JP2006277717A - Privilege information management method and privilege information management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a shop to select an introduced person by providing motivation for letting the introduced person come to the introduced shop and for an introducing person to repeatedly introduce the introduced shop. <P>SOLUTION: A coupon information management system 1 where shop terminals 3 and user terminals 5 are networked with one another executes: a process S3 for acquiring user information from the terminal 5 of a user 4 having come to a shop 2 to register the user as a member; a process S6 for acquiring, from the terminal 5 of another user (an introduced person B) for whom a shop X is introduced from a user (an introducing person A) registered as a member, information of the introduced person B and IDs of the introducing person A and the introduced shop X and for registering the introduced person as a member; a process S8 for issuing a first coupon usable at the shop X to the introduced person B; a step S10 for receiving an introduced person ID from the shop terminal 3 when the introduced person B comes to the shop X; and a process S13 for issuing a second coupon as a premium for the introduction to the introducing person A. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In the present invention, a store terminal installed in a store (member store) that provides a user with a product or service (hereinafter referred to as “product etc.”) and a terminal of a user who purchases the product etc. at this store are connected to a network. The present invention relates to a method for managing privilege information issued by a store to a user by a computer system that is connected to each other, and a privilege information management system configured by this computer.

  Conventionally, as a means of sales promotion and customer acquisition / enclosure, various benefits (including coupons, points, mileage, trading stamps, etc. in the store accompanying the provision of products etc., collectively referred to as “coupon” in this application) Issuing is widely done. The contents of the coupons are various, such as discounts on usage charges for products, exchange for money, products, services, etc., preferential treatment as VIP members, at the store or other affiliated stores. As such a method, for example, those described in the following patent documents are helpful.

JP 2001-229460 A JP 2002-183592 A JP 2002-259660 A

  By the way, in the provision of introduction information to an unspecified number of people such as a reader of an electronic bulletin board on the WEB or an information acquirer of passing as in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, the reliability of information transmission and the reliability of information are provided. There is a problem of lack of sex. For this reason, an introduction system that gives a privilege such as the above coupon as an introduction fee to a person who introduces a store in anticipation of the advertising effect of word of mouth is also widespread.

  However, in the conventional coupon issuing system and referral system, since the referrer is only given benefits such as coupons and money as referral fees, the store where the introduced person (referee) is introduced is used. There is a problem of lack of incentive to do.

  In addition, in the current situation where countless stores and point systems are flooded, even if the introducer introduces the store, there is a risk that both the introducer and the introduced person will be forgotten. In this case, it is effective for the introducer to follow the referee, but there was no mechanism to encourage such follow-up.

  On the other hand, since the store cannot select the referees, for example, even if you want to maintain a high-class atmosphere or limit the customers to specific attributes, you can not refuse the introduction of the introducer who is a customer, Sometimes there is no choice but to accept referees who do not. Even in such a case, since it is necessary to issue a predetermined coupon (introduction reward) to the introducer, the store becomes a factor in introducing (joining) the introduction system.

  There are also many promotional campaigns with a fixed period, but most of them have simple contents such as double point issuance and discounts on specific products. For this reason, existing customers and potential customers cannot obtain a sufficient effect as an incentive to use the target store during the campaign period.

  Furthermore, in the conventional referral system, coupons issued to referrals are a uniform amount per referee, or a certain percentage of the referee's use amount, all of which are uniform. Met. Therefore, it was not enough as an incentive for the introducer to continuously introduce the referee.

  In addition, in the conventional introduction system, it is necessary to notify the information of the person to be introduced to the manager of the store or system in advance. Therefore, even if the introducer himself takes the person to be introduced to the store, it is not regarded as an introduction and the coupon cannot be obtained. Even in such a case, although the store can obtain the same benefits as in the case of the above introduction in terms of acquiring new customers, it cannot issue coupons to the introducer through uniform system operation, There is a discrepancy between the benefits of referrals and rewards for referrals.

The present invention has been made to solve the various problems described above, and only introduces the person who has visited the store (excluding sales / reputation, rumors, mere affiliates, etc. of the store itself). The referrer is provided with an effective incentive to visit the store being referred to, and it is ensured that information is transmitted reliably and the reliability of the information is ensured by word-of-mouth referrals to specific referees rather than the unspecified majority. The purpose is to link referral merits (new customer visits) and referral fees at the referral store.

  According to the first main aspect of the present invention, a store terminal installed in a store (member store) that provides a user with a product or service (hereinafter referred to as “product, etc.”), and purchases the product etc. at this store The privilege information issued to the user by the store is managed by a computer system that is connected to each terminal of the user through the network, and the computer system visits any store A member information registration step of acquiring the user information from the terminal of the user or the store terminal via the network and registering the user information in the member database (DB), and from the registered user (introducing person) 1st coupon information that can receive benefits such as discounts on usage fees at the introduced store to other users who have been introduced to the store The first coupon issuing step to be issued, and when the introduced person visits the store and uses the first coupon, the first coupon information and / or the introduced person information are included. A store use information receiving step for receiving store use information from a terminal of the store via a network, and a second coupon issuing step for issuing a second coupon as an introduction reward to an introducer when the store use information is received. Are provided.

  According to the second main aspect of the present invention, a store terminal installed in a store (member store) that provides a user with a product or service (hereinafter referred to as “product, etc.”) and a product etc. at this store A system for managing privilege information issued to a user by the store, which is composed of one or two or more computers each connected via a network to a terminal of a user who purchases A member database (DB) for storing information on users who have visited the store, and other users (referees) introduced to the store from the registered user (introducer) First coupon issuing means for issuing a first coupon information associated with an introducer that can receive a benefit such as a discount on a usage fee at the introduced store, and the introduced person visits the store to receive a first coupon When using coupons In addition, the store use information receiving means for receiving the store use information including the information of the first coupon and / or the introducer's information from the terminal of the store via the network, and the store use information are received when the store use information is received. And a second coupon issuing means for issuing a second coupon as a reward for introduction to the person.

