JP2003288523A - Point information providing method, point information providing system, management computer, computer program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To provide a point information providing system in which a customer can easily and at low cost manage a plurality of types of points respectively issued by different sellers. SOLUTION: A seller computer 2 assigns a common attribute to a plurality of sellers to the point information and the seller information, and transmits the point information and the seller information after the attribute assignment to the management computer 1. I do. Management computer 1
Registers the point information and the seller information transmitted from the computers 2, 2, 2... Of each seller in the database. The management computer 1 generates a file relating to the point information of each customer for each seller based on the registered point information and seller information. Then, the file containing the point information of each seller is transmitted to the computer 3 of the customer.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to information on points issued to a computer of a customer who receives points by a management computer which manages a plurality of types of points issued by computers of a plurality of sellers. The present invention relates to a point information providing method, a point information providing system, a management computer, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a point system service for awarding points according to a purchase price has been widely used for the purpose of promoting sales to customers. This is because when a customer purchases a product, a few percent of the product price is issued as a point, and this point is used as a currency only at the store of the seller or a store related to the seller (for example, between chain stores). It is something that can be used. The issued points are recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic card or an IC card.

If points have already been issued several times, the points are accumulated in the recording medium as accumulating points. In addition to such issuing points and accumulating points, point information such as customer information (member No., name, etc.), point expiration date, last use date, etc. is recorded on the recording medium. Since such a point card system has a very high sales promotion effect, many sellers have introduced it, and each seller introduces their own point return rate, point expiration date, special points, etc. A wide variety of high-performance point card systems are in widespread use.

For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-43451, point information issued by each member member store is recorded in a database of a central center and a recording medium such as an IC card, and points are moved between them. There is disclosed a sales point comprehensive management system that can be performed.

In recent years, there are many virtual stores on the network, but Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-78989 discloses a point service system for collectively managing points issued by these virtual stores at a center. Has been done.

[0006]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
The sales point integrated management system disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 001-43451 is to manage points by using a recording medium such as an IC card that is common to all sellers, and adopts a recording medium common to all sellers. Also, it is necessary to force the introduction of a reader, and there is a problem that the cost required for the introduction rises. Further, the point service system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-78989 manages only the points issued at the virtual mall in the electronic mall, and is unrelated to the virtual mall in the electronic mall, or Points issued at actual stores that are completely different from the e-mall were not subject to management.

[0007] Further, since a plurality of types of points are issued by a plurality of sellers to the customer, the management becomes complicated, and the expiration date of the issued points is often overlooked. .

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is common to point information and seller information relating to a plurality of types of points individually issued by a plurality of sellers. By managing the point information etc. to which this attribute is added with the management computer and providing it to the customer, it is possible to easily reduce the number of types of points issued by different sellers. It is to provide a point information providing method, a point information providing system, and a management computer that can be managed at a cost.

Another object of the present invention is to issue a customer by managing expiration dates defined by each seller in a management computer and notifying the customer of warning information as necessary. It is to provide a point information providing system and a management computer capable of avoiding a situation where points are lost due to an expiration date.

Further, another object of the present invention is to retrieve the point information of each seller provided to the customer's computer, and to extract the point information of the seller that matches the search condition, thereby providing a large number of points. It is to provide a point information providing system that allows a seller to easily know the point information and the like of a desired seller, a computer program for realizing the functions of a computer, and a recording medium.

[0011]

A point information providing method according to a first aspect of the present invention is directed to a customer who receives points issued by a management computer that manages a plurality of types of points issued by computers of a plurality of sellers. A point information providing method for providing information on issued points to a computer, the points issued by the seller's computer, accumulated points, expiration date of points, or customers who received points. A step of assigning common attributes among a plurality of sellers to the point information and the seller information including information, and the point information and the seller information to which the attributes are added from the seller's computer to the management computer The step of sending and the sending from the seller's computer by the management computer. The step of registering the point information and the seller information, and the step of generating a file relating to the point information of each seller of each customer by the management computer, based on the registered point information and the seller information. Sending the file from the management computer to the customer's computer.

The point information providing system according to the second aspect of the present invention comprises a management computer for managing a plurality of types of points issued by computers of a plurality of sellers.
A point information providing system for providing information on issued points to a computer of a customer who has been issued points, wherein the computer of the seller includes issued points, accumulated points, expiration date of points, Or, to the point information and the seller information including the customer information that has been issued points, a means for giving a common attribute among a plurality of sellers, and the point information and the seller information to which the attribute is given Means for transmitting to the management computer, wherein the management computer registers the point information and the seller information transmitted from the seller's computer, and each customer based on the registered point information and the seller information. The generation means that generates the file related to the point information for each seller of Characterized in that it comprises a means for transmitting to the computer.

