Privilege granting system, privilege granting method, and privilege granting program

Abstract

To provide a privilege imparting system capable of imparting an easy-to-use privilege.SOLUTION: A privilege granting system 1 includes privilege granting means 12 for granting, as a privilege, a fund transfer code for executing fund transfer processing for transferring an arbitrary amount of fund to an arbitrary account by activation, specification means for specifying an account to be a fund transfer destination, and activation means 15 for executing activation of the fund transfer code.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a reward granting system, a reward granting method, and a reward granting program. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a sales promotion system that promotes sales of products, etc. by awarding points to consumers who purchase products, etc. This system awards points to consumers according to the purchase amount, and provides consumers with various products and services according to the points they have accumulated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-24664 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the system of Patent Document 1, when a consumer purchases a product or other item from a company, an intermediary means acting as an intermediary between the consumer and the company invoices each company for the payment of the points based on the company's accumulated point information. After the invoiced payment is received from each company, the intermediary means grants the points to the consumer. However, in case the consumer cancels the purchase of the product or other item after earning the points, the consumer can only use the points once the payment process for the product or other item has been completed. Therefore, consumers cannot immediately use the points they earn. Consumers must wait several weeks for the points to be reflected in their account and become available for use. If it takes a long time for points to be awarded, the consumer may miss out on opportunities to use benefits, such as missing out on the expiration date without realizing that the points were awarded.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one of its objects is to provide a reward system, a reward method, and a reward program that can grant rewards that are easy to use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A reward system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a reward granting means for granting as a reward a funds transfer code that, when activated, executes a funds transfer process to transfer any amount of funds to any account, an identification means for identifying the account to which the funds will be transferred, and an activation means for activating the funds transfer code.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for granting a reward, which is executed by a processor and includes the steps of granting as a reward a funds transfer code that, when activated, executes a funds transfer process to transfer any amount of funds to any account, identifying the account to which the funds are to be transferred, and activating the funds transfer code.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is a reward-granting program that causes a computer to function as a reward-granting means that, when activated, grants a funds transfer code as a reward, which executes a funds transfer process to transfer any amount of funds to any account, an identification means that identifies the account to which the funds are to be transferred, and an activation means that activates the funds transfer code. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a reward system, a reward method, and a reward program that can grant rewards that are easy to use. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a reward granting system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a server device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a user terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a privilege granting system. [Figure 5] This is an example of an email that is displayed on a user terminal when receiving a funds transfer code. [Figure 6] 10 is an example of a screen for instructing a transition to a screen for inputting a funds transfer code. [Figure 7] 10 is an example of a screen for entering and applying a funds transfer code. [Figure 8] 10 is an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal when receiving electronic value. [Figure 9] 10 is a sequence chart illustrating a processing procedure when a funds transfer code is issued and electronic value is granted in a privilege granting system. [Figure 10] 10 is a sequence chart illustrating a processing procedure when a funds transfer agent makes a refund to a fund-providing company in the reward granting system. [Figure 11] 10 is a sequence chart illustrating a processing procedure for invalidating a funds transfer code in the privilege granting system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the same elements are given the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

[0012] [Outline of the reward system] An example of the configuration of a reward granting system 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. The reward granting system 1 includes, for example, a server device 2 operated by a funds transfer service provider, a server device 3 operated by a fund providing company, and a user terminal 4 of a user who can use an electronic payment service and who will be granted a reward.

[0013] An electronic payment service is a payment service that allows at least one of the transfer or withdrawal of a balance. The electronic payment service may be provided by the server device 2 of the funds transfer service provider, or by a server device provided separately from the server device 2 of the funds transfer service provider.

[0014] A fund provider is, for example, a company that runs a campaign, etc. A fund transfer service provider is a business that has been entrusted with fund transfer operations by a fund provider by entering into an outsourcing contract with the fund provider.

[0015] The server device 2 of the funds transfer service provider receives the total amount of funds that the funds providing company plans to use as campaign funds from the funds providing company before (in advance of) the campaign is implemented. The total amount of funds can be received, for example, by the funds providing company depositing the total amount into the account of the funds transfer service provider.

