Point management device and program

Abstract

To enable introducing a point service in multiple commercial facilities.SOLUTION: A point management device comprises acquisition means, update means, and supply means. The acquisition means acquires a point imparted to a point holder from a terminal of a first shop that can supply a privilege depending on a holding point of the point holder, and a terminal of a second shop that cannot supply the privilege. The update means updates the holding point of the point holder using the point acquired by the acquisition means. The supply means supplies the privilege to the point holder whose holding point satisfies a supply condition of the privilege in the first shop. The supply means does not supply the privilege in the second shop.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a points management device and a program for causing a computer to function as the points management device. [Background technology]

[0002] In some cases, a commercial complex called a shopping center or a shopping mall introduces a point service for the multiple stores that are located there. When a point service is introduced, customers who become point members can earn points every time they purchase an item not only at directly managed stores operated by the parent company of the facility but also at tenant stores operated by other companies. The points earned are accumulated for each customer, and when a certain number of points are reached, they can be exchanged for coupons such as discount coupons and discount vouchers that can be used at stores in the facility.

[0003] In such an operation, it is preferable to issue coupons using the receipt printers installed in the accounting machines of each store. However, the accounting machines of each store are not necessarily made by the same manufacturer. For this reason, for example, it is possible that the accounting machines of a directly managed store are capable of issuing coupons, but the accounting machines of tenant stores are not capable of issuing coupons. There is a demand for the development of a point management device that can easily introduce a point service into such a complex commercial facility. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-056013 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a points management device that enables a points service to be introduced in a commercial complex. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one embodiment, the point management device includes an acquisition means, an update means, and a grant means. The acquisition means acquires points granted to a point holder from a terminal of a first store that can grant a benefit according to the points held by the point holder, and from a terminal of a second store that cannot grant a benefit. The update means updates the points held by the point holder with the points acquired by the acquisition means. The grant means grants a benefit to a point holder whose held points satisfy a benefit granting condition in the first store. The grant means does not grant a benefit in the second store. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a point management system that is constructed in a commercial complex to introduce a point service. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the basic circuit configuration of the accounting machine. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the point management server. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing main data items of a member record stored in the member database. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing main data items of a privilege record stored in the privilege database. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the shop table. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the first information processing executed by the processor of the point management server. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a complimentary coupon. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing main steps of the second information processing executed by the processor of the point management server. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing, with some parts omitted, the main steps of the first information processing executed by the processor of the point management server in the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the inquiry screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a points management device that enables a points service to be introduced in a commercial complex will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a point service is introduced in a commercial complex that has directly managed stores operated by the facility's parent company and tenant stores operated by other companies. Specifically, customers who become point members can earn points every time they purchase a product not only at directly managed stores but also at tenant stores. The earned points are accumulated for each customer, and when a certain number of points is reached, the points can be exchanged for coupons such as discount coupons and discount vouchers that can be used at stores in the facility as a special benefit. However, the coupons are issued from the accounting machines in the directly managed stores. The accounting machines in the tenant stores do not have a function for issuing coupons. This embodiment illustrates an example of the introduction of such a point service in a commercial complex. In the following, customers who become point members will be referred to as members.

[0009] <First embodiment> First, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. [Outline of the points management system] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a point management system 100 constructed in a commercial complex SC to introduce a point service. The point management system 100 includes a point management server 20 and a communication network 30. The point management server 20 is connected to the communication network 30, and multiple accounting machines 10 (10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4, ...) are also connected to it. The communication network 30 is a wide area network that allows data communication between the accounting machines 10 and the point management server 20. For example, a computer network such as the Internet or an intranet can be used as the communication network 30. A mobile communication network may also be used as part of the communication network 30.

[0010] The accounting machines 10 are installed in the stores TE (TEa, TEb, TEc, TEd, ...) that are located in the commercial complex SC. The stores TE include directly managed stores (first stores) operated by the parent company of the commercial complex SC, and tenant stores (second stores) operated by other companies. The type of business of the stores TE is not particularly limited. The stores TE may be retail stores that sell products, or restaurants that provide food and drink. The stores TE may also be stores that provide services, such as movie theaters and sports gyms. The number of accounting machines 10 installed in the stores TE is not particularly limited. Only one accounting machine 10 may be installed in one store TE, or two or more accounting machines 10 may be installed. The accounting machine 10 is a so-called Point Of Sales (POS) terminal. The POS terminal may be a face-to-face POS terminal operated by a store clerk, or a self-service POS terminal operated by a customer.

[0011] The point management server 20 is a server computer specialized for operation and management of a point service introduced in a commercial complex SE. The point management server 20 is one aspect of a point management device according to an embodiment. The point management server 20 is installed, for example, in a data center of the complex treatment facility SC. The point management server 20 may be installed on a cloud service provided via the Internet.

[0012] [Explanation of accounting machine configuration] The payment machines 10 installed in each store TE are not necessarily the same model. There are cases where payment machines 10 made by different manufacturers are installed, and cases where payment machines 10 made by the same manufacturer but of different models are installed. However, the basic circuit configuration of the payment machines 10 is the same. Therefore, the basic circuit configuration of the payment machine 10 will be explained using Figure 2.

