Point Management System, Server Device, Point Management Method, and Point Management Program

Abstract

To grant points that are generated by factors on service user side to various groups or the like providing services.SOLUTION: A point granting unit 41 grants a point that is generated by a coupon being made available for display on a guardian terminal 16 to a school 200. The point granting unit 41 makes the point granted to the school 200 stored in a school management table 54 of a database unit 22 in association with a school ID of the school 200.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a point management system, a server device, a point management method, and a point management program.

Background Art

[0002] As a mechanism for reducing the financial shortage of groups and organizations that are service providers providing services, for example, there is a Bellmark movement that can supplement the financial resources of schools providing educational services (see Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the Bellmark movement, students and other service users who use the educational services of schools purchase products with the Bellmark (registered trademark) attached to collect Bellmark points (scores), and exchange those points for goods.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The above-mentioned Bellmark movement grants Bellmark points to schools as service providers, but there has been a demand for a technology that can grant points generated by factors on the service user side to various groups and the like providing other services.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a point management system, a server device, a point management method, and a point management program that can assign points generated due to factors on the service user side to various organizations and the like that provide services.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a point management system comprising: a storage unit; and a point granting unit that grants points generated when a coupon can be displayed on a terminal device of a service user or a person related to the service user to a service provider, and stores the granted points in the storage unit in association with information indicating the service provider.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a point management system comprising: a terminal device of a service user or a person related to the service user; and a server device connectable to the terminal device via a network, wherein the terminal device includes a display unit capable of displaying a coupon, and the server device includes: a coupon management unit that distributes the coupon to the terminal device; a storage unit; and a point granting unit that grants points generated when the coupon is distributed by the coupon management unit and can be displayed on the terminal device to a service provider, and stores the granted points in the storage unit in association with information indicating the service provider.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server device connectable to a terminal device of a service user or a person related to the service user via a network, the server device comprising: a coupon management unit that distributes a coupon to the terminal device; a storage unit; and a point granting unit that grants points generated when the coupon is distributed by the coupon management unit and can be displayed on the terminal device to a service provider, and stores the granted points in the storage unit in association with information indicating the service provider.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a point management method including: a step of granting points generated by displaying a coupon on a terminal device of a service user or a person related to the service user to a service provider; and a step of storing the points granted to the service provider in a storage unit in association with information indicating the service provider.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a point management program for causing a point management system including a point granting unit and a storage unit to execute: a step of the point granting unit granting points generated by displaying a coupon on a terminal device of a service user or a person related to the service user to a service provider; and a step of the point granting unit storing the points granted to the service provider in the storage unit in association with information indicating the service provider.

Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, points generated due to factors on the service user side can be granted to various organizations and the like providing services.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

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[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same or equivalent parts and components are denoted by the same or equivalent reference numerals throughout the drawings, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified.

[0015] [Overview of Business Model] The overview of the business model realized in the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0016] The service provider 1 shown in Fig. 1 is an organization or group that provides services. The services provided by the service provider 1 are public services in the physical space, not Internet-based services. For example, the service provider 1 can be a school that provides educational services, a hospital that provides medical services, etc. The service provider 1 can be not only public but also private schools, hospitals, etc.

[0017] The service user side 2 is a service user who uses the services provided by the service provider 1 or a person related to the service user. The service users are children and students in schools, patients in hospitals, etc. The persons related to the service users are the families of the service users, etc.

[0018] The operation manager 3 is an operator who operates and manages the entire activities of this business model. Specifically, the operation manager 3 grants points exchangeable for goods to the service provider 1, processes for exchanging points for goods, reviews advertisements of the advertiser 5 described later, manages advertising fees, etc.

[0019] The sponsoring company 4 is a company that delivers goods (sponsorship items) exchangeable for points to the service provider 1. The sponsoring company 4 is a company that agrees with the concept of supporting the financial resources of the service provider 1 through this business model.

[0020] The advertiser 5 is a company that posts advertisements in applications used on terminal devices such as smartphones on the service user side 2. The advertiser 5 pays advertising fees to the operation manager 3. The advertising fees are used for the price of goods of the sponsoring company 4 exchangeable for points, etc.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 1, in this business model, advertisements of the advertiser 5 are posted in the application used on the terminal device of the service user side 2 (step S1).

[0022] On the service user side 2, access is made to the advertiser site such as the homepage of the company of the advertiser 5 from the advertisement posted on the application and the advertiser site is viewed (step S2). As a result, the operation administrator 3 grants points exchangeable for goods to the service provider 1 (step S3).

[0023] Also, as will be described later, the operation administrator 3 also grants points to the service provider 1 due to the displayability of coupons on the terminal device of the service user side 2.

