, an auction of points is performed in order to enable transfer under more advantageous conditions. It is possible. This is described below.

FIG. 16 is a display example of an auction for selling points. In this example, the point as the item to be auctioned is the area 90
b. For example, no. In the case of the item No. 1, “1500” points are converted to the seller “Hiro”.
Shi "and the starting price is" 100
00 yen ", the current price is" 13000 yen ", the number of bids is" 5 ", and the remaining time is" 3 hours "
It is shown that

At the upper right of the screen 90, a hot text "Sell" 90a operated when a customer who is referring to this screen sells his / her own points is displayed. Further, a bid button operated when bidding on each item is displayed at the right end of the area 90b. Furthermore,
At the lower right of the screen 90, an OK button 90c operated when ending this screen is displayed.

When the hot text "Sell" is operated on such a screen 90, a screen 100 as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed. On this screen 100,
Text boxes 100a to 100g for inputting information necessary for selling in an auction are displayed. Also, at the bottom of the screen 100, an OK button 1 that is operated when selling at the auction with the input contents.
00h is displayed. Here, the "user ID" and "password" are issued at the time of user registration shown in FIG. The “handle name” is a name used when participating in an auction. "points"
Is the number of points to be exhibited. The “start price” is a set price when starting an auction. The “minimum successful bid price” is a price that cannot be awarded if no further price is available. “End date and time” is the date and time when the auction ends.

When the OK button 100h is operated after the information as shown in FIG. 17 is input on the screen 100, the input information is stored in the HDD 30d, and the registered information is sent to the auction. Will be reflected.

FIG. 18 is a display example when the information input from the screen 100 shown in FIG. 17 is reflected on the screen 90 of the auction shown in FIG. In this example,
In FIG. 17, the input points are additionally displayed.

FIG. 19 is an example of a screen displayed when the bid button for the item displayed on the first line is operated on the screen shown in FIG. This screen 11
At 0, text boxes 110a to 110d for inputting information necessary for bidding on the auction are displayed. At the bottom of the screen 110, an OK button 110e operated when bidding with the input contents is displayed.

FIG. 20 shows an auction screen after the bidding shown in FIG. 19 is made. On the screen 110 shown in FIG. 19, “14000 yen” is input as the bid price, and this is the highest price at that time.
The current price has changed from 13,000 yen to 14000 yen,
The number of bids has been changed from five to six.

Screen 1 shown in FIG. 17 at the start of the auction
When the end date and time set at 00 elapses, the auction ends, and the bidder with the highest price at that time becomes the successful bidder. If no successful bid is made,
It is also possible to end the auction or change the conditions and the like and re-list.

When the auction is completed, an e-mail as shown in FIG. 21 is transmitted to the seller. In this example, following the title of "notice of auction end", a message prompting the user to contact the successful bidder and determine a method of receiving and receiving the price is described because the points exhibited in the auction have been sold. In addition, in the paragraph below, if the payment has been completed, the attached UR
Click L and enter your password.
A message prompting access to a predetermined homepage is described.

In the browser activated by the customer clicking the attached URL, the password “12” is displayed.
When "1212" is input, the screen 120 shown in FIG. 22 is displayed.

In this screen 120, text box 1
The information of the transfer source of the point is input to 20a to 120c, and the information of the transfer destination is input to the text boxes 120d and 120e. Specifically, the "user ID", "password", and "number of transfer points" of the auction exhibitor are entered in text boxes 120a to 120c. Also, text box 120d,
120e, "User ID" of the auction successful bidder,
And "handle name" is input.

When the necessary items have been entered, the OK button 1
When 20f is operated, the point totaling server 30 first obtains the transfer source information, performs an authentication process, and determines whether the auction seller is a legitimate user. If it is determined that the user is a legitimate user, the points specified by the “number of transfer points” are subtracted from the customer information, and the relevant card company server is notified that the points have been subtracted. I do.

Subsequently, the point tallying server 30 acquires the transfer destination information and determines whether or not the corresponding user exists. And if there is a corresponding user,
The customer information is acquired, the points specified by the number of transfer points are added, and the related card company server is notified that the points have been added.

With the above operation, it is possible to transfer points between customers based on the transaction conditions determined in the auction, so that a reasonable price can be exchanged between a customer who does not need points and a customer who needs points. This makes it possible to buy and sell points. As a result, the points can be used more effectively.

Although the first embodiment is an example of an auction for selling points, an auction (reverse auction) can also be used when purchasing points.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a reverse auction. In this display example, the seller wants to buy points, the buyer's handle, the auction start price, the current price, the current price, the number of bids to date,
And the remaining time of the auction is displayed. Since the bid button and the like are the same as in FIG. 16, the description is omitted.

In a reverse auction, the bidder who gives the cheapest price (sale price) becomes the successful bidder. Therefore, when the auction is started, the current price becomes lower each time a bid is made. Then, when the remaining time becomes 0, the bidder who has given the lowest price becomes the successful bidder.

According to the reverse auction described above, a customer who needs points can obtain it at a reasonable price. By the way, in the first embodiment described above, the case where points are exchanged between customers has been described. However, for example, points can be exchanged between the customer and the operator of the point aggregation server.

FIG. 24 is a display example of a screen showing an example of such a case. This screen 140 is displayed when a customer specifies a product that exceeds the number of points currently possessed on the list screen of products that can be exchanged for points.

In this display example, there is a shortage of 30 points for exchanging merchandise and points, and a message prompting the user to select one of the options below the point is displayed. As options, "(1) end without exchanging", "(2) offset by next month's points", and "(3) deduct the shortfall from the card". Is displayed.

Here, "(1) Exit without exchanging" is an option to terminate without exchanging points for merchandise. “(2) Offset by points for next month” is an option to offset the shortfall by points generated in the next month. In the case where the payment cannot be offset (when the points generated are insufficient), the offset may be offset with the occurrence in the following month, or the amount corresponding to the shortfall may be deducted from the payment card. Good.

Further, “(3) Deduct the shortfall from the card” is an option that allows the exchange of goods for the shortfall by deducting the shortage from the designated payment card. .

As described above, even if the points are insufficient, the points can be exchanged for the product, so that the value of the points can be further enhanced. In addition, the first
In the above embodiment, the exchange of points and merchandise is performed on the homepage, but it is also possible to determine the merchandise after actually seeing the merchandise at the retail store.

For example, when a customer requests payment by points when purchasing a product at a retail store, a screen 145 shown in FIG. 25 is displayed on the retail store client. In this example, information on a product to be purchased is displayed, and information for selecting a payment method is displayed.