[0013] 2 is a block diagram showing the basic circuit configuration of the payment machine 10. The payment machine 10 includes a processor 41, a main memory 42, an auxiliary storage device 43, a clock 44, a communication interface 45, a keyboard 46, a display 47, a printer 48, a card reader 49, a scanner interface 50, a change dispenser interface 51, and a system transmission path 52. The system transmission path 52 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, etc. The system transmission path 52 connects the processor 41 to each of the other components, and transmits data signals exchanged between them.

[0014] The accounting machine 10 constitutes a computer by connecting the processor 41, the main memory 42, the auxiliary storage device 43, the clock 44, and the communication interface 45 via a system transmission path 52. Input / output devices such as a keyboard 46, a display 47, a printer 48, and a card reader 49, and device interfaces such as a scanner interface 50 and a change dispenser interface 51 are connected to the system transmission path 52 and controlled by a computer, thereby realizing the functions of the accounting machine 10. Note that the input / output devices or device interfaces connected to the system transmission path 52 are not limited to those mentioned above. For example, other input / output devices such as a touch panel or a customer-facing display may be connected, or a device interface for a cashless payment terminal may be connected.

[0015] The processor 41 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 41 controls each part to realize various functions of the payment machine 10 according to an operating system or an application program. The processor 41 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0016] The main memory 42 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 42 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 42 stores an operating system or an application program in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 42 may store data required for the processor 41 to execute processes for controlling each part in the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 42 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 41. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0017] The auxiliary storage device 43 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive) can be the auxiliary storage device 43. The auxiliary storage device 43 stores data used by the processor 41 when performing various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 41, etc. The auxiliary storage device 43 may also store the above-mentioned application programs.

[0018] The clock 44 keeps track of the date and time. The processor 41 processes the date and time kept by the clock 44 as the current date and time.

[0019] The communication interface 45 is an interface for performing data communication with the point management server 20 and the like connected to the communication network 30 .

[0020] The keyboard 46 is an input device having various keys arranged thereon, for example, necessary for registering purchased items and settling a transaction. The display 47 is an output device for displaying, for example, the names, prices, and total amounts of registered purchased items. The printer 48 is an output device for printing data on receipt paper to issue purchase receipts, etc. The card reader 49 is an input device for reading card data such as point cards and credit cards.

[0021] The scanner interface 50 is an interface for performing data communication with the scanner 53. The scanner 53 is a device that scans and reads codes such as bar codes and two-dimensional codes. The scanner 53 may be a fixed scanner or a handheld scanner.

[0022] The change machine interface 51 is an interface for performing data communication with the automatic change machine 54. The automatic change machine 54 has a function of counting the bills or coins inserted from an insertion slot and storing them in a safe by denomination, and a function of extracting cash equivalent to the change from the safe and dispensing it to a dispensing slot. Note that a drawer may be connected instead of the automatic change machine.

[0023] Of the payment machines 10 having such a basic circuit configuration, in the payment machine 10 installed in a directly managed store, the processor 41 has the functions of the granting means 411, the issuing means 412, the reading means 413, and the processing means 414. On the other hand, in the payment machine 10 installed in a tenant store, the processor 41 has the functions of the granting means 411, the reading means 413, and the processing means 414, but does not have the function of the issuing means 412. Therefore, below, the payment machine 10 installed in the directly managed store, which is the first store, will be referred to as the first payment machine 101, and the payment machine 10 installed in the tenant store, which is the second store, will be referred to as the second payment machine 102. Here, the first payment machine 101 corresponds to the terminal of the first store, and the second payment machine 102 corresponds to the terminal of the second store.

[0024] The granting means 411 is a function that grants points to a member according to the settlement when a transaction with the member is settled. For example, when the granting means 411 reads data from a point card using the card reader 49, the granting means 411 obtains the member ID specified by the data as the member's identification information. Then, when a transaction with a member is settled by operating the scanner 53, the keyboard 46, or the display 47, the granting means 411 derives the granted points. The granted points are a variable value calculated based on the transaction amount. The granted points may be a fixed value granted each time a transaction is settled. When the granted points are derived, the granting means 411 notifies the point management server 20 of a granting event. The granted event includes the store ID, the accounting machine ID, the transaction number, etc. in addition to the granted points and the member ID. The store ID is unique identification information assigned to each store TE, which is a directly managed store or a tenant store located in a commercial complex SC. The accounting machine ID is unique identification information assigned to each accounting machine 10 installed in each store TE. The transaction number is a series of numbers that is generated each time a transaction is settled at the accounting device 10 .

[0025] The ticket issuing means 412 is a function that issues complimentary tickets as benefits to members whose owned points satisfy the conditions for providing the benefit. The conditions for providing the benefit will be described later. The ticket issuing means 412 issues complimentary tickets such as discount tickets, discount coupons, and coupons that can be used at each store TE in the commercial complex SC. The complimentary tickets are printed on receipt paper by the printer 48 and issued.

[0026] The reading means 413 is a function for reading the identification information of a complimentary ticket issued as a privilege. Although details will be described later, a privilege code is set as identification information unique to the complimentary ticket issued by the ticket issuing means 412, and a barcode indicating the privilege code is printed on the complimentary ticket. The reading means 413 reads the barcode of the privilege code via the scanner 53, and outputs the data of the barcode to the point management server 20.

