Donation support device, donation support method, and program

Abstract

To provide a donation support device, a donation support method, and a program allowing a user to casually make a donation.SOLUTION: According to an embodiment, a donation support device includes a reception unit, a donation unit, and a giving unit. The reception unit receives input of a first donation destination and first ratio from a user. The donation unit donates a first amount of money obtained by multiplying a payment amount of a card by the user by the first ratio to the first donation destination. The giving unit gives the user a point corresponding to an amount of money obtained by multiplying the payment amount by a ratio obtained by subtracting the first ratio from second ratio.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a donation support device, a donation support method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Credit card payment processing is known, in which goods and the like are purchased using a credit card. Services that reward users with points according to the amount paid through the credit card payment processing are becoming widespread.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a user can make investments using points and can also use at least a portion of the profits earned from the management of the invested points to make donations to a desired donation recipient. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-71698 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] According to the inventor's analysis, it has become clear that in recent years, there are many people who want to contribute to society but are unable to take action due to a lack of motivation. However, if making a donation requires investment and gaining profits, this assumption may become a barrier to users' donations.

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a donation support device, a donation support method, and a program that allow users to make donations easily. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to an embodiment, a donation support device includes a receiving unit, a donation unit, and an awarding unit. The receiving unit receives input of a first donation destination and a first rate from a user. The donation unit donates a first amount to the first donation destination, which is calculated by multiplying the amount paid by the user with a card by the first rate. The awarding unit awards points to the user according to the amount calculated by multiplying the amount paid by a rate obtained by subtracting the first rate from the second rate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a donation support device, a donation support method, and a program that allow users to make donations easily. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a donation support system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an enterprise server according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a business server according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a reduction module according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of input information input to a refund module according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a return process in the return module according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, several embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same functions and configurations will be given the same reference numerals.

[0011] 1. Configuration 1.1 Donation Support System FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a donation support system according to an embodiment.

[0012] The donation support system 1 is a system that supports users who are credit card members to donate a portion of the amount returned to them through card payment settlement processing to a donation recipient. The donation support system 1 comprises a business operator server 100, a user terminal 200, and a donation recipient terminal 300. The business operator server 100, the user terminal 200, and the donation recipient terminal 300 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network NW. The network NW between the business operator server 100 and the donation recipient terminal 300 may be configured as a dedicated line.

[0013] The business server 100 is a server managed by a credit card business. When a user purchases a product using a credit card, the business server 100 executes a card payment settlement process. The card payment settlement process includes a process of paying the price in advance to the retailer where the user purchased the product, and a process of receiving payment from the user for the price (payment amount) paid in advance to the retailer.

[0014] The business server 100 also executes a refund process to refund the user an amount corresponding to the payment amount made by the user through the card payment settlement process. Specifically, for example, the business server 100 converts at least a portion of the refund amount into points that can be converted into cash and returns the converted amount to the user. Also, for example, the business server 100 donates at least a portion of the refund amount to a donation destination without converting it into points. In the embodiment, the business server 100 is also referred to as a donation support device.

[0015] The user terminal 200 is, for example, a mobile phone terminal such as a smartphone owned by the user. An application provided by the business server 100 is installed in the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 is configured to acquire, via the application, information regarding the user's credit card usage and feedback from donation recipients regarding donations. The user terminal 200 is also configured to select, via the application, a donation recipient from among multiple candidate organizations or individuals (donation recipients) presented by the business server 100. The donation recipients include organizations or individuals dealing with a variety of themes, such as humanitarian aid, support for people with disabilities, decarbonization, diversity promotion, producer support, cultural heritage protection, educational support, health promotion, and animal welfare. The user terminal 200 is then configured to input, to the business server 100, input information indicating the amount of donation to be made to the selected donation recipient.

[0016] The donation destination terminal 300 is, for example, a server or a personal computer owned by the donation destination to which the user wishes to make a donation. The donation destination terminal 300 is configured to input information regarding feedback to the user regarding the donation to the business entity server 100.

[0017] 1.2 Provider Server Next, the configuration of the business server that constitutes the donation support system according to the embodiment will be described. (Hardware configuration) FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the business server according to the embodiment.

[0018] The business server 100 includes a control unit 11, a storage 12, a communication module 13, a user interface 14, a drive 15, and a storage medium 16.

[0019] The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), and ROM (Read Only Memory). The ROM of the control unit 11 stores programs used in various processes such as card payment settlement processing and rebate processing in the business server 100. The CPU of the control unit 11 controls the entire business server 100 in accordance with the programs stored in the ROM of the control unit 11. The RAM of the control unit 11 is used as a working area for the CPU of the control unit 11.

[0020] The storage 12 is a database (DB) server. The storage 12 includes, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage 12 stores information used in various processes in the business entity server 100.

