JP2003109116A - Point management system and method, and program for point management - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the number of times of coming to a store of customers and to increase the sales of the store. SOLUTION: This system is provided with a computer storing information on a member. The computer has a point managing function managing points at every member based on information on the use situation of the store, which is inputted to the computer. The computer is also provided with a group managing function grouping the members based on member information and managing them as the members of the group, a group point summing-up function summing up the points of the members in the group and a group point managing function managing the points so that any member can use the summed-up points in a group unit.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a point management system, and more particularly to a system for managing points which are given by using a predetermined store and can receive a predetermined privilege according to the accumulation. It also relates to a method and program for managing points.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a predetermined store such as a retail store,
A customer who purchases a product handled by his / her shop is provided with points according to the amount of use, and a predetermined service is provided according to the accumulation status of the points.
As a result, the customer increases the number of visits to the point so that points can be accumulated in order to receive a predetermined service, and purchases products at the store. Then, the store can increase sales by using a so-called repeater.

There are the following forms of using the point system. For example, a member card is issued for each customer, and it is presented at the time of product purchase, and a stamp is stamped on the card according to the purchase amount. Then, the store gives a discount when purchasing a product or presents a predetermined product according to the number of stamps.

Furthermore, in recent years, points are also managed using a computer. This is because the member information is stored in advance in a magnetic card or the like, the member is identified by reading this card, and points corresponding to the amount of money used in the store at this time are stored in the computer. Alternatively, a form of directly storing in a magnetic card is also adopted.

[0005]

However, in each of the above-mentioned conventional examples, the point is given to each individual, and the use of the store is limited to the individual.
There was a situation where points were hard to collect. In such a case, the customer's willingness to receive the privilege based on the points is reduced, and the number of visits to the store is also reduced.
Then, there has been a problem that it is difficult to increase the sales of the store.

[0006]

It is an object of the present invention to improve the inconveniences of the above-mentioned conventional example, and in particular, to increase the sales of the store by increasing the number of times customers visit the store. In addition, the purpose is to provide a point management program.

[0007]

Therefore, in the present invention, among the customers of a predetermined store, a person who can use the store to give a predetermined point and obtain a predetermined privilege at the point. A computer that stores member information is provided, and this computer has a point management function that manages points for each member based on information about the usage status of the store that is input to the computer,
Then, the computer further has a group management function of collecting members into a predetermined group based on the member information and managing the members as members of the group, and a group point totaling function of totaling points of the members in the group, A group point management function is provided for managing the points thus grouped so that any member in the group can use the points (group claim 1). . Also,
The computer is provided with a card issuing device connected to the computer for issuing a card capable of storing a predetermined amount of information, and a card reading device for reading the information stored in the card and delivering the read information to the computer. The card issuing device has an identification information setting function for setting information for identifying a member and a group of which the member is a member based on the member information, and the card issuing device stores the identification information of the member and the group in predetermined cards. It is desirable to have a card issuing function for storing and issuing a membership card (claim 2).

With such a configuration, the computer first refers to the member information to form a predetermined group of a plurality of members. Then, when points are added to the members in this group, the computer totalizes the points as the points of the group. That is, the points of all the members of the group are totaled to obtain the group points. After that, when the members in the group use the points, the points to be used are subtracted from the group points, and the computer manages the points in this way. Therefore,
Since the points are accumulated by the plurality of members forming the group, it becomes easy to accumulate the points. When the points are used, the points used by each person will be subtracted from the points of the entire group, and even if the accumulated points of the individual are small, it is possible to receive the service by using the points. Therefore, the members' motivation for accumulating points increases, so that the number of visits to the store can be increased and the sales can be increased. At this time, if the identification information of the member or the group is stored in the card, the identification of the member at the time of visiting the store becomes easy by reading the card, and the management becomes easier.

Further, according to the present invention, a predetermined point is provided by using a store terminal of a predetermined store connected through a network and a customer of the store, and the predetermined point is given at the point. A management server that stores information on members who are members who can obtain benefits, and this management server assigns points to each member based on the information about the member's store usage status transmitted from the store terminal to the management server. And a group management function for managing the members as a member of the group by grouping the members into a predetermined group based on the member information transmitted from the store terminal. A group point aggregation function that aggregates the points of the members in the group and this aggregated point for each group Any of the members in the loop and a group point management function for managing the point that can be utilized, but also employs a configuration that (claim 3). Then, a card issuing device that is connected to the store terminal and issues a card capable of storing a predetermined amount of information, and a card reading device that reads the information stored in the card and delivers the read information to the store terminal. The management server has an identification information setting function of setting information for identifying a member and a group of which the member is a member based on the member information and transmitting the identification information setting function to the card issuing device. A member information transmission function that transmits the information entered in the card issuing device to the management server via the store terminal, and the member and group identification information set in the management server are stored in the respective cards and the member card is issued. It is desirable to have a card issuing function to perform (claim 4).

