Point management apparatus, point management method, and point management program

Abstract

To provide a point management device for steadily increasing points by using the points acquired by a user in a point program, and a method for using the given points.SOLUTION: In a communication system S, a control part of a point application server 1 which is a point operation device acquires point number information indicating the number of points to be operated, and puts the number of points indicated by the point number information into a regular operation point limit for putting points to be operated for a period of a predetermined length. Interest calculated on the basis of a presented interest rate presented at the point of time when points are put in a regular operation point frame is imparted to a user as points to the points put in the regular operation point frame on condition that the points are put in the regular operation point frame from the date when the points are put in the regular operation point frame to the expiration of an operation period of a predetermined length.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for using points given to a user in a point program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, point programs utilizing information and communication technology have become widely used. Point programs are services that award points to users in response to, for example, the purchase of a product, the purchase of a service, or the use of a service. Users can use the points earned through the point program as all or part of the purchase price of, for example, a product or service.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that when a member purchases a product at an affiliated store, points corresponding to the purchase amount are recorded by the operating body, and when the member purchases the product, the recorded points are returned as part of the purchase amount. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-297244 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in conventional technology, users can only consume points that they have earned. If all or part of the points that a user has will not be consumed for a certain period of time, the user would be happy if they could use those points to increase their points.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and one example of its objective is to provide a point management device, a point management method, and a point management program that enable users to steadily increase their points by utilizing points they have earned through a point program. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a point management device comprising: a point number information acquisition means for acquiring point number information indicating the number of points to be managed, which are points granted to a user through a point program; a point entry means for entering the number of points indicated by the acquired point number information into a regular management point frame for storing points to be managed for a predetermined period of time; and an awarding means for awarding to the user interest in the form of points for the points in the regular management point frame, the interest being calculated based on the interest rate offered at the time the points were entered into the regular management point frame, on the condition that the points remain in the regular management point frame from the day the points are entered into the regular management point frame by the point entry means until the expiration of the predetermined management period.

[0008] According to this aspect, invested points are placed in a regular investment point frame. Points placed in the regular investment point frame are awarded with interest calculated based on the interest rate offered at the time the points were placed in the regular investment point frame. The condition for the interest based on this offered interest rate to be awarded is that the points have been placed in the regular investment point frame for a predetermined investment period. Therefore, if a user places points in the regular investment point frame during the investment period, they can receive interest based on the offered interest rate. This allows users to steadily increase their points by using the points they have earned through the point program.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is a point management device in which the user has the regular management point frame and another point frame different from the regular management point frame as point frames for storing points granted to the user, and further comprising a transfer means for transferring points stored in the regular management point frame to the other point frame after the expiration of the management period.

[0010] According to this aspect, after the expiration of the operation period, the points in the regular operation point slot at that time are transferred to another point slot, so that the user can use those points for any purpose.

[0011] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a point management device characterized in that at least one of the transfer means and the granting means operates in a manner that is more disadvantageous to the user when transferring points stored in the regular management point slot to another point slot during the management period than when operating after the expiration of the management period.

[0012] According to this aspect, during the operation period, transferring points in the regular operation point slot to another point slot is treated less favorably to the user than transferring points to another point slot after the expiration of the operation period. This makes it possible to suppress point consumption during the operation period. This allows points to be steadily increased.

[0013] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a point management device as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the transfer means does not transfer the points contained in the regular management point frame during the management period.

[0014] According to this aspect, during the operation period, the user cannot transfer points in the regular operation point slot to another point slot. Therefore, consumption of points during the operation period can be prevented. This allows points to be steadily increased.

[0015] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a point management device characterized in that the transfer means transfers the points in the regular management point frame to the other point frame in response to a request from the user's terminal device during the management period, and the granting means does not grant interest calculated based on the offered interest rate when the points are transferred from the regular management point frame by the transfer means during the management period.

[0016] According to this aspect, during the investment period, the user can transfer points in the regular investment point slot to another point slot. If points are transferred during the investment period, the user will not be awarded interest based on the interest rate offered at the time the points were added to the regular investment point slot. Therefore, the transfer of points during the investment period can be suppressed. This allows points to be steadily increased.

[0017] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a point management device characterized in that the granting means grants the user interest calculated based on an interest rate lower than the offered interest rate when the points are transferred from the regular management point limit by the transfer means during the management period.

[0018] According to this aspect, even if points are transferred from the regular investment point limit to another point limit during the investment period, interest is still awarded to the user. In this case, the interest awarded is calculated based on an interest rate lower than the proposed interest rate. In other words, less interest is awarded to the user. Therefore, the transfer of points during the investment period can be suppressed. This allows points to be steadily increased.

[0019] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a point management device characterized in that the other point frame includes an available point frame for storing points that can be used to pay for a purchase amount, and a non-regular management point frame for storing points that will be used for an indefinite period, in which interest calculated based on a predetermined interest rate that is lower than the offered interest rate is awarded to the user in the form of points, the transfer means transfers the points in the regular management point frame to either the available point frame or the non-regular management point frame, the transfer means moves the points in the non-regular management point frame to the available point frame in response to a request from the user's terminal device, regardless of the length of time that the points have been in the non-regular management point frame, and the awarding means, when awarding interest to the user for the points in the non-regular management point frame, uses the predetermined interest rate as the interest rate for calculating the interest to be awarded, regardless of the length of time that the points have been in the non-regular management point frame.

[0020] According to this aspect, the user's point frame also includes a usable point frame. The usable point frame is a point frame for storing points that can be used to pay for purchases. In addition to the regular point frame, there is also a non-regular point frame for storing points to be invested. The condition for transferring points stored in the non-regular point frame to the usable point frame does not depend on the length of time the points have been in the non-regular point frame. Furthermore, when interest is awarded to a user on points stored in the non-regular point frame, the interest is calculated based on a predetermined interest rate. The interest rate does not change depending on the length of time the points have been in the non-regular point frame. The interest rate applied to points stored in the regular point frame is higher than the interest rate applied to points stored in the non-regular point frame. Therefore, the user can choose whether to deposit points into the regular point frame or the non-regular point frame, taking into account the interest rate and point transfer.

[0021] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a point management device characterized in that the other point frame includes an available point frame for storing points that can be used to pay for purchases, and the transfer means transfers the points stored in the regular management point frame to the available point frame.

[0022] According to this aspect, after the expiration of the operation period, the points in the regular operation point limit are transferred to the usable point limit, so that the user can use the points in the regular operation point limit to pay for the purchase amount.

[0023] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a point management device characterized by further comprising a transmission means for transmitting screen information to the terminal device, causing the terminal device to display a screen containing information regarding the points contained in the regular management point slot, and a transmission means for displaying the screen on the terminal device, the screen containing information indicating that moving the points from the regular management point slot during the management period will be more disadvantageous to the user than after the expiration of the management period.

[0024] According to this aspect, when points are stored in the regular investment point limit, the user's terminal device displays a screen related to the points. This screen includes information indicating that transferring points from the regular investment point limit during the investment period is more disadvantageous to the user than after the investment period has expired. This allows the user to reduce the consumption of points during the investment period. This allows the user to steadily increase their points.

[0025] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a point management device characterized by further comprising a transmission means for transmitting screen information to the user's terminal device to cause a screen including information regarding the points contained in the regular management point frame to be displayed on the user's terminal device, and a transmission means for displaying the screen including information indicating the interest calculated based on the management period and the proposed interest rate on the terminal device.

[0026] According to this aspect, when points are added to the regular investment point limit, the user's terminal device displays a screen related to the points. This screen includes information indicating the investment period of the points and the interest based on the interest rate offered at the time the points were added to the regular investment point limit. Therefore, information regarding the investment of the points in the regular investment point limit can be displayed.

[0027] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a point management device further comprising a transmission means for transmitting screen information to the terminal device, which causes the user's terminal device to display a screen that accepts an operation to select whether or not to continue managing the points in the regular management point slot even after the expiration of the management period, and wherein the transfer means transfers the points in the regular management point slot to the other point slot in response to the expiration of the management period when non-continuation of the management is selected on the screen displayed on the terminal device based on the transmitted screen information.

[0028] According to this aspect, when points are placed in a regular investment point slot, the user's terminal device displays a screen related to the points. This screen can receive an operation to select whether or not to continue using the points in the regular investment point slot after the investment period has expired. If the user selects to continue using the points on this screen, the points remain in the regular investment point slot even after the investment period has expired. If the user selects not to continue using the points, the points are moved from the regular investment point slot to another point slot upon expiration of the investment period. Therefore, it is possible to select how to handle points placed in a regular investment point slot after the investment period has expired.

[0029] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a point management device characterized in that the point entry means periodically deposits the points into the regular management point frame, and the granting means grants interest calculated based on the offered interest rate on each day that points are deposited into the regular management point frame, on the condition that the points remain in the regular management point frame from that day until the expiration of the management period of the predetermined length.

[0030] According to this aspect, points are periodically added to the regular investment point limit. For each point added to the regular investment point limit, interest is awarded to the user as the investment period from the point addition to the regular investment point limit expires. Therefore, the user can periodically add points to the regular investment point limit without having to manually add points to the regular investment point limit each time.

[0031] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a point management device characterized in that the transfer means transfers points in the regular management point slot to the other point slot in response to a request from the user's terminal device within a predetermined period after the expiration of the management period.

[0032] According to this aspect, the user can transfer points from the regular operation point limit for a predetermined period after the operation period has expired.

[0033] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a point management device characterized in that points held by the user are assigned an expiration date, the expiration date is updated each time points are granted to the user, and if the expiration date passes within the management period, the expiration date of the points included in the regular management point slot is extended until the end of the management period.

[0034] According to this aspect, even if the expiration date of points has passed while points are in the regular investment point slot, the points in the regular investment point slot will not become invalid until the investment period expires. If a user acquires any points during the investment period, a new expiration date is set according to the points acquired. If the new expiration date is after the expiration of the investment period, there is a possibility that the points will remain valid when they are transferred from the regular investment point slot to another point slot after the expiration of the investment period. Therefore, by taking action to acquire points, the user can prevent the points in the regular investment point slot from becoming invalid and unable to be used by the user.

[0035] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a point management device characterized in that points given to the user have an expiration date, and the point entry means does not enter points whose expiration date will expire within the management period into the regular management point slot, and enters points whose expiration date will not expire within the management period into the regular management point slot.

[0036] According to this aspect, if points are added to the regular investment point limit, and the expiration date of the points passes within the investment period, the points cannot be added to the regular investment point limit. Therefore, by adding points to the regular investment point limit, it is possible to prevent the points from becoming invalid when the user cannot use them.

[0037] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a point management device characterized in that the transfer means transfers the points in the regular management point slot to the other point slot in response to the expiration of the management period if the expiration date passes within a second management period of the predetermined length after the expiration of the management period, and keeps the points in the regular management point slot even after the expiration of the management period if the expiration date does not pass within the second management period.

[0038] According to this aspect, if the expiration date of points falls within the next investment period that begins upon expiration of the investment period after points are deposited into the regular investment point limit, the points are transferred to another point limit upon expiration of the first investment period. Therefore, by depositing points into the regular investment point limit, interest can be awarded to the user while preventing the points from becoming invalid when the user is unable to use them.

[0039] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a point management device further comprising an acquisition means for acquiring rank information indicating a user rank assigned to the user, the user rank being determined based on the user's usage of the point program, and a determination means for determining the offered interest rate based on the user rank indicated by the acquired rank information, wherein the awarding means determines the interest to be awarded based on the determined offered interest rate.

[0040] According to this aspect, the interest to be awarded can be changed based on the user's usage of the point program.

[0041] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a point management method executed by a computer, comprising: a point number information acquisition step for acquiring point number information indicating the number of points to be managed, which are points that have been managed by a point program to a user; a point entry step for entering the number of points indicated by the acquired point number information into a regular management point frame for storing points to be managed for a predetermined period of time; and an awarding step for awarding to the user, in the form of points, interest calculated based on the interest rate offered at the time the points were entered into the regular management point frame, on the condition that the points remain in the regular management point frame from the day the points were entered into the regular management point frame by the point entry step until the expiration of the predetermined management period.

[0042] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a point management program that causes a computer to function as: point number information acquisition means for acquiring point number information indicating the number of points to be managed that have been allocated to a user under a point program; point entry means for entering the number of points indicated by the acquired point number information into a regular management point frame for storing points to be managed for a predetermined period of time; and granting means for granting to the user interest calculated based on the interest rate offered at the time the points were entered into the regular management point frame, on the condition that the points remain in the regular management point frame from the day the points were entered into the regular management point frame by the point entry means until the expiration of the predetermined management period. [Effects of the Invention]

[0043] According to the present invention, points acquired by a user through a point program can be used to steadily increase the number of points. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0044] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a communication system S according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a point frame. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a point application server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the database of the point application server 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a database of a member information management server 2 according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a database of a point management server 3 according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 2 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a system control unit 11 of a point application server 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of how points are used in the fixed-term point interest limit. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a top screen of a points application. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a point interest top screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a non-regular point interest top screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a non-regular point interest limit point addition screen. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a non-regular point interest limit point withdrawal screen. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a regular point interest top screen. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a regular point interest limit point addition screen. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a regular point interest limit details screen. [Figure 17] 10 is a screen showing an example of a setting change screen after the expiration of the operation period. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of extending the expiration date of points. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a non-regular point interest limit point addition process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a non-regular point interest limit point withdrawal process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a non-regular point interest frame interest process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a regular point interest limit operation screen transmission process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a regular point interest limit point addition process executed by a system control unit 11 of a point application server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 24] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a setting change process after the expiration of the operation period executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 25] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a regular point interest limit interest process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 26] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of operation period expiration processing executed by a system control unit 11 of a point application server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 27] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a point application server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of contents stored in an automatic addition setting DB 14e. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a non-regular point interest limit point addition screen. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of automatic addition of points to a non-regular point interest limit. [Figure 31] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a non-regular point interest limit point addition process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 32] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an automatic addition process executed by a system control unit 11 of a point application server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 33] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of contents stored in an automatic addition setting DB 14e. [Figure 34] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a regular point interest limit point addition screen. [Figure 35] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a regular point interest limit point addition process executed by a system control unit 11 of a point application server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 36] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an automatic addition process executed by a system control unit 11 of a point application server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 37] An example of stopping the transfer of points to the point interest frame is shown below. [Figure 38] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an automatic addition process executed by a system control unit 11 of a point application server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 39] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of how points are used in the fixed-term point interest limit. [Figure 40] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a regular point interest limit details screen. [Figure 41] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a withdrawal confirmation screen. [Figure 42] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an early withdrawal process executed by a system control unit 11 of a point application server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 43] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents stored in an interest rate DB 14a. [Figure 44] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of how points are used in the fixed-term point interest limit. [Figure 45] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an early withdrawal process executed by a system control unit 11 of a point application server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 46] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of how points are used in the fixed-term point interest limit. [Figure 47] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of how points are used in the fixed-term point interest limit. [Figure 48] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a regular point interest limit details screen. [Figure 49] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the fixed-term point interest limit DB14c. [Figure 50] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the use of limited-time points in the fixed-term point interest frame. [Figure 51] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a regular point interest limit point addition screen. [Figure 52] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a regular point interest limit point addition screen. [Figure 53] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a regular point interest limit point addition process executed by a system control unit 11 of a point application server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 54] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of operation period expiration processing executed by a system control unit 11 of a point application server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 55] 1A is a diagram showing an example of the content included in regular point interest rate information, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of a comparison of interest rates between membership ranks. [Figure 56] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a communication system S according to an embodiment. [Figure 57] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of linking a fixed-term point interest limit with a bank fixed-term deposit account. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] [1. First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0046] [1-1. Communication System Configuration] First, the configuration and functional overview of a communication system S according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a communication system S according to this embodiment.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 1, the communication system S is configured to include a point application server 1, a member information management server 2, a point management server 3, at least one service server 4, and multiple user terminals 5. These devices are connected to a network NW. The network NW is constructed, for example, by the Internet, a dedicated communication line (e.g., a CATV (Community Antenna Television) line), a mobile communication network (including base stations, etc.), a gateway, etc.

[0048] The point application server 1 may be a server device that executes processing related to a predetermined point program. The point program may be, for example, a service available to members of a predetermined service. For example, the predetermined service may be the point program itself or another service. The type of other service is not particularly limited. An example of the other service is a comprehensive Internet service. The comprehensive Internet service may be a collection of multiple services. Services included in the comprehensive Internet service may include services provided using a computer network such as a network (NW). These services may be provided using information and communication technology, for example. Services provided using a computer network may include services provided through a website. The aforementioned point program may be one of the services included in this comprehensive Internet service. Examples of services and websites included in the comprehensive Internet service other than the point program include online shopping sites, online shopping malls, service reservation sites, facility reservation sites, online securities, online banking, web search, video streaming, mobile communication services, carrier billing, optical fiber connection services, credit card payments, app payments, electronic money payments, social networking services, stamp card services, rich communication services, and email services.

[0049] The aforementioned point program may be, for example, a service that awards points to a user in response to the user's use of any service included in the Internet Comprehensive Service. For example, points may be awarded to a user who purchases a transaction object through or in conjunction with the use of the service. The transaction object may be, for example, anything that can be traded. Examples of the transaction object include goods and services. A user may be awarded points equivalent to a predetermined percentage of the purchase price of the transaction object. The exchange rate between money and points may be predetermined. For example, 1 point may be equivalent to 1 yen. An example of awarding points is awarding points to a user who purchases a product from an online shopping mall. Another example of awarding points is awarding points to a user who purchases a transaction object at a store using a predetermined credit card. The point program may issue a point card to a member of the Internet Comprehensive Service. Points may be awarded to a user who presents a point card to a store when purchasing a transaction object. Points may also be awarded to a user who uses a predetermined service included in the Internet Comprehensive Service in a predetermined manner without actually paying the purchase price. Furthermore, the point program may be a service that allows a user to use points held by the user to pay the purchase price of a transaction object. For example, points may be used as all or part of the purchase amount. When purchasing a transaction object using any of the services included in the Internet comprehensive service, the user may use points.

[0050] Points awarded to a user may or may not have an expiration date. The expiration date may indicate a time limit during which the user can use the points. For example, the expiration date may be a date a predetermined period after the points are awarded. Alternatively, the expiration date may be the last day of the month that includes the date a predetermined period after the points are awarded. Examples of expiration dates include three months, six months, one year, and two years. Multiple types of points may be awarded to a user. For example, there may be regular points and limited-time points. The expiration date of regular points may be a date a predetermined period after the last regular points awarded. In other words, the expiration date of regular points held by a user may be extended each time new regular points are awarded. Generally, regular points may be points awarded to a user in response to the user paying a purchase price. The expiration date of limited-time points may be managed for each awarded limited-time point. The expiration date of each limited-time point is not extended. Generally, limited-time points may be points awarded to a user without the user paying a purchase price. For example, when a user purchases a transaction item during a limited-time campaign, the user may be awarded regular points and bonus points as limited-time points. The length of the period from when the limited-time points are awarded to when the limited-time points expire may be shorter or longer than the length of the period from when the last regular points are awarded to when the regular points expire. Alternatively, the lengths of these periods may be the same. The length of the period from when the limited-time points are awarded to when the limited-time points expire may be the same for all limited-time points. Alternatively, the length of the period until the expiration date may be determined for each limited-time point.

