Point program operation system, point program operation method, and computer program

Abstract

To provide a point program operation system, a point program operation method, and a program.SOLUTION: The point program operation method includes causing one or more service servers to: grant a customer points corresponding to the payment amount in response to one payment transaction; identify, among multiple benefits for which the points can be redeemed, one or more candidate benefits as candidates for which the points granted by the one payment transaction are redeemed; transmit payment information for displaying a payment completion screen that indicates the result of the one payment transaction, where the payment completion screen includes items of the one or more candidate benefits; and, when at least one of the items of the one or more candidate benefits is selected on the payment completion screen, execute a benefit redemption process in which the points granted in the one payment transaction are redeemed for the benefit corresponding to the selected item.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a point program operation system, a point program operation method, and a computer program. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to increase customer purchasing motivation or encourage continuous use, businesses that operate stores or e-commerce sites may award points to customers according to the amount of their transactions and provide them with benefits according to the number of points they have. Loyalty programs that provide benefits according to the number of points are generally called "point programs." In recent years, multi-point programs in which multiple companies use the same points system have also been offered.

[0003] The term "points" refers to a unit of account that mediates the exchange of rewards. Customers can accumulate the points they have earned and then exchange them for rewards to promote customer loyalty, such as discounts on product purchases or special novelty items.

[0004] If a point program sets a ratio for converting points into a monetary value, customers can select a reward equivalent to the converted amount and exchange the points they have saved for that reward. The rewards that can be exchanged for points are becoming more diverse every year. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses investment items such as foreign exchange, stocks, horse racing tickets, and lotteries as examples of rewards that can be exchanged for points. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2004 / 003805 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In order to obtain rewards, customers must consider the number of points they have, choose the reward they want from a wide range of rewards, and then go through the process of exchanging them. Therefore, as the number of reward options increases, the process for customers to obtain rewards becomes more complicated, which is an issue.

[0007] The present disclosure aims to provide a point program operation system, a point program operation method, and a computer program that can improve convenience when exchanging points for benefits. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A point program operation system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a point allocating unit configured to award points to a customer according to a payment amount in connection with a single payment process; an identification unit configured to identify one or more candidate benefits from among a plurality of benefits redeemable for points as candidates to be exchanged for the points awarded in the single payment process; a transmission unit configured to transmit payment information to display a payment completion screen showing the result of the single payment process, wherein the payment completion screen includes items of the one or more candidate benefits; and an exchange unit configured to perform a benefit exchange process to exchange the points awarded in the single payment process for a benefit related to the selected item when at least one of the one or more candidate benefit items is selected on the payment completion screen.

[0009] A point program operation system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes one or more service servers, at least one of which is configured to grant points to a customer according to a payment amount in connection with a single payment process, at least one of which is configured to identify one or more candidate benefits from among a plurality of benefits redeemable for points as candidates to be exchanged for the points granted in the single payment process, at least one of which is configured to send payment information for displaying a payment completion screen showing the result of the single payment process, the payment completion screen including items of the one or more candidate benefits, and at least one of which is configured to perform a benefit redemption process to exchange the points granted in the single payment process for a benefit related to the selected item when at least one of the one or more candidate benefit items is selected on the payment completion screen.

[0010] An operating method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes having one or more service servers grant points to a customer in accordance with a payment amount in connection with a single payment process, identify one or more candidate benefits from among a plurality of benefits redeemable for points as candidates to be redeemed for the points granted in the single payment process, transmit payment information for displaying a payment completion screen showing a result of the single payment process, wherein the payment completion screen includes items of the one or more candidate benefit items, and when at least one of the one or more candidate benefit items is selected on the payment completion screen, perform a benefit redemption process in which the points granted in the single payment process are exchanged for a benefit related to the selected item.

[0011] A computer program according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a computer program for causing a computer to display a screen for a payment process; display a payment completion screen showing the result of the payment process, wherein the payment completion screen includes one or more candidate benefit items, the one or more candidate benefit items being candidates for benefit that can be exchanged for points awarded in connection with the payment process; and, when at least one of the one or more candidate benefit items is selected on the payment completion screen, send a benefit redemption instruction to exchange the points awarded in the payment process for a benefit related to the selected item. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an operation system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the electrical configuration of devices constituting the operation system of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a part of the payment completion screen displayed on the customer terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a customer terminal on which a payment completion screen including items of multiple potential rewards is displayed. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a customer terminal on which a payment completion screen including one candidate benefit item is displayed. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram for explaining the exchange from the payment screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Below, examples of a point program operation system, a point program operation method, and a computer program will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. The present invention is not limited to these examples, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims, in addition to the contents indicated by the claims.

[0014] [Points Program Overview] 1, the operation system 11 includes one or more service servers 12 to realize a plurality of management functions. The one or more service servers 12 are configured to grant points and exchange points for benefits. The various management functions of the operation system 11, such as granting points and exchanging points for benefits, may be realized by one service server 12 or by multiple service servers 12.

[0015] The multiple rewards include fixed-price rewards, which require a specified number of points for redemption, and pay-as-you-go rewards, which do not require a specified number of points for redemption. An example of a fixed-price reward is a novelty item that can be redeemed for a specified number of points, and an example of a pay-as-you-go reward is a discount service that allows any number of points to be used for a discount on a product or service.

[0016] The point program may be a multi-point program in which multiple businesses grant common points or multiple organizations provide benefits, or a point program in which a single business provides points and benefits. In a multi-point program, the same business may grant points and provide benefits, or there may be a business or organization that only grants points or only provides benefits.

[0017] A consumer who has registered for a point program is called a customer. In this example, for convenience, the loyalty program for giving benefits to customers is called a "point program," and the amount of points saved is expressed as the number of points. However, the unit of exchange for the benefit is not limited to "points," and can be replaced with any other name, such as "miles," "money," "coins," "dollars," "stamps," or "cash."