When the payment by "points" is selected on such a screen 145, a screen (not shown) for inputting the purchaser's name and password (or telephone number or the like) is displayed. When input, an inquiry is issued to the point totalizing server 30.
The point tallying server 30 performs authentication by referring to the inquired customer information, and if the user is a legitimate user, subtracts points corresponding to the price of the product, and notifies the retailer that the procedure has been completed. Notify the client.

At the retail store client that has received the notification of the completion of the procedure from the point totalizing server 30, a message indicating that is displayed, so that the clerk can deliver the goods and the like to the customer.

According to the above-described processing, it is possible to purchase a product or the like at a retail store using the point, so that it is possible to broaden a range of selection of the product and further increase the use value of the point. It is possible to increase.

Incidentally, the point tallying server 30
Since information of a plurality of customers is managed, direct mail (DM) can be efficiently sent out by using this information.

FIG. 26 is an example of a screen for inputting conditions for selecting a customer who sends a direct mail.
On this screen 150, text boxes 150a to 150d for inputting conditions for selecting customers are displayed.
In the text box 150a, the “district” where the customer lives is input. The “sex” of the customer is input in the text box 150b. Text box 150c
Is entered with the "age" of the customer. In addition, the text box 150d contains the “total points”
Is entered.

When the OK button 150e is operated after a predetermined condition is input on such a screen 150, the customer information corresponding to the input item is displayed in the HDD 30d.
And an e-mail to each customer will be created. The e-mail created in this manner is transmitted to the corresponding client on the client side via the network 31.

FIG. 27 shows an example of an e-mail generated by the above processing. In this example, following the title of "Notice of the release of a new luxury brand suit.", A message that a new limited-selling suit will be released on November 10 in a department store is described.

As described above, when the direct mail is transmitted using the customer information registered in the point totalizing server 30, it becomes possible to select customers based on more accurate information. That is, when the customer has a plurality of payment cards, the usage status of all the cards can be grasped. This is because it becomes possible to grasp the situation.

Next, an example of the processing executed in the above-described first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 28 is an example of a flowchart executed when a member is registered in the point totalizing server 30. When this flowchart is started, the following processing is executed.

[S10] The CPU 30a sends a predetermined HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) stored in the HDD 30d to the accessing client side client.
ge) Send the document. As a result, a registration screen 40 as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the browser of the client-side client.

[S11] The CPU 30a acquires the items input on the registration screen 40 as shown in FIG. [S12] The CPU 30a makes an inquiry to the card company servers 35-1 to 35-3 owned by the card company, and determines whether or not the customer who has applied for registration has a payment card.

[S13] The CPU 30a transmits a screen 50 as shown in FIG. 4 to the client side client to display the name of the service target card. [S14] The CPU 30a sets the screen 50 as shown in FIG.
In, the specified card name is acquired.

[S15] The CPU 30a displays a screen 60 as shown in FIG. 5 on the client side client, and acquires the card number of the specified card. [S16] The CPU 30a causes the client-side client to display a registration completion screen 70 as shown in FIG.

[S17] The CPU 30a acquires the password entered on the screen 70 as shown in FIG. [S18] The CPU 30a registers customer information as shown in FIG. 7 in the HDD 30d.

Next, with reference to FIG. 29, an example of a flowchart executed when the card company side server 35-1 to 35-3 notifies the point totalizing server 30 that a point has been generated will be described. I do. When this flowchart is started, the following processing is executed.

[S30] The CPU 30a determines whether or not the card company server 35-1 to 35-3 has notified that a point has been generated. If a point has been generated, the process proceeds to step S31. In the case of, the process ends.

[S31] The CPU 30a specifies a card company and a customer related to the generation of points. [S32] The CPU 30a updates the accumulated points of the corresponding payment card of the corresponding customer information stored in the HDD 30d by adding the generated points.

[S33] The CPU 30a adds and updates the generated points to the total points of the customer information. [S34] The CPU 30a executes a settlement process of collecting a price and a fee for the generated points from the card company. Specifically, the corresponding price and fee are deducted from the bank account of the card company.

[S35] The CPU 30a transmits an e-mail to the customer as shown in FIG. 11, and notifies the customer of the usage details of the payment card and the point generation status. Next, an example of a flowchart executed when a customer makes an inquiry about points will be described with reference to FIG. When this flowchart is started, the following processing is executed.

[S40] The CPU 30a refers to the customer information and executes an authentication process for the accessing customer. [S41] If the customer is a legitimate user, the CPU 30a proceeds to step S42, otherwise ends the process.

[S42] The CPU 30a searches the HDD 30d for customer information corresponding to the accessing customer. [S43] The CPU 30a acquires point information from the customer information.

[S44] The CPU 30a generates an HTML document including the point information, transmits the generated HTML document to the accessing client side client, and displays a screen 75 as shown in FIG.

Next, with reference to FIG. 31, an example of a process executed when exchanging points for a product on a homepage will be described. When this flowchart is started, the following processing is executed.

[S50] The CPU 30a executes authentication processing of the accessing customer. [S51] The CPU 30a determines whether or not the user is a legitimate user. If the user is a legitimate user, the process proceeds to step S52; otherwise, the process ends.

[S52] The CPU 30a searches the HDD 30d for customer information corresponding to the customer. [S53] The CPU 30a acquires point information from the customer information.

[S54] The CPU 30a acquires data on exchangeable products from the HDD 30d. [S55] The CPU 30a transmits the data acquired in step S54 to the client on the requesting side, and displays a list of exchangeable products as shown in FIG.

[S56] The CPU 30a determines whether or not a product has been selected. If a product has been selected, the process proceeds to step S5.
Then, the same processing is repeated in other cases. [S57] The CPU 30a subtracts points corresponding to the designated product from the customer information. If there are not enough points, an error screen is displayed or a screen 140 shown in FIG. 24 is displayed.

[S58] The CPU 30a notifies the card company corresponding to the card from which the points have been deducted that the points have been deducted. [S59] The CPU 30a sends the product to the shipping department
Make a shipping request for the product.

Next, with reference to FIG. 32, the processing executed at the time of the auction will be described. When this flowchart is started, the following processing is executed. [S70] The CPU 30a transmits an auction screen 90 as shown in FIG. 16 to the client on the request side and displays the screen.

[S71] The CPU 30a determines whether or not the hot text "Sell" 90a has been operated. If the hot text has been operated, the process proceeds to step S72; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S75.

[S72] The CPU 30a transmits an auction exhibition screen 100 as shown in FIG. 17 to the client on the request side and displays it. [S73] The CPU 30a acquires the items input on the screen 100 shown in FIG.