[0016] The server device 2 of the funds transfer service provider issues fund codes for the total amount of funds received and delivers them to the fund-providing company. The fund codes can be delivered, for example, by sending information about the issued fund codes from the server device 2 of the funds transfer service provider to the server device 3 of the fund-providing company.

[0017] This allows the fund-providing company to secure all of the fund transfer codes that can be given to users as a campaign benefit before the campaign is implemented.

[0018] The server device 3 of the fund-providing company grants a funds transfer code to a user who has fulfilled the conditions for obtaining a benefit in a campaign run by the fund-providing company, as a benefit for fulfilling the conditions.

[0019] The funds transfer code is a code for transferring any amount of funds specified by the fund provider. The funds can be, for example, electronic value available through electronic payment services. The funds transfer code itself does not have monetary value, such as gift points or prepaid points.

[0020] In the electronic settlement service, when a server device 2 of the funds transfer business accepts input of a funds transfer code from a user, it regards it as a remittance instruction from a fund providing company, carries out an exchange transaction, and issues electronic value corresponding to an arbitrary amount designated in the funds transfer code and gives it to the user.

[0021] The server device 2, the server device 3, and the user terminal 4 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network N. The network N may be, for example, the Internet, a LAN, a dedicated line, a telephone line, a mobile communication network, Bluetooth (registered trademark), WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), any other communication line, or a combination thereof, and may be wired or wireless.

[0022] [Server device configuration] As shown in FIG. 2, the server device 2 includes, as its physical configuration, a processor 21, a communication interface 22, and a storage device 23, for example.

[0023] The processor 21 is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The processor 21 executes a program 231 stored in the storage device 23, thereby functioning as a control unit 211 that realizes various functions of the server device 2.

[0024] The control unit 211 realizes functions such as exchanging information with the server device 3 and the user terminal 4, executing various processes based on the exchanged information, displaying various screens on the server device 3 and the user terminal 4 in accordance with requests received from the server device 3 and the user terminal 4, and receiving content entered on various screens from the server device 3 and the user terminal 4.

[0025] The communication interface 22 connects to the network N and functions as a communication unit that communicates with other devices and terminals on the network N.

[0026] The storage device 23 is a computer-readable recording medium such as a disk drive or a semiconductor memory. The storage device 23 functions as a storage unit that stores a program 231 for realizing various functions of the server device 2 and various data 232 used by the program 231.

[0027] The various data 232 includes, for example, data constituting information about the funding company, information about the user, information about the funds transfer code, information about the funds of the funding company, and funds transfer information including the destination of the funds and the funds transfer code.

[0028] Here, the server device 3 has the same components as the server device 2. That is, the server device 3 has, as its physical configuration, for example, a processor, a communication interface, and a storage device. Since each component of the server device 3 is the same as each component of the server device 2 described above, a description thereof will be omitted.

[0029] [User terminal configuration] As shown in FIG. 3, the user terminal 4 includes, as its physical components, a processor 41, a communication interface 42, a storage device 43, an input device 44, and a display device 45, for example.

[0030] The processor 41 is, for example, a processor such as a CPU or an MPU. The processor 41 executes a program stored in the storage device 43, thereby functioning as a control unit that realizes various functions of the user terminal 4.

[0031] The communication interface 42 connects to the network N and functions as a communication unit that communicates with other terminals and devices on the network N.

[0032] The storage device 43 is a computer-readable recording medium such as a semiconductor memory or a disk drive. The storage device 43 functions as a storage unit that stores programs for implementing various functions of the user terminal 4 and various data used by the programs.

[0033] The input device 44 functions as an input unit that accepts input from a user. As the input device 44, for example, a touch panel, a pen tablet, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, etc. can be used.

[0034] The display device 45 functions as a display unit that displays images, screens, etc. As the display device 45, for example, an organic EL display, a liquid crystal display, etc. can be used.