  According to the present invention, since the coupon is issued not only to the introducer but also to the introducer, the use promotion of the introduced store can be expected. In addition, the introduction rate of referees to specific referees is not the introduction of unspecified number of people such as traditional affiliate programs, electronic bulletin boards, blogs, etc., so the rate of visitors to the store is also dramatically increased. improves. In addition, the referrer must be introduced on the condition that the referee actually came to the store where the referee was introduced (became a customer of the store), not at the time when the referee was introduced or registered as a member. 2 coupons (introduction fees) were issued. Therefore, the introduced store only has to pay an introduction fee when enjoying the merit (acquisition of a new customer) using the introduction system. Thereby, member store registration can be prompted.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention. The coupon information management system denoted by reference numeral 1 in this figure includes store terminals 3 and 3 installed in a plurality of member stores 2 and 2, communication terminals (user terminals) 5 and 5 of users (members) 4 and 4, and The host computer is connected via a public network such as the Internet. The store terminal 3 is a general-purpose POS (Point of Sales) terminal or general-purpose personal computer (PC) with an Internet connection environment, or a general-purpose personal computer (PC) connected to the Internet and equipped with a function and a storage device for browsing HTML files. You can use a mobile phone. When some or all of the stores in the franchise chain become member stores, the coupon information management system 1 may be communicated via a headquarters or area server that supervises the stores or a store backyard system. Good. As will be described later, this store terminal 3 is preferably connected to or built in a bar code reader or digital camera for reading an electronic membership code or coupon information. In addition, the user terminal 5 can use a general-purpose mobile phone or PC having a function of connecting to the Internet and browsing an HTML file and a storage device.

  The host computer is composed of one or more computers installed in the coupon information management center 6 of a business operator who has concluded a contract for point issuance / management with the member store 2. These computers include, for example, a customer information management system of the management center-6, a general-purpose computer called a WEB server, an accounting system, and a dedicated computer. Note that illustration and description of well-known configurations such as firewalls, routers, gateway servers, mobile phone base stations, and ISPs are omitted.

  The coupon information management system 1 includes a member registration function for introducing the user 4 from the terminal 5 of the user 4 who has visited any member store 2 or the terminal 3 of the store, and performing membership registration, an introducer, and A coupon issuing function for transmitting (issuing) digitized coupon information to the terminal 5 of the user 4 who is an introduced person, and between the member store 2 that issued the coupon and the user 4 that acquired the coupon The coupon settlement function is provided for performing the predetermined cashing process when the coupon information is settled by the user 4 or when the user 4 is requested to settle the coupon.

Next, the overall scheme of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
User A visits the store X registered as a member store in the system (step S1). If the user A likes the store X or simply wants to register as a member, he / she applies for membership registration on the spot or at a later date (step S2). The application for membership registration is performed by transmitting the user A information from the user terminal 5 or the store terminal 3 to the host computer via the network. The host computer which acquired the information of the user A checks the duplicate registration, and registers the user A as a member and generates a member ID generated in the form of a QR code including the member number via the store terminal 3. Alternatively, it is transmitted (issued) directly to the mobile phone 5 of the user (member) A (step S3).

  Next, when this member A wants to introduce this store X to other users, his / her member ID and store X information (ID, store name, etc.) are stored in the mobile phone 5 of the person who wants to introduce (referee) B. The URL for connecting to the host computer (coupon information management system 1) is transmitted by e-mail or the like (step S4). You may inform it verbally or by fax. When the introduced person B who has acquired such introduction information wants to use the introduced store X, the introduced person X uses the browser software of the mobile phone 5 or PC at home to the coupon information management system 1 via the network. Access and input the ID of the introducer A and information of the store X to apply for membership registration (step S5). The coupon information management system 1 that has accepted the membership registration application from the introducer B checks the duplicate registration with reference to the member information master file, identifies the introducer A and the introduced store X, and then introduces the applicant B. Is registered as a member and a member ID (QR code) is issued (steps S6 and S7). At this time, a first coupon including preferential use such as discount at the store X is also issued to the introduced person B (step S8). This first coupon is generated in the form of a QR code including the ID of the introducer A, the ID of the introduced store X, and the ID of the user B who is the introduced person, and the introduced person B together with the member ID. Is transmitted to the mobile phone 5. Thereby, in this example, the cellular phone 5 of the introducer B stores two types of QR codes, that is, the member ID and the first coupon information. The member ID and the first coupon issue format are not limited to QR codes.

  The first coupon can also be issued as point information that can be exchanged for money or a product. Further, the first coupon may be issued even if the introducer B does not register as a member. For example, when the introducer A inputs the email address of the introducer B on the introduction information reception screen of the coupon information management center 6 and selects the store X to be introduced from the member store list, the coupon information management system 1 is introduced to the introducer. An electronic mail including the connection URL, information of the introducer A and the introduced store X is transmitted to B of the introduced person B. The referee B can acquire (download to the terminal) a simple coupon by specifying this URL and connecting to the coupon information management system 1. Simple coupon information can also be included in the introduction email to the referee B. Thereby, introduced person B can acquire a coupon which can be used in store X, without registering personal information. In this case, it is preferable that the first coupon is issued when the introduced person B registers as a member separately from or instead of the simplified coupon, and the privilege contents of these coupons are made different. . Further, it is preferable that the introduction email also includes a fixed phrase indicating that a more advantageous coupon can be acquired by registering as a member and a URL of a member registration WEB site.