[0024] The service provider 1 makes a request to the operation administrator 3 to exchange points for a desired item in order to exchange points for an item (step S4). Upon receiving this request, the operation administrator 3 places an order for the requested item with the sponsoring company 4 (step S5). Also, the operation administrator 3 pays the sponsoring company 4 the price of the item. The sponsoring company 4 delivers the item to the service provider 1 (step S6).

[0025] As described above, according to this business model, when the advertiser site is viewed on the terminal device of the service user side 2, points exchangeable for goods are granted to the service provider 1. Also, points due to the displayability of coupons on the terminal device of the service user side 2 are also granted to the service provider 1. As a result, it is possible to grant points due to the factors of the service user side 2 to the service provider 1, which is various organizations and the like that provide services. And by exchanging points for goods, it is possible to support the financial resources of the service provider 1.

[0026] [Embodiment] Next, an embodiment for implementing the above-described business model will be described. In this embodiment, the service provider 1 in FIG. 1 is a school, which is an organization that provides educational services.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the point management system 11 according to this embodiment includes a server device 12, an operation manager terminal 13, a school terminal 14, a printing device 15, and a guardian terminal (corresponding to a terminal device) 16. The operation manager terminal 13, the school terminal 14, and the guardian terminal 16 can be connected to the server device 12 via a network 17 such as the Internet.

[0028] Here, the school terminal 14 and the printing device 15 are provided in the school 200. The number of schools 200 where the school terminal 14 and the printing device 15 are provided may be one or more. Also, the number of school terminals 14 provided in one school 200 may be one or more. The school 200 can be an elementary school, a junior high school, etc., and can be public or private.

[0029] Also, the guardian terminal 16 is a terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal owned by the guardian (parent) of a child or student who is a commuter attending the school 200. The number of guardian terminals 16 for one commuter may be one or more. Note that a child or student who is a commuter attending the school 200 is simply referred to as a "child". A child is a person who uses the educational services provided by the school 200, corresponds to the service user described above, and is included in the service use side 2 in FIG. 1. Also, the guardian (parent) of a child corresponds to a relative of the service user and is included in the service use side 2.

[0030] The server device 12 is a server that provides a point granting service for granting points that can be exchanged for items by the operation manager 3 to the school 200. The server device 12 is composed of a computer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, hard disk, etc. Note that the server device 12 may be a cloud server provided on the cloud.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the server device 12 includes a control unit 21, a database unit (corresponding to a storage unit) 22, a program storage unit 23, and an external communication unit 24.

[0032] The control unit 21 controls the operation of the entire server device 12. The control unit 21 is configured to include a CPU or the like. The control unit 21 includes a user management unit 31, an advertisement management unit 32, a coupon management unit 33, and a point management unit 34. Each unit of the control unit 21 is configured by the CPU executing a program stored in the program storage unit 23.

[0033] The user management unit 31 performs processing for user registration of the above-described point awarding service. Specifically, in the processing for user registration, the user management unit 31 associates a child ID, a child's nickname, a grade ID, and a class ID, and stores them in the child management table 56 of the database unit 22 described later. In addition, the user management unit 31 associates a guardian ID, a guardian's nickname, the guardian's age, the relationship with the guardian's child, a terminal ID, a terminal name, a child ID, a grade ID, and a class ID, and stores them in the guardian management table 57 of the database unit 22 described later.

[0034] Here, the guardian ID is information for uniquely identifying each guardian. The terminal ID is information for uniquely identifying each guardian terminal 16. The grade ID is information for uniquely identifying each grade in the school 200. The class ID is information for uniquely identifying each class in a grade. The child ID is information for uniquely identifying a child.

[0035] The user management unit 31 can register a plurality of guardian terminals 16 (guardian ID, terminal ID) in association with one child (child ID).

[0036] The advertisement management unit 32 manages advertisements of the advertiser 5 posted in a dedicated application used in the guardian terminal 16. Specifically, the advertisement management unit 32 distributes advertisements to the guardian terminal 16 and the like.

[0037] The coupon management unit 33 manages the coupons (electronic coupons) displayed on the guardian terminal 16 in a dedicated application. Specifically, the coupon management unit 33 distributes coupons to the guardian terminal 16. Coupons can be presented at the storefront to receive benefits such as discounts on goods.

[0038] The point management unit 34 performs processes such as point awarding to the school 200 in the point awarding service. The point management unit 34 includes a point awarding section 41 and a point exchange section 42. Each part of the point management unit 34 is configured by the CPU executing a point management program stored in the program storage unit 23.