[0018] Customers can redeem the points they have earned for various rewards. For fixed-price rewards such as novelty items, the number of points required for redemption is set by the points program. Reward products include, but are not limited to, financial products such as foreign exchange, stocks, and investment trusts. Examples of service charges that can be rewards include, but are not limited to, electricity bills, gas bills, insurance premiums, vehicle rental fees, or donations.

[0019] The point program may be linked to an electronic payment service. For example, at least one of the one or more service servers 12 may be configured to provide an electronic payment service. The one or more service servers 12 may include one or more point service servers that provide a point service such as providing points and exchanging points for benefits, and one or more payment servers that provide an electronic payment service.

[0020] However, from the customer's point of view, the business entity, such as the store that receives the payment from the customer, performs the electronic payment and awards the points associated with the electronic payment. Therefore, the business entity that operates the payment terminal 14 and receives the payment amount is sometimes called the payer, or it is sometimes said that "the business entity awards the points."

[0021] A payment application for making electronic payments may be installed on the customer terminal 15 used by a customer who uses the electronic payment service. A point management application for managing points may be installed on the customer terminal 15. The payment application may be linked to a point program. These applications include computer programs for causing the customer terminal 15, which is a computer, to execute predetermined operations.

[0022] When a customer makes a payment using the payment application, i.e., when making an electronic payment, the customer can earn points according to the payment amount. Using the point management application, the customer can, for example, check the points he or she owns, check the point acquisition history, exchange points for benefits, and check the point exchange history.

[0023] The operation system 11 may include one or more databases 13. The one or more databases 13 include data on a plurality of customers, a plurality of payment agents, and a plurality of rewards participating in the point program. The one or more databases 13 may include a plurality of databases, such as a customer database, a payment database, and a reward database. Alternatively, the database 13 may be a database that integrates a plurality of databases, such as a customer database, a payment database, and a reward database.

[0024] The customer database stores customer data relating to each of a plurality of customers who have registered for the point program. The customer database may include, for each customer, customer identification information, the number of points held, a point acquisition history, and a point redemption history. The customer database may also include a usage history of electronic payment services.

[0025] The payment database stores payer data related to each of a plurality of businesses (payers) that are members of the point program. The payer data may include, for each business, business identification information, information related to the business, point issuance history, and payment history. The business identification information may include store identification information or may be substituted for store identification information. Information related to the business includes, for example, the name and location of the business or store, the business's related organizations or related businesses, the business's business content, identification information of the business or payment terminal 14, and location information of the payment terminal 14, but is not limited to these.

[0026] The reward database stores reward data related to a plurality of rewards and reward provider data related to each of a plurality of organizations that provide the rewards. The reward provider data may include, for each organization that provides rewards, organization identification information, a list of the rewards provided, a reward provision history, and information related to the organization. The information related to the organization may include, for example, but is not limited to, the name of the organization, the location of the organization, the area in which the organization is active, the organization's related organizations or related businesses, the organization's activities, the type of activity, the identification information of the reward server 16, and the location information of the reward server 16.

[0027] The service server 12 may include a part or all of the database 13, and may be able to access the database 13 through a network 17. The service server 12 may be able to communicate with a plurality of payment terminals 14 and a plurality of customer terminals 15 through the network 17. The service server 12 may further be able to communicate with a plurality of reward servers 16 through the network 17.

[0028] Network 17 includes, for example, the Internet, a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a provider terminal, a wireless communication network, a wireless base station, a dedicated line, etc. It is not necessary for all combinations of devices shown in Fig. 1 to be able to communicate with each other, and network 17 may include a local network in part.

[0029] Each payment terminal 14 is operated by a business operator (payer) who is a member of the point program. The payment terminal 14 may be installed in a store, or may be mounted on a mobile object such as a taxi or a mobile sales vehicle. The location information of the payment terminal 14 mounted on the mobile object may be a representative location or range stored in the database 13, or information obtained by, for example, a GPS may be used. Each payment terminal 14 may be a POS (Point of sales) register, or may be a mobile device such as a PC or tablet on which an application configured to perform payment is installed. Payment by the payment terminal 14 may be a mobile payment or code payment performed via a customer terminal 15.

[0030] Each reward server 16 is managed by an organization participating in the point program as a reward provider. The reward provider may be, for example, a store or business that manages the payment terminal 14, or an organization such as a profit-making organization or non-profit organization that provides only rewards without handling payments associated with the sale of goods. For example, if the reward is an investment product such as stocks or investment trusts, the reward provider may be a sales company of the investment trust or a securities company. Customers who select investment products as rewards should open an account with a sales company of the investment product in advance.

[0031] [Server and terminal configuration] 2 shows a basic configuration of a computer which is an example of the servers 12, 16 and the terminals 14, 15. In this example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet is also an example of a computer. The computer includes, for example, one or more processors 31, one or more memories 32, and a communication IF (interface) 33. The computer may further include an input device 34 and a display 35. The one or more processors 31, the one or more memories 32, the communication IF 33, the input device 34, and the display 35 are connected to each other by a communication bus 36. The configurations of the servers 12, 16 and the terminals 14, 15 may be different from each other.

[0032] The one or more processors 31 are, for example, processing circuits configured to execute various software processes. The processing circuit may include a dedicated hardware circuit (e.g., ASIC, etc.) that processes at least a part of the software processes. In other words, the software processes may be executed by a processing circuitry that includes at least one of one or more software processing circuits and one or more dedicated hardware circuits.

[0033] The one or more processors 31 are, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microprocessor unit (MPU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other arithmetic device. The processor 31 executes a series of instructions included in a computer program stored in the memory 32 in response to a signal provided thereto or in response to the establishment of a predetermined condition.