[0027] The processing means 414 is a function for executing a preferential process using a preferential coupon identified by the identification information read by the reading means 413, that is, the benefit code. For example, if the preferential coupon is a discount coupon, the processing means 414 discounts the transaction amount of the member who presented the discount coupon by the discount amount of the discount coupon. For example, if the preferential coupon is a discount coupon, the processing means 414 discounts the transaction amount of the member who presented the discount coupon by the discount rate of the discount coupon. For example, if the preferential coupon is a coupon coupon, the processing means 414 changes the price of the product to which the coupon coupon is applied to the coupon price and recalculates the subtotal amount. Such a process related to a discount coupon, discount coupon, or coupon is an example of preferential process.

[0028] [Point Management Server Configuration Description] 3 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the point management server 20. The point management server 20 includes a processor 61, a main memory 62, an auxiliary storage device 63, a clock 64, a communication interface 65, and a system transmission path 66. The system transmission path 66 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like. The system transmission path 66 connects the processor 61 to each of the other units, and transmits data signals exchanged between them.

[0029] The point management server 20 constitutes a computer by connecting a processor 61, a main memory 62, an auxiliary storage device 43, a clock 64, and a communication interface 65 via a system transmission line 66.

[0030] The processor 61 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 61 controls each part to realize various functions of the point management server 20 according to an operating system or an application program. The processor 61 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 61 is preferably a multi-core processor that includes multiple processor cores and is capable of executing multiple processes in parallel.

[0031] The main memory 62 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 62 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 62 stores an operating system or an application program in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 62 may store data required for the processor 61 to execute processes for controlling each part in the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 62 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 61. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, a ROM. The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM.

[0032] The auxiliary storage device 63 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM, a HDD, or an SSD can be the auxiliary storage device 63. The auxiliary storage device 63 stores data used by the processor 61 when performing various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 61, etc. The auxiliary storage device 63 may also store the above-mentioned application programs.

[0033] The clock 64 keeps track of the date and time. The processor 61 processes the date and time kept by the clock 64 as the current date and time.

[0034] The communication interface 65 is an interface for carrying out data communication with a plurality of accounting machines 10 connected to the communication network 30 .

[0035] In the point management server 20 configured as above, part of the memory area in the auxiliary memory device 63 is used as an area for a member database 71, a benefit database 72, and a shop table 73.

[0036] The member database 71 is a collection of member records 711 (see FIG. 4) that are generated for each member. FIG. 4 shows the main data items that make up the member record 711. As shown in the figure, the member record 711 includes items such as a member ID and owned points P.

[0037] When a member becomes a member of the point service introduced in the commercial complex SE, a unique member ID is assigned to the member. A member record 711 including the member ID is generated and registered in the member database 71.

[0038] Incidentally, a point card on which a member ID is recorded is issued to a member. The point card is, for example, a magnetic card. The point card may be a contact or non-contact IC card. A member can set a member ID in the point app by installing application software corresponding to the point service, a so-called point app, on a smartphone or the like and registering as a member. In this case, when the point app is started, a barcode or two-dimensional code indicating the member ID is displayed on the smartphone display. When a member settles a transaction at a directly managed store or a tenant store of the commercial complex SE, the member can receive points by presenting the smartphone on which the point card or the barcode or two-dimensional code indicating the member ID is displayed.

[0039] The privilege database 72 is a collection of privilege records 721 (see FIG. 5) generated for each privilege ticket, which is a privilege. FIG. 5 shows the main data items that make up the privilege record 721. As shown in the figure, the privilege record 721 includes a privilege code, a disbursement date, a status S, and the like. The privilege code is a unique code that is set for each privilege ticket so that it does not overlap. In other words, the privilege code functions as identification information for the privilege. The disbursement date is the date on which the privilege ticket is issued. The privilege ticket has a validity period. The disbursement date is used to calculate the validity period. The status S is information indicating the usage status of the privilege ticket. There are two usage statuses of the privilege ticket: unused and used. In other words, the status before the privilege ticket is used for discounting or discounting the transaction amount is unused, and the status after the privilege ticket is used is used. In this embodiment, the status S indicating the unused status is set to "0", and the status S indicating the used status is set to "1".

[0040] As shown in FIG. 6, the store table 73 is a data table having a column 731 for a store ID, a column 732 for a payment machine ID, and a column 733 for a type flag F. Column 731 describes a unique store ID assigned to each store TE. Column 732 describes the payment machine ID of the payment machine 10 installed in the store TE identified by the store ID described in column 731. Column 733 describes a type flag F. The type flag F is one bit of data for identifying whether the payment machine 10 identified by the payment machine ID described in column 732 is the first payment machine 101 having a ticket issuing means 412, or the second payment machine 102 not having a ticket issuing means 412. In this embodiment, the type flag F identifying the first payment machine 101 is set to "1", and the type flag F identifying the second payment machine 102 is set to "0". Therefore, the type flag F associated with the payment machine ID of the first payment machine 101 installed in the first store where the store TE identified by the store ID is a directly managed store is "1." The type flag F associated with the payment machine ID of the second payment machine 102 installed in the second store where the store TE identified by the store ID is a tenant store is "0."