[0039] The point awarding section 41 awards the points generated when the guardian terminal 16 views the advertiser's website to the school 200 attended by the child associated with the guardian terminal 16. In addition, the point awarding section 41 awards the points generated when the coupon can be displayed on the guardian terminal 16 to each school 200 within the coupon distribution area. Here, in the guardian terminal 16 registered in the server device 12, the coupon distributed in the area where the school 200 attended by the child associated with the guardian terminal 16 is located can be displayed. The point awarding section 41 stores the points awarded to the school 200 in the school management table 54 of the database section 22 described later in association with the school ID of the school 200.

[0040] When the point exchange section 42 receives a point exchange request from the school 200 to exchange points for a desired item, it performs a point exchange process and an order placement process. The point exchange process is a process of subtracting the points corresponding to the requested item from the number of points held by the school 200 in the school management table 54 described later. The order placement process is a process of placing an order for the item with the sponsoring company 4.

[0041] The database unit 22 stores an advertisement management table 51, a coupon management table 52, a region management table 53, a school management table 54, a class management table 55, a child management table 56, a guardian management table 57, a browsing history table 58, and an item table 59. The database unit 22 is configured by a hard disk or the like.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, the advertisement management table 51 is a table that associates an advertisement ID, advertisement image data, a company ID, an advertisement distribution region, an advertisement distribution period, advertiser site information, a click unit price, and advertisement point information.

[0043] The advertisement ID is information for uniquely identifying each advertisement registered in the server device 12. There may be a case where one advertiser 5 registers multiple types of advertisements.

[0044] The advertisement image data is the image data of the advertisement image. The advertisement image data includes advertisement image data for display in a banner advertisement area 102 (see FIG. 14) described later and advertisement image data for display in an advertisement area 104 (see FIG. 15) on an advertisement list screen 103 described later.

[0045] The company ID is information for uniquely identifying a company. In the advertisement management table 51, the company ID of the company that is the advertiser 5 for each advertisement ID is associated. The advertisement distribution region indicates the region where each advertisement is distributed. The advertisement distribution period indicates the period during which each advertisement is distributed. The advertiser site information is the URL of an external advertiser site, such as the homepage of the company of the advertiser 5.

[0046] The click unit price is the number of points generated by one view of each advertiser site. The advertisement point information is information indicating the total number of points generated by viewing each advertisement.

[0047] Note that the URL stored in the advertisement management table 51 as the advertiser site information may be the URL of a flyer image. Furthermore, the flyer image may be stored in the server device 12.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5, the coupon management table 52 is a table that associates a coupon ID, coupon image data, company ID, coupon distribution area, and coupon distribution period.

[0049] The coupon ID is information for uniquely identifying each coupon registered in the server device 12. In the coupon management table 52, the company ID of the company that is the provider of each coupon is associated with the coupon ID of each coupon. Coupons are provided by companies such as the company that is the advertiser 5 and other companies. One company may register multiple types of coupons.

[0050] The coupon image data is image data of a coupon that can be displayed on the guardian terminal 16. The coupon distribution area indicates the area where each coupon is distributed. The coupon distribution period indicates the period during which each coupon is distributed.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, the area management table 53 is a table that associates an area with the school ID of each school 200 located in each area.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 7, the school management table 54 is a table that associates a school ID, school name, and number of points held.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 8, the class management table 55 is a table that associates a grade ID, class ID, class name, number of children, and school ID. The number of children is the number of children in each class. A plurality of children belong to each class.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 9, the child management table 56 is a table that associates a child ID, child's nickname, grade ID, and class ID.

[0055] The nickname of a child is input on the guardian terminal 16 when registering on the server device 12 of the guardian terminal 16. The nickname of a child is different from the child's name. The nickname of a child is used for the display of the child in the application used on the guardian terminal 16, etc.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 10, the guardian management table 57 is a table that associates a guardian ID, the nickname of the guardian, the age of the guardian, the relationship with the child, a terminal ID, a terminal name, a child ID, a school year ID, and a class ID. The nickname of the guardian, the age of the guardian, and the relationship with the child are input on the guardian terminal 16 when registering on the server device 12 of the guardian terminal 16. The nickname of the guardian is different from the guardian's name. The nickname of the guardian is used for the display of the guardian in the application used on the guardian terminal 16, etc. The terminal name of the guardian terminal 16 is obtained from the guardian terminal 16 when registering on the server device 12 of the guardian terminal 16. As the terminal name, information such as the model name held by the guardian terminal 16 can be used.

