Point management device, point management system, and point management method

Abstract

To provide a point management method that suits the user's preferences while minimizing the effort required from the user. [Solution] In a communication system, a point management server stores point information indicating the points to be awarded, associating it with the user to whom the points are awarded. It then acquires mode information from a mode information storage means that stores mode information indicating one of a plurality of modes, including a first mode in which points are added to a first point that does not accrue interest, and a second mode in which points are added to a second point that accrues interest, associating it with the user. If the mode information indicates the first mode, the point management device associates state information indicating a first state in which the points are managed as first points with the point information. If the mode information indicates the second mode, it associates state information indicating a second state in which the points are managed as second points with the point information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a management method for points available for payment.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, point programs that grant points to users for their purchasing activities or service usage are known. Users can use the points earned through the point programs for payments for purchasing products or services, and the like. In addition, systems that add interest to points held by users are also known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that when a user receives from a user a member store that is the point usage destination and the number of points to be used, a specified number of points among the points held by the user are set as usable points that can only be used at the member store that is the usage destination, and interest points that can only be used at the member store that is the usage destination are granted based on the usable points.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, after a user earns points, the user is required to perform operations one by one to add interest to the held points, which is laborious.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an example of its problem is to provide a point management device, a point management system, and a point management method that enable point management in line with the user's intention while reducing the effort required for the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] Application Example 1 is a point management device comprising: point information storage control means that, when points are awarded to any user, stores point information indicating the points to be awarded in a point information storage means associated with the user to whom the points are awarded; and mode information acquisition means that acquires mode information from a mode information storage means that stores mode information indicating one of a plurality of modes, including a first mode for adding points to a first point without interest and a second mode for adding points to a second point with interest, associated with the user, and the mode information indicating one of a plurality of modes, associated with the user; and the A point management device comprising: an association means for associating state information indicating the management status of points indicated by point information associated with the user associated with the mode information, with the point information, wherein, when the acquired mode information indicates the first mode, the association means associates state information indicating a first state in which the points indicated by the point information are managed as the first points; and when the acquired mode information indicates the second mode, the association means associates state information indicating a second state in which the points indicated by the point information are managed as the second points.

[0007] According to this application example, point information indicating the points to be awarded is stored in the point information storage means in association with the user to whom the points will be awarded, and the points are awarded to that user. Mode information is stored in the mode information storage means in association with the user. The mode information indicates the mode that the user has pre-set for the destination to which the points to be awarded are added. The user can pre-set any of several modes, including a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the awarded points are added to the first point. The first point is a point that does not accrue interest. In the second mode, the awarded points are added to the second point. The second point is a point that accrues interest. Based on the acquired mode information, status information is associated with the point information associated with the user associated with that mode information. The status information indicates the management status of the point indicated by that mode information. If the mode information indicates the first mode, status information indicating the first state is associated. The first state is the state in which the point is managed as the first point. If the mode information indicates the second mode, status information indicating the second state is associated. The second state is when the point is managed as a second point. This allows the point to be managed as either a non-interest-bearing point or an interest-bearing point, depending on the state information associated with the point information based on the user's settings. Therefore, it is possible to manage points in a way that suits the user's preferences while reducing the effort required from the user.

[0008] Application Example 2 is a point management device characterized in that the point information storage control means associates type information indicating the type of point indicated by the point information, which includes a predetermined first type and a predetermined second type different from the first type, with the point information and stores the point information in the point information storage means; the association means associates the state information indicating the second state when the type information associated with the point information indicates the first type and the acquired mode information indicates the second mode; and the association means associates the state information indicating the first state when the type information associated with the point information indicates the second type, even if the acquired mode information indicates the second mode.

[0009] According to this application example, there are multiple types of points. When points are awarded to a user, point information representing those points is stored in association with type information. The type information indicates the type of point. If type information indicating the first type is associated with the point information, and the mode information indicates the second mode, then state information indicating the second state is associated with that mode information. Therefore, if the mode is set to the second mode, first-type points are managed as first-type points that accrue interest. If type information indicating the second type is associated with the point information, even if the mode information indicates the second mode, state information indicating the first state is associated with that mode information. Therefore, even if the mode is set to the second mode, second-type points are managed as second-type points that do not accrue interest. By changing whether or not interest is accrued, points can be differentiated by type.

[0010] Application Example 3 is a point management device characterized in that an expiration date is set for each of the first type of points and the second type of points, the first type of points are points for which the expiration date of the points held by the user who receives the points is extended when new points are awarded, and the second type of points are points for which the expiration date of the points held by the user who receives the points is not extended even when new points are awarded.

[0011] According to this application example, when new points are awarded, points whose expiration date is extended for the user who received the points are managed as interest-bearing first-class points if the mode is set to second mode. Points whose expiration date is not extended even when new points are awarded are managed as interest-free second-class points, even if the mode is set to second mode. This allows for differentiation of points based on differences in the provisions regarding expiration date extensions.

[0012] Application Example 4 is a point management device characterized in that the first point can be used for payments arising from transactions, and the second point cannot be used for such payments.

[0013] According to this application example, the first type of points are points that can be used for payments arising from transactions and do not accrue interest. The second type of points are points that cannot be used for payments arising from transactions and do accrue interest. Therefore, the points held by a user can be managed separately into points for use and points for accumulation.

[0014] Application Example 5 is a point management device further comprising: receiving means for receiving request information from any user's terminal device indicating a request to change the second point held by the user to the first point; and changing means for changing the state information associated with the point information stored in the point information storage means in association with the user of the terminal device that transmitted the received request information to state information indicating the first state, wherein the association means changes the state information associated with the point information stored in the point information storage means to state information indicating the second state when the acquired mode information indicates the second mode, but does not change the state information associated with the point information associated with the user to state information indicating the second state for a predetermined period after the request information is received, even if the mode information associated with the user of the terminal device that transmitted the request information indicates the second mode.

[0015] According to this application example, request information is transmitted from the terminal device to the point management device. The request information indicates a request to change the second point to the first point. When this request is received, the status information associated with the user information stored in association with the user of the terminal device is changed to status information indicating the first information. If the mode information obtained from the mode information storage means indicates the second mode, the status information associated with the point information stored in the point information storage means is changed to status information indicating the second state. However, for a predetermined period after the request information is received from the terminal device, the status information associated with the point information associated with the user of the terminal device is not changed to status information indicating the second state. Therefore, for a predetermined period after the second point is changed to the first point at the user's request, the point will not revert to the second point, even if the user had previously set the mode to the second mode. After the predetermined period has elapsed, the point may revert to the second point. The user's action of changing the second point, which cannot be used for payment, to the first point, which can be used for payment, indicates that there is a probability that the user intends to use the points in the future. By not changing the first point to the second point for a predetermined period, it is possible to prevent any disruption to the user's ability to use points.

[0016] Application Example 6 is a point management device further comprising a granting means for granting interest to points indicated by the point information associated with the state information indicating the second state, among the point information stored in the point information storage means.

[0017] Application Example 7 is a point management system characterized by comprising: a mode information storage means that stores mode information indicating a mode pre-set by the user for the destination of points to be awarded to the user, which includes a first mode for adding points to a first point that does not accrue interest and a second mode for adding points to a second point that accrues interest, in association with the user; a point information storage control means that, when points are awarded to any user, stores point information indicating the points to be awarded in the point information storage means in association with the user to whom the points are awarded; a mode information acquisition means that acquires the mode information from the mode information storage means; and an association means that associates state information indicating the management state of points indicated by the point information with the point information, wherein when the acquired mode information indicates the first mode, the association means associates state information indicating a first state in which the points indicated by the point information are managed as the first points, and when the acquired mode information indicates the second mode, the association means associates state information indicating a second state in which the points indicated by the point information are managed as the second points.

[0018] Application Example 8 is a point management method performed by a computer, comprising: a point information storage control step in which, when points are awarded to any user, point information indicating the points to be awarded is stored in a point information storage means in association with the user to whom the points are awarded; and a mode information acquisition step in which mode information indicating one of a plurality of modes, including a first mode for adding points to a first point without interest and a second mode for adding points to a second point with interest, is stored in association with the user, and the mode information is acquired from a mode information storage means that stores the mode information in association with the user. A point management method characterized by including a step and an association step of associating state information indicating the management status of a point indicated by the point information associated with the user associated with the mode information, based on the acquired mode information, wherein if the acquired mode information indicates the first mode, the association is made of state information indicating a first state in which the point indicated by the point information is managed as the first point, and if the acquired mode information indicates the second mode, the association is made of state information indicating a second state in which the point indicated by the point information is managed as the second point. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to manage points in a way that suits the user's preferences while reducing the effort required of the user. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the general configuration of a communication system S according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] (a) is a diagram showing an example of points a user possesses. (b) is a diagram showing an example of the overview of the "Earn Points" mode. (c) is a diagram showing an example of the types of points that can be used. [Figure 3]This is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a point management server 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing an example of content stored in a point transaction DB. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a system control unit 11 of the point management server 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] (a) is a diagram showing an example of a home screen. (b) is an enlarged view showing another example of the saving benefit mode switch. (c) is a diagram showing another example of the home screen. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing an example of database update when the saving benefit mode is changed. [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing an example of database update when the saving benefit mode is set. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing an example of database update when the saving benefit mode is set. [Figure 10] This is a diagram showing an example of database update when the saving benefit mode is set. [Figure 11] This is a diagram showing an example of database update at the time of granting interest. [Figure 12] This is a diagram showing an example of database update and an example of response at the time of using points. [Figure 13] This is a diagram showing an example of a mode change process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point management server 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] This is a diagram showing an example of a point granting process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point management server 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] This is a diagram showing an example of a point withdrawal process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point management server 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] This is a diagram showing an example of an automatic addition process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point management server 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 17]This figure shows an example of an interest accrual process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point management server 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 18] This figure shows an example of the process for transmitting available point information, which is performed by the system control unit 11 of the point management server 1 according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0022] [1. Communication System Configuration] First, the configuration and functional overview of the communication system S according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the general configuration of the communication system S according to this embodiment.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the communication system S consists of a point management server 1, one or more service servers 2, and multiple user terminals 3. These devices are connected to a network NW. The network NW is constructed using, for example, the internet, a dedicated communication line (e.g., a CATV (Community Antenna Television) line), a mobile communication network (including base stations, etc.), and a gateway.