[0035] [Benefit system features] As shown in Figure 4, the reward granting system 1 has, as its functional configuration, a code issuing means 11, a reward granting means 12, a receiving means 13, a determination means 14, an activation means 15, a funds transfer means 16, an invalidation means 17, a detection means 18, and a refund means 19. For example, the server device 2 of the funds transfer service provider has the code issuing means 11, the reception means 13, the determination means 14, the activation means 15, the funds transfer means 16, the invalidation means 17, the detection means 18, and the refund means 19, and the server device 3 of the fund providing company has the reward granting means 12. Each function is described below.

[0036] The code issuing means 11 issues a funds transfer code for the total amount of funds received from the funding company before the campaign is launched. The code issuing means 11 delivers the issued funds transfer code to the funding company by transmitting information about the issued funds transfer code to the funding company's server device 3.

[0037] Specifically, a list of fund transfer codes is delivered to the fund provider as information on fund transfer codes. For example, if the campaign is to give 1,000 points (1 point is equivalent to 1 yen) to 100 people, 100 fund transfer codes for transferring 1,000 yen (remittance instructions) are issued and a list of those fund transfer codes is delivered.

[0038] Here, the code issuing means 11 may also function as an expiration date setting means for setting an expiration date for the funds transfer code. The fund providing company can specify any expiration date. After the expiration date has passed, funds will not be transferred even if the funds transfer code is entered, but this does not set a usage deadline for funds that have been transferred within the expiration date. In other words, the "expiration date" in this embodiment is not like so-called "limited-time points," in that the points will expire if not used within the expiration date.

[0039] The reward granting means 12 grants a funds transfer code to a user who has met the conditions for obtaining a reward in a campaign implemented by a fund-providing company as a reward for fulfilling the conditions. It is preferable that this funds transfer code be granted to the user immediately when the user meets the conditions for obtaining the reward of the campaign. However, this is not limited to this, and the timing of granting the funds transfer code may be set arbitrarily by the fund-providing company.

[0040] An example of the reward email 5a sent to a user when the reward granting means 12 grants a funds transfer code will be described with reference to Figure 5. This reward email 5a will be sent to a user who has met the reward acquisition conditions.

[0041] The special offer email 5a includes a URL display field 5b that displays a URL linked to the provided funds transfer code, and a funds transfer code display field 5c that displays the provided funds transfer code.

[0042] Users who are already using the electronic payment service can click the URL in URL display field 5b to transition to funds transfer code input screen 7a in Figure 7. When transitioning pages in this way, the funds transfer code displayed in funds transfer code display field 5c in Figure 5 is displayed pre-set in funds transfer code input field 7b on funds transfer code input screen 7a.

[0043] On the other hand, users who do not use electronic payment services must first install the electronic payment service app in order to receive the benefits. After installing the app, they can either click the URL above to transition to the next page, or they can launch the app, log in, open the settings screen 6a in Figure 6, and tap the "Enter Funds Transfer Code" tab 6b to transition to the funds transfer code input screen 7a in Figure 7. When transitioning pages in this way, the user must manually enter the funds transfer code displayed in the funds transfer code display field 5c in Figure 5 into the funds transfer code input field 7b on the funds transfer code input screen 7a after transition.

[0044] Returning to the explanation of Figure 4, the accepting means 13 accepts funds transfer information including a funds transfer code designated by the user and a destination of the funds. Here, the accepting means 13 may further function as an identifying means for identifying the account to which the funds are to be transferred, for example, by using account information for identifying the account of the user of the electronic payment service. The destination of the funds may be entered by the user on the funds transfer code input screen 7a in Figure 7, or may be automatically obtained from the account information of the logged-in user.

[0045] Determination means 14 determines whether the funds transfer code accepted by acceptance means 13 is valid. The validity of the funds transfer code can be determined, for example, by whether the funds transfer code is a legitimately issued code, whether the expiration date of the funds transfer code has not passed, and whether the number of times the funds transfer code can be used is within the number of times set for each campaign.

[0046] The activation means 15 activates a funds transfer code that has been accepted by the acceptance means 13 and determined to be valid by the determination means 14.

[0047] Funds transfer means 16 executes a funds transfer process based on funds transfer information corresponding to the funds transfer code accepted by acceptance means 13 and activated by activation means 15. This funds transfer process is a process of transferring electronic value corresponding to an arbitrary amount designated by the fund providing company for the funds transfer code to a funds transfer destination designated by the user.