A management computer according to a third aspect of the present invention is a management computer for managing a plurality of types of points issued by a plurality of sellers, and is issued with attributes common to a plurality of sellers. Means for receiving point information and seller information including external points, accumulated points, expiration date of points, or customer information that issued points, and means for registering the received point information and seller information And a generation means for generating a file relating to point information in each seller of each customer based on the registered point information and seller information,
And a means for transmitting the generated file to the outside.

A computer program according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a computer program for displaying a plurality of types of points issued by a plurality of sellers,
The point information and the seller information including the issued points, the accumulated points, the expiration date of the points, or the customer information issued with the points to which the common attribute is given to a plurality of sellers are added to the computer. Based on the generated point information in each seller, the step of causing the computer to accept the input of the search condition in the output file, the computer to the input search condition On the basis of the above, the step of causing a seller that matches the search condition to be extracted and the step of causing the computer to generate a hyperlink that links to the point information and the seller information relating to the extracted seller are performed. .

A computer-readable recording medium according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is a recording medium in which a computer program for displaying a plurality of types of points issued by a plurality of sellers is recorded. Based on point information and seller information including issued points, accumulated points, expiration date of points, or customer information issued points, with common attributes assigned to multiple sellers. Based on the input search conditions, a step of outputting the generated file relating to the point information of each seller, a step of causing the computer to accept the input of the search conditions in the output file, Then, the step of causing the computer to extract the sellers matching the search condition Computer program for executing the steps of generating a hyperlink that links to point information and merchant information relating to sales person, characterized in that it is recorded.

In the first invention, the second invention, and the third invention, the computer of the seller is the issued point,
Common to multiple sellers for point information including points accumulated through past purchases, expiration date of points, or customer information that issued points, and seller information such as seller name and sales promotion information Attribute is added. The metadata given to the point information and the seller information is described in, for example, XML (Extensible Markup Language). The point information and the seller information to which these attributes are added are transmitted from the seller's computer to the management computer.

The management computer registers in the database the point information and the seller information transmitted from each seller's computer. The management computer generates a file relating to the point information of each seller of each customer based on the registered point information and seller information. This file is for example HTML (Hyper Text Markup Languag
It is described in e). That is, by incorporating the point information described in XML read from the database into HTML and XSL (Extensible Style Language) prepared in advance, an HTML file that can be browsed by the customer's browser is generated.

Since the file containing the point information of each seller is transmitted to the customer's computer, the customer can easily grasp all the different points issued by each seller. Is possible. In addition, since it is not necessary for each seller to introduce a common IC card or the like, each seller can continue to use the existing point card, and it is possible to provide point information common to all sellers at a low price. . Further, the present system allows each seller to freely notify the customer of point information and provide sales promotion information beyond the frame of a shopping mall, thereby further activating commercial transactions.

Further, a clock unit is prepared in the management computer, and the expiration date of the points registered in the database is compared with the date and time data output from the clock unit to determine whether the period until the expiration date is within a predetermined period. To judge. When it is determined that the period until the expiration date is within the predetermined period, the customer information is referred to and the warning information is transmitted to the customer's computer. It is possible to avoid such a situation. Further, it is possible for the seller to reduce the burden without having to give an individual warning.

In the fourth and fifth aspects, the customer's computer accepts the search condition for the received file. For example, the management computer sends an HTML file in which point information of each seller is described to the customer's computer and a J file for performing a search in the HTML file.
Submit an ava applet or script. The point information of each seller is displayed on the browser of the customer's computer, and an applet is activated so that the file can be searched. The computer accepts search conditions, for example, a seller whose expiration date is near, conditions under which sales promotion information includes the term “sale, bargain”, and the like. The computer extracts a seller who matches the search condition and generates a hyperlink for accessing the point information and the seller information of the extracted seller.

With this configuration, the point information and the seller information of the searched seller can be easily accessed. In particular, since it is expected that the number of sellers who provide point information and the like will increase in this system, usability can be further improved by enabling such a search.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings showing an embodiment. Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a point information providing system according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 2 denotes a seller's computer (hereinafter referred to as a seller computer) such as a personal computer which manages points issued by each seller, and is connected to a POS (Point of Sales) terminal device group 20. It manages the point information output from the POS terminal device 20. In addition to sales information, the seller computer 2 manages customer information, issuing points, accumulating points, point expiration dates, and other point information.