[0021] The communication module 13 is a circuit used for transmitting and receiving data between the business entity server 100 and the user terminal 200 and the donation destination terminal 300.

[0022] The user interface 14 is an interface that handles communication between the credit card company and the control unit 11. The user interface 14 includes input and output devices. The input devices include, for example, a keyboard, a touch panel, and operation buttons. The output devices include, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an EL (Electroluminescence) display. The user interface 14 converts input from the credit card company into an electrical signal and then transmits it to the control unit 11. The user interface 14 outputs the results of various processes based on the input from the credit card company to the credit card company.

[0023] The drive 15 is a device for reading software stored in the storage medium 16. The drive 15 includes, for example, a CD (Compact Disk) drive or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) drive.

[0024] The storage medium 16 is a medium that stores software electrically, magnetically, optically, mechanically, or chemically. The storage medium 16 may store programs for executing various processes in the business entity server 100. (Functional configuration) FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the business server according to the embodiment.

[0025] The CPU of the control unit 11 loads the program stored in the ROM of the control unit 11 or the storage medium 16 into the RAM of the control unit 11. The CPU of the control unit 11 then interprets and executes the program loaded into the RAM of the control unit 11. As a result, the control unit 11 functions as a computer equipped with a payment module 21 and a cashback module 22.

[0026] The payment module 21 is a functional block that is primarily responsible for card payment processing. The payment module 21 manages the status of payments made by the user's credit card. Specifically, the payment module 21 calculates, for example, the user's monthly payment amount (i.e., the amount to be debited from the user's account each month). The payment module 21 generates payment information 31 that stores the calculated monthly payment amount and transmits it to the refund module 22.

[0027] The refund module 22 is a functional block that mainly handles the refund process. The refund module 22 calculates the refund amount based on the monthly payment amount and refunds it to the user.

[0028] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the redemption module according to the embodiment. In addition to the functional configuration of the redemption module 22, FIG. 4 also shows data that the redemption module 22 transmits and receives between the payment module 21, the user terminal 200, and the donation destination terminal 300.

[0029] The return module 22 includes a reception unit 41, a point granting unit 42, a donation unit 43, and a feedback unit 44.

[0030] The receiving unit 41 receives input information 32 indicating the amount to be donated to a donation destination from the user terminal 200. The receiving unit 41 transmits the received input information 32 to the point giving unit 42 and the donation unit 43.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of input information according to the embodiment.

[0032] 5, the input information 32 is made up of one or more entries, each of which corresponds to information indicating the amount to be donated to a donation destination. Specifically, for example, each entry stores a pair of a donation destination and a donation rate β.

[0033] The donation rate β is the ratio of the donation amount to the monthly payment amount via credit card. The donation rate β can be set to any value under the condition that the total donation rate βt, which is the sum of all donation rates β stored in the input information 32, is within the range of 0 or more and the credit card rebate rate α or less (0≦βt≦α). The credit card rebate rate α is the ratio of the rebate amount to the monthly payment amount via credit card, and is determined in advance by the credit card company. Specifically, for example, if the credit card rebate rate α is set to 0.5%, the total donation rate βt is set within the range of 0 or more and 0.5% or less. In other words, if the rebate rate α is 0.5% and the donation rate β is set in increments of 0.1%, a maximum of five different donation destinations can be set in the input information 32.

[0034] In the example of Fig. 5, the input information 32 is made up of two entries. The first entry contains a donation rate β A The second entry stores information that the donation will be made to recipient B at a donation rate of β B In this case, the total donation rate βt=β A +β B is 0.3%, which satisfies the condition of 0 to 0.5%.

[0035] The point granting unit 42 receives payment information 31 from the settlement module 21 and input information 32 from the reception unit 41. The point granting unit 42 calculates the amount of points to be granted by multiplying the payment amount by the return rate α. The point granting unit 42 then grants points to the user according to the amount of points to be granted.

[0036] The point giving unit 42 also calculates the point deduction amount by multiplying the payment amount by the total donation rate βt. Then, the point giving unit 42 deducts points corresponding to the point deduction amount from the points owned by the user.

[0037] That is, the point granting unit 42 ultimately grants the user points according to the rate obtained by subtracting the total donation rate βt from the return rate α.

[0038] 5, the point granting unit 42 calculates the amount of points to be granted to the user by multiplying the payment amount by the return rate α=0.5%. The point granting unit 42 grants the user points equal to the calculated amount of points to be granted, and transmits point information 34 indicating information related to the granted points to the user terminal 200.

[0039] Then, the point giving unit 42 multiplies the payment amount by the donation rate β to the donation recipient A as the point deduction amount from the user. A =0.1% and the donation rate to donation recipient B β B=0.2%, the point granting unit 42 deducts points equal to the calculated point deduction amount from the user, and transmits point information 34 indicating information about the deducted points and information about the points granted as a result to the user terminal 200. The user can use the points ultimately granted, for example, at a conversion rate of 1 point = 1 yen.