[0024] The point management server 1 may be a server device that executes processing related to a predetermined point program. For example, the point management server 1 may manage the points held by each user. The point program may be a service that awards points to a user when the user uses a predetermined service. The service is a service provided by the processing of the service server 2, as will be described later. The point program may also be a service that allows a user to earn points on the condition that the user pays the transaction price. For example, points equivalent to a predetermined percentage of the transaction price may be awarded to the user. The transaction price may be the price that the user pays as consideration for receiving the transaction item. The transaction item may be anything that is the subject of a commercial transaction. Examples of transaction items include goods and services. Examples of transaction prices include the purchase price of goods or services, and the usage fee for services. The exchange rate between points and money is predetermined. Hereafter, it will be explained that 1 point is equivalent to 1 yen. In addition, the point program may also award points to users for taking predetermined actions other than paying the transaction price. Furthermore, the point program may be a service that allows users to use the points they hold to pay the transaction price through the provided service. Using points for payment means using points to pay for a transaction, or paying all or part of the amount due with points.

[0025] Furthermore, the point management server 1 may execute processing related to the point interest service. The point interest service may be a service included in the point program described above. The point interest service may or may not be one of the services that enable the management of points. The point interest service is a service that adds interest to the points held by the user and grants it to the user. For example, a user can change some or all of the points they hold into points that accrue interest. Then, interest may be granted to the user on those points at predetermined intervals. For example, interest may be granted every month, every six months, or every month. Alternatively, interest may be granted to the user after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the points were changed into points that accrue interest. Thereafter, interest points will be granted every month.

[0026] Figure 2(a) shows an example of points held by a user. As shown in Figure 2(a), a user may hold at least usable points and interest-plus points. Usable points and interest-plus points may differ in whether they can be used for payment, whether or not they accrue interest, and the conditions for their accrual. As shown in Figure 2(a), usable points can be used for payment, while interest-plus points cannot. Also, usable points do not accrue interest, while interest-plus points do. Points awarded to a user by using the provided services are added to usable points or interest-plus points, as will be described later. In addition, a user can change at least a portion of their interest-plus points to usable points through user operations. Changing points from interest-plus points to usable points is also called withdrawing points or adding points from interest-plus points to usable points. Changing points is also called moving points. In addition, a user can change at least a portion of their usable points to interest-plus points through user operations. The conversion of points from available points to interest-plus points is also referred to as adding points from available points to interest-plus points. The interest accrued on interest-plus points is added to the interest-plus points. In another embodiment, the accrued interest may be added to the available points.

[0027] Figure 2(b) shows an example of an overview of the "Save Points Mode." In this embodiment, each user of the points program can pre-set a mode for where the points awarded to them will be added. This mode is also called the "Point Addition Mode." The Point Addition Mode may indicate which points the awarded points will be added to. The Point Addition Mode can be set to any of several predetermined modes. The predetermined modes may include at least the "Non-Save Points Mode" and the "Save Points Mode." As shown in Figure 2(b), the Non-Save Points Mode is a mode in which points awarded to the user are added to usable points that do not accrue interest. On the other hand, the Save Points Mode is a mode in which points awarded to the user are automatically added to interest-bearing points. Setting the Point Addition Mode can also be rephrased as setting the Save Points Mode. In this case, the Save Points Mode may be set to either ON or OFF. Setting the Save Points Mode to ON is equivalent to setting the Point Addition Mode to the Save Points Mode. Having the "Save Points Mode" set to OFF is equivalent to having the "Point Addition Mode" set to "Not Save Points Mode." By setting "Save Points Mode" to ON, users can avoid the hassle of manually transferring earned points from usable points to interest-plus points. As mentioned earlier, usable points can be used for payments, while interest-plus points cannot. Therefore, by setting "Save Points Mode" to ON, users can be prevented from mistakenly using points when they intended to earn interest.

[0028] Figure 2(c) shows examples of available points. A points program may offer one type of available points that a user can earn, or it may offer multiple types. Available points may be classified according to how their expiration date is determined. Points held by a user expire after their expiration date. As shown in Figure 2(c), examples of available points include regular points and limited-time points. The expiration date of regular points may be a predetermined period of time after the last time regular points were awarded to the user. In other words, the expiration date of regular points held by a user may be extended each time new regular points are awarded. The length of the period during which regular points are valid may be 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years, etc. Generally, regular points may be points awarded to a user in exchange for making payment for the transaction. The expiration date of limited-time points may be managed for each limited-time point awarded. The expiration date of each limited-time point cannot be extended. Generally, limited-time points may be points awarded to a user without the user making payment for the transaction. Furthermore, for example, if a user purchases an item during a limited-time campaign, the user may be awarded regular points as well as bonus points as limited-time points. For each type of available points, it may be specified whether or not it is possible to add those points to interest-plus points. For example, as shown in Figure 2(c), it is possible to add regular points to interest-plus points, but limited-time points cannot. In another embodiment, it may also be possible to add limited-time points to interest-plus points.

[0029] Each service server 2 may be a server device that performs processing to provide the service corresponding to that service server 2 to the user. The service provided may be a service provided using information and communication technology. Alternatively, for example, the service provided may be a service provided through a network such as the Internet or other networks. Alternatively, for example, the service provided may be a service provided through the WWW (World Wide Web) or a website. Examples of services provided include transaction services, payment services, and subscription-based payment services. A transaction service is a service that enables transactions of the subject of the transaction through a network such as the Internet. A transaction service may also be a service that enables electronic commerce. Examples of transaction services and websites for transaction services include online shopping malls, service reservation sites, facility reservation sites, ticket sales sites, online securities companies, and online banks. A payment service may be a service that enables payment by electronic payment. Examples of electronic payment include credit card payments, debit card payments, electronic money payments, app payments, carrier payments, and code payments. A subscription-based payment service may be a service provided to the user during the period for which the usage fee is payable, by having the user pay the usage fee periodically. For example, users pay a fee monthly, every six months, or annually. Examples of subscription-based services include communication services, content distribution services, and other subscription services. Communication services are services that enable at least one of either voice communication or data communication. Examples of communication services include mobile communication services and fiber optic connection services. Content distribution services are services that distribute digital content. Examples of distributed content include videos, music, and ebooks.

[0030] Of the one or more service servers 2, at least one service server 2 may provide a service that awards points to users through the points program described above. For example, if the service is a transaction service, the service may award points corresponding to the transaction amount paid by the user through the transaction. If the service is a settlement service, the service may award points corresponding to the transaction amount settled by the user using the service. If the service is a subscription-based service, the service may award points to the user who paid the usage fee in accordance with the automatic settlement of the usage fee for the service. At least one service server 2 may also provide a service that allows users to use points held by the user for payment through the points program described above. For example, if the service is a transaction service, the service may allow points to be used to pay for the transaction amount arising from the transaction. If the service is a settlement service, the service may allow points to be used to pay for the transaction amount to be settled using the service. If the service is a subscription-based service, the service may allow points to be used to pay for the usage fee of the service.

[0031] The point management server 1 and at least one service server 2 may identify each user using common identification information. For example, a user who becomes a member of a certain comprehensive internet service may be able to use the points program and at least one of the services provided. The comprehensive internet service may be a collection of multiple services provided primarily using information and communication technology. Users who become members of the comprehensive internet service may be assigned a user ID, or users may be able to set their own user ID. The user ID is identification information used to identify a user in the comprehensive internet service.

[0032] Each user terminal 3 may be a terminal device used by a user who is eligible to use the points program and who is eligible to use at least one of the provided services. Examples of user terminals 3 include personal computers, smartphones, other mobile phones, tablet computers and other portable information terminals, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), set-top boxes, etc. A web browser may be installed on each user terminal 3. A points application may be installed on a portable user terminal 3. The points application may be an application for the points program. This points program may be an application primarily for managing points held by the user. The user may be able to use the points program by communicating with the points management server 1 via a web browser or the points application on the user terminal 3.

[0033] [2-1. Device configuration of the point management server] Next, the configuration of the point management server 1 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the overview configuration of the point management server 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the point management 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.

[0034] The system control unit 11 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11b, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 11c, and the like.

[0035] The input / output interface 13 performs interface processing between the storage unit 14 and the communication unit 15 and the system control unit 11.

[0036] The storage unit 14 is composed of a non-volatile storage device, such as a hard disk drive. This storage unit 14 may store databases such as point transaction DB14a, expected points to be earned DB14b, normal point expiration date DB14c, mode DB14d, and last withdrawal date DB14e. "DB" is an abbreviation for database.

[0037] Figure 4 shows an example of the contents stored in the point transaction DB 14a. Point transaction information related to point transactions may be stored in the point transaction DB 14a each time a point transaction is performed. A point transaction is, for example, the exchange of points, and may be a transaction that involves an increase or decrease in the points held by the user. An example of a point transaction is the acquisition and use of points by the user. Changes from available points to interest-plus points, and changes from interest-plus points to available points, do not have to be included in point transactions. As shown in Figure 4, point transaction DB 14a may store point usage information such as the transaction date, transaction type, user ID, number of points traded, point flag, point type, and expiration date, all of which are associated with each other. The transaction date indicates the date on which the point transaction was performed. The transaction type indicates the type of point transaction performed. The transaction type may be set to one of several types, including, for example, "acquisition," "use," and "expiration." "Acquisition" indicates that the user has acquired points. For example, if a user is awarded points for using a provided service, or if a user is awarded interest, the transaction type may be set to "Acquired". "Used" indicates that the user used the points for payment. "Expired" indicates that the points held by the user have become invalid. The User ID is identification information that identifies the user who holds the traded points. The number of traded points is information that indicates the points traded for that user. Specifically, the number of traded points indicates the number of points traded. The point flag may be status information that indicates the management status of the traded points. The management status of a point may indicate whether the point is managed as an available point or an interest-plus point. The point flag may be set to either "Available" or "Interest-Plus", for example. "Available" indicates that the point is managed as an available point; that is, the point is an available point. "Interest-Plus" indicates that the point is managed as an interest-plus point; that is, the point is an interest-plus point.The point type may be type information indicating the type of usable points, assuming that the points are usable points. The point type may be set to either "regular" or "limited time." "Regular" indicates that the points are regular points. "Limited time" indicates that the points are limited time points. The expiration date is valid when the point type is set to "limited time." The expiration date indicates the last day of the period during which the traded limited time points are valid.