The point information and the seller information issued by the seller computer 2 of each seller are given metadata common to each seller such as XML, and then, via the communication network N such as the Internet. It is transmitted to a management computer (hereinafter referred to as a server computer) 1. The server computer 1 comprehensively manages customer points,
HTM that edits point information related to each seller for each customer
Generate an L file. Customer's computer such as personal computer, mobile phone or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) (hereinafter referred to as customer computer 3)
When accessing the server computer 1 from the
The L file is downloaded, and information such as sales promotion information, issuing points, accumulating points, point expiration dates, etc. for each seller is displayed on the browser as shown in the figure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the seller computer 2. As shown in the figure, CP
A U (Central Processing Unit) 21 is connected via a bus 27 to a RAM 22, a storage unit 25 such as a hard disk, and a POS.
A communication unit 26 such as a gateway for transmitting and receiving information to and from the terminal device 20 and the server computer 1, a display unit 24 such as a liquid crystal display, and an input unit 23 such as a keyboard and a mouse are connected. The RAM 22 stores a control program 22P for controlling the storage unit 25, the display unit 24, the input unit 23, and the like.

A card reader (not shown) is connected to the POS terminal device 20 to read customer information such as a customer ID recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic card or an IC card and output it to the POS terminal device 20. To do. POS terminal device 2
0 outputs sales data and customer information to the seller computer 2. The seller computer 2 has a point information database (hereinafter, point information DB) 25 based on the customer information.
2 is searched, the accumulated points are read, and the issue points converted based on the transmitted sales data are added. The issuance points and the accumulated points after the addition are stored in the point information DB 252 with a new expiration date set, output to the POS terminal device 20 again, and the card reader overwrites the information of the issuance points, accumulation points, and expiration dates. It The expiration date may be set, for example, one year after the sales data is stored.

The point information DB described above is stored in the storage unit 25.
In addition to 252, a seller information database (seller information DB) 251 that stores sales promotion information and the like is prepared. Figure 3
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a record layout of a seller information DB 251. As shown in the figure, in addition to the basic information of the seller name (seller A) and the seller code (001), sales promotion information is stored. These sales promotion information is transmitted to the server computer 1 and finally output to the customer computer 3 in order to improve sales, and is provided by piggybacking the point information.

The sales promotion information is associated with a unique sales promotion information code for identifying each sales promotion information (sales information, bargain information, URL of seller HP, etc.),
The information on the publication start date and the publication end date is stored. Since it is important to provide sales promotion information in consideration of the timing of seasons and seasons, the publication start date and the publication end date are registered. This promotional information is posted in the HTML file provided to the customer computer 3 according to the passage of the posting start date, and this promotional information is deleted from the HTML file due to the passage of the posting end date.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a record layout of the point information DB 252. As point information, customer information, issuing points, accumulating points, expiration dates, etc. are stored. In addition, sales data, customer's hobbies, purchase history, address, etc. are also stored. As the customer information, the unique customer ID given by each seller, the customer's email address, and the customer's name are stored. Corresponding to these, issuance points, accumulated points, expiration dates of points, etc. are stored. There is. Both the seller information DB 251 and the point information DB 252 described above form a relational database structure, and the CPU 21 uses SQL (Str) in a schema in which the key of the field of each DB is associated.
uctured Query Language) is used to perform processing such as registration and retrieval of necessary information.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the server computer 1. As shown in the figure, the server computer 1 functions as an HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) server engine connected to the Internet (communication network N), and a CPU 11 constituting the server computer 1 stores a RAM 12, a hard disk, etc. via a bus 17. A communication unit 16 such as a gateway for transmitting and receiving information to and from the unit 15, the seller computer 2 or the customer computer 3, a display unit 14 such as a liquid crystal display, and an input unit 13 such as a keyboard and a mouse are connected.

The RAM 12 has a CGI (Common) written in C language, Java or the like for executing various processes in response to requests from the customer computer 3, the seller computer 2 and the like.
The Gateway Interface) program 12P and other control programs are loaded. HTML in the storage unit 15
The file 151 is stored, and the customer computer 3
When there is a request to acquire a web page from
The HTML file in the file 151 is read and transmitted. In addition, the HTML file 151 stores HTML, XSL, and the like, which are the basis for generating the point information of each customer as a Web page, as templates.

When the CPU 11 receives the seller information and the point information to which XML is added from each seller, the CPU 11 reads the HTML and XSL templates from the HTML file 151, and the seller to which the XML is added according to these descriptions. We in which point information for each seller of each customer is described by incorporating information and point information
The page b is created and stored in the HTML file 151.

In addition, in the storage unit 15, when a Web page in which the point information of each seller is described is displayed on the customer computer 3, a Java applet that stores a Java applet that executes a search process within the Web page is stored. The file 152 is stored. Although the details will be described later, the Java applet is downloaded to the customer computer 3 and the search in the Web page is executed.