With this structure, first of all,
Each store terminal of a plurality of stores is connected to a management server via a network. Then, each store terminal transmits the usage status of the member to the management server. The management server which receives this manages the points of the members as well as the points of each group, similarly to the above-mentioned computer. Therefore, if multiple stores have introduced a common point system, no matter which store the member uses,
Since the management server manages the points, the points can be accumulated and used. Therefore, points can be used at a plurality of stores, and the convenience of the customer increases the use opportunities of the stores, and the sales of the affiliated stores as a whole can be improved.
Further, similarly to the above, when a member is identified by a card, points can be used with a single card at a plurality of stores, so that the convenience of the member is improved and the management on the store side is improved. It will be easy.

Further, the management server has a point transmission function for transmitting the number of points of the member and the group of which the member is a member to the store terminal when the member uses the store, and the store terminal is the management server. A point notification function of notifying the member of the number of points received from the member may be provided (claim 5). With this, each time the member uses the store, the member can know the current accumulated points of himself or the group as a whole, and can plan future point utilization.

Further, the group point management function is a function for managing the points of the group unit, which are aggregated when the points of the members of a predetermined group are exhausted, so that the members can use the points. Desirable (Claim 6). At this time, the points available to each member may be a part of the group points (claim 7). Further, the group point totaling function may total a part of points of each member of the group to make a group point (claim 8). As a result, each member
When using points, first use your own points. And when my points are gone,
The group points can be used indefinitely or by limiting a predetermined amount. Therefore, the group points are used only when each member runs out of his or her own points, and it is possible to suppress the disadvantages of other members. Furthermore, by setting a part of the points for each member as a group point, it is possible to suppress the situation where all the own points are used by other members.

Further, it is desirable that the members of the group include other groups (claim 10). That is, after a group is formed by members, a plurality of groups may be further collected to form a group including these groups. As a result, groups having various relationships belong to the same group, the number of members increases, points can be accumulated more easily, and utilization opportunities further increase.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the predetermined group is a family-based group (claim 9), in which case the minimum unit of the predetermined group is the family-based group and the family-based group. It is more desirable to form a group of relatives as a group including the members (claim 11). As a result, the members of the group are connected to each other in a predetermined trust relationship, so that the group points can be used more smoothly.

Further, according to the present invention, among the customers of a predetermined store, the points of members who are given predetermined points by using the store and can obtain a predetermined privilege at the points are computerd. And a group forming step of forming a predetermined group of a plurality of members based on the member information by the computer, and a computer in the group. Point management including a point totaling process for totaling the points of the members of the group and a group point management process for managing the totalized points in group units so that any member in the group can use the points. A method is also provided (claim 12).

Further, according to the present invention, a predetermined computer is a customer who is a customer of a predetermined store and is given a predetermined point by using the store to obtain a predetermined privilege at the point. A point management program that controls the operation of the computer so as to manage the points of the member, stores the information of the member, and forms a predetermined group of members who are a plurality of members based on the member information. Group formation processing to
Executes point aggregation processing that aggregates the points of the members in the group and group point management processing that manages the aggregated points for each group so that any member in the group can use it. As described above, the point management program for controlling the operation of the computer and the storage medium storing the program are also provided (claims 13 and 14). Even in this case, the same effects as the above can be obtained, and thus the above object can be achieved.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION <First Embodiment> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the present invention. 2 to 3 are explanatory views showing the data structure of the member database. 4 to 5 are flowcharts showing the operation of the present invention.

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 1, a point management system in the first embodiment is a computer 1
And a card issuing device 2 and a card reading device 3. These devices 1, 2 and 3 are provided in a predetermined store. With such a configuration, first, a member card is issued to a part of customers at a predetermined store, and a person who is given the card can become a member. Then, the member can add points corresponding to the amount of money used by purchasing a product at a store or using a service provided by the store, and can receive a predetermined service from the store by the number of points. it can. The computer 1 manages such points. Hereinafter, this will be described in detail.

The computer 1 is a general computer such as an arithmetic unit (CPU) (not shown) having a predetermined arithmetic processing capability, a storage device 11 (hard disk) having a predetermined storage capacity, and other RAM and ROM. It is a computer equipped with the device. The computer 1 is provided in various stores such as retail stores and stores that provide services. For example, a supermarket, a clothes store, a restaurant, a beauty salon, or the like. Then, the computer 1 is integrated with a cash register that performs accounting at a store. However, it is not necessarily limited to being integrated with the cash register.

A card issuing device 2 and a card reading device 3 are connected to the computer 1 by a predetermined cable. Therefore, the computer 1 has the card issuing device 2
It is also possible to send and receive data to and from the card reading device 3. Here, each of the devices 2 and 3 will be described.

The card issuing device 2 is one of the customers of the store.
This is a device for issuing a membership card C to a person who wishes to become a member. The card issuing device 2 is provided with a predetermined input device and a monitor (not shown). The customer can enter his information using the input device and the monitor. However, you may input using the said computer 1.