[0048] Here, when a funds transfer code is entered in the funds transfer code input field 7b on the funds transfer code input screen 7a in Fig. 7 and the "Apply Code" button 7c is pressed, the validity of the entered funds transfer code is determined. If this determination determines that the funds transfer code is valid, the funds transfer process is executed. Then, when the funds transfer process is completed successfully, the "Value Receipt Completed" screen 8a in Fig. 8 is displayed on the user terminal 4.

[0049] The received electronic value can be used in any way desired by the user as electronic value for electronic payment services without any restrictions on how it can be used. For example, the received electronic value may be used for payment at a store, for withdrawal to a registered bank account, or for remittance between other users.

[0050] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 4, after the funds transfer process is executed by the funds transfer means 16, the invalidation means 17 invalidates the funds transfer code used in the funds transfer process.

[0051] Here, the invalidation means 17 may further invalidate funds transfer codes that have not been invalidated and have not been activated by the activation means 15, but whose expiration date has passed. In this case, the funds transfer code may be invalidated when an invalidation request is received from the fund-providing company. The processing procedure for invalidating a funds transfer code based on an invalidation request will be described later.

[0052] The detection means 18 and the refund means 19 execute a refund process to refund funds for unused funds transfer codes that have expired to the fund-providing company, based on a refund request received from the fund-providing company. The refund process will be described in detail below.

[0053] The detection means 18 detects fund transfer codes issued to the fund providing company that has requested a refund that have not been activated by the activation means 15. If the end date of the campaign period is clear, the detection means 18 may be configured to automatically detect fund transfer codes that have not been activated and whose expiration date has passed after the end date of the campaign.

[0054] Here, the detection means 18 may further function as a calculation means for calculating the total amount of funds that can be transferred using the detected funds transfer code.

[0055] Refund means 19 executes a refund process to refund to the fund provider the funds corresponding to the funds transfer code detected by detection means 18. In this refund process, the total amount of funds corresponding to the funds transfer code detected by detection means 18 may be refunded, or a portion of the total amount of funds may be refunded.

[0056] The refund process does not necessarily have to be performed when a refund request is received from the funding company, but can be performed at any time. For example, the refund process may be performed periodically at specific intervals, or at the end of a campaign.

[0057] [Benefit system operation] An example of a processing procedure when the privilege granting system 1 issues a funds transfer code and grants electronic value will be described with reference to FIG.

[0058] First, the server device 3 of the fund-providing company deposits the total amount of funds that the fund-providing company plans to use as campaign funds into the account of the funds transfer service provider, in accordance with operational instructions from a person in charge of the fund-providing company (step S101). Note that the deposit procedure may also be carried out by transferring the funds from a financial institution such as a bank to an account designated by the funds transfer service provider, without going through the server device 3 of the fund-providing company.

[0059] Next, the server device 2 of the funds transfer service provider confirms the deposit from the fund-providing company (step S102). Any method can be used to confirm the deposit. For example, the server device 2 of the funds transfer service provider manages the account information of the funds transfer service provider, and when it detects a deposit into the account, it displays an alert or notifies the deposit by sending a push notification to a pre-specified email address.

[0060] Next, the server device 2 of the funds transfer service provider issues funds transfer codes for the total amount of funds received from the fund-providing company in accordance with operational instructions from the person in charge of the funds transfer service provider (step S103). This step may be executed automatically after the deposit confirmation has been completed in step S102 above, without relying on operational instructions from the person in charge. Note that the above-mentioned "total amount of funds received from the fund-providing company" does not include any remuneration or fees that the funds transfer service provider receives for its work of issuing and managing funds transfer codes.

[0061] Next, the funds transfer agent's server device 2 delivers the funds transfer code by transmitting information about the funds transfer code issued in step S103 to the fund-providing company's server device 3 (step S104). Note that the method of transmitting (notifying) the funds transfer code is not limited to the method described above. Other examples include sending it by email, linking systems, creating a web page or the like on the funds transfer agent side and having the fund-providing company download it, etc.

[0062] Next, the server device 3 of the fund-providing company receives the information about the funds transfer code sent in step S104, thereby receiving the funds transfer code (step S105).