A database server (hereinafter referred to as a DB server) 10 which is a relational database is connected to the server computer 1. The server computer 1 as the HTTP server engine is a DB server 1
By interacting using SQL in the schema in which the field keys of the general seller information database (hereinafter, general seller information DB) 101 and the total point information database (hereinafter, total point information DB) 102 in 0 are associated with each other, Write or search for the required information. Although the DB server 10 is configured to be independent of the server computer 1 in the present embodiment, a comprehensive seller information DB 101 and a comprehensive point information DB 102 are prepared and searched in the storage unit 15 in the server computer 1. Alternatively, processing such as registration may be executed. Further, in the present embodiment, the basic processing is centralized by executing the CGI program 12P in the server computer 1, but some processing is distributed by providing an application server (not shown). You may make it process it.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a record layout of the general seller information DB 101. As shown in the figure, the comprehensive seller information DB 101 is an aggregate of the seller information DBs 251 of the seller computers 2, and the sales promotion information is stored for each seller. When the sales promotion information is transmitted from each seller computer 2 at an appropriate timing, the sales promotion information code, the sales promotion information, the publication start date, the publication end date, etc. are classified into the seller code and the seller name. The server computer 1 monitors the publication start date and the publication end date, and when the publication end date has passed, deletes the corresponding sales promotion information.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a record layout of the total point information DB 102. The comprehensive point information DB 102 is an aggregate of the point information DB 252 of each seller computer 2, and stores the point information of each seller for each customer. As shown in the figure,
Corresponding to the email address and customer name that are the contact information for the customer, the customer ID, seller code, and
The seller name, the issuing point, the accumulating point, the expiration date, etc. are stored. When the customer information and the point information are transmitted from the customer computer 3 at an appropriate timing,
A search is performed based on the mail address of the customer information, and the point information is stored in a predetermined field.

A point expiration date is stored in the point information, and the CPU 11 outputs the date and time information to the clock unit 1.
The output value from 8 is compared with the stored expiration date, and when the expiration date approaches, warning information is appropriately notified to the customer by e-mail or the like.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the customer computer 3. Since the customer computer 3 has the same configuration as a known personal computer, detailed description thereof will be omitted, but a RAM 32 for the CPU 31 via the bus 37, a storage unit 35 such as a hard disk, and a LAN for transmitting / receiving information to / from the server computer 1. (LocalAr
ea Network) communication unit 36 such as a card, display unit 34 such as a liquid crystal display, and input unit 3 such as a keyboard and a mouse.
3 is connected. The RAM 32 has a control program (not shown) for controlling the storage unit 35, the display unit 34, the input unit 33, etc., and a browser 3 for interpreting the HTML file downloaded from the server computer 1.
2P1, J downloaded from server computer 1
The ava applet 32P2 is loaded. In addition,
In this embodiment, a Java applet is used as a Java applet.
The search process in the browser is made possible by executing it on the virtual machine, but the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, a Java script may be used to execute the search process on the browser. May be.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an image of seller information and point information displayed on the browser. Figure 9
As shown in, the HTML file generated in the server computer 1 in a unified state by XML is interpreted on the browser, and the point information and the seller information of each seller are displayed. As the seller information, the name, sales promotion information, URL, etc. of each seller are displayed, and as the point information, issuance points, accumulated points, point expiration dates, etc. are displayed. Note that it is not always necessary to display all of the point information, and only the accumulated points may be displayed. Further, when the warning information is generated, it is also described in the HTML file and transmitted. For example, for “XX sports”, a message indicating that the points are about to expire is displayed. Note that this warning information may be separately sent by e-mail or the like. This makes it possible to easily grasp a plurality of types of point information of each seller, and the seller can provide more useful sales promotion information.
In addition, since the warning information for the expiration date is transmitted, it is possible to avoid the situation where points are lost due to overkill.

A program for searching for a seller is executed and displayed in another frame of the browser. This program is a Java program executed on a Java virtual machine.
It is based on a applet and allows selection of search conditions and input of search conditions. As the search conditions, for example, conditions such as "the expiration date is near" and "the most accumulated points" are set in advance as a template. In addition, a keyword can be input in the search condition box. For example, it is possible to input the keywords “bargain”, “restaurant XX” and the like.

When the search condition is selected or the search keyword is input, the customer computer 3 searches the Web page, extracts the hit seller, and creates a hyperlink. The corresponding seller in the page is extracted by clicking the displayed hyperlink. As a result, even if the number of displayed sellers increases, it is possible to easily grasp the point information and the like of the desired seller.

With the above arrangement, the processing procedure of the present invention will be described using a flow chart. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the seller computer 2. First, in order to register the customer information for a new customer, the input of the customer's name, the customer's mail address, etc. is made to be accepted, and the customer information is stored in the point information DB 2
It registers in 52 (step S101). Subsequently, when the product is purchased, the customer information output from the card reader and the sales data output from the POS terminal device 20 are accepted (step S102). Seller computer 2
Calculates the issue points based on a predetermined rate (step S103).