[0034] The one or more memories 32 may include, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or other volatile memory. The memory 32 may be configured to temporarily store programs and data. The one or more memories 32 may include storage that permanently stores data including programs. The programs include applications and an operating system. The storage may be, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive, a flash memory, or other non-volatile storage device. The storage may be a removable storage device such as a memory card. At least a portion of the data including applications used by the servers 12, 16 and the terminals 14, 15 may be stored in a cloud server that can communicate through the network 17.

[0035] The communication IF 33 is configured to connect to the network 17. The communication IF 33 is configured to communicate with other devices connected to the network 17. The communication IF 33 is realized, for example, as a LAN or other wired communication IF. The communication IF 33 can also be realized, for example, but not limited to, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or other wireless communication IF.

[0036] The input device 34 is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, and may include a button, a key, a switch, a touch pad, or a microphone. The display 35 may be, for example, a liquid crystal monitor or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) monitor, or may be a touch screen having a touch panel that also serves as the input device 34.

[0037] [Linking electronic payments and point programs] The one or more service servers 12 are configured to perform payment processing, point granting processing, and point redemption processing. Below, we will explain code payment, which is an example of an electronic payment service, and the point granting processing and point redemption processing that are performed in conjunction with the payment processing.

[0038] The code payment may be a store scan type in which the payment terminal 14 reads a customer code displayed on the screen of the customer terminal 15, or a user scan type in which the customer terminal 15 reads a store code presented by a business. The store code is linked to business identification information that indicates a business affiliated with the point program. The code may be, for example, a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode.

[0039] The customer code is linked to customer identification information. The customer code is displayed on the display 35 of the customer terminal 15 by operation of the payment application. The screen displaying this customer code is an example of a screen for electronic payment in the store scan method. In the case of the user scan method, a reading screen for reading the store code presented by the business is displayed on the display 35 of the customer terminal 15 by operation of the payment application. This reading screen is a screen for electronic payment in the user scan method. In the case of the user scan method, the person making the payment may use a printed matter on which the store code is printed, instead of the payment terminal 14, to handle the electronic payment.

[0040] After the code is read, a payment screen is displayed on the display 35 of the payment terminal 14 or the customer terminal 15. The payment screen may also display an input field for the number of points to be used in order to use points for all or part of the payment amount. Whether or not to use points for payment may be set in advance using a points management application.

[0041] After information including the payment amount and the number of points used is entered on the payment screen, and the payment details are confirmed, payment information is sent from the payment terminal 14 or customer terminal 15 to the service server 12. The payment information includes customer identification information, business operator identification information (store identification information), the payment amount, and, if points are used, the number of points used. The payment information may further include transaction information related to the payment, for example, information related to the purchased product. Upon receiving the payment information, the service server 12 performs payment processing.

[0042] After the payment process, the service server 12 performs a point allocation process. More specifically, the service server 12 updates the database 13 so that points according to the payment amount are allocated to the customer who has made the payment according to the rules of the point program. The points may be allocated immediately or after a specified period of time depending on the content of the payment or the payment method.

[0043] As shown in Figure 3, after the payment process, the payment application displays a payment completion screen 20 on the display 35 of the customer terminal 15. The payment application may display the number of points acquired or to be acquired in the payment on the payment completion screen 20. For example, if the customer uses points to pay all or part of the payment amount, the payment application may display the number of points used on the payment completion screen 20.

[0044] [Redeeming rewards using a points management application] When a customer wants to exchange his / her accumulated points for a specific benefit, he / she operates the point management application to select the benefit he / she wishes to exchange from among a number of benefits. The point management application transmits the selection result to the service server 12. Upon receiving information on the selected benefit, the service server 12 performs a benefit exchange process.

[0045] More specifically, the service server 12 transmits a redemption request to a reward server 16 managed by an organization that provides the selected reward. The redemption request includes, for example, the name and quantity of the reward, and customer identification information of the customer who wishes to redeem the reward. The reward server 16 performs processing to provide the reward to the corresponding customer based on the received redemption request.

[0046] As part of the reward redemption process, the service server 12 subtracts the number of points used for the redemption from the number of points held in the customer database. The service server 12 stores the redemption date and time, the number of points used for the redemption, and the item of the redeemed reward in the customer database. When the reward redemption process is completed, the service server 12 may send redemption completion information to the customer terminal 15. The redemption completion information may include information such as the item and quantity of the redeemed reward, the redemption date and time, or the provider of the reward. The redemption completion information may be displayed as a redemption completion screen on the screen of the customer terminal 15, for example, by a point management application.

[0047] [Redeeming rewards using a payment application] The service server 12 may be configured to perform a reward redemption process triggered by an operation of a payment application by a customer. In this case, the customer operates the payment application instead of the point management application to issue an instruction to redeem points for a reward. Unlike the point management application, the payment application may provide a limited point redemption function. For example, the payment application may be configured to redeem points granted in connection with one payment process for a reward within a series of steps of the payment process.

[0048] 4 and 5, the payment application may display one or more candidate reward items as candidates for redeeming points awarded in a payment transaction on the payment completion screen 20 of the payment transaction. The payment application may be configured to accept only redemptions of rewards related to the displayed items.

[0049] The service server 12 grants points to the customer according to the payment amount in association with one payment process. After that, the service server 12 identifies one or more candidate benefits from among a plurality of benefits redeemable for points as candidates for redeeming the points granted in this one payment process. Then, the service server 12 transmits payment completion information to the customer terminal 15 to display a payment completion screen 20 showing the result of one payment process. The payment completion information includes, for example, identification information (store identification information) of the business entity receiving the payment amount, the date and time of the payment, the payment amount, the number of points used for the payment, the number of points acquired or to be acquired for the payment, and information related to each of the one or more candidate benefits.

[0050] A payment completion screen 20 including one or more candidate benefit items is displayed on customer terminal 15 that has received the payment completion information. Payment completion screen 20 may include a selection box 21 displaying one or more candidate benefit items. Selection box 21 may be displayed as a pop-up window superimposed on payment completion screen 20, or may be displayed on payment completion screen 20 as a separate box alongside the box displaying the payment amount. Each candidate benefit item may be displayed as a selection button 22 in selection box 21.