[0041] Returning to the explanation of Figure 2. To enable the introduction of a point service in the commercial complex SE, the processor 61 has functions as an acquisition means 611, an update means 612, a provision means 613, a generation means 614, a storage means 615, a detection means 616, a change means 617, and a control means 618. Note that the functions of the processor 61 are not limited to these.

[0042] The acquisition means 611 is a function that acquires points awarded to members who are point holders from the terminal of the first store, i.e., the first payment machine 101, and the terminal of the second store, i.e., the second payment machine 102. As described above, the first payment machine 101 and the second payment machine 102 have an awarding means 411 that notifies the point management server 20 of an awarding event. The acquisition means 611 acquires the member ID and the awarded points from the awarding event notified from the first payment machine 101 or the second payment machine 102.

[0043] The update means 612 is a function that updates the owned points of the member with the points acquired by the acquisition means 611. As described above, the point management server 20 has a member database 71. The update means 612 adds the granted points acquired by the acquisition means 611 to the owned points P of the member record 711 including the member ID acquired by the acquisition means 611.

[0044] The providing means 613 is a function for providing a benefit to a member who is a point holder whose owned points P satisfy the benefit providing conditions at the directly managed store which is the first store. As described above, the first payment machine 101 installed at the first store has the ticket issuing means 412. The providing means 613 cooperates with the ticket issuing means 412 to issue a complimentary ticket to a member whose owned points P satisfy the benefit providing conditions.

[0045] The conditions for providing the privilege are not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the conditions for providing the privilege are set as "a 500 yen discount coupon is issued every time the owned points P reaches 500 points." That is, the providing means 613 issues one 500 yen discount coupon to a member whose owned points P reaches 500 points. For example, the providing means 613 issues two 500 yen discount coupons to a member whose owned points P reaches 1000 points.

[0046] The generating means 614 is a function that generates identification information for each benefit provided by the providing means 613. As described above, a unique benefit code is assigned as identification information to a benefit ticket, which is a benefit. The generating means 614 generates a benefit code, which is identification information for a benefit ticket, every time the providing means 613 issues a benefit ticket in cooperation with the ticket issuing means 412.

[0047] The storage means 615 has a function of storing the usage status of the privilege identified by the identification information generated by the generation means 614 in association with the identification information. As described above, the point management server 20 has a privilege database 72. Each time a privilege code is generated by the generation means 614, the storage means 615 stores in the privilege database 72 a privilege record 721 including the privilege code, the date measured by the clock 64, i.e., the date of grant, and a status S indicating an unused state.

[0048] The detection means 616 has a function of detecting a bonus code, which is identification information for a bonus used at the first store or the second store, based on data received from a terminal at the first store, i.e., the first payment machine 101, or a terminal at the second store, i.e., the second payment machine 102. As described above, the first payment machine 101 and the second payment machine 102 have a reading means 413. The detection means 616 detects the bonus code from the barcode data output by the reading means 413 to the point management server 20 via the communication network 30.

[0049] The change means 617 is a function that changes the usage status of the privilege detected by the detection means 616 from unused to used. That is, the change means 617 changes the status S of the privilege record 721 including the privilege code detected by the detection means 616 from "0" indicating unused to "1" indicating used.

[0050] The control means 618 has a function of permitting the use of a privilege when the use state of the privilege detected by the detection means 616 is unused, and prohibiting the use of the privilege when the use state is used. That is, when the status S of the privilege record 721 including the privilege code detected by the detection means 616 is "0" indicating unused, the control means 618 outputs a signal permitting the privilege processing of the complimentary ticket identified by the privilege code to the payment machine 10 that read the privilege code. When the status S of the privilege record 721 including the privilege code detected by the detection means 616 is "1" indicating used, the control means 618 outputs a signal not permitting the privilege processing of the complimentary ticket identified by the privilege code to the payment machine 10 that read the privilege code. Alternatively, the control means 618 does not output a signal permitting the privilege processing. Incidentally, the payment machine 10 that receives the signal permitting the privilege processing of the complimentary ticket executes the privilege processing by the processing means 414.

[0051] The functions of the above-mentioned acquiring means 611, updating means 612, providing means 613, generating means 614 and storing means 615 are realized by a first information processing executed by the processor 61 in accordance with a first program. Also, the functions of the detecting means 616, changing means 617 and controlling means 618 are realized by a second information processing executed by the processor 61 in accordance with a second program.

[0052] The first program and the second program are a type of application program stored in the main memory 62 or the auxiliary storage device 63. The method of installing the first program and the second program in the main memory 62 or the auxiliary storage device 63 is not particularly limited. The first program and the second program can be installed in the main memory 62 or the auxiliary storage device 63 by recording the first program and the second program on a removable recording medium, or by distributing the first program and the second program by communication via the communication network 30. The recording medium may be in any form, such as a CD-ROM or a memory card, as long as it can store the program and is readable by the device. The first program and the second program may be separate programs or an integrated program.

[0053] [Explanation of the first information processing] 7 is a flow chart showing the main steps of the first information processing executed by the processor 61 of the point management server 20. Note that the contents and steps of the information processing described below are examples. The contents and steps can be changed as appropriate as long as the same operational effect can be achieved.