Then, the point information DB 252 is searched on the basis of the transmitted customer information, and it is determined whether or not there are accumulated points for the customer. If it does not exist, the issue point is registered as the accumulation point. On the other hand, if there is a storage point, it is read (step S1).
04). Then, the issue points are added to the read accumulation points (step S105). The seller computer 2 further refers to the date and time data output from the clock unit (not shown) and sets one year later as the point expiration date (step S106). Note that the expiration date of points and the point conversion rate are input from the input unit 23 and stored in the storage unit 25.

The customer computer 3 registers the issuing point, the accumulating point after addition, and the expiration date after setting in the point information DB 252 in association with the customer information (step S107). After that, the customer information and the point information are read out at an appropriate timing, attributes common to each seller are added to these, and then transmitted to the server computer 1 (step S108). In addition, the transmission timing may be set every time points are issued, or batch processing may be performed such as transmission every other week.

Next, a processing procedure for sales promotion information will be described. The operator inputs the sales promotion information (sale information, etc.), the publication start date and the publication end date of the sales promotion information from the input unit 23. These pieces of input information are accepted and registered with the sales promotion information code added to the seller information DB 251 (step S109). The CPU 21 determines whether the date and time data output from the clock unit matches the publication start date (step S1010). If the publication start dates do not match (NO in step S1010), the process waits until they match. On the other hand, if they match (step S1)
(YES in 010), as the seller information, the sales promotion information, the publication start date, and the publication end date information are transmitted to the server computer 1 together with the seller code and the seller name information (step S1011). The publication start date does not necessarily have to be transmitted to the server computer 1. For example, XML is used as metadata as a common attribute. Figure 11
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an XML file. The metadata gives common common attributes among the sellers. As shown in the figure, a common tag is attached to each data. For example, the issue point is <issue point> 000
The sale information, which is one of the sales promotion messages, is described as <sale information> ... sale content ... </ sale information>. In this way, since the attributes common to each seller are transmitted to the server computer 1 by using a tag or the like, the customer information, point information, sales promotion information, etc. of each seller are unified in the server computer 1. Will be aggregated.

12 and 13 show the server computer 1
5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of step S1. From each seller computer 2, the seller code, sales promotion information, publication start date,
When the seller information such as the publication end date is received, it is registered in the comprehensive seller information DB 101 based on the seller code (step S121). The server computer 1 periodically (for example, every day) refers to the output from the clock unit 18 to search the posting end date field of the general seller information DB 101, and whether the posting end date of the registered sales promotion information has passed. It is determined whether or not (step S122). If the publication end date has already passed (YES in step S122), the corresponding sales promotion information is deleted (step S123). On the other hand, if the publication end date has not passed (step S1
22), the process of step S123 is skipped.

When customer information and point information are transmitted from each seller computer 2 together with the seller code, the seller information is received and the customer information and point information are registered in the total point information DB 102 (step S12).
4). Specifically, from the seller computer 2, a customer information including an email address, a customer name, a customer ID, issuing points, accumulated points, and point information including an expiration date, and a sale including a seller code and a seller name. When the customer information is received, the CPU 11 searches the total point information DB 102 based on the mail address and the seller code, and determines whether or not there is an item where the mail address and the seller code match with the AND condition. If it exists, the data of the issue point, the accumulation point, and the expiration date field are overwritten on the received data. On the other hand, if the corresponding item does not exist, the received information is newly registered.

Subsequently, the CPU 11 searches the expiration date field of the total point information DB 102 based on the date and time data output from the clock unit 18, and whether the expiration date is within a certain period (for example, within 3 weeks). It is determined whether or not (step S125). If the period until the expiration date is within a certain period, the warning information flag is stored in the comprehensive point information DB 102 in association with the expiration date in order to notify the customer of the warning information (step S126). Then, it is determined whether the expiration date has passed (step S127). If the expiration date has already passed (YES in step S127), the total point information DB 10
The point information is deleted from 2 (step S128).
If the period until the expiration date is not within the fixed period (NO in step S125), the process of step S126 is skipped, and if the expiration date has not passed (step S1).
(NO in 27), the process of step S128 is skipped. This makes it possible to identify the corresponding seller of the customer whose expiration date is approaching, and to delete the seller whose expiration date has already passed from the database.

The server computer 1 periodically (for example, 1
(Every week), an HTML file is generated by the following processing each time the sales promotion information is received, the point information is registered, or the warning information flag is stored. First, the customer information, the point information, and the seller information are read from the comprehensive point information DB 102, the comprehensive seller information DB 101 is searched based on the read seller information, and the sales promotion information of the seller is also read (step S
131). In addition, when reading the sales promotion information, C
The PU 11 compares the output from the clock unit 18 with the registered publication start date, and reads only those that have passed the publication start date.