[0051] When a customer clicks one of the selection buttons 22, the item displayed on that selection button 22 is selected. When a customer selects one of one or more candidate reward items on the payment completion screen 20, the service server 12 performs a reward exchange process to exchange the points awarded in one payment process for a reward related to the selected item. In other words, the points awarded in one payment process are promptly used to exchange for a reward without transitioning from the payment completion screen 20 to another application or another screen.

[0052] In this way, exchanging the points acquired through the payment for a benefit from the payment completion screen 20 is called "exchange from the payment screen." If the customer closes the selection frame 21 (e.g., a pop-up window) or the payment completion screen 20 without selecting the selection button 22, the payment application ends the point granting process without executing the exchange from the payment screen.

[0053] The service server 12 may be configured to accept, from each customer, registration of one or more bonus items that the customer wishes to redeem in the future. A bonus preregistered by a customer in this manner is called a designated bonus, and the preregistered bonus items are called designated bonus items. For example, when the point management application accepts registration of one or more designated bonus items on a bonus designation screen (not shown), it transmits the one or more designated bonus items to the service server 12. The service server 12 registers the received one or more designated bonus items in the customer database as data of the corresponding customer.

[0054] The service server 12 may identify one or more designated benefits preregistered by each customer as one or more candidate benefits for that customer. When multiple designated benefit items are registered, their priorities may also be registered. When multiple designated benefit items are registered, the designated benefit items may be displayed in the selection window 21 according to the registered priorities.

[0055] Service server 12 may be configured to accept registration of one or more candidate rewards to be displayed in selection box 21 from a business that receives a payment amount. A reward pre-registered by a business in this manner is called a recommended reward, and a reward item pre-registered is called a recommended reward item. One or more recommended reward items are registered in the payment database as data of the corresponding business.

[0056] The service server 12 may identify one or more recommended rewards preregistered by each business operator as one or more candidate rewards in the payment processing undertaken by that business operator. When multiple recommended reward items are registered, their priorities may also be registered. When multiple recommended reward items are registered, the recommended reward items may be displayed in the selection frame 21 according to the registered priorities.

[0057] The service server 12 may identify a benefit that can be redeemed with the number of points granted by one payment transaction as at least one of one or more candidate benefits. Identification of a candidate benefit based on the number of points that can be redeemed may be applied to designated benefits, recommended benefits, or other benefits. Furthermore, a candidate benefit identified based on the condition of the number of points may be a fixed-price benefit in which the number of points required for redemption is specified, or a pay-as-you-go benefit in which the minimum number of points required for redemption is specified. For example, if the point program specifies that 1 point = 1 yen, and the minimum accepted donation amount is 100 yen = 100 points, then the donation is displayed as a candidate benefit on the payment completion screen 20 of a payment transaction in which 100 points or more have been granted.

[0058] When exchanging for a pay-as-you-go benefit, all points granted in one payment process may be set to be used for the exchange. Alternatively, an input field for inputting the number of points granted in one payment process may be provided on the payment completion screen 20, so that any number of points can be used for the exchange. Alternatively, a set number of points, such as every 100 points, may be used for the exchange.

[0059] If the candidate benefit is a financial product such as an investment trust, the payment application may display the benefit item in the selection frame 21 when the number of points acquired in one payment reaches the number of points required for purchase (base value when converted into money). In other words, even if a designated benefit is registered as a designated benefit item, if the designated benefit cannot be redeemed on the payment screen with the acquired points, the payment application may not display the designated benefit item in the selection frame 21. As a similar example, in the case of a benefit such as a lottery or coupon for joint purchase, the payment application may display the benefit item in the selection frame 21 when the purchase conditions, such as the number of purchases, are met and the benefit can be redeemed.

[0060] When a payment process is performed via the payment terminal 14 and the customer terminal 15, the service server 12 may identify one or more candidate benefits based on information on at least one of the payment terminal 14 or the business that operates the payment terminal 14. In this case, the candidate benefits do not have to be benefits that have been preregistered. For example, when shares of the business that receives the payment amount or its related business are offered as a benefit, the service server 12 may identify an investment product in the business or its related business as at least one of the one or more candidate benefits.

[0061] As shown in Figure 4, the one or more candidate reward items may include multiple candidate reward items. The multiple candidate rewards may also include at least one of a reward that is a donation and a reward that is an investment product. This is because if a donation or an investment product is a pay-as-you-go reward, it can be redeemed for any number of points.

[0062] When multiple selection buttons 22 are displayed in the selection frame 21, type marks 23 (23a, 23b, 23c) may be added to indicate the type of benefit associated with each of the multiple selection buttons 22. The type marks 23 may include, for example, but are not limited to, a combination mark 23a indicating that the benefit is redeemable by combining owned points, a designation mark 23b indicating that the benefit is a designated benefit, or a recommendation mark 23c indicating that the benefit is a recommended benefit.

[0063] 5, if at least one of the one or more candidate rewards is an investment product, a graph 24 showing a market trend for that investment product may be displayed on the payment completion screen 20. The graph 24 may include a hyperlink to display more detailed information or an enlarged graph.

[0064] When one or more candidate offers include multiple investment products, the graph 24 may be displayed for all the investment products, or the graph 24 may be displayed for only one specific investment product depending on the display space. In this case, the payment application may display the graph 24 for, for example, a designated offer that has a high priority and is preregistered, or a recommended offer.

[0065] The one or more candidate benefits may include one or more related benefits. A related benefit refers to a benefit related to the business receiving the payment amount or the product or service traded in the payment process. The one or more related benefits may include one or more benefits in the same or related field as the business's industry, or one or more benefits in the same or related field as the product or service traded in the payment process. The one or more related benefits may be recommended benefits pre-registered by the business, or may be identified by the service server 12 at any time (e.g., each time a payment is made).