  When the introduced person B registered as a member visits the store X and causes the reader connected to the store terminal 3 to read the QR code of the first coupon stored in the mobile phone 5 (step S9), the store terminal 3 Sends the coupon information management system 1 to the coupon information management system 1 via the network and requests an inquiry about availability (step S10). In the coupon information management system 1, the IDs of the introducer A, the introduced person B, and the introduced store X are identified based on the first coupon information (a list of numbers and symbols), and the store 2 that has received the inquiry Whether or not the first coupon can be used is determined based on whether or not this coupon is within the validity period. If it is determined that “usable”, the authentication result “first coupon is valid” is returned to the store terminal 3 (step S11). Thereby, the introducer B receives a discount at the store X (step S12). In addition, when the first coupon is issued in association with the introducer A or the introducer B, information (member ID or password) that can identify the introducer A or the introducer B instead of the first coupon Etc.) may be transmitted from the store terminal 3 to inquire about availability. Thereby, even when the introducer B does not bring the mobile phone storing the first coupon to the introduction store X, the privilege can be used. Further, when the first coupon is not associated with the introducer A or the like, the information of the first coupon and the specific information of the introducer A or the introducer B are transmitted and inquired.

  Also, the coupon information management system 1 identifies the introducer A who introduced the store X to the introduced person B based on the acquired information, and issues a second coupon as an introduction reward to the introducer A (step S13). ). The second coupon may be a discount at the store X similar to the first coupon, or may be preferential such as a discount at other member stores 2 in common. Further, point information that can be exchanged for money or goods at a predetermined rate may be used. Furthermore, the second coupon does not need to be digitized, and a paper medium such as a gift certificate may be mailed to the home of the introducer B. In this case, the coupon information management system 1 executes the second coupon issuance process by instructing the connected dedicated printer to print a gift certificate or the like.

  When the amount of the issued second coupon is fixed (gift certificate, etc.), the coupon information is settled with the introduced store X at the time of issuing the coupon to the introduced person A or monthly. Is executed (step S14). For example, if the second coupon is a gift certificate equivalent to 500 yen that can be used at all member stores, it is 600 yen that is 100 yen as an introduction fee for 500 yen of the gift certificate for the shop to be introduced X. To charge. In addition, when issuing points that can be exchanged, the same amount is paid. On the other hand, if the amount of the second coupon is not fixed at the time of issuance, such as a discount coupon (10% OFF, etc.) that can be used repeatedly at all member stores, introducer A will receive the second coupon. When used at any of the member stores, the introduced store X is charged together with the referral fee for the coupon equivalent (10% of the use amount). When the accumulated points are settled in a lump sum, the amount of burden for each introduction store is calculated monthly and settled in the same manner. Note that when the first coupon is issued in the form of point information or a gift certificate, it is settled in the same manner as described above. Further, when the second coupon is a gift certificate or the like with an expiration date set, it is preferable that the second coupon is settled when the second coupon is used in consideration of not being used.

  In this way, since the coupon is issued not only to the introducer A but also to the introducer B, the use promotion of the member store (store X) can be expected. In addition, referrals are reliably communicated and highly reliable because referrals are introduced to specific referees rather than referrals to an unspecified number of people like traditional affiliate programs. The store visit rate will also improve dramatically. In addition, the referrer must be introduced on the condition that the referee visited the store where the referee was actually introduced (became a customer of store X), not when the referee was introduced or registered as a member. A second coupon (introduction fee) was issued. Therefore, the introduced store only has to pay an introduction fee when it enjoys the merit of using the introduction system. Thereby, member store registration can be prompted.

  In order to exhibit the functions as described above, the coupon information management system 1 of the present embodiment has a configuration as shown in FIG. In the following description, as in FIG. 1, the user who is an introducer is A, the user who is the introducer is B, and the member store that is the introducer store is X as appropriate.

  In this system 1, a RAM 13, a ROM 14, a HDD (storage device) 15, and an input / output interface (I / F) 16 are connected to a CPU 11 built in a host computer of the coupon information management center 6 via a system bus 12. Yes. The input / output I / F 16 includes an output device 17 such as a CRT display, an input device 18 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a communication device 19 such as a modem, and a drive for a removable recording medium 20 such as an FD, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM. 21 are connected to each other. When the operator of the coupon information management center 6 inputs various commands (commands) by operating the input device 18, the software program is called and executed on the RAM 13 by the CPU 11, so that an OS (operation system) is obtained. The functions of the present invention are produced in cooperation with the above.

  The storage device stores a member information master file (DB) 25, a member store master file (DB) 26, a coupon issue history file 27, and a program storage unit 28. These storage units 25 to 28 are configured by a certain area secured in the storage device, and each file 25 to 27 contains information input by each function described later, or an external engine via the communication device 19. Information acquired from is described and updated as needed.

  The member information master file 25 is a database for registering information of the registered users 4 (introducing person A and introduced person B) with one record per person. Specifically, bibliographic items (address, name, email address, etc.) of user 4, payment means (bank account information for deposit, etc.), attribute information such as family composition code, occupation code, age, gender code, etc. The IDs of all member stores X1, X2,... Xn introduced to one or more referees B are registered in association with member IDs.

  The member store master file 26 is a database for registering information of member stores (stores) 2 that are affiliated with a company that operates the management center 6 in one record per store. Specifically, information such as store name, location, phone number, e-mail address, business type (Italian restaurant, nail salon, imported general merchandise store, boutique, restaurant, shot bar, etc.), URL of website, etc. are associated with the store ID. be registered.

