Communication system

Abstract

To provide a communication system for activating organizations and individuals belonging to the organizations.SOLUTION: A communication system 1 in an organization to which a plurality of users belong, includes a point grant application unit 21 to which a user A (a first user) applies for point grant to a user B (a second user) with an approval message regarding approval for the user B, a point grant approval unit 22 to which a user C (a management user) who manages the user A approves the application for the point grant, a point granting unit 32 that on the basis of the approval of the point grant application by the point grant approval unit 22, grants the granted point to the user B and grants a present point to the user A, and an approval message acquisition unit 24 from which the user B acquires an approval message on the basis of the approval of the point grant application by the point grant approval unit 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, in order to revitalize organizations such as companies, it has been considered important to create an environment in which individuals belonging to the organization can express their gratitude to each other. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an in-organization mutual evaluation system for revitalizing an organization in which employees belonging to the organization can exchange points as virtual currency to show their gratitude. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6767728 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, many of the existing systems are primarily aimed at revitalizing the entire organization and evaluating its employees. Because organizations such as companies are made up of a collection of individuals, it is not enough to simply revitalize the organization; it is necessary to build a system that keeps the individuals who belong to the organization highly motivated and revitalized.

[0005] The present invention provides a communication system for activating an organization and the individuals who belong to that organization. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The communication system of the present invention is a communication system in an organization to which multiple users belong, and includes a point granting application unit in which a first user applies for point granting to a second user, attaching an approval message regarding approval for the second user; a point granting approval unit in which a management user who manages the first user approves the point granting application; a point granting unit that grants the second user the gift points and the gift points to the first user based on the approval of the point granting application by the point granting approval unit; and an approval message acquisition unit in which the second user acquires the approval message based on the approval of the point granting application by the point granting approval unit.

[0007] According to the above communication system, a first user applies for points to a second user along with an approval message. Then, an administrative user who manages the first user approves the point application. Therefore, the system is not simply a system for giving points to other users, but also a system for discovering and conveying the "uniqueness" of other users. Furthermore, the quality of this system can be fully guaranteed by having the administrative user, who is a third party, approve the point application.

[0008] Furthermore, when the point granting application is approved, the second user is granted the gifted points, and the first user is granted the gifting points. In other words, points are granted not only to the user who received the points, but also to the user who gave the points. This makes it easy to create an atmosphere (organizational culture) within the organization where users recognize each other.

[0009] In addition, the second user can receive points and approval messages from the first user. Therefore, rather than simply receiving points from other users, the second user can recognize his or her own "uniqueness" through approval messages from other users. This increases the self-esteem of individual users belonging to the organization, maintains high motivation, and activates individual users within the organization.

[0010] As described above, by having a plurality of users belonging to an organization use the above communication system, it is possible to not only revitalize the organization as a whole, but also to revitalize the individual users belonging to the organization.

[0011] The above communication system may further include a point grant return unit that allows the administrative user to return the point grant application to the first user without approving it.

[0012] The approval message acquisition unit may display the content of the acquired approval message without displaying information about the first user who applied for the point granting to the second user.

[0013] The point grant application unit may be configured to limit the number of times that points can be applied for within a predetermined period.

[0014] The point grant application unit may be configured so that it is not possible to apply for the granting of points to the same user consecutively.

[0015] The system may further include a point exchange unit that exchanges the received points and the gift points for a predetermined incentive. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of each unit in the communication system of the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a My Page screen in the communication system of the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a user selection screen in the communication system of the present embodiment. [Figure 5]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a point grant application screen in the communication system of the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an application approval screen in the communication system of the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an application return screen in the communication system of this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the communication system 1 of this embodiment is a system used by an organization to which multiple users belong. The organization here is, for example, a company (the entire company), a department or group within a company, or a group (community) of people connected by a common purpose or interest. The users are individuals who belong to the organization.

[0019] The communication system 1 includes a plurality of user terminals 2A, 2B, and 2C and a management server 3. The plurality of user terminals 2A, 2B, and 2C and the management server 3 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network N such as the Internet. The network N is configured by a wired or wireless network.

[0020] The multiple user terminals 2A, 2B, and 2C are devices used by users A, B, and C, respectively, who use the communication system 1, and are, for example, information processing devices such as smartphones, tablets, and personal computers (PCs). The user terminals 2A, 2B, and 2C in this embodiment are PCs.