[0066] For example, if a business deals in organic food, examples of related benefits would be investment products in companies that deal in animal-free products or sustainable materials, or donations for nature or animal protection. If the traded product is health food, health equipment, or medicine, examples of related benefits would be investment products in companies that manufacture or sell medicines, or donations for medical support activities both domestically and overseas.

[0067] For example, products or services that fall into the same genre on one or more EC sites are likely to belong to the same field or related fields. In addition, products or services that have the same or similar keywords set on one or more EC sites are likely to belong to the same field or related fields. Alternatively, products or services that share a concept or theme, such as "international cooperation" or "SDGs," are likely to belong to the same field or related fields. Such concepts or themes may be consistent with themes adopted in thematic investment, which selects stocks based on themes that are attracting social attention, such as "deoxygenation," "sustainability," or "diversity."

[0068] The service server 12 may be configured to accept registration of a theme, concept, field, or type related to the identification of a related benefit from each customer instead of or in addition to the one or more designated benefits. Examples of themes, concepts, or fields to be registered are "SDGs," "nature conservation," "international cooperation," or "support for children," and examples of types to be registered are "donations" or "small investments." This allows the service server 12 to recommend benefits related to organizations or businesses that are related to the field in which the customer is interested but that the customer is not aware of.

[0069] The service server 12 may identify at least one of one or more candidate benefits based on the location information of the payment terminal 14 or the location of the business operator. For example, if the location information of the payment terminal 14 or the location of the business operator is Tokyo, the service server 12 may identify a donation to Tokyo or an organization operating in Tokyo as a candidate benefit. Alternatively, if the location information of the payment terminal 14 or the location of the business operator is a regional city or regional urban area, the service server 12 may identify an investment product for a business operator located in that regional city or regional urban area as a candidate benefit.

[0070] In the case of pay-as-you-go benefits, points acquired in one transaction can be exchanged for a benefit without being combined with owned points. Therefore, when a pay-as-you-go benefit candidate benefit item is displayed on the payment completion screen 20, all points acquired in that transaction may be used to exchange for the benefit. For example, when the selected benefit is a donation, all points acquired in one transaction are exchanged for a donation and donated to the organization that provides the benefit via the service server 12 and the benefit server 16. Alternatively, a portion of the points acquired in one transaction may be used to exchange for a benefit (e.g., a donation) on the payment completion screen 20.

[0071] In the case of a fixed-price benefit, the designated benefit item may be displayed when the points acquired in one payment are added to the owned points and the number of points required for exchanging the benefit is reached. More specifically, if the number of points granted in one payment process is insufficient to exchange for the benefit selected on one payment completion screen 20 showing the result of the one payment process, the service server 12 reserves the points granted in one payment for exchange with the selected benefit. The reserved points should be counted separately from other savings points for which no redemption is specified.

[0072] Then, after one payment process, if the benefit selected on another payment completion screen 20 showing the result of another payment process is the same as the benefit selected on the previous payment completion screen 20, and if the total number of points obtained by adding the number of points awarded in the other (current) payment process to the number of saved points is sufficient to exchange for the selected benefit, then the benefit exchange process is performed. This process of performing the benefit exchange process by adding the number of reserved points to the number of points awarded in the current payment process in an exchange from the payment screen is called "exchange using combined points."

[0073] [Various processes related to redemption from the payment screen] The payment process, point allocation process, and benefit redemption process related to the exchange from the payment screen will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Here, an example will be described in which code payment is made by the store scan method via the customer terminal 15 and the payment terminal 14. Below, the process of the service server 12 is shown in steps S21 to S26, the process of the payment terminal 14 is shown in steps S41 and S42, and the process of the customer terminal 15 is shown in steps S51 to S55.

[0074] First, in step S51, the customer operates the payment application to display the customer's own payment code on the display 35 of the customer terminal 15. In step S41, the business uses the payment terminal 14 to read the payment code presented by the customer. Next, in step S42, the business enters the payment amount into the payment terminal 14 and confirms the payment process. As a result, payment information is sent from the payment terminal 14 to the service server 12. The payment information includes at least the customer identification information read from the payment code, the business identification information (store identification information) sent from the payment terminal 14, and the payment amount.

[0075] When the service server 12 receives the payment information, it performs a payment process in step S21. The payment process is executed based on the payment amount, the customer identification information, and the business identification information (store identification information). In the following step S22, the service server 12 grants points according to the payment amount to the customer who made the payment (points granting process). Furthermore, in step S23, the service server 12 identifies one or more candidate benefits from among multiple benefits redeemable for points as candidates that can be redeemed for the points granted in this payment process (candidate benefit identification and granting process).

[0076] In step S24, the service server 12 transmits payment information to the customer terminal 15 to display a payment completion screen 20 showing the result of the payment process (transmit payment information). The payment information includes payment completion information and the candidate benefit information identified in step S23. The payment completion information includes at least the business operator's identification information (store identification information) and the payment amount.

[0077] When the customer terminal 15 receives the payment information, in step S52, the payment application causes the display 35 of the customer terminal 15 to display a payment completion screen 20. This payment completion screen 20 includes a selection box 21 displaying one or more candidate reward items. The selection box 21 includes one or more selection buttons 22. Each selection button 22 displays a candidate reward item.

[0078] In step S53, the customer performs a reward redemption operation. The reward redemption operation is, for example, selecting one of one or more candidate reward items by tapping the selection button 22 on the payment completion screen 20. In the following step S54, the payment application causes the customer terminal 15 to transmit a reward redemption instruction together with information on the selected reward to the service server 12.

[0079] In step S25, the service server 12 performs a benefit redemption process to redeem the points granted in the payment process for the selected benefit. In the following step S26, the service server 12 transmits redemption completion information to the customer terminal 15. The redemption completion information includes, for example, the number of points used to redeem the benefit and information on the redeemed benefit.

