Point management system

Abstract

To provide a point management system that enables a user to freely design details on points and issue the points and safely collect or exchange the points under appropriate conditions.SOLUTION: A point management system 1 comprises a specific terminal 10, a store terminal 20, and a user terminal 30, and issues exchangeable points using a base system that is capable of verifying the validity of information using distributed ledger technology. The specific terminal 10 issues specific points having specific information and provides them to the user terminal 30. The store terminal 20 issues general points having information that an issuer can set the details thereof, and provides them to the user terminal 30. The user terminal 30 can exchange the specific points for the general points and provide them to the store terminal 20, and can also exchange the general points for the specific points and provide them to the specific terminal 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a point management system that uses block chain technology to execute a point service in a distributed management format. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a point management system in which stock price-linked points are used as points distributed to users, with the point balance being linked to the stock price of the designated company that distributed the points, and the point management section of the point management device updates the point balance based on the designated company's new stock price and the updated stock price used when updating the user's point balance, thereby linking the point balance to the stock price, and the terminal processing section of the point management section notifies the user terminal of the user's new point balance obtained by the update in response to a balance inquiry request from the user terminal (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-199051 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above conventional point management system, all management related to specific points linked to the stock price of a designated company is performed by a point management device, and a user terminal performs point balance inquiries by sending a balance inquiry request to the point management device. In other words, the point management device can only manage points related to specific information such as stock prices, and there is a problem in that it is not possible to set various point contents on each user terminal and exchange them.

[0005] To solve the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a points management system that enables users to freely design and issue points, and to safely collect and exchange those points under appropriate conditions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve at least some of the problems described above, and can be realized as the following application examples. Note that the reference symbols and supplementary explanations in parentheses in this section indicate the correspondence with the embodiments described later in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention in any way.

[0007] [Application example 1] The invention described in Application Example 1 is as follows: A point management system (1) that is composed of a specific terminal (10), a store terminal (20) and a user terminal (30) and issues exchangeable points using a platform system that can verify the validity of information using distributed ledger technology, The specific terminal (10) issues specific points having specific information and provides them to the user terminal (30); The store terminal (20) issues general points having information that an issuer can set the contents of, and provides the general points to the user terminal (30); The user terminal (30) The specific points can be exchanged for the general points and provided to the store terminal (20); The gist of the point management system 1 is that the general points can be exchanged for the specific points and provided to the specific terminal (10).

[0008] In such a point management system (1), the system is made up of a specific terminal (10), a store terminal (20) and a user terminal (30), and specific points are issued at the specific terminal (10) and general points are issued at the store terminal (20).

[0009] The specific points are points that have specific information, for example, information that is the basis of the point management system (1). In addition, the general points are information whose contents can be set by the issuer at the store terminal (20). For example, if the issuer is a store operator, the issuer can freely set the contents of the points, such as service points according to the customer's purchase price, visit points given simply for visiting the store, and other various information.

[0010] Furthermore, at the user terminal (30), specific points can be exchanged for general points and provided to the store terminal (20), and general points can be exchanged for specific points and provided to the specific terminal (10). In other words, specific points cannot be directly exchanged for general points between the specific terminal (10) and the store terminal (20).

[0011] In this case, both specific points and general points will be issued using an infrastructure system that can verify the validity of information using distributed ledger technology, ensuring security and making it a safe system that will not lose information due to system failures, etc.

[0012] [Application example 2] The point management system (1) according to the second aspect of the present invention is the point management system (1) according to the first aspect of the present invention, The specific terminal (10) The gist of the method is to calculate an exchange rate of the general points to the specific points based on the number of general points provided from the user terminal (30), and to exchange the general points for the specific points based on the calculated exchange rate.

[0013] In such a point management system (1), the exchange rate between specific points and general points is determined according to the number of exchanges when general points and specific points are exchanged with each other, and is provided as point exchange information.

[0014] In other words, the exchange rate between specific points and general points is not determined only by the specific terminal (10), but is determined moment by moment based on exchange information at multiple general terminals (20). Therefore, the point management system (1) can exchange points at the most appropriate exchange rate at that time.

[0015] [Application example 3] The point management system (1) according to Application Example 3 is the point management system (1) according to Application Example 1, The general points are linked to benefits related to products or services provided at the store where the store terminal (20) is installed, The gist of the invention is that the value of the total number of general points is calculated based on the value of the benefits linked to the general points.