[S74] The CPU 30a executes a process of listing in the auction based on the acquired information. [S75] The CPU 30a determines whether or not the bid button has been operated. If the bid button has been operated, the process proceeds to step S76; otherwise, the process ends.

[S76] The CPU 30a transmits and displays an auction bidding screen 110 as shown in FIG. 19 to the requesting client side client. [S77] The CPU 30a acquires the items input on the screen 110 shown in FIG.

[S78] The CPU 30a executes a process for bidding on an auction based on the acquired information. Next, with reference to FIG. 33, a description will be given of a process executed when a point placed in an auction is awarded. When this flowchart is started, the following processing is executed.

[S90] The CPU 30a determines whether or not the points exhibited in the auction have been awarded, and if awarded, the process proceeds to step S91; otherwise, the process ends.

[S91] The CPU 30a sends an e-mail as shown in FIG. 21 to the exhibitor. [S92] The CPU 30a determines whether or not the exhibitor has accessed by clicking the URL shown in FIG. 21. If there is access, the CPU 30a proceeds to step S93.
Otherwise, the same process is repeated.

[S93] The CPU 30a executes authentication processing of the accessing customer. [S94] The CPU 30a proceeds to step S95 if the accessing customer is a legitimate user, and otherwise ends the process.

[S95] The CPU 30a transmits a point transfer screen 120 as shown in FIG. 22 to the client of the exhibitor and displays it. [S96] The CPU 30a acquires the items input on the point transfer screen 120 shown in FIG.

[S97] The CPU 30a transfers the designated point from the transfer source to the transfer destination based on the input items. Next, with reference to FIG. 34, a description will be given of a process of transmitting a direct mail using customer information stored in the point totalization server 30.
When this flowchart is started, the following processing is executed.

[S110] The CPU 30a displays a DM transmission screen 150 as shown in FIG. 26 on the client of the administrator who wants to transmit the DM. [S111] The CPU 30a determines whether or not the input of the condition has been completed. If the input has been completed, the process proceeds to step S112. Otherwise, the same process is repeated.

[S112] The CPU 30a sets the screen 150
Get the conditions entered in. [S113] The CPU 30a searches the HDD 30d for customer information corresponding to the condition.

[S114] The CPU 30a creates an e-mail addressed to a group of customers meeting the conditions. [S115] The CPU 30a transmits the created e-mail to the corresponding customer group.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, an identification code assigning server that assigns an identification code to points that have been legally generated is provided to differentiate unauthorized points that have not been assigned an identification code, and to safely distribute points.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the second embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, network 1
., A client 162aa, 162ab, a retail client 162ba, 162bb, and a card company server 163.
a to 163c, and information can be transmitted and received between them.

[0133] The identification code assigning server 160 includes the CPU 1
60a, ROM 160b, RAM 160c, HDD 16
0d, a bus 160e, and an I / F 160f. The identification code is assigned to points issued when a customer purchases a product or the like at a retail store or the like, and various processes are performed on the points. .

The point totaling server 161a is provided by the CPU 1
61aa, ROM161ab, RAM161ac, HD
D161ad, bus 161ae, and I / F161
af, accumulates points issued when a customer purchases a product or the like at a retail store or the like, and provides various services related to the points.

The point totaling server 161b is a CPU
61ba, ROM161bb, RAM161bc, HD
D161bd, bus 161be, and I / F161
bf, accumulates points issued when a customer purchases a product or the like at a retail store or the like, and provides various services related to the points.

The point totaling servers 161a, 161b
・ ・ There are multiple point service companies that place
Each company provides points accumulation and various services related to points.

The clients 162aa, 162a on the customer side
b is a client arranged on the customer side, and is constituted by, for example, a personal computer.
The retail store-side clients 162ba, 162bb are clients arranged in the retail store, and are constituted by, for example, personal computers.

The network 164 is constituted by, for example, the Internet or a dedicated line. Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. Detailed description of procedures and operations similar to those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

First, in order for the customer to enjoy the point service, the point totaling server 161a, 1 of the point service company that provides a service meeting his / her request.
61b... To perform user registration.

As in the procedure of the first embodiment, the customer sends information required for user registration to the client-side client 16.
2aa and transmit it to the point totaling server 161a. The point tallying server 161a is a card company side server 1 corresponding to a payment card for which points are to be tapped.
Notify 63a that it has been the target of the aggregation service. The card company server 163a registers that the customer uses the point collection service, and transmits the points of the customer registered as a user and customer information to the point collection server 161a.

The point totalizing server 161a transmits the points and customer information of the customer obtained by the user registration to the identification code providing server 160. The identification code assignment server 160 assigns an identification code for uniquely identifying a point sent from the point totalization server 161a. The identification code assignment server 160 stores the identification code assigned to the points together with the customer information in the HDD 16.
Register at 0d.

FIG. 36 shows an example of customer information and an identification code registered in the identification code providing server. Assuming that “Patent Taro” has registered as a user, the identification code assignment server 160
HDD 160d, as shown in FIG.
"Name", "card number", "date and time of use" of the card used by "patent Taro", "store used" using the card, "occurrence points" generated by using the card,
“Amount”, “Identification code” uniquely assigned to the generated points, and “Used flag” indicating whether the points have been used for product exchange (OFF at the time of registration)
Status, details to be described later) are registered.

The identification code providing server 160 transmits the identification code provided to the point to the point totalizing server 161a. The point tally server 161a stores the identification code in the HDD 161ad.

FIG. 37 shows an example of customer information registered in the point totalizing server and an identification code given to the point. As shown in FIG.
The “name” of 'Patent Taro'
"Gender", "age", "user ID", "password", "address", "telephone number", "e-mail",
The “used card”, the “total points”, and the “identification code” of the points assigned by the identification code assignment server 160 are registered. The “identification code” (omitted in the middle) shown in FIG. 37 is the same as the “identification code” shown in FIG. 36, and “A-CARD”, “V-
CARD 'is the "card number"' 0123 shown in FIG.
45678890345 ',' 01234567895 '
4321 '.

Next, the customer operates the client 16 on the retail store side.
An operation in the case where a product or the like is purchased using a payment card at a retail store where 2ba is arranged will be described. A customer registered in the point totaling server 161a at a retail store,
It is assumed that the user purchases a product or the like and wishes to settle the payment with a payment card. The clerk is at the card company server 163
a is notified of the settlement information.

Card company server 1 that has received the settlement information
Reference numeral 63a adds information relating to the purchase of a new product and records points generated for the product.
In addition, since this customer has subscribed to the point totalization service, the card company server 163a stores the newly generated points and information on the customer in the point totalization server 1.
61a.

