Point management system and non-transitory computer readable medium

Abstract

To allow a user to virtually experience possession of carbon credit.SOLUTION: A point management system 10 includes an information acquiring part 11A for acquiring action information showing a user's action (gas reduction action) leading to reduction of emission of greenhouse gases, a point imparting part 11B for imparting points to the user on the basis of the acquired action information, and a point increasing / decreasing part 11C for increasing / decreasing the points imparted to the user according to market prices of carbon credits. The action may include walking, bicycling, or traveling by public transportation by the user. The action may include viewing of advertising content directed to a product and / or service that contributes to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a points management technique for managing points given to users. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for increasing or decreasing the balance of points given to a user in accordance with the market price of carbon credits. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-173466 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the user becomes interested in carbon credits, but the user cannot have a simulated experience of owning carbon credits.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to allow a user to have a simulated experience of owning carbon credits. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the point management system of the present invention comprises an information acquisition unit that acquires behavioral information representing user behavior that leads to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a point assignment unit that assigns points to the user based on the acquired behavioral information, and a point increase / decrease unit that increases / decreases the points assigned to the user in accordance with the market price of carbon credits.

[0007] The program according to the present invention causes a computer to operate as the point management system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a user can have a simulated experience of owning carbon credits. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a points management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a point management table. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a gas reduction amount table. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a points management system. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart of a point giving process. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart of a point increase / decrease process. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of a process for balance inquiry. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart of a process when points are used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] An example of the configuration of a point management system 10 according to this embodiment is shown in Fig. 1. The point management system 10 is configured to manage points that are given to and owned by each user U.

[0012] The points managed by the point management system 10 are points that increase or decrease in conjunction with the market price of carbon credits. Points are awarded to a user U based on the user U's actions that lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter also referred to as gas reduction actions). Carbon credits are a credit of the amount of greenhouse gas emissions reduced, and points that are awarded based on gas reduction actions as described above and that increase or decrease in conjunction with the market price of carbon credits can be said to be pseudo-carbon credits. Therefore, by owning the points, a user can have a pseudo-experience of owning carbon credits.

[0013] Examples of gas reduction actions of user U that will trigger points to be awarded include the following. (1) Travel by foot, bicycle, or public transportation (2) Viewing advertising content for products or services that contribute to reducing gas emissions (3) Purchase of the target product or service of the advertising content. (4) Purchase of downloadable entertainment content such as music, movies, and games (5) Eco-driving in automobiles

[0014] The above (1), (3), and (5) directly lead to a reduction in gas emissions. In particular, according to the above (1), gas emissions are reduced compared to traveling by gasoline-powered vehicle, etc. According to the above (2), when user U becomes interested in the target product or target service of the advertising content and purchases the target product or target service, gas emissions are reduced. An example of the target product is an electric vehicle. An example of the target service is car insurance that encourages eco-driving, especially eco-safe driving. According to the above (4), since media such as a CD (Compact Disc) is not required, gas emissions are reduced compared to purchasing content through media.

[0015] The point management system 10 acquires behavioral information representing the gas reduction behavior of each user U, and grants points to the user U based on the acquired behavioral information. To realize this configuration, the point management system 10 is configured to be able to communicate with a user terminal U1 operated by the user U and a car C1 driven by the user U via a communication network NW such as the Internet. The user terminal U1 may be a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, or the like.

[0016] An application for handling points is installed in the user terminal U1. The user terminal U1 that executes the application detects each of the gas reduction actions (1) to (4) above.

[0017] Regarding the above (1), for example, the user terminal U1 detects, using the GPS (Global Positioning System) function and / or acceleration sensor of the user terminal U1, that the user U who owns the user terminal U1 has traveled on foot, by bicycle, or by public transportation, and the distance traveled. The user terminal U1 outputs the detected means of transportation (walking, bicycle, or public transportation) and the distance traveled as behavior information to the point management system 10 via the communication network NW. The user terminal U1 also transmits the user ID of the user U registered in the user terminal U1 to the point management system 10 together with the behavior information.

[0018] Regarding the above (2), for example, when the user terminal U1 receives an operation for viewing an advertisement from the user U, the user terminal U1 plays back the advertising content to be viewed. The advertising content is distributed to the user terminal U1 from the server 101 via the communication network NW, for example. The user terminal U1 transmits information indicating the type of the viewed advertising content as behavior information to the point management system 10 together with the user ID.

[0019] Regarding (3) above, for example, the user terminal U1 receives a purchase operation from the user U to purchase the product or service that is the subject of the advertising video. The user terminal U1 performs the purchase process for the product or service in cooperation with the server 102 for the product or service. After completing the purchase process, the user terminal U1 transmits information indicating the type of the purchased product or service as behavioral information to the point management system 10 together with the user ID.