Then, the card issuing device 2 delivers the input information from the customer to the computer. As a result, the customer is registered as a member on the computer 1 as described later, and a member code (ID) is assigned to each member. The card issuing device 2 receives this ID, stores the ID in the member card C, and issues the card C (card issuing function). For example, the membership card C is formed of a magnetic card, and data is stored in the magnetic stripe. The stored data may include a family code, a password thereof, a member code (ID), and a password thereof, which will be described later.

The card reading device 3 reads the information stored in the membership card C. That is, the information stored in the magnetic stripe of the card C set in the card reading device 3 is read. The read information is transmitted to the computer 1 and the member who owns the card C is authenticated.

Specifically, the processing instruction to the computer 1 is given by a clerk of the store or the like. For example, the clerk
When a member purchases a product at a store, a card reading command is input to the computer 1 and the card C brought by the member is set in the card reading device 3. At this time, when reading the card C, the member is required to input the password. The member inputs the password into the computer 1 or the password using a predetermined input device (a device (not shown) connected to the computer 1) provided by the clerk. As a result, it is possible to prevent the person who picks up the card from arbitrarily using the points of another person. Then, the computer 1 authenticates the member based on the ID and password read from the card C, as will be described later.

When the person who inserts the card C is authenticated by the computer 1 as a member, the clerk asks the member whether to use the points for settlement. And
When accumulating points, or when allocating already accumulated points for payment, the clerk inputs a command to that effect to the computer 1. The computer 1 executes the following processes according to each command.

Now, the description of the computer 1 will be returned to. The computer 1 is adapted to operate a predetermined operating system, and has the following functions by executing a predetermined program on the system. That is, the computer 1 executes the programs stored in advance in the storage device 11, the ROM, etc., so that the CPU has the following functions built therein and operates.

First, the computer 1 points based on the member registration function 12 that performs member registration based on the customer information input from the card issuing device 2 and the information on the usage status of the store input to the computer 1. And a point management function 13 for managing each member.

The member registration function 12 stores information on a customer who newly registers as a member in the member database 17 in the storage device 11.
Register with. Specifically, it is a function that operates as follows. First, the membership policy is displayed on the card issuing device 2 and the customer is requested to consent. If consent is obtained, request the customer's own data. At this time, the requested data includes name, age, contact information (e-mail, address, telephone, etc.). Such information is received from the card issuing device 2, and an ID (for example, a 5-digit number) that is a member code that does not overlap with other members is issued to this customer.

At this time, the customer is also requested to enter the family code. Here, the family code is a code assigned to each family group, which is one form of a group in which a plurality of members are collected. Therefore, when there is a member who is already a member in the family (family), the family code and password which the person knows in advance are input to the card issuing device 2. If the family group already exists, the customer joins the family group and becomes a new member. Otherwise, the computer 1 gives a new family code (for example, 4 alphabet characters). Issue. At this time, as will be described later, a new family group is formed even if it is currently alone.

Thereafter, the card issuing device 2 stores predetermined information in the magnetic card and issues the membership card. As described above, the computer 1 has a function of issuing an ID and a family code, that is, a member (customer) based on member information (customer information) and a group (family) of which the member is a member. It has an identification information setting function for setting identification information (ID, family code).

The point management function 13 is a function for managing points for each member as in the conventional example. That is, first, the member is authenticated by the information read from the card presented when the member is shopping for a predetermined product or the like, and the points corresponding to the purchase amount are added or subtracted. This is the function to be executed.
Further, as described above, first, as described above, the member information read from the card reading device 3 and the password input by the member are matched to determine whether or not the member is stored in the member database 17. Then, if there is data in which the ID in the member information and the input password match, the customer who brought the card is determined to be a member. Then, the point data of the member and the data of the group of which the member is a member are extracted.

At this time, the member database 17 is provided with an area for storing points for each member, and the current number of points is stored in the area. Then, the purchase amount input to the computer 1 by the clerk is converted into points accumulated in the computer 1, and based on the information input by the clerk whether or not the member accumulates points. Then, the following processing is performed. When accumulating points, the converted number of points is added. Also, when using, subtract the number of points to use,
Update the number of points for each member. However, even when using points, points corresponding to the purchase amount may be accumulated. Here, for example, in the case of accumulating points, 10% of the purchase amount is set as points, and in the case of using points, the value of points is left as it is and the unit is set to yen to discount the amount. In this way, the customer who purchases daily at the store will receive the same service as if he or she received a 10% discount.

Further, the computer 1 collects the members into a predetermined group based on the member information and manages the members as a member of the group, and the group point totalizing for totaling the points of the members in the group. It is provided with a function 15 and a group point management function 16 that manages the totalized points in group units so that any member in the group can use the points.