The read customer information, point information, and sales promotion information are described in XML, for example. As in the case shown in FIG. 11, R in which customer information, point information, and sales promotion information described in XML are read out.
It is stored in AM12. The CPU 11 further determines whether or not the warning information flag processed in step S126 is stored for the read point information (step S132). If the warning information flag is stored (YES in step S132), the warning information message is read from the storage unit 15 (step S133),
Similarly, an XML tag is added and stored in the RAM 12.
For example, the warning information is <warning information>. Points are valid for 3 months. It is described as </ warning information> or the like. If the warning information flag is not stored (step S1
No in 32), the process of step S133 is skipped.

The CPU 11 uses the HTM stored in the storage unit 15.
The L and XSL templates are read (step S13
4), customer information, point information stored in the RAM 12,
Then, the display design on the read HTML is determined according to the description of the XSL from which the sales promotion information and the warning information, if any, are read. Figure 14 shows the template HTML
It is explanatory drawing which shows the source code example. The HTML as a template has a description regarding the design when the point information of each seller is displayed on the browser of the customer computer 3. It should be noted that the description of XSL relating to the display design of XML data is omitted in FIG.

As described above, the template HTM
By incorporating the read XML format data into L and XSL, an HTML file describing point information and sales promotion information for each customer is generated (step S13).
5). The CPU 11 stores the generated HTML file in the comprehensive point information DB 102 in association with the customer's mail address, and the CPU 11 stores the stored HTML file.
A URL for accessing the file is set and similarly associated with the mail address, and this URL is stored in the comprehensive point information DB 102 (step S136).

The CPU 11 uses the customer's mail address and U
The RL is read (step S137), an e-mail for accessing the HTML file in which the point information and the sales promotion information of each seller are described is generated, and the e-mail is transmitted to the mail address (step S13).
8). FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an electronic mail transmitted. In addition to the simple message as shown in the figure, the H
The URL for accessing the TML file is inserted. When the customer clicks the hyperlink URL from the customer computer 3, the generated HTML file is read and transmitted to the customer computer 3 (step S139) and displayed on the display unit 34 as shown in FIG. The Java applet for the search process is also read from the Java applet file 152 in the storage unit 15 and transmitted (step S139).

Finally, the contents of processing executed in the customer computer 3 will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing executed by the customer computer 3. When the URL described in the electronic mail is clicked, the customer computer 3 requests the server computer 1 to acquire the HTML file, and downloads the HTML file output from the server computer 1 (step S161). At the same time, the search execution Java applet output from the server computer 1 is downloaded (step S162). The customer computer 3 expands the HTML file on the browser, displays the search program for executing the following processing on the browser by executing the Java applet executed on the Java virtual machine in one frame as shown in FIG. (Step S163).

The contents of the search process will be described below. When the search condition is selected or input from the input unit 33, it is accepted (step S164), and the page is searched by clicking the search button (step S165). Then, the sellers that match the search conditions are extracted (step S
166). For example, when “near expiration date” is selected as the search condition, the date and time data output from the clock unit (not shown) and the tag <point expiration date> in the page
... Compare with the expiration date in </ point expiration date>, and extract a plurality of sellers having tags whose expiration dates are approaching. In addition, when "there are many accumulated points" is selected as the search condition, the tag <accumulated points> ... <//
Accumulation points> is searched for and the top number sellers are extracted.

Moreover, "bargain" is used as the search keyword.
When is input, the text information in the tag indicated by <sales promotion information> ... </ sales promotion information> is searched, and the seller including the word “bargain” is extracted. Finally, the customer computer 3 creates a hyperlink for jumping to the extracted seller on the page (step S167). As a result, even if the point information increases, it becomes possible to easily access the point information or sales promotion information of the desired seller.

Second Embodiment FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the customer computer 3 according to the second embodiment. Moreover, the computer program for executing the customer computer 3 according to the first embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment.
CD-R can also be provided by preinstalling on
It is also possible to provide it on a portable recording medium such as OM or MO. Further, the computer program can be provided by being propagated as a carrier wave via a line. The contents will be described below.

A recording medium 3a (CD-ROM, M) on which a program for causing the customer computer 3 shown in FIG. 17 to output a file relating to point information, extracting a seller matching the search condition, and generating a hyperlink is stored.
O or DVD-ROM) is installed in the storage unit 35 of the customer computer 3. Such a program is loaded into the RAM 32 of the customer computer 3 and executed. This functions as the customer computer 3 of the present invention as described above.