[0057] The browsing history table 58 is one in which the browsing history of the advertiser site by the guardian terminal 16 is registered. As shown in FIG. 11, the browsing history table 58 is a table that associates the browsing date and time, which is the date and time when the advertiser site was browsed by the guardian terminal 16, the advertiser site information of the advertiser site, the terminal ID of the guardian terminal 16 that browsed the advertiser site, the child ID associated with the terminal ID, the school ID of the school 200 that the child with the child ID attends, the number of times the guardian terminal 16 browsed the advertiser site, and the number of points acquired by the guardian terminal 16 browsing the advertiser site.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 12, the item table 59 is a table that associates an item name, item image data, and the required number of points.

[0059] The item name is the name of an item that can be exchanged for points in the point-giving service. The item image data is the image data of a photo of each item. The required number of points is the number of points required to exchange each item for points. The required number of points for each item is preset according to the price of each item, etc.

[0060] The program storage unit 23 stores various programs executed by the CPU of the server device 12. The program storage unit 23 is composed of a hard disk or the like.

[0061] The external communication unit 24 performs communication processing with an external device via the network 17.

[0062] The operation administrator terminal 13 is a terminal device for the operation administrator 3 to perform operations related to the point-giving service. The operation administrator terminal 13 is composed of a computer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, a display unit composed of a liquid crystal display panel, etc., and an input unit having a keyboard, a mouse, etc. A browser for accessing the server device 12 is installed in the operation administrator terminal 13.

[0063] The school terminal 14 is a terminal device for the teachers of the school 200 to perform operations related to the point-giving service. The school terminal 14 is composed of the same computer as the operation administrator terminal 13. A browser for accessing the server device 12 is installed in the school terminal 14.

[0064] The printing device 15 prints the registration guidance document and the like described later.

[0065] The guardian terminal 16 is a terminal device for the guardian of a child to perform operations related to the point-giving service. As described above, the guardian terminal 16 consists of a smartphone, a tablet terminal, etc.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 13, the guardian terminal 16 includes a control unit 71, a program storage unit 72, an app information storage unit 73, a display unit 74, an input unit 75, and an external communication unit 76.

[0067] The control unit 71 controls the overall operation of the guardian terminal 16. The control unit 71 is configured to include a CPU or the like. The control unit 71 includes a display control unit 81, an advertisement processing unit 82, and a point processing unit 83. Each part of the control unit 71 is configured by the CPU executing a dedicated application program stored in the program storage unit 72 for using the point-giving service.

[0068] The display control unit 81 controls to display various screens on the display unit 74.

[0069] The advertisement processing unit 82 performs processes such as sending an advertisement site information request for requesting advertisement site information to the server device 12 in order to browse the advertisement site.

[0070] When the school 200 obtains points by browsing the advertisement site on the guardian terminal 16, the point processing unit 83 performs a process of updating the terminal point information in the app information storage unit 73.

[0071] The program storage unit 72 stores various programs such as a dedicated application program for using the point-giving service. The program storage unit 72 is configured by a flash memory or the like. The dedicated application program for using the point-giving service can be obtained from an arbitrary app store server via the network 17, for example.

[0072] The app information storage unit 73 stores the terminal ID of the guardian terminal 16, the child ID of the child associated with the guardian terminal 16, the school ID of the school 200 that the child attends, the terminal point information, and the like. The terminal point information is information indicating the point acquisition history by browsing the advertisement site on the guardian terminal 16.

[0073] The display unit 74 displays various screens. The display unit 74 is composed of a liquid crystal display panel or the like.

[0074] The input unit 75 receives various input operations by the operator of the guardian terminal 16. The input unit 75 includes a touch panel (not shown). The touch panel is disposed overlapping on the display unit 74. The touch panel detects a contact operation by the operator.

[0075] The external communication unit 76 performs communication processing with an external device via the network 17.

[0076] Next, the operation during browsing of an advertiser site for receiving point awarding by viewing an advertisement of the point awarding service in the point management system 11 will be described.

[0077] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a home screen 101 of a dedicated application for using the point awarding service in the guardian terminal 16. A banner advertisement area 102 is provided on the home screen 101. Not limited to the home screen 101, a banner advertisement area 102 is always provided on the display screen of the application.

[0078] Also, in the application in the guardian terminal 16, an advertisement list screen 103 shown in FIG. 15 can be displayed. The advertisement list screen 103 is a screen for listing each advertisement currently being distributed in the area where the school 200 attended by the child associated with the guardian terminal 16 is located. An advertisement area 104 is displayed on the advertisement list screen 103. Also, the point acquisition status (whether points have been acquired or not) in each advertisement is displayed on the advertisement list screen 103.