The group management function 14 is a function for managing members in a predetermined group in a hierarchical manner. The concept is shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the positioning of members stored in the member database 17. Here, the member is referred to as a family member, and a group including a plurality of family members is referred to as a family group. Then, a larger group, which is a group of a plurality of family groups, is set as a relative group. In this way, the family members a and b are members of the family group A, and similarly, the family group B is formed. Then, the family group A and the family group B are members of the larger relative group α. In addition,
Although a group in which the relative groups are combined is not shown here, a friend group having a plurality of relative groups as members may be formed as a higher-ranking group.
That is, the group structure may have any number of layers.

Here, an example of actual data storage of the hierarchized member database 17 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram showing a table in which family groups are summarized, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram showing a table in which relative groups are summarized. As shown in FIG. 3A, family members who are members included in a predetermined family group are stored in a table with one family code “aaaa”. And in the records in this table,
Data such as each family member “11111” is stored. At this time, the ID, password, points, notification destination, etc. for each family member are stored. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the family groups are stored in a table of relative groups to which each family group belongs. For example, the family group with the above family code “aaa” is
It is stored in the table of the relative group of the relative code “AAAA”. Then, each record stores information on the family group, such as a family code, a password, and points of all members of the family group.

As described above, the member database 17 constitutes a relational database, and each data is stored in association with each other. Therefore, even if the number of members increases later, each member data may be stored in a predetermined table. As a result, it is possible to easily search which member belongs to which group, and it is possible to speed up the data search.

The group point totaling function 15 totalizes the points of all the members of a predetermined group and stores them in a predetermined area in the storage device 11. For example, first,
The number of points stored in the point field of each family member record included in the family group table of the family code “aaa” shown in (a) is extracted. Extract this number of points for all family members. afterwards,
The number of points of all the extracted family members is totaled, and the points totaled for each family are stored in a point totaling table (not shown). The point totaling table is formed in the storage device 11 as a part of the member database 17. It should be noted that the points for each family code are stored in the relative table when there is a relative group table as described above, and thus the point totaling table may not be formed. However, the point totaling table for the highest level group is always formed. That is, the table storing the points of the relative code “AAAA” is formed in the member database 17 although not shown.

Here, the group point totalizing function operates when points are added to any member. That is, when a predetermined family member purchases a product at a predetermined store and there is an input to accumulate points, the points of the family member are updated. Then, when this update is detected, the points of the family group, which is the upper group, are totaled.

The group point management function 16 is a function for managing the member's use of points based on the above point management function. That is, the function of authenticating the member and managing the points of each member is as described above. This function is a function that further operates as follows.

When the member allocates the points already accumulated to a part of the purchase price and receives the discount, first, it is subtracted from his own points. If the number of points of the user is less than the purchase amount, or if the information indicating that the points will be used more than that is input to the computer 1 by the will of the member, the member becomes a member of the group. Points will be assigned. Therefore, the group points are subtracted. As a result, the subtracted amount of the group points becomes a burden on the other members of the group. For example, the subtracted amount is evenly distributed and subtracted from each member. After that, the database is updated.

Here, the group point management function has been exemplified as a function of using the group points when the points of the member who actually uses the points are exhausted, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. Instead of preferentially using one's own points, the group points may always be used when the points are used. And the subtraction of points by use is
It is not limited to being uniformly distributed and subtracted from each member. It suffices to subtract from the points of the person who has accumulated the most points, and finally to subtract the used points.

The group points that can be used by each member are set in advance such that a part of the group points, for example, 50% of the group points, can be used within the range. Good. This is to reduce the disadvantage of a person who has accumulated a large number of points because the accumulated points are different for each member. That is, even if a predetermined member frequently uses the store and accumulates a large number of points, if another member uses a large number of points, the predetermined member suffers a significant disadvantage.

Furthermore, the group points may be managed by aggregating some of the points of the members of the group. Since each member only uses a part of his or her own points as a group point for other members, it is possible to suppress unfairness among the members. For example, 10% of the points acquired at one time are aggregated as group points.

Here, an example of a program that realizes each of the above functions will be shown. It is a group forming process of storing information of members and forming a predetermined group of members who are a plurality of members based on the member information, a point totaling process of totaling points of members in the group, To execute the group point management process that manages this aggregated point for each group so that any member in the group can use it,
It is a point management program for controlling the operation of the computer 2. The program may be stored in the storage device 11 or the like as described above, but the CD-RO
It may be stored in a portable medium such as M and read from the medium, or downloaded from another computer on the network N and incorporated into the computer 1.

(Operation) Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation when issuing a card, and FIG.
It is a flow chart which shows operation at the time of a member using a card.

First, the operation when issuing a card will be described. A customer who visits a predetermined store and desires to become a member operates the card issuing device 2. Card issuing device 2
The member's rules are displayed on the display screen of (Step S
1) If the customer agrees to the terms, the customer presses the "agree" button. At this time, the button is displayed on the screen of the card issuing device 2 and is of a touch panel type.