The second embodiment is configured as described above, and other configurations and operations are similar to those of the first embodiment. Therefore, corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be given. Omit it. (Supplementary Note 1) A point information providing method of providing information about issued points to a computer of a customer who receives points by a management computer that manages a plurality of types of points issued by computers of a plurality of sellers. The seller's computer can sell a plurality of points for the points information and the seller information including the issued points, the accumulated points, the expiration date of the points, or the customer information of the points issued. A common attribute between persons, a step of transmitting the point information and the seller information to which the attribute is added from the seller's computer to the management computer, and the management computer's transmission from the seller's computer Registering the point information and the seller information, A generation step of generating, by the management computer, a file relating to the point information of each seller of each customer based on the registered point information and seller information, and a step of transmitting the generated file from the management computer to the customer computer. A point information providing method comprising: (Supplementary Note 2) A point information providing system for providing information on issued points to a computer of a customer who has received points by a management computer that manages a plurality of types of points issued by computers of a plurality of sellers. In addition, the seller's computer can sell a plurality of sales points to the point information and the seller information including the issued points, the accumulated points, the expiration date of the points, or the customer information of the points issued. The management computer is provided with a means for giving a common attribute between persons and a means for transmitting the point information and the seller information to which the attribute is given to the management computer, and the management computer is transmitted from the seller's computer. Means to register point information and seller information, and registered point information and seller information A point information providing system comprising: a generating unit that generates a file regarding point information for each seller of each customer; and a unit that transmits the generated file to the customer's computer. (Supplementary Note 3) The management computer compares the clock section with the expiration date of the registered point and the date and time data output from the clock section to determine whether or not the period until the expiration date is within a predetermined period. 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: a means for judging, and a means for referring to the customer information and transmitting warning information to the customer's computer when it is judged that the period until the expiration date is within a predetermined period. Point information providing system described in. (Supplementary Note 4) The adding unit is configured to add an attribute to each element of the point information and the seller information by using XML, and the generating unit adds the XML to an HTML file prepared in advance. The point information providing system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the point information providing system is configured to generate by incorporating the point information and the seller information of each seller to which the attribute is added. (Supplementary Note 5) The computer of the customer receives the search condition input in the output file, extracts the seller who matches the search condition based on the input search condition, and extracts the seller. The point information providing system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising point information relating to the seller and means for generating a hyperlink that links to the seller information. (Supplementary note 6) A management computer for managing a plurality of types of points issued by a plurality of sellers,
Issued points, accumulated points, expiration date of points, with common attributes assigned to multiple sellers,
Or, based on the registered point information and the seller information, the means for externally receiving the point information and the seller information including the customer information that issued the points, the means for registering the received point information and the seller information A management computer, comprising: a generation unit that generates a file relating to point information of each seller of each customer, and a unit that transmits the generated file to the outside. (Supplementary Note 7) A means for comparing the expiration date of the registered point with date and time data output from the clock portion to determine whether or not the period until the expiration date is within a predetermined period, The management computer according to claim 6, further comprising: a unit that transmits the warning information to the outside by referring to the customer information when it is determined that the period until the expiration date is within the predetermined period. (Supplementary Note 8) A computer displaying a plurality of types of points issued by a plurality of sellers, respectively, issued points, accumulated points, points to which attributes common to a plurality of sellers are added. Means for receiving the generated point information file for each seller based on the expiration date or the point information including the customer information that issued the points and the seller information, and the search in the output file Means for receiving input of conditions, means for extracting sellers that match the search conditions based on the input search conditions, and hyperlinks that link to point information and seller information related to the extracted sellers A computer comprising: (Supplementary Note 9) A computer program for displaying a plurality of types of points issued by a plurality of sellers, in which the issued common points are assigned to the computer by a plurality of sellers, Based on the point information and the seller information including the accumulated points, the expiration date of the points, or the customer information that issued the points, the step of outputting a file relating to the point information of each seller, , A step of accepting input of search conditions in the output file; a step of causing the computer to extract sellers matching the search conditions based on the input search conditions; and causing the computer to extract Steps that generate hyperlinks that link to point information related to the seller and seller information. A computer program characterized by the fact that it executes a program. (Supplementary Note 10) A recording medium in which a computer program for displaying a plurality of types of points issued by a plurality of sellers is recorded, and a common attribute is given to the computer among the plurality of sellers. , Generated points, accumulated points, expiration date of points, or based on point information and seller information including customer information for which points are issued, output a file related to point information for each seller The step of causing the computer to accept the input of the search condition in the output file, the step of causing the computer to extract the seller who matches the search condition based on the input search condition, A hyper linked to the seller's point information and seller information extracted by the computer A computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program for executing the step of generating a link is recorded.

[0059]

As described in detail above, in the first, second, and third inventions, the point information and the seller information are shared by a plurality of sellers by the seller's computer. The attribute information and the seller information after the attribute are added are transmitted to the management computer. The management computer registers the point information and the seller information transmitted from the computer of each seller in the database.
The management computer generates a file relating to the point information of each seller of each customer based on the registered point information and seller information. Since the file containing the point information of each seller is sent to the customer's computer, the customer can easily grasp all the different points issued by each seller. Become. In addition, since it is not necessary for each seller to introduce a common IC card or the like, each seller can continue to use the existing point card, and it is possible to provide point information common to all sellers at a low price. . Further, the present system allows each seller to freely notify the customer of point information and provide sales promotion information beyond the frame of a shopping mall, thereby further activating commercial transactions.