[0051] The point application server 1 may execute processing related to the point application. The point application may be, for example, an application for assisting a user in acquiring and using points. The point application may be executable by the user terminal 5. The point application may be, for example, a native application or a web application.

[0052] The point application server 1 may be a server device for providing point interest as one of the support methods for using points held by a user. Point interest may be one of the services that enables a user to manage points held by the user. Point management may be, for example, using points held by the user to increase the user's points. Point interest may be a service that grants points equivalent to interest to the user by the user depositing points into a predetermined slot. Each user who can use the point program may have or use multiple point slots for that user. The point slot may be, for example, a virtual slot into which the user deposits points held by the user.

[0053] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a point limit. As shown in FIG. 2, each user may have a usable point limit. The usable point limit may be a point limit in which points that can be used at any time to pay the purchase price of a transaction are deposited. Points in the usable point limit are referred to as usable points. Points awarded to a user may normally be deposited in this usable point limit. Furthermore, each user may have a management point limit. The management point limit may be a point limit in which points that the user has deposited are deposited. In this embodiment, interest is awarded, so this management point limit is referred to as a point interest limit. To deposit points into the point interest limit, points may need to be transferred from the usable point limit to the point interest limit. Depositing points into the point interest limit is also referred to as adding points to the point interest limit. A user cannot directly use points in the point interest limit to pay the purchase price of a transaction. To use points to pay the purchase price, points need to be transferred from the point interest limit to the usable point limit. This point transfer is also referred to as withdrawing points. Each user may have multiple point interest limits. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, there may be a non-regular point interest frame and a regular point interest frame.

[0054] The non-regular point interest limit may be a point interest limit for depositing points with no specific investment period. A user can freely transfer points from the non-regular point interest limit to the available point limit at any time. A user may also be able to add points from the available point limit to the non-regular point interest limit at any time. Interest on points currently in the non-regular point interest limit may be awarded to the user at predetermined intervals. For example, interest may be awarded on a specified date each month, twice a year, or once a year. The awarded interest may be added to either the non-regular point interest limit or the available point limit. Hereinafter, interest on the non-regular point interest limit is considered to be added to the non-regular point interest limit itself.

[0055] A regular point interest frame may be a point interest frame for depositing points with a predetermined investment period. The investment period is referred to as the investment period length. Examples of investment period lengths include one month, two months, three months, six months, one year, two years, and five years. The investment period length may be set to one. Alternatively, the user may select the investment period length from among multiple options. Provided that points remain in the regular point interest frame until the expiration of the investment period starting from the date the points are deposited into the regular point interest frame, interest calculated based on the interest rate offered to the user at the time the points are deposited may be credited to the user. The interest rate for points in the regular point interest frame may be higher than the interest rate for points in the non-regular point interest frame. The credited points may be added to any one of the regular point interest frame, the non-regular point interest frame, and the available point frame. Hereinafter, interest in the regular point interest frame is considered to be added to the regular point interest frame itself. Restrictions are imposed on users regarding the transfer of points held in the regular point interest frame to other point frames during the investment period. For example, the transfer of points may be impossible or the interest rate may be lower. In this embodiment, it is assumed that points cannot be transferred to other point frames during the investment period. Examples of other point frames include the available point frame and the non-regular point interest frame. In addition to the transfer of points to the available point frame, the transfer of points from the regular point interest frame to the non-regular point interest frame is also referred to as "withdrawing points." Hereinafter, points are referred to as being transferred from the regular point interest frame to the available point frame. Users may be able to add points held in the available point frame to the regular point interest frame at any time. Note that only one of the non-regular point interest frame and the regular point interest frame may exist as a point interest frame.

[0056] The member information management server 2 may be a server device that manages information about members of the aforementioned Internet comprehensive service. When a user becomes a member of the Internet comprehensive service, the user is assigned a user ID. The user ID may be identification information that identifies the user in the Internet comprehensive service. A user who becomes a member of the Internet comprehensive service may be able to use many of the services included in the Internet comprehensive service. In order to use some services, the user may be required to complete a separate membership registration or user registration that requires the user to be a member of the Internet comprehensive service.

[0057] The point management server 3 may be a server device that executes a process for managing points for each user in the point program described above. For example, the point management server 3 may manage available points for each user. The point management server 3 may also increase or decrease the available points for each user in accordance with the user's acquisition and use of points.

[0058] Each service server 4 may be a server device that executes processing to provide a user with a service supported by that service server 4, for example, among services included in the Internet comprehensive service. Furthermore, each service server 4 may cooperate with the point management server 3 to award points to a user when the user uses a service supported by that service server 4, or allow the user to use points toward the purchase amount of a transaction item. For example, each service server 4 may transmit information including the number of points to be awarded to a user in response to the user's behavior satisfying a predetermined condition to the point management server 3. As a result, the point management server 3 may increase the number of available points for that user by the number of points awarded. Furthermore, for example, each service server 4 may transmit information including the number of points used by the user to the point management server 3. As a result, the point management server 3 may deduct the number of available points for that user by the number of points used.

[0059] Each user terminal 5 may be a terminal device used by a user who is a member of an Internet comprehensive service. Examples of the user terminal 5 include a personal computer, a smartphone, a portable information terminal such as a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a set-top box, etc. A web browser may be installed in each user terminal 5. By each user terminal 5 communicating with the point application server 1 through the web browser or the above-mentioned point application, the user may be able to use point interest and other point-related services. Furthermore, by each user terminal 5 communicating with the service server 4 through the web browser or a dedicated application, the user may be able to use services provided by the service server 4.

[0060] [1-2.Device configuration] [1-2-1. Point application server] Next, the configuration of the point application server 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the point application server 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the point application server 1 includes a system control unit 11, a system bus 12, an input / output interface 13, a storage unit 14, and a communication unit 15. The system control unit 11 and the input / output interface 13 are connected via the system bus 12.

[0061] The system control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11b, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 11c, and the like.

[0062] The input / output interface 13 performs interface processing between the storage unit 14 and the communication unit 15 and the system control unit 11 .

[0063] The storage unit 14 is configured, for example, with a hard disk drive or the like. This storage unit 14 may store databases such as an interest rate DB 14a, a non-regular point interest limit DB 14b, a regular point interest limit DB 14c, and a point interest limit operation history DB 14d. "DB" is an abbreviation for database. At least one database may be stored in a server device different from the point application server 1. The point application server 1 may be able to access the database via that server device.

[0064] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents stored in the database of the point application server 1. The interest rate DB 14a may store interest rate information. The interest rate information may indicate an interest rate presented to the user for point interest or an interest rate used to calculate interest to be awarded to the user. Each interest rate information may include, for example, an annual interest rate or a monthly interest rate. The relationship between the annual interest rate and the monthly interest rate may be calculated using simple interest or compound interest. The interest rate DB 14a may store, for example, non-regular point interest rate information and regular point interest rate information. The non-regular point interest rate information may indicate an interest rate for a non-regular point interest frame. The regular point interest rate information may be interest rate information for a regular point interest frame. As mentioned above, the interest rate for a regular point interest frame may be higher than the interest rate for a non-regular point interest frame. If the user can select the investment period for regular point interest, the interest rate DB 14a may store regular point interest rate information for each investment period. In this case, the longer the investment period, the higher the interest rate may be. The interest rate information stored in the interest rate DB 14a may be subject to change.

[0065] The non-regular point interest limit DB14b may store non-regular point interest limit information for each user. The non-regular point interest limit information may be information about points included in the user's non-regular point interest limit. The non-regular point interest limit DB14b may store, as non-regular point interest limit information, for example, a user ID and the number of interest points associated with each other. The user ID may indicate the user who has the non-regular point interest limit. The number of interest points may indicate the number of points included in the non-regular point interest limit.

[0066] The regular point interest limit DB14c may store regular point interest limit investment unit information for each combination of a user and a regular point interest limit investment unit. The investment unit may indicate the unit of points invested or managed in the regular point interest limit. Each day a user adds points to the regular point interest limit, points may be invested or managed in units of the points added on that day. The regular point interest limit investment unit information may be information related to the investment unit. The regular point interest limit DB14c may store, in association with one another, the user ID, investment unit ID, addition date, number of points currently earning interest, investment period length, investment period start date, investment period expiration date, interest rate information, provisional interest, fixed interest, and post-expiration setting information. The user ID may indicate the user who has deposited the investment unit of points into the regular point interest limit. The investment unit ID may be identification information for identifying the investment unit. The addition date may indicate the date on which the user added points to the regular point interest limit. The number of points accruing interest may indicate the number of points of that investment unit that are in the regular point interest limit. The investment period length may indicate the length of the investment period of the points of that investment unit. The investment period start date may indicate the date on which the investment of the points of that investment unit began. The initial value of the investment period start date may be the same as the addition date. If the points of that investment unit can continue to be in the regular point interest limit after the investment period has elapsed, the investment period start date may be updated to a date that is longer than the addition date. The investment period expiration date may indicate the date on which the investment of the points of that investment unit will end. For example, the investment period expiration date may be a date that is longer than the investment period start date. If the points of that investment unit can continue to be in the regular point interest limit after the investment period has elapsed, the investment period expiration date may be updated to a date that is longer than the investment period from that date. The interest rate information may indicate the interest rate applied to calculate the interest on the points of that investment unit. The provisional interest may indicate the cumulative value of interest provisionally granted to the user for the points of that investment unit. As will be described later, in this embodiment, interest is provisionally granted to the user every month regardless of the length of the investment period.The fixed interest may indicate the number of points that has been fixed as interest to be awarded to the user for that investment unit of points. For example, after the investment period has elapsed, the provisional interest may become fixed interest. The post-expiry setting information may be information indicating the settings for handling the points for that investment unit after the investment period has expired. For example, the post-expiry setting information may indicate whether or not the investment of the points will continue after the investment period has expired. The post-expiry setting information may be set to, for example, either "automatic renewal" or "automatic withdrawal." "Automatic renewal" may indicate that the investment of points will continue automatically. "Automatic withdrawal" may indicate that points will be automatically withdrawn from the regular point interest limit.

[0067] The point interest limit operation history DB14d may store a point interest limit operation log each time an operation related to the point interest limit is performed. The point interest limit operation log may be information indicating a record of operations related to the point interest limit. Operations related to the point interest limit may mainly be operations related to increasing or decreasing points within the point interest limit. Operations related to the point interest limit may include operations in response to user requests and automatic operations by the point application server 1. Examples of operations include adding points to the point interest limit, withdrawing points by the user, automatically withdrawing points, continuing investment, and granting interest. The point interest limit operation history DB14d may store, as the point interest limit operation history DB14d, user IDs, point interest limit types, investment unit IDs, operation details, the number of added points, the number of reduced points, and the like, in association with one another. The user ID may indicate the user of the point interest limit that was the target of the operation. The point interest limit type may indicate whether the point interest limit that was the target of the operation is a non-regular point interest limit or a regular point interest limit. The investment unit ID may be valid when the point interest limit type indicates a regular point interest limit. The investment unit ID may indicate the investment unit that was the target of the operation. The operation date may indicate the date on which the operation was performed. The number of added points may indicate the number of points added to the point interest limit that was the target of the operation. The number of reduced points may indicate the number of points reduced from the point interest limit that was the target of the operation. Depending on the operation content, only one of the number of added points or the number of reduced points is valid.

[0068] The storage unit 14 further stores various programs such as an operating system, a DBMS (Database Management System), and a server program. The server program may be a program that causes the system control unit 11 to execute various processes related to point interest. The server program may be obtained from another device via the network NW, or may be recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, optical disk, or memory card and read via a drive device.

[0069] The communication unit 15 is configured by, for example, a network interface card, etc. The communication unit 15 connects to the member information management server 2, the point management server 3, the service server 4, the user terminal 5, etc. via the network NW, and controls the communication state with the connected devices.

[0070] [1-2-2. Membership information management server] Next, the configuration of the member information management server 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a database of the member information management server 2 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the member information management server 2 as a storage means may store a database such as a member DB 21. The member information management server 2 may provide, for example, the point application server 1 and each service server 4 with an API (Application Programming Interface) for accessing the database stored in the member information management server 2. Each server device may be able to obtain information from and update the database stored in the member information management server 2 through this API.

[0071] The member DB 21 may store member information for each member of the Internet Comprehensive Service. For example, the member DB 21 may store, as member information, user ID, name, gender, date of birth, telephone number, address, email address, member rank, and the like, in association with one another. The member rank may indicate a rank assigned to a user of the Internet Comprehensive Service or a points program. The higher the assigned member rank, the more preferential treatment the user may receive in using services included in the Internet Comprehensive Service. The member information management server or another server device may determine each user's member rank. For example, each user's member rank may be updated periodically. The member rank may be assigned based on, for example, each user's use of the points program. For example, the more regular points a user has earned in a given period of time, the higher the member rank. Furthermore, for example, the more regular points a user has earned in a given period of time, the higher the member rank. The total number of member ranks is not particularly limited. Examples of member ranks include diamond rank, platinum rank, gold rank, silver rank, and regular rank. The ranks may be higher in the order of diamond rank, platinum rank, gold rank, silver rank, and regular rank.

[0072] [1-2-3. Point management server] Next, the configuration of the point management server 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the database of the point management server 3 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the point management server 3 as a storage means may store databases such as a normal point DB31 and a limited-time point DB32.

[0073] The regular point DB 31 may store information about regular points among the usable points held by the user for each user. For example, the regular point DB 31 may store a user ID, the number of regular points, an expiration date, etc., in association with one another. The user ID may indicate the user who holds the regular points. The number of regular points may indicate the number of regular points. The expiration date may indicate the end date of the period during which the regular points are valid.

[0074] The limited-time point DB32 may store information about limited-time points among usable points held by a user, for each granted limited-time point. For example, the limited-time point DB32 may store a limited-time point ID, a user ID, the number of limited-time points, an expiration date, and the like, in association with one another. The limited-time point ID may be identification information for identifying the limited-time point. The user ID may indicate the user who holds the limited-time point. The number of limited-time points may indicate the number of the limited-time points. The expiration date may indicate the end date of the period during which the limited-time point is valid.

[0075] [1-3. Functional overview of the system control unit] Next, a functional overview of the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 18. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7, the system control unit 11 may function as a request receiving unit 1101, a point number information acquiring unit 1102, a point adding unit 1103, an interest granting unit 1104, a point withdrawing unit 1105, a screen information sending unit 1106, and the like, by the CPU 11a reading and executing various program codes included in the server program.

[0076] The request receiving unit 1101 may receive a request for an operation related to the point interest limit from the user terminal 5. An operation related to the point interest limit may include, for example, an operation to increase or decrease the points in the point interest limit. Examples of such operations include adding points to the point interest limit and withdrawing points from the point interest limit. Adding points to the point interest limit may include transferring points from the available points limit to the point interest limit. Adding points to the regular point interest limit may include transferring points from the non-regular point interest limit to the regular point interest limit. Withdrawing points from the point interest limit may include transferring points from the available points limit to the available points limit. Withdrawing points from the regular point interest limit may include transferring points from the regular point interest limit to the non-regular point interest limit. The request from the user terminal 5 may include the user ID and the number of points of the user using the user terminal 5. The number of points may indicate a number specified by the user.

[0077] The number of points included in a request to add points to the point interest limit is referred to as the number of added points. The number of added points may indicate the number of points to be added to the point interest limit. More specifically, the number of added points may indicate the number of points granted to the user in the point program and to be managed. The number of points included in a request to withdraw points from the point interest limit is referred to as the number of withdrawn points. The number of withdrawn points may indicate the number of points to be withdrawn from the point interest limit. For example, the user may be able to specify the number of points by operating the point app. The point number information acquisition unit 1102 may acquire at least one of the number of added points and the number of withdrawn points. For example, the point number information acquisition unit 1102 may acquire the number of points specified by the user. The point number information acquisition unit 1102 may acquire the number of points included in the request received from the user terminal 5 by the request receiving unit 1101.

[0078] When the point number information acquisition unit 1102 acquires the number of additional points, the point adding unit 1103 may add the number of points indicated by the number of additional points to the point interest limit. For example, the point adding unit 1103 may add points to the point interest limit by updating either the non-regular point interest limit DB14b or the regular point interest limit DB14c. When points are added to the non-regular point interest limit, the point adding unit 1103 may add the number of additional points to the interest points stored in the non-regular point interest limit DB14b in association with the user ID of the user who requested the point addition. When points are added to the regular point interest limit, the point adding unit 1103 may add new regular point interest limit investment unit information to the regular point interest limit DB14c. The added regular point interest limit investment unit information may include the user ID of the user who requested the point addition, the number of interest points corresponding to the number of added points, etc.

[0079] The interest granting unit 1104 may grant interest to the user in the form of points for the points placed in the point interest frame by the point adding unit 1103. The granting of interest to the user does not necessarily constitute the acquisition of points, which is a condition for extending the expiration date of the user's regular points. The interest granting unit 1104 may grant interest to all users on a predetermined date for the points placed in the non-regular point interest frame. For example, the interest granting unit 1104 may grant interest based on the number of points placed in the non-regular point interest frame as of the end of each month, on a predetermined date in the following month. In this case, the interest granting unit 1104 may use the monthly interest rate included in the non-regular point interest frame interest rate information stored in the interest rate DB 14a to calculate the interest. The interest granting unit 1104 may use the monthly interest rate included in the non-regular point interest frame interest rate information to calculate the interest, regardless of the length of time the points were placed in the non-regular point interest frame. That is, the interest granting unit 1104 does not need to raise or lower the interest rate used to calculate the interest from the interest rate previously presented to the user. The interest granting unit 1104 may add the calculated interest to the number of points in the interest stored in the non-periodic point interest limit DB 14b. Alternatively, the interest granting unit 1104 may request the point management server 3 to add the number of points equivalent to the interest to the number of available points.

[0080] The interest granting unit 1104 may grant interest on points added to the regular point interest frame, provided that the points remain in the regular point interest frame from the date of addition until the expiration of a predetermined investment period. The interest granting unit 1104 may grant interest on the condition that the points remain in the regular point interest frame until the end of the month that includes the day after the investment period, rather than from the date of addition until the day exactly after the investment period. The interest granting unit 1104 may calculate interest based on the interest rate offered as of the date of addition. For example, the interest rate for the regular point interest frame may be presented on a points app or on the website of the points program. The interest rate offered as of the date of addition may be the interest rate published as of the date of addition. As long as the interest rate is presented, the location where the interest rate is presented is not particularly limited. For example, the interest rate may be presented on a screen that accepts operations for adding points to the regular point interest frame, or on a separate screen. The interest granting unit 1104 may use the annual interest rate included in the fixed-term point interest frame interest rate information corresponding to the investment period length among the fixed-term point interest frame interest rate information stored in the interest rate DB 14a to calculate the interest. The interest granting unit 1104 may add the calculated interest to the interest points included in the fixed-term point interest frame investment unit information. Alternatively, the interest granting unit 1104 may add the interest to the number of interest points stored in the non-fixed-term point interest frame DB 14b. Alternatively, the interest granting unit 1104 may request the point management server 3 to add the number of points equivalent to the interest to the number of available points.