[0080] When the customer terminal 15 receives the redemption completion information, in step S55, the payment application displays the benefit redemption completion information on the display 35 of the customer terminal 15. This completes the redemption from the payment screen.

[0081] [Effects of the present disclosure] By displaying the potential rewards on the payment completion screen 20, customers can exchange the points they have earned in payment for rewards without launching a point management application. This type of exchange from the payment screen allows customers to obtain rewards in one payment transaction without having to accumulate points, which is particularly effective in helping customers who have recently registered for the rewards program realize the benefits of the rewards program.

[0082] In electronic payment, payment processing is completed in a few steps, such as displaying and reading a code, inputting the payment amount, and confirming the payment result. Customers who use such electronic payment are likely to place importance on the few operational steps and intuitive operability. Therefore, the exchange method of the present disclosure, which allows points acquired in the payment to be quickly exchanged for rewards from the payment completion screen 20, is excellent in terms of the few operational steps and intuitive operability. Furthermore, the convenience of exchanging points for rewards can be improved by allowing customers to pre-register designated rewards for a group of rewards that reflect diverse values, or by receiving suggestions of recommended rewards from businesses.

[0083] For example, if the candidate benefit is a designated benefit, the customer can select the benefit on the payment completion screen 20 without having to wonder which benefit to exchange for after payment. On the other hand, if the candidate benefit is a benefit determined by the service server 12 or a recommended benefit, the customer can be informed of the variety of benefits available. Therefore, even if the customer does not exchange the benefit from the payment screen, it is expected that the candidate benefit displayed on the payment completion screen 20 will have an advertising effect of increasing the likelihood that the customer will select the benefit later. This is also advantageous for the business operator, as it leads to increased customer loyalty to the business operator who made the payment.

[0084] Even if the number of points obtained from one transaction is not large, for example, if the reward is a donation, the customer can exchange the points in the same way as putting loose change into a donation box in front of a cash register. Also, even customers who are not familiar with investing are expected to have less psychological resistance if they exchange a small amount of points for an investment product than if they were to use actual money. Therefore, it is beneficial for organizations that collect donations or companies that handle investment products to offer rewards.

[0085] [Effects of this disclosure] According to the present disclosure, the following effects can be achieved. (1) A customer can exchange the points awarded in the payment process for a reward by selecting a potential reward on the payment completion screen 20. This improves the convenience of exchanging points for rewards.

[0086] (2) The designated rewards registered in advance are displayed on the payment completion screen 20, so that the customer can quickly select the reward when making a payment at the cash register. In particular, when all the points awarded in one payment transaction are used for redemption, the reward redemption operation can be completed with one click, which is very convenient for the customer.

[0087] (3) When one or more candidate benefits are identified based on information from at least one of the payment terminal 14 or the business, benefits that are advantageous to the business can be recommended to the customer as candidate benefits. This makes it possible to increase customer loyalty to the business that made the payment. Also, for the customer, performing a payment process means that the customer is interested in the product, service, or business related to the transaction, so there is a high possibility that the benefit recommended by the business will be attractive.

[0088] (4) By setting the recommended benefits preregistered by the business as candidate benefits, it is possible to increase customer loyalty to the business. In addition, for the customer, performing a payment process means that the customer is interested in the product, service, or business related to the transaction, so that the benefits recommended by the business are likely to be attractive.

[0089] (5) The related benefits are benefits related to the products, services, or businesses involved in the payment processing. Therefore, by setting the related benefits as candidate benefits, it is possible to recommend benefits that are of high interest to the customer.

[0090] (6) The location information of the payment terminal 14 or the location of the business is likely to overlap with the customer's living area. In addition, customers are generally interested in businesses or organizations in their living area. Therefore, by identifying potential benefits based on the location information of the payment terminal 14 or the location of the business, it is possible to recommend benefits that are of high interest to the customer.

[0091] (7) A customer who has made a transaction with a certain business is likely to be interested in the business, products, or services of that business. Therefore, by setting investment products for that business or its related businesses as candidate benefits, it is possible to recommend benefits that are of high interest to the customer. It is also possible to increase customer loyalty to the business with which the payment was made.

[0092] (8) By displaying a graph 24 showing the market trend of an investment product along with the potential reward on the payment completion screen 20, the customer can be given information to decide whether or not to exchange for the investment product. This improves the convenience of exchanging points for rewards.

[0093] (9) By selecting as potential rewards rewards that can be redeemed with the points awarded in one payment transaction, it is possible to recommend rewards that can be redeemed immediately to customers, thereby improving the convenience of exchanging points for rewards.

[0094] (10) When exchanging accumulated points, customers can exchange them promptly when they have accumulated the necessary number of points without having to check the number of points they have acquired in the points management application. This improves the convenience of exchanging points for benefits.

[0095] (11) Donations and investment products are easy to set up as pay-as-you-go benefits that can be redeemed for any number of points. Even if the number of points granted in one payment transaction is insufficient to exchange for a fixed-price benefit, for example, pay-as-you-go benefits can be exchanged regardless of the payment amount or number of points acquired. For this reason, donations and investment products are suitable as benefits that use up the number of points granted in one payment transaction.

[0096] (12) The service server 12 can process a payment based on the payment amount, the customer identification information, and the business identification information. In addition, the service server 12 can transmit the candidate benefit information to the customer terminal 15, thereby displaying one or more candidate benefit items on the display 35 of the customer terminal 15.

[0097] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction. [Change Example 1] The operation system 11 may be one management device, for example, one computer or one server. In this case, the computer or server may include a database 13. This computer or server may have a configuration similar to that of the computer shown in FIG.

[0098] [Change Example 2] The operation system 11 includes one or more service servers 12. At least one of the one or more service servers may be a point granting unit, At least one of the one or more service servers may be a specific unit, At least one of the one or more service servers may be a sending unit; At least one of the one or more service servers may be an exchange unit.