Subsequently, a screen requesting the customer to input the member information is displayed on the display screen, and the customer inputs the member information according to the screen (step S2). This input information is transmitted to the computer 1. The computer 1 issues an ID given to each member (step S3). This ID is unique to each member, may be randomly generated, or may be a series of consecutive numbers. Then, this ID is temporarily stored in the RAM or the register of the computer 1.

Subsequently, the computer 1 requests the customer to input the family code via the display screen of the card issuing device 2 (step S4). When the customer's family is already a member, the family code and password can be heard from the family member, so the family code can be entered (step S5). Also at this time, the input can be made by directly operating the touch panel type display screen. This is done when a customer currently enrolling wants to become a member of an existing family group.

Then, the presence of the family group is checked by the computer 1 based on the entered family code and password (steps S6 and S7).
When the family group can be searched from the member database 17, the computer 1 asks the customer whether or not to join the family group (step S).
8). This is also via the display device of the card issuing device 2. At this time, if the customer desires to join the family group, the member ID issued in step S3 is associated with the family code (step S10).
That is, the ID of the new member is stored as a record in the family code table, and each field item such as the notification destination of the member having the ID is stored. That is, it is registered in the member database 17 built in the storage device 11 of the computer 1 (step S1).
1).

At step S4, if the customer does not have a family code, the customer presses the "no family code" button displayed on the display screen. Then, a signal to that effect is transmitted to the computer 1, and the computer 1
A new family code is issued at (step S
9). Along with this, a record is formed in a new family group having the customer as the first member, that is, in the member database 17. In addition, in step S8, when the customer does not become a member of an existing family group and a new family group is formed, the process proceeds to step S9 and a new family code is issued. After that, the family code and the member ID are associated with each other and registered in the database in the same manner as described above (steps S10 and S11).

After the member information of the new member is registered in the database 17, the family code and ID are added to the card issuing device 2.
And the information such as ID is stored in the magnetic card which is the membership card C by the card issuing device 2 (step S12). Then, the member card C is issued (step S13), and is handed to the member.

Next, an operation when a person who becomes a member of a predetermined store as described above and has the card C visits the store will be described. First, the visiting member inserts the card C into the card reading device 3 and inputs the password. Then, the card reading device 3 displays the card C
The member's family code, ID, etc. stored in the magnetic stripe portion of are read (step S21) and the entered password is received. Subsequently, the ID and password are transmitted to the computer 1, and the computer 1 makes an inquiry (step S22). The inquiry is made by referring to the member database 17 and performing matching (step S23). At this time, if it does not match the member information in the member database 17,
The customer visiting the store is determined not to be a member, and the process ends. On the other hand, if they match, information indicating that the customer is a member is displayed on the computer 1 and the clerk recognizes that fact.

The clerk takes the following actions for the members.
First, ask the member whether or not to purchase the product (step S
24). Then, when the member purchases the product, the clerk inputs the amount of the product into the computer 1 and makes a payment. At this time, the store clerk asks the member whether to accumulate points or to use the already accumulated points (step S25). Then, in the case of accumulating points, the clerk inputs information to that effect into the computer 1, whereby the purchase amount is converted into points by the computer 1. For example, the points are 5% of the amount of money, and when the user purchases 10,000 yen, 500 points are accumulated. On the other hand, as will be described later, when using points for payment, 500 points is equivalent to 500 yen.

Subsequently, the number of points is the computer 1
At, the points already stored in the own record in the member database 17 are added and updated (step S33). After that, the group points of the family group to which the member belongs are also aggregated, and the number of points in the database 17 is updated (step S34).

Here, in step S25, if the member wants to use points for settlement, that is, to allocate points to a part of the payment amount, the computer 1 first accumulates the points so far. The self points thus obtained are subtracted (step S26). For example, 1000
If you have accumulated points, you can get a discount of 1000 yen. At this time, the points of the member are subtracted, and at the same time, the family points are recounted.

Then, if the points are only allocated to the payment and the amount of payment is less than a part of the payment amount (step S27), the group points of the family group to which the member belongs are extracted (step S2).
8), some or all of which is allocated for payment. At this time, the number of points in the database 17 is subtracted and updated, but it is needless to say that the group points are subtracted (step S29). At the same time, the subtracted number of points is allocated to each member. The points of each member are also subtracted and updated (step S30). If the payment amount is still insufficient (step S31), the member pays the balance by cash (step S32). Although not shown, the points of the relative group, which is a higher group, may be used.

Then, after the settlement is completed, the clerk inputs information to that effect to the computer 1,
The output data, for example, the price of the purchased product, the accumulated points of the current member, and the group points are extracted from the storage device 11 by the computer 1 (step S3).
6) The receipt is output (step S37). As a result, the member can know the current number of points and can plan the next purchase.