[0021] Here, users A, B, and C are individuals who belong to an organization. In particular, user C is an administrative user who manages users A and B. For example, in an organization such as a company, user C would be the superior of users A and B. User C is also an administrative user who manages not only users A and B, but also user C (himself). Note that although this embodiment shows three users and three user terminals, the number of users who belong to an organization and the number of user terminals used are not limited to this.

[0022] The management server 3 is an information processing device that manages the communication system 1. The management server 3 in this embodiment is a cloud server that can be used via the network N. Note that the management server 3 may be a virtual server such as a cloud server as in this embodiment, or may be a physical server such as a physically existing server device.

[0023] The communication system 1 is a system in which each user belonging to an organization finds and communicates with other users what makes them unique (their good points), specifically by sending messages to each other acknowledging their uniqueness, thereby giving each other points and promoting communication within the organization.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, each of the user terminals 2A, 2B, and 2C has a point grant application unit 21.

[0025] The point granting application unit 21 has a function of applying for point granting to another user by attaching an approval message regarding approval for the other user. For example, the point granting application unit 21 of the user terminal 2A has a function of user A (first user) applying for point granting to user B (second user) by attaching an approval message regarding approval for the other user.

[0026] The point granting application unit 21 further has a function of selecting a user to whom points will be granted and a function of inputting an approval message for the selected user to whom points will be granted. The point granting application unit 21 is set so that an application for point granting cannot be made without inputting an approval message.

[0027] Here, an acknowledgment message is a message of recognition to another user. Specifically, it is a message to another user who belongs to an organization that finds and recognizes their individuality (their good qualities). For example, it is a message of recognition that makes you want to say, "That's great, Mr. / Ms. XX!" in response to that person's words, actions, way of thinking, consideration, and care. Note that an acknowledgment message is sufficient as long as it contains at least a message of recognition, and may also contain other things besides recognition, such as a message of gratitude.

[0028] The point grant application unit 21 is also set to limit the number of point grant applications within a predetermined period. In this embodiment, point grant applications are time-limited and limited to one per day. Therefore, once a point grant application is made, it is not possible to apply for point grant again until the next day. The period and number of times that point grant applications are limited can be set as appropriate.

[0029] In addition, the point granting application unit 21 is set so that it is not possible to apply for point granting to the same user consecutively. Therefore, it is not possible to apply for point granting to a user to whom points were previously granted. Such a function can be set when there are three or more users belonging to an organization.

[0030] Furthermore, the point grant application unit 21 can be set so that, for example, if the number of times an application for point grant is not approved and sent back (number of times it is rejected) exceeds a predetermined number, as will be described later, it is not possible to apply for point grant for a predetermined period of time. The number of times an application for point grant is sent back and the period during which the application for point grant is restricted can be set as appropriate.

[0031] Of the user terminals 2A, 2B, and 2C, the user terminal 2C has a point-granting approval unit 22 and a point-granting return unit 23.

[0032] The point granting approval unit 22 has a function whereby a user (administrative user) who manages a user who has applied for point granting approves (permits) the application for point granting. For example, the point granting approval unit 22 has a function whereby a user C (administrative user) who manages a user A (first user) approves an application for point granting from user A to user B (second user).

[0033] The point granting return unit 23 has a function in which a user (administrative user) who manages users who have applied for point granting returns the application for point granting to the user who applied for point granting without approving the application for point granting. For example, the point granting approval unit 23 has a function in which user C (administrative user) returns an application for point granting from user A (first user) to user B (second user) to user A without approving it.

[0034] The management server 3 includes a point allocation management unit 31, a point allocation unit 32, a point allocation storage unit 33, and a database unit .

[0035] The point granting management unit 31 has a function of managing a user's point grant application. Specifically, the point granting management unit 31 has a function of accepting a user's point grant application, a function of sending the user's point grant application to a managing user, a function of accepting approval of the point grant application by the managing user, a function of accepting return of the point grant application by the managing user, a function of returning the point grant application to the user, etc.

[0036] The point granting unit 32 has a function of granting received points to a user to whom points are to be granted, and granting gift points to a user who has applied for point granting, based on approval of the point granting application by the point granting approval unit 22 of the user terminal 2C. For example, the point granting unit 32 has a function of granting received points to user B, and granting gift points to user A, based on approval of the point granting application from user A (first user) to user B (second user) by the point granting approval unit 23 of the user terminal 2C.