[0099] The points giving unit, the identification unit, the transmission unit, and the exchange unit may each be a separate service server, or some of them may be shared by one service server. [Change Example 3] When the administrator of the service server 12 and the administrator of the benefit server 16 are the same person, the operation system 11 may include the benefit server 16. When the administrator of the service server 12 and the administrator of the payment terminal 14 are the same person, the operation system 11 may include the payment terminal 14.

[0100] [Change Example 4] A plurality of selection buttons 22 may be selectable on the payment completion screen 20. For example, the selection buttons 22 may be checkboxes, or an input field for the number of points or the allocation ratio to be allocated to each benefit may be displayed on the payment completion screen 20.

[0101] [Change Example 5] The payment application may also have the function of a point management application. The computer program according to the present disclosure is not limited to that included in the payment application installed on the customer terminal 15, but may be a program for performing payment processing, point allocation, and benefit redemption on a website. In this case, the "screen for one payment processing" may be a screen for making a payment.

[0102] Below, aspects that can be understood from the above embodiment and modified examples are listed. [1] A point awarding unit configured to award points to a customer according to a payment amount in accordance with one payment process; An identification unit configured to identify one or more candidate benefits from among a plurality of benefits redeemable for the points as candidates for redeeming the points granted in the one payment process; a transmitter configured to transmit payment information for displaying a payment completion screen showing a result of the first payment process, the payment completion screen including items of the one or more candidate rewards; an exchange unit configured to, when at least one of the items of the one or more candidate rewards is selected on the payment completion screen, perform a reward exchange process to exchange the points awarded in the one payment process for a reward related to the selected item; A point program operation system comprising:

[0103] [2] the identification unit is configured to identify one or more designated benefits pre-registered by each customer as the one or more candidate benefits for that customer; The operational system described in [1] above.

[0104] [3] the first payment process is performed via a payment terminal operated by a business operator that receives the payment amount and a customer terminal operated by the customer; The identification unit is configured to identify the one or more candidate benefits based on information of at least one of the payment terminal or the business. The operating system for the point program described in [1] or [2] above.

[0105] [4] The one or more candidate benefits include one or more recommended benefits pre-registered by the business entity that receives the payment amount; An operation system for a point program described in any one of [1] to [3] above.

[0106] [5] the one or more potential benefits may include one or more related benefits; The one or more related benefits include one or more benefits in the same or related field as the business of the business receiving the payment amount, or one or more benefits in the same or related field as the product or service traded in the single payment transaction; An operation system for a point program described in any one of [1] to [4] above.

[0107] [6] The identification unit is configured to identify at least one of the one or more candidate benefits based on a location of a business entity that receives the payment amount or location information of a payment terminal operated by the business entity. An operation system for a point program described in any one of [1] to [5] above.

[0108] [7] The identification unit is configured to identify an investment product for a business entity that receives the payment amount or an associated business entity of the business entity as at least one of the one or more candidate benefits. An operation system for a point program described in any one of [1] to [6] above.

[0109] [8] If one of the one or more candidate benefits is an investment product, the payment completion screen displays a graph showing a market trend of the investment product. An operation system for a point program described in any one of [1] to [7] above.

[0110] [9] The identification unit is configured to identify, as at least one of the one or more candidate benefits, a benefit that can be redeemed with the number of points granted by the one payment process, and for which the number of points required for redemption is specified or a benefit for which a minimum number of points required for redemption is specified. An operation system for a point program described in any one of [1] to [8] above.

[0111]

[10] The exchange unit is When the number of points granted in the one payment process is insufficient for redemption of a special benefit selected on a one payment completion screen showing the result of the one payment process, the granted points are saved for redemption of the selected special benefit, and further, the bonus redemption process is performed when a bonus selected on another payment completion screen showing the result of another payment process subsequent to the first payment process is the same as the bonus selected on the first payment completion screen, and when the total number of points obtained by adding the number of points awarded in the second payment process to the number of points saved is sufficient for redemption for the selected bonus; An operation system for a point program described in any one of [1] to [9] above.

[0112]

[11] the one or more candidate benefit items include a plurality of candidate benefit items; The plurality of candidate benefits include at least one of a benefit that is a donation and a benefit that is an investment product. An operation system for a point program described in any one of [1] to

[10] above.

[0113]

[12] The one payment process is The payment amount; Customer identification information transmitted from a customer terminal operated by a customer who pays the payment amount; business operator identification information transmitted from a payment terminal operated by a business operator receiving the payment amount; It is carried out based on The payment information includes the business operator identification information, the payment amount, and candidate benefit information related to the one or more identified candidate benefits, The transmission unit is configured to transmit the payment information to the customer terminal. An operation system for a point program described in any one of [1] to

[11] above.

[0114]

[13] one or more service servers; At least one of the one or more service servers is configured to award points to a customer according to a payment amount in association with one payment process; At least one of the one or more service servers is configured to identify one or more candidate benefits as candidates for redeeming the points awarded in the one payment transaction from among a plurality of benefits redeemable for the points; At least one of the one or more service servers is configured to transmit payment information for displaying a payment completion screen showing a result of the first payment process, the payment completion screen including items of the one or more candidate rewards; At least one of the one or more service servers is configured to, when at least one of the one or more candidate reward items is selected on the payment completion screen, perform a reward redemption process to redeem the points awarded in the one payment process for a reward related to the selected item. Point program operation system.

[0115]

[14] one or more service servers, In association with one payment process, points are awarded to the customer according to the payment amount; Identifying one or more candidate benefits as candidates for redeeming the points provided in the one payment transaction from among a plurality of benefits redeemable for the points; transmitting payment information for displaying a payment completion screen showing a result of the first payment transaction, the payment completion screen including items of the one or more candidate rewards; When at least one of the one or more candidate reward items is selected on the payment completion screen, a reward redemption process is performed to exchange the points awarded in the one payment process for a reward related to the selected item. A method for operating a points program, including executing the points program.