Here, in step S24, when the member who visited the store does not purchase the product but only confirms the accumulated points (step S35), the clerk inputs information to that effect to the computer 1. By doing so, the points of the member and the points of the group are extracted by the computer 1 (step S36). After that, although the product has not been purchased, the current points are output on a sheet such as a receipt and passed to the member.

The computer 1 may be provided with a function of periodically notifying the contact information of the member registered in the member database 17 of the accumulated points of the member or the group. For example, if the member has registered his own e-mail address in advance, the computer 1 sends an e-mail notifying the number of points to the address. As a result, it is possible to know that another member has used the points among the members of the group to which he / she belongs, and to make a later point usage plan.

By doing so, the members can share points that can be provided with a predetermined service in the group by forming a group with the family and the like. Therefore, the points can be accumulated easily, and the possibility of receiving a predetermined service at the accumulated points is improved. Along with this, it is possible to motivate the members to accumulate points, promote the members to come to the store, and improve the sales of the stores.

<Second Embodiment> The second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 7. Figure 6
7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment, and FIG.
[Fig. 6] is a sequence diagram showing an operation.

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 6, in the point management system according to the second embodiment, the store terminals 5 and 6 of the predetermined stores T1 and T2, which are connected via a network N, and the stores. The management server 4 stores the information of members who are the customers who are given the predetermined points by using the store and can obtain the predetermined privilege at the points. Further, a card issuing device 52 that is connected to the store terminal 5 and issues a card C capable of storing a predetermined amount of information, and the information stored in the card C is read and the read information is sent to the store terminals 5 and 6. It is provided with the card reading devices 51 and 61 to be delivered. The details will be described below.

The store terminals 5 and 6 are connected to predetermined stores T1 and T2.
Is a personal computer equipped with. It is desirable that this computer also functions as a cash register. The store terminals 5 and 6 are connected to the network N and can communicate with the management server 4 described later. That is, the store terminals 5 and 6 are equipped with communication means.

The card issuing device 52 and the card reading devices 51 and 61 described in the first embodiment are connected to the store terminals 5 and 6. However, the card issuing device 52 is not limited to being provided in all stores. In the example of FIG. 6, it is connected only to the store with the code T1, that is, the store terminal with the code 5.

Here, the stores T1 and T2 are stores that employ a common membership system. As a result, if you become a member, no matter which store you purchase your product,
You can receive the service provided by points.
Therefore, it is desirable that all the stores T1 and T2 are provided with a card reader so that points can be accumulated and used. However, even if the member registration procedure can be performed only at a predetermined store T1, there is not much inconvenience. Rather, equipment costs can be saved.

The store terminals 5 and 6 include the card issuing device 52, the card reading devices 51 and 61, and the management server 4.
It mediates the transmission and reception of predetermined information between and. For this reason, the card issuing device 52 uses the card issuing device 5
The information entered in 2 is sent to the management server 4 via the store terminal 5.
The member information transmission function for transmitting to the card C and the member and group identification information set in the management server 4 respectively.
It has a card issuing function to store the membership card and issue a membership card. However, these functions are almost the same as the operations performed on the computer 1 by the card issuing device 2 in the first embodiment described above. Similarly, the card readers 51 and 61 also perform the same operations as those performed on the computer 1 on the management server 4 via the store terminals 5 and 6.

The store terminals 5 and 6 also have a point notification function for notifying members of the number of points received from the management server 4. This is the same operation as the computer 1 outputs a receipt in which the number of points is described, as described in the first embodiment.

The management server 4 is a server computer having a computing device (not shown) and a storage device 41. The management server 4 is provided with a communication means and is another computer on the network N, which is the store terminals 5 and 6.
Can communicate with each other. In particular, this server 4 is always connected on the network and always allows access from the store terminals 5 and 6.

Then, the management server 4 operates in substantially the same manner as the computer 1 in the above-mentioned first embodiment. That is, in the first embodiment, the card issuing device 2 and the card reading device 3 which are directly connected to the computer 1.
However, in this embodiment, the management server 4 uses the network N and the store terminals 5, 6 to exchange predetermined information with the store N.
It operates so as to exchange information with the card readers 51, 61 and the like via the. Therefore, the management server 4 starts the member registration function described above, and the management server 4 stores the store terminal T.
1, a point management function that manages points for each member based on the information about the member's store usage status transmitted from T2, and the members are grouped into a predetermined group based on the member information transmitted from the store terminal 5 A group management function that manages as a member of the group, a group point aggregation function that aggregates the points of the members in the group, and this aggregated point for each group is used by any member of the group. Card issuing device 5 by setting a group point management function for managing the points so that the points can be controlled
2 is provided with an identification information setting function. These functions are the functions provided in the computer 1 described above,
It has almost the same function.

Further, the management server 4 has a point transmission function for transmitting the points of the member and the group of which the member is a member to the store terminals 5 and 6 when the member uses the store. This point transmission function is to transmit the number of points of the member or a group of the member to be notified to the member who visits the stores T1 and T2 for shopping or confirms the points to the store terminals T1 and T2. . Then, at the store terminals 5 and 6, the number of points is set out on a receipt or the like, and the clerk hands the receipt or the like to the member for notification.