  Further, in the present embodiment, coupon issue conditions preset by the member store 2 are stored in association with the store ID. Issuing conditions include, for example, customer attributes such as the age, sex, and occupation of the user 4 who becomes the introducer A and the introduced person B, group attributes such as families, entertainment, the number of persons, and couples, or presence / absence of membership registration And other conditions are included. According to such a coupon issue condition, a coupon issue condition search unit 32 to be described later determines whether or not a coupon is issued and issuance contents. That is, if this condition is not met, at least one of the first and second coupons is not issued, or the discount amount (rate), the face value of the gift certificate, and the number of points are set lower than the normal coupon. . Some member stores may want to limit the group attributes or age group of customers in order to maintain the store atmosphere (luxury, early American style, etc.) or in relation to the services provided, seasons, events, etc. . Therefore, the first or second coupon can be issued by accepting the introduction only to the customer group expected by the member store 2. As a result, for example, when both the introducer A and the introducer B meet the coupon issuance condition, the first and second coupons are issued, but when the introducer B does not meet the condition, Can also be issued, or only a low-priced second coupon (introduction fee) can be issued. Such an issue condition is preferably notified to the introducer A when the introducer A first visits the store 2 or when the introducer B is registered as a member.

  Further, the member store 2 can set a coupon issue period and a valid period as coupon issue conditions. These periods may be set by default. When the coupon issuance period is set, an incentive is introduced for the introducer A to introduce the introducer B within the period after visiting the store 2. Thereby, it is possible to effectively prevent the registration procedure from being forgotten while there is an intention to introduce. In addition, when the referee B issues a simple coupon without registering as a member, the validity period setting is also effective in order to prevent coupon information from spreading and diluting the value or preventing unauthorized acquisition. It is.

  When such an effective period is set, this period is notified to the introducer A and the introduced person B when the first coupon is issued. Thereby, since the introducer A can recognize that the second coupon is not issued unless the introducer B comes to the introduction store X, it becomes an effective incentive for follow-up after introduction. When the introducer A or the introducer B selects, the valid period may be notified at a predetermined timing.

  Moreover, the content of a coupon can also be varied for every some period. For example, if Referee B visits a store less than one month after registering the referral information, a 30% discount on usage, a 20% discount for less than 1-2 months, and a 10% discount for less than 2-3 months To do. Thus, it can be expected that the introducer A repeatedly encourages the introducer B to visit the introduced store X or promptly use coupons.

  Furthermore, the frequency | count of use of a 1st coupon can also be set. In this case, every time the user B obtains information using the first coupon at the introduced store X, the remaining coupon usage number in the member information master file 25 is decremented by one. It is preferable to set the number of times and the effective period in combination. In this case, the coupon availability determination unit 33, which will be described later, determines the availability based on the remaining coupon usage number and the validity period.

  The coupon issue conditions described above can be registered at the time of member store registration, and are updated at any time according to subsequent requests from the referral store X based on the results of the number and attributes of the referee B who has been introduced. . Also, a plurality of coupon issuing conditions and changing times may be set, and the issuing conditions may be changed when the times arrive. For example, by registering the seasonal change (Nippachi, the end of the year, etc.), Christmas, farewell party, admission / graduation event occurrence time and coupon issuance conditions (valid period, customer attributes, etc.) Campaigns can be held automatically. A plurality of coupon issue conditions are set in advance in the coupon information management center 6 and stored in the point issue condition table, and the identification code of one or more issue conditions selected by the member store 2 is stored in the member store master file. 26 may be stored.

  The coupon issue history file 27 stores the issue dates of the first and second coupons and the ID of the introduced store X in association with the IDs of the members (the introducer A and the introduced person B). Based on this issuance history, a coupon settlement processing unit 36, which will be described later, settles coupon information between the introducer A, the introduced store X, and the coupon information management center 6 at predetermined intervals such as every month (see step S14 in FIG. 1). ).

  The program storage unit 28 stores software programs that realize the functions of the present invention described above. Specifically, the member registration receiving unit 30 and the member ID issuing unit 31 as the member registration function, the coupon issuing condition search unit 32, the coupon availability determination unit 33, and the first coupon issuing unit as the coupon issuing function. 34 and the 2nd coupon issuing part 35, the coupon adjustment process part 36 as a coupon adjustment function, and the master management part 37 which carries out the integrated process of the data description and update to each said master files 25-27. Hereinafter, each function will be described in order.

  The member registration receiving unit 30 acquires information of the user 4 (introducer A and the introduced person B) via the network through the member registration application interface (application screen) displayed on the user terminal 5 or the store terminal 3. When the member application is accepted, the member information master file 25 is searched based on the name and address of the user 4 to check for duplicate registration (see steps S2 and S6 in FIG. 1). Duplicate issuance of the first coupon can be prevented by checking the duplicate registration. When the member registration application is received from the introducer B, the member registration is performed in the same manner as described above, and the acquired ID of the introducer A and the ID of the introduced store 2 are stored in the memory, and a coupon issue condition search is performed. The unit 32 acquires this. In addition, when the referee B registers as a member and logs in to the member-only page of the coupon information management center 6, a link for calling the first coupon that is effectively issued to the referee B (member) is provided. It may be noted that coupon information can be downloaded (acquired) when the introducer B clicks (presses) a link. Similarly, the second coupon may be written on the member-dedicated page.

  In this embodiment, when the introducer A comes to the introduced store X together with the introduced person, and the introduced person desires to register as a member, the member registration receiving unit 30 is also provided with the terminal 5 of the introduced person B. Alternatively, the information of the introducer B, the ID of the introducer A, and the ID of the introducer store X are acquired from the terminal 3 of the introducer store X via the network, and the member registration process is performed. In other words, even if the introducer A does not notify the referee (introduction), or the introducer B introduced by the introducer A does not register as a member in advance, both are introduced. When visiting Store X and registering as a member (subsequent registration), the first and second coupons can be issued. Thereby, the flexible coupon issuing process which has a merit in any of the introducer A, the introducer B, and the introduction store X is realizable. Even if the introducer B does not wish for membership registration (issue of the first coupon), it is preferable to issue a second coupon (introduction fee) to the introducer A.