The point totaling server 161a transmits the points and the customer information received from the card company server 163a to the identification code providing server 160 in order to provide an identification code to the newly generated points.

The identification code assigning server 160 assigns a unique identification code to a newly generated point, and records it on the HDD 160d together with customer information. FIG. 38 is an example of customer information and an identification code registered in the identification code providing server after a new point is generated. Compared to FIG. 36, in the column of “Name” and “Taro Patent”, “Card number”, “Date and time of use”, “Store used”, “Point of occurrence”, “Amount”, “Identification code” , "Used flag" are additionally recorded.

The identification code providing server 160 transmits the identification code provided to the point to the point totalizing server 161a. The point totaling server 161a stores the identification code transmitted from the identification code providing server 160 in the HDD 1
Record on 61ad. FIG. 39 shows an example of customer information registered in the point totalization server after a new point is generated, and an identification code given to the point. Compared with FIG. 37, the cumulative point is added to “A-CARD” by “1”, and the identification code “CTU012234678901” is added.
247 'is additionally recorded (in FIG. 39, the identification code is omitted in the middle).

Subsequently, the point totaling server 161a
Create an email notifying that points have been generated,
It is transmitted to the client 162aa. The above processing is also performed when another payment card is used, the identification code is assigned by the identification code assigning server 160, and the point totaling server 161a is notified. When two or more points occur, a unique identification code is assigned to each point.

Next, a process for exchanging points for goods will be described. When a customer who knows that a predetermined amount of points have been accumulated exchanges points and merchandise, the customer accesses the point totaling server 161a in the same procedure as in the first embodiment, and exchanges the merchandise or the like to be exchanged. And select the point card to be used for exchange.

The point totalizing server 161a transmits the card number of the point used for exchange and the identification code of the point used for exchange to the identification code providing server 160.

For example, in FIG. 39, if “V-CARD” is selected as a card used for merchandise exchange and the number of points required for merchandise exchange is three, the point totaling server 161a arbitrarily sets the identification code 'EFH98
7654321012345 '' XDF5438765
21012345 '' LKU9887612321012
345 '(the identification code is omitted in FIG. 39) is transmitted to the identification code providing server 160.

[0154] The identification code providing server 160 stores the HDD 1
The identification code of the point corresponding to “V-CARD” (“card number” '123456678954321') stored in 60d is compared with the identification code sent from the point totalizing server 161a.

According to the collation result, when the transmitted identification code is stored in the HDD 160d, the identification code providing server 160 subtracts the number of points and turns on the used flag corresponding to the point used for commodity exchange. To FIG. 40 is an example of customer information and an identification code registered in the identification code providing server at the time of commodity exchange.
Compared to FIG. 38, “card number” '012234567
The occurrence point of 8954321 '("V-CARD") is subtracted from' 5 'to' 2 ', and the "identification code"' EF
H987654321012345 '' XDF5438
76521012345''LKU987612321
“Used flag” corresponding to “012345” is “O”
N '. A point having an identification code with the used flag set to “ON” indicates a used point used for merchandise exchange, and is a point at which point service cannot be received in the future.

The identification code providing server 160 compares the result indicating that the identification codes match with each other with the point totaling server 161.
Send to a. The point totaling server 161a recognizes that the points used for the commodity exchange are genuine,
Similar to the procedure described in the first embodiment, a process for merchandise exchange is performed.

The transmitted identification code is HDD 160d
If the identification code is not stored in the
Transmits a result to that effect to the point totalizing server 161a. The point tallying server 161a notifies the customer that the points used for the commodity exchange have been improperly issued and that the commodity cannot be exchanged.

Next, the operation in the case of transferring points between customers will be described. First, the auction exhibition of points will be described. As in the procedure of the auction described in the first embodiment, the number of points for selling points in the auction and necessary information are input. The number of points to be exhibited and information are recorded in the HDD 161ad of the point totalizing server 161a. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the point number “3” of “A-CARD” in FIG. 39 is exhibited.

The point totaling server 161a determines the point identification code 'AZW012345678901234.
5 "BAD01234567887636" CT
U012345678901247 ′ (omitted in FIG. 39) and the card number of “ACARD” (012345678902345) are transmitted to the identification code providing server 160.

The identification code assigning server 160 checks the received “A-CARD” card number “01234456789”.
The identification code of the point stored in the HDD 160d corresponding to 02345 'is checked against the identification code sent from the point totalizing server 161a.

According to the collation result, when the transmitted identification code is not stored in the HDD 160d, the identification code providing server 160 compares the result to that effect with the point totaling server 1.
61a. The point tallying server 161a notifies the customer that the points to be sold in the auction have been improperly issued and cannot be sold.

When the received identification code is HDD 160d
Is stored in the identification code providing server 160
Transmits this to the point tallying server 161a.
The point totaling server 161a recognizes that the points to be sold in the auction are regular points, and performs the selling process or the selling process according to the procedure described in the first embodiment.
Perform the bidding process.

As described above, the identification code providing server 160
By authenticating the identification code of the point, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized point from being put up for auction.

Next, regarding the successful bid of the points, “Patent Jiro” who registers the user in the point totaling server 161b,
The identification code “AZW01234567890” of “Patent Taro” registered as a user in the point totalization server 161a
12345 ',' BAD0123456787643
The case where the points of '6' and 'CTU012345678901247' are awarded will be described.

In the same manner as in the procedure for winning a point described in the first embodiment, when a point is awarded by an auction, an e-mail is transmitted to the exhibitor.
The seller contacts the successful bidder according to the instruction of the e-mail, and exchanges the price. When the transfer of the price is completed, the exhibitor inputs information from the client side client 162aa and transmits the information to the point totalizing server 161a.

The point totalizing server 161a performs an authentication process of the information input by “Taro Tokkyo”, and requests the identification code providing server 160 to authenticate whether or not the transferred points are legitimate points.

The identification code providing server 160 receives the card number of the point transferred from the point totalizing server 161a and the identification code of the point. The identification code providing server 160 compares the identification code of the point stored in the HDD 160d corresponding to the received "A-CARD"("cardnumber"'012345678902345') with the identification code sent from the point totalization server 161a. Collate. As shown in FIG. 40, the identification code providing server 160 transmits the identification code 'AZW012345.
6789012345 ',' BAD01234679
876436 ',' CTU0123456789012
Since it has a record of 47 'points, it is recognized as a legitimate point, and the point is identified as the card number' 012 of 'Patent Jiro'.
345678909876 'and transfer and record. FIG.
Is an example of customer information and an identification code registered in the identification code assignment server after the transfer. Compared to FIG. 40, the identification code “AZW01234567890” of “patent Taro”
12345 ',' BAD0123456787643
6 'and' CTU012345678901247 'have been transferred to' Patent Jiro '.