[0054] Processor 61 waits for a granting event in ACT1. As described above, when the function as the granting means 411 is actuated in first payment device 101 or second payment device 102, a granting event including the granted points, member ID, store ID, payment device ID, transaction number, etc. is output to point management server 20. When processor 61 receives the granting event via communication interface 45, it proceeds from ACT1 to ACT2. Processor 61 acquires the granted points Po from the granting event in ACT2. Processor 61 also acquires the member ID from the granting event in ACT3.

[0055] After acquiring the grant points Po and the member ID, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT 4. In ACT 4, the processor 61 searches the member database 71 and acquires the owned points P from the member record 711 that includes the acquired member ID. The processor 61 then adds the acquired grant points Po to the owned points P, thereby updating the owned points P.

[0056] After updating the owned points P, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT6. In ACT6, the processor 61 checks whether the owned points P are equal to or greater than the grant condition points Pm. The grant condition points Pm are points that satisfy the conditions for granting a privilege. That is, in this embodiment in which the conditions for granting a privilege are set to "issue a 500 yen discount coupon every time the owned points P reach 500 points," the grant condition points Pm are 500 points.

[0057] If the owned points P are less than the supply condition points Pm, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT 16. The process after ACT 16 will be described later.

[0058] When the owned points P reach the grant condition points Pm, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT7. In ACT7, the processor 61 obtains the store ID and the payment machine ID from the grant event. In ACT8, the processor 61 then searches the store table 73 to check whether the type flag F corresponding to the store ID and payment machine ID is "1". Here, if the type flag F is "0", meaning that the payment machine 10 identified by the store ID and payment machine ID is the second payment machine 102, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT16. The processing from ACT16 onwards will be described later.

[0059] On the other hand, if the type flag F is "1", meaning that the payment machine 10 identified by the store ID and payment machine ID is the first payment machine 101, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT9. In ACT9, the processor 61 calculates the number N of coupons to be issued. That is, in this embodiment where the permissible condition for the benefit is "a 500 yen discount coupon will be issued each time the owned points P reach 500 points", the number N of coupons to be issued is set to the integer quotient obtained by dividing the owned points P by the grant condition points Pm.

[0060] After calculating the number of tickets to be issued N, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT10. In ACT10, the processor 61 generates a number of bonus codes corresponding to the number of tickets to be issued N. For example, the processor 61 generates a number of bonus codes corresponding to the number of tickets to be issued N by combining the date measured by the clock 64, the store ID, the accounting machine ID, and the transaction number included in the granting event, and a consecutive number from "1" to the number of tickets to be issued N. The generated bonus codes are unique numbers because the consecutive numbers are different. If the date is six digits long, consisting of two digits for the year, two digits for the month, and two digits for the date, the store ID and accounting machine ID are three digits each, and the transaction number and consecutive number are four digits each, the bonus code will be composed of a 20-digit numeric string.

[0061] After generating the bonus code, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT11. The processor 61 resets the ticket issuing counter n to "0" in ACT11. Next, the processor 61 counts up the ticket issuing counter n by "1" in ACT12. Then, the processor 61 checks whether the ticket issuing counter n has exceeded the number of issued tickets N in ACT13.

[0062] Initially, the number of tickets to be issued N is equal to or greater than "1", so the ticket issuance counter n does not exceed the number of tickets to be issued N. Processor 61 proceeds to ACT14. In ACT14, processor 61 outputs a ticket issuance event to the payment device 10 that has notified the grant event. The ticket issuance event is an event that commands the issuance of a complimentary ticket. The ticket issuance event includes a privilege code that includes the value of the ticket issuance counter n as a sequential number. In other words, when the ticket issuance counter n is "1", a privilege code with a four-digit sequential number of "0001" is included. Processor 61 outputs the ticket issuance event from communication interface 65, with the store ID and payment device ID included in the grant event as the destination.

[0063] After outputting the ticket issuance event, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT 15. The processor 61 saves a privilege record 721 including the privilege code, the grant date, and the status S included in the ticket issuance event as ACT 15 in the privilege database 72. The status S is a value representing an unused state, i.e., "0".

[0064] After saving the privilege record 721, the processor 61 returns to ACT12. Then, the processor 61 executes the processes from ACT12 onwards in the same manner as described above. Therefore, if the number of tickets issued N is equal to or greater than "2", the processor 61 repeats the processes of ACT14 and ACT15 N times. As a result, ticket issuance events are output to the accounting machine 10 that has notified the issuing event as many times as the number of tickets issued N. In addition, the privilege records 721, which include the privilege code, the date of issue and the status S included in the ticket issuance event, are sequentially saved in the privilege database 72.

[0065] When the ticket counter n exceeds the number of issued tickets N in ACT13, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT17. The processing after ACT17 will be described later.

[0066] As described above, if the owned points P do not meet the provision condition points Pm in ACT6, or if the type flag F is "0" in ACT8, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT16. The processor 61 sets the number of tickets to be issued N to "0" in ACT16. The processor 61 then proceeds to ACT17.