[0040] The donation unit 43 receives payment information 31 from the payment module 21 and input information 32 from the reception unit 41. The donation unit 43 calculates the amount of donation to the donation recipient based on the payment amount in the payment information 31 and the donation rate β in the input information 32. For example, the donation unit 43 calculates the donation amount by multiplying the payment amount by the donation rate β.

[0041] More specifically, based on the input information 32 in Figure 5, the donation unit 43 calculates 0.1% of the payment amount as the donation amount to donation recipient A. The donation unit 43 also calculates 0.2% of the payment amount as the donation amount to donation recipient B. The donation unit 43 donates the calculated donation amounts to the corresponding donation recipients, and transmits donation information 33 indicating information about the donations to the donation recipient terminal 300.

[0042] In this way, the point granting unit 42 and the donation unit 43 divide the return amount into a final grant amount (=point grant amount-point deduction amount) and a total donation amount (=point deduction amount). Then, the point granting unit 42 grants points according to the final grant amount to the user, and the donation unit 43 donates the total donation amount to the donation destination.

[0043] The feedback unit 44 receives from the donation recipient terminal 300 the details of the activities that the donation recipient was able to carry out as a result of the donation as an activity report 35. The feedback unit 44 stores the activity report 35 in a state that makes it accessible to the user terminal 200. Furthermore, the feedback unit 44 may include, as information to be fed back to the user, information indicating how many other users besides the user have donated to the donation recipient to which the user made a donation, information such as the total donation amount, etc.

[0044] The feedback unit 44 does not have to receive the activity report 35 directly from the donation recipient terminal 300. For example, the credit card company may manually input and store the activity report 35 in the feedback unit 44. In this case, the credit card company may receive the activity report 35 from the donation recipient by another means, such as email.

[0045] 2. Operation The operation of the business server according to the embodiment will be described.

[0046] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a rebate process in the business server according to the embodiment. Fig. 6 assumes a state in which the reception unit 41 has received input information 32 from the user terminal 200 before the amount of payment by the user's credit card is finalized. The input information 32 includes one or more entries, each of which stores a pair of a donation destination and a donation rate β.

[0047] When the payment amount by the user's credit card is confirmed (start), the point allocating unit 42 calculates the amount of points to be awarded based on a predetermined return rate α and the payment amount (S11). Specifically, the point allocating unit 42 calculates the amount of points to be awarded by multiplying the payment amount by the predetermined return rate α.

[0048] The point granting unit 42 grants points to the user according to the point grant amount calculated in the process of S11 (S12).

[0049] The donation unit 43 selects a donation destination to be stored in one entry from one or more entries in the input information 32 received in advance (S13).

[0050] The donation unit 43 calculates the donation amount (S14) based on the donation rate β corresponding to the donation recipient selected in the process of S13 and the payment amount to the credit card of the user for which input information 32 has been previously accepted. Specifically, the donation unit 43 calculates the donation amount by multiplying the payment amount by the donation rate β.

[0051] The donation unit 43 donates the donation amount calculated in the process of S14 to the donation recipient selected in the process of S13 (S15).

[0052] The donation section 43 determines whether or not all of the donation destinations in the input information 32 received in advance have been selected (S16).

[0053] If there are any unselected donation destinations (S16; no), the donation unit 43 selects a donation destination to be stored in the unselected entry from one or more entries in the previously accepted input information 32 (S13). Then, the subsequent processes of S14 to S16 are executed. In this way, the processes of S13 to S16 are repeated until all donation destinations have been selected.

[0054] If all donation destinations have been selected (S16; yes), the point giving unit 42 calculates the point deduction amount based on the total donation rate βt, which is the sum of all donation rates in the previously received input information 32, and the payment amount (S17). Specifically, the point giving unit 42 calculates the point deduction amount as the amount obtained by multiplying the payment amount by the total donation rate βt.

[0055] The point giving unit 42 subtracts points corresponding to the point deduction amount calculated in the process of S17 from the points given to the user in the process of S12 (S18).

[0056] When the process of S18 is completed, the rebate process is completed (end).

[0057] The input information 32 received by the reception unit 41 is maintained in the redemption module 22 until it is updated by the user. That is, the point granting unit 42 and the donation unit 43 continuously apply the donation destination and donation rate β based on the input information 32 to the monthly payment amount that is determined after the input information 32 is received.

[0058] 3. Effects of the embodiment According to the embodiment, the reception unit 41 receives input from the user of a plurality of sets of donation destinations and donation rates β as input information 32. The donation unit 43 donates the donation amount calculated by multiplying the payment amount made by the user with the card by the donation rate β to the donation destination corresponding to the donation rate β. The point awarding unit 42 awards points to the user according to the final award amount obtained by multiplying the payment amount by the rate obtained by subtracting the total donation rate βt from the return rate α. This allows the user to donate a portion of the amount returned in accordance with the use of their credit card to the donation destination of their choice.