[0020] The playback of the advertising video and the process of purchasing goods or services are carried out on the application for handling the points.

[0021] Regarding (4) above, for example, the user terminal U1 detects the purchase of content such as music, movies, games, etc. The specific content of the purchase process is arbitrary. Based on the detection of the purchase, the user terminal U1 transmits information indicating the type of the purchased content as behavioral information together with the user ID to the point management system 10.

[0022] Regarding (5) above, for example, when the automobile C1 detects eco-driving, such as when the fuel consumption due to the driving is below a predetermined standard, at the end of the driving by the user U, the automobile C1 outputs the eco-driving behavior as behavior information to the point management system 10 via the communication network NW. The user terminal U1 also transmits the user ID of the user U registered in the automobile C1 to the point management system 10 together with the behavior information.

[0023] The point management system 10 is, for example, comprised of a server computer, and is configured to grant points to users and manage the balance of points owned by the users. The point management system 10 comprises a processor 11 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12 that operates as the main memory of the processor 11, and a non-volatile storage device 13 such as an SSD (Solid State Drive). The point management system 10 also comprises a NIC (Network Interface Card) 14 connected to a communication network NW.

[0024] The storage device 13 stores a point management table, an updated market price X(t), and a gas reduction amount table.

[0025] The point management table is a table that manages point balances for each user ID. As shown in Figure 2, the point management table includes multiple combinations of a user ID that identifies a user U, a point balance P(t) that is the balance of points held by the user identified by this user ID, and a gas reduction amount C(t) that is the amount of greenhouse gas emissions reduction that is the basis for the point balance P(t). The gas reduction amount C(t) is expressed in the same unit (t-CO2) as a carbon credit.

[0026] The renewal market price X(t) is the market price of carbon credits at the time when the point balance P(t) was most recently renewed. In other words, it is the market price that serves as the basis for the renewal of the point balance P(t). The market price of carbon credits and the renewal market price X(t) are expressed as the price per credit (t-CO2).

[0027] The gas reduction amount table specifies a gas reduction amount ΔC for each content of the above behavioral information. In other words, the carbon credit table includes multiple combinations of the content of behavioral information and the gas reduction amount ΔC that is the basis for points to be awarded to users for that content. As described above, the content of behavioral information includes a combination of a means of transportation and a travel distance, the type of advertising video viewed, the type of content purchased, the type of product or service purchased, or the eco-driving style. In this way, the behavioral information directly represents gas reduction behavior by the content of the gas reduction behavior.

[0028] The processor 11 executes the programs stored in the storage device 13 to operate as an information acquisition unit 11A, a point giving unit 11B, a point increase / decrease unit 11C, and a balance notification unit 11D shown in FIG.

[0029] The information acquisition unit 11A acquires the behavior information and the user ID from the user terminal U1 or the car C1 via the NIC 14 or the like.

[0030] The point granting unit 11B performs, for example, a point granting process shown in FIG. 5 based on the behavioral information and user ID acquired by the information acquiring unit 11A, and grants points to the user U according to the behavioral information. First, the point granting unit 11B refers to the gas reduction amount table and acquires the gas reduction amount ΔC corresponding to the content of the currently acquired behavioral information (step S11). Then, the point granting unit 11B multiplies the gas reduction amount ΔC by the updated market price X(t) to derive the number of points ΔP to be granted to the user U identified by the currently acquired user ID (step S12). Then, the point granting unit 11B determines whether the currently acquired user ID is registered in the point management table (step S13). If the user ID is registered (step S13; Yes), the point granting unit 11B adds the number of points to be granted ΔP and the gas reduction amount ΔC derived or acquired above to the point balance P(t) and the gas reduction amount C(t) corresponding to the currently acquired user ID in the point management table, respectively (step S14). If not registered (step S12; No), the point granting unit 11B sets the number of granted points ΔP as the point balance P(t), sets the gas reduction amount ΔC as the gas reduction amount C(t), and registers these together with the currently acquired user ID in the point management table in association with each other (step S15). In this way, the point granting unit 11B grants different numbers of points to the user U depending on the content of the behavioral information.

[0031] The point increment / decrement unit 11C increments / decrements the point balance P(t) of points granted to the user U by the point granting unit 11B in accordance with the market price of carbon credits. The point increment / decrement unit 11C performs, for example, the point increment / decrement process shown in FIG. 6 at a predetermined timing after the closing price of carbon credits for that day is determined, thereby updating (increasing / decreasing) the point balance P(t). The point increment / decrement process is executed at a predetermined cycle (for example, at a predetermined timing after the closing price of carbon credits is determined). First, the point increment / decrement unit 11C acquires the current market price X(new) of carbon credits via the network NW from the server 103 that recognizes the market price of carbon credits (for example, a server that distributes the market price) (step S21). Thereafter, for each row (record) of the point management table, the point increment / decrement unit 11C multiplies the gas reduction amount C(t) by the market price X(new) to derive a new point balance P(new), and updates the point balance P(t) with the derived new point balance P(new) (step S22). Thereafter, the updated market price X(t) is updated with the market price X(new) (step S23). Note that P(new) may be derived by P(new) = P(t) * (X(new) / X(t)). In such a case, the gas reduction amount C(t) may not be included in the point management table.