[0081] The interest granting unit 1104 may provisionally grant interest each month for points in the regular point interest frame. Provisional granting of interest does not necessarily mean actual granting of interest. Provisional granting of points may be performed to present the user with the interest that is expected to be granted at the current time, assuming that the conditions for granting interest are met. As with the non-regular point interest frame, the interest granting unit 1104 may provisionally grant interest on a predetermined date of the following month, based on the number of points in each investment unit that are in the regular point interest frame as of the end of each month. In this case, the interest granting unit 1104 may use the monthly interest rate included in the regular point interest frame interest rate information stored in the interest rate DB 14a at the time of adding points to the regular point interest frame to calculate the interest. The interest granting unit 1104 does not need to add the calculated interest to either the number of interest points or the number of available points. The interest granting unit 1104 may add the calculated interest to the provisional interest included in the regular point interest limit investment unit information. When the investment period expires, the interest granting unit 1104 may then add the provisional interest to the number of points in the interest of the regular point interest limit and the fixed interest. If withdrawal of points stored in the regular point interest limit is prohibited during the investment period, once points are deposited in the regular point interest limit, they will remain in the regular point interest limit until the investment period expires. Therefore, the conditions for interest granting are already met. Therefore, when the interest granting unit 1104 grants interest before the expiration of the investment period, it may grant actual interest rather than provisional interest.

[0082] The point withdrawal unit 1105 may transfer points from the point interest limit. For example, the point withdrawal unit 1105 may transfer points from the point interest limit to the usable point limit. The transfer of regular points from the point interest limit to the usable point limit may not be considered as earning points, which is a condition for extending the expiration date of regular points held by the user.

[0083] The point withdrawal unit 1105 may transfer points from the non-regular point interest limit to the usable point limit in response to a request from the user terminal 5 received by the request receiving unit 1101. At this time, the point withdrawal unit 1105 may transfer the points to the usable point limit regardless of the length of time the points have been in the non-regular point interest limit. In other words, the user can withdraw points from the non-regular point interest limit at any time.

[0084] The point withdrawal unit 1105 may transfer points from the regular point interest limit to another point limit. Here, the point withdrawal unit 1105 may transfer points in the regular investment point limit to another point limit after the expiration of the investment period. For example, the point withdrawal unit 1105 may transfer all or part of the points in the regular investment point limit. Points in the regular investment point limit after the expiration of the investment period may or may not include interest. If the awarded interest is added to the regular investment point limit, the points in the regular investment point limit include interest. If the awarded interest is added to a point limit other than the regular investment point limit, the points in the regular investment point limit do not include interest. Therefore, points transferred from the regular investment point limit to another point limit may or may not include interest.

[0085] The point withdrawal unit 1105 may automatically transfer points in the regular point interest limit to another point limit when the investment period expires. For example, the point withdrawal unit 1105 may automatically transfer points in the regular point interest limit to another point limit on the investment period expiration date, the day after, or a day after those dates. The points may be transferred to another point limit before the day after the investment period expiration date.

[0086] The user may be able to select in advance whether to automatically continue the investment of points or automatically withdraw points after the investment period expires. If the user selects automatic withdrawal, the point withdrawal unit 1105 may automatically transfer points from the regular point interest limit. Note that the point withdrawal unit 1105 may function so that automatic investment continuation cannot be selected. In this case, the point withdrawal unit 1105 may always automatically transfer points from the regular point interest limit to another point limit when the investment period expires.

[0087] At least one of the point withdrawing unit 1105 and the interest granting unit 1104 may behave in a manner that is more detrimental to a user than the behavior after the expiration of the investment period when transferring points in the user's regular point interest frame to another point frame during the investment period. Examples of detrimental behavior include restricting the transfer of points during the investment period and lowering the interest rate used to calculate interest than the interest rate offered on the addition date.

[0088] In this embodiment, the point withdrawal unit 1105 does not transfer points from the regular point interest limit during the operation period. For example, the point withdrawal unit 1105 may not restrict the transfer of points from the non-regular point interest limit, but may restrict the transfer of points from the regular point interest limit. The restriction on the transfer of points from the regular point interest limit may be imposed by a user operation or a request from the user terminal 5. For example, the point withdrawal unit 1105 may disable the operation of transferring points from the regular point interest limit on the point app. The point withdrawal unit 1105 may control the screen information transmission unit 1106 (described later) or function as the screen information transmission unit 1106, thereby displaying a screen on the user terminal 5 that indicates that points cannot be transferred from the regular point interest limit.

[0089] Figure 8 shows an example of the investment of points in a regular point interest frame. Here, the investment period is two years, and the annual interest rate for the two-year investment is 1.0 percent. The monthly interest rate is 0.0083 percent. Interest is also awarded on the 5th of each month. As shown in Figure 8, a user adds 100,000 points to the regular point interest frame on January 10, 2024. The investment period runs from January 10, 2024 to January 10, 2026. During this period, the user cannot transfer points from the regular point interest frame to another point frame. On February 5, 2024, the first provisional interest of 83 points is awarded to the user. This provisional interest is added to the regular point interest frame. Next, on March 5, 2024, the provisional interest of 83 points is provisionally added to the regular point interest frame. Thus, 83 or 84 points of interest are provisionally added to the regular point interest frame each month. Then, on December 5, 2025, the 24th provisional interest of 84 points is added to the regular point interest frame. The total interest becomes 2,010 points, and the points in the regular point interest frame become 102,010 points. As of January 10, 2026, the total provisional interest is 2,010 points. The interest is determined based on this number of points. Transfer unit 1040 automatically continues to manage the 102,010 points for another two years, or automatically transfers the 102,010 points to another point frame.

[0090] The screen information sending unit 1106 may send screen information to the user terminal 5. The screen information may be, for example, information for displaying a points app screen on the user terminal 5. In particular, the screen information may be information for a screen related to point interest. The screen information may be, for example, an HTML (HyperText Markup Language) document. In this case, the points app screen may be configured as a web page. Alternatively, the screen information may be information about the content or each element displayed on the user terminal 5. Alternatively, the screen information may be information that instructs the user terminal 5 to display a specific screen. Below, examples of screens displayed by the points app are described.

[0091] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the top screen of a points app. The top screen may be a screen showing an overview of the points held by the user. The top screen may be the screen first displayed on the user terminal 5 when the points app is launched, for example. As shown in FIG. 9, the top screen 100 may include a number of available points 110, a limited-time point information field 120, a number of interest points 130, a number of non-regular point interest points 140, a number of regular point interest points 150, an annual interest rate for non-regular point interest 160, and an annual interest rate for regular point interest 170. The number of available points 110 may indicate the number of available points held by the user. The limited-time point information field 120 may be an area displaying information about the limited-time points held by the user. For example, the limited-time point information field 120 may display the expiration date and the number of points for at least some of the limited-time points held by the user. Information about all limited-time points may be displayed by the user operating the limited-time point information field 120. The number of interest points 130 may indicate the total number of points the user currently has in the point interest frame. The number of non-regular point interest points 140 may indicate the number of points in the non-regular point interest frame. The number of regular point interest points 150 may indicate the number of points in the regular point interest frame. The non-regular point interest annual interest rate 160 may indicate the current annual interest rate for the non-regular point interest frame. The regular point interest annual interest rate 170 may indicate the annual interest rate applied to the points in the regular point interest frame. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the annual interest rate for the non-regular point interest frame is 0.1 percent, and the annual interest rate for the regular point interest frame is 1.0 percent.

[0092] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a point interest top screen. The point interest top screen may be a screen that provides an overview of point interest. For example, when a user selects the number of points in interest 130 on the top screen 100, the user terminal 5 may display the point interest top screen. As shown in FIG. 10, the point interest top screen 200 may include a non-regular point interest information field 210 and a regular point interest information field 220. The non-regular point interest information field 210 may be an area where information about non-regular point interest is displayed. For example, the non-regular point interest information field 210 may include the number of points in non-regular point interest 211, summary information 212, and an operation screen display button 213. The number of points in non-regular point interest 211 may be the same information as the number of points in non-regular point interest 140. The summary information 212 may be information that provides an overview of non-regular point interest. For example, the summary information 212 may indicate at least one of the following: the interest rate; that points can be withdrawn from the non-regular point interest frame at any time; and that points can be transferred to the non-regular point interest frame at any time. The displayed interest rate may be based on the interest rate indicated by the non-regular point interest frame interest rate information currently stored in the interest rate DB 14a. The operation screen display button 213 may be an element operable to display the non-regular point interest top screen described below. The regular point interest information field 220 may be an area where information regarding regular point interest is displayed. For example, the regular point interest information field 220 may include the number of points in the regular point interest 221, summary information 222, and the operation screen display button 223. The number of points in the regular point interest 221 may be the same information as the number of points in the regular point interest 150. The summary information 222 may be information indicating an overview of the regular point interest. For example, the summary information 222 may indicate at least one of the following: the interest rate, the fact that points cannot be withdrawn from the regular point interest frame during the investment period, and the fact that points can be transferred to the regular point interest frame at any time. The displayed interest rate may be based on the interest rate indicated by the regular point interest frame interest rate information currently stored in the interest rate DB 14a.For example, if the annual interest rates for the six-month, one-year, and two-year investment periods are 0.4%, 0.7%, and 1.0%, respectively, the summary information 222 may include "annual interest rates are 0.4% to 1.0%." Alternatively, the displayed interest rate may be based on the interest rate applied to points included in the regular point interest frame. The operation screen display button 223 may be an element that can be operated to display the regular point interest top screen, which will be described later.

[0093] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of the non-regular point interest top screen. The non-regular point interest top screen may be a screen that accepts operations related to the non-regular point interest limit. As shown in FIG. 11, the non-regular point interest top screen 300 may include a non-regular point interest count 310, an add button 320, a withdraw button 330, and a non-regular point interest limit operation history field 340. The non-regular point interest count 310 may be the same information as the non-regular point interest count 140. The add button 320 may be an element operable to display the non-regular point interest limit point addition screen described below. The withdraw button 330 may be an element operable to display the non-regular point interest limit point withdrawal screen described below. The non-regular point interest limit operation history field 340 may display the history of the non-regular point interest limit. For example, the non-regular point interest limit operation history field 340 may display the operation date, operation content, and the number of points added or subtracted for each operation. The operation history may include the granting of interest, so the user can know that interest has been granted from the non-regular point interest limit operation history field 340.

[0094] FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a non-regular point interest limit point addition screen. The non-regular point interest limit point addition screen may be a screen that accepts an operation to add points to the non-regular point interest limit. As shown in FIG. 12, the non-regular point interest limit point addition screen 400 may include a regular point number 410, an additional point number input field 420, a 100 points button 431, a 1000 points button 432, a 10,000 points button 433, an all points button 434, and a confirm button 440. The regular point number 410 may indicate the maximum number of points that can be added to the non-regular point interest limit. The points that can be added to the point interest limit may be regular points among the available points. The additional point number input field 420 may be an area that accepts input of the number of points to be added to the non-regular point interest limit and may also be an area that displays the input number of points. The 100 points button 431, the 1000 points button 432, and the 10,000 points button 433 may be operable elements for increasing the number of points entered in the additional points input field 420 by 100 points, 1,000 points, and 10,000 points, respectively. The all points button 434 may be operable elements for automatically entering the number of points indicated by the regular points number 410 into the additional points input field 420. The confirmation button 440 may be an element operable for confirming the addition of points to the non-regular point interest limit. When the confirmation button 440 is operated, the user terminal 5 may display a confirmation screen displaying the entered number of points. When the user performs an operation to add points on this confirmation screen, the point addition unit 1103 may transfer points equivalent to the entered number of points from the user's available point limit to the non-regular point interest limit.

[0095] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a non-regular point interest limit point withdrawal screen. The non-regular point interest limit point withdrawal screen may be a screen that accepts an operation to withdraw points from the non-regular point interest limit. As shown in FIG. 13, the non-regular point interest limit point withdrawal screen 500 may include a number of points in the non-regular interest 510, a withdrawal point input field 520, a 100 points button 531, a 1000 points button 532, a 10000 points button 533, an all points button 534, and a confirm button 540. The number of points in the non-regular point interest 510 may be the same information as the number of points in the non-regular point interest 140. The withdrawal point input field 520 may be an area that accepts input of the number of points to be withdrawn from the non-regular point interest limit and also an area that displays the input number of points. The 100 points button 531, the 1000 points button 532, and the 10,000 points button 533 may be operable elements to increase the number of points entered in the withdrawal point number input field 520 by 100 points, 1,000 points, and 10,000 points, respectively. The all points button 534 may be operable elements to automatically enter the number of points indicated by the withdrawable points number 510 into the withdrawal point number input field 520. The confirmation button 550 may be operable elements to confirm the withdrawal of points from the non-regular point interest limit. When the confirmation button 540 is operated, the user terminal 5 may display a confirmation screen displaying the entered number of points. When the user performs an operation to withdraw points on this confirmation screen, the point withdrawal unit 1105 may transfer points equivalent to the entered number of points from the user's available point limit to the non-regular point interest limit. The point withdrawal unit 1105 and the screen information transmission unit 1106 may enable withdrawal of points from the non-regular point interest limit at any time through the non-regular point interest top screen 300 and the non-regular point interest limit point withdrawal screen 500.

[0096] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of the regular point interest top page. The regular point interest top page may also be a page that accepts operations related to the regular point interest limit. As shown in FIG. 14, the regular point interest top page 600 may include a number of points in the regular point interest 610, a details button 620, an add button 630, and a regular point interest limit operation history field 640. The number of points in the regular point interest 610 may be the same as the number of points in the regular point interest 150. The details button 620 may be an element operable to display the regular point interest limit details screen. The add button 630 may be an element operable to display the regular point interest limit point addition screen described below. The regular point interest limit operation history field 640 may display the history of the regular point interest limit. For example, the regular point interest limit operation history field 640 may display the operation date, operation content, and the number of points added or subtracted for each operation. The operation history may also include the accrual of provisional and fixed interest. Therefore, the user can know from the fixed-term point interest limit operation history field 640 that interest has been granted.

[0097] FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a regular point interest limit point addition screen. The regular point interest limit point addition screen may be a screen that accepts an operation to add points to the regular point interest limit. As shown in FIG. 15, the regular point interest limit point addition screen 700 may include a regular point number 710, an additional point number input field 720, a 6-month button 731, a 1-year button 732, a 2-year button 733, a 100-point button 741, a 1,000-point button 742, a 10,000-point button 743, an all points button 744, and a confirm button 750. The regular point number 710 may be the same information as the regular point number 410. The additional point number input field 720 may be an area that accepts input of the number of points to be added to the regular point interest limit and also an area that displays the input number of points. The 6-month button 731, the 1-year button 732, and the 2-year button 734 may be operable to specify the investment period of the points to be added to the regular point interest limit as 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years, respectively. Each of these buttons may display the corresponding investment period length and the interest rate corresponding to that investment period. Each displayed interest rate may be the interest rate indicated by the regular point interest limit interest rate information currently stored in the interest rate DB 14a. The 100-point button 741, the 1000-point button 742, and the 10,000-point button 743 may be operable to increase the number of points entered in the additional points input field 720 by 100 points, 1,000 points, and 10,000 points, respectively. The all points button 744 may be operable to automatically enter the number of points indicated by the regular points number 710 into the additional points input field 720. The confirm button 740 may be operable to confirm the addition of points to the regular point interest limit. When the confirmation button 740 is operated, the user terminal 5 may display a confirmation screen that displays the specified operation period length and the input number of points.When a user performs an operation to add points on this confirmation screen, the point withdrawal unit 1105 may transfer points equivalent to the number of points entered from the user's available point limit to the regular point interest limit.

[0098] The screen information transmission unit 1106 may display on the user terminal 5, as one of the screens containing information about the points in the regular point interest limit, a screen containing information indicating that transferring points from the regular point interest limit during the investment period is more disadvantageous to the user than after the investment period has expired. In this embodiment, the disadvantageous situation for the user is that points cannot be transferred from the regular point interest limit during the investment period. The screen information transmission unit 1106 may also display on the user terminal 5, as one of the screens containing information about the points in the regular point interest limit, a screen containing information indicating the investment period and the interest calculated based on the interest rate offered at the time the points were added to the regular point interest limit. The investment period may be indicated by a combination of two or more of the start date, expiration date, and length of the investment period. Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of a regular point interest limit details screen. The regular point interest limit details screen may be a screen showing information about the points in the regular point interest limit for each investment unit. As shown in FIG. 16 , the regular point interest limit detail screen 800 may include one or more investment unit information fields 810 and notes 820. Each investment unit information field 810 may be an area displaying information about the investment unit. For example, the investment unit information field 810 may include an investment period 811, an annual interest rate 812, the number of points in the investment unit interest 813, a total interest 814, a post-expiry setting 815, and a change button 816. The investment period 811 may indicate the investment period of the points included in the regular point interest limit for the investment unit corresponding to the investment unit information field 810. The annual interest rate 812 may indicate the annual interest rate applied to the points for that investment unit. The number of points in the investment unit interest 813 may indicate the number of points for that investment unit. The number of points in the investment unit interest 813 may indicate the number of points added to the regular point interest limit at the time the points were added. Alternatively, the number of points in the investment unit interest 813 may indicate the number of points added to the fixed points, the provisional interest, and the fixed interest. The total interest 814 may indicate the total of the provisional interest and the fixed interest.The post-expiry settings 815 may indicate settings for handling points for that investment unit after the investment period expires. The post-expiry settings 815 may indicate either automatic continuation of the investment or transfer to the available point limit. The change button 816 may be an element that can be operated to display a post-expiry settings change screen described below. The notes 820 may be information indicating that there are disadvantages to the user in transferring points from the regular point interest limit during the investment period. For example, the notes 820 may indicate that points cannot be withdrawn from the regular point interest limit during the investment period.

[0099] FIG. 17 shows an example of a screen for changing settings after the expiration of the investment period. The screen for changing settings after the expiration of the investment period may be a screen that accepts operations for changing the settings for handling points after the expiration of the investment period for each investment unit. As shown in FIG. 17, the screen for changing settings after the expiration of the investment period 900 may include an investment period 910, an annual interest rate 920, a number of points in the investment unit interest 930, a total interest amount 940, an automatic renewal button 950, a move button 960, and a confirm button. The investment period 910, the annual interest rate 920, the number of points in the investment unit interest 930, and the total interest amount 940 may be the same information as the investment period 811, the annual interest rate 812, the number of points in the investment unit interest 813, and the total interest amount 814, respectively. The automatic renewal button 950 may be an element that can be operated to select automatic renewal of the investment as the handling of points after the expiration of the investment period. The transfer button 960 may be an element operable to select transfer to available points as the handling of points after the expiration of the operation period. The confirm button 970 may be a button operable to confirm changing the handling of points after the expiration of the operation period to the handling selected by operating either the automatic renewal button 950 or the transfer button 960.