Here, each of the above-mentioned functions of the management server 4 causes the CPU, which is an arithmetic unit, to execute a predetermined program stored in the storage device 41 or the ROM in the management server 4, thereby causing each CPU to execute the predetermined program. Functions can be built and realized.

The storage device 4 of the management server 4 described above
1 is the membership database 17 in the first embodiment.
A database 42 that is almost the same as the above is constructed. The data structure of the database 42 is similar to that shown in FIGS.

(Operation) Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. In this figure, the processing from step S101 to step S107 shows the processing when the card is issued, and the processing from step S108 to
The processing up to step S116 shows the processing when using the card.

First, in order for the customer to become a new member, he goes to the store T1 in which the card issuing device 52 is provided.
Then, according to the instruction on the display screen of the card issuing device 52, predetermined information such as the customer's name and the family code, if any, is input (step S101). These pieces of information are transmitted to the management server 4 via the store terminal 5 (step S1).
02).

Subsequently, the management server 4 issues a member ID (step S103). If the family code is not input, a new family code is also issued. Then, this ID and the group corresponding to the family code (when the code is input by the customer, the existing group corresponding thereto) are associated and registered in the member database 42 (step S104). At the same time, the management server 4 transmits the ID and the family code to the store terminal 5 (step S105). Upon receipt of this, the store terminal 5 transmits the ID and the family code together with the card issuing command to the card issuing device 52 (step S10).
6). Then, in the card issuing device 52, I
D and the like are stored, and the card C is issued (step S107). In this way, the customer can become a member and can get the card C.

When the member brings the card C to the stores T1 and T2 for shopping at a later date, first, the card C is inserted into the card reading devices 51 and 61 (step S).
108). The card readers 51 and 61 read the member ID, the family code, and the like stored in the magnetic part of the card C, and send the data to the store terminals 5 and 6 (step S109). At this time, the store clerk requests the member to input the password, and asks the member to input the password, for example. Then, the store terminals 5 and 6 send the entered password together with the ID and the like received from the card readers 51 and 61 to the management server 4 and request introduction of members (step S110).

The management server 4 performs matching with the information in the database 42, and if there is matching member data, it notifies the store terminals 5, 6 that it is a member (step S111). After that, when the member purchases a predetermined product, the clerk inputs the purchase amount into the store terminals 5 and 6 (step S112). At this time, the clerk asks the member whether to accumulate points or use accumulated points, and inputs the answer to the store terminals 5 and 6. Then, this information and the purchase price information are transmitted to the management server 4.

In the management server 4, the point settlement is executed (step S113), and the point value in the database 42 is updated (step S114). That is, when accumulating points, the points of the member are added and the group points are totaled,
A new value is stored. When using points, predetermined points are subtracted, and the points of all members in the group are settled accordingly.

Then, the number of points of this member and the number of points of the group to which the member belongs are notified to the store terminals 5 and 6 (step S115). At the store terminals 5 and 6, the number of points is recorded on a receipt or the like, and handed to the member by the store clerk.

By doing so, a plurality of stores can cooperate with each other to adopt the membership system, the members can also shop at the plurality of stores, and the points can be easily accumulated. . Therefore, points can be used at a plurality of stores, and the convenience of the customer increases the use opportunities of the stores, and the sales of the affiliated stores as a whole can be improved. Also, in the same way as above, when identifying a member with a card,
Since points can be used with a single card at a plurality of stores, convenience of members is improved and management on the store side becomes easier.

<Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The point management system in the third embodiment is the card issuing device 2, 52 and the card reading device 5 shown in the above-described first and second embodiments.
It does not have 1,61. That is, members are not managed by cards.

In the present embodiment, the store clerk inputs the ID or password informed or presented by the member to the computer 1 or the store terminals 5 and 6, and the computer 1 or the management server 4 inquires about it. To do. Then, as in the above-described embodiment, the points are managed by the computer 1 and the management server 4.

In this way as well, it is possible to achieve the above-mentioned effects and to reduce the equipment cost, so that the system can be spread.

[0084]

Since the present invention is constructed and functions as described above, according to this, by forming a group in which a plurality of members have a family or a predetermined relationship, points can be grouped by using a store. The points can be accumulated in a group and can be used to receive a predetermined service such as a discount. Therefore, the points can be easily accumulated and the use of the points can be promoted. . Therefore, there is an unprecedented excellent effect that the number of opportunities for members to use the store is increased and the sales of the store can be increased.