Further, a clock unit is prepared in the management computer, and the expiration date of the points registered in the database is compared with the date and time data output from the clock unit to determine whether the period until the expiration date is within a predetermined period. To judge. When it is determined that the period until the expiration date is within the predetermined period, the customer information is referred to and the warning information is transmitted to the customer's computer. It is possible to avoid such a situation. Further, it is possible for the seller to reduce the burden without having to give an individual warning.

In the fourth and fifth aspects of the invention, the customer's computer accepts the search condition for the received file. The computer extracts a seller who matches the search condition and generates a hyperlink for accessing the point information and the seller information of the extracted seller. With this configuration, it is possible to easily access the point information and the seller information of the searched seller. In particular, since it is assumed that the number of sellers who provide point information and the like will increase in this system, it is possible to improve usability by enabling search in this way. Can have excellent effects.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a point information providing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a seller computer.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a record layout of a seller information DB.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a record layout of a point information DB.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a server computer.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a record layout of a general seller information DB.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a record layout of a comprehensive point information DB.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a customer computer.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an image of seller information and point information displayed on a browser.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a seller computer.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an XML file.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a server computer.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a server computer.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an HTML source code of a template.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an electronic mail transmitted.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by a customer computer.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a customer computer according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Management computer (server computer) 151 HTML file 152 Java Applet File 101 General seller information DB 102 Total point information DB 2 Seller Computer 20 POS terminal 251 Seller Information DB 252 points information DB 3 Customer computer 3a recording medium N communication network

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Point information provision for providing information on issued points to a computer of a customer who receives points by a management computer for managing a plurality of types of points issued by computers of a plurality of sellers. A method, wherein the seller's computer uses a plurality of points for the issued points, the accumulated points, the expiration date of the points, or the customer information to which the points are issued and the seller information, A step of giving a common attribute between sellers, a step of transmitting the point information and the seller information to which the attribute is given from the seller's computer to the management computer, and the management computer from the seller's computer Registering the sent point information and seller information, A step of generating, by the management computer, a file relating to point information of each seller of each customer based on the registered point information and seller information; and a step of transmitting the generated file from the management computer to the customer's computer A point information providing method comprising: 2. Point information provision for providing information on issued points to a computer of a customer who receives points by a management computer for managing a plurality of types of points issued by computers of a plurality of sellers. In the system, the seller's computer has a plurality of points for the issued points, the accumulated points, the expiration date of the points, or the customer information about the points issued and the seller information. The management computer is provided with a means for giving a common attribute among sellers, and a means for transmitting the point information and the seller information to which the attribute is given to the management computer, wherein the management computer is transmitted from the seller's computer. To register registered point information and seller information, and registered point information and sales A point information providing system, comprising: a generation unit that generates a file relating to point information of each seller of each customer based on personal information, and a unit that transmits the generated file to a computer of the customer. 3. A management computer for managing a plurality of types of points issued by a plurality of sellers, wherein the issued points and the accumulated points to which attributes common to a plurality of sellers are assigned. , The expiration date of points,
Or, based on the registered point information and the seller information, the means for receiving the point information and the seller information including the customer information that issued the points from the outside, the means for registering the received point information and the seller information, and the registered point information and the seller information. A management computer, comprising: a generation unit that generates a file relating to point information for each seller of each customer, and a unit that transmits the generated file to the outside. 4. A computer program for displaying a plurality of types of points issued respectively by a plurality of sellers, the issued points having a common attribute assigned to the plurality of sellers on the computer. A step of outputting a file relating to point information generated by each seller based on the point information and the seller information including the accumulated points, the expiration date of the points, or the customer information for which the points have been issued; The step of causing the computer to accept the input of the search condition in the output file, and the computer based on the input search condition,
A computer program characterized by causing a computer to execute a step of extracting a seller who matches a search condition, and a step of causing a computer to generate a hyperlink that links to point information and seller information related to the extracted seller. 5. A recording medium in which a computer program for displaying a plurality of types of points issued by a plurality of sellers is recorded, and a common attribute is given to the computer by the plurality of sellers. Also, based on the point information including the issued points, the accumulated points, the expiration date of the points, or the customer information that received the points, and the seller information, a file relating to the point information for each seller is created. A step of outputting, a step of causing the computer to accept input of search conditions in the output file, and a step of causing the computer to input the search conditions,
A computer program for executing a step of extracting a seller matching the search condition and a step of generating a hyperlink linking the point information and the seller information related to the extracted seller to the computer is recorded. A characteristic computer-readable recording medium.