[0100] In contrast to the non-regular point interest top screen 300 shown in Fig. 11, the regular point interest limit operation screen 600 shown in Fig. 14 does not include an element such as the Withdraw button 330. Also, the Move button 960 included in the After-Operation-Period-Expiry-Settings-Change screen 900 shown in Fig. 17 is an element for automatically withdrawing points from the regular point interest limit after the operation period expires. Through these screens, the point withdrawal unit 1105 and the screen information transmission unit 1106 may restrict the withdrawal of points from the non-regular point interest limit during the operation period.

[0101] In this embodiment, among the available points held by a user, the points that can be added to the regular point interest limit are regular points. As described above, regular points have an expiration date. This expiration date is extended as regular points are awarded to the user. While points are in the regular point interest limit, the expiration date of the regular points may pass. In this case, the system control unit 11 may extend the expiration date of the points in the regular point interest limit until the expiration of the investment period of the points. For example, regular points and points in the regular point interest limit are managed separately. Regular points are managed by the point management server 3. The point management server 3 manages the expiration date of regular points. Meanwhile, points in the regular point interest limit are managed by the point application server 1. For example, the point application server 1 need not manage the expiration date of points in the regular point interest limit. This effectively extends the expiration date. This may be equivalent to suspending or postponing the invalidation of points. If investment is automatically continued after the expiration of the investment period, the expiration date of points in the regular point interest limit is further extended until the expiration of the next investment period. After the expiration of the investment period, points are transferred from the regular point interest limit to the usable point limit. How the transferred points are handled at this time depends on the operation of the point management server 3. For example, the point management server 3 may invalidate the points immediately after they are transferred. Alternatively, the point management server 3 may invalidate the points on a specified day of the month or the following month. If a user earns regular points during the investment period of points in the regular point interest limit, the expiration date of the regular points is extended, or a new expiration date is set for the regular points. Therefore, by taking actions that allow a user to earn points, the user may be able to avoid the points being invalidated when they are transferred from the regular point interest limit to the usable point limit after the investment period expires.

[0102] Figure 18 shows an example of extending the expiration date of points. Assume that the investment period for the fixed-term point interest limit is two years. Assume also that the expiration date of regular points is the last day of the month that includes the day one year after the date of the last point acquisition. As shown in Figure 18, on January 10, 2024, a user added 100,000 points to the fixed-term point interest limit. If the user last acquired points in October 2023, the expiration date of the regular points will be October 31, 2024. In fact, the regular points became invalid on October 31, 2024. However, points in the fixed-term point interest limit will not become invalid. These points will remain valid until the expiration date of the investment period, January 10, 2026. On December 12, 2025, the user acquired regular points. As a result, the expiration date of the regular points is newly set to December 31, 2026. Based on the user's settings, 102,010 points, including interest, will be transferred from the fixed-term interest limit to the available points limit on January 10, 2026, the expiration date of the investment period. The transferred points will be valid until December 31, 2026 at the earliest. During that time, the user can use the points.

[0103] In addition, points in the regular point interest frame may become invalid when the expiration date of the regular points held by the user passes. Alternatively, if the expiration date of the regular points passes during the investment period, it may be impossible to add regular points to the regular point interest frame. Points in the non-regular point interest frame may become invalid when the expiration date of the regular points held by the user passes. Alternatively, points may remain valid while they are in the non-regular point interest frame.

[0104] [1-4. Operation of communication system] Next, the operation of the communication system S will be described with reference to Figures 19 to 26. The system control unit 11 may execute the processes shown in Figures 19 to 26 in accordance with program code included in the server program. The processes shown in Figures 19 to 26 are examples, and any process may be executed as long as the purpose is achieved. The order of the processes is not limited to the order shown in those figures. Furthermore, at least one of the steps shown in those figures may not be executed.

[0105] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of a non-regular point interest limit point addition process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to this embodiment. For example, the user terminal 5 displays a non-regular point interest limit point addition screen 400. On this screen, the user inputs the number of points to be added to the non-regular point interest limit and performs an operation to confirm the addition of points. Upon detecting this operation, the user terminal 5 may send a non-regular point interest limit point addition request to the point application server 1. This request may include the user ID of the user of the user terminal 5 and the input number of points to be added. In response to receiving the non-regular point interest limit point addition request, the system control unit 11 may execute the non-regular point interest limit point addition process.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 19, the point number information acquisition unit 1102 acquires the user ID and the number of additional points from the non-regular point interest limit point addition request (step S101). Next, the point addition unit 1103 sets the number of subtraction points to the number of additional points (step S102). The number of subtraction points indicates the number of points to be subtracted from the regular points held by the user. The point addition unit 1103 also sets the point subtraction user ID to the user ID acquired from the non-regular point interest limit point addition request. The point subtraction user ID indicates the user from whom regular points are to be subtracted. Next, the point addition unit 1103 sends a regular point subtraction request to the point management server 3 (step S103). The regular point subtraction request may include the number of subtraction points and the point subtraction user ID. Upon receiving the regular point subtraction request, the point management server 3 subtracts the number of subtraction points from the regular point number stored in the regular point DB 31 in association with the user ID that matches the subtraction user ID, and updates the regular point number. Next, the point adding unit 1103 adds the additional points to the number of interest points stored in the non-regular point interest limit DB 14b in association with the user ID acquired from the non-regular point interest limit point addition request, thereby updating the number of interest points (step S104). Next, the point adding unit 1103 generates a point interest limit operation log indicating the addition of points to the non-regular point interest limit, and stores this point interest limit operation log in the point interest limit operation history DB 14d (step S105). When step S105 is completed, the non-regular point interest limit point addition process ends.

[0107] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of a non-regular point interest limit point withdrawal process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to this embodiment. For example, the user terminal 5 displays a non-regular point interest limit point withdrawal screen 500. On this screen, the user enters the number of points to be withdrawn from the non-regular point interest limit and performs an operation to confirm the point withdrawal. Upon detecting this operation, the user terminal 5 may send a non-regular point interest limit point withdrawal request to the point application server 1. This request may include the user ID of the user of the user terminal 5 and the entered number of points to be withdrawn. In response to receiving the non-regular point interest limit point withdrawal request, the system control unit 11 may execute the non-regular point interest limit point withdrawal process.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 20, the point number information acquisition unit 1102 acquires the user ID and the number of points to be withdrawn from the non-regular point interest limit point withdrawal request (step S201). Next, the point withdrawal unit 1105 sets the number of added points to the number of withdrawn points (step S202). The number of added points indicates the number of points to be added to the regular points held by the user. The point withdrawal unit 1105 also sets the point-adding user ID to the user ID acquired from the non-regular point interest limit point withdrawal request. The point-adding user ID indicates the user to whom regular points will be added. Next, the point withdrawal unit 1105 sends a regular point addition request to the point management server 3 (step S203). The regular point addition request may include the number of added points and the point-adding user ID. Upon receiving the regular point addition request, the point management server 3 adds the added points to the regular point number stored in the regular point DB 31 in association with the user ID that matches the added user ID, and updates this regular point number. Next, the point withdrawal unit 1105 subtracts the number of withdrawn points from the number of interest points stored in the non-regular point interest limit DB 14b in association with the user ID acquired from the non-regular point interest limit point withdrawal request, and updates this number of interest points (step S204). Next, the point withdrawal unit 1105 generates a point interest limit operation log indicating the withdrawal of points from the non-regular point interest limit, and stores this point interest limit operation log in the point interest limit operation history DB 14d (step S205). When step S205 is completed, the non-regular point interest limit point withdrawal process ends.

[0109] FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the non-regular point interest frame interest processing executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to this embodiment. The system control unit 11 may execute the non-regular point interest frame interest processing, for example, at a predetermined time each month on the day when interest is granted. As shown in FIG. 21, the interest granting unit 1104 acquires non-regular point interest frame interest rate information from the interest rate DB 14a (step S301). Next, the interest granting unit 1104 selects one non-regular point interest frame information item from the non-regular point interest frame DB 14b (step S302). Next, the interest granting unit 1104 acquires a user ID from the selected non-regular point interest frame information item. The interest granting unit 1104 acquires a log indicating operations on the non-regular point interest frame from the point interest frame operation logs stored in the point interest frame operation history DB 14d in association with the acquired user ID (step S303). Next, the interest granting unit 1104 determines the number of interest points included in the non-regular point interest limit information as of the end of the previous month based on the number of interest points included in the selected non-regular point interest limit information and the acquired point interest limit operation log (step S304). The interest granting unit 1104 then calculates interest by multiplying the determined number of interest points by the monthly interest rate included in the non-regular point interest limit interest rate information (step S305). The interest granting unit 1104 then updates the number of interest points included in the selected non-regular point interest limit information by adding the interest (step S306). The interest granting unit 1104 then generates a point interest limit operation log indicating the granting of interest for the points in the non-regular point interest limit and stores this point interest limit operation log in the point interest limit operation history DB 14d (step S307). Next, the interest granting unit 1104 determines whether all non-regular point interest limit information has been selected from the non-regular point interest limit DB 14b (step S308). If there is non-regular point interest limit information that has not been selected (step S308: NO), the process proceeds to step S302.In step S302, the interest granting unit 1104 selects one of the non-periodic point interest limit information stored in the non-periodic point interest limit DB 14b that has not yet been selected. If all of the non-periodic point interest limit information has been selected (step S308: YES), the non-periodic point interest limit interest processing ends.

[0110] FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of a regular point interest limit operation screen transmission process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to this embodiment. For example, the user terminal 5 displays the regular point interest top screen 600. On this screen, the user selects the display of either the regular point interest limit point addition screen 700 or the regular point interest limit detail screen 800. The user terminal 5, upon detecting this operation, may send a regular point interest limit operation screen request to the point application server 1. This request may include the user ID of the user of the user terminal 5 and information indicating the selected screen. In response to receiving the regular point interest limit operation screen request, the system control unit 11 may execute a regular point interest limit operation screen transmission process.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 22, the screen information transmission unit 1106 determines whether the regular point interest limit point addition screen 700 has been selected based on the received regular point interest limit operation screen request (step S401). If the regular point interest limit point addition screen 700 has been selected (step S401: YES), the screen information transmission unit 1106 obtains the number of regular points associated with the user ID included in the regular point interest limit operation screen request from the regular point DB 31 (step S402). The screen information transmission unit 1106 may obtain the number of regular points by sending a request to the point management server 3. Next, the screen information transmission unit 1106 generates an HTML document for the regular point interest limit point addition screen 700, which includes the number of regular points as the regular point number 410 (step S403).

[0112] If the regular point interest limit detail screen 800 is selected (step S401: NO), the screen information transmission unit 1106 acquires, from the regular point interest limit DB 14c, regular point interest limit investment unit information associated with the user ID included in the regular point interest limit operation screen request (step S404). Next, the screen information transmission unit 1106 acquires the investment period length, investment period start date, investment period expiration date, interest rate information, number of points in interest, provisional interest, and fixed interest from each acquired regular point interest limit investment unit information (step S405). Next, the screen information transmission unit 1106 generates an HTML document for the regular point interest limit detail screen 800 (step S406). At this time, the screen information transmission unit 1106 may add information for displaying the investment unit information field 810 for each investment unit to this HTML document based on the acquired information. The screen information sending unit 1106 may calculate the sum of the points in the interest, provisional interest, and fixed interest obtained from the regular point interest limit investment unit information as the number of points in the investment unit interest 813 included in the investment unit information field 810. The screen information sending unit 1106 may also calculate the sum of the provisional interest and fixed interest obtained from the regular point interest limit investment unit information as the total interest included in the investment unit information field 810. The screen information sending unit 1106 may also generate an HTML document including notes 820. The screen information sending unit 1106 sends the HTML document generated in step S403 or S406 to the user terminal 5 (step S407), and the regular point interest limit operation screen sending process ends.

[0113] FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of a regular point interest limit point addition process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to this embodiment. For example, the user terminal 5 displays a regular point interest limit point addition screen 700. On this screen, the user selects the investment period length and inputs the number of points to be added to the regular point interest limit. The user then performs an operation to confirm the addition of points. Upon detecting this operation, the user terminal 5 may send a regular point interest limit point addition request to the point application server 1. This request may include the user ID of the user of the user terminal 5, the selected investment period length, and the input number of points to be added. In response to receiving the regular point interest limit point addition request, the system control unit 11 may execute a regular point interest limit point addition process.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 23, the point number information acquisition unit 1102 acquires the user ID, the investment period length, and the number of additional points from the regular point interest limit point addition request (step S501). Next, the point addition unit 1103 sets the number of subtraction points to the number of additional points (step S502). The point addition unit 1103 also sets the point subtraction user ID to the user ID acquired from the regular point interest limit point addition request. Next, the point addition unit 1103 sends a regular point subtraction request to the point management server 3 (step S503). As a result, the number of additional points is subtracted from the regular points of the user's available points. Next, the point addition unit 1103 sets the addition date and the investment period start date to today's date. The point addition unit 1103 calculates the investment period expiration date based on the addition date and the investment period length (step S504). Next, the interest granting unit 1104 obtains regular point interest frame interest rate information corresponding to the investment period length from the interest rate DB 14a (step S505). Next, the point adding unit 1103 generates regular point interest frame investment unit information and stores this regular point interest frame investment unit information in the regular point interest frame DB 14c (step S506). For example, the point adding unit 1103 may set the user ID included in the regular point interest frame investment unit information to the user ID included in the regular point interest frame point addition request. The point adding unit 1103 may also generate a new investment unit ID. The point adding unit 1103 may also set the number of points in the interest to the number of added points. The point adding unit 1103 may also set the interest rate information included in the regular point interest frame investment unit information to the obtained regular point interest frame interest rate information. The point adding unit 1103 may also set the provisional interest and fixed interest to 0 points. The point adding unit 1103 may also set the post-expiry setting information to “automatic renewal.” The point adding unit 1103 may generate fixed-term point interest frame investment unit information including a user ID, an investment unit ID, an addition date, the number of points in the interest, the investment period length, the investment period start date, the investment period expiration date, interest rate information, provisional interest, fixed interest, and post-expiry setting information.Next, the point adding unit 1103 generates a point interest limit operation log indicating the addition of points to the regular point interest limit, and stores this point interest limit operation log in the point interest limit operation history DB 14d (step S507). When step S507 is completed, the regular point interest limit point addition process ends.

[0115] FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of a setting change process after the expiration of the operation period executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to this embodiment. For example, the user terminal 5 displays a setting change screen 900 after the expiration of the operation period. On this screen, the user performs an operation to select either automatic extension of the operation or transfer to the available point limit as the handling of points after the expiration of the operation period. The user terminal 5 that detects this operation may send a setting change request after the expiration of the operation period to the point application server 1. This request may include the user ID of the user of the user terminal 5, the operation unit ID of the operation unit selected by the user, and the setting content selected by the user. In response to receiving the setting change request after the expiration of the operation period, the system control unit 11 may perform a setting change process after the expiration of the operation period.

[0116] 24, the point withdrawal unit 1105 searches the regular point interest limit DB 14c for regular point interest limit investment unit information associated with the combination of the user ID and investment unit ID included in the after-expiry setting change request (step S602). Next, the point withdrawal unit 1105 rewrites the after-expiry setting information included in the searched regular point interest limit investment unit information with the setting content selected by the user (step S602), and the after-expiry setting change process ends.

[0117] 25 is a flowchart showing an example of the regular point interest limit interest processing executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to this embodiment. The system control unit 11 may execute the regular point interest limit interest processing, for example, at a predetermined time on the day each month when provisional interest is to be granted.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 25, the interest granting unit 1104 selects one regular point interest limit investment unit information from the regular point interest limit DB 14c (step S301). Next, the interest granting unit 1104 acquires interest rate information from the selected regular point interest limit investment unit information (step S702). Next, the interest granting unit 1104 acquires a user ID from the selected regular point interest limit investment unit information. The interest granting unit 1104 acquires a log indicating operations on the regular point interest limit from the point interest limit operation logs stored in the point interest limit operation history DB 14d in association with the acquired user ID (step S303). Next, the interest granting unit 1104 identifies the number of interest points included in the regular point interest limit investment unit information as of the end of the previous month based on the number of interest points included in the selected regular point interest limit investment unit information and the acquired point interest limit operation log (step S704). Next, the interest granting unit 1104 calculates the interest by multiplying the sum of the identified number of interest points and the provisional interest by the monthly interest rate included in the acquired interest rate information (step S705). Next, the interest granting unit 1104 updates the provisional interest included in the selected regular point interest limit investment unit information by adding the calculated interest to the provisional interest (step S706). Next, the interest granting unit 1104 generates a point interest limit operation log indicating the granting of provisional interest for the points of the regular point interest limit and stores this point interest limit operation log in the point interest limit operation history DB 14d (step S707). Next, the interest granting unit 1104 determines whether all regular point interest limit investment unit information has been selected from the regular point interest limit DB 14c (step S708). If there is any regular point interest limit investment unit information that has not been selected (step S708: NO), the process proceeds to step S701. In step S701, the interest granting unit 1104 selects one of the regular point interest limit investment unit information that has not yet been selected from the regular point interest limit investment unit information stored in the regular point interest limit DB 14c. If all of the regular point interest limit investment unit information has been selected (step S708: YES), the regular point interest limit interest processing ends.

[0119] 26 is a flowchart showing an example of operation period expiration processing executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to this embodiment. The system control unit 11 may execute the operation period expiration processing, for example, at a predetermined time every day.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 26, the point withdrawal unit 1105 searches the regular point interest limit DB 14c for regular point interest limit investment unit information that includes the investment period expiration date, which indicates today's date (step S801). Next, the interest granting unit 1104 selects one of the searched regular point interest limit investment unit information (step S802). Next, the interest granting unit 1104 adds provisional interest to the fixed interest included in the selected regular point interest limit investment unit information and updates this fixed interest (step S803). Next, the interest granting unit 1104 adds provisional interest to the number of points included in the selected regular point interest limit investment unit information and updates the number of points included in this interest (step S804). Next, the interest granting unit 1104 changes the provisional interest included in the selected regular point interest limit investment unit information to 0 points (step S805). Next, the point withdrawal unit 1105 determines whether the post-expiry setting information included in the selected fixed-term point interest limit investment unit information indicates "automatic renewal" (step S806).

[0121] If the post-expiry setting information indicates "automatic renewal" (step S806: YES), the point withdrawal unit 1105 adds the investment period length included in the regular point interest limit investment unit information to the investment period start date and investment period expiration date included in the selected regular point interest limit investment unit information. As a result, the point withdrawal unit 1105 updates the investment period start date and investment period expiration date (step S807). Next, the interest granting unit 1104 acquires regular point interest limit interest rate information corresponding to the investment period length from the interest rate DB 14a (step S808). Next, the interest granting unit 1104 rewrites the interest rate information included in the selected regular point interest limit investment unit information with the acquired regular point interest limit interest rate information (step S809).

