Referral code management system, referral code management method, and referral code management program

Abstract

To provide a technology for giving an incentive for purchasing a sales item previously associated with a referral code if an access using a sales link is due to an appropriate referral. [Solution] A referral code management system executed by a computer system including a management server and a user terminal, wherein the management server performs a purchase information reception process for receiving a referral code linked to the first purchaser that was handed over at the time of introduction, along with information indicating the purchase history of a second purchaser who is said to have been introduced by a first purchaser and made a purchase, and a referral code activation process for generating an incentive if it is determined that an appropriate introduction has been made from the first purchaser to the second purchaser, and determines that the introduction is an appropriate one if the purchase history is less than the number of purchases limit, is within the expiration date, or the first purchaser and the second purchaser satisfy a specified relationship.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a referral code management system, a referral code management method, and a referral code management program. [Background technology]

[0002] The following methods are known for conventional product referral systems: 1. Affiliate marketing. In this system, the introducer distributes product links to an unspecified number of people and receives compensation based on the number of purchases. In this system, the relationship between the introducer and the purchaser is often weak. 2. Member referral system. Existing members introduce new members and are given referral compensation and benefits. In this system, the referral is often a one-time event. 3. Social media marketing. Influencers introduce products and receive compensation. This system has a strong advertising element, lacks credibility, and makes it difficult to convey the product's intrinsic value. Furthermore, such methods often involve issuing coupons to give purchasers financial incentives.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a coupon management device in which "the generation means generates a coupon code including the plan identifier of a coupon plan for which the search means has determined that the issuance conditions are met, the issuer identifier determined by the first determination means, and the coupon identifier. The determination means determines whether to accept or reject the provision of a benefit for the coupon plan identified by the plan identifier included in the notified coupon code as rejection, at least if the inquirer determined by the second determination means does not have a specified relationship with the issuer identified by the issuer identifier included in the notified coupon code, or if the notified coupon code is not recorded by the recording means as unused. The recording means updates the record in response to the response means that the provision of the benefit is permitted, so that it can be confirmed that the coupon code notified at the time of the inquiry is not unused." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-151720 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] While the above technology can restrict the fraudulent reuse of coupons, it cannot prevent abuse by introducers and cannot guarantee the quality of introductions. In addition, it is difficult to build a continuous relationship with the introducer, which does not lead to the formation of a community, and it does not have much effect in contributing to the improvement of brand value.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a technology that can encourage purchases through appropriate referrals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present application includes multiple means for solving at least part of the above problems, examples of which are as follows: A referral code management system according to one aspect of the present invention is a referral code management system executed by a computer system including a management server and a user terminal, the user terminal being owned by each of a first purchaser and a second purchaser who purchases a product, and the management server performs a purchase information reception process for receiving, for the second purchaser who is said to have been referred by the first purchaser and made a purchase, information indicating the purchase history and a unique referral code associated with the first purchaser that is said to have been handed over at the time of the referral, and a referral code activation process for determining whether the first purchaser has made an appropriate referral to the second purchaser, and if the referral is appropriate, for providing a predetermined incentive to at least one of the first purchaser and the second purchaser, and the referral code activation process determines that the referral is appropriate if the number of purchases using the referral code is less than the limit, if the referral code is within the expiration date, or if the first purchaser and the second purchaser satisfy a predetermined relationship.

[0008] The referral code management system may determine in the referral code activation process that the referral code is an appropriate referral if the number of purchases using the referral code is less than the limit.

[0009] The referral code management system may determine in the referral code activation process that the referral code is an appropriate referral if the referral code is within the expiration date set for the referral code.

[0010] The above-mentioned referral code management system may determine in the referral code activation process that the referral code is an appropriate referral if the first purchaser and the second purchaser are in a mutual follow relationship in a specified SNS system.

[0011] The above-mentioned referral code management system may determine in the referral code activation process that the referral code is an appropriate referral if the first purchaser and the second purchaser are in the same household or family relationship.

[0012] The above-mentioned referral code management system may determine that the referral code is an appropriate referral if the second purchaser responds with the current location of the first purchaser in the referral code activation process.

[0013] The above-mentioned referral code management system may further determine in the referral code activation process that the referral code is an appropriate referral if the first purchaser has received a predetermined or higher rating from a purchaser of the product that the first purchaser has previously referred.

[0014] The above-mentioned referral code management system may also implement a recommendation plan process that encourages the first purchaser to introduce a specified product if the first purchaser has received a predetermined or higher rating from a purchaser of the product that the first purchaser has previously introduced.

[0015] In the referral code management system, in the referral code activation process, a predetermined generation AI may be used to determine whether an appropriate referral has been made from the first purchaser to the second purchaser.