When the same point system is provided at a plurality of stores, the points can be accumulated regardless of which store the member uses, so that the points can be accumulated more easily. Therefore, it is possible to further increase members' motivation to visit the store and increase sales of the store. Since the stores of various industries cooperate with each other to provide the point system, the member can use the store properly according to need, so that the convenience of the member who uses the store can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a hierarchical structure of a group formed by members.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data structure stored in a member database. FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a data structure of a family group, and FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a data structure of a relative group.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of issuing a card in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when a member uses a card according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an operation in the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 computer 2,52 card issuing device 3,51,61 card reader 4 Management server 5, 6 store terminals 11,41 Storage device 13 point management function 14 Group management function 15 Group point counting function 16 Group point management function 17,42 Member database C card N network T1, T2 stores

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G06K 19/00 G06K 19/00 Q

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A computer, which stores information of members who are customers of a predetermined store, who are given predetermined points by using the store and can obtain a predetermined privilege at the points, In this point management system, the computer has a point management function of managing the points for each of the members based on information about the usage status of the store input to the computer, wherein the computer is based on the member information. A group management function of collecting the members into a predetermined group and managing them as members of the group, and a group point totaling function of totaling points of the members in the group,
A point management system comprising: a group point management function for managing the points, which are calculated in group units, so that any member in the group can use the points. 2. A card issuing device connected to the computer for issuing a card capable of storing a predetermined amount of information, and a card for reading the information stored in the card and delivering the read information to the computer. A reading device, the computer has an identification information setting function for setting information for identifying the member and the group of which the member is a member based on the member information, and the card issuing device, 2. The point management system according to claim 1, further comprising a card issuing function of storing identification information of the member and the group in a predetermined card and issuing a membership card. 3. A store terminal owned by a predetermined store connected through a network, and a predetermined point is given by using the store among customers of the store, and a predetermined privilege is obtained at the point. A management server that stores information on members who are able to store the points based on the information on the store usage status of the members transmitted from the store terminal to the management server. In a point management system having a point management function for managing each of the groups, the management server groups the members into a predetermined group based on member information transmitted from the store terminal and manages the members as members of the group. Management functions,
Group point aggregation function that aggregates the points of the members in the group, and group point management that manages the aggregated points for each group so that any member in the group can use it. A point management system characterized by having functions. 4. A card issuing device which is connected to the store terminal and issues a card capable of storing a predetermined amount of information, and which reads the information stored in the card and receives the read information in the store terminal. A card reading device for handing over, wherein the management server sets information for identifying the member and the group of which the member is a member based on the member information, and sets the identification information to be transmitted to the card issuing device. While having a function, the card issuing device, a member information transmission function for transmitting the information input to the card issuing device to the management server via the store terminal, and the member set in the management server 4. The card issuing function according to claim 3, further comprising: a card issuing function for storing identification information for identifying each group in the card and issuing a membership card. Cement management systems. 5. The management server has a point transmission function of transmitting the number of points of the member and a group of which the member is a member to the store terminal when the member uses the store, and the store terminal The point management system according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising a point notification function of notifying the member of the number of points received from the management server. 6. The group point management function is a function for managing the points of the group unit when the members of the predetermined group run out so that the members can use the points. The point management function according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. 7. The group point management function manages a part of the totalized points of each group when the member of the predetermined group runs out so that the member can use the point. The point management function according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein the point management function is a function to perform. 8. The group point totaling function is a function of totaling a part of points of each member of the group to obtain a group point. , 6 or 7 point management system. 9. The predetermined group is a family-based group.
The point management system according to 5, 6, 7 or 8. 10. The members of the group include other groups.
The point management system according to 6, 7, 8 or 9. 11. The minimum unit of the predetermined group is a family unit, and the relative unit is formed as the group including the family unit as a member. The point management system according to claim 10. 12. A computer manages the points of a member who is a customer of a predetermined store who is given a predetermined point by using the store and can obtain a predetermined privilege at the point. A method of managing points, wherein the computer stores the information of the member, and a group forming step of forming a predetermined group of members who are the plurality of members based on the member information; It was equipped with a point aggregation process that aggregates the points of the members in the group, and a group point management process that manages the aggregated points for each group so that any member in the group can use it. A point management method characterized by that. 13. A predetermined computer sets the points of a member who is a customer of a predetermined store who is given a predetermined point by using the store and can obtain a predetermined privilege at the point. A point management program for controlling the operation of the computer so as to manage, a group that stores the information of the member and forms a predetermined group of the members who are the plurality of members based on the member information Forming processing, point aggregation processing that aggregates the points of the members in the group, and group point management that manages the aggregated points in group units so that any member in the group can use it A point management program for controlling the operation of the computer so as to execute processing. 14. A predetermined computer displays the points of a member who is a customer of a predetermined store who is given a predetermined point by using the store and can obtain a predetermined privilege at the point. A storage medium storing a point management program for controlling the operation of the computer for management, which stores information of the member and which is composed of a plurality of members based on the member information. Group formation processing for forming a group, point aggregation processing for aggregating points of the members in the group, and points accumulated for each group can be used by any member in the group Point management for controlling the operation of the computer so as to execute the management point management process And the storage medium storing the program.