The identification code providing server 160 transmits to the point totalizing server 161a that the collation results match. The point totaling server 161a recognizes that the point to be transferred is a regular point, and performs a point transfer process to “Patent Jiro” registered as a user in the point totaling server 161b.

If the collation results do not match,
The identification code providing server 160 notifies the point totalizing server 161a of the fact, and the point totalizing server 161a
Does not transfer points.

Next, an example of the processing executed in the above-described second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 42 is an example of a flowchart executed when registering a member in the point tallying server. When this flowchart is executed, the following processing is executed.

[S160] The point totaling server 161a
CPU 161aa transmits a predetermined HTML document stored in the HDD 161ad to the accessing client side client. As a result, the registration screen 40 as shown in FIG.
Is displayed.

[S161] The CPU 161aa obtains items input on the registration screen 40 as shown in FIG. [S162] The CPU 161aa makes an inquiry to the card company servers 163a to 163c of the card company to determine whether or not the customer who has applied for registration has a payment card.

[S163] The CPU 161aa transmits a screen 50 as shown in FIG. 4 to the client side client to display the service target card name. [S164] The CPU 161aa acquires the specified card name on the screen 50 as shown in FIG.

[S165] The CPU 161aa causes the client-side client to display a screen 60 as shown in FIG.
Get the card number of the specified card. [S166] The CPU 161aa requests the identification code assignment server 160 to assign the point identification code.

[S167] The CPU 161aa acquires the point identification code assigned by the identification code assignment server 160. [S168] The CPU 161aa causes the client-side client to display a registration completion screen 70 as shown in FIG.

[S169] The CPU 161aa obtains the password input on the screen 70 as shown in FIG. [S170] The CPU 161aa stores the customer identification information as shown in FIG.
Register in d.

Next, with reference to FIG. 43, an example of a flowchart executed when the card company server notifies the point totalizing server that a point has been generated will be described. When this flowchart starts,
The following processing is performed.

[S180] The point totaling server 161a
CPU 161aa of the card company side server 163a-
It is determined whether a point has been notified from 163c. If a point has occurred, step S18 is performed.
Proceed to 1; otherwise, end the process.

[S181] The CPU 161aa specifies a card company and a customer related to the generation of points. [S182] The CPU 161a requests the identification code assignment server 160 to assign the identification code of the point.

[S183] The CPU 161a compares the points to which the identification code has been assigned with the identification code assignment server 160.
To get from. [S184] The CPU 161aa updates the accumulated points of the corresponding payment card of the corresponding customer information stored in the HDD 161ad by adding the generated points.

[S185] The CPU 161aa updates the total points of the customer information by adding the generated points. [S186] The CPU 161aa executes a settlement process of collecting a price and a fee for the generated points from the card company. Specifically, the corresponding price and fee are deducted from the bank account of the card company.

[S187] The CPU 161aa executes the processing in FIG.
As shown in (1), an e-mail is transmitted to the customer, and the customer is notified of the usage details of the payment card and the status of point generation.

Next, with reference to FIG. 44, an example of a flowchart executed when an identification code is requested from the point totalizing server to the identification code providing server will be described. When this flowchart is started, the following processing is executed.

[S190] Identification code assignment server 160
CPU 160a receives the customer information and the points sent from the point totalizing server 161a, and assigns a unique identification code to each point.

[S191] The CPU 160a stores the customer information and the point to which the identification code has been assigned in the HDD 160d.
To save. [S192] The CPU 160a transmits the point to which the identification code is assigned to the point totalizing server 161a.

Next, with reference to FIG. 45, an example of a process executed when exchanging points for a product on a homepage will be described. When this flowchart is started, the following processing is executed.

[S200] Point totalizing server 161a
CPU 161aa executes authentication processing of the accessing customer. [S201] The CPU 161aa determines whether or not the user is a legitimate user.
Proceed to step 2 and otherwise terminate the process.

[S202] The CPU 161aa searches the HDD 161ad for customer information corresponding to the customer. [S203] The CPU 161aa obtains point information from the customer information.

[S204] The CPU 161aa obtains data on exchangeable products from the HDD 161ad. [S205] The CPU 161aa transmits the data acquired in step S204 to the client on the requesting side, and displays a list of exchangeable products as shown in FIG.

[S206] The CPU 161aa determines whether or not a product has been selected. If the product has been selected, the process proceeds to step S207; otherwise, the same process is repeated.

[S207] The CPU 161a makes an authentication request to the identification code providing server 160 as to whether or not the points are legitimate. [S208] The CPU 161aa receives the authentication result of the points to be exchanged from the identification code providing server 160, and if the points are legitimate, the process proceeds to Step S20.
The process proceeds to step S9, and if not, the process ends.

[S209] The CPU 161aa subtracts points corresponding to the designated product from the customer information.
If there are not enough points, an error screen is displayed or a screen 140 shown in FIG. 24 is displayed.

[S210] The CPU 161aa notifies the card company corresponding to the card from which the points have been subtracted that the points have been subtracted. [S211] The CPU 161aa requests the product shipping department to send the product.

Next, with reference to FIG. 46, an example of a process of authenticating whether or not the point is a point at which the commodity can be exchanged by the identification code providing server will be described. When this flowchart is started, the following processing is executed.

[S220] Identification Code Assignment Server 160
CPU 160a receives the card number and the identification code from the point totalizing server 161a, and compares the point identification code for the received card number stored in the HDD 160d with the received identification code. As a result of the comparison, if an identification code that matches the received identification code is stored in the HDD 160d, step S221
If not, the process proceeds to step S223.

[S221] The CPU 160a sets (ON) a used flag in the HDD 160d indicating that an invalid point is obtained by exchanging goods by points.

[S222] The CPU 160a generates information indicating that the received identification code matches the identification code stored in the HDD 160d. [S223] The CPU 160a generates information indicating that the received identification code does not match the identification code stored in the HDD 160d.

[S224] The CPU 160a transmits the information generated in step 222 or step 223 to the point totalizing server 161a. Next, an example of a process executed at the time of an auction will be described with reference to FIG. When this flowchart starts,
The following processing is performed.

[S230] Point totalizing server 161a
CPU 161aa transmits a screen 90 of an auction as shown in FIG. 16 to the client at the requesting side and displays it.