[0037] Here, the received points are points given (given) by another user, and the given points are points given in return for giving (giving) points to another user.

[0038] The point granting unit 32 includes a function of sending an approval message attached to the point granting application, i.e., an approval message from the user who applied for the point granting, to the user to whom the points are to be granted, based on the approval of the point granting application by the point granting approval unit 22 of the user terminal 2C.

[0039] The point granting memory unit 33 has the function of storing information regarding the application, approval, and return of point granting for each user within the organization, information regarding points granted to each user (recipient points, gift points), the contents of the approval message attached to each user's point granting application, etc.

[0040] The database unit 34 has a function of storing various data such as user identification information (user ID, password) of each user who uses the communication system 1, user name, and organization to which the user belongs.

[0041] Each of the user terminals 2A, 2B, and 2C further includes an approval message acquisition unit 24, a points display unit 25, and an information display unit .

[0042] The approval message acquisition unit 24 has a function that allows a user to whom points are to be awarded to acquire an approval message from the user who applied for point award, based on approval of the application for point award by the point award approval unit 22 of the user terminal 2C. For example, the approval message acquisition unit 24 of the user terminal 2B has a function that allows user B (second user) to acquire an approval message from user A (first user).

[0043] The approval message acquisition unit 24 also has a function of displaying the content of the acquired approval message without displaying information about the user who applied for the point allocation. That is, the content of the approval message is displayed anonymously so that it is not clear which user the approval message came from. For example, the approval message acquisition unit 24 of the user terminal 2B has a function of displaying the content of the acquired approval message without displaying information about user A (first user) who applied for the point allocation to user B (second user).

[0044] The point display unit 25 has a function of displaying each user's received points, donated points, total points which are the sum of received points and donated points, information about points and point allocation, etc. Examples of information about points include the total points of an organization (the sum of points of all users belonging to the organization). Examples of information about point allocation include the number of times an application for point allocation was not approved and sent back (number of times it was rejected), etc.

[0045] The information display unit 26 has a function to display various kinds of information. Examples of the various kinds of information include information about the organization, information about each user, the organization's brand concept (e.g., corporate brand concept, management philosophy, vision, mission, etc.), each user's brand concept (e.g., personal brand concept, etc.), the types of incentives (rewards) that can be exchanged according to the number of points, the number of points that can be exchanged for incentives and the achievement status thereof, etc. Examples of incentives include bonuses, vacations, etc.

[0046] The functional configuration of the communication system 1 described above is merely an example, and one function may be divided into multiple functions, or multiple functions may be combined into one function. Each function processing unit is realized by the CPU of the user terminals 2A, 2B, 2C or the management server 3 executing various processes in accordance with computer programs including application software stored in a storage device such as a memory. Each function processing unit may also be realized by controlling a portion of the hardware.

[0047] Next, the operation of the communication system 1 of this embodiment will be described. Here, an example in which user A gives points to user B will be described.

[0048] First, user A logs in to the communication system 1 using the user terminal 2A. Specifically, user A operates the user terminal 2A and inputs a user ID and password. The management server 3 authenticates user A by referring to the user identification information (user ID, password) stored in the database unit 34. This puts the user terminal 2A into a state where it is logged in to the communication system 1.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows the My Page screen 400 of user A (here, Mr. Sato XX). Various information is displayed on the My Page screen 400. The left column of the My Page screen 400 displays user A's icon, user name, points received, points given, total points, number of rejections, etc. Here, the points received are displayed as "Given points," the points given are displayed as "Given points," and the total points are displayed as "As expected points." In addition, the right column of the My Page screen 400 displays anonymously the contents of messages (approval messages) sent by other users along with the points being awarded.

[0050] Furthermore, the upper section of the My Page screen 400 displays the community name, the tally period (point tally period), the total points of the community (total points of all users belonging to the community), and a memo section, and below that, the number of points that can be exchanged for incentives and the progress of achievement are displayed as a progress bar. The memo section can display, for example, the number of points that can be exchanged for incentives, the contents of the incentives, etc.

[0051] When User A wishes to give points to User B, User A presses a “Give points” button 401 provided at the bottom of the left column of the My Page screen 400 .

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a user selection screen 410. The user selection screen 410 displays a list of community names and users belonging to those communities, along with their respective icons. Below the community names, the brand concept of the community is displayed. Below each user name, the personal brand concept of each user is displayed.