[0079] In the banner ad area 102 and the ad area 104, ad images are displayed based on the ad image data distributed by the ad management unit 32 of the server device 12. The ad management unit 32 distributes the ad ID to the guardian terminal 16 together with the ad image data of each ad. The ad image in the banner ad area 102 is configured to change each time the display screen of the application is switched.

[0080] In step S11 of FIG. 16, when an operation to view an ad is performed by pressing the banner ad area 102 or any one of the ad areas 104, in step S12, the ad processing unit 82 of the guardian terminal 16 transmits an advertiser site information request to the server device 12. The advertiser site information request includes the ad ID of the ad displayed in the pressed banner ad area 102 or ad area 104, and the terminal ID of the guardian terminal 16.

[0081] When the server device 12 receives the advertiser site information request, in step S13, the ad management unit 32 refers to the ad management table 51 and the browsing history table 58 to determine whether the number of views of the advertiser site requested by the guardian terminal 16, which is the source of the advertiser site information request, is equal to or greater than the point acquisition upper limit number of times.

[0082] The point acquisition upper limit number of times is preset as the upper limit of the number of views that can acquire points for one advertiser site on one guardian terminal 16. The point acquisition upper limit number of times may be once or multiple times.

[0083] If it is determined that the number of views is equal to or greater than the point acquisition upper limit number of times (step S13: YES), in step S14, the ad management unit 32 transmits the advertiser site information of the advertiser site requested to the guardian terminal 16.

[0084] When the guardian terminal 16 receives the advertiser site information, in step S15, the display control unit 81 causes the display unit 74 to display the advertiser site based on the advertiser site information. Thereby, a series of processes is completed.

[0085] In step S13, when the advertisement management unit 32 determines that the number of viewing times is less than the upper limit of point acquisition times (step S13: NO), in step S16, the point awarding unit 41 awards points to the school 200 attended by the child associated with the guardian terminal 16 that is the transmission source of the advertiser site information request.

[0086] Specifically, the point awarding unit 41 acquires the click unit price (number of points) of the advertiser site that is the request target by the advertiser site information request from the advertisement management table 51. Next, the point awarding unit 41 adds the number of points corresponding to the acquired click unit price to the number of held points corresponding to the school ID of the school 200 that is the target for awarding points in the school management table 54.

[0087] In addition, the point awarding unit 41 updates the advertisement point information of the advertiser site that is the request target by the advertiser site information request in the advertisement management table 51 to a value obtained by adding the number of points corresponding to the click unit price of the advertiser site.

[0088] Next, in step S17, the point awarding unit 41 updates the number of viewing times and the number of acquired points of the advertiser site that is the request target by the guardian terminal 16 that is the transmission source of the advertiser site information request. Specifically, the point awarding unit 41 adds "1" to the number of viewing times and adds the number of points corresponding to the click unit price to the number of acquired points.

[0089] Next, in step S18, the advertisement management unit 32 transmits the advertiser site information of the advertiser site that is the request target and the acquired point information indicating the number of points that can be acquired by viewing the current advertiser site to the guardian terminal 16.

[0090] When the guardian terminal 16 receives the advertiser site information and the acquired point information, in step S19, as shown in FIG. 17, the display control unit 81 causes the number of acquired points to be displayed on the display unit 74 by the pop-up screen 105. Also, the point processing unit 83 updates the terminal point information in the application information storage unit 73.

[0091] Returning to FIG. 16, in step S20, the display control unit 81 causes the advertisement site to be displayed on the display unit 74 based on the advertiser site information. Thereby, a series of processes is completed.

[0092] Next, the operation of point awarding by the coupon of the point awarding service in the point management system 11 will be described.

[0093] In the application for using the point awarding service on the guardian terminal 16, the coupon screen 106 shown in FIG. 18 can be displayed. The coupon screen 106 is a screen for listing each coupon currently being distributed in the area where the school 200 attended by the child associated with the guardian terminal 16 is located. A coupon 107 is displayed on the coupon screen 106. The owner of the guardian terminal 16 can receive benefits such as a discount on the product by presenting the coupon 107 at the store.

[0094] Note that after the application is launched on the guardian terminal 16, the coupon screen 106 may be displayed before the home screen 101 is displayed. Also, the coupon screen 106 may be displayed after the advertisement list screen 103 is closed.

[0095] In the point management system 11, when the coupon 107 can be displayed on the guardian terminal 16 as shown in FIG. 18, points corresponding to the coupon posting fee (advertising fee) paid from the provider of the coupon 107 to the operation administrator 3 are generated. Here, on the start date of the coupon distribution period, the coupon 107 becomes displayable on the guardian terminal 16 and points are generated. The point awarding unit 41 of the server device 12 awards the points generated when the coupon becomes displayable on the guardian terminal 16 to the school 200 attended by the child associated with the guardian terminal 16.