[0067] In this way, when the number of tickets to be issued N is set to "0" in ACT 16, or when the ticket issuing counter n exceeds the number of tickets to be issued N in ACT 13, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT 17. The processor 61 calculates the owned points P in ACT 17 using the following formula (1). P = P - Pm * N ... (1) That is, the processor 61 subtracts the points obtained by multiplying the grant condition points Pm by the number of issued tickets N from the held points P. With this, the processor 61 ends the first information processing.

[0068] Here, the processor 61 realizes the function of an acquisition means 611 by processing ACT1 and ACT2. The processor 61 realizes the function of an update means 612 by processing ACT3 to ACT5. The processor 61 realizes the function of a generation means 614 by processing ACT10. The processor 61 realizes the function of a provision means 613 by processing ACT14. The processor 61 realizes the function of a storage means 615 by processing ACT15.

[0069] In this way, the first information processing is executed in the point management server 20 which receives the granting event from the payment machine 10. As a result, the owned points P of the member identified by the member ID included in the granting event are updated by adding the granted points Po included in the same granting event. Then, when the updated owned points P reach the grant condition points Pm, the processing procedure branches depending on whether the payment machine 10 which sent the granting event is the first payment machine 101 installed in the first directly managed store, or the second payment machine 102 installed in the second tenant store.

[0070] If the payment machine 10 that sent the grant event is the first payment machine 101, the number of tickets to be issued N is calculated. Then, a ticket issuance event is output to the first payment machine 101 for the number of tickets to be issued N. In addition, a privilege record 721 is stored in the privilege database 72 for each privilege code included in the ticket issuance event. Furthermore, the owned points P are reduced by the amount obtained by multiplying the grant condition points Pm by the number of tickets to be issued N.

[0071] On the other hand, if the payment apparatus 10 that transmitted the grant event is the second payment apparatus 102, the ticket issuing event is not output, and the held points P are not deducted.

[0072] Incidentally, in the first accounting machine 101, every time a ticket issuance event is received, the function of the ticket issuing means 412 operates. As a result, coupons with different bonus codes are issued for each ticket issuance event.

[0073] FIG. 8 shows an example of a coupon when the allowable condition for the privilege is "a 500 yen discount coupon will be issued each time the owned points P reach 500 points." The coupon is a 500 yen discount coupon 80. In addition to the store name and logo printed on the discount coupon 80, just like a normal purchase receipt, a transaction date and time 81, a terminal ID 82, and a transaction number 83 are also printed on the discount coupon 80. A member ID 84 and the coupon expiration date 85 are also printed on the discount coupon 80. Furthermore, a barcode BC is printed on the discount coupon 80. The barcode BC is a barcode version of the privilege code included in the ticket issuance event.

[0074] A member who obtains such a discount coupon 80 can receive a 500 yen discount by presenting the discount coupon 80 at the time of payment at a directly managed store or a tenant store in the commercial complex SC. That is, when the barcode BC of the discount coupon 80 is scanned by scanner 53 after the subtotal at first accounting machine 101 at a directly managed store or second accounting machine 102 at a tenant store, the function as reading means 413 comes into operation and a special event is sent from first accounting machine 101 or second accounting machine 102 at a tenant store to point management server 20. The special event contains the data of the barcode BC, i.e., the special code.

[0075] [Explanation of the second information processing] 9 is a flow chart showing the main steps of the second information processing executed by the processor 61 of the point management server 20. Note that the contents and steps of the information processing described below are examples. The contents and steps can be changed as appropriate as long as the same operational effect can be achieved.

[0076] The processor 61 waits for a bonus event in ACT 21. When the processor 61 receives a bonus event via the communication interface 45, the process proceeds from ACT 21 to ACT 22. The processor 61 acquires a bonus code from the bonus event in ACT 22.

[0077] The processor 61, having acquired the bonus code, proceeds to ACT23. The processor 61 searches the bonus database 72 in ACT23. The processor 61 then checks the status S of the bonus record 721 including the acquired bonus code. If the status S is "0", that is, indicates an unused state, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT24. The processor 61 acquires the date of giving from the bonus record 721 in ACT24. The processor 61 then checks whether the current date measured by the clock 64 is within the expiration date in ACT25. For example, if the expiration date of the coupon is one year, the processor 61 checks whether the current date is within one year from the date of giving. If the current date is within one year from the date of giving, the processor 61 determines that the coupon is within the expiration date. If the current date is already one year after the date of giving, the processor 61 determines that the coupon is outside the expiration date. If the coupon is within its expiration date, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT26. In ACT26, the processor 61 sends an affirmative response to the payment device 10 that sent the special event. Upon receiving this affirmative response, the payment device 10 functions as the processing means 414. That is, the processor 41 of the payment device 10 deducts 500 yen from the subtotal.

[0078] After sending the positive response, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT 27. In ACT 27, the processor 61 changes the status S of the privilege record 721 from "0" to "1." That is, the state of the privilege specified in the privilege record 721 is changed from "unused" to "used."

[0079] On the other hand, if the status S is "1" in ACT23, i.e., indicates that the coupon has been used, or if the coupon has not yet expired in ACT25, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT28. The processor 61 sends a negative response in ACT28 to the payment machine 10 that sent the bonus event. In a payment machine 10 that receives a negative response, the function as the processing means 414 does not function. In this way, a coupon with status S of "1", i.e., that has been used, or that has expired, becomes invalid and cannot be used. With this, the processor 61 ends the second information processing.