  The member ID issuing unit 31 generates the ID of the user 4 in the form of a QR code and transmits it to the mail address of the user terminal 5 when the received user 4 is unregistered ( (See steps S3 and S7 in FIG. 1). Here, the QR code is a kind of two-dimensional code, can save space for a large amount of information compared to other two-dimensional codes, can be applied to a wide range of fields, and can be read by a reader. It has the characteristics of being fast and easy. Therefore, when generating and issuing a member ID in the form of QR code, in addition to bibliographic items such as the member's name and email address, enormous information such as member registration date and attribute information is included and read instantly. It becomes possible. The member ID may be a two-dimensional code other than a QR code (stacked barcode, matrix-type two-dimensional code, etc.), a conventional one-dimensional barcode, or a combination of numbers and symbols. In addition, such an electronic member ID can be obtained by using an existing optical bar code reader (one-dimensional or two-dimensional) connected to the POS as the store terminal 3 or a mobile phone as the store terminal 3. It can be read by analyzing the image captured by the built-in digital camera. The same applies to coupon information issued in a form such as a QR code.

  The coupon issue condition search unit 32 searches for the coupon issue condition registered in the member store master file 26 based on the ID of the introducer A and the ID of the introduced store X acquired from the member registration receiving unit 30, and introduces the coupon issue condition. It is determined whether the attributes of the person A and the introduced person B, the expiration date, and the like match the conditions. If the issuance conditions are met, the first and second coupon issuing units 34 and 35 are instructed to issue coupons, respectively. As described above, only one of the coupons may be issued. If the issuance conditions are not met, it is determined that the first and / or second coupon is not issued, or the coupon issuing units 34 and 35 are instructed to issue the above-described low-priced coupon. In any case, it is preferable to compose a standard message and send it to the terminal 4 of the introducer A by e-mail.

  When the introducer B obtains information on the first coupon from the terminal 5 of the store X where the introducer B came to the store, the coupon availability determination unit 33 checks the coupon information against the coupon issue history file 27 and introduces the coupon. Whether or not the first coupon can be used is determined based on whether the IDs of the person B, the introducer A, and the introduction store X match (see step S11 in FIG. 1). Thereby, the illegal use of a 1st coupon and the redundant issue of a 2nd coupon can be prevented. In the introduced store X, when the use permission reply is received from the coupon use permission determining unit 33, the introducer B is permitted to use (discount) the first coupon (see step S12 in FIG. 1). .

  The first and second coupon issue units 34 and 35 transmit the first coupon generated in the QR code format to the terminal 5 of the introduced person B based on the coupon issue instruction from the coupon issue condition search unit 32. Or the second coupon information generated in a predetermined format is printed out to be sent to the introducer A (see steps S8 and S13 in FIG. 1).

  When the second coupon is issued to the introducer A, the coupon settlement processing unit 36 stores the ID of the introducer B or the introduced store X and the contents of the coupon in the coupon issue history file 27 and the member ID of the introducer A. The coupon issue history information is sorted and counted by member ID on a monthly basis, and the coupon is settled between the member and the store (see step S14 in FIG. 1). In addition, since the first coupon is settled in the store X if it is a discount at the introduced store X, the processing by the coupon settlement processing unit 36 is not necessary, but when the coupon is issued with points, gift certificates, etc. The settlement process is performed in the same manner as the coupon 2.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, in addition to the first and second coupons described above, a third coupon is issued to the member who used the target store during the campaign period, and the fourth coupon is given to the member who planned the campaign. It has a feature in that it issues. Note that the same or corresponding components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. Since the hardware configuration of the host computer corresponding to FIG. 2A is the same, illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  The coupon information management system 50 of this embodiment receives a campaign plan from the terminal 5 of the member 4 within a predetermined reception period and associates it with the ID of this member (campaign planner C) in the campaign information database (DB) 51. A campaign plan receiving unit 52 to store, a third coupon issuing unit 53 that issues a third coupon to members who have visited the target store during the campaign period based on the number of visits and the amount of use, and after the end of the campaign period And a fourth coupon issuing unit 54 that issues a fourth coupon to the campaign planner C according to the store visit results. Information on the issued third and fourth coupons is stored in the coupon issue history file 27 as needed. The coupon issuance process / settlement process is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Further, even during the campaign period, the first and second coupons are issued in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Therefore, a plurality of coupons may be issued to the same member during the campaign period.

  The contents of the campaign include, for example, a proposal of a plurality of merchant groups based on behavior patterns of users with specific attributes (targeting single women in their 20s, buying clothes at Shibuya ○○, Lunch, etc.), proposal of slump rally for member stores in specific industries (restaurants, pubs, etc.) in any area (such as along the XX line), proposal of member stores of a common theme (ethnic fair, general store , Imported food stores and restaurants). The fourth coupon is issued according to the number of stores that visited during the campaign period. In addition, you may make it promote the participation of a non-member store by a campaign.

  With such a configuration, the invention of this embodiment provides an opportunity for members (campaign planners C) to voluntarily participate in the affiliate mechanism, thereby increasing the awareness of the parties and making it more proactive in introducing other users. Can be expected. In addition, the member store only pays the cost of the coupon according to the usage record, and the campaign is automatically developed with stores in different industries and areas that are not affiliated with each other. Sales can be increased without incurring investment or business alliances.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, in addition to the second coupon, the introduction points of the introducer A are totaled according to the use results in the introduced store X of the introduced person B, and when the introduction points reach a predetermined value, It is characterized in that the second coupon issued after that is increased. Note that the same or corresponding components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. Since the hardware configuration of the host computer corresponding to FIG. 2A is the same, illustration and description thereof are omitted.

The coupon information management system 60 of this embodiment is such that when the introducer B ₁ , B _2, ... Bn, where the introducer A introduced the introduced store X, visits the store X, the introduced person B Store usage information that receives store usage information including purchase information (purchase amount, attributes and type of purchased product, etc.) at the store X of the referee B from the terminal 3 of the store X via the network A receiving unit 61 and an introduction point registration unit 63 that converts the received store usage information into an introduction point by applying a predetermined conversion rate and registers it in the store visit database (DB) 62 in association with the ID of the introducer A. When the second coupon is issued, the second coupon issuing unit 35 'searches the store visit DB 62 and totals the introduction points of the introducer A when the second coupon is issued, and the introduction points reach a predetermined value. In this case, the increased second coupon is issued.