[0032] The balance notification unit 11D notifies the user terminal U1 of the point balance P(t) in response to a balance inquiry from the user terminal U1. The balance notification unit 11D operates as shown in FIG. 7. The user terminal U1 sends a balance inquiry of the point balance X(t) of the user U who owns the user terminal U1 to the point management system 10 (step S31). The balance inquiry is sent based on an operation from the user U. The balance inquiry includes the user ID registered in the user terminal U1. The balance notification unit 11D references the point management table based on the user ID included in the received balance inquiry, obtains the point balance X(t) corresponding to the user ID, and returns it to the user terminal U1 (step S32). The user terminal U1 displays the returned point balance X(t) on its display unit or the like (step S33).

[0033] Points can be used in any way. For example, points can be used to cover at least part of the purchase price of a product or service that contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions (exchanging points for a product or service can also be considered a form of purchase). For example, points are used at a rate of 1 point = n yen (n is a predetermined value that can be a natural number or a real number greater than 0; for example, n = 1 yen). Examples of the product include products produced using a production method that reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional methods, and products that reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional methods by reducing the amount of energy consumed during operation compared to conventional methods. The product may also be a discount coupon for purchasing each of the products or for receiving the following services: Services include services that reduce greenhouse gas emissions when provided, services that use products produced using production methods that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, food and drink services made from ingredients that emit fewer greenhouse gases than before, and services (such as car insurance) that encourage users to take actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., eco-driving) or that provide users with benefits when they take such actions. Purchasing a service includes not only receiving the service but also purchasing the above-mentioned food and drink.

[0034] The purchase of the above-mentioned product or service is processed by the user terminal U1 that executes an application for handling the above-mentioned points and the server 104 that handles the product and service. At the time of the purchase, as shown in FIG. 8, the user terminal U1 (or the server 104) transmits a point use instruction including the number of points to be used and a user ID to the point management system 10 (step S41). Upon receiving the point use instruction, the point increment / decrement unit 11C of the point management system 10 subtracts the number of points used from the point balance P(t) corresponding to the user ID included in the point use instruction in the point management table (step S42). The point increment / decrement unit 11C may appropriately notify the server 104 and the user terminal U1 of the completion of the subtraction. Processing for purchasing the product or service may be performed by the point increment / decrement unit 11C of the point management system 10.

[0035] As described above, in this embodiment, the point management system 10 includes an information acquisition unit 11A that acquires behavioral information representing the user U's behavior (gas reduction behavior) that leads to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; a point assignment unit 11B that assigns points to the user U based on the acquired behavioral information; and a point adjustment unit 11C that increases or decreases the points assigned to the user U according to the market price of carbon credits. With this configuration, the user U can own points that are assigned for their own behavior that leads to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and that increase or decrease according to the time-varying price of carbon credits. Since these points can be considered pseudo-carbon credits, the user U can experience the simulated ownership of carbon credits that are typically traded between companies. Furthermore, the system can encourage the user U to change their behavior in a way that is beneficial to the environment and encourage the user U to actively participate in realizing a decarbonized society. Furthermore, the system can contribute to increasing awareness and improving transparency of the carbon credit market. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the number of points assigned to the user U corresponds to the content of the behavioral information, thereby drawing the user U's attention to the content of the behavior.

[0036] The above actions are optional. As described above, the actions may include user U walking, cycling, or traveling by public transportation. Furthermore, as described above, the actions may include viewing advertising content targeting products and / or services that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These actions allow user U to easily earn points. Furthermore, the former can encourage users to walk, cycle, or travel by public transportation, and the latter can arouse user U's interest in the company featured in the advertising content, thereby increasing the company's corporate value.

[0037] The above-mentioned action may be the purchase of a product and / or service that contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. This allows user U to easily earn points. By making the product and / or service the target product or service of the above-mentioned advertising content, points are awarded for a series of actions, from viewing the advertising content to purchasing the product, etc., and user U becomes more interested in the product, etc. and the company that provides the product, etc. Furthermore, the above-mentioned product may be a downloadable version of entertainment content. This also allows user U to easily earn points.

[0038] The above-mentioned behavior includes eco-driving in the automobile C1, which can encourage the user U to drive eco-driving. The automobile C1 may be an automobile that consumes fuel such as gasoline, or an electric automobile.