[0122] If the post-expiry setting information indicates "automatic withdrawal" (step S806: NO), the point withdrawal unit 1105 sets the number of added points to the number of interest points included in the selected regular point interest limit investment unit information (step S810). The point withdrawal unit 1105 also sets the point addition user ID to the user ID included in the selected regular point interest limit investment unit information. Next, the point withdrawal unit 1105 sends a regular point addition request to the point management server 3 (step S811). As a result, the number of interest points is added to the regular points among the available points of the user identified by the user ID. Next, the point withdrawal unit 1105 deletes the selected regular point interest limit investment unit information from the regular point interest limit 14c (step S812).

[0123] After step S809 or step S812, the point withdrawal unit 1105 generates a point interest limit operation log indicating the continuation of investment or the automatic withdrawal of points from the regular point interest limit and stores this point interest limit operation log in the point interest limit operation history DB 14d (step S813). Next, the point withdrawal unit 1105 determines whether all of the regular point interest limit investment unit information retrieved in step S810 has been selected (step S814). If there is any regular point interest limit investment unit information that has not yet been selected (step S814: NO), the processing proceeds to step S802. In step S802, the point withdrawal unit 1105 selects one of the regular point interest limit investment unit information that has not yet been selected from the retrieved regular point interest limit investment unit information. If all of the regular point interest limit investment unit information has been selected (step S814: YES), the investment period expiration processing ends.

[0124] As described above, according to this embodiment, the point application server 1 may acquire the number of additional points. Alternatively, the point application server 1 may deposit the number of points indicated by the number of additional points into the regular point interest limit. Alternatively, the point application server 1 may award the user interest calculated based on the interest rate offered at the time the points were deposited into the regular point interest limit, provided that the points remain in the regular point interest limit from the date the points were deposited into the regular point interest limit until the expiration of the investment period. In this case, if the user deposits points into the regular point interest limit during the investment period, they can receive interest based on the offered interest rate. Therefore, the user can steadily increase their points by using the points they have earned through the point program.

[0125] Here, the point application server 1 may transfer the points in the regular point interest frame to another point frame after the expiration of the operation period. In this case, the points in the regular point interest frame at the time of expiration of the operation period are transferred to another point frame. Therefore, the user can use the points for some other purpose.

[0126] Furthermore, the point application server 1 may operate in a manner that is less favorable to the user when transferring points in the regular point interest frame to another point frame during the investment period than when transferring points after the investment period has expired. In this case, the consumption of points during the investment period can be suppressed. This allows points to be steadily increased. Since the interest rate can be known in advance, the user can understand how much interest they can receive after the investment period has expired by adding a certain number of points. This provides the user with an incentive to add points to the regular point interest frame.

[0127] Here, the point application server 1 does not need to transfer the points in the fixed-term point interest frame during the operation period. In this case, it is possible to prevent the points from being consumed during the operation period. This allows the points to be steadily increased.

[0128] In addition, the point application server 1 may transfer points held in the non-regular point interest frame to the usable point frame in response to a request from the user terminal 5, regardless of the length of time the points have been held in the non-regular point interest frame. Furthermore, when the point application server 1 awards interest to a user on points held in the non-regular point interest frame, it may use a predetermined interest rate as the interest rate for calculating the awarded interest, regardless of the length of time the points have been held in the non-regular point interest frame. In this case, the condition for transferring points held in the non-regular point interest frame to the usable point frame does not depend on the length of time the points have been held in the non-regular point interest frame. Furthermore, when interest is awarded to a user on points held in the non-regular point interest frame, the interest is calculated based on a predetermined interest rate. The interest rate does not change depending on the length of time the points have been held in the non-regular point interest frame. The interest rate applied to points held in the regular point interest frame is higher than the interest rate applied to points held in the non-regular point interest frame. Therefore, the user can choose whether to deposit points into the regular point interest limit or the non-regular point interest limit, taking into consideration the interest rate and the transfer of points.

[0129] The point application server 1 may also transfer points in the regular point interest limit to the available point limit. In this case, the user can use the points in the regular point interest limit to pay for the purchase amount.

[0130] The point application server 1 may also transmit screen information to the user terminal 5 to cause the user terminal 5 to display a screen containing information about the points held in the regular point interest limit. The point application server 1 may also cause the user terminal 5 to display a screen containing information indicating that transferring points from the regular point interest limit during the investment period is more disadvantageous to the user than after the investment period has expired. In this case, when points are held in the regular point interest limit, the user terminal 5 displays a screen related to those points. This screen contains information indicating that transferring points from the regular point interest limit during the investment period is more disadvantageous to the user than after the investment period has expired. This can reduce point consumption during the investment period, allowing points to be steadily accumulated.

[0131] The point application server 1 may also transmit screen information to the user terminal 5 to display on the user terminal 5 a screen containing information about the points held in the regular point interest limit. Here, the point application server 1 may also display on the user terminal 5 a screen containing information indicating the interest calculated based on the investment period and the interest rate presented at the time the points were placed in the regular point interest limit. In this case, information about the investment of the points held in the regular point interest limit can be presented.

[0132] The point application server 1 may also display on the user terminal 5 a screen that accepts an operation to select whether or not to continue investing points in the regular point interest limit after the expiration of the investment period. Furthermore, if discontinuing investment is selected on the screen displayed on the user terminal 5 based on the screen information, the point application server 1 may transfer points in the regular point interest limit to another point limit upon expiration of the investment period. In this case, if the user selects to continue investing points on this screen, the points remain in the regular point interest limit even after the investment period expires. If the user selects not to continue investing points, the points are transferred from the regular point interest limit to another point limit upon expiration of the investment period. Therefore, it is possible to select how points in the regular point interest limit should be handled after the investment period expires.

[0133] Furthermore, if the expiration date of regular points passes during the operation period, the point application server 1 may extend the expiration date of points in the regular point interest frame until the expiration date of the operation period. In this case, even if the expiration date of points passes while points are in the regular point interest frame, the points in the regular point interest frame will not become invalid until the operation period expires. If a user earns points during the operation period, a new expiration date is set according to the points earned. If the new expiration date is later than the expiration date of the operation period, the points may remain valid when they are transferred from the regular point interest frame to another point frame after the expiration of the operation period. Therefore, by taking action to earn points, the user can prevent the points in the regular point interest frame from becoming invalid and unavailable to the user.

[0134] [2. Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 27 to 32. This embodiment may be the same as the first embodiment, except for the following points. In this embodiment, points may be periodically and automatically added from the available points limit to the non-regular point interest limit.

[0135] Fig. 27 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the point application server 1 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 27, the same elements as those in Fig. 3 are assigned the same reference numerals. Fig. 27 differs from Fig. 3 in that the storage unit 14 of the point application server 1 shown in Fig. 27 stores an automatic additional setting DB 14e in addition to the interest rate DB 14a to the point interest limit operation history DB 14d.

[0136] FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents stored in the automatic addition setting DB 14e. The automatic addition setting DB 14e may store automatic addition setting information for each user who has set up automatic addition of points to the non-regular point interest limit. The automatic addition setting information may be information indicating the setting of automatic addition of points to the non-regular point interest limit. For example, as shown in FIG. 28, the automatic addition setting DB 14e may store user IDs, added point number information, and the like, in association with each other. The user ID may indicate the user who selected automatic addition of points to the non-regular point interest limit. The added point number information may indicate the number of points to be automatically added to the non-regular point interest limit. The added point number information may be set to the number of points actually added or may be set to "all points." "All points" indicates that all regular points held by the user at the time of adding points to the non-regular point interest limit will be transferred to the non-regular point interest limit.

[0137] The screen information transmission unit 1106 may transmit screen information to the user terminal 5, showing a screen for selecting whether or not to automatically add points to the non-regular point interest limit. Figure 29 is a diagram showing an example of the non-regular point interest limit point addition screen. In Figure 29, the same elements as in Figure 12 are assigned the same reference numerals. Figure 29 differs from Figure 12 in that the non-regular point interest limit point addition screen 400 shown in Figure 29 includes, in addition to the regular point number 410 and confirmation button 440, guidance information 450 and an automatic addition setting checkbox 460. The guidance information 450 may be a message indicating that points will be periodically added to the non-regular point interest limit if automatic addition is enabled, and indicating the frequency at which points are added to the non-regular point interest limit. The guidance information 450 shown in Figure 29 indicates that points will be added to the non-regular point interest limit daily. The automatic addition setting checkbox 460 may be an element operable to select whether or not to automatically add points to the non-regular point interest limit. The role of the All Points button 434 changes depending on the selection state of automatic addition in the Automatic Addition Setting checkbox 460. If automatic addition is selected not to be performed, when the user operates the All Points button 434, the number of points indicated by the regular point number 410 is automatically entered into the additional points number input field 420. This operation is the same as the operation in the first embodiment. If automatic addition is selected, when the user operates the All Points button 434, points cannot be entered into the additional points number input field 420. At the time points are added to the non-regular point interest frame, all of the regular points held by the user will be moved to the non-regular point interest frame.

[0138] The point adding unit 1103 may periodically add points to the non-regular point interest limit. For example, the point adding unit 1103 may periodically transfer points from the available point limit to the non-regular point interest limit. Examples of cycles for transferring points to the non-regular point interest limit include one day, one week, ten days, and one month. The point adding unit 1103 may operate based on automatic addition setting information stored in the automatic addition setting DB 14e, for example.

[0139] FIG. 30 illustrates an example of automatic addition of points to a non-regular point interest limit. For example, assume that automatic addition of points occurs on a daily cycle. As shown in FIG. 30, on January 7, a user selects automatic addition of points to a non-regular point interest limit on the non-regular point interest limit point addition screen 400. The user also selects all points to add. At this time, the number of regular points available to the user is 400. On that day, the user acquired 100 regular points. The number of regular points held by the user is 500. At a specified time on January 8, the point adding unit 1103 automatically adds the user's 500 regular points to the non-regular point interest limit. The user did not acquire any points that day. Therefore, on January 9, the point adding unit 1103 does not add points to the non-regular point interest limit for the user. On that day, the user acquired 350 regular points and used 150 points. Therefore, the number of regular points held by the user is 200. At a predetermined time on January 10, the point adding unit 1103 automatically adds the user's 200 regular points to the non-regular point interest limit.

[0140] FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing an example of a non-regular point interest limit point addition process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 30, the same processes as those in FIG. 19 are denoted by the same reference numerals. A non-regular point interest limit point addition request sent from the user terminal 5 to the point application server 1 in response to an operation on the non-regular point interest limit point addition screen 400 may include the user ID of the user of the user terminal 5, an automatic addition flag, and additional point number information. The automatic addition flag may indicate whether automatic addition of points to the non-regular point interest limit has been selected. The additional point number information may indicate the number of additional points entered by the user. If the user selects automatic addition of points to the non-regular point interest limit and selects the total number of points as the number of additional points, the additional point number information may be set to "all points."

[0141] The point adding unit 1103 acquires the user ID, automatic addition flag, and additional point number information from the non-regular point interest limit point addition request. As shown in FIG. 31, the point adding unit 1103 determines whether automatic addition of points to the non-regular point interest limit has been selected based on the automatic addition flag (step S121). If automatic addition has not been selected (step S121: NO), steps S101 to S105 are executed as in the first embodiment. If automatic addition has been selected (step S121: YES), the point adding unit 1103 generates automatic addition setting information including the user ID and additional point number information and stores this automatic addition setting information in the automatic addition setting DB 14e (step S122). When step S122 is completed, the non-regular point interest limit point addition process ends.

[0142] 32 is a flowchart showing an example of the automatic addition process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to this embodiment. For example, the system control unit 11 may execute the automatic addition process at a predetermined cycle as the cycle for executing the automatic addition.

[0143] As shown in FIG. 32, the point adding unit 1103 selects one piece of automatic additional setting information from the automatic additional setting DB 14e (step S901). Next, the point number information acquiring unit 1102 acquires a user ID and additional point number information from the selected automatic additional setting information (step S902). Next, the point adding unit 1103 acquires the number of regular points associated with the acquired user ID from the regular point DB 31 (step S303). Next, the point adding unit 1103 determines whether the acquired number of regular points is greater than 0 points (step S904). If the number of regular points is greater than 0 points (step S904: YES), it determines whether the additional point number information is set to "all points" (step S905). If the additional point number information is set to "all points" (step S905: YES), the point adding unit 1103 sets the number of additional points to the number of regular points (step S907). If the additional point number information is not set to "all points" (step S905: NO), the point adding unit 1103 determines whether the additional point number indicated by the additional point number information is greater than the normal point number (step S906). If the additional point number is greater than the normal point number (step S906: YES), the process proceeds to step S907. Here, the point adding unit 1103 changes the additional point number to the normal point number.

[0144] If step S907 is executed or if the number of additional points is equal to or less than the number of regular points (step S906: NO), the point adding unit 1103 sets the number of subtraction points to the number of additional points (step S908). The point adding unit 1103 also sets the point subtraction user ID to the acquired user ID. Next, the point adding unit 1103 sends a regular point subtraction request to the point management server 3 (step S909). This subtracts the number of regular points owned by the user by the number of additional points. Next, the point adding unit 1103 adds the number of additional points to the number of interest points stored in the non-regular point interest limit DB 14b in association with the acquired user ID, thereby updating the number of interest points (step S910). Next, the point adding unit 1103 generates a point interest limit operation log indicating the automatic addition of points to the non-regular point interest limit, and stores this point interest limit operation log in the point interest limit operation history DB 14d (step S911).

[0145] When step S911 is executed or when the number of normal points is 0 (step S904), the point adding unit 1103 determines whether or not all of the automatic additional setting information has been selected from the automatic additional setting DB 14e (step S912). If there is any automatic additional setting information that has not been selected (step S912: NO), the process proceeds to step S901. In step S901, the point adding unit 1103 selects one of the automatic additional setting information that has not yet been selected. If all of the automatic additional setting information has been selected (step S912: YES), the automatic addition process ends.

[0146] As described above, according to this embodiment, the point application server 1 may periodically add points to the non-regular point interest limit. In this case, the user can periodically add points to the non-regular point interest limit without having to manually add points to the non-regular point interest limit each time.

[0147] Furthermore, when the point application server 1 periodically transfers points, it may automatically transfer all of the points in the available point frame to the non-regular point interest frame. In this case, all of the points in the available point frame at the time of periodically transferring points can be used to increase the number of points.

[0148] 3. Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 33 to 36. Except as noted below, this embodiment may be the same as at least one of the previously described embodiments. In this embodiment, points may be periodically and automatically added from the available points limit to the regular point interest limit. Although there are differences between the regular point interest limit and the non-regular point interest limit, the mechanism for adding points to the regular point interest limit may be essentially the same as in the second embodiment.

[0149] Fig. 33 is a diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the automatic additional setting DB 14e. As in the second embodiment, the automatic additional setting DB 14e may be stored in the storage unit 14 of the point application server 1. As shown in Fig. 33, the automatic additional setting DB 14e may store, as automatic additional setting information, a user ID, information on the number of added points, and the length of the investment period, in association with one another. The length of the investment period may indicate the length of the investment period for points that are automatically added to the fixed-term point interest limit.

[0150] The screen information transmission unit 1106 may transmit screen information to the user terminal 5, showing a screen for selecting whether or not to automatically add points to the regular point interest limit. FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an example of the regular point interest limit point addition screen. In FIG. 34, the same elements as in FIG. 15 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The difference between FIG. 34 and FIG. 15 is that the regular point interest limit point addition screen 700 shown in FIG. 34 includes, in addition to the regular point number 710 and confirmation button 750, guidance information 760 and an automatic addition setting checkbox 770. The guidance information 760 may be a message indicating that points will be periodically added to the regular point interest limit if automatic addition is enabled, and indicating the frequency at which points are added to the regular point interest limit. The guidance information 760 shown in FIG. 34 indicates that points will be added to the regular point interest limit on the 20th of each month. The automatic addition setting checkbox 770 may be an operable element for selecting whether or not to automatically add points to the regular point interest limit. The All Points button 744 may play a role similar to that of the All Points button 434 included in the non-regular point interest limit point addition screen 400 shown in FIG.

[0151] The point adding unit 1103 may periodically add points to the regular point interest limit. For example, the point adding unit 1103 may periodically transfer points from the available point limit or the non-regular point interest limit to the regular point interest limit. Examples of the period for transferring points to the regular point interest limit include one day, one week, ten days, one month, and two months. As explained above, points in the regular point interest limit are managed each time points are added to the regular point interest limit or on each day they are added. Therefore, the period for transferring points may be relatively long.

[0152] The point adding unit 1103 may realize both the automatic addition of points to the non-regular point interest limit and the automatic addition of points to the regular point interest limit. The point adding unit 1103 may operate so that each user can select only one of the automatic addition of points to the non-regular point interest limit and the automatic addition of points to the regular point interest limit. Alternatively, the point adding unit 1103 may operate so that both can be selected simultaneously or in parallel. The cycle for adding points may be the same for the non-regular point interest limit and the regular point interest limit, or may be different.

[0153] FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing an example of a regular point interest limit point addition process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 35, the same processes as those in FIG. 23 are denoted by the same reference numerals. A regular point interest limit point addition request sent from the user terminal 5 to the point application server 1 in response to an operation on the regular point interest limit point addition screen 700 may include the user ID of the user of that user terminal 5, an automatic addition flag, additional point number information, and the investment period length. The automatic addition flag may indicate whether automatic addition of points to the regular point interest limit has been selected. The additional point number information may indicate the number of additional points entered by the user. If the user selects automatic addition of points to the regular point interest limit and selects all points as the number of additional points, the additional point number information may be set to "all points."

[0154] The point adding unit 1103 acquires the user ID, automatic addition flag, and additional point number information from the regular point interest limit point addition request. As shown in FIG. 35, the point adding unit 1103 determines whether automatic addition of points to the regular point interest limit has been selected based on the automatic addition flag (step S521). If automatic addition has not been selected (step S521: NO), steps S501 to S507 are executed, as in the first embodiment. If automatic addition has been selected (step S521: YES), the point adding unit 1103 generates automatic addition setting information including the user ID, additional point number information, and investment period length, and stores this automatic addition setting information in the automatic addition setting DB 14e (step S522). When step S522 is completed, the regular point interest limit point addition process ends.

[0155] 36 is a flowchart showing an example of an automatic addition process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 36, the same processes as those in Fig. 32 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0156] As shown in FIG. 36, steps S901 to S909 are first executed as in the second embodiment. After step S909, the point adding unit 1103 sets the addition date and the investment period start date to today's date. The point adding unit 1103 calculates the investment period expiration date based on the addition date and the investment period length included in the automatic addition setting information (step S521). Next, the point adding unit 1103 acquires regular point interest frame interest rate information corresponding to the investment period length from the interest rate DB 14a (step S522). Next, the point adding unit 1103 generates regular point interest frame investment unit information and stores this regular point interest frame investment unit information in the regular point interest frame DB 14c (step S523). Step S523 may be the same as step S506 of the regular point interest frame point addition process shown in FIG. 23. Next, steps S911 and S912 are executed.