[0116]

[15] To the computer, displaying a screen for a single payment process; displaying a payment completion screen showing a result of the first payment process, the payment completion screen including one or more candidate reward items, the one or more candidate rewards being reward candidates to be redeemed for the points awarded in connection with the first payment process; When at least one of the one or more candidate reward items is selected on the payment completion screen, transmitting a reward redemption instruction to redeem the points awarded in the one payment process for a reward related to the selected item; A computer program for executing the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 11...operation system, 12...service server, 13...database, 14...payment terminal, 15...customer terminal, 16...benefit server, 17...network, 20...payment completion screen, 21...selection frame, 22...selection button, 23 (23a, 23b, 23c)...type mark, 24...graph, 31...processor, 32...memory, 33...communication IF, 34...input device, 35...display, 36...communication bus.

Claims

1. a point awarding unit configured to award points to a customer according to a payment amount in accordance with one payment process; An identification unit configured to identify one or more candidate benefits as candidates to be redeemed for the points provided in the one payment process from among a plurality of benefits redeemable for the points; a transmitter configured to transmit payment information for displaying a payment completion screen showing a result of the first payment process, the payment completion screen including items of the one or more candidate rewards; and an exchange unit configured to, when at least one of the items of the one or more candidate rewards is selected on the payment completion screen, perform a reward exchange process to exchange the points awarded in the one payment process for a reward related to the selected item; A point program operation system comprising:

2. The identification unit is configured to identify one or more designated benefits pre-registered by each customer as the one or more candidate benefits for that customer.

2. A point program operation system according to claim 1.

3. the first payment process is carried out via a payment terminal operated by a business entity that receives the payment amount and a customer terminal operated by the customer, The identification unit is configured to identify the one or more candidate benefits based on information of at least one of the payment terminal or the business.

2. A point program operation system according to claim 1.

4. The one or more candidate benefits include one or more recommended benefits pre-registered by a business entity that receives the payment amount.

2. A point program operation system according to claim 1.

5. the one or more potential benefits include one or more related benefits; The one or more related benefits include one or more benefits in the same or related field as the business of the business receiving the payment amount, or one or more benefits in the same or related field as the product or service traded in the one payment transaction, 2. A point program operation system according to claim 1.

6. the identification unit is configured to identify at least one of the one or more candidate benefits based on a location of a business entity that receives the payment amount or location information of a payment terminal operated by the business entity; 2. A point program operation system according to claim 1.

7. The identification unit is configured to identify an investment product for a business entity that receives the payment amount or an associated business entity of the business entity as at least one of the one or more candidate benefits.

2. A point program operation system according to claim 1.

8. When one of the one or more candidate benefits is an investment product, a graph showing a market price trend of the investment product is displayed on the payment completion screen.

2. A point program operation system according to claim 1.

9. The identification unit is configured to identify, as at least one of the one or more candidate benefits, a benefit that is redeemable with the number of points granted by the one payment process and for which a number of points required for redemption is specified or a benefit for which a minimum number of points required for redemption is specified.

2. A point program operation system according to claim 1.

10. The exchange unit includes: When the number of points granted in the one payment process is insufficient for redemption of a special benefit selected on a one payment completion screen showing the result of the one payment process, the granted points are saved for redemption of the selected special benefit, and further, the bonus redemption process is performed when a bonus selected on another payment completion screen showing the result of another payment process subsequent to the first payment process is the same as the bonus selected on the first payment completion screen, and when the total number of points obtained by adding the number of points awarded in the second payment process to the number of points saved is sufficient for redemption for the selected bonus; 2. A point program operation system according to claim 1.

11. the one or more potential reward items include a plurality of potential reward items; The plurality of candidate benefits include at least one of a benefit that is a donation and a benefit that is an investment product.

2. A point program operation system according to claim 1.

12. The one payment process is The payment amount; Customer identification information transmitted from a customer terminal operated by a customer who pays the payment amount; business operator identification information transmitted from a payment terminal operated by a business operator receiving the payment amount; It is carried out based on The payment information includes the business operator identification information, the payment amount, and candidate benefit information related to the identified one or more candidate benefits, The transmission unit is configured to transmit the payment information to the customer terminal.

12. An operating system for a point program according to claim 1.

13. One or more service servers; At least one of the one or more service servers is configured to award points to a customer according to a payment amount in association with one payment process; At least one of the one or more service servers is configured to identify one or more candidate benefits as candidates for redeeming the points awarded in the one payment transaction from among a plurality of benefits redeemable for the points; At least one of the one or more service servers is configured to transmit payment information for displaying a payment completion screen showing a result of the first payment process, the payment completion screen including items of the one or more candidate rewards; At least one of the one or more service servers is configured to, when at least one of the one or more candidate reward items is selected on the payment completion screen, perform a reward redemption process to redeem the points awarded in the one payment process for a reward related to the selected item. Point program operation system.

14. One or more service servers, In association with one payment process, points are awarded to the customer according to the payment amount; Identifying one or more candidate benefits as candidates for redeeming the points provided in the one payment transaction from among a plurality of benefits redeemable for the points; transmitting payment information for displaying a payment completion screen showing a result of the first payment process, the payment completion screen including items of the one or more candidate rewards; When at least one of the one or more candidate reward items is selected on the payment completion screen, a reward redemption process is performed to exchange the points awarded in the one payment process for a reward related to the selected item. A method for operating a points program, including executing the points program.

15. On the computer, displaying a screen for a single payment process; displaying a payment completion screen showing a result of the first payment process, the payment completion screen including one or more candidate reward items, the one or more candidate rewards being reward candidates to be redeemed for points awarded in connection with the first payment process; When at least one of the one or more candidate reward items is selected on the payment completion screen, transmitting a reward redemption instruction to redeem the points awarded in the one payment process for a reward related to the selected item; A computer program for executing the above.

Images