[0016] In such a point management system (1), benefits are linked to products and services provided at a store where the store terminal (20) is installed. The value of the total number of general points is calculated based on the value of the benefit linked to the general points. In other words, if the value of the benefit increases, the value of the total number of general points also increases, and thus the value of the total number of specific points that can be exchanged for general points also increases.

[0017] [Application example 4] The point management system (1) according to Application Example 4 is the point management system (1) according to Application Example 1, The user terminal (30) The general points can be exchanged with other user terminals (30).

[0018] In such a point management system (1), general points can be exchanged between multiple user terminals (30). Therefore, it is possible for people who own user terminals (30), for example, customers of a store, to exchange general points for any reason, making it a convenient system. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a point management system. [Diagram 2] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a main control process executed in a specific terminal. [Diagram 3] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of an exchange rate calculation process executed in a specific terminal. [Figure 4] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a token manipulation process executed in a specific terminal. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a general point setting process executed in a shop terminal. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a main control process executed in a user terminal. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a specific point exchange process executed in a user terminal. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a general point exchange process executed on a user terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and various forms may be adopted as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0021] [First embodiment] (Configuration of the points management system) The configuration of the point management system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the point management system 1.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the point management system 1 includes a specific terminal 10, a store terminal 20, a user terminal 30, and a communication line 5. The specific terminal 10 is a terminal device having a function of issuing specific points and providing them to the user terminal 30, and includes a calculation device 11, an input device 12, a display device 13, a storage device 14 and a transmission / reception device 15.

[0023] The arithmetic unit 11 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an I / O (not shown). The input device 12 is a device for input by an administrator of the point management system 1, and specifically, is an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a scanner.

[0024] The display device 13 is a device for presenting information to a manager or the like, and is an output device such as a liquid crystal display or a printer. The storage device 14 is a large-capacity external storage device such as a hard disk or a solid-state drive.

[0025] The transmitting / receiving device 15 is a device that electrically connects the specific terminal 10 to a communication line 5 (hereinafter, referred to as the Internet 5) and transmits and receives data to and from the store terminal 20 and the user terminal 30 via the Internet 5.

[0026] The store terminal 20 is a terminal device having a function of issuing general points having information that an issuer can set, and providing the points to the user terminal 30. In this embodiment, the store terminal 20 is described as being a personal computer equipped with a display and a keyboard. Also, it is assumed that a plurality of store terminals 20 exist.

[0027] The user terminal 30 is a terminal device having a function of issuing general points that can be set by the user and exchanging specific points for general points. In this embodiment, the user terminal 30 is described as being a smartphone equipped with a liquid crystal display for display and a touch screen installed on the liquid crystal display for input. It is also assumed that there are a plurality of user terminals 30.

[0028] The communication line 5 is a communication line for communicating with the specific terminal 10, the store terminal 20, and the user terminal 30 to transmit various information, and in this embodiment, the Internet is used.

[0029] (Main control process in a specific terminal) Next, the main control process executed in the specific terminal 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the main control process executed in the specific terminal 10. The main control process in the specific terminal 10 is stored as a program in an external storage device, and is read into and executed by the CPU in response to an execution start command from a user or the like to the specific terminal 10.

[0030] 2, in the main control process, in S100, the CPU acquires operation contents from the input device 12. The operation contents are either an "exchange rate calculation process" or a "token operation process."

[0031] In the next S105, it is determined whether the operation content acquired in S100 is the "exchange ratio calculation process". If it is determined that the operation content is the exchange ratio calculation process (S105: Yes), the process proceeds to S110, and if it is determined that the operation content is not the exchange ratio calculation process (S105: No), the process proceeds to S115.

[0032] In S110, the exchange rate calculation process is performed, and then the process returns to S100 to repeat the main control process. The exchange rate calculation process will be described in detail later.

[0033] In S115, it is determined whether the operation content acquired in S100 is a "token manipulation process". If it is determined that the operation content is a token manipulation process (S115: Yes), the process proceeds to S120, and if it is determined that the operation content is not a token manipulation process (S115: No), the process returns to S100.

[0034] In S120, the token manipulation process is performed, and then the process returns to S100 to repeat the main control process. The token manipulation process will be described in detail later.

[0035] (Exchange rate calculation process for specific terminals) Next, the exchange rate calculation process executed in the specific terminal 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing the flow of the exchange rate calculation process executed in the specific terminal 10.

[0036] The exchange rate calculation process is stored as a program in the storage device 14, and is read into and executed by the CPU in response to an execution start command from a user or the like at the specific terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 3, in the exchange rate calculation process, the CPU sets the content of the specific points in S200.