[S231] The CPU 161aa determines whether or not the hot text "Sell" 90a has been operated. If it has been operated, the process proceeds to step S232; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S237.

[S232] The CPU 161aa executes the processing in FIG.
Is transmitted to and displayed on the client-side client who made the request. [S233] The CPU 161aa sets the screen 1 shown in FIG.
The item input at 00 is acquired.

[S234] The CPU 161aa requests the identification code providing server 160 to authenticate whether or not the exhibited point is a regular point. [S235] The CPU 161aa receives the authentication result of the exhibited point from the identification code providing server 160,
If the point is legitimate, the process proceeds to step S236. If the point is not legitimate, a message indicating that the item cannot be sold is transmitted to the client side client, and the process proceeds to step S237.

[S236] The CPU 161aa executes a process of listing in the auction based on the acquired information. [S237] The CPU 161aa determines whether or not the bid button has been operated. If the bid button has been operated, the CPU 161aa proceeds to Step S2.
Go to step 38, otherwise end the process.

[S238] The CPU 161aa determines whether the processing shown in FIG.
A screen 110 for auction bidding as shown in (1) is transmitted to the client on the requesting side and displayed. [S239] The CPU 161aa selects the screen 1 shown in FIG.
In step 10, the input item is obtained.

[S240] The CPU 161aa executes a process of bidding on an auction based on the acquired information. Next, with reference to FIG. 48, an example of a process executed when authentication is performed to determine whether or not points to be put up for auction are regular points will be described. When this flowchart is started, the following processing is executed.

[S250] Identification Code Assignment Server 160
CPU 160a receives the card number and the identification code from the point totalizing server 161a, and compares the identification code of the point corresponding to the received card number stored in the HDD 160d with the received identification code. As a result of the comparison, if an identification code that matches the received identification code is stored in the HDD 160d, step S251
If not, the process proceeds to step S252.

[S251] The CPU 160a generates information indicating that the received identification code matches the identification code stored in the HDD 160d. [S252] The CPU 160a generates information indicating that the received identification code does not match the identification code stored in the HDD 160d.

[S253] The CPU 160a transmits the information generated in step S251 or S252 to the point totalizing server 161a. Next, FIG.
With reference to FIG. 9, an example of a process that is executed when a point placed in an auction is awarded will be described. When this flowchart is started, the following processing is executed.

[S260] Point totalizing server 161a
CPU 161aa determines whether or not the points on the auction have been awarded, and if awarded, proceeds to step S261; otherwise, ends the process.

[S261] The CPU 161aa is configured as shown in FIG.
An e-mail as shown in is sent to the seller. [S262] The CPU 161aa converts the URL shown in FIG.
By clicking, it is determined whether or not the seller has made an access. If there is an access, the process proceeds to step S263, and otherwise, the same process is repeated.

[S263] The CPU 161aa executes authentication processing of the accessing customer. [S264] The CPU 161aa determines whether or not the accessing customer is a legitimate user. If the customer is a legitimate user, the process proceeds to step S265; otherwise, the process ends.

[S265] The CPU 161aa executes the processing in FIG.
Is transmitted to the client of the seller and displayed. [S266] The CPU 161aa obtains items input on the point transfer screen 120 shown in FIG.

[S267] The CPU 161aa requests the identification code assignment server 160 to authenticate whether or not the successful bid point is a legitimate point. [S268] The CPU 161aa receives the authentication result of the awarded point from the identification code providing server 160,
If the point is legitimate, the process proceeds to step S269; otherwise, the process ends.

[S269] The CPU 161aa transfers the designated point from the transfer source to the transfer destination based on the input items. Next, with reference to FIG. 50, an example of a process executed when authentication is performed to determine whether or not a point won in an auction is a legitimate point will be described. When this flowchart is started, the following processing is executed.

[S280] Identification code assignment server 160
CPU 160a receives the card number and the identification code from the point totalizing server 161a, and compares the point identification code for the received card number stored in the HDD 160d with the received identification code. As a result of the comparison, if an identification code that matches the received identification code is stored in the HDD 160d, the process proceeds to step S281.
If not, the process proceeds to step S283.

[S281] The CPU 160a determines the points to be transferred together with the customer information of the transfer destination by using the HDD 160d.
To save. [S282] The CPU 160a generates information indicating that the received identification code matches the identification code stored in the HDD 160d.

[S283] The CPU 160a generates information indicating that the received identification code does not match the identification code stored in the HDD 160d. [S284] The CPU 160a transmits the information generated in Step S282 or Step S283 to the point totalizing server 161a.

As described above, when points are generated by user registration or product exchange, the identification code is assigned by the identification code assignment server 160, so that the identification code handled by a third party who commits an illegal act can be used. Points that have not been given can be differentiated, and the distribution of fraudulent points can be prevented.

In addition, merchandise exchange by points, or
By authenticating the identification code of the point by the identification code providing server 160 at the time of selling the point at the auction, the exchange of goods due to improper points or the listing at the auction is excluded, and the exchange of points is safely performed. It can be carried out.

[0220] Further, when the points are transferred, the identification code providing server 160 authenticates the identification codes of the points, so that the fraudulent person can use the network 164.
, The act of transferring points to the point totaling server to which the user subscribes can be eliminated.

In the first and second embodiments described above, a credit card has been described as an example of a payment card. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case. It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to cards, electronic money, and the like.

Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied not only to payment cards but also to so-called point cards adopted by retail stores and the like. Finally, the above processing functions can be realized by a computer. In that case, the point totaling server 30, 161a,
The processing contents of the functions that the 161b should have are described in a program recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the above processing is realized by the computer by executing the program on the computer. Computer-readable recording media include magnetic recording devices and semiconductor memories. For distribution to the market, CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory)
The program may be stored and distributed on a portable recording medium such as a hard disk or a flexible disk, or stored in a storage device of a computer connected via a network, and transferred to another computer via the network. When the program is executed by the computer, the program is stored in a hard disk device or the like in the computer, and is loaded into the main memory and executed.

(Supplementary Note 1) In an information processing method for processing points generated by buying or selling goods or services, a point obtaining step of obtaining points generated by buying or selling goods or services from a plurality of point service providers; An information processing method, comprising: a classification step of classifying points acquired by the point acquisition step for each customer; and an accumulation step of accumulating points classified by the classification step for each customer.

(Supplementary note 2) The information processing method according to Supplementary note 1, wherein the point service provider is a payment card company, and the points are generated according to the usage amount of the payment card at the time of purchasing the product. .