[0038] The Points to be Earned DB14b may store information about the points to be earned for each set of points to be earned. Points to be earned are the points that a user is expected to earn. In some cases, points may be awarded to a user immediately for using a service provided, such as settling a transaction, or points may be awarded to the user at a later date. Points to be earned are the points that will be awarded at a later date. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the Points to be Earned DB14b may store information about the points to be earned, such as the user ID, the number of points to be awarded, the point type, the expiration date, and the expected date of acquisition, all associated with each other. The user ID indicates the user to whom the points will be awarded. The number of points to be awarded indicates the number of points to be awarded. The point type indicates the type of points to be awarded. The expiration date is valid when the point type is set to "limited time". The expiration date indicates the last day of the period during which the limited time points to be awarded are valid. The expected date of acquisition indicates the date on which the points will actually be awarded as usable points. Note that instead of storing the expected points DB14b in the memory unit 14, point transaction information equivalent to the expected points information may be stored in the point transaction DB14a. For example, point transaction information including a transaction type indicating that the points are expected to be earned may be stored.

[0039] The regular points expiration date DB14c may store the expiration date of the regular points held by each user of the points program. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the regular points expiration date DB14c may store the user ID and the expiration date in association with each other. The expiration date indicates the last day of the period during which the regular points of the user identified by the user ID are valid.

[0040] Mode DB14d may store mode information indicating the point-adding mode pre-set by each user. For example, as shown in Figure 4, Mode DB14d may store the user ID and mode flag in association with each other. The mode flag is an example of mode information. The mode flag indicates the setting status of the point-adding mode by the user identified by the user ID. The mode flag may be set to either ON or OFF. The initial value of the mode flag may be either ON or OFF.

[0041] The Last Withdrawal Date DB14e may store information about the date on which points were withdrawn for each user who has ever withdrawn points from interest-plus points to usable points. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the Last Withdrawal Date DB14e may store the user ID and the Last Withdrawal Date in association with each other. The Last Withdrawal Date indicates the date on which the user identified by the user ID last withdrew points.

[0042] The storage unit 14 further stores various programs such as an operating system, a DBMS (Data Base Management System), and a point management server program. The point management server program may be a program that causes the system control unit 11 to execute various processes related to the point program. The point management server program may be acquired from other devices via a network NW, or it may be recorded on a recording medium such as magnetic tape, optical disk, or memory card and read via a drive device.

[0043] The communication unit 15 is composed of, for example, a network interface card. The communication unit 15 connects to a device different from the point management server 1 via the network NW and controls the communication status with the connected device.

[0044] [3. Overview of the System Control Unit Functions of the Point Management Server] Next, the functional overview of the system control unit 11 of the point management server 1 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 12. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional blocks of the system control unit 11 of the point management server 1 according to this embodiment. The system control unit 11 may function as a mode change request receiving unit 1101, a mode information change unit 1102, a point grant information acquisition unit 1103, a point information storage control unit 1104, a mode information acquisition unit 1105, a status information association unit 1106, a withdrawal request receiving unit 1107, a withdrawal unit 1108, an interest granting unit 1109, a usable point information transmission unit 1110, a point allocation unit 1111, and an expiration unit 1112, etc., as shown in Figure 5, by the CPU 11a reading and executing various program codes included in the point management server program.

[0045] The mode change request receiving unit 1101 may receive a mode change request from any user terminal 3. The mode change request may be information indicating a request to change the Save-to-Earn mode. The mode change request may include, for example, a user ID. The user ID indicates the user requesting the change in Save-to-Earn mode. The mode change request may or may not include a mode flag. The mode flag indicates whether the Save-to-Earn mode after the change is ON or OFF.

[0046] The mode change request receiving unit 1101 may display a screen on the user terminal 3 that accepts operations to change the Save Toku mode. For example, the mode change request receiving unit 1101 may display the screen on the user terminal 3 by transmitting screen information to the user terminal 3. The screen information may be information that displays a specific screen on the user terminal 3. The screen information may be, for example, an HTML (HyperText Markup Language) document. In this case, the screen can be rephrased as a web page or page. Alternatively, the screen information may be information about the content or each element displayed on the user terminal 3. Alternatively, the screen information may be information that instructs the user terminal 3 to display a specific screen. The user terminal 3 may obtain and display each piece of information to be displayed on the screen from the point management server 1 or other server device according to this instruction.

[0047] Figure 6(a) shows an example of a home screen. The home screen is an example of a screen that can accept operations to change the "Save Points Mode". The home screen may also be the screen that serves as the entry point to the points program. Alternatively, the home screen may be a screen that displays information about the points held by the user of the user terminal 3 that is displaying the home screen. As shown in Figure 6(a), the home screen 100 may include the number of points held 110, the number of available points 120, the number of limited-time points 130, the number of interest-plus points 140, the number of points being invested 150, the Save Points Mode switch 160-1, etc. The number of points held 110 indicates the total number of points held by the user. The total number of points held by the user may be the sum of the number of available points, the number of interest-plus points, and the number of points being invested. Points being invested are points other than interest-plus points that the user is investing. A detailed explanation of points being invested is omitted. The number of available points 120 indicates the number of available points. The number of available points is the sum of the number of regular points and the number of limited-time points. The "Limited-Time Points" number of 130 indicates the total number of limited-time points held by the user. The "Interest Plus Points" number of 140 indicates the number of interest plus points held by the user. By performing a predetermined operation such as tapping or clicking on the "Interest Plus Points" number of 140, the user terminal 3 may display the "Interest Plus Points" screen. The "Interest Plus Points" screen may be a screen that accepts an operation to select whether to perform one of the following operations: adding points from available points to interest plus points, or withdrawing points from interest plus points to available points. After this operation, the user can perform the operation of adding points to interest plus points or withdrawing points from interest plus points. The "Points in Operation" number of 150 indicates the number of points the user is managing. The "Save & Save Mode" switch 160-1 indicates the current status of Save & Save Mode and is an operable element for switching Save & Save Mode ON and OFF. The "Save & Save Mode" switch 160-1 indicates that Save & Save Mode is currently OFF.Figure 6(b) is an enlarged view showing another example of the points accumulation mode switch. When a user operates the points accumulation mode switch 160-1 shown in Figure 6(a), it changes to the points accumulation mode switch 160-2 shown in Figure 6(b). The points accumulation mode switch 160-2 indicates that the current points accumulation mode is ON. The user terminal 3 may send a mode change request to the points management server 1 in response to this operation. Conversely, when a user operates the points accumulation mode switch 160-2 shown in Figure 6(b), it changes to the points accumulation mode switch 160-1 shown in Figure 6(a). The user terminal 3 may send a mode change request to the points management server 1 in response to this operation.

[0048] The mode information modification unit 1102 may modify the mode information stored in the storage unit 14 in association with the user of the user terminal 3 that sent the mode change request, in response to the mode change request reception unit 1101 receiving the mode change request. An example of mode information associated with a user is that the mode information is stored in association with the user ID of that user. The mode information modification unit 1102 may, for example, determine whether the mode flag stored in the mode DB 14d as an example of mode information in association with the user ID included in the mode change request is ON or OFF. If the mode flag is ON, the mode information modification unit 1102 may change the mode flag to OFF. If the mode flag is OFF, the mode information modification unit 1102 may change the mode flag to ON. If the mode change request includes a mode flag indicating the changed mode, the mode information modification unit 1102 may overwrite the mode flag stored in the mode DB 14d in association with the user ID included in the mode change request with the mode flag included in the mode change request.

[0049] The points awarded information acquisition unit 1103 may acquire point information indicating the points to be awarded to the user. For example, a user uses one of the provided services in a manner that allows them to earn points. Depending on this use, the service server 2 corresponding to that service may send a point award request to the point management server 1. As a result, the points awarded information acquisition unit 1103 may acquire point information. The point award request may also be information indicating a request for the awarding of points. The point award request may include, for example, a user ID, the number of points to be awarded, the point type, and an expiration date. The user ID indicates the user to whom the points will be awarded. The number of points to be awarded indicates the number of points to be awarded to the user. The number of points to be awarded is an example of point information. The point type indicates whether the points to be awarded are regular points or limited-time points. The expiration date, if the points to be awarded are limited-time points, indicates the last day of the period during which those limited-time points are valid. The point award request may further include the expected acquisition date. The expected acquisition date may indicate the date on which the points will be awarded to the user. The expected acquisition date usually indicates a date in the future than the date on which the point award request was sent. If the point granting request includes the expected acquisition date, the point granting information acquisition unit 1103 may generate expected point acquisition information based on the point granting request. The point granting information acquisition unit 1103 may store the expected point acquisition information in the expected point acquisition DB 14b. Subsequently, the point granting information acquisition unit 1103 may acquire the expected point acquisition information from the expected point acquisition DB 14b on the expected acquisition date.

[0050] The point information storage control unit 1104 may store point information indicating the points to be awarded in the storage unit 14, associated with the user to whom the points are awarded, when points are awarded to any user. Here, the point information storage control unit 1104 may store the point information in the storage unit 14, associated with type information indicating the type of points indicated by the point information. For example, the point information storage control unit 1104 may store the point information in the storage unit 14 in response to the acquisition of point information by the awarded point information acquisition unit 1103. The point information storage control unit 1104 may store point transaction information including point information in the point transaction DB 14a based on the point award request or expected point acquisition information acquired by the awarded point information acquisition unit 1103. For example, the point information storage control unit 1104 may generate point transaction information including the transaction date and time indicating today's date, the transaction type indicating "acquired", the number of transaction points indicating the number of points awarded, the point type as type information, and the expiration date. The number of transaction points corresponds to the point information. Here, the point information storage control unit 1104 may generate point transaction information that includes a point flag indicating "available". The point information storage control unit 1104 may store the generated point transaction information in the point transaction DB 14a.