[0080] Here, the processor 61 realizes a function as a detection means 616 by the processing of ACT21 and ACT22. The processor 61 realizes a function as a change means 617 by the processing of ACT27. The processor 61 realizes a function as a control means 618 by the processing of ACT25 and ACT28.

[0081] [Effects of the embodiment] As described above in detail, in the complex treatment facility SC in which the point management system 100 including the point management server 20 is constructed, the following point service can be realized.

[0082] 1. Points are awarded when a member's transaction is settled at the first accounting machine 101 or the second accounting machine 102 not only at directly managed stores of the complex treatment facility SC but also at tenant stores, and the point management server 20 acquires the awarded points and accumulates them as owned points P for each member.

[0083] 2. When a member whose owned points P have reached the grant condition points Pm settles a transaction at a directly managed store, the point management server 20 controls the payment machine 10 at that directly managed store, i.e., the first payment machine 101, to issue a complimentary coupon. At this time, the number of complimentary coupons issued is an integer obtained by dividing the owned points P by the grant condition points Pm.

[0084] 3. Each time the point management server 20 controls the issuance of a complimentary ticket, it sets a unique privilege code for that complimentary ticket. The point management server 20 then stores a status S indicating whether the complimentary ticket is unused or used, in association with the privilege code of each complimentary ticket. The privilege code is printed on the complimentary ticket in the form of a barcode.

[0085] 4. When the barcode of the coupon presented by the member when making a payment at a directly managed or tenant store, that is, the coupon code, is read by the first payment machine 101 or the second payment machine 102, the point management server 20 determines whether the coupon identified by the coupon code has been used. If the coupon has not been used, the point management server 20 outputs a signal to the first payment machine 101 or the second payment machine 102 to permit the execution of a coupon process. The point management server 20 then changes the status of the coupon to used. On the other hand, if the coupon has been used, the point management server 20 does not output a signal to permit the execution of a coupon process. Therefore, an unused coupon can be used, but a coupon that has been used once cannot be used.

[0086] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a points management device, that is, a points management server 20, which can easily introduce a points service in a commercial complex SC.

[0087] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0088] In the first embodiment, when a member whose owned points P have reached the grant condition points Pm settles a transaction at a directly managed store, the point management server 20 controls the payment machine 10 at that directly managed store, i.e., the first payment machine 101, to issue a complimentary ticket. However, it is assumed that there may be members who do not like to be issued a complimentary ticket every time their owned points P reach the grant condition points Pm. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a member whose owned points P have reached the grant condition points Pm is asked whether or not to issue a complimentary ticket. A complimentary ticket is then issued to members who wish to be issued a ticket. For members who do not wish to be issued a ticket, a complimentary ticket is not issued, and the owned points P are retained.

[0089] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in a part of the first information processing executed by the processor 61 of the point management server 20. The rest is common to the first embodiment, so that Figures 1 to 6, 8, and 9 are also used in the second embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0090] 10 is a flow chart showing, with some parts omitted, the main steps of the first information processing executed by the processor 61 of the point management server 20 in the second embodiment. Note that the same reference numerals are used to denote the parts common to the first information processing of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7.

[0091] As shown in Fig. 10, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the process in ACT8, where store table 73 is searched using the store ID and payment machine ID acquired in the process in ACT7, and the process after confirming that type flag F is "1". That is, processor 61 outputs an inquiry event in ACT31 to first payment machine 101, which is the source of the issued event notification. The inquiry event is an event that inquires as to whether or not to issue a complimentary coupon.

[0092] In the first payment device 101 that receives the inquiry event, an inquiry screen 90 (see FIG. 11) is displayed on the display 47. FIG. 11 is an example of the inquiry screen 90. The inquiry screen 90 is a screen on which a first button 91 for issuing a coupon and a second button 92 for not issuing a coupon are arranged along with a message notifying the member that a coupon can be issued. The store clerk who has checked the inquiry screen 90 inquires the member as to whether or not to issue a coupon. If the member wishes to issue a coupon, the first button 91 is pressed. If the member does not wish to issue a coupon, the second button 92 is pressed. When the first button 91 is pressed, a ticket issuing affirmative signal is output from the first accounting machine 101 to the point management server 20. When the second button 92 is pressed, a ticket issuing negative signal is output from the first accounting machine 101 to the point management server 20. The inquiry screen 90 may be displayed on a display for the customer, and the customer may press the first button 91 or the second button 92 by himself.

[0093] Returning to the explanation of Figure 10. The processor 61 of the point management server 20 that sent the inquiry event proceeds to ACT32. In ACT32, the processor 61 waits to receive a ticket issuance affirmative signal or a ticket issuance negative signal. If a ticket issuance affirmative signal is received from the first accounting device 101, the processor 61 proceeds from ACT31 to ACT9. The processor 61 then executes the processes of ACT9 to ACT15 and ACT17 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. With this control, the first accounting device 101 issues the number N of complimentary tickets calculated based on the owned points P and the grant condition points Pm.