[0157] As described above, according to this embodiment, the point application server 1 may periodically deposit points into the regular point interest limit. Furthermore, the point application server 1 may grant the user interest calculated based on the interest rate offered at the time the points were deposited into the regular point interest limit, on the condition that points remain in the regular point interest limit from that day until the expiration of the investment period of the investment period length. In this case, the user can periodically add points to the regular point interest limit without having to manually deposit points into the regular point interest limit each time.

[0158] Furthermore, when the point application server 1 periodically transfers points, it may automatically transfer all of the points in the available point frame to the regular point interest frame. In this case, all of the points in the available point frame at the time of periodically transferring points can be used to increase the number of points.

[0159] [4. Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 37 and 38. Except for the following points, this embodiment may be the same as at least one of the embodiments described so far.

[0160] In this embodiment, the point adding unit 1103 may stop the movement of points from the available point limit to the point interest limit for a predetermined period of time after a predetermined operation related to the point interest limit is performed in response to the request receiving unit 1101 receiving a request from the user terminal.

[0161] The predetermined operation may be an operation on the point interest limit. The predetermined operation may be an operation on points held in the point interest limit. The predetermined operation may be an operation to change the number of points held in the point interest limit. The predetermined operation may include, for example, an operation performed by at least one of the point adding unit 1103 and the point withdrawing unit 1105. A request for a predetermined operation from the user terminal 5 may, for example, explicitly or implicitly indicate or infer the user's intention to use points to pay for a future purchase. For example, the predetermined operation may include transferring points from the point interest limit to the available point limit. The user may intend to use the points transferred to the available point limit to purchase a transaction object. Alternatively, for example, the predetermined operation may include transferring points from the available point limit to the point interest limit. For example, the user may transfer some of the regular points from the available point limit to the point interest limit rather than transferring all of the regular points from the available point limit to the point interest limit. The user may intend to use the points remaining in the available point limit after the point transfer to purchase a transaction object.

[0162] By suspending the transfer of points from the available point limit to the point interest limit for a predetermined period when a user is about to use points, it is possible to prevent the transfer of points from interfering with the user's smooth use of points. The suspended point transfer may be, for example, the periodic automatic addition of points to the point interest limit. That is, the automatic addition described in the second or third embodiment is suspended. Suspending the automatic addition prevents points from being lost from the available point limit in an unintended manner. Alternatively, the suspended point transfer may be the addition of points to the point interest limit in response to a request from the user terminal 5. That is, the user's operation to add points to the point interest limit may be disabled. Types of point interest limits include non-regular point interest limits and regular point interest limits. The type of point interest limit that is the target of a predetermined operation may be the same as the type of point interest limit where the point transfer is suspended. Alternatively, the transfer of points from the point interest limit may be suspended even if the type of point interest limit that is the target of a predetermined operation and the type of point interest limit where the point transfer is suspended are different.

[0163] The length of the period during which the transfer of points is suspended may be predetermined. When the periodic automatic addition of points to the point interest limit is suspended, the length of the specified period may be longer than the cycle of automatic addition of points. Alternatively, the length of the specified period may be shorter than the cycle of automatic addition of points. Alternatively, the specified period may end on the day the user uses the points. Alternatively, the specified period may end on the earlier of the day the user uses the points or the day a specified period has elapsed since a specified operation was executed in response to a request from the user terminal 5.

[0164] FIG. 37 shows an example of suspending the transfer of points to a point interest limit. Assume that the predetermined operation is a withdrawal of points from a non-regular point interest limit. Assume that the suspended point transfer is an automatic addition of points to the non-regular point interest limit. For example, assume that points are automatically added to the non-regular point interest limit on a daily basis. Assume that the period during which point transfer is suspended is one week. As shown in FIG. 37, on January 7, the user selects automatic addition of points to the non-regular point interest limit on the non-regular point interest limit point addition screen 400. The user also selects all points to be added. At this time, the number of regular points available to the user is 400. On that day, the user acquired 100 regular points. The number of regular points held by the user is 500. At a predetermined time on January 8, the point addition unit 1103 automatically adds the user's 500 regular points to the non-regular point interest limit. On that day, the user withdraws 300 points from the non-regular point interest limit. Therefore, the number of regular points held by the user becomes 300 points. Automatic addition of points to the non-regular point interest limit is suspended from January 8th to January 15th, one week later. However, during this period, the user may be permitted to add points to the non-regular point interest limit. On January 9th, the user earns 50 points. On that day, the user uses 300 points. On January 12th, the user earns 200 points. As of January 16th, the user has 250 regular points. Automatic addition of points resumes on January 16th. On that day, the point addition unit 1103 transfers the 250 regular points from the available point limit to the non-regular point interest limit.

[0165] Figure 38 is a flowchart showing an example of automatic addition processing executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to this embodiment. In Figure 38, the same processes as those in Figure 32 are assigned the same reference numerals. The predetermined operation is assumed to be the withdrawal of points from the non-regular point interest limit. The transfer of points to be suspended is assumed to be the automatic addition of points to the non-regular point interest limit. The length of time for which the transfer of points is suspended is assumed to be predetermined.

[0166] As shown in FIG. 38, the point adding unit 1103 selects one piece of automatic addition setting information from the automatic addition setting DB 14e (step S901). Next, the point adding unit 1103 acquires a user ID from the selected automatic addition setting information. The point adding unit 1103 searches the point interest limit operation history DB 14d for a point interest limit operation log containing the acquired user ID (step S941). At this time, the point adding unit 1103 searches for a point interest limit operation log containing a change indicating a transfer of points from the available point limit to the non-periodic point interest limit in response to a request from the user terminal 5 and an operation date indicating a date that is a predetermined period from today or later. As a result of the search, the point adding unit 1103 determines whether or not a corresponding point interest limit operation log is found (step S942). If a corresponding point interest limit operation log is found (step S942: YES), the process proceeds to step S912. If there is no corresponding point interest limit operation log (step S942: NO), steps S902 to S912 are executed in the same manner as in the second embodiment.

[0167] As described above, according to this embodiment, the point application server 1 may transfer points held in the available point limit to the point interest limit. The point application server 1 may also receive a request for a predetermined operation related to the point interest limit from the user terminal 5. Furthermore, the point application server 1 may suspend the transfer of points from the available point limit to the point interest limit for a predetermined period after the predetermined operation is executed in response to the reception of the request. In this case, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the points held in the available point limit are reduced by the transfer to the point interest limit, making it impossible for the user to use points to pay for purchases. This allows the user to easily use points to pay for purchases, while also increasing the number of points earned by the point program.

[0168] Here, the point application server 1 may periodically transfer points from the available point limit to the point interest limit. Alternatively, the point application server 1 may suspend the periodic transfer of points for a predetermined period after a predetermined operation is performed. In this case, when a predetermined operation is performed, the periodic transfer of points is suspended for a predetermined period after the operation. Therefore, points can be easily used to pay for purchases, and points can be periodically added to the point interest limit without the user having to manually add points to the point interest limit each time.

[0169] The point application server 1 may also periodically transfer all points in the available point limit to the point interest limit. In this case, points can be easily used to pay for purchases, and all points in the available point limit at the time of periodically transferring points can be used to increase the number of points.

[0170] The point application server 1 may also suspend the transfer of points from the usable point limit to the point interest limit for a predetermined period after the points are transferred from the point interest limit to the usable point limit, thereby avoiding a situation in which the points transferred to the usable point limit are prevented from being used by the user to pay for a purchase.

[0171] [5. Fifth Embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 39 to 42. Except for the following points, this embodiment may be the same as at least one of the embodiments described so far. In this embodiment, a user can withdraw points stored in a fixed-term point interest account within the investment period.

[0172] The point withdrawal unit 1105 may transfer points stored in the regular point interest limit to another point limit in response to a request from the user terminal 5 during the investment period. In other words, the point withdrawal unit 1105 may operate in the same manner as it operates after the expiration of the investment period when transferring points stored in the regular point interest limit to another point limit during the investment period. The point withdrawal unit 1105 may allow points for each investment unit stored in the regular point interest limit to be withdrawn only in one lump sum. Alternatively, the point withdrawal unit 1105 may allow all or part of the points for each investment unit to be withdrawn.

[0173] On the other hand, the interest granting unit 1104 may operate in a manner that is less favorable to the user when points in the regular point interest limit are transferred to another point limit during the investment period than when the interest granting unit 1104 operates after the expiration of the investment period. Specifically, when points are transferred from the regular point interest limit by the point withdrawal unit 1105 during the investment period, the interest granting unit 1104 may not grant the user interest calculated based on the interest rate that was offered at the time the points were added to the regular point interest limit. For example, the interest granting unit 1104 may not grant any interest at all.

[0174] Figure 39 shows an example of the investment of points in the regular point interest limit. The investment period is two years, and the annual interest rate for the two-year investment is 1.0 percent. The monthly interest rate is 0.0083 percent. Interest is also awarded on the 5th of each month. The interest awarded during the investment period is provisional interest. As shown in Figure 39, a user added 100,000 points to the regular point interest limit on January 10, 2024. The investment period is from January 10, 2024 to January 10, 2026. On February 5, 2024, 83 provisional interest points are awarded to the user. Next, on March 5, 2024, the 83 provisional interest points are added to the regular point interest limit. Then, on March 22, 2024, the user withdraws all points from the regular point interest limit. The point withdrawal unit 1105 transfers 100,000 points from the regular point interest limit to the available point limit. The interest granting unit 1104 regards the total of 186 points of provisional interest as if they had never existed in the first place.

[0175] The screen information transmission unit 1106 may transmit to the user terminal 5 screen information that can accept an operation to transfer points from the regular point interest limit to the available point limit during the investment period. The screen information transmission unit 1106 may also transmit screen information that includes information indicating that interest will not be awarded, as information indicating that transferring points from the regular point interest limit to the available point limit during the investment period is disadvantageous to the user. Figure 40 is a diagram showing an example of a regular point interest limit details screen. In Figure 40, the same elements as in Figure 16 are assigned the same reference numerals. As shown in Figure 40, the regular point interest limit details screen 800 may include one or more investment unit information fields 810. Each investment unit information field 810 may include a withdrawal button 821 in addition to the investment period 811 to the change button 816. The withdrawal button 821 may be an element that can be operated to display the withdrawal confirmation screen described below.

[0176] FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating an example of a withdrawal confirmation screen. The withdrawal confirmation screen may be a screen for a user to confirm the transfer of points from the regular point interest limit to the available point limit. As shown in FIG. 41, the withdrawal confirmation screen 1000 may include a number of withdrawable points 1010, notes 1020, a cancel button 1030, a withdraw button 1040, and the like. The number of withdrawable points 1010 may indicate the number of points in the investment unit selected by the user. The notes 1020 may indicate that interest will not be awarded if points are withdrawn from the regular point interest limit during the investment period. The cancel button 1030 may be an element operable to cancel the withdrawal of points. The withdraw button 1040 may be an element operable to execute the withdrawal of points.

[0177] FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing an example of an early withdrawal process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to this embodiment. For example, the user terminal 5 displays a withdrawal confirmation screen 1000. On this screen, the user operates the withdrawal button. The user terminal 5, upon detecting this operation, may send an early withdrawal request to the point application server. The early withdrawal request may include the user ID of the user terminal 5 and the investment unit ID of the investment unit selected by the user on the fixed-term point interest limit details screen 800.

[0178] As shown in FIG. 42, the point withdrawal unit 1105 acquires from the regular point interest limit DB 14c the regular point interest limit investment unit information associated with the combination of the user ID and investment unit ID included in the early withdrawal request (step S1001). Next, the point withdrawal unit 1105 sets the number of added points to the number of interest points included in the acquired regular point interest limit investment unit information (step S1002). The point withdrawal unit 1105 also sets the point addition user ID to the user ID included in the early withdrawal request. Next, the point withdrawal unit 1105 sends a regular point addition request to the point management server 3 (step S1003). As a result, points equal to the number of interest points are added to the regular points among the available points of the user identified by the user ID. This number of interest points does not include provisional interest. Therefore, the interest is not added to the regular points held by the user. When step S1003 is completed, the early withdrawal process ends.

[0179] As described above, according to this embodiment, if points are transferred during the investment period, interest based on the interest rate offered at the time the points were added to the regular point interest limit is not awarded to the user. Specifically, no interest is awarded at all. This makes it possible to suppress the transfer of points during the investment period. This allows points to be steadily increased.

[0180] [6. Sixth Embodiment] Next, a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 43 to 45. This embodiment may be the same as the fifth embodiment, except for the following points. In this embodiment, if points in the fixed-term point interest frame are withdrawn within the investment period, interest is awarded to the user at a lower interest rate.

[0181] FIG. 43 is a diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the interest rate DB 14a. As shown in FIG. 43, the interest rate DB 14a may store premature withdrawal interest rate information in addition to non-regular point interest rate information and regular point interest rate information. The premature withdrawal interest rate information may indicate the interest rate applied to points in the regular point interest frame when those points are withdrawn within the investment period. The interest rate indicated by the premature withdrawal interest rate information may be lower than the interest rates indicated by any of the regular point interest rate information. The interest rate indicated by the premature withdrawal interest rate information may be the same as the interest rate indicated by the non-regular point interest rate information. Alternatively, the interest rate indicated by the premature withdrawal interest rate information may be lower or higher than the interest rate indicated by the non-regular point interest rate information.

[0182] In this embodiment, when points are transferred from the regular point interest limit by the point withdrawal unit 1105 during the investment period, the interest granting unit 1104 may not grant the user interest calculated based on the interest rate offered at the time the points were added to the regular point interest limit. Alternatively, the interest granting unit 1104 may grant the user interest calculated based on an interest rate lower than the interest rate offered at the time the points were added to the regular point interest limit. This interest rate may be the interest rate indicated by the early withdrawal interest rate information.

[0183] Figure 44 shows an example of the investment of points in a regular point interest limit. The investment period is two years, and the annual interest rate for the two-year investment is 1.0 percent. The monthly interest rate is 0.0083 percent. Interest is also awarded on the 5th of each month. The interest awarded during the investment period is provisional interest. As shown in Figure 4, a user added 100,000 points to the regular point interest limit on January 10, 2024. The investment period is from January 10, 2024 to January 10, 2026. On February 5, 2024, 83 provisional interest points are awarded to the user. Next, on March 5, 2024, 83 provisional interest points are added to the regular point interest limit. Then, on March 22, 2024, the user withdraws all points from the regular point interest limit. In this case, the interest granting unit 1104 may recalculate the interest to be granted to the user instead of granting the user 186 points of interest. For example, the annual interest rate for early withdrawal is assumed to be 0.1%. The monthly interest rate is assumed to be 0.00083 percent. The interest granting unit 1104 may calculate two months' worth of interest based on this monthly interest rate. For example, the interest rate may be 16 points. The point withdrawal unit 1105 transfers 100,016 points from the fixed-term point interest limit to the available point limit.

[0184] The note 1020 included in the withdrawal confirmation screen 1000 shown in FIG. 41 may indicate that if points are withdrawn from the regular point interest limit within the investment period, interest will be awarded at a lower rate.

[0185] FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing an example of an early withdrawal process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 45, the same processes as those in FIG. 42 are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 45, the point withdrawal unit 1105 acquires, from the regular point interest limit DB 14c, regular point interest limit investment unit information associated with the combination of the user ID and investment unit ID included in the early withdrawal request (step S1001). Next, the interest granting unit 1104 acquires early withdrawal interest rate information from the interest rate DB 14a (step S1021). Next, the interest granting unit 1104 calculates fixed interest in place of the provisional interest based on the monthly interest included in the early withdrawal interest rate information (step S1023). Next, the interest granting unit 1104 adds the calculated fixed interest to the number of interest points included in the acquired early withdrawal interest rate information (step S1023). Next, the point withdrawal unit 1105 sets the number of added points to the number of points in the interest (step S1002). Also, the point withdrawal unit 1105 sets the point addition user ID to the user ID included in the early withdrawal request. Next, the point withdrawal unit 1105 sends a regular point addition request to the point management server 3 (step S1003), and the early withdrawal process ends.

[0186] As described above, according to this embodiment, if points are transferred during the investment period, the user is not awarded interest based on the interest rate offered at the time the points were added to the regular point interest limit. Specifically, the user is awarded less interest based on a lower interest rate. This makes it possible to suppress the transfer of points during the investment period. This allows points to be steadily increased.

[0187] [7. Seventh Embodiment] Next, a seventh embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 46 to 48. Except for the following points, this embodiment may be the same as at least one of the embodiments described so far. In this embodiment, the user can freely withdraw points that have been in the fixed-term point interest account for a predetermined period from the expiration of the investment period.

[0188] The point withdrawal unit 1105 may transfer points and interest added to the regular point interest limit to the available point limit upon request from the user terminal 5 during a predetermined period from the expiration of the investment period. In other words, the point withdrawal unit 1105 may allow the user to withdraw points. Since the withdrawal occurs after the expiration of the investment period, interest for that investment period is accrued to the user. The period during which points can be withdrawn is called the "withdrawable period." Examples of the length of the withdrawal period include three days, one week, ten days, and one month. The withdrawal period may also be the last day of the month that includes a predetermined period after the expiration date of the investment period. The point withdrawal unit 1105 may only allow the lump-sum transfer of points in the regular point interest limit. Alternatively, the user may be able to specify the number of points to be transferred from the regular point interest limit. The withdrawable points do not have to include provisional interest accrued during the withdrawal period.

[0189] The point withdrawal unit 1105 does not have to automatically transfer points from the fixed-term point interest limit to available points when the investment period expires. A new investment period may be set for points whose investment period has expired, and the investment of those points may continue automatically.

[0190] Figure 46 is a diagram showing an example of the investment of points in a fixed-term point interest limit. The investment period is two years, and the annual interest rate for the two-year investment is 1.0%. The monthly interest rate is 0.0083%. The withdrawal period is one month. As shown in Figure 46, on January 10, 2024, a user added 100,000 points to the fixed-term point interest limit. The investment period is from January 10, 2024 to January 10, 2026. When the investment period expires on January 10, 2026, the withdrawal period is from January 10, 2026 to February 10, 2026. During this period, the user can withdraw points from the fixed-term point interest limit at any time.

[0191] During the withdrawal period, the point adding unit 1103 may transfer points from the available points to the regular point interest limit in response to a request from the user terminal 5. At this time, the point adding unit 1103 may add the points transferred to the regular point interest limit to the points of the investment unit that is in the withdrawal period. In this case, the interest granting unit 1104 may calculate the interest to be granted to the user by regarding the added points as having been added on the start date of the current investment period of the points of the investment unit to which they were added. Therefore, the investment period of the points added during the withdrawal period may coincide with the new investment period of the points of the investment unit to which they were added.