[0096] Specifically, on the start date of the coupon distribution period of the coupon registered in the coupon management table 52, the point awarding unit 41 awards points to the school 200 located in the coupon distribution area and having a usage contract for the point awarding service. Here, the school 200 having a usage contract for the point awarding service is the school 200 registered in the area management table 53 and the school management table 54. As described above, the school management table 54 stores the points (number of held points) held by each school 200.

[0097] When there are multiple schools 200 located in the coupon distribution area and having a usage contract for the point awarding service, the point awarding unit 41 distributes and awards points corresponding to the coupon posting fee to these multiple schools 200. For example, the point awarding unit 41 evenly distributes and awards points corresponding to the coupon posting fee to the multiple schools 200.

[0098] Note that the points may be distributed to each school 200 according to a ratio corresponding to the usage record of the coupon on the guardian terminal 16 associated with the children attending each school 200. For example, the more the usage record of the coupon on the guardian terminal 16 associated with the children attending the school 200, the more points may be distributed so that the school 200 gets more points.

[0099] The point awarding unit 41 adds the points by the above-mentioned coupon awarded to the school 200 to the number of held points corresponding to the school ID of the school 200 to which the points are to be awarded in the school management table 54.

[0100] Next, the operation when the school 200 exchanges the points held in the point management system 11 for goods will be described.

[0101] When the school 200 uses points, the school terminal 14 accesses, according to the operation of the teacher, the point usage page in the point awarding service provided by the server device 12 through the browser.

[0102] As a result, a point usage page 111 as shown in FIG. 19 is displayed on the display unit of the school terminal 14. On the point usage page 111, photos, item names, and required point numbers of at least some of the items stored in the item table 59 of the server device 12 are posted. From this point usage page 111, a teacher of the school 200 can select an item for which he / she wants to exchange points.

[0103] When an operation for selecting a desired item and exchanging points for that item is performed, in step S31 of FIG. 20, the school terminal 14 transmits a point exchange request for exchanging points for the selected item to the server device 12.

[0104] Next, in step S32, when the point exchange unit 42 of the server device 12 receives the point exchange request, it performs a point exchange process. Specifically, the point exchange unit 42 subtracts the points corresponding to the requested item from the number of points held by the school 200 that is the source of the point exchange request in the school management table 54.

[0105] Next, in step S33, the point exchange unit 42 places an order for the requested item with the sponsoring company 4 that is the provider of the item. Thereby, a series of operations is completed.

[0106] After the order placement process by the above-described point exchange unit 42 is performed, the sponsoring company 4 delivers the received item to the school 200.

[0107] Note that the school 200 may contact the operation administrator 3 to specify an item and exchange points for the item by e-mail, telephone, or the like.

[0108] In this case, in response to an operation by a staff member of the operation administrator 3 who has received the contact from the school 200, the operation administrator terminal 13 accesses the server device 12 and instructs to perform a process for exchanging the points of the school 200 that has been instructed to exchange points for the specified item for the specified item.

[0109] Accordingly, in response to this, the point exchange unit 42 subtracts the points corresponding to the specified item from the number of points held by the school 200 that has instructed to exchange points for an item in the school management table 54.

[0110] In addition, the operation manager 3 places an order with the sponsoring company 4 for the items specified for the school 200 by means of e-mail, telephone, etc. After that, the sponsoring company 4 delivers the ordered items to the school 200.

[0111] As described above, in the point management system 11, the point awarding unit 41 awards the points generated when the coupon becomes displayable on the guardian terminal 16 to each school 200 within the coupon distribution area. Then, the point awarding unit 41 stores the awarded points in the school management table 54 of the database unit 22 in association with the school ID of the school 200. Thereby, points generated due to factors on the child side, such as the coupon being displayable on the guardian terminal 16, can be awarded to the school 200 by a mechanism different from the existing Bellmark campaign.

[0112] Here, as will be described later, the system for awarding points to the school 200 by the point management system 11 is a system applicable to various service providers 1 other than schools. Therefore, according to the point management system 11, points generated due to factors on the child side can be awarded to the school 200 by a system applicable to various service providers 1.

[0113] Also, in the point management system 11, when there are a plurality of schools 200 located in the coupon distribution area and having concluded a usage contract for the point awarding service, the point awarding unit 41 distributes and awards the points generated when the coupon becomes displayable on the guardian terminal 16 to those plurality of schools 200. Thereby, points by the coupon as described above can be awarded to each school 200 in the coupon distribution area that has concluded a usage contract for the point awarding service.