[0037] Here, the specific points are points that are the base of the point management system 1, and exchange with general points is performed via these specific points. In addition, the specific points are issued as tokens that are issued using so-called block chain technology.

[0038] The setting of the content of specific points refers to the settings required for issuing the total number of specific points and for issuing points using blockchain technology. In the next S205, it is determined whether the setting of the specific point contents in S200 is completed. If it is determined that the setting is completed (S205: Yes), the process proceeds to S210, and if it is determined that the setting is not completed (S205: No), the exchange rate calculation process is terminated and the process proceeds to the main control process.

[0039] In S210, point exchange information is obtained from all of the multiple user terminals 30 via the Internet 5. Here, the point exchange information includes the exchange rate (hereinafter also simply referred to as the exchange rate) and the number of exchanges when exchanging general points for specific points at each user terminal 30.

[0040] In the next S215, it is determined whether or not point exchange information was input in S210. If it is determined that point exchange information was input (S215: Yes), the process proceeds to S220, and if it is determined that point exchange information was not input (S215: No), the process returns to S210.

[0041] In S220, the exchange rate for each general point is extracted from the point exchange information acquired from each user terminal 30 in S210, and an appropriate exchange rate for each general point is calculated from the extracted multiple exchange rates. The calculation of the exchange rate is performed by a method called AMM (Automated Market Maker).

[0042] In the next S225, the appropriate exchange rate for each general point calculated in S220 is transmitted to each user terminal 30, after which the exchange rate calculation process is terminated and the process shifts to the main control process.

[0043] (Token manipulation process on a specific terminal) Next, the token manipulation process executed in the specific terminal 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the token manipulation process executed in the specific terminal 10.

[0044] The token manipulation process is stored as a program in the storage device 14, and is read into and executed by the CPU in response to an execution start command from a user or the like to the specific terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 4, in the token operation process, the CPU calculates the unused balance of a specific point in S300.

[0045] Here, the unused balance of specific points means the total balance (the balance of general points set at all store terminals 20) obtained by converting general points set at each store terminal 20 into specific points, which are base points.

[0046] In the next step S305, the theoretical price of the token is calculated. Since the total market value of the token is the same as the unused balance of general points, the theoretical price of the token can be calculated by dividing the total market value of the token by the number of tokens issued at that time.

[0047] In the next step S310, the market price of the token is obtained. Specifically, the market price inputted through the input device 12 or the market price inputted through the transmission / reception device 15 via the Internet 5 is obtained.

[0048] In the next S315, it is determined whether or not the market price of the token has been acquired in S310. If it is determined that the market price has been acquired (S315: Yes), the process proceeds to S320, and if it is determined that the market price has not been acquired (S315: No), the token operation process is terminated and the process proceeds to the main control process.

[0049] In S320, the token trading method is acquired. Specifically, the token trading method is inputted through the input device 12. Sell ​​or buy tokens -Price of tokens to be bought and sold -Quantity of tokens to be bought and sold Timing of buying and selling tokens Get the.

[0050] In S325, it is determined whether or not the token trading method was acquired in S320. If it is determined that the trading method has been input (S325: Yes), the process proceeds to S330, and if it is determined that the trading method has not been input (S325: No), the token operation process is terminated and the process proceeds to the main control process.

[0051] In S330, the token is traded with the outside via the Internet 5 based on the trading method acquired in S320, and then the token operation process is terminated and the process shifts to the main control process.

[0052] (General point setting process at store terminal) Next, the flow of the general point setting process set in each store terminal 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the general point setting process executed in the store terminal 20. The general point setting process is stored as a program in the storage device of the store terminal 20, and is read into and executed by the CPU in response to an execution start command given to the store terminal 20 by a user or the like.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 5, in the general point setting process, the CPU sets the contents of the general points in S400. Here, the general points are points whose contents can be freely set for each of the multiple store terminals 20. For example, general points can be returned at a rate according to sales, general points can be awarded for each visit to the store, general points can be awarded as mileage points, etc., and the contents can be freely set according to the business form of the business operator using the store terminal 20. Moreover, general points are issued as tokens that are issued using so-called blockchain technology.

[0054] In the next S405, it is determined whether the content setting of the general points is completed in S400. If it is determined that the content setting is completed (S405: Yes), the process proceeds to S410, and if it is determined that the content setting is not completed (S405: No), the process returns to S400.