[0051] When the point information storage control unit 1104 stores point information associated with type information indicating a normal point in the storage unit 14, it may update the expiration date of the normal point. For example, the point information storage control unit 1104 may change the expiration date stored in the normal point expiration date DB 14c, associated with the user ID included in the point grant request, to a date a predetermined length after today.

[0052] The mode information acquisition unit 1105 may acquire mode information stored in the storage unit 14. For example, the mode information acquisition unit 1105 may acquire any mode information stored in the storage unit 14. The mode information acquisition unit 1105 may acquire mode information associated with any user, for example. For example, when points are awarded to any user, or after points have been awarded, the mode information acquisition unit 1105 may acquire mode information associated with the user to whom the points are awarded. When point information is acquired by the awarded point information acquisition unit 1103, the mode information acquisition unit 1105 may acquire mode information associated with the user to whom the points are awarded, as indicated by that point information. For example, the mode information acquisition unit 1105 may acquire mode information associated with the user indicated by the user ID included in the point award request or expected point acquisition information acquired by the awarded point information acquisition unit 1103. The mode information acquisition unit 1105 may acquire a mode flag associated with the user ID of that user from the mode DB 14d, for example. Alternatively, the mode information acquisition unit 1105 may acquire the mode flag for each of all users, for example, periodically. By obtaining the mode flags of all users, the mode flags of users who have been awarded points will be obtained. Examples of intervals for obtaining mode information include 1 hour, 12 hours, 1 day, 3 days, etc. Hereafter, the length of the predetermined period will be assumed to be 1 day. Alternatively, the mode information acquisition unit 1105 may obtain the point flag only for users who have been awarded points. For example, the mode information acquisition unit 1105 may obtain the mode flag associated with the user ID included in the point award request. In this case, the mode information acquisition unit 1105 may obtain the mode flag at the time the points are awarded.

[0053] The status information association unit 1106 may associate status information indicating the management status of a point, as shown by the point information, with the mode information acquired by the mode information acquisition unit 1105. Examples of the association of point information and status information include point information and status information being included in the same information, point information and status information being stored in the same record in the database, and status information being added to or appended to point information. The status information may indicate either the available point management status or the interest-plus point management status. The available point management status is the state in which the point is managed as an available point. The interest-plus point management status is the state in which the point is managed as an interest-plus point. Point information and status information may be, for example, the number of transaction points and point flag included in the point transaction information, respectively. The status information indicating the available point management status may be a point flag indicating "available," and the status information indicating the interest-plus point management status may be a point flag indicating "interest-plus." The status information association unit 1106 may associate a point flag with the number of transaction points as point information by including a point flag indicating "available" or "interest-added" in the point transaction information already stored in the point transaction DB 14a by the point information storage control unit 1104 or the point transaction information to be stored in the point transaction information storage control unit 1104.

[0054] Here, the status information association unit 1106 may associate status information indicating the available points management status if the mode information acquired by the mode information acquisition unit 1105 indicates the non-save-points mode, and may associate status information indicating the interest-plus points management status if the acquired mode information indicates the save-points mode. In other words, the status information association unit 1106 may include a point flag indicating "available" in the point transaction information when the mode flag is OFF. Also, the status information association unit 1106 may include a point flag indicating "interest-plus" in the point transaction information when the mode flag is ON.

[0055] When the mode information change unit 1102 changes the mode information to information indicating the "accumulate points" mode, that is, when the mode flag is changed to ON, the status information associated with the point information stored in the storage unit 14 in association with the user of the user terminal 3 that sent the mode change request may be changed to status information indicating the "interest-plus point management" state. In other words, the status information association unit 1106 may move the user's available points to interest-plus points. Here, if the points granted to the user are a predetermined first type of points, the status information association unit 1106 moves those points to interest-plus points. On the other hand, if the points granted to the user are a predetermined second type of points, the status information association unit 1106 does not have to move those points to interest-plus points. Differentiation can be achieved by controlling whether or not to add points to interest depending on the type of available points. The first type of points may be regular points, and the second type of points may be limited-time points.

[0056] As shown in the home screen 100 in Figure 6(a), for example, a user has 5,808 available points. Of these, 5,000 points are regular points and 808 points are limited-time points. Figure 6(c) shows another example of the home screen. In Figure 6(c), the same elements as in Figure 6(a) or Figure 6(b) are denoted by the same reference numerals. By operating the Save-to-Earn Mode switch 160-1 shown in Figure 6(a), the user changes the Save-to-Earn Mode to ON. Then, as shown in Figure 6(b), the 5,000 regular points are moved to interest-plus points. The limited-time points are not moved to interest-plus points.

[0057] Figure 7 shows an example of how the database is updated when the "Earn Points" mode is changed. As shown in Figure 7(a), for the user with user ID UID1, the "Earn Points" mode flag is set to OFF in the mode DB14d. In addition, point transaction DB14a stores point transaction information 201, 202, and 203 for the user with user ID UID1. Point transaction information 201 includes a transaction type indicating "acquired," a transaction amount of 1,000 points, a point flag indicating "available," and a point type indicating "normal." Point transaction information 202 includes a transaction type indicating "acquired," a transaction amount of 2,000 points, a point flag indicating "available," and a point type indicating "normal." Point transaction information 203 includes a transaction type indicating "acquired," a transaction amount of 100 points, a point flag indicating "available," and a point type indicating "limited time." Therefore, the user has 3,000 normal points and 100 limited time points.

[0058] The user performed an operation to change the "Earn Points" mode. In response to this operation, the mode flag was changed to ON, as shown in Figure 7(b). In addition, the point flags included in point transaction information 201 and 202 were changed to "Interest Plus". The point flag included in point transaction information 203 was not changed. Therefore, the 3,000 regular points were moved to interest plus points.

[0059] The status information association unit 1106 does not need to change the status information associated with the point information stored in the storage unit 14 if the mode information change unit 1102 changes the mode information to information indicating non-accumulation mode, that is, if the mode flag is changed to OFF. Therefore, if accumulation mode is changed to OFF, the user's interest-plus points will not be automatically moved to available points. The user will need to withdraw the interest-plus points as needed.

[0060] The status information association unit 1106 may associate status information indicating the interest plus point management status with the point information if the type information associated with the point information indicates the first type described above, and the mode information acquired by the mode information acquisition unit 1105 indicates the "Tsume Toku" mode. On the other hand, the status information association unit 1106 may associate status information indicating the available point management status with the point information if the type information associated with the point information indicates the second type described above, even if the mode information acquired by the mode information acquisition unit 1105 indicates the "Tsume Toku" mode. Differentiation can be achieved by controlling whether or not to add points to the points that accrue interest depending on the type of available points. As described above, the first type of points may be regular points, and the second type of points may be limited-time points.

[0061] As mentioned above, when point information is stored in the storage unit 14, the point information storage control unit 1104 may associate status information indicating the available points management status with that point information. Subsequently, as mentioned above, the mode information acquisition unit 1105 periodically acquires mode information. In this case, if the acquired mode information indicates the "Tsume Toku" mode, the status information association unit 1106 may, at the time the mode information is acquired, change the status information associated with the point information stored in the storage unit 14 to status information indicating the interest-plus point management status, thereby associating the status information indicating the interest-plus point management status with the point information. That is, points awarded to a user are awarded as available points, and then those available points may be automatically moved to interest-plus points. In this case, the status information association unit 1106 may move not only the newly awarded available points, but all available points held by the user, to interest-plus points. On the other hand, if the acquired mode information indicates a non-accumulation mode, the state information association unit 1106 may associate the state information indicating the available points management state with the point information by not changing the state information associated with the point information stored in the storage unit 14. In other words, points awarded to a user may be awarded as available points, and those points may continue to exist as available points thereafter. In this case, the state information association unit 1106 does not need to change the interest-plus points held by the user to available points.

[0062] Figure 8 shows an example of a database update when the "Save Points" mode is set. As shown in Figure 8(a), for the user with user ID UID2, the mode flag is set to ON in the mode DB14d. In addition, point transaction DB14a stores point transaction information 211 for the user with user ID UID2. The point transaction information 211 includes a transaction type indicating "earned," a point flag indicating "interest plus," and a point type indicating "normal."

[0063] Subsequently, on February 2, 2025, the user will be awarded regular points. The point information storage control unit 1104 sets the point flag to "available" at the time the points are awarded. Therefore, as shown in Figure 8(b), point transaction information 212 is added to the point transaction DB 14a. The point transaction information 212 includes a transaction type indicating "acquired," a point flag indicating "available," and a point type indicating "regular."

[0064] Subsequently, for example, at a predetermined time on February 3, 2025, the mode information acquisition unit 1105 acquires the user's mode flag. The mode flag is ON, and the point type included in the point transaction information 212 is "normal". Therefore, as shown in Figure 8(c), the status information association unit 1106 changes the point flag included in the point transaction information 212 to "interest plus".

[0065] Subsequently, on February 15, 2025, the user will be awarded limited-time points. The point information storage control unit 1104 sets the point flag to "available" at the time the points are awarded. Therefore, as shown in Figure 8(d), point transaction information 213 is added to the point transaction DB 14a. The point transaction information 213 includes a transaction type indicating "acquired," a point flag indicating "available," and a point type indicating "limited time." Although the mode flag is ON, the point type is "limited time," so the status information association unit 1106 does not change the mode flag even on February 16.

[0066] The status information association unit 1106 does not perform the status information association process periodically, but may associate the status information with user information indicating the points at the time points are awarded to the user. For example, when the awarded point information acquisition unit 1103 acquires a point award request or information on points to be earned, the mode information acquisition unit 1105 acquires the mode information of the user to whom the points will be awarded. If the mode information indicates the "Save Points" mode, the status information association unit 1106 may associate status information indicating the interest-plus point management state with the point information at the time the point information storage control unit 1104 generates or stores the point information, or immediately after the point information is stored. In other words, if the user has set "Save Points" mode to ON, the points awarded to that user may be awarded as interest-plus points rather than as usable points. Furthermore, if the acquired mode information indicates a non-Save Points mode, the status information association unit 1106 may associate status information indicating the usable point management state with the point information at the time the point information is generated or stored, or immediately after the point information is stored. In other words, if a user has set the "Earn Points" mode to OFF, the points awarded to that user may be awarded as usable points. When associating status information at the time points are awarded to a user, the status information association unit 1106 does not need to associate status information for point information of points that the user already possesses as usable points or interest-plus points.