[0059] Note that the donation unit 43 does not calculate the donation amount from points, but calculates the donation amount based on the payment amount and the donation rate β without converting it into points. Then, the point allocating unit 42 allocates points to the user according to the final amount taking into account additions and subtractions (i.e., the final allocating amount obtained by subtracting the total donation amount from the refund amount). Therefore, the donation unit 43 can calculate the donation amount in 1 yen increments and make donations to the donation recipient.

[0060] Additionally, in systems where a portion of points are used for donations, donation units are generally several hundred points. In such cases, the amount required to make a donation is several hundred yen, which may make it difficult for users to donate. According to the embodiment, users can donate to a charity in units of one yen. This lowers the psychological barrier for users to donate. This makes it possible to provide an environment where users who want to help society but have not been able to take action due to a lack of motivation can easily make donations.

[0061] Furthermore, the feedback unit 44 presents the user with a report 35 of the recipient's activities based on the donation as feedback on the donation to the recipient. This allows the user to see for himself how his donation has been used to benefit society, and gives him a sense of satisfaction that he has contributed to society.

[0062] Furthermore, the accepting unit 41 accepts the input information 32 when the total donation rate βt is equal to or greater than 0 and equal to or less than the return rate α. This makes it possible to ensure that the total donation amount for each month does not exceed the return amount for that month.

[0063] Furthermore, the point granting unit 42 and the donation unit 43 continuously apply the input information 32 to the monthly payment amount that is determined after the reception unit 41 receives the input information 32. This allows the user to automatically donate to the desired donation recipient every time the payment amount is determined thereafter, by inputting the input information 32 once.

[0064] 4. Modifications, etc. Various modifications can be applied to the above-described embodiment.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the feedback unit 44 presents the activity report 35 to the user, but this is not limiting. For example, in addition to the activity report 35, the feedback unit 44 may also provide the user with feedback such as the total number of users who donated to the donation destination, the total amount donated to the donation destination, comments from other users who donated to the donation destination, and the degree of achievement of the donation goal set by the donation destination. This allows the user to connect with other users who wish to donate to the same donation destination. This can provide the user with an opportunity to take more proactive action toward donations.

[0066] Although several 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 embodied 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 and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1. Donation support system 11...Control unit 12…Storage 13...Communication module 14...User Interface 15...Drive 16...Storage medium 21...Payment module 22...Reduction module 31...Payment information 32...Input information 33...Donation information 34...Point information 35…Activity report 41…Reception 42...Points allocation section 43...Donation Department 44...Feedback section 100...Provider server 200...User terminal 300...Donation destination terminal

Claims

1. a receiving unit that receives input of a first donation destination and a first rate from a user; a donation unit that donates a first amount to the first donation recipient, the first amount being calculated by multiplying the payment amount of the card made by the user by the first rate; an awarding unit that awards points to the user according to an amount obtained by multiplying the payment amount by a rate obtained by subtracting the first rate from the second rate; A donation support device comprising:

2. The receiving unit further receives input of a second donation destination and a third percentage, The donation unit further donates a second amount obtained by multiplying the payment amount by the third rate to the second donation destination, the granting unit grants to the user points corresponding to an amount obtained by multiplying the payment amount by a rate obtained by subtracting the sum of the first rate and the third rate from the second rate; The donation support device according to claim 1.

3. the receiving unit receives the input from the user when the sum of the first ratio and the third ratio is equal to or greater than 0 and equal to or less than the second ratio. The donation support device according to claim 2.

4. The payment amount is determined monthly, The donation unit and the granting unit continuously apply the input to a monthly payment amount that is determined after the receiving unit receives the input. The donation support device according to claim 1.

5. the donation unit donates the first amount to the first donation recipient in units of 1 yen; The donation support device according to claim 1.

6. The system further includes a feedback unit that presents feedback regarding the donation to the first donation destination to the user. The donation support device according to claim 1.

7. The feedback includes an activity report based on the donation of the first donation recipient. The donation support device according to claim 6.

8. The feedback further includes at least one piece of information selected from the total number of users who donated to the first donation destination, the total amount of donations to the first donation destination, comments from other users who donated to the first donation destination, and the degree of achievement of a donation goal set by the first donation destination. The donation support device according to claim 7.

9. Accepting input of a donation destination and a first percentage from a user; donating a first amount to the charity recipient, the first amount being calculated by multiplying the amount of payment made by the user with the card by the first rate; awarding points to the user according to a second amount obtained by multiplying the payment amount by a third rate obtained by subtracting the first rate from a predetermined second rate; A donation support method that includes:

10. A program for causing a computer to function as each unit included in the donation supporting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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