[0053] When user A wishes to give points to user B (here, Suzuki XX), user A selects user B to whom points will be given from user selection screen 410. Specifically, user A presses "Request points" button 411 provided to the right of user B.

[0054] 5 shows the point granting application screen 420. The user name (name) and the user's personal brand concept are displayed on the point granting application screen 420. The point granting application screen 420 also has a message input field 421 for inputting an approval message (approval message) to the user to whom points are to be granted.

[0055] When User A grants points to User B, User A enters a message of approval (reason for giving points) in the message input field 421 of the point granting application screen 420. An approval message is, for example, a message that finds the person's individuality (good qualities) and acknowledges the person's words, actions, way of thinking, consideration, and care, such as "Suzuki-san's XXX action is impressive!". Then, User A presses the "Apply" button 422 provided at the bottom of the point granting application screen 420. This completes the application for granting points.

[0056] 6 shows the application approval screen 430 for user C (here, Mr. Ando XX). The application approval screen 430 displays a list of point grant applications from each user managed by user C, who is an administrative user. Information related to the point grant application includes the applicant for the points, the destination to which the points will be granted, the message body, date, action, etc.

[0057] Then, User C checks the content of the message from User A to User B regarding the request for points to be given to User B (checks whether it is appropriate as an approval message to User B), checks the box 431 on the left side, and presses the "Approve" button 432 at the bottom right of the request approval screen 430. This completes the approval of the request for points to be given.

[0058] On the other hand, if User C checks the content of the message from User A to User B and determines that it is inappropriate or insufficient as an approval message to User B, he or she presses the pen icon 433 in the action column and returns the application for point allocation.

[0059] FIG. 7 shows the application return screen 440 for user C. The application return screen 440 displays the contents of the application (applicant, destination, and text) for point granting from user A to user B. When user C returns the application for point granting to user A, he or she enters a return comment (reason for returning the application) in the comment input field 441 on the application return screen 440, and then presses the "Return" button 442 located at the bottom right of the application return screen 440. This completes the return of the application for point granting. Information regarding the return of the application for point granting is sent to user A along with the return comment.

[0060] When user C approves user A's request to grant points to user B, the management server 3 grants user B a predetermined number of points (e.g., 10 points) as "gifted points" (received points) and grants user A a predetermined number of points (e.g., 5 points) as "gifted points" (gifted points).

[0061] On User B's My Page screen (not shown), the "gifted points" given to User B are added up, and this is reflected in the numbers for "gifted points" and "As expected points." In addition, the content of the message from User A is displayed anonymously. Meanwhile, on User A's My Page screen 400 (see FIG. 3), the "gifted points" given to User A are added up, and this is reflected in the numbers for "gifted points" and "As expected points."

[0062] Next, the effects of the communication system 1 of this embodiment will be described. According to the communication system 1 of this embodiment, a user applies for point allocation with an approval message to another user. Then, an administrative user who manages the user who applied for point allocation approves the point allocation application. Therefore, the system is not just for giving points to another user, but also for discovering and conveying the "personality" of the other user. Furthermore, the quality of this system can be fully guaranteed by having the administrative user, who is a third party, approve the point allocation application.

[0063] Furthermore, when a point application is approved, the recipient points are awarded to the user to whom the points are to be awarded, and the donor points are awarded to the user who applied for the points. In other words, points are awarded not only to the user who received the points, but also to the user who donated the points. This makes it easy to create an atmosphere (organizational culture) within the organization where users recognize each other.

[0064] Furthermore, users who are eligible for points can receive points from the user who applied for the points along with a message of approval. This allows users to recognize their own individuality through not just points but also approval messages from other users. This increases the self-esteem of individual users who belong to an organization, maintains high motivation, and activates individual users within the organization.

[0065] As described above, by having a plurality of users belonging to an organization use the communication system 1, not only can the organization as a whole be energized, but also each individual user belonging to the organization can be energized.

[0066] Furthermore, the communication system 1 of this embodiment includes a point grant return unit 23 that allows an administrative user who manages a user who has applied for point granting to return the point granting application to the user who applied for point granting without approving the application, thereby further improving the quality of the approval message to other users.

[0067] Furthermore, the approval message acquisition unit 24 displays the content of the acquired approval message without displaying information about the user who applied for the point grant. This reduces factors that distort communication, such as the user who gives points being biased, fawning, or sucking up. It also eliminates the need for the user who receives the points to take unnecessary care, such as returning the points. It also increases the awareness of the user who receives the points that they are always being watched, which is likely to lead to good behavior.