[0067] The point transaction information stored in mode DB14d includes point transaction information with a transaction type indicating "acquisition," point transaction information with a transaction type indicating "use," and point transaction information with a transaction type indicating "expiration." The total number of transaction points included in the point transaction information with a transaction type indicating "acquisition," which includes a point flag indicating "available" and a point type indicating "normal," represents the total number of normal points that the user has acquired so far that are not currently interest-plus points. The total number of transaction points included in the point transaction information with a transaction type indicating "use," which includes a point flag indicating "available" and a point type indicating "normal," represents the total number of normal points that the user has used for payments so far. In addition, the total number of transaction points included in the point transaction information with a transaction type indicating "expiration," which includes a point flag indicating "available" and a point type indicating "normal," represents the total number of normal points that have become invalid so far. Therefore, the total number of regular points among the available points currently held by the user can be calculated by subtracting the total number of transaction points included in point transaction information including a transaction type indicating "usage" and the total number of transaction points included in point transaction information including a transaction type indicating "expiration" from the total number of transaction points included in point transaction information including a transaction type indicating "acquisition". For this reason, the status information association unit 1106 may change the point flag to "interest plus" for point transaction information including a transaction type indicating "acquisition" that includes the number of transaction points corresponding to the total number of regular points. In this case, the status information association unit 1106 may split the point transaction information as necessary. For example, a user acquires 1,000 regular points when they have no regular points at all, and then acquires another 500 regular points. Subsequently, the user uses 1,200 regular points for payment. In this case, the user currently holds 300 regular points.At this point, the mode DB14d stores point transaction information including a transaction type indicating "acquisition" and a transaction number of 1,000 points, point transaction information including a transaction type indicating "acquisition" and a transaction number of 500 points, and point transaction information including a transaction type indicating "use" and a transaction number of 1,200 points. When this user's Save Toku mode is changed to ON, the status information association unit 1106 may, for example, change the point flag included in the point transaction information including a transaction number of 1,000 points to "interest plus". Furthermore, the status information association unit 1106 may split the point transaction information including a transaction number of 500 points into point transaction information including a transaction number of 300 points and point transaction information including a transaction number of 200 points. Of the split point transaction information, the status information association unit 1106 may change only the point flag included in the point transaction information including a transaction number of 300 points to "interest plus".

[0068] The withdrawal request receiving unit 1107 may receive a point withdrawal request from any user's user terminal 3. A point withdrawal request is information indicating a request to convert at least a portion of the interest-plus points held by that user into usable points. In other words, a withdrawal request indicates a request to withdraw points from interest-plus points. A point withdrawal request may include, for example, a user ID and the number of points to withdraw. The user ID indicates the user withdrawing the points. The number of points to withdraw indicates the number of points to be withdrawn. For example, the withdrawal request receiving unit 1107 may display a screen on the user terminal 3 by transmitting screen information of a screen that can accept operations for withdrawing points to the user terminal 3. For example, if the user operates on the home screen 100 with 140 interest-plus points, the user terminal 3 may display the interest-plus points screen as described above. On the interest-plus points screen, the user performs an operation to select to withdraw points. In response to this operation, the withdrawal request receiving unit 1107 may transmit screen information of the point withdrawal screen to the user terminal 3. The points withdrawal screen may include a field for inputting the number of points to withdraw and a confirmation button. The field for inputting the number of points to withdraw is an input area that accepts input for the number of points to withdraw. The confirmation button is an element that can be operated to confirm the withdrawal of points. On the points withdrawal screen, the user enters the number of points to withdraw and operates the confirmation button. Then, when the user performs the operation to confirm the withdrawal of points, the user terminal 3 may send a points withdrawal request to the point management server 1.

[0069] When the withdrawal unit 1108 receives a point withdrawal request from the withdrawal request receiving unit 1107, it may change the status information associated with the point information stored in the storage unit 14 in association with the user of the user terminal 3 that sent the point withdrawal request to status information indicating the available point management status. The withdrawal unit 1108 may change the status information associated with at least one point information among the point information associated with that user to status information indicating the available point management status. In other words, the withdrawal unit 1108 may change at least a portion of the interest-plus points to available points. For example, the withdrawal unit 1108 may change at least one point transaction information that includes a point flag indicating "interest-plus" among the point transaction information stored in the point transaction DB 14a in association with the user ID included in the point withdrawal request to "available". The withdrawal unit 1108 may change the point flag to "available" for point transaction information that includes the number of transaction points corresponding to the number of points to be withdrawn included in the point withdrawal request. In this case, the withdrawal unit 1108 may divide the point transaction information as necessary. For example, suppose a user has no interest-plus points, adds 300 regular points to their interest-plus points, and then adds another 500 regular points. In this case, the user currently has 800 interest-plus points. At this point, suppose the mode DB14d stores point transaction information including a point flag indicating "interest-plus" and a transaction amount of 300 points, and point transaction information including a point flag indicating "interest-plus" and a transaction amount of 500 points. Now suppose the user performs an operation to withdraw 400 interest-plus points. In this case, the withdrawal unit 1108 may change the point flag included in the point transaction information including the transaction amount of 300 points to "available". Alternatively, the withdrawal unit 1108 may split the point transaction information including the transaction amount of 500 points into point transaction information including the transaction amount of 100 points and point transaction information including the transaction amount of 400 points.The withdrawal unit 1108 may change only the point flag included in the point transaction information that includes a transaction point count of 100 points among the split point transaction information to "available".

[0070] If the withdrawal unit 1108 changes interest-plus points to usable points, it may store the last withdrawal date in the storage unit 14. For example, the withdrawal unit 1108 may store the last withdrawal date, which indicates today's date, in the last withdrawal date DB 14e, associated with the user ID included in the point withdrawal request. If a last withdrawal date from a past date is already stored, the withdrawal unit 1108 may overwrite that last withdrawal date with today's date.

[0071] As mentioned above, the status information association unit 1106 may associate the status information indicating the interest-plus point management state with the point information by changing the status information associated with the point information already stored in the storage unit 14 to status information indicating the interest-plus point management state. However, the status information association unit 1106 does not have to change the status information associated with the point information stored in the storage unit 14 associated with that user to status information indicating the interest-plus point management state, even if the mode information stored in the storage unit 14 associated with that user indicates the "Tsume Toku" mode, for a predetermined period after the point withdrawal request is received by the withdrawal request receiving unit 1107. In other words, for a predetermined period after the user withdraws interest-plus points, the user's available points will not be changed to interest-plus points. The fact that a user withdraws points indicates that there is a probability that the user intends to use the points for payment afterward. Therefore, it is appropriate to keep the available points from being changed to interest-plus points for a while. The predetermined period may be a period of a predetermined length. Examples of the length of the specified period include 2 days, 5 days, 1 week, 10 days, etc. Thereafter, for 2 days after the points are withdrawn, available points will not be converted to interest-plus points. Here, available points that may exist during the specified period after the user withdraws points include available points that the user held before the withdrawal, points that became available points as a result of the withdrawal, and available points newly granted to the user during that period. The status information association unit 1106 does not have to convert points that became available points as a result of the withdrawal to interest-plus points. The status information association unit 1106 may or may not convert available points that the user held before the withdrawal to interest-plus points. The status information association unit 1106 may or may not convert points granted during that period to interest-plus points. Thereafter, none of the available points will be converted to interest-plus points during the specified period.

[0072] Figures 9 and 10 show examples of database updates when the "Save Points" mode is enabled. As shown in Figure 9(a), for the user with user ID UID3, the "Save Points" mode flag is set to ON in the mode DB14d. In addition, the point transaction DB14a stores point transaction information 221, 222, and 223 for the user with user ID UID3. Point transaction information 221 includes a transaction type indicating "Acquired," a transaction point count of 2,000 points, a point flag indicating "Interest Plus," and a point type indicating "Normal." Point transaction information 222 includes a transaction type indicating "Acquired," a transaction point count of 1,000 points, a point flag indicating "Interest Plus," and a point type indicating "Normal." Point transaction information 223 includes a transaction type indicating "Acquired," a transaction point count of 4,000 points, a point flag indicating "Interest Plus," and a point type indicating "Normal." Therefore, the user has 8,000 interest-plus points.

[0073] Subsequently, on February 15, 2025, the user withdraws 3,000 interest-plus points. In this case, as shown in Figure 9(b), for example, the point flags in point transaction information 221 and 222 are changed to "available". The final withdrawal date DB14e stores the final withdrawal date, which is February 15, 2025, for the user with user ID UID3. If the length of the predetermined period is 2 days, the status information association unit 1106 will not change the point flag to "interest-plus" from February 15, when the points were withdrawn, to February 17. In other words, the status information association unit 1106 does not add the available points to the interest-plus points.

[0074] Subsequently, on the same day, February 15, 2025, 800 regular points will be awarded to that user. Accordingly, as shown in Figure 9(c), point transaction information 224 will be added to the point transaction DB 14a. Point transaction information 224 includes a transaction type indicating "acquired," the number of transaction points (800 points), a point flag indicating "available," and a point type indicating "regular."

[0075] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 10(a), the point flag was not changed even on February 16, 2025. On February 16, the user used 2,000 regular points to pay for a purchase at an online shopping mall. Therefore, as shown in Figure 10(b), point transaction information 225 is added to point transaction DB 14a. Point transaction information 225 includes the transaction type indicating "used", the number of transaction points (2,000 points), the point type indicating "available", and the point type indicating "regular".

[0076] Then, on February 18, 2025, the addition of available points to interest-plus points will resume. Accordingly, the status information association unit 1106 changes the point flags included in point transaction information 222 and 224, respectively, to "interest-plus," as shown in Figure 10(c), for example. Since the available points indicated by point transaction information 221 are considered to have been used on February 16, the status information association unit 1106 does not need to change the point flag included in point transaction information 221 to "interest-plus."