(Supplementary Note 3) The point service provider is a retail store, and the points are generated according to the payment amount at the time of purchase of a product.
The information processing method described.

(Supplementary note 4) The supplementary note 1 characterized by further comprising a value unifying step for unifying the value when the value of the points acquired in the point acquiring step differs for each point service provider. Information processing method.

(Supplementary Note 5) A point exchange product display step of displaying a list of products that can be exchanged for points to a client on the customer side,
The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising: when a predetermined point exchange product is designated, an exchange process step of exchanging the product for points.

(Supplementary note 6) The information processing method according to supplementary note 5, wherein the points exchanged in the exchange processing step are points of a point service provider based on the instruction of the customer.

(Supplementary Note 7) At a retail store, if a customer who owns the points makes a product purchase request by points, the retail store further includes a product purchase step of performing a product purchase process by points. The information processing method described.

(Supplementary note 8) The information processing method according to supplementary note 1, further comprising a point transfer step of transferring points between two or more customers when a request for transferring points is made by a customer.

(Supplementary note 9) The information processing method according to supplementary note 1, further comprising an auction step of performing an auction for the purpose of determining an optimum trading partner before transferring points in the point transfer step.

(Supplementary note 10) The information processing method according to supplementary note 1, further comprising a point occurrence notifying step of notifying a customer of the occurrence of a new point by e-mail when a new point is generated.

(Supplementary Note 11) The supplementary note 1, further comprising a point information transmitting step of transmitting information about points to a client of the customer when a request for displaying information about points is made from a customer. Information processing method.

(Supplementary Note 12) A customer information storing step of storing information relating to each customer, a condition setting step of setting conditions for specifying a specific customer, and a predetermined customer corresponding to the condition is identified from the customer information. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising a customer specifying step of specifying.

(Supplementary note 13) The information processing method according to supplementary note 12, further comprising an e-mail transmitting step of transmitting an e-mail including predetermined content information to the customer specified in the customer specifying step. .

(Supplementary Note 14) In an information processing apparatus for processing points generated by buying and selling goods or services, a point obtaining means for obtaining points generated by buying or selling goods or services from a plurality of point service providers, Sorting means for sorting the points obtained by the point obtaining means for each customer,
An accumulating means for accumulating points classified by the separating means for each customer.

(Supplementary Note 15) In a client information processing method for exchanging information with a server that performs processing for points generated by buying and selling goods or services, authentication information for accessing the server and authenticating a customer is provided. An authentication information transmitting step of transmitting information, a point information obtaining step of obtaining information on points generated by buying and selling goods or services, and an output step of outputting the point information to a display device. Processing method.

(Supplementary Note 16) In a client information processing apparatus for exchanging information with a server that performs processing for points generated by buying and selling goods or services, authentication information for accessing the server and authenticating a customer is provided. Information transmitting means for transmitting information, points information obtaining means for obtaining information on points generated by buying and selling goods or services, and output means for outputting the point information to a display device. Processing equipment.

(Supplementary Note 17) In a point management method for managing points generated by buying and selling goods or services, a point obtaining step of obtaining points generated by buying or selling goods or services and customer information from a point totaling server; An identification code assigning step of assigning an identification code for uniquely identifying each point to the points acquired by the point acquisition step, and the points assigned the identification codes by the identification code assigning step are stored together with the customer information. A point management method, comprising: a storing step; and a point transmitting step of transmitting a point to which an identification code is assigned by the identification code assigning step to the point totalizing server.

(Supplementary Note 18) An identification code acquiring step of acquiring an identification code of a point to be exchanged and the customer information from the point totalizing server, an identification code acquired by the identification code acquiring step, and the storage An identification code matching step of matching an identification code for the customer information stored by the step,
When the identification code acquired by the identification code acquisition step and the identification code for the customer information stored by the storage step match, a point use storage step of storing information indicating that a point has been used, 18. The point management method according to claim 17, further comprising: transmitting a collation result to the point totalizing server.

(Supplementary Note 19) An identification code acquiring step for acquiring an identification code of a point to be transferred and the customer information from the point totalizing server, an identification code acquired in the identification code acquiring step, and a storage step. 18. The point management method according to claim 17, further comprising: an identification code collating step of collating an identification code with the customer information stored by the method according to claim 1, and a transmitting step of transmitting the collation result to the point totalizing server. .

(Supplementary Note 20) The identification code of the point to be transferred, the customer information, and the customer information of the transfer destination from the point totaling server, an identification code acquiring step, and the identification code acquired by the identification code acquiring step. A code, an identification code collation step for collating the identification code for the customer information stored in the storage step, an identification code acquired in the identification code acquisition step, and an identification code for the customer information stored in the storage step. 18. The point management method according to claim 17, further comprising: a point transfer storing step of storing the identification code together with the transfer destination customer information when the identification code matches.

(Supplementary note 21) The point management method according to supplementary note 17, wherein the customer information is a credit card number used by the customer. (Supplementary Note 22) In a point management device that performs processing on points generated by buying or selling goods or services, a point obtaining unit that obtains points generated by buying or selling goods or services and customer information from a point collection server, and the point obtaining Means for assigning an identification code for uniquely identifying each point to the points obtained by the means, and storage means for storing the points to which the identification code has been assigned by the identification code providing means together with the customer information. And a point transmitting means for transmitting the points to which the identification code has been given by the identification code providing means to the point totalizing server.

[0244]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the information processing method for processing points generated by buying and selling goods or services, points generated by buying or selling goods or services can be obtained from a plurality of point service providers. Since a point acquiring step to acquire, a sorting step to sort the points acquired by the point acquiring step for each customer, and an accumulation step to accumulate the points sorted by the sorting step for each customer are provided, a plurality of points are provided. Even if you own a payment card, it is possible to collectively use points generated by using each payment card.

According to the present invention, in a client information processing method for exchanging information with a server which performs processing for points generated by buying and selling goods or services, an authentication method for accessing a server and authenticating a customer is provided. An authentication information transmitting step of transmitting information, a point information obtaining step of obtaining information on points generated by buying and selling goods or services, and an output step of outputting point information to a display device are provided. , It is possible to collectively display the point information on all the payment cards.

According to the present invention, in a point management method for managing points generated by buying and selling goods or services, a point obtaining step of obtaining points generated by buying or selling goods or services and customer information from a point totaling server. An identification code assigning step of assigning an identification code for uniquely identifying each point to the points acquired by the point acquisition step, and storing the points assigned the identification codes by the identification code assigning step together with customer information. And a point transmitting step of transmitting the point, to which the identification code has been assigned by the identification code providing step, to the point totalizing server, so that the identification code, which is handled by a third party who commits the wrongdoing, is provided. No difference However, it is possible to safely distribution points.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle diagram for explaining the operation principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an example of a screen displayed when registering a member with the point totalizing server.