[0055] In S410, the value of the general points is set. Setting the value of the general points means setting the quantity of general points that will be used to purchase products, services, etc. in the store where the store terminal 20 is installed. This sets the value of products and services that can be purchased with the general points in that store.

[0056] In the next S415, it is determined whether the value setting of the general points has been completed in S410. If it is determined that the value setting has been completed (S415: Yes), the process proceeds to S420, and if it is determined that the value setting has not been completed (S415: No), the process returns to S400.

[0057] In S420, the general points whose contents were set in S400 are transmitted to the user terminal 30 via the Internet 5, and then the process returns to S400.

[0058] (Main control process at user terminal) Next, the main control process executed in the user terminal 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the main control process executed in the user terminal 30.

[0059] The main control process in the user terminal 30 is stored as a program in a storage device of the user terminal 30, and is read into and executed by the CPU in response to an execution start command from a user or the like to the user terminal 30.

[0060] 6, in the main control process, the CPU acquires operation contents from a touch screen (not shown) in S500. The operation contents are either "specific point exchange process" or "general point exchange process".

[0061] In the next S505, it is determined whether the operation content acquired in S500 is a "specific point exchange process". If it is determined that the operation content is a specific point exchange process (S505: Yes), the process proceeds to S510, and if it is determined that the operation content is not a specific point exchange process (S505: No), the process proceeds to S515.

[0062] In S510, the exchange rate calculation process is performed, and then the process returns to S500 to repeat the main control process. The exchange rate calculation process will be described in detail later.

[0063] In S515, if it is determined that the operation content acquired in S500 is a general point exchange process (S515: Yes), the process proceeds to S520, and if it is determined that the operation content acquired in S500 is not a general point exchange process (S515: No), the process returns to S100 and the main control process is repeated.

[0064] In S520, the general points exchange process is performed, and then the process returns to S500 to repeat the main control process. The general points exchange process will be described in detail later.

[0065] (Specific points exchange process) Next, the specific point exchange process in the user terminal 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flow chart showing the flow of the specific point exchange process executed in the user terminal 30. The specific point exchange process is stored as a program in a storage device (not shown) of the user terminal 30, and is read into and executed by the CPU in response to an execution start command given to the user terminal 30 by a user or the like.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 7, in the specific point exchange process, the CPU acquires specific points and exchange rate information from the specific terminal 10 in S600. In the next step S605, general points are acquired from the shop terminal 20 via the Internet 5.

[0067] In the next S610, an exchange rate is extracted from the exchange rate information acquired in S600, and the specific points acquired in S600 are exchanged for the general points acquired in S605 based on the extracted exchange rate.

[0068] In S615, it is determined whether the specific points have been exchanged for general points. If it is determined that the specific points have been exchanged for general points (S615: Yes), the process proceeds to S620. If it is determined that the specific points have not been exchanged (S615: No), the process proceeds to S630.

[0069] In S620, the general points exchanged for the specific points in S610 are transmitted to the shop terminal 20 via the Internet 5. In the next step S625, point exchange information when the specific points are exchanged for general points in the step S610 is transmitted to the specific terminal 10 via the Internet 5.

[0070] In S630, the specific points acquired in S600 are exchanged for the general points acquired in S605 at the exchange rate extracted from the exchange rate information in S610. In S635, it is determined whether the general points have been exchanged for specific points. If it is determined that the general points have been exchanged (S635: Yes), the process proceeds to S640. If it is determined that the general points have not been exchanged (S635: No), the process ends the specific points exchange process and proceeds to the main control process.

[0071] In S640, the specific points exchanged for the general points in S630 are transmitted to the specific terminal 10 via the Internet 5. In the next S645, the point exchange information between the specific points and the general points exchanged in S630 is transmitted to the specific terminal 10 via the Internet 5, and then the process proceeds to the main control process.

[0072] (General points exchange process) Next, the general point exchange process in the user terminal 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the general point exchange process executed in the user terminal 30. The general point exchange process is stored as a program in the storage device of the user terminal 30, and is read into and executed by the CPU in response to an execution start command given to the user terminal 30 by a user or the like.

[0073] 8, in the general point exchange process, the CPU acquires, at S700, user terminal information of the user terminal 30 that is the target of the exchange of general points from the specific terminal 10. The user terminal information is an identification code such as the IP address of the user terminal 30.

[0074] In the next S705, the operation content is obtained from a touch screen (not shown) of the user terminal 30. The operation content is either how many general points are to be sent to which user terminal, or how many general points are to be received from which user terminal.