[0077] The interest payment unit 1109 may award interest to the user associated with the point information indicated by the point information associated with the status information indicating the interest-plus point management status, from among the point information stored in the storage unit 14. The interest payment unit 1109 may calculate interest based on the point information associated with the status information indicating the interest-plus point management status. The interest rate for calculating interest may be predetermined. If the point information indicates the number of points awarded to the user, the interest payment unit 1109 may calculate the interest by multiplying the number of points by the interest rate. The interest payment unit 1109 may then award interest to the user by storing the point information indicating the calculated interest in the storage unit 14 in association with that user. The interest payment unit 1109 may award the interest as interest-plus points or as usable points. The interest payment unit 1109 may associate the point information with status information indicating the management status of those points. Hereafter, interest will be awarded as interest-plus points.

[0078] For example, suppose interest is paid every month. The interest payment unit 1109 may calculate, for each user, the total number of transaction points included in the point transaction information indicating "interest plus" among the point transaction information stored in the point transaction DB 14a at the end of the month. The interest payment unit 1109 may calculate the interest by multiplying the total number of transaction points by a predetermined monthly interest rate. The interest payment unit 1109 may generate point transaction information that includes, for example, a transaction type indicating "earned", the number of transaction points as the number of interest points, a point flag indicating "interest plus", and a point type indicating "normal". The interest payment unit 1109 may store the generated point transaction information in the point transaction DB 14a.

[0079] Figure 11 shows an example of a database update when interest is awarded. As shown in Figure 11(a), for a user whose user ID is UID4, point transaction DB14a stores point transaction information 231, 232, 233, and 234. Point transaction information 231 includes a transaction type indicating "earned", a transaction point count of 1,000 points, a point flag indicating "interest plus", and a point type indicating "normal". Point transaction information 232 includes a transaction type indicating "earned", a transaction point count of 2,000 points, a point flag indicating "interest plus", and a point type indicating "normal". Point transaction information 243 includes a transaction type indicating "earned", a transaction point count of 1,500 points, a point flag indicating "available", and a point type indicating "normal". Point transaction information 244 includes a transaction type indicating "earned", a transaction point count of 500 points, a point flag indicating "available", and a point type indicating "limited time". Therefore, the user has 3,000 interest-plus points, 1,500 regular points, and 500 limited-time points.

[0080] Then, let's say January 31, 2025 has passed, and it's now February 5, 2025. At this point, for example, interest for January 2025 is credited. Let's assume the monthly interest rate is 0.09 percent. The interest crediting unit 1109 calculates 270 points of interest by multiplying the number of transaction points included in point transaction information 231 and 232, which contain a point flag indicating "interest plus," by 0.09. Point transaction information 233 and 234 are information about available points, so this point transaction information is excluded from the interest calculation. Then, the interest crediting unit 1109 adds point transaction information 235 to the point transaction DB 14a, for example, as shown in Figure 8(b). Point transaction information 235 includes a transaction type indicating "acquired," a transaction number of 270 points, a point flag indicating "interest plus," and a point type indicating "normal." Therefore, the user now has 3,270 points of interest plus.

[0081] The available points information transmission unit 1110 may transmit available points information to the service server 2 in response to a request from the service server 2. The available points information is information indicating the number of available points for a specified user. The number of available points indicates the total number of available points. For example, when a user settles the purchase price of an item traded in a service provided by the service server 2, the service server 2 may send an available points information request to the point management server 1. The available points information request indicates a request for available points information. The available points information request may include the user ID of the user making the settlement. The available points information transmission unit 1110 may calculate the number of available points as the sum of the number of points indicated by the point information associated with the status information indicating the available points management status, from the point information stored in the storage unit 14 associated with the user indicated by the user ID included in the available points information request. The available points information transmission unit 1110 may transmit available points information indicating the calculated number of available points.

[0082] Service server 2 may send screen information of a screen showing the number of available points, as indicated by the available points information, to the user terminal 3 of the user using the points. This screen may be a screen that accepts input of the number of points to be used within a range less than or equal to the number of available points. The number of points to be used indicates the number of points that the user will actually use to pay for the transaction. The user enters the number of points to be used on this screen. Service server 2 may determine the number of points to be used for regular points and limited-time points based on the entered number of points to be used. In this case, service server 2 may determine the number of points to be used for each type of point so that limited-time points are used preferentially. Alternatively, service server 2 may automatically determine the number of points to be used based on settings made by the user. For example, the user may be able to set in advance whether or not to use points for payment, and the maximum number of points to be used. If the user has selected in advance to use points, service server 2 determines the number of points to be used to be the smaller of the number of points equivalent to the transaction amount, the number of available points, and the maximum number set by the user. By notifying service server 2 of the number of available points, it is possible to restrict the points used for payment to only available points out of the available points and interest-plus points.

[0083] More specifically, the available points information transmission unit 1110 may search for point transaction information stored in the point transaction DB 14a in association with the user ID included in the available points information request, and for point transaction information that includes a point flag indicating "available". The available points information transmission unit 1110 may calculate the number of available points by subtracting the total number of transaction points included in point transaction information that includes a transaction type indicating "used" and the total number of transaction points included in point transaction information that includes a transaction type indicating "expired" from the total number of transaction points included in point transaction information that includes a transaction type indicating "acquired". Here, the available points information transmission unit 1110 may calculate the number of available points for each type of available point. For example, the available points information transmission unit 1110 may calculate the number of normal points based on point transaction information that includes a point type indicating "normal", and calculate the number of limited-time points based on point transaction information that includes a point type indicating "limited-time". The number of normal points indicates the total number of normal points. The number of limited-time points indicates the total number of limited-time points. The available points information transmission unit 1110 may transmit the available points information, including the calculated number of regular points and the number of limited-time points, to the service server 2.

[0084] Figure 12 shows an example of a database update and response when points are used. As shown in Figure 12(a), for a user whose user ID is UID5, point transaction DB14a stores point transaction information 241, 242, and 243. Point transaction information 241 includes a transaction type indicating "acquired", a transaction point quantity of 100 points, a point flag indicating "interest plus", and a point type indicating "normal". Point transaction information 242 includes a transaction type indicating "acquired", a transaction point quantity of 1,000 points, a point flag indicating "available", and a point type indicating "normal". Point transaction information 243 includes a transaction type indicating "acquired", a transaction point quantity of 200 points, a point flag indicating "available", and a point type indicating "limited time". Therefore, the user has 100 interest plus points, 1,000 normal points, and 200 limited time points.

[0085] Subsequently, the point management server 1 of an online shopping mall, as an example of the services provided, sends a request for available points information to the point management server 1, with the user ID set to UID5. The available points information transmission unit 1110 calculates the normal point amount of 1,000 points based on the point transaction information 242. The point transaction information 241 is information on interest plus points and is therefore excluded from the calculation of the normal point amount. The available points information transmission unit 1110 also calculates the normal point amount of 200 points based on the point transaction information 243. Therefore, as shown in Figure 12(b), the available points information sent to the service server 2 includes the normal point amount of 1,000 points and the limited-time point amount of 200 points.

[0086] The allocation unit 1111 may, in response to a request from the service server 2, execute a process to allocate the available points held by a specified user to the payment of the purchase price of an item traded through the provided service. For example, the service server 2 may, after the number of points to be used has been determined, send a point allocation request to the point management server 1. The point allocation request is information indicating a request to allocate points to payment. The point allocation request may include, for example, the user ID of the user using the points and the number of points to be used. Here, the number of points to be used may be set as the number of points to be used for each type of available points. The allocation unit 1111 may execute the point allocation process based on the information included in the point allocation request. For example, the allocation unit 1111 may allocate points by storing point transaction information in the point transaction DB 14a, which includes the transaction type indicating "allocation" and the number of transaction points indicating the number of points to be used. Here, the allocation unit 1111 may calculate the number of available points as performed by the available points information transmission unit 1110. Then, the points may be allocated only if the number of points to be used is less than or equal to the number of available points. If the number of points used is greater than the number of available points, the allocation unit 1111 may send a response to the service server 2 indicating that the allocation of points has failed.

[0087] For example, after the available points information shown in Figure 12(b) is transmitted, a point redemption request shown in Figure 12(c) is sent from the service server 2 to the point management server 1. As shown in Figure 12(b), the point redemption request includes a user ID indicating UID 5, a number of points used indicating 800 regular points, and a number of points used indicating 200 limited-time points. In response, the redemption unit 1111 adds point transaction information 244 and 245 to the point transaction DB 14a, as shown in Figure 12(d). Point transaction information 244 includes a transaction type indicating "used," a number of transaction points of 800, a point flag indicating "available," and a point type indicating "regular." Point transaction information 245 includes a transaction type indicating "used," a number of transaction points of 200, a point flag indicating "available," and a point type indicating "limited-time." As a result, the user now possesses 100 interest-plus points and 200 regular points.

[0088] The expiration unit 1112 may expire points held by a user that have expired. For example, the expiration unit 1112 may search the normal point expiration date database 14c for expiration dates that are earlier than yesterday's date, on a daily basis. The expiration unit 1112 may obtain the user ID associated with the searched expiration date from the normal point expiration date database 14c as the user ID of the user whose normal points will expire. The expiration unit 1112 may calculate the number of normal points, for example, in the same way as described above, based on the point transaction information stored in the point transaction database 14a associated with that user ID, which includes a point flag indicating "available" and a point type indicating "normal". The expiration unit 1112 may then expire the normal points by storing the point transaction information, which includes a transaction type indicating "expired", the user ID of the user whose points will expire, the number of transaction points indicating the number of normal points to expire, a point flag indicating "available", and a point type indicating "normal", in the point transaction database 14a. Furthermore, the expiration unit 1112 may, for example, search for expiration dates indicating dates prior to yesterday among the point transaction information stored in the point transaction DB 14a as point transaction information including a point type indicating "limited time," on a daily basis. The expiration unit 1112 may calculate the number of limited time points to expire by subtracting the total number of transaction points included in point transaction information including a transaction type indicating "usage" from the total number of transaction points included in point transaction information including a transaction type indicating "acquisition." The expiration unit 1112 may generate point transaction information including a transaction type indicating "expiration," the user ID of the user whose points will expire, the number of transaction points indicating the number of limited time points to expire, a point flag indicating "available," and a point type indicating "limited time." The expiration unit 1112 may expire the limited time points by storing the generated point transaction information in the point transaction DB 14a.