[0063] Next, the server device 3 of the fund providing company distributes a fund transfer code to each user who has met the conditions for obtaining the campaign benefit (step S106). As a specific example of the distribution method, a benefit granting email 5a shown in FIG. 5 is sent.

[0064] Next, the user terminal 4 receives the funds transfer code by receiving the email displaying the funds transfer code sent in step S106 above (step S107).

[0065] Next, the user terminal 4 accepts input of the funds transfer code received in step S107 above from the funds transfer code input screen 7a displayed in response to an operational instruction from the user (step S108).

[0066] Next, the server device 2 of the funds transfer service provider determines the validity of the funds transfer code entered in step S108 above (step S109).

[0067] Next, the server device 2 of the funds transfer service provider grants electronic value to the user who inputs the funds transfer code that was confirmed to be valid in step S109 (step S110).

[0068] Next, the user terminal 4 displays the electronic value granted to the fund transfer destination of the user in accordance with the user's operational instructions (step S111), thereby allowing the user to confirm the electronic value granted to the fund transfer destination.

[0069] Next, with reference to FIG. 10, an example of the processing procedure when a money transfer service provider makes a refund to a fund providing company in the reward granting system 1 will be described.

[0070] First, the server device 3 of the fund-providing company requests the fund transfer agent to refund any unused fund transfer codes among the delivered fund transfer codes, in accordance with operational instructions from the person in charge of the fund-providing company (step S201).

[0071] Next, the funds transfer service provider's server device 2 detects any funds transfer codes that have not been activated among those issued to the fund-providing company that requested a refund in step S201 above, and executes a refund process (step S202). In this refund process, the amount to be remitted (transferred) by the funds transfer code is read for each detected funds transfer code to be refunded. At this time, the system may be designed to calculate the refund amount by adding up the read amounts. Alternatively, it may be designed to further select only funds transfer codes that have expired from among the funds transfer codes that have not been activated, and execute the refund process. This design makes it easier to centrally manage funds transfer codes with different expiration dates, such as during a long-term campaign.

[0072] Next, the server device 2 of the funds transfer service provider refunds the refund amount calculated in the refund process executed in step S202 above by depositing the refund amount into the account designated by the fund-providing company (step S203).

[0073] Next, the server device 3 of the fund-providing company confirms the refund from the funds transfer agent (step S204).

[0074] Next, an example of a processing procedure for invalidating a funds transfer code in the privilege granting system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0075] First, the server device 3 of the fund providing company requests the fund transfer agent to invalidate any unused fund transfer codes delivered by the fund transfer agent in accordance with operational instructions from the fund providing company's staff (step S301).

[0076] Next, the server device 2 of the funds transfer service provider invalidates any funds transfer codes that have not been activated among the funds transfer codes issued to the fund-providing company that requested invalidation in step S301 above (step S302). At this time, it may be possible to further select only funds transfer codes that have expired from among the funds transfer codes that have not been activated, and execute the refund process of step S202 described above. Furthermore, during the refund process, after detecting a funds transfer code that is subject to refund, the detected funds transfer code may be invalidated.

[0077] As described above, according to the reward granting system 1 of the embodiment, a funds transfer code for transferring any amount of funds specified by the funding company can be granted to a user as a reward for meeting the conditions for obtaining a campaign reward, and when the funds transfer code and the destination of the funds are specified by the user, any amount corresponding to the funds transfer code can be transferred to the specified destination.

[0078] This allows users to immediately receive a funds transfer code as a benefit when they meet the conditions for obtaining a campaign benefit, and by specifying the funds transfer code and the destination of the funds in the electronic settlement service, any amount specified in the funds transfer code can be transferred to the destination of the funds specified by the user.

[0079] Therefore, according to the reward awarding system 1 of the embodiment, it is possible to award the reward funds to the user without making the user wait from the time of acquiring the reward until the reward is actually reflected, thereby increasing convenience for the user.

[0080] Furthermore, according to the reward granting system 1 of the embodiment, the funding company can receive all of the fund transfer codes equivalent to the campaign funds before the campaign begins, enabling the company to complete the management of the fund transfer codes thereafter in-house.