[0075] In the next S710, it is determined whether the operation content acquired in S705 is point transmission. If it is determined that the operation content is point transmission (S710: Yes), the process proceeds to S715, and if it is determined that the operation content is not point transmission (S710: No), the process proceeds to S720.

[0076] In S715, the general points for the amount of the operation content in S705 are transmitted via the Internet 5 to the user terminal 30 of the identification code acquired in S700.

[0077] In S720, it is determined whether the operation content acquired in S705 is point reception. If it is determined that it is point reception (S720: Yes), the process proceeds to S725, and if it is determined that it is not point reception (S720: No), the general point exchange process is terminated and the process proceeds to the main control process.

[0078] In S725, after the general points corresponding to the amount of the operation content in S705 are received via the Internet 5 from the user terminal 30 of the identification code acquired in S700, the general points exchange process is terminated and the process transitions to the main control process.

[0079] (Characteristics of the points management system) In such a point management system 1, specific points, which are the basis of the system, are issued at the specific terminal 10, and general points, the contents of which can be freely set at the shop terminal 20, are issued.

[0080] Furthermore, at the user terminal 30, specific points can be exchanged for general points and provided to the store terminal 20, and general points can be exchanged for specific points and provided to the specific terminal 10. In other words, specific points cannot be directly exchanged for general points between the specific terminal 10 and the store terminal 20.

[0081] In this case, both specific points and general points will be issued using an infrastructure system that can verify the validity of information using distributed ledger technology, ensuring security and making it a safe system that will not lose information due to system failures, etc.

[0082] Furthermore, the exchange rate between the specific points and the general points is determined according to the number of exchanges when each general point is exchanged with the specific points, and is provided as point exchange information. In other words, the exchange rate between specific points and general points is not determined only by the specific terminal 10, but is determined moment by moment based on point exchange information at multiple general terminals 30. This results in the point management system 1 being able to exchange points at the most appropriate exchange rate at the time of exchange.

[0083] In addition, benefits are linked to products and services provided at the store where the store terminal 20 is installed, and the value of the total number of general points is calculated based on the value of the benefit linked to the general points. In other words, if the value of the benefit is high, the value of the total number of general points also increases, and thus the value of the total number of specific points exchangeable for general points also increases.

[0084] Furthermore, general points can be exchanged between multiple user terminals 30. Therefore, it becomes possible for people who own user terminals 30, for example, customers of a store, to exchange general points for any reason, making it a convenient system. [Other embodiments] (1) In the above embodiment, personal computers are used as the store terminal 20 and the user terminal 30, but mobile terminals such as smartphones and tablet terminals may also be used. (2) In the above embodiment, information input from the input device 12 of a specific terminal 10 was obtained as the token buying and selling method. However, the buying and selling method may be set in advance and stored in the memory device 14, and tokens may be bought and sold based on the contents of that setting. For example, the selling price and buying price of the token and the quantity of tokens to be bought and sold in one buying and selling process may be stored in the memory device 14, and the token may be bought and sold automatically when the market price of the token obtained in S310 becomes the stored selling price or buying price. (3) In addition, methods such as minting and burning may be used when buying and selling tokens. In other words, new NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) may be issued by minting and then sold or bought, or the crypto-assets (tokens) may be made unusable by burning, decreasing the number of tokens issued and increasing the value of the tokens. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1: point management system; 5: communication line (Internet); 10: specific terminal; 11: arithmetic unit; 12: input unit; 13: display unit; 14: storage unit; 15: transmission / reception unit; 20: store terminal; 30: user terminal.

Claims

1. A point management system that issues exchangeable points using a platform system that is composed of a specific terminal, a store terminal, and a user terminal and can verify the validity of information using distributed ledger technology, The specific terminal issues specific points having specific information and provides them to the user terminal; The store terminal issues general points having information that an issuer can set contents of, and provides the general points to the user terminal; The user terminal includes: The specific points can be exchanged for the general points and provided to the store terminal, A point management system capable of exchanging the general points for the specific points and providing the specific points to the specific terminal.

2. In the point management system according to claim 1, The specific terminal is A point management system characterized by calculating an exchange ratio of the general points to the specific points based on the number of general points provided from the user terminal, and exchanging the general points for the specific points based on the calculated exchange ratio.

3. In the point management system according to claim 1, The general points are linked to benefits related to products or services provided at the store where the store terminal is installed, A point management system characterized in that the value of the total number of general points is calculated based on the value of the benefits linked to the general points.

4. In the point management system according to claim 1, The user terminal includes: A point management system that allows the general points to be exchanged with other user terminals.

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