[0089] [4. Operation of the communication system] Next, the operation of the communication system S will be described with reference to Figures 13 to 18. The system control unit 11 of the point management server 1 executes the processes shown in Figures 13 to 18 according to the program code included in the point management server program. The processes shown in these figures are illustrative, and any processes may be executed as long as the objective is achieved. The order of the processes is not limited to the order shown in these figures. Also, at least one of the steps shown in these figures may be omitted.

[0090] Figure 13 shows an example of a mode change process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point management server 1 according to this embodiment. For example, a user switches the "Take Points" mode ON and OFF on a screen such as the home screen 100. In response to this operation, the user terminal 3 sends a mode change request to the point management server 1. The system control unit 11 may execute a mode change process in response to receiving the mode change request.

[0091] As shown in Figure 13, the mode information change unit 1102 obtains the user ID of the user who made the mode change request from the mode change request. Next, the mode information change unit 1102 rewrites the mode flag stored in the mode DB 14d in association with the obtained user ID (step S102). For example, if the original mode flag is ON, the mode information change unit 1102 rewrites that mode flag to OFF. If the original mode flag is OFF, the mode information change unit 1102 rewrites that mode flag to ON. Next, the status information association unit 1106 determines whether the changed mode flag is ON or not (step S103). If the mode flag is OFF (step S103: NO), the mode change process ends. If the mode flag is ON (step S103: YES), the status information association unit 1106 searches the point transaction DB 14a for point transaction information including the obtained user ID, the point flag indicating "available", and the point type indicating "normal" (step S104). Next, the status information association unit 1106 calculates the normal number of points based on the transaction type and the number of transaction points included in each of the retrieved point transaction information (step S105). Then, the status information association unit 1106 changes the point flag of each point transaction information whose total number of transaction points corresponds to the normal number of points among the retrieved point transaction information that includes a transaction type indicating "acquisition" to "interest plus" (step S106). As mentioned above, the status information association unit 1106 may split the point transaction information as needed. After step S106 is completed, the mode change process is finished.

[0092] Figure 14 shows an example of a point granting process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point management server 1 according to this embodiment. For example, a point granting request is sent from any of the service servers 2 to the point management server 1. Alternatively, the system control unit 11 searches the expected points acquisition DB 14b for expected points acquisition information, including the expected acquisition date which indicates today's date. The system control unit 11 may execute a point granting process each time it receives a point granting request and for each piece of expected points acquisition information that corresponds to it.

[0093] As shown in Figure 14, the point granting information acquisition unit 1103 acquires the user ID, the number of points to be granted, the point type, and the expiration date from the point granting request or the point acquisition information (step S201). Next, the point information storage control unit 1104 generates point transaction information including the acquired user ID, the number of points to be granted as the number of transaction points, the point type, and the expiration date, as well as a transaction type indicating "acquired" and a point flag indicating "available" (step S202). Next, the point information storage control unit 1104 stores the generated point transaction information in the point transaction DB 14a (step S203). Next, the point information storage control unit 1104 determines whether the acquired point type is "normal" or not (step S204). If the point type is "limited time" (step S204: NO), the point granting process ends. If the point type is "normal" (step S204: YES), the point information storage control unit 1104 overwrites the expiration date stored in the normal point expiration date DB 14c associated with the acquired user ID with today's date (step S205), and the point granting process ends.

[0094] Figure 15 shows an example of a point withdrawal process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point management server 1 according to this embodiment. For example, a user performs a point withdrawal operation on the point withdrawal screen. In response to this operation, the user terminal 3 sends a point withdrawal request to the point management server 1. The system control unit 11 may execute the point withdrawal process in response to receiving the point withdrawal request.

[0095] As shown in Figure 15, the withdrawal unit 1108 obtains the user ID and the number of points to be withdrawn from the point withdrawal request (step S301). Next, the withdrawal unit 1108 searches the point transaction DB 14a for point transaction information including the obtained user ID and a point flag indicating "interest plus" (step S302). Next, the withdrawal unit 1108 changes the point flag of each point transaction information among the retrieved point transaction information whose total number of transaction points corresponds to the number of points to be withdrawn to "available" (step S303). As mentioned above, the status information association unit 1106 may divide the point transaction information as necessary. Next, the withdrawal unit 1108 stores the last withdrawal date, which indicates today's date, in the last withdrawal date DB 14e in association with the obtained user ID (step S304), and the point withdrawal process ends.

[0096] Figure 16 shows an example of an automatic addition process performed by the system control unit 11 of the point management server 1 according to this embodiment. For example, the system control unit 11 may perform the automatic addition process at a predetermined time every day.

[0097] As shown in Figure 16, the status information association unit 1106 searches the mode DB 14d for a user ID associated with a mode flag indicating ON (step S401). Next, the status information association unit 1106 selects one of the searched user IDs (step S402). Next, the status information association unit 1106 searches the last withdrawal date associated with the selected user ID from the last withdrawal date DB 14e (step S403). Next, the status information association unit 1106 determines whether a predetermined period has elapsed since the searched last withdrawal date (step S404). If the predetermined period has not elapsed (step S404: NO), the process proceeds to step S408. If the predetermined period has elapsed, or if the corresponding last withdrawal date is not stored (step S404: YES), the status information association unit 1106 searches the point transaction DB 14a for point transaction information including the selected user ID, a point flag indicating "available", and a point type indicating "normal" (step S405). Next, the status information association unit 1106 calculates the normal number of points based on the transaction type and the number of transaction points included in each of the retrieved point transaction information (step S406). Next, the status information association unit 1106 changes the point flag of each point transaction information whose total number of transaction points corresponds to the normal number of points among the retrieved point transaction information that includes a transaction type indicating "acquisition" to "interest plus" (step S406). As mentioned above, the status information association unit 1106 may divide the point transaction information as necessary. Next, the status information association unit 1106 determines whether or not all of the retrieved user IDs have been selected (step S408). If there are still user IDs that have not been selected (step S408: NO), the process proceeds to step S402. In step S402, the status information association unit 1106 selects one of the user IDs that has not yet been selected. If all of the retrieved user IDs have been selected (step S408: YES), the automatic addition process ends.

[0098] Figure 17 shows an example of the interest accrual process performed by the system control unit 11 of the point management server 1 according to this embodiment. For example, the system control unit 11 may perform the interest accrual process on a predetermined day at the beginning of each month.

[0099] As shown in Figure 17, the interest payment unit 1109 selects one of the user IDs of all users (step S501). Next, the interest payment unit 1109 searches the point transaction DB 14a for point transaction information including the selected user ID and a point flag indicating "interest plus" (step S502). Based on the search results, the interest payment unit 1109 determines whether or not there is any corresponding point transaction information (step S503). If there is no corresponding point transaction information (step S503: NO), the process proceeds to step S508. If there is corresponding point transaction information (step S503: YES), the interest payment unit 1109 calculates the total number of transaction points included in the searched point transaction information as the number of interest plus points (step S504). Next, the interest payment unit 1109 calculates the interest by multiplying the number of interest plus points by a predetermined interest rate (step S505). Next, the interest payment unit 1109 generates point transaction information including a transaction type indicating "earned", the selected user ID, the number of transaction points indicating interest, a point flag indicating "interest plus", and a point type indicating "normal" (step S506). The interest payment unit 1109 stores the generated point transaction information in the point transaction DB 14a (step S507). Next, the interest payment unit 1109 determines whether or not it has selected user IDs for all users (step S508). If there are still user IDs that have not been selected (step S508: NO), the process proceeds to step S501. In step S501, the interest payment unit 1109 selects one of the user IDs that has not yet been selected. If user IDs for all users have been selected (step S508: YES), the interest payment process ends.

[0100] Figure 18 shows an example of the available point information transmission process executed by the system control unit 11 of the point management server 1 according to this embodiment. For example, the system control unit 11 may execute the available point information transmission process in response to receiving an available point information request from any of the service servers 2.

[0101] As shown in Figure 18, the available points information transmission unit 1110 obtains a user ID from the available points information request (step S601). Next, the available points information transmission unit 1110 searches the point transaction DB 14a for point transaction information including the obtained user ID, a point flag indicating "available", and a point type indicating "normal" (step S602). Next, the available points information transmission unit 1110 calculates the number of normal points based on the transaction type and the number of transaction points included in the retrieved point transaction information (step S603). Next, the available points information transmission unit 1110 searches the point transaction DB 14a for point transaction information including the obtained user ID, a point flag indicating "available", and a point type indicating "limited time" (step S604). Next, the available points information transmission unit 1110 calculates the number of limited time points based on the transaction type and the number of transaction points included in the retrieved point transaction information (step S605). Next, the available points information transmission unit 1110 transmits the available points information, including the calculated number of regular points and the number of limited-time points, to the service server 2 (step S606), and the available points information transmission process ends.

[0102] As explained above, this embodiment makes it possible to manage points in a way that suits the user's preferences while minimizing the effort required of the user.

[0103] Here, the point management server 1 may associate type information with point information and store the point information in the storage unit 14. Furthermore, if the type information associated with the point information indicates a first type and the mode information indicates the "Earn Points" mode, the point management server 1 may associate status information indicating the interest-plus point management state. Also, if the type information associated with the point information indicates a second type, the point management server 1 may associate status information indicating the available point management state, even if the mode information indicates the "Earn Points" mode. In this case, first-type points are managed as available points with interest. Second-type points are managed as interest-plus points without interest. By changing whether or not interest is paid, points can be differentiated by type.

[0104] In this case, the first type of points may be regular points, and the second type of points may be limited-time points. In this case, the points can be differentiated by differences in the provisions regarding the extension of the expiration date.