If the second coupon is set to a fixed amount per person to be introduced (one visit), the incentive to introduce more users can be introduced because the referral fee itself can be simply multiplied by one person or 100 persons. Not enough. Therefore, in this embodiment, the store visits and use results of the introduced persons B ₁ , B ₂ ... Are converted into introduction points and accumulated for each introducer A, and the introduction points have reached, for example, 100 points. Referrer A is regarded as a good referrer and is issued after adding a second coupon (introduction fee) for subsequent referees Bn (for example, 500 yen per referee is increased to 600 yen). did. The introduction points are set, for example, as 5 points per visitor B's visit, 1 point per 1000 yen spent, 1-5 points depending on the purchase of a special menu or product set by the store X. Even if the same introducer B repeatedly visits the store, introduction points are added each time. By issuing a first coupon that can be used repeatedly to the referee B, or by giving a privilege such as a discount by presenting the member ID, the coupon information management system 1 Information on usage results can be acquired.

  With such a configuration, in the invention of this embodiment, by differentiating from other introducers, the willingness to introduce can be improved and introduction activities can be further activated. In addition, the introduced store X only increases the referral fee based on the visitor B's visit record and use record, so it is merely a reward according to the contribution of the increase in sales and does not become a heavy burden. It should be noted that the invention of this embodiment can be implemented in combination with the first and second embodiments as appropriate.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range which does not change the summary of invention.

  For example, this is also the case when the referee B uses the introduced store X to pay the usage fee (product fee, food and drink fee, etc.) by various methods such as credit card, electronic wallet, prepaid card, debit card, etc. The invention can be suitably employed. In the case of credit card settlement, when the card company settles the usage fee at a later date, the center 6 may be inquired about whether or not the first coupon can be used. The center 6 may be notified, and the center 6 may notify the card company of coupon usage information. In any case, the card company charges the introduced person B for the amount obtained by subtracting the amount of the first coupon, and notifies the usage details or the like that the discount has been made with the first coupon. Moreover, the discount amount by the coupon is settled in the same manner as the card use fee etc. with the store X. Thus, when the content of the first coupon is a discount or a cash voucher, the step (S10, S11 in FIG. 1) of inquiring the center 6 about the availability of the first coupon when using the store can be omitted. On the other hand, when the content of the first coupon is a preferential service (drink service, special menu, etc.) at the introduced store, as shown in FIG. 1, the center 6 is inquired whether the first coupon can be used or not when using the store. There is a need to.

  When the store usage fee is settled by electronic payment using a mobile phone, the mobile phone carrier or the like charges the store usage fee together with the mobile phone usage fee to the user (referee B). Also in this case, like the credit card settlement, it is clearly indicated in the usage details etc. that it was discounted by using the first coupon.

  A credit card company, a mobile phone carrier, or an affiliated company thereof may be the coupon information management center 6.

  Furthermore, a coupon information table for storing information on several types of coupons, and a desired coupon for acquiring information on coupons selected from a plurality of types of coupons that introducer A or introducer B has stored in this coupon information table via the network An accepting unit, and the first and / or second coupon issuing unit may issue the selected coupon to the introducer A or the introducer B. Thereby, the coupon which the introducer A and the introducer B desire can be issued, and it is more effective as incentives such as member registration and store introduction. In this case, in the member DB, the selection history of coupons selected by the introducer A or the introducer B in the past is registered in association with the identification information (ID) of the introducer A or the introducer B, and The desired coupon reception unit estimates the preference of the introducer A or the introducer B based on the coupon selection history in the member DB, and information on one or more coupons that match the estimated preference from the coupon information table. It is preferable to extract and generate a coupon selection reception screen. Thereby, the introducer A and the introducer B can easily select a coupon based on their own preference.

  Further, the member DB includes at least one of information of a store where the introducer A has visited, a store X which the introducer A has introduced to the introducer B, or a store where the introducer A has used the second coupon. When the second coupon issuing unit accepts the store use information, the second coupon issuing unit estimates the preference of the introducer A with reference to the member DB, and uses a plurality of types of second coupons as preference codes. You may make it search the 2nd coupon which matched the said presumed preference from the 2nd coupon information table stored in relation to. Alternatively, at least one of the information about the introduced store X where the introduced person B visited, the information about the introduced store X that did not visit, or the product purchase information at the introduced store X is stored in the member DB. When the first coupon issuing unit receives the information of the introduced store B and the information of the introduced person B from the introduced person A, the registered person B is registered in association with the ID of the introduced person B. Is a member, and in the case of being a member, the member DB is referred to, the preference of the introduced person B is estimated, and a plurality of types of first coupons are stored in association with the preference code. The first coupon that matches the estimated preference is searched from the coupon information table. Thereby, the preference of the introducer A or the introducer B can be accurately estimated based on the store use results, and a coupon matching the preference can be issued. Therefore, it is more effective as an incentive to introduce a store or visit an introduced store X.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration and an overall scheme according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the coupon information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a coupon information management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a coupon information management system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Coupon information management system 2 ... Member stores (stores)
3 ... Store terminal 4 ... User (member)
5 ... User terminal 6 ... Coupon information management center 11 ... CPU
12 ... System bus 13 ... RAM
14 ... ROM
15 ... HDD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 ... Input / output interface 17 ... Output device 18 ... Input device 19 ... Communication device 20 ... Removable recording medium 21 ... Drive 25 ... Member information master file 26 ... Member store master file 27 ... Coupon issue history file 28 ... Program storage part 30 ... Member registration reception part 31 ... Member ID issuing part 32 ... Coupon issue condition searching part 33 ... Coupon use availability determining part 34 ... First coupon issuing part 35 ... Second coupon issuing part 36 ... Coupon settlement processing part 37 ... Master management Department 50 ... Coupon information management system 51 ... Campaign information database 52 ... Campaign plan reception part 53 ... Third coupon issue part 54 ... Fourth coupon issue part 60 ... Coupon information management system 61 ... Store use information reception part 62 ... Visit Achievement database 63… Introduction POI Door registration unit