[0039] Furthermore, the points can be used to purchase products and / or services that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, thereby encouraging the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The points may also be used for regular shopping, etc.

[0040] The behavioral information may represent gas reduction actions, i.e., user U's actions that lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. As an example, in the above, the behavioral information represents gas reduction actions by the content (type, etc.) of the gas reduction actions. As another example, the behavioral information may represent the gas reduction actions by the amount of greenhouse gas emissions reduced by the gas reduction actions, i.e., the gas reduction amount C(t). In such a case, the user terminal U1 or the automobile C1 converts the user U's actions into the gas reduction amount C(t) and supplies it to the point management system 10. The conversion may only cover some actions (e.g., traveling by walking). With this configuration, at least a part of the gas reduction amount table can be omitted. The conversion may be performed by a predetermined server, and the behavioral information may be supplied from the server to the point management system 10.

[0041] Points may be converted from points of other point services issued by companies other than the operator of the point management system 10 (for example, mileage points issued by airlines, card points issued by credit card companies, shopping points issued by mass retailers, etc.). The point management system 10 may be configured to collect fees for at least some of the above-mentioned various actions, such as point conversion, viewing the above-mentioned advertising content, possession of points by user U, and purchase of products. This can bring profits to the operator of the point management system 10. In addition, the operator may procure carbon credits from the market for the amount of points awarded (more specifically, the total amount of gas reduction C(t) corresponding to the total number of awarded points) as a source of funds for the point management service.

[0042] Each of the above units 11A to 11D may be configured by a separate server computer. The configuration of the above table is arbitrary, and the storage location thereof may be a server external to the point management system 10. The program may be stored in a non-transitory storage medium of a non-volatile storage device. At least a part of the units 11A to 11D may be configured by one or more logic circuits. Examples of logic circuits include an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0043] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments and modifications, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications. The configurations of the above-described embodiments and modifications can be arbitrarily combined within a range that does not contradict each other.

[0044] The configurations disclosed in this specification are as follows: (Appendix 1) an information acquisition unit that acquires behavioral information representing user behavior that leads to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; a point granting unit that grants points to the user based on the acquired behavioral information; a point increase / decrease unit that increases / decreases the points granted to the user in accordance with the market price of carbon credits; A points management system that includes: (Appendix 2) The activity includes traveling by the user on foot, by bicycle, or by public transportation; 1. A points management system as described in Appendix 1. (Appendix 3) the action includes viewing advertising content targeted to products and / or services that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions; Attachment 1 or 2: A points management system. (Appendix 4) Such actions include purchasing goods and / or services that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions; A point management system according to any one of appendices 1 to 3. (Appendix 5) the action includes purchasing the product; The product is a downloadable version of entertainment content. Attachment 4: A points management system. (Appendix 6) The behavior includes eco-driving in a car. 6. A point management system according to any one of appendices 1 to 5. (Appendix 7) The points can be used to purchase goods and / or services that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions; 10. A point management system according to any one of appendices 1 to 6. (Appendix 8) The behavioral information represents the behavior by an amount of greenhouse gas emissions reduction due to the behavior. A point management system according to any one of appendices 1 to 7. (Appendix 9) the point assigning unit assigns the user different numbers of points depending on the content of the behavioral information; A point management system according to any one of appendices 1 to 8. (Appendix 10) A program that causes a computer to function as a point management system according to any one of appendices 1 to 9. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10...point management system, 11...processor, 11A...information acquisition unit, 11B...point allocation unit, 11C...point increase / decrease unit, 11D...balance notification unit, 13...storage device, 101-104...server, NW...communication network, U...user, U1...user terminal, C1...automobile.

Claims

1. an information acquisition unit that acquires behavioral information representing user behavior that leads to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; a point granting unit that grants points to the user based on the acquired behavioral information; a point increase / decrease unit that increases / decreases the points granted to the user in accordance with the market price of carbon credits; A points management system that includes:

2. The activity includes traveling by the user on foot, by bicycle, or by public transportation; The points management system according to claim 1 .

3. the action includes viewing advertising content targeted to products and / or services that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions; The points management system according to claim 1 .

4. Such actions include purchasing goods and / or services that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions; The points management system according to claim 1 .

5. the action includes purchasing the product; The product is a downloadable version of entertainment content. The points management system according to claim 4 .

6. The behavior includes eco-driving in a car. The points management system according to claim 1 .

7. The points can be used to purchase goods and / or services that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions; The points management system according to claim 1 .

8. The behavioral information represents the behavior by an amount of greenhouse gas emissions reduction due to the behavior. The points management system according to claim 1 .

9. the point assigning unit assigns the user different numbers of points depending on the content of the behavioral information; The points management system according to claim 1 .

10. A program that causes a computer to function as the point management system according to claim 1.

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