[0105] Furthermore, available points may be usable for payments, while interest-plus points may not be usable for payments. In this case, the points a user possesses can be managed separately as points for use and points for accumulation.

[0106] Furthermore, the point management server 1 may receive a point withdrawal request from any user's user terminal 3. The point management server 1 may also change the status information associated with the point information stored in the storage unit 14, which is associated with the user of the user terminal 3 that sent the point withdrawal request, to status information indicating the available points management status. Additionally, if the mode information indicates the "Tsume Toku" mode, the point management server 1 may change the status information associated with the point information stored in the storage unit 14 to status information indicating the "Interest Plus Points Management" status. However, for a predetermined period after receiving a point withdrawal request, the point management server 1 does not need to change the status information associated with the point information of the user of the user terminal 3 that sent the point withdrawal request to status information indicating the "Interest Plus Points Management" status, even if the mode information associated with that user indicates the "Tsume Toku" mode. In this case, by not changing the available points to interest plus points for a predetermined period, it is possible to prevent any disruption to the user's point usage.

[0107] (Note 1) In a point management device, when points are awarded to any user, point information storage control means stores point information indicating the points to be awarded in association with the user to whom the points are awarded; and mode information acquisition means which stores mode information indicating a mode predetermined by the user for the destination of the points awarded to the user, and which indicates one of a plurality of modes including a first mode for adding to a first point that does not accrue interest and a second mode for adding to a second point that accrues interest, in association with the user, and acquires the mode information from mode information storage means. A point management device comprising: an association means for associating state information indicating the management status of points indicated by point information associated with the user associated with the mode information, with the acquired mode information, wherein, when the acquired mode information indicates the first mode, the association means associates state information indicating a first state in which the points indicated by the point information are managed as the first point; and when the acquired mode information indicates the second mode, the association means associates state information indicating a second state in which the points indicated by the point information are managed as the second point.

[0108] (Note 2) The point information storage control means stores the point information in the point information storage means, wherein the point information stores the point information, and the type information indicating the type of point indicated by the point information is one of a plurality of types including a predetermined first type and a predetermined second type different from the first type, and the association means associates the state information indicating the second state when the type information associated with the point information indicates the first type and the acquired mode information indicates the second mode, and the association means associates the state information indicating the first state when the type information associated with the point information indicates the second type, even if the acquired mode information indicates the second mode.

[0109] (Note 3) The point management device according to Note 2, characterized in that each of the first type of points and the second type of points has an expiration date, the first type of points are points for which the expiration date of the points held by the user to whom the points were awarded is extended when new points are awarded, and the second type of points are points for which the expiration date of the points held by the user to whom the points were awarded is not extended even when new points are awarded.

[0110] (Note 4) A point management device according to any one of Notes 1 to 3, characterized in that the first point is usable for payments arising from a transaction, and the second point is not usable for such payments.

[0111] (Note 5) A point management device according to any one of Notes 1 to 4, further comprising: receiving means for receiving request information from any user's terminal device indicating a request to change the second point held by the user to the first point; and changing means for changing the state information associated with the point information stored in the point information storage means in association with the user of the terminal device that transmitted the received request information to state information indicating the first state, wherein the association means changes the state information associated with the point information stored in the point information storage means to state information indicating the second state when the acquired mode information indicates the second mode, but does not change the state information associated with the point information associated with the user to state information indicating the second state for a predetermined period after the request information is received, even if the mode information associated with the user of the terminal device that transmitted the request information indicates the second mode.

[0112] (Note 6) The point management device according to any one of Notes 1 to 5, further comprising a granting means for granting interest to points indicated by the point information associated with the state information indicating the second state, among the point information stored in the point information storage means.

[0113] (Note 7) A point management system characterized by comprising: a mode information storage means that stores mode information, which indicates a mode pre-set by the user for the destination of points to be awarded to the user, and which indicates any of a plurality of modes, including a first mode for adding to a first point that does not accrue interest and a second mode for adding to a second point that accrues interest, in association with the user; a point information storage control means that, when points are awarded to any user, stores point information indicating the points to be awarded in the point information storage means in association with the user to whom the points are awarded; a mode information acquisition means that acquires the mode information from the mode information storage means; and an association means that associates state information indicating the management state of points indicated by the point information with the point information, wherein, when the acquired mode information indicates the first mode, the association means associates state information indicating a first state in which the points indicated by the point information are managed as the first point; and when the acquired mode information indicates the second mode, the association means associates state information indicating a second state in which the points indicated by the point information are managed as the second point.

[0114] (Note 8) In a point management method performed by a computer, when points are awarded to any user, a point information storage control step is performed to store point information indicating the awarded points in a point information storage means associated with the user to whom the points are awarded; and a mode information acquisition step is performed to acquire mode information from a mode information storage means that stores mode information indicating a mode predetermined by the user for the destination of the points awarded to the user, which includes a first mode for adding to a first point without interest and a second mode for adding to a second point with interest, associated with the user. A point management method characterized by including a step of associating state information indicating the management status of a point indicated by the point information associated with the user associated with the mode information, based on the acquired mode information, the association step of associating state information indicating a first state in which the point indicated by the point information is managed as the first point when the acquired mode information indicates the first mode, and associating state information indicating a second state in which the point indicated by the point information is managed as the second point when the acquired mode information indicates the second mode. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 1. Point Management Server 2 Service Servers 3. User terminals 11 System Control Unit 12 System Bus 13 Input / Output Interfaces 14 Storage section 14a Point Transaction Database 14b Expected Points to be Earned DB 14c Regular points expiration date DB 14d Mode DB 14e Last withdrawal date DB 15 Communications Department 1101 Mode Change Request Receiving Unit 1102 Mode Information Change Unit 1103 Point Grant Information Acquisition Unit 1104 Point Information Storage Control Unit 1105 Mode Information Acquisition Unit 1106 Status information related section 1107 Withdrawal Request Receiving Unit 1108 Drawer section 1109 Interest Payment Department 1110 Available Points Information Transmission Unit 1111 Appropriation Department 1112 Expired section NW Network S Communication System

Claims

1. In a point management device, When points are awarded to any user, a point information storage control means stores point information indicating the points to be awarded in association with the user to whom the points are awarded. A mode information acquisition means that acquires mode information from a mode information storage means that stores mode information in association with the user, which indicates a mode that is pre-set by the user regarding the destination of points to be awarded to the user, and which indicates one of a plurality of modes including a first mode for adding points to a first point that does not accrue interest and a second mode for adding points to a second point that accrues interest. Association means for associating state information indicating the management status of points indicated by point information associated with the user associated with the mode information, based on the acquired mode information, wherein if the acquired mode information indicates a first mode, the association means associates state information indicating a first state in which the points indicated by the point information are managed as the first points, and if the acquired mode information indicates a second mode, the association means associates state information indicating a second state in which the points indicated by the point information are managed as the second points, A point management device characterized by being equipped with the following features.

2. The point information storage control means associates type information indicating the type of point represented by the point information, which includes a predetermined first type and a predetermined second type different from the first type, with the point information and stores the point information in the point information storage means. The association means associates the state information indicating the second state when the type information associated with the point information indicates the first type and the acquired mode information indicates the second mode. The point management device according to claim 1, characterized in that the association means associates the state information indicating the first state even if the acquired mode information indicates the second mode when the type information associated with the point information indicates the second type.

3. Each of the aforementioned first type of points and the aforementioned second type of points has an expiration date. The first type of points mentioned above is a type of point where, when new points are awarded, the expiration date of the points held by the user to whom the points were awarded is extended. The point management device according to claim 2, characterized in that the second type of points is a point in which the expiration date of the points held by the user to whom the points were awarded is not extended even if new points are awarded.

4. The point management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first point is usable for payments arising from a transaction, and the second point is not usable for such payments.

5. Receiving means for receiving request information from any user's terminal device indicating a request to change the second point held by that user to the first point, A modification means for changing the state information associated with the point information stored in the point information storage means in association with the user of the terminal device that transmitted the received request information to state information indicating a first state, Furthermore, The association means changes the state information associated with the point information stored in the point information storage means to state information indicating the second state when the acquired mode information indicates the second mode, but for a predetermined period after the request information is received, even if the mode information associated with the user of the terminal device that transmitted the request information indicates the second mode, the state information associated with the point information associated with the user is not changed to state information indicating the second state, as described in claim 4.

6. The point management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a means for granting interest to points indicated by the point information associated with the state information indicating the second state, among the point information stored in the point information storage means.

7. Mode information storage means that stores mode information, which indicates a mode pre-set by the user regarding the destination of points awarded to the user, and which indicates one of a plurality of modes including a first mode for adding points to a first point that does not accrue interest and a second mode for adding points to a second point that accrues interest, in association with the user. When points are awarded to any user, a point information storage control means stores point information indicating the points to be awarded in association with the user to whom the points are awarded. A mode information acquisition means for acquiring the mode information from the mode information storage means, Association means for associating state information indicating the management status of a point indicated by the point information with the point information, wherein when the acquired mode information indicates the first mode, the association means associates state information indicating a first state in which the point indicated by the point information is managed as the first point, and when the acquired mode information indicates the second mode, the association means associates state information indicating a second state in which the point indicated by the point information is managed as the second point, A point management system characterized by having the following features.

8. In a point management method performed by a computer, A point information storage control step in which, when points are awarded to any user, point information indicating the points to be awarded is stored in a point information storage means in association with the user to whom the points are awarded, A mode information acquisition step involves acquiring mode information from a mode information storage means that stores mode information in association with the user, which indicates a mode pre-set by the user for the destination of points to be awarded to the user, and which indicates one of a plurality of modes including a first mode for adding points to a first point that does not accrue interest and a second mode for adding points to a second point that accrues interest. A linking step in which, based on the acquired mode information, status information indicating the management status of a point indicated by the point information associated with the user associated with the mode information is linked to the point information, wherein if the acquired mode information indicates a first mode, the status information indicating a first state in which the point indicated by the point information is managed as a first point is linked, and if the acquired mode information indicates a second mode, the status information indicating a second state in which the point indicated by the point information is managed as a second point is linked. A point management method characterized by including the following.

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