Claims (26)

A store terminal installed in a store (member store) that provides users with products or services (hereinafter referred to as “products, etc.”) and a user terminal that purchases products etc. at this store are connected via a network. A method for managing privilege information issued by a store to a user by a computer system,
The computer system is
A member information registration step of acquiring the user information from the terminal of the user who visited the store or the terminal of the store via the network and registering it in the member database (DB);
The first user who can receive a benefit such as a discount on the usage fee at the introduced store to the other user (referee) who introduced the store from the registered user (introducer). A first coupon issuing step for issuing coupon information in association with an introducer;
When the introduced person visits the store and uses the first coupon, the store usage information including the information of the first coupon and / or the information of the introduced person is transmitted from the terminal of the store via the network. A store usage information receiving process,
And a second coupon issuing step of issuing a second coupon as a reward for introduction to the introducer when the store use information is received. The privilege information management method according to claim 1,
The second coupon issuing step determines the privilege content of the second coupon according to the period from the date of issue of the first coupon to the date when the introducer uses the first coupon, A method characterized by being issued. The privilege information management method according to claim 1,
The computer system further comprises:
A campaign information notification step of notifying members of campaign information for issuing a third coupon as a campaign bonus when visiting a plurality of specific stores within a predetermined campaign period;
A campaign store information acquisition step of acquiring information of members who have visited during the campaign period from terminals of a plurality of stores targeted for the campaign via a network;
And a third coupon issuing step of issuing a third coupon according to the number of visits and / or the amount of use to each member after the campaign period ends. It is the privilege information management method of Claim 3, Comprising:
The computer system further comprises:
A campaign information registration step of acquiring information on a plurality of stores targeted for the campaign from a member and registering it in a campaign information database (DB) in association with the identification information of the member as a group of stores targeted for the campaign;
When this campaign is implemented and any member uses the store for the campaign, the campaign registration fee will be charged to the member who registered the campaign information according to the number of members used, the total number of stores used, or the total usage amount of the members. And a fourth coupon issuing step of issuing a fourth coupon. The privilege information management method according to claim 1,
The computer system further executes an introduction point registration process in which a predetermined conversion rate is applied to the received store use information, converted into introduction points, and associated with the introducer information and registered in the store visit record database (DB). Is,
In the second coupon issuing step, the store visit record DB is searched to count the introduction points for each introducer, and the second coupon is issued to the introducer whose introduction points have reached a predetermined value. A method characterized by being. The privilege information management method according to claim 1,
The computer system further comprises:
The introduced person registration step of acquiring information of the introduced person from the terminal of the introduced person together with the information of the introduced person and the information of the introduced store via the network and registering in the member database (DB);
Issuing conditions such as the upper limit of the number of issuance of the first coupon and the expiration date, the attributes of the introducer or the introduced person, the content of the first coupon issued to the introduced person, and the like are associated with the store identification information (store database ( DB) and a coupon issuance condition registration step stored in
The first coupon issuance step refers to the store DB when the information of the introducer is acquired from the introducer, determines whether the first coupon is issued to the introducer, and determines that the issue is possible. In this case, the content of the first coupon is determined and issued with reference to the store DB. It is the privilege information management method of Claim 6, Comprising:
The coupon issuance condition registration step includes the issuance conditions such as the upper limit of the number of issuance of the second coupon and the expiration date, the attributes of the introducer or the introduced person, and the contents of the second coupon to be provided to the introducer. Is stored in the store database (DB) in association with
The second coupon issuing step refers to the store DB when the store use information is received, refers to the store DB, determines whether or not the second coupon is issued to the introducer, and determines that the issue is possible. Then, the content of the second coupon is determined and issued. The privilege information management method according to claim 1,
The computer system further obtains the information of the introduced person from the introduced person's terminal together with the information of the introduced person and the information of the introduced store via a network and registers the information in a member database (DB). To perform the introducer registration process,
The said 1st and / or 2nd coupon issue process determines the privilege content of the coupon to issue based on whether the referee is registered as a member in the said member DB. The privilege information management method according to claim 1,
In the first coupon issuing step, when the introducer registered as a member visits the store for introduction together with the introduced person, the first coupon is issued to the introduced person. Method. The privilege information management method according to claim 1,
The computer further executes a desired coupon reception process for acquiring identification information of a coupon selected by an introducer or a referee from a coupon information table storing information on a plurality of types of coupons via a network,
The said 1st and / or 2nd coupon issue process issues the said selected coupon to an introducer or a introducer. The method characterized by the above-mentioned. It is the privilege information management method of Claim 10, Comprising:
The member information registration step is to register the selection history of the coupon selected by the introducer or introducer in the member DB in association with the identification information of the introducer or introducer,
The desired coupon reception step is a step of estimating the preference of the introducer or the introducer based on the coupon selection history of the member DB, and information on one or more coupons matching the estimated preference from the coupon information table. And a step of generating an extracted and displayed coupon selection reception screen. The privilege information management method according to claim 1,
In the member information registration step, the member DB is obtained by acquiring at least one of the store where the introducer has visited the store, the store where the introducer introduced to the introducer, or the store where the introducer used the second coupon. Registered with
The second coupon issuing step stores the step of estimating the introducer's preference with reference to the member DB and the plurality of types of second coupons associated with the preference code when the store use information is received. And a step of searching for a second coupon that matches the estimated preference from a second coupon information table. The privilege information management method according to claim 1,
The member information registration step associates at least one of the information of the introduced store where the introducer visited, the information of the introduced store that did not visit, or the product purchase information at the introduced store with this introduced person. Stored in the member DB,