[0081] Furthermore, the funding company can receive a refund for the funds corresponding to the unused fund transfer code, thereby reducing wasted campaign costs.

[0082] [Variations] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various other forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the above-described embodiment is merely an example in all respects and should not be interpreted as being limiting. For example, the order of the above-described processing steps can be arbitrarily changed or executed in parallel as long as no contradiction occurs in the processing content.

[0083] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the fund providing company assigns the funds transfer code to the user, but the entity that assigns the funds transfer code to the user is not limited to the fund providing company. For example, another user may assign the funds transfer code. In other words, any fund provider, including the fund providing company or the user, can assign the funds transfer code. Below, a specific description is given of the case where another user assigns the funds transfer code.

[0084] First, in an electronic payment service, user A requests a funds transfer service provider to issue a funds transfer code worth 100 yen. Next, user A receives the issued funds transfer code. Next, user A gives the funds transfer code to user B. Next, in the electronic payment service, user B enters the funds transfer code. Next, user B is granted 100 yen worth of electronic value.

[0085] It is also anticipated that the funds transfer service provider will receive requests for the provision of benefits as described in this embodiment from multiple fund-providing companies. Therefore, the funds transfer service provider may be provided with a corporate record management function that assigns a corporate identification number to each requesting company and manages, for each corporate identification number, the issuance history of funds transfer codes, the amount and balance of deposits, the issuance status of funds transfer codes (activation status of funds transfer codes), etc.

[0086] Furthermore, the programs in the above-described embodiments can be installed or loaded onto a computer through various recording media (computer-readable recording media) such as optical disks such as CDs and DVDs, magnetic disks, and semiconductor memories, or by downloading them from a server device (medium) via a communication network, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1...Benefit granting system, 2...Server device, 3...Server device, 4...User terminal, 11...Code issuing means, 12...Benefit granting means, 13...Accepting means, 14...Determining means, 15...Activating means, 16...Funds transfer means, 17...Invalidating means, 18...Detecting means, 19...Refund means, 21...Processor, 22...Communication interface, 23...Storage device, 41...Processor, 42...Communication interface, 43...Storage device, 44...Input device, 45...Display device, 211...Control unit, 231...Program, 232...Data

Claims

1. A reward granting means grants, as a reward, a funds transfer code that, when activated, executes a funds transfer process for transferring an arbitrary amount of funds to an arbitrary account; an identification means for identifying an account to which the funds are to be transferred; an activation means for activating the funds transfer code; A reward system comprising:

2. further comprising a determining means for determining the validity of the funds transfer code; the activation means activates the funds transfer code when the determination means determines that the funds transfer code is valid; The reward system according to claim 1 .

3. The method further comprises: the invalidation means invalidates the funds transfer code for which the funds transfer process has been completed after the funds transfer process has been completed; The reward system according to claim 1 .

4. Further, an expiration date setting means is provided for setting an expiration date for the funds transfer code, the invalidation means invalidates the funds transfer code that has not been activated at the time the expiration date has passed, after the expiration date has passed; The reward system according to claim 3 .

5. The issuance of the funds transfer code and the execution of the funds transfer are carried out by the server of the funds transfer service provider. The reward system according to claim 1 .

6. The system further comprises a calculation means for detecting the funds transfer code that has not been activated and calculating the total amount of funds that can be transferred using the detected funds transfer code. The reward system according to claim 1 .

7. The system further includes a refunding unit that executes a refund process for the fund transfer code that has not been activated based on the total amount calculated by the calculation unit. The reward system according to claim 6.

8. 1. A processor-implemented method comprising: providing a benefit of a funds transfer code that, when activated, executes a funds transfer process for transferring any amount of funds to any account; identifying an account to which the funds are to be transferred; activating the funds transfer code; A method of awarding benefits, including:

9. Computer, a reward granting means for granting, as a reward, a funds transfer code that, when activated, executes a funds transfer process for transferring an arbitrary amount of funds to an arbitrary account; Identification means for identifying an account to which the funds are to be transferred; an activation means for activating the funds transfer code; A rewards program that functions as a

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