[0114] In addition, in the point management system 11, since points can be exchanged for goods, the school 200 can use the points for procurement of equipment. Therefore, according to the point management system 11, the financial resources of the school 200 can be supported.

[0115] [Other Embodiments] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described as above, it should not be understood that the discussions and drawings forming a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operation techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

[0116] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the service provider 1 is a school has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and the service provider 1 may be, for example, a hospital providing medical services, a nursing facility providing nursing care services, a nursery school, a kindergarten, a company, a department within a company, a mutual aid organization such as a public fire department or a fire brigade, a health center, or the like. In addition, schools as the service provider 1 include elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools, universities, and the like. The present invention is applicable even when the service provider 1 is various organizations or the like that provide services.

[0117] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the service provider 1 is a school and the service user side 2 is a guardian has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the service user side 2 may be the commuting students themselves such as children and students in the school, graduates, or their families.

[0118] In addition, when Service Provider 1 is a nursery school or kindergarten, Service User 2 may be a child, their guardian, a graduate of the school, their guardian, or their family members. When Service Provider 1 is a hospital, Service User 2 may be a patient, their caregiver, a nursing caregiver, a person who has completed treatment, or their family members. When Service Provider 1 is a company and its internal departments, Service User 2 may include employees, full-time employees, dispatched employees, shareholders, retirees, alumni, and their family members. When Service Provider 1 is a local autonomous body such as a public fire department, a health center, or a fire brigade, Service User 2 may be a local resident, a visitor, or their family members.

[0119] In the above-described embodiment, regarding the point provision based on advertisement viewing, the case where points are generated when the guardian terminal 16 owned by a child's guardian views the advertiser site has been described. However, it is not limited to this. For example, points may be generated when a terminal device owned by the child himself / herself views the advertiser site. As long as points are generated by a terminal device of a service user or a person related to the service user viewing the advertiser site, it is acceptable.

[0120] In the above-described embodiment, the case where points corresponding to the coupon posting fee are distributed and provided to a plurality of schools 200 in the coupon distribution area has been described. However, it is not limited to this. When there are a plurality of Service Providers 1, as long as points generated by making a coupon displayable on a terminal device of a service user or a person related to the service user who uses at least one of the services of the plurality of Service Providers 1 are distributed and provided to the plurality of Service Providers 1, it is acceptable.

[0121] In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the provider of the coupon is a company. However, it is not limited to this, and the provider of the coupon may be a local autonomous body or the like.

[0122] Also, the points given to Service Provider 1 may be redeemed for coupons to increase the discount amount of the coupons.

[0123] In the above-described embodiment, points are given to the service provider 1. However, what is given is not limited to points, and may be electronic money, cryptocurrency (virtual currency), goods, services, points in other point services, or predetermined rewards and the like not limited thereto.

[0124] In the above-described embodiment, points can be exchanged for goods. However, it is not limited to this. For example, points may be replaceable with services or points in other point services. Thereby, the convenience of points can be enhanced.

[0125] Thus, the present invention naturally includes various embodiments and the like not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the invention-specific matters according to the reasonable claims based on the above description.

[0126] [Supplementary Note] This application discloses the following inventions.

[0127] (Supplementary Note 1) A storage unit, a point granting unit that grants points generated by the display of a coupon on a terminal device of a service user or a person related to the service user to the service provider, and stores the granted points in the storage unit in association with information indicating the service provider; A point management system, characterized by comprising the above.

[0128] (Supplementary Note 2) The storage unit stores the points held for each of the plurality of service providers, The point granting unit distributes and grants the points generated by the display of the coupon on the terminal device of the service user or a person related to the service user who uses at least one of the plurality of service providers to the plurality of service providers. The point management system according to Supplementary Note 1, characterized by the above.

[0129] (Appendix 3) The point management system according to Appendix 1 or 2, characterized in that the point is exchangeable with an article.

[0130] (Appendix 4) Comprising a terminal device of a service user or a person related to the service user, and a server device connectable to the terminal device via a network. The terminal device Comprises a display unit capable of displaying a coupon. The server device A coupon management unit that distributes the coupon to the terminal device, A storage unit, A point awarding unit that awards points generated when the coupon is distributed by the coupon management unit and can be displayed on the terminal device to the service provider, and stores the awarded points in the storage unit in association with information indicating the service provider. A point management system characterized by comprising the above.

[0131] (Appendix 5) A server device connectable to a terminal device of a service user or a person related to the service user via a network, A coupon management unit that distributes the coupon to the terminal device, A storage unit, A point awarding unit that awards points generated when the coupon is distributed by the coupon management unit and can be displayed on the terminal device to the service provider, and stores the awarded points in the storage unit in association with information indicating the service provider. A server device characterized by comprising the above.