[0192] Figure 47 shows an example of the investment of points in a fixed-term point interest frame. The investment period is two years, and the annual interest rate for the two-year investment is 1.0%. The monthly interest rate is 0.0083%. Interest is paid on the 5th of each month. The withdrawal period is one month. As shown in Figure 47, on January 10, 2024, the user adds 100,000 points to the fixed-term point interest frame. When the investment period expires on January 10, 2026, a new two-year investment period begins on that day. The fixed interest at this point is 2,010 points. On January 15, 2026, the user adds 100,000 points to the same investment unit of the fixed-term point interest frame. The total number of points in that investment unit is 202,010 points. On February 5, 2026, 167 provisional interest points are paid on the 202,010 points. It is possible that the user will add points to the fixed-term point interest limit between February 5th and February 10th. In this case, the interest granting unit 1104 may recalculate the provisional interest to be granted on February 5th.

[0193] The screen information transmission unit 1106 may transmit to the user terminal 5 information about a screen that can accept operations for withdrawing points from the regular point interest limit and adding points to the regular point interest limit during the withdrawal period. FIG. 48 is a diagram showing an example of a regular point interest limit details screen. In FIG. 48, the same elements as in FIG. 16 are designated by the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 48, the regular point interest limit details screen 800 may include one or more investment unit information fields 810 and notes 820. The investment unit information field 810 corresponding to the investment unit for which today falls within the withdrawal period may include, in addition to the investment period 811 and the change button 816, guidance information 841, an add button 842, and a withdraw button 843. The guidance information 841 may indicate that points can be withdrawn from and added to the investment unit corresponding to the investment unit information field 810 during the withdrawal period. The guidance information 841 may also include information indicating the withdrawal period or the end date of the withdrawal period. The add button 842 may be an element operable to add points to the investment unit. When the user operates the add button 842, the user terminal 5 may display, for example, a screen identical to or similar to the non-regular point interest limit point addition screen 400 shown in FIG. 12. This screen may accept input of points to be added to the investment unit. The withdraw button 843 may be an element operable to withdraw points from the investment unit. When the user operates the withdraw button 843, the user terminal 5 may display, for example, a screen identical to or similar to the non-regular point interest limit point withdrawal screen 500 shown in FIG. 13. This screen may accept input of points to be withdrawn from the investment unit. The investment unit information field 810 corresponding to an investment unit for which today is not included in the withdrawal period may not include any of the guidance information 841, the add button 842, or the withdraw button 843.

[0194] The screen information transmission unit 1106 generates an HTML document for the fixed-term point interest limit detail screen 800 in step S406 of the fixed-term point interest limit operation screen transmission process shown in Figure 22. At this time, the screen information transmission unit 1106 may determine whether today is included in the withdrawal period for each investment unit based on the investment period start date included in the fixed-term point interest limit investment unit information obtained from the fixed-term point interest limit DB14c. Based on the result of this determination, the screen information transmission unit 1106 may control whether to include guidance information 841, an Add button 842, and a Withdraw button 843 in the investment unit information field 810.

[0195] The user operates the Withdraw button 843 included in any of the investment unit information fields 810 on the regular point interest limit detail screen 800 displayed on the user terminal 5 to input the number of points to be withdrawn. In response to this operation, the point withdrawal unit 1105 may subtract the number of points to be withdrawn from the number of interest points included in the regular point interest limit investment unit information corresponding to that regular point interest limit detail screen 800. The point withdrawal unit 1105 may also add the number of points to the user's regular points by sending a regular point addition request to the point management server 3.

[0196] The user operates the add button 842 included in any of the investment unit information fields 810 on the regular point interest limit detail screen 800 displayed on the user terminal 5 to input the number of additional points. In response to this operation, the point adding unit 1103 may add the number of additional points to the number of interest points included in the regular point interest limit investment unit information corresponding to that regular point interest limit detail screen 800. The point adding unit 1103 may also add the number of additional points to the number of regular points of the user by sending a regular point subtraction request to the point management server 3.

[0197] As described above, according to this embodiment, the user can transfer points from the regular point interest limit for a predetermined period after the expiration of the investment period.

[0198] [8. Eighth Embodiment] Next, an eighth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 49 to 53. Except as noted below, this embodiment may be the same as at least one of the embodiments described above. In this embodiment, a user can add limited-time points to a fixed-term point interest limit.

[0199] FIG. 49 is a diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the regular point interest limit DB14c. As shown in FIG. 49, the regular point interest limit DB14c may store the point type and expiration date in addition to the user ID and post-expiration setting information. The point type may indicate whether the points in the investment unit included in the regular point interest limit are regular points or limited-time points. The expiration date may be valid when the point type indicates limited-time points. The expiration date may correspond to the expiration date of the limited-time points in that investment unit.

[0200] The point adding unit 1103 may add limited-time points that will not expire within the investment period to the regular point interest limit. On the other hand, the point adding unit 1103 may not add limited-time points that will expire within the investment period to the regular point interest limit. Unlike regular points, the expiration date initially set for limited-time points held by a user is not subsequently extended. Therefore, even if limited-time points that have expired within the investment period are subsequently moved to the usable point limit, the limited-time points are already invalid. To avoid such a situation, as described above, restrictions may be placed on adding limited-time points to the regular point interest limit.

[0201] When the investment period of limited-time points placed in the fixed-term point interest limit expires, the investment of the limited-time points may be automatically continued, or the limited-time points may be automatically withdrawn or moved to the available point limit. The user may be able to select either automatic continuation or automatic withdrawal. Furthermore, limited-time points may be able to be withdrawn midway through the investment period.

[0202] Here, it is assumed that the automatic continuation of the investment of limited-time points after the expiration of the investment period is predetermined, or that the user has selected automatic continuation of the investment. Under this condition, if the expiration date of the limited-time points placed in the fixed-term point interest frame does not expire within the next investment period of the same investment period length that begins after the expiration of the first investment period of the limited-time points placed in the fixed-term point interest frame, the point adding unit 1103 may keep the limited-time points in the fixed-term investment point frame even after the expiration of the first investment period. In other words, the investment of the limited-time points may be automatically continued. On the other hand, if the expiration date of the limited-time points expires within the next investment period, the point adding unit 1103 may transfer the limited-time points placed in the fixed-term investment point frame to usable points upon the expiration of the first investment period. In other words, the limited-time points may be automatically withdrawn. This withdrawal is referred to as a forced automatic withdrawal. Forced automatic withdrawal may be performed regardless of how the points are handled after the expiration of the investment period. The purpose of executing the forced automatic withdrawal may be the same as the purpose of imposing a restriction on adding limited-time points to the fixed-term point interest limit.

[0203] Figure 50 shows an example of the use of limited-time points in a regular point interest frame. Here, the investment period for the regular point interest frame is assumed to be six months. As shown in Figure 50, a user holds three types of limited-time points with different expiration dates. For example, the user holds points that expire on April 30, 2024, September 30, 2024, and January 31, 2025. Today is January 10, 2024. If points are added to the regular point interest frame on that day, the initial investment period will expire on July 10, 2024. Therefore, limited-time points with an expiration date of April 30, 2024 cannot be added to the regular point interest frame. Limited-time points with expiration dates of September 30, 2024 and January 31, 2025 can be added to the regular point interest frame. These limited-time points are added to the regular point interest frame. Assuming that the points continue to be used even after the first investment period expires, the second investment period will expire on January 10, 2025. Therefore, limited-time points with an expiration date of September 30, 2024 will be forcibly and automatically withdrawn on July 10, 2024. Assuming that the points continue to be used even after the second investment period expires, the third investment period will expire on July 10, 2025. Therefore, limited-time points with an expiration date of January 31, 2025 will be forcibly and automatically withdrawn on January 10, 2025.

[0204] FIG. 51 is a diagram illustrating an example of a regular point interest limit point addition screen. In FIG. 51, the same elements as in FIG. 15 are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 51, the regular point interest limit point addition screen 700 may include, in addition to the regular point numbers 710 to 750, a regular point selection button 780, an expiration date 791, a limited-time point number, and a limited-time point selection button 793. The regular point selection button 780 may be an element operable to select regular points to add to the regular point interest limit. The expiration date 791, the limited-time point number 792, and the limited-time point selection button 793 may be displayed for each limited-time point. The expiration date 791 and the limited-time point number 792 may indicate the expiration date and the number of limited-time points, respectively. The limited-time point selection button 793 may be an element operable to select the limited-time points to add to the regular point interest limit. For limited-time points whose expiration date does not occur within the investment period corresponding to the shortest investment period length selectable by the user, information such as the number of limited-time points 792 and a limited-time point selection button 793 may be displayed. For example, the limited-time point information field 120 on the top screen 100 of the points app shown in FIG. 9 displays information about limited-time points whose expiration date is April 30, 2024. On the other hand, the regular point interest limit point addition screen 700 does not display information about those limited-time points. This is because the shortest investment period length is six months, and today is January 10, 2024. On the other hand, the regular point interest limit point addition screen 700 displays information about limited-time points whose expiration dates are September 30, 2024 and January 31, 2025, respectively. Users can choose which points to add to their regular point interest limit: regular points, limited-time points with an expiration date of September 30, 2024, or limited-time points with an expiration date of January 31, 2025.

[0205] Figure 52 is a diagram showing an example of a fixed-term point interest limit point addition screen. Figure 52 differs from Figure 51 in that the 1-year button 732 shows the selected state. Also, the limited-time point selection button 793 for limited-time points whose expiration date is September 30, 2024 is displayed in an unselectable state. By operating the 1-year button 732, the user has selected a one-year investment period. Therefore, it is no longer possible to select limited-time points whose expiration date falls within that investment period.

[0206] When generating the HTML document for the regular point interest limit point addition screen 700, the screen information transmission unit 1106 may obtain the number of limited-time points and the expiration date of each limited-time point held by the target user from the limited-time point DB 32. The screen information transmission unit 1106 may obtain this information, for example, by requesting it from the point management server 3. The screen information transmission unit 1106 may add the obtained information for each limited-time point to the HTML document. The HTML document for the regular point interest limit point addition screen 700 may include a program such as a script. This program may cause the user terminal 5 to control the display of the expiration date 791, the number of limited-time points 792, and the limited-time point selection button 793 for each limited-time point, and to enable or disable the limited-time point selection button 793. The user terminal 5, which receives the HTML document for the regular point interest limit point addition screen 700 from the point application server 1, may control the information on the limited-time points in accordance with this program, for example, as shown in Figures 51 and 52.

[0207] FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing an example of the regular point interest limit point addition process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 53, the same processes as those in FIG. 23 are denoted by the same reference numerals. As described above, in response to a user's operation on the regular point interest limit point addition screen 700, the user terminal 5 may send a regular point interest limit point addition request to the point application server 1. This regular point interest limit point addition request may include the user ID of the user of the user terminal 5, the selected investment period length, and the input number of additional points, as well as the point type and expiration date. The point type may indicate the type of point selected by the user, either regular points or limited-time points. The point type may be determined based on the selection of either the regular point selection button 780 or the limited-time point selection button 793. If a limited-time point is selected by the user, the expiration date may correspond to the expiration date of the selected limited-time point.

[0208] As shown in FIG. 53, first, steps S501 and S502 are executed, as in the first embodiment. Next, the point adding unit 1103 acquires the point type and expiration date from the fixed-term point interest limit point addition request. The point adding unit 1103 determines whether the point type indicates regular points (step S521). If the point type indicates regular points (step S521: YES), steps S503 to S505 are executed. If the point type indicates limited-time points (step S521: NO), the point adding unit 1103 sends a limited-time point deduction request to the point management server 3 (step S522). The limited-time point deduction request may include the number of points to be subtracted, the point deduction user ID, and the expiration date of the limited-time points. The point management server 3, which has received the time-limited point subtraction request, subtracts the number of subtraction points from the number of time-limited points stored in the time-limited point DB 32 in association with the combination of the user ID that matches the subtraction user ID and the expiration date that matches the expiration date, and updates the number of time-limited points.

[0209] When step S505 or step S522 is completed, the point adding unit 1103 generates regular point interest limit investment unit information and stores this regular point interest limit investment unit information in the regular point interest limit DB 14c (step S523). At this time, the point adding unit 1103 may generate the regular point interest limit investment unit information so that it includes the point type and expiration date. In other respects, step S523 may be the same as step S506 shown in FIG. 23. Next, when step S507 is executed, the regular point interest limit point addition process ends.

[0210] 54 is a flowchart showing an example of operation period expiration processing executed by the system control unit 11 of the point application server 1 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 54, the same processes as those in Fig. 26 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0211] As shown in FIG. 54, steps S801 to S807 are first executed as in the first embodiment. After step S807, the point withdrawal unit 1105 determines whether the point type included in the selected regular point interest limit investment unit information indicates regular points (step S821). If the point type indicates limited-time points (step S821: NO), the point withdrawal unit 1105 determines whether the investment period expiration date updated in step S807 is a day before the expiration date included in the selected regular point interest limit investment unit information (step S821). If the investment period expiration date is a day before the expiration date (step S822: YES) or if the point type indicates regular points (step S821: YES), steps S808, S809, S813, and S814 are executed. If the investment period expiration date is a day after the expiration date (step S822: NO), step S810 is executed. Next, either a regular point addition request or a limited-time point addition request is sent to the point management server 3 (step S823). If the point type indicates regular points, a regular point addition request may be sent. If the point type indicates limited-time points, a limited-time point addition request may be sent. The limited-time point addition request may include the number of points to be added, the point adding user ID, and the expiration date of the limited-time points. Upon receiving the limited-time point addition request, the point management server 3 associates the adding user ID, the expiration date, and the number of limited-time points with each other and stores them in the limited-time point DB 32. Next, steps S812 to S814 are executed.

[0212] In addition, limited-time points may be added to the non-regular point interest limit. When the expiration date of limited-time points included in the non-regular point interest limit has passed, the limited-time points may become invalid at that time.

[0213] As explained above, according to this embodiment, if points are deposited into the regular point interest limit, and the expiration date of the points passes within the investment period, the points cannot be deposited into the regular investment points. Therefore, by depositing points into the regular point interest limit, it is possible to prevent the points from becoming invalid when the user is unable to use them.

[0214] Furthermore, if the expiration date of points falls within the next investment period that begins upon expiration of the investment period after points are deposited into the regular point interest limit, the points are transferred to another point limit upon expiration of the first investment period. Therefore, by depositing points into the regular point interest limit, interest can be awarded to the user while preventing the points from becoming invalid when the user is unable to use them.

[0215] 9. Ninth Embodiment Next, a ninth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 55. Except for the following points, this embodiment may be the same as at least one of the embodiments described so far. In this embodiment, the interest rate applied to points added to the regular point interest limit varies depending on the user's rank. The user rank may be determined based on the user's usage of the point program. For example, the user rank may be the membership rank described above.

[0216] Figure 55(a) is a diagram showing an example of the content included in the regular point interest rate information. The regular point interest rate information stored in the interest rate DB 14a may include interest rate information for each user rank. As described above, there are Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Regular ranks as membership ranks. The regular point interest rate information may include interest rate information for each of these membership ranks. The interest rate information may indicate a higher interest rate for a higher membership rank. Figure 55(b) is a diagram showing a comparison of interest rates between membership ranks. As shown in Figure 55(b), the interest rate may increase in the order of Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Regular. If there are three or more membership ranks, the interest rate may be the same for some of the membership ranks. Overall, the higher the membership rank, the higher the interest rate. In some cases, the user may be able to select the investment period for points to be added to the regular point interest limit. In this case, the higher the membership rank, the higher the interest rate may be for the same investment period. Additionally, the higher the membership rank, the higher the interest rate across all investment periods. For example, suppose an investment period can be selected from six months, one year, and two years. The interest rates for six-month, one-year, and two-year investment periods applicable to Diamond-ranked users are 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%, respectively. In this case, the interest rates for six-month, one-year, and two-year investment periods applicable to Platinum-ranked users may all be less than 0.5%. Alternatively, the relationship between high and low interest rates may be reversed for different investment periods. For example, the interest rates for six-month, one-year, and two-year investment periods applicable to Platinum-ranked users may be less than 0.5%, less than 1.0%, and less than 1.5%, respectively.

[0217] The interest granting unit 1104 may acquire rank information indicating the user rank assigned to the user. For example, the interest granting unit 1104 may acquire the member rank of the user from the member DB 21.

[0218] The interest granting unit 1104 may determine the interest rate used to calculate the interest for points to be added to the regular point interest limit based on the rank information indicated in the acquired rank information. For example, the interest granting unit 1104 may determine the interest rate used to calculate the interest to be the interest rate indicated by the interest rate information corresponding to the membership rank among the interest rate information included in the regular point interest rate information. In step S505 of the regular point interest limit point addition process shown in FIG. 23, the interest granting unit 1104 acquires regular point interest limit interest rate information corresponding to the investment period length from the interest rate DB 14a. At this time, the interest granting unit 1104 may acquire from the membership DB 21 the membership rank associated with the user ID of the user who requested points to the regular point interest limit. The interest granting unit 1104 may acquire interest rate information corresponding to the membership rank from the acquired regular point interest limit interest rate information. Then, in step S506, the point adding unit 1103 may generate regular point interest limit investment unit information including the acquired interest rate information. As a result, provisional interest is calculated based on the interest rate information included in the fixed-term point interest frame investment unit information in the fixed-term point interest frame interest processing shown in Fig. 25. Then, in the investment period expiration processing shown in Fig. 26, the interest is fixed and the fixed interest is awarded to the user.

[0219] As described above, according to this embodiment, the interest to be awarded can be changed based on the user's usage of the point program.

[0220] [10. Tenth Embodiment] Next, a tenth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 56 and 57. Except for the following points, this embodiment may be the same as at least one of the embodiments described so far. In this embodiment, the fixed-term point interest limit and a bank fixed-term deposit account are linked.

[0221] FIG. 56 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a communication system S according to this embodiment. In FIG. 56, the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 56, the communication system S may include a bank server 6 in addition to the point application server 1 to the user terminal 5. The bank server 6 may be a server device managed by a specific bank. The bank server 6 may execute processing for providing, for example, an Internet banking service. The Internet banking service may be a service that enables customers who have deposit accounts with the bank to conduct transactions with the bank via a network NW. The bank server 6 may provide an API to a service provider that provides a point program or a comprehensive Internet service, enabling the service provider to conduct transactions with the bank. Examples of transactions possible through the API include opening a new savings account, depositing money into a savings account, withdrawing money from a savings account, opening a new term deposit account, depositing funds into a term deposit account, canceling a term deposit account midway, changing settings to automatically renew or cancel a term deposit account when the term deposit matures, and inquiring about information on a savings account and a term deposit account. The business operator already has a regular savings account and a fixed term deposit account at the bank. The point application server 1 may link the fixed term point interest limit with the fixed term deposit account through this API.