[0094] On the other hand, if a ticket issuance denial signal is received from the first accounting device 101, the processor 61 proceeds from ACT31 to ACT16. Then, the processor 61 executes the processes of ACT16 and ACT17 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Therefore, a complimentary ticket is not issued, and the member's points P are retained.

[0095] Thus, according to the second embodiment, a member whose owned points P reach the grant condition points Pm can choose whether or not to issue a complimentary coupon when settling a transaction at a directly managed store where the first accounting device 101 is installed. As a result, the member can easily issue complimentary coupons in bulk when necessary.

[0096] <Other embodiments> The content of the point service introduced in the complex water treatment facility is not limited to that described in the above embodiment. For example, the benefit is not limited to a complimentary ticket. It may be a benefit provided to a member by printing it on receipt paper using the printer 48 of the accounting machine 10. Alternatively, the benefit may be provided to the wireless communication medium using short-range wireless communication by connecting a communication device capable of short-range wireless communication with a wireless communication medium such as a contactless IC card or a smartphone to the accounting machine 10.

[0097] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the payment machine 10 at a directly managed store is defined as the first payment machine 101 having the ticket issuing means 412, and the payment machine 10 at a tenant store is defined as the second payment machine 102 not having the ticket issuing means 412. In this regard, for example, even if the payment machine 10 at a tenant store is the same model as the payment machine 10 at a directly managed store, it may be defined as the first payment machine 101. Specifically, this can be done by setting the type flag F in the store table 73 to "1."

[0098] In the above embodiment, a case where a reward is given when a transaction with a member whose owned points P are equal to or greater than the reward condition points Pm is settled at the first payment device 101 is exemplified. In this regard, a reward may be given even if the member does not settle the transaction. For example, a mode specialized for reward provision is set in the first payment device 101 in addition to a mode for processing transaction settlement. This mode is a mode that executes a process of sending a reward event including the member ID, store ID, and payment device ID to the point management server 20 when a member ID is obtained as identification information of the member. In the point management server 20 that has acquired the reward event, the first information processing of the procedure shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 10 is executed. Thus, for example, a member whose owned points P are equal to or greater than the reward condition points Pm through shopping at a tenant store where the first payment device 101 is not installed can receive the reward even if he or she does not shop at a directly managed store where the first payment device is installed.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the condition for providing the privilege is set as "a 500 yen discount coupon is issued each time the owned points P reach 500 points", and after issuing N 500 yen discount coupons, [500*N] points are subtracted from the owned points P to leave the remaining owned points P. In this regard, for the remaining owned points P, a discount coupon with a discount amount equivalent to the points may be forcibly issued. For example, a 500 yen discount coupon and a 200 yen discount coupon may be issued to a member whose owned points T are 700 points. In this case, the 500 yen discount coupon is assigned a privilege code to manage whether it is unused or used, but the discount code is not assigned to discount coupons less than 500 yen. By doing so, the storage capacity of the privilege database 72 can be saved.

[0100] Although several other embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope of the invention and the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 10...accounting machine, 20...point management server, 30...communication network, 41, 61...processor, 42, 62...main memory, 43, 63...auxiliary storage device, 44, 64...clock, 45, 65...communication interface, 46...keyboard, 47...display, 48...printer, 49...card reader, 50...scanner interface, 51...change machine interface, 52, 66...system transmission path, 53...scanner, 54...automatic change machine, 71...membership database, 72...benefit database, 73...store table, 80...discount coupons, 90...inquiry screen, 100...points management system, 101...first accounting machine, 102...second accounting machine, 411...granting means, 412...issuing means, 413...reading means, 414...processing means, 611...acquisition means, 612...updating means, 613...provision means, 614...generation means, 615...storage means, 616...detection means, 617...changing means, 618...control means.

Claims

1. an acquisition means for acquiring points granted to a point holder from a terminal of a first store capable of providing a benefit in accordance with the points held by the point holder and from a terminal of a second store not capable of providing the benefit; an update means for updating the points held by the point holder with the points acquired by the acquisition means; a reward providing means for providing a reward to a point holder whose points satisfy a reward providing condition in the first store; A point management device comprising:

2. a generating means for generating identification information for each benefit provided by the providing means; a storage means for storing a usage status of the privilege identified by the identification information generated by the generating means in association with the identification information; The point management device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

3. A detection means for detecting a benefit to be used at the first store or the second store based on data received from the terminal at the first store or the terminal at the second store; a change means for changing the usage state of the benefit detected by the detection means from unused to used; The point management device according to claim 2 , further comprising:

4. a control means for allowing use of the privilege when the privilege usage status detected by the detection means is an unused status, and forbidding use of the privilege when the privilege has been used; The point management device according to claim 3, further comprising:

5. 5. The points management device according to claim 1, wherein the bonus is a coupon usable at the first store or the second store.

6. A computer of a points management device capable of data communication with a terminal of a first store capable of providing a reward in accordance with points held by a point holder, and a terminal of a second store incapable of providing the reward, an acquisition means for acquiring points granted to the point holder from a terminal of the first store and a terminal of the second store; an updating means for updating the points held by the point holder with the points acquired by the acquiring means; and a providing means for providing a privilege to a point holder whose owned points satisfy a condition for providing the privilege, in the first store; A program to function as a

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