[0132] (Appendix 6) The step of awarding points generated when a coupon is displayed on a terminal device of a service user or a person related to the service user to the service provider, A step of storing the points given to the service provider in a storage unit in association with information indicating the service provider A point management method characterized by including the above.

[0133] (Appendix 7) In a point management system including a point granting unit and a storage unit A step of the point granting unit granting points generated by making a coupon displayable on a terminal device of a service user or a person related to the service user to the service provider A step of the point granting unit storing the points given to the service provider in the storage unit in association with information indicating the service provider A point management program for causing the above to be executed.

Explanation of Signs

[0134] 1 Service provider 2 Service using side 3 Operation manager 4 Sponsor company 5 Advertiser 11 Point management system 12 Server device 13 Operation manager terminal 14 School terminal 15 Printing device 16 Guardian terminal 21 Control unit 22 Database unit 23 Program storage unit 24 External communication unit 31 User management unit 32 Advertisement management unit 33 Coupon management unit 34 Point management unit 41 Point granting unit 42 Point exchange unit 51 Advertisement management table 52 Coupon management table 53 Region management table 54 School management table 55 Class Management Table 56 Child Management Table 57 Guardian Management Table 58 Browsing History Table 59 Item Table 71 Control Unit 72 Program Memory Unit 73 App Information Memory Unit 74 Display Unit 75 Input Unit 76 External Communication Unit 81 Display Control Unit 82 Advertising Processing Unit 83 Point Processing Unit 101 Home Screen 102 Banner Advertising Area 103 Advertising List Screen 104 Advertising Area 106 Coupon Screen 107 Coupon 200 School

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores a regional management table associating a region with information indicating service providers located in the region, and a coupon management table associating the distribution region and distribution period of coupons displayed on the terminal devices of service users or persons related to the service users; A point awarding unit that, during the distribution period of the coupon registered in the coupon management table, awards points to the service providers located in the distribution region of the coupon and registered in the regional management table, and stores the awarded points in the storage unit in association with the information indicating the service providers; A point management system, characterized by comprising the above.

2. The point awarding unit is located in the distribution region of the coupon registered in the coupon management table, and when there are a plurality of service providers registered in the regional management table, distributes and awards the points to the plurality of service providers. The point management system according to Claim 1, characterized by this.

3. The points are distributed to the plurality of service providers at a ratio corresponding to the usage record of the coupon on the terminal devices of the service users or persons related to the service users who use the services of the respective service providers among the plurality of service providers. The point management system according to Claim 2, characterized by this.

4. The point management system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the points are exchangeable for goods.

5. Comprising a terminal device of a service user or a person related to the service user, and a server device connectable to the terminal device via a network, The terminal device, Comprises a display unit capable of displaying coupons, The server device, A coupon management unit that distributes the coupon to the terminal device, A storage unit that stores a regional management table associating a region with information indicating service providers located in the region, and a coupon management table associating the distribution region and distribution period of the coupon, A point awarding unit that, during the distribution period of the coupon registered in the coupon management table, awards points to the service providers located in the distribution region of the coupon and registered in the regional management table, and stores the awarded points in the storage unit in association with the information indicating the service providers; A point management system characterized by comprising [

6. ] A server device connectable to a terminal device of a service user or a person related to the service user via a network, A coupon management unit that distributes coupons to the terminal device, A storage unit that stores a regional management table associating regions with information indicating service providers located in the regions, and a coupon management table associating the distribution regions and distribution periods of the coupons, During the distribution period of the coupon registered in the coupon management table, points are given to the service provider located in the distribution region of the coupon and registered in the regional management table, and the given points are stored in the storage unit in association with the information indicating the service provider A server device characterized by comprising [

7. ] A step of giving points to a service provider registered in a table associating regions with information indicating service providers located in the regions, during the distribution period of a coupon registered in a table associating the distribution region and distribution period of the coupon displayed on a terminal device of a service user or a person related to the service user, and located in the distribution region of the coupon; A step of storing the points given to the service provider in a storage unit in association with the information indicating the service provider A point management method characterized by including [

8. ] On a computer, During the distribution period of a coupon registered in a table associating the distribution region and distribution period of the coupon displayed on a terminal device of a service user or a person related to the service user, a step of giving points to a service provider registered in a table associating regions with information indicating service providers located in the regions, and located in the distribution region of the coupon; A step of storing the points given to the service provider in a storage unit in association with the information indicating the service provider A point management program for causing the above to be executed

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