[0222] When transferring points from another point limit to the fixed-term point interest limit, the point adding unit 1103 may request the bank server 6 to deposit the points into a fixed-term deposit. At this time, the point adding unit 1103 may request the bank server 6 to deposit funds equivalent to the number of points added to the fixed-term point interest limit. The point adding unit 1103 may also specify the length of the deposit period for the fixed-term deposit to be the same as the investment period of the points to be added to the fixed-term point interest limit. Alternatively, the length of the deposit period may be different from the investment period. In response to a request from the point application server 1, the bank server 6 may transfer funds from a savings account to a fixed-term deposit account with the relevant business. At this time, the bank server 6 may notify the point application server 1 of a deposit number. The deposit number may be a number used to identify the fixed-term deposit with the business that holds the fixed-term deposit account. The point application server 1 can then specify the fixed-term deposit to be the subject of the transaction by including the deposit number in a request to the bank server 6.

[0223] The user may be allowed to select whether to automatically continue the investment of points in the fixed-term point interest limit or to automatically withdraw those points after the expiration of the investment period. In this case, the point withdrawal unit 1105 may request the bank server 6 to change the settings for the period after the expiration of the term deposit in response to a request from the user terminal 5 to change the settings for the period after the expiration of the investment period. If the user selects to automatically withdraw points in the fixed-term point interest limit, the point withdrawal unit 1105 may request automatic cancellation of the term deposit at the expiration of the deposit period. If the user selects to automatically continue the investment of points in the fixed-term point interest limit, the point withdrawal unit 1105 may request automatic renewal of the term deposit.

[0224] There are cases where points can be withdrawn from the fixed term point interest limit in response to a request from the user during the operation period or the withdrawal period. In this case, the point withdrawal unit 1105 may request the bank server 6 to cancel the fixed term deposit in response to a request for point withdrawal from the user terminal 5. The bank server 6 may transfer funds from the fixed term deposit account of the business operator to a regular savings account in response to a request from the point application server 1.

[0225] Figure 57 shows an example of linking a fixed-term point interest limit with a bank's fixed-term deposit account. As shown in Figure 57, the user specifies a two-year investment period and adds 100,000 points to the fixed-term point interest limit. One point is equivalent to one yen. The point application server 1 instructs the bank server 6 to transfer 100,000 yen from the regular savings account to a two-year fixed-term deposit. At this point, the handling of points after the investment period expires is set to automatic renewal. The fixed-term deposit is set to automatic renewal. The user then changes the handling of points in the fixed-term point interest limit after the investment period expires to automatic withdrawal. The point application server 1 requests the bank server 6 to automatically cancel the deposited fixed-term deposit. The bank server 6 automatically cancels the fixed-term deposit two years after the points are added to the fixed-term point interest limit. The annual interest rate for a two-year fixed-term deposit is assumed to be 0.5 percent. The bank server 6 transfers 101,005 yen, including interest, from the fixed-term deposit account to the regular savings account. The bank server 6 may or may not notify the point application server 1 of the result of the automatic cancellation. The annual interest rate of the fixed-term point interest limit corresponding to the two-year operation period is assumed to be 1.0 percent. The interest rate of the fixed-term point interest limit may be different from or the same as the interest rate of the fixed-term deposit. The point application server 1 transfers 102,010 points, including interest, from the fixed-term point interest limit to the available point limit.

[0226] As described above, according to this embodiment, funds can be managed through fixed term deposits in accordance with points that are added to the fixed term point interest limit.

[0227] (Appendix 1-1) A point management device characterized by comprising: a point number information acquisition means for acquiring point number information indicating the number of points to be managed, which are points granted to a user under a point program; a point entry means for entering the number of points indicated by the acquired point number information into a regular management point frame for storing points to be managed for a predetermined period of time; and an awarding means for awarding to the user interest in the form of points for the points in the regular management point frame, calculated based on the interest rate offered at the time the points were entered into the regular management point frame, on the condition that the points remain in the regular management point frame from the day the points are entered into the regular management point frame by the point entry means until the expiration of the predetermined management period.

[0228] (Appendix 1-2) The point management device described in Appendix 1-1 is characterized in that the user has the regular management point frame and another point frame different from the regular management point frame as point frames for storing points granted to the user, and further has a transfer means for transferring points stored in the regular management point frame to the other point frame after the expiration of the management period.

[0229] (Appendix 1-3) The point management device described in Appendix 1-2 is characterized in that at least one of the transfer means and the granting means operates in a manner that is more disadvantageous to the user when moving the points in the regular management point slot to the other point slot during the management period than when operating after the expiration of the management period.

[0230] (Appendix 1-4) A point management device as described in Appendix 1-2 or 1-3, characterized in that the transfer means does not transfer the points contained in the regular management point frame during the operation period.

[0231] (Appendix 1-5) The point management device described in Appendix 1-4 is characterized in that the transfer means transfers the points in the regular management point frame to the other point frame in response to a request from the user's terminal device during the management period, and the granting means does not grant interest calculated based on the proposed interest rate when the points are transferred from the regular management point frame by the transfer means during the management period.

[0232] (Appendix 1-6) The point management device described in Appendix 1-5 is characterized in that the granting means grants the user interest calculated based on an interest rate lower than the offered interest rate when the points are transferred from the regular management point limit by the transfer means within the management period.

[0233] (Appendix 1-7) The other point frame includes an available point frame for storing points that can be used to pay for purchases, and a non-regularly managed point frame for storing points that will be managed for an indefinite period, in which interest calculated based on a predetermined interest rate that is lower than the offered interest rate is awarded to the user in the form of points; the transfer means transfers the points in the regular managed point frame to either the available point frame or the non-regularly managed point frame; the transfer means transfers the points in the non-regularly managed point frame to the available point frame in response to a request from the user's terminal device, regardless of the length of time that the points have been in the non-regularly managed point frame; and the granting means, when granting interest to the user on the points in the non-regularly managed point frame, uses the predetermined interest rate as the interest rate for calculating the interest to be awarded, regardless of the length of time that the points have been in the non-regularly managed point frame. A point management device as described in any one of Appendices 1-2 to 1-6.

[0234] (Appendix 1-8) A point management device described in any one of Appendices 1-2 to 1-7, characterized in that the other point frame includes an available point frame for storing points that can be used to pay for purchases, and the transfer means transfers the points stored in the regular management point frame to the available point frame.

[0235] (Appendix 1-9) A point management device as described in any one of Appendices 1-1 to 1-8, characterized in that it further comprises a transmission means for transmitting screen information to the terminal device to cause the user's terminal device to display a screen containing information regarding the points contained in the regular management point frame, and a transmission means for displaying the screen on the terminal device containing information indicating that moving the points from the regular management point frame during the management period will be more disadvantageous to the user than after the expiration of the management period.

[0236] (Appendix 1-10) A point management device as described in any one of Appendices 1-1 to 1-9, characterized in that it further comprises a transmission means for transmitting screen information to the user's terminal device to display a screen containing information regarding the points contained in the regular management point frame, and a transmission means for displaying the screen containing information indicating the interest calculated based on the management period and the offered interest rate on the terminal device.

[0237] (Appendix 1-11) A point management device as described in any one of Appendices 1-2 to 1-10, further comprising a transmission means for transmitting screen information to the terminal device, which causes the user's terminal device to display a screen that accepts an operation to select whether or not to continue managing the points in the regular management point slot even after the expiration of the management period, and wherein the transfer means transfers the points in the regular management point slot to the other point slot in response to the expiration of the management period when non-continuation of the management is selected on the screen displayed on the terminal device based on the transmitted screen information.

[0238] (Appendix 1-12) A point management device as described in any one of Appendices 1-1 to 1-11, characterized in that the point entry means periodically deposits the points into the regular management point frame, and the granting means grants interest calculated based on the offered interest rate on each day that points are deposited into the regular management point frame, provided that the points remain in the regular management point frame from that day until the expiration of the management period of the predetermined length.

[0239] (Appendix 1-13) A point management device described in any one of Appendices 1-2 to 1-12, characterized in that the transfer means transfers points stored in the regular management point slot to the other point slot in response to a request from the user's terminal device within a predetermined period after the expiration of the management period.

[0240] (Appendix 1-14) A point management device as described in any one of Appendices 1-1 to 1-13, characterized in that the points held by the user have an expiration date, which is updated each time points are granted to the user, and if the expiration date passes within the management period, the expiration date of the points included in the regular management point frame is extended until the end of the management period.

[0241] (Appendix 1-15) A point management device as described in Appendix 1-2 or 1-13, characterized in that the points granted to the user have an expiration date, and the point entry means does not enter points whose expiration date will expire within the management period into the regular management point frame, and enters points whose expiration date will not expire within the management period into the regular management point frame.

[0242] (Appendix 1-16) The point management device described in Appendix 1-15 is characterized in that the transfer means transfers the points in the regular management point frame to the other point frame in response to the expiration of the management period if the expiration date passes within the second management period of the predetermined length after the expiration of the management period, and keeps the points in the regular management point frame even after the expiration of the management period if the expiration date does not pass within the second management period.

[0243] (Appendix 1-17) A point management device described in any one of Appendices 1-1 to 1-16, further comprising an acquisition means for acquiring rank information indicating a user rank assigned to the user, the user rank being determined based on the user's usage of the point program, and a determination means for determining the offered interest rate based on the user rank indicated by the acquired rank information, wherein the granting means determines the interest to be granted based on the determined offered interest rate.

[0244] (Appendix 1-18) A point management method executed by a computer, comprising: a point number information acquisition step for acquiring point number information indicating the number of points to be managed, which are points that have been allocated to a user through a point program; a point entry step for entering the number of points indicated by the acquired point number information into a regular management point frame for storing points to be managed for a predetermined period of time; and an awarding step for awarding to the user, in the form of points, interest calculated based on the interest rate offered at the time the points were added to the regular management point frame, on the condition that the points remain in the regular management point frame from the day the points were added to the regular management point frame by the point entry step until the expiration of the predetermined management period.

[0245] (Appendix 1-19) A point management program characterized by causing a computer to function as: a point number information acquisition means for acquiring point number information indicating the number of points to be managed that have been assigned to a user under a point program; a point entry means for entering the number of points indicated by the acquired point number information into a regular management point frame for storing points to be managed for a predetermined period of time; and an awarding means for awarding to the user interest calculated based on the interest rate offered at the time the points were entered into the regular management point frame, on the condition that the points remain in the regular management point frame from the day the points are entered into the regular management point frame by the point entry means until the expiration of the predetermined management period.

[0246] (Appendix 2-1) A point management device comprising: a transfer means for transferring points held in an available point frame, which is a frame for holding points granted to a user through a point program and which is used to pay for purchases, to an operational point frame, which is a frame for holding points to be managed and in which interest accrues on the points placed; and a receiving means for receiving a request for a specified operation related to the operational point frame from the user's terminal device, wherein the transfer means stops the transfer of points from the available point frame to the operational point frame for a specified period after the specified operation is executed in response to the request being received by the receiving means.

[0247] (Appendix 2-2) The point management device described in Appendix 2-1 is characterized in that the transfer means periodically transfers the points from the available point frame to the managed point frame, and stops the periodic transfer of the points for the specified period after the specified operation is executed.

[0248] (Appendix 2-3) The point management device described in Appendix 2-2, characterized in that the transfer means automatically transfers all of the points contained in the available point frame to the management point frame.

[0249] (Appendix 2-4) A point management device described in any one of Appendices 2-1 to 2-3, characterized in that the specified operation is to move the points from the management point frame to the available point frame.

[0250] (Appendix 2-5) A point management method executed by a computer, comprising: a transfer step of transferring points held in an available point frame, which is an available point frame for holding points granted to a user through a point program and which is used to pay for purchases, to an operational point frame, which is an operational point frame for holding points to be managed and which accrues interest on the points placed therein; and a receiving step of receiving from the user's terminal device a request for a specified operation related to the operational point frame, wherein the transfer step stops the transfer of points from the available point frame to the operational point frame for a specified period of time after the specified operation is executed in response to the request being received by the receiving step.

[0251] (Appendix 2-6) A point management program that causes a computer to function as a transfer means that transfers points held in an available point frame, which is an available point frame for holding points granted to a user through a point program and which can be used to pay for purchases, to an operational point frame, which is an operational point frame for holding points to be managed and which accrues interest on the points held in that frame, and a receiving means that receives a request for a specified operation related to the operational point frame from the user's terminal device, wherein the transfer means stops the transfer of the points from the available point frame to the operational point frame for a specified period after the specified operation is executed in response to the request being received by the receiving means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0252] 1 Point App Server 2. Membership information management server 3 Point Management Server 4 Service Server 5. User terminal 11 System control section 12 System Bus 13 Input / Output Interface 14 Storage section 14a Interest rate DB 14b Non-regular point interest limit DB 14c Regular point interest limit DB 14d Point Interest Limit Operation History DB 14e Automatic Addition Setting DB 15 Communications Department 21 Member DB 31 Regular Points DB 32 Limited Time Points DB 1101 Request receiving unit 1102 Point number information acquisition unit 1103 Point Addition Section 1104 Interest Granting Department 1105 Point drawer 1106 Screen information transmission unit NW Network S Communication System

Claims

1. point number information acquisition means for acquiring point number information indicating the number of points granted to a user under a point program and to be used; a point entry means for entering the number of points indicated by the acquired point number information into a regular management point frame for storing points to be used for a predetermined period of time; an awarding means for awarding to the user, in the form of points, interest calculated based on the proposed interest rate presented at the time the points were inserted into the regular investment point frame, on the condition that the points remain in the regular investment point frame from the day the points are inserted into the regular investment point frame by the point inserting means until the expiration of the investment period of the predetermined length; A point management device comprising:

2. The user has the regular operation point frame and another point frame different from the regular operation point frame as point frames for storing points granted to the user, 2. The point management device according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer means for transferring points in the regular management point slot to the other point slot after the expiration of the management period.

3. The point management device described in claim 2, characterized in that at least one of the transfer means and the granting means operates in a manner that is more disadvantageous to the user when transferring points stored in the regular management point slot to the other point slot during the management period than when operating after the expiration of the management period.

4. 4. The point management device according to claim 2, wherein the transfer means does not transfer the points that are in the regular management point slot during the management period.

5. the transfer means transfers the points stored in the regular operation point frame to the other point frame in response to a request from the terminal device of the user during the operation period; The point management device according to claim 4, characterized in that the granting means does not grant interest calculated based on the proposed interest rate if the points are transferred from the regular management point limit by the transfer means during the management period.

6. The point management device described in claim 5, characterized in that the granting means grants the user interest calculated based on an interest rate lower than the proposed interest rate when the points are transferred from the regular management point limit by the transfer means within the management period.

7. The other point frame includes a usable point frame for storing points that can be used to pay for a purchase amount, and a non-regular operation point frame for storing points that are to be used for an unlimited period, in which interest calculated based on a predetermined interest rate that is lower than the proposed interest rate is awarded to the user in the form of points, the transfer means transfers the points in the regular operation point frame to either the available point frame or the non-regular operation point frame; the transfer means, in response to a request from the terminal device of the user, transfers the points stored in the non-regular operation point frame to the available point frame regardless of the length of time that the points have been stored in the non-regular operation point frame; The point management device described in claim 3, characterized in that when the granting means grants interest to the user on the points held in the non-regular management point frame, it uses the specified interest rate as the interest rate for calculating the interest to be granted, regardless of the length of time the points have been held in the non-regular management point frame.

8. The other point limit includes a usable point limit for storing points that can be used to pay for a purchase, 4. The point management device according to claim 2, wherein the transfer means transfers the points stored in the regular management point slot to the available point slot.

9. A point management device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it further comprises a transmission means for transmitting screen information to the terminal device to display a screen on the user's terminal device containing information regarding the points contained in the regular management point frame, and a transmission means for displaying the screen on the terminal device containing information indicating that moving the points from the regular management point frame during the management period will be more disadvantageous to the user than after the expiration of the management period.

10. A point management device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it further comprises a transmission means for transmitting screen information to the terminal device to display a screen on the user's terminal device containing information regarding the points contained in the regular management point frame, and a transmission means for displaying the screen on the terminal device containing information indicating the interest calculated based on the management period and the offered interest rate.

11. Further provided is a transmitting means for transmitting to the terminal device screen information for displaying on the terminal device of the user a screen for accepting an operation for selecting whether or not to continue using the points within the regular use point limit even after the expiration of the use period, The point management device described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that when discontinuation of the management is selected on the screen displayed on the terminal device based on the transmitted screen information, the transfer means transfers the points in the regular management point slot to the other point slot upon expiration of the management period.

12. The point entry means periodically enters the points into the regular operation point slot, The point management device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the granting means grants interest calculated based on the offered interest rate on each day points are deposited into the regular management point frame, provided that the points remain in the regular management point frame from that day until the expiration of the management period of the predetermined length.

13. The point management device described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the transfer means transfers points in the regular management point frame to the other point frame in response to a request from the user's terminal device within a predetermined period after the expiration of the management period.

14. The points held by the user have an expiration date, The expiration date is updated every time points are awarded to the user, A point management device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that if the expiration date passes within the management period, the expiration date of the points included in the regular management point frame is extended until the end of the management period.

15. The points given to the user have an expiration date, The point management device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the point entry means does not enter points whose expiration date will expire within the management period into the regular management point frame, and enters points whose expiration date will not expire within the management period into the regular management point frame.

16. The point management device described in claim 15, characterized in that the transfer means transfers the points in the regular management point frame to the other point frame in response to the expiration of the management period if the expiration date passes within a second management period of the predetermined length after the expiration of the management period, and keeps the points in the regular management point frame even after the expiration of the management period if the expiration date does not pass within the second management period.

17. an acquisition means for acquiring rank information indicating a user rank assigned to the user, the user rank being determined based on the user's usage of the point program; A determination means for determining the offered interest rate based on the user rank indicated by the acquired rank information; Further provided with 4. The point management device according to claim 1, wherein the granting unit determines the interest to be granted based on the determined proposed interest rate.

18. A point management method executed by a computer, a point number information acquisition step of acquiring point number information indicating the number of points granted to the user in the point program and to be used; a point entry step of entering the number of points indicated by the acquired point number information into a regular management point frame for storing points to be used for a predetermined period of time; an awarding step of awarding to the user, in the form of points, interest calculated based on the proposed interest rate presented at the time the points were added to the regular investment point frame, for the points included in the regular investment point frame, on the condition that the points are included in the regular investment point frame from the day the points are added to the regular investment point frame by the point adding step until the expiration of the investment period of the predetermined length; A point management method comprising:

19. Computer, point number information acquisition means for acquiring point number information indicating the number of points granted to a user under a point program and to be used; a point entry means for entering the number of points indicated by the acquired point number information into a regular management point frame for storing points to be used for a predetermined period of time; an awarding means for awarding to the user, in the form of points, interest calculated based on the offered interest rate offered at the time the points were added to the regular investment point frame, on the condition that the points remain in the regular investment point frame from the day the points are added to the regular investment point frame by the point adding means until the expiration of the investment period of the predetermined length; A point management program characterized by functioning as a point management program.

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