[0068] The point grant application unit 21 is also configured to limit the number of point grant applications within a predetermined period. This allows all users to have equal opportunities to apply for point grants. It also prevents users from earning points by submitting multiple point grant applications.

[0069] Furthermore, the point granting application unit 21 is configured so that it is not possible to apply for the granting of points to the same user consecutively, which further promotes efforts to constantly search for, find, and communicate the "uniqueness" of someone in an organization.

[0070] In this way, the communication system 1 of this embodiment can easily create an "organizational culture" in which individual users recognize each other within an organization. "Mutual recognition" is necessary because, as a prerequisite for achieving both the "organization's destination (organization's brand)" and the "individual's destination (individual's brand) and individuality," the organization needs to recognize the "individual's destination" before getting individuals to recognize the "organization's destination."

[0071] To create an "organizational culture of mutual recognition," it is necessary that "individual goals are verbalized and shared within the organization," and that "the verbalized individual goals and individuality can be realized (the individual can thrive) within the organization." While one's own criteria are important in determining whether "individual goals and individuality" can be realized within the organization, recognition from others is equally important. The communication system 1 of this embodiment is a system for visualizing this recognition from others, and is a tool for finding, verbalizing, and communicating (recognizing) "an individual's individuality (the good points of that person)."

[0072] Furthermore, in the communication system 1 of this embodiment, the received points and the donating points (total points) are points that can be exchanged for incentives such as bonuses, vacations, etc. In other words, unlike conventional systems where incentives are paid in exchange for labor, service, etc., a major feature is that the act of exchanging points, more specifically, individual users exchanging approval messages and recognizing (acknowledging) each other, is itself an incentive. This not only revitalizes the organization as a whole, but also the individual users who belong to that organization.

[0073] (Other embodiments) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0074] (1) In the above embodiment, an application for point allocation from user A (first user) to user B (second user) and approval of the application for point allocation by user C (administrative user) were described, but the administrative user may be a different user from the first user and the second user, or may be the same user as either the first user or the second user.

[0075] (2) In the above embodiment, the received points and the gift points (total points) are points that can be exchanged for incentives such as bonuses and vacations, but for example, the communication system may be provided with a point exchange unit (point exchange function) that exchanges the received points and gift points for predetermined incentives. This allows each user to easily exchange the received points and gift points for incentives on the communication system.

[0076] (3) In the above embodiment, as described above, the received points and the donating points (total points) are points that can be exchanged for incentives such as a cash reward or vacation. For example, if the incentive is a cash reward, an amount per point may be set, and the amount for each user's total points may be calculated and paid as the reward. The amount per point may be calculated by preparing a resource for the entire organization and dividing the resource by the total points of the organization within a specified period (the sum of the points of all users belonging to the organization). Furthermore, the calculation of the amount per point and the cash reward to be paid to each user may be performed on the communication system.

[0077] (4) The function of one component in the above embodiments may be distributed among multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Furthermore, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments. All aspects included in the technical idea identified by the wording of the claims are embodiments of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1...communication system, 2A...user terminal, 2B...user terminal, 2C...user terminal, 3...management server, 21...point grant application unit, 22...point grant approval unit, 23...point grant return unit, 24...approval message acquisition unit, 32...point grant unit

Claims

1. A communication system in an organization to which a plurality of users belong, a point grant application unit for a first user to apply for granting of points to a second user by attaching an approval message regarding approval for the second user; a point grant approval unit in which an administrative user who manages the first user approves the application for granting points; a point granting unit that grants the second user the gift points and grants the first user gift points based on the approval of the point granting application by the point granting approval unit; an approval message acquisition unit that acquires the approval message from the second user based on the approval of the point granting application by the point granting approval unit, Communication system.

2. The communication system according to claim 1 , further comprising a point-granting return unit configured to allow the administrative user to return the point-granting application to the first user without approving it.

3. The communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the approval message acquisition unit displays the content of the acquired approval message without displaying information about the first user who applied for the point granting to the second user.

4. The communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the point grant application unit is configured to limit the number of times that point grant applications can be made within a predetermined period.

5. The communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the point grant application unit is configured to prevent consecutive requests for point granting to the same user.

6. The communication system according to claim 1 , further comprising a point exchange unit that exchanges the received points and the gift points for a predetermined incentive.

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