The first coupon issuing step includes a step of determining whether or not the introduced person is a member when receiving the introduced store information and the introduced person information from the introducer. The process of estimating the referee's preference with reference to the member DB, and the first coupon information table storing a plurality of types of first coupons in association with the preference code, match the estimated preference. And a step of searching for one coupon. A store terminal installed in a store (member store) that provides users with products or services (hereinafter referred to as “products, etc.”) and a user terminal that purchases products etc. at this store are connected via a network. A system for managing privilege information issued to a user by the store, which is composed of one or two or more computers.
A member database (DB) for storing information on users who have visited any store;
The first user who can receive a benefit such as a discount on the usage fee at the introduced store to the other user (referee) who introduced the store from the registered user (introducer). First coupon issuing means for issuing coupon information in association with an introducer;
When the introduced person visits the store and uses the first coupon, the store use information including the information of the first coupon and / or the information of the introduced person is transmitted from the terminal of the store via the network. Store usage information receiving means for receiving;
And a second coupon issuing means for issuing a second coupon as a reward for introduction to the introducer when the store use information is received. The privilege information management system according to claim 14,
The second coupon issuing means determines the privilege content of the second coupon according to the period from the date of issue of the first coupon to the date when the introducer uses the first coupon, A system characterized by being issued. The privilege information management system according to claim 14,
further,
Campaign information notifying means for notifying members of campaign information for issuing a third coupon as a campaign bonus when visiting a plurality of specific stores within a predetermined campaign period;
Campaign store information acquisition means for acquiring information of members who have visited during the campaign period from terminals of a plurality of stores targeted for the campaign, via a network;
A system comprising: a third coupon issuing means for issuing a third coupon according to the number of visits and / or usage amount to each member after the campaign period ends. The privilege information management system according to claim 16, wherein
further,
A campaign information database (DB) for registering information on a plurality of stores selected by the member in association with identification information of the member as a store group to be campaigned;
When this campaign is implemented and any member uses the store for the campaign, the campaign registration fee will be charged to the member who registered the campaign information according to the number of members used, the total number of stores used, or the total usage amount of the members. And a fourth coupon issuing means for issuing a fourth coupon. The privilege information management system according to claim 14,
In addition, it has an introduction point registration means that applies a predetermined conversion rate to the received store use information, converts it into an introduction point and associates it with the introducer's information and registers it in the store visit database (DB),
The second coupon issuing means searches the store visit DB, totals the introduction points for each introducer, and adds and issues the second coupon to the introducer whose introduction points have reached a predetermined value. A system characterized by The privilege information management system according to claim 14,
Referee registration means for acquiring the information of the referee from the terminal of the referee together with the information of the introducer and the information of the store to be introduced through the network and registering it in a member database (DB);
A store database (DB) that stores the issuance conditions such as the upper limit of the number of issued coupons and the expiration date, the attributes of the introducer or the referee, and the content of the coupon in association with the identification information of the store; The first coupon issuing means refers to the store DB to determine whether or not the first coupon can be issued to the introduced person when acquiring information about the introduced person from the introducer, and determines that the first coupon is issued. In this case, the content of the coupon is determined and issued by referring to the store DB. The privilege information management system according to claim 19,
The store DB associates the issuance conditions such as the upper limit of the number of issuance of the second coupon and the expiration date, the attributes of the introducer or the introduced person, the content of the second coupon to be provided to the introducer with the identification information of the store. To store,
The second coupon issuing means refers to the store DB when referring to the store DB when receiving store use information, and determines whether or not the second coupon can be issued to the introducer. Then, the content of the second coupon is determined and issued. The privilege information management system according to claim 14,
The member DB is for registering the information of the introduced person acquired from the introduced person's terminal via the network, the information of the introduced person and the information of the introduced store,
The first and / or second coupon issuing means determines a privilege content of a coupon to be issued based on whether or not an introduced person is registered as a member in the member DB. The privilege information management system according to claim 14,
The first coupon issuing means is configured to issue a first coupon to a referee when an introducer who is registered as a member visits a store for introduction with the introducer. system. The privilege information management system according to claim 14,
Furthermore, a coupon information table that stores information on multiple types of coupons;
A desired coupon receiving means for acquiring information on a coupon selected by the introducer or the introduced person from a plurality of types of coupons stored in the coupon information table via the network;
The system characterized in that the first and / or second coupon issuing means issues the selected coupon to an introducer or a referee. The privilege information management system according to claim 23,
The member DB registers the selection history of coupons selected by the introducer or the introducer in association with the identification information of the introducer or the introducer,
The desired coupon reception means is configured to estimate the preference of the introducer or the introducer based on the coupon selection history of the member DB, and information on one or more coupons matching the estimated preference from the coupon information table. And a means for generating a coupon selection reception screen that is extracted and displayed. The privilege information management system according to claim 14,
The member DB registers information of at least one of a store where the introducer visited, a store introduced by the introducer to the introducer, or a store where the introducer used the second coupon,
The second coupon issuing means stores the means for estimating the introducer's preference by referring to the member DB and the plural types of second coupons in association with the preference code when the store use information is received. And a means for searching for a second coupon that matches the estimated preference from the second coupon information table. The privilege information management system according to claim 14,
The member DB registers at least one of the information of the introduced store where the introducer visited, the information of the introduced store that did not visit, or the product purchase information at the introduced store, in association with this introducer. Is what
The first coupon issuing means is a means for determining whether or not the introduced person is a member when receiving the introduced store information and the introduced person information from the introducer; From the means for estimating the referee's preference with reference to the member DB and the first coupon information table storing a plurality of types of first coupons in association with the preference code, And a means for searching for one coupon.

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