FIG. 4 is a display example of a screen for selecting a payment card to be counted.

FIG. 5 is a screen for inputting a card number of a payment card selected on the screen shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a display example of a screen for displaying points and inputting a password.

FIG. 7 is an example of customer information registered in the point totalization server shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is an example of customer information registered in a card company server shown in FIG. 2;

9 is a diagram showing changes in customer information shown in FIG. 8 when a product is purchased with a payment card.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing changes in customer information shown in FIG. 7 when a product is purchased with a payment card.

FIG. 11 is an example of an e-mail sent to a customer when a product is purchased with a payment card.

FIG. 12 is an example of a screen displayed when a customer accesses the point totalization server and inquires about a point accumulation state.

FIG. 13 is a product list screen displayed when a customer accesses the point totalization server and requests exchange of points for products.

FIG. 14 is an example of customer information when a predetermined product and points are exchanged on the screen shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an example of a display screen for subtracting a desired point from a target payment card.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display example of an auction.

FIG. 17 is an example of a screen displayed when selling at an auction.

18 is a display example of an auction after contents input on the screen shown in FIG. 17 are reflected.

FIG. 19 is an example of a screen displayed when bidding on an auction.

20 is a display example of an auction after contents input on the screen shown in FIG. 19 are reflected;

FIG. 21 is an example of an e-mail sent to an exhibitor when an auction ends.

FIG. 22 is a display example of a screen displayed when a point is transferred.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a display example of a reverse auction.

FIG. 24 is an example of a screen displayed when points are insufficient when exchanging for a product.

FIG. 25 is an example of a screen displayed when purchasing a product at a retail store.

FIG. 26 is a display example of a screen for inputting a condition when a direct mail is transmitted to a customer stored in the point aggregation server.

FIG. 27 is an example of direct mail.

FIG. 28 is an example of a flowchart executed when a user is registered in the point totalization server.

FIG. 29 is an example of a flowchart executed by the point totalizing server when a product is purchased with a payment card.

FIG. 30 is an example of a flowchart executed when a customer inquires of a point totalization server about accumulated points.

FIG. 31 is an example of a flowchart executed when a point is exchanged for a product.

FIG. 32 is an example of a flowchart relating to an auction.

FIG. 33 is an example of a flowchart executed when a point is awarded in an auction.

FIG. 34 is an example of a flowchart executed when a direct mail is transmitted to a customer.

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is an example of customer information and an identification code registered in the identification code providing server.

FIG. 37 shows customer information registered in the point tallying server;
It is an example of the identification code given to the point.

FIG. 38 is an example of customer information and an identification code registered in the identification code providing server after a new point is generated.

FIG. 39 is an example of customer information registered in the point aggregation server after a new point is generated, and an identification code assigned to the point.

FIG. 40 is an example of customer information and an identification code registered in an identification code providing server at the time of commodity exchange.

FIG. 41 is an example of customer information and an identification code registered in an identification code assignment server after transfer.

FIG. 42 is an example of a flowchart executed when registering a member in the point tallying server;

FIG. 43 is an example of a flowchart executed when the card company server notifies the point totalization server that points have been generated;

FIG. 44 is an example of a flowchart executed when an identification code assignment request is issued from the point totalization server to the identification code assignment server;

FIG. 45 is an example of a flowchart executed when a point is exchanged for a product on a homepage.

FIG. 46 is an example of a flowchart executed when the identification code providing server authenticates whether or not the point is a product exchangeable point;

FIG. 47 is an example of a flowchart executed at the time of an auction.

FIG. 48 is an example of a flowchart executed when authentication is performed to determine whether or not points to be put up for auction are legitimate points.

FIG. 49 is an example of a flowchart executed when points exhibited in an auction are awarded.

FIG. 50 is an example of a process executed when authentication is performed to determine whether or not a point sold at an auction is a legitimate point.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Point totalizing server 1a Point acquisition means 1b Classification means 1c Value unification means 1d Accumulation means 2 Client side client 2a Authentication information transmission means 2b Point information acquisition means 2c Output means 2d Display device 3 Network 4,5 Retail store 6,7 Card company 30, 161a, 161b Point totalizing server 30a, 160a, 161aa, 161ba CPU 30b, 160b, 161ab, 161bb ROM 30c, 160c, 161ac, 161bc RAM 30d, 160d, 161ad, 161bd HDD 30e, 160e, 161ae, 161e, 161e, 161e, 161e, 161e, 161e, 161e, 161b 30g, 160f, 161af, 161bf
I / F 31, 34, 164 Network 32-1, 32-2, 162aa, 162ab Customer side client 33-1, 33-2, 162ba, 162bb Retail store side client 160 Identification code assignment server

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An information processing method for processing points generated by buying or selling goods or services, wherein: a point obtaining step of obtaining points generated by buying or selling goods or services from a plurality of point service providers; An information processing method, comprising: a classification step of classifying points acquired by an acquisition step for each customer; and an accumulation step of accumulating points classified by the classification step for each customer. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the point service provider is a payment card company, and the points are generated in accordance with a usage amount of the payment card when purchasing a product. 3. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the point service provider is a retail store, and the points are generated according to a payment amount at the time of purchase of a product. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a value unifying step for unifying the value when the value of the points acquired in the point acquiring step differs for each point service provider. Information processing method. 5. A point exchange product display step of displaying a list of products that can be exchanged for points to a client on the customer side, and when a predetermined point exchange product is designated in the client, the product and points are 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising: an exchange processing step of performing processing for exchanging. 6. The points exchanged in the exchange processing step are points of a point service provider based on an instruction of the customer.
The information processing method described. 7. A retail store, further comprising a product purchase step of performing a product purchase process using points when a customer who owns the points issues a product purchase request using the points. Information processing method. 8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of transferring points between two or more customers when a request for transferring points is made by a customer.
The information processing method described. 9. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising a point occurrence notifying step of notifying the customer by e-mail when a new point is generated. 10. A point management method for managing points generated by buying and selling goods or services, a point obtaining step of obtaining points generated by buying or selling goods or services and customer information from a point collection server; An identification code assigning step of assigning an identification code for uniquely identifying each point to the points acquired in the step, and a storage step of storing the points assigned the identification code in the identification code assigning step together with the customer information. A point management method, comprising: transmitting a point to which an identification code has been assigned by the identification code providing step to the point totalizing server.