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention provides a referral code management method executed by a computer system including a management server and a user terminal, wherein the user terminal is owned by each of a first purchaser and a second purchaser who purchases an item for sale. The management server performs a purchase information reception process that receives, for the second purchaser who is said to have been introduced by the first purchaser and made a purchase, information indicating the purchase history of the first purchaser, as well as a unique referral code associated with the first purchaser that was allegedly handed over at the time of the introduction; and a referral code activation process that determines whether the first purchaser has made an appropriate introduction to the second purchaser, and if so, provides a predetermined incentive to at least one of the first purchaser and the second purchaser. The referral code activation process determines that the referral is an appropriate introduction if the number of purchases using the referral code is less than the limit on the number of purchases, if the referral code is within the expiration date set for the referral code, or if the first purchaser and the second purchaser satisfy a predetermined relationship.

[0017] In addition, another aspect of the present invention provides a referral code management program that causes a computer system including a management server and a user terminal to function as a referral code management system. The user terminals are respectively owned by a first purchaser and a second purchaser who purchases a product. The program causes the management server to perform a purchase information reception process that receives a unique referral code associated with the first purchaser, which is said to have been handed over at the time of the introduction, along with information indicating the purchase history of the second purchaser who is said to have been introduced by the first purchaser and made a purchase; and a referral code activation process that determines whether the first purchaser has made an appropriate introduction to the second purchaser, and if so, generates a predetermined incentive for at least one of the first purchaser and the second purchaser. The referral code activation process determines that the introduction is an appropriate introduction if the number of purchases using the referral code is less than the limit on the number of times, if the referral code is within the expiration date set for the referral code, or if the first purchaser and the second purchaser satisfy a predetermined relationship.

[0018] Another aspect of the present invention provides a referral code management system executed by a computer system including a management server and a user terminal, the user terminal being owned by a first purchaser and a second purchaser who purchase a product, the user terminal owned by the first purchaser reading a product-specific code that is associated with the product purchased by the first purchaser and that can only be read by opening the package, and transmitting the read product-specific code to the management server, the management server storing the received product-specific code in association with the first purchaser, issuing a referral code associated with the first purchaser, and transmitting the referral code to the user terminal of the first purchaser, the user terminal of the first purchaser transferring the received referral code to the user terminal of the second purchaser by transmitting or displaying it in a readable manner, and the user terminal of the second purchaser receiving the referral code, The system reads a unique product code associated with the purchased product, which can only be read by opening the package, and sends the read unique product code together with the referral code to the management server.The management server then performs a purchase information reception process to receive a unique referral code associated with the first purchaser, which is information indicating the purchase history of the second purchaser who was referred by the first purchaser and made the purchase, along with the unique product code, which is information indicating the purchase history of the second purchaser.The system also performs a referral code activation process to determine whether the first purchaser has made an appropriate referral to the second purchaser, and if the referral is an appropriate referral, to issue a predetermined incentive to at least one of the first purchaser and the second purchaser.The referral code activation process determines that the referral is an appropriate referral if the referral code received from the user terminal of the second purchaser in the purchase information reception process matches the referral code issued in association with the first purchaser. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique that can encourage purchases through appropriate referrals.

[0020] Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a referral code management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the configuration of a management server. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of product information. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of introducer information. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of access history information. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of prospective customer information. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of purchase history information. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a management server. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of a referral code issuing process. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of a sales process. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of introducer trust evaluation processing. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of a recommendation plan process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] A referral code management system 1 to which an embodiment according to one aspect of the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, when necessary for convenience, the description will be divided into multiple sections or embodiments, but unless otherwise specified, they are not unrelated to each other, and one is a partial or complete modification, detail, supplementary explanation, etc. of the other.

[0023] Furthermore, in the following embodiments, when referring to the number of elements (including the number, numerical value, amount, range, etc.), unless otherwise specified or when it is clearly limited to a specific number in principle, it is not limited to that specific number and may be more or less than the specific number.

[0024] Furthermore, it goes without saying that in the following embodiments, the components (including element steps, etc.) are not necessarily essential unless otherwise specified or unless they are clearly considered essential in principle.

[0025] Similarly, in the following embodiments, when referring to the shapes, positional relationships, etc. of components, etc., it is intended to include those that are substantially similar or similar to those shapes, etc., unless otherwise specified or when it is considered that this is clearly not the case in principle. This also applies to the above numerical values ​​and ranges.

[0026] In addition, in all the drawings for explaining the embodiments, the same components are generally designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0027] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a referral code management system 1 according to this embodiment. The referral code management system 1 includes a management server 100, an introducer terminal 200, a prospective customer terminal 300, an SNS system 400, and an AI service 500. An introducer of a product or service (hereinafter also referred to as a product for sale) uses the introducer terminal 200, and a prospective customer uses a prospective customer terminal 300 such as their own smartphone. Both the introducer terminal 200 and the prospective customer terminal 300 read a QR code (registered trademark) of a referral code associated with the product or service, etc., and access the domain (content such as a web page) of the management server 100. Note that the introducer is a purchaser who has purchased the product for sale. Therefore, the introducer terminal 200 and the prospective customer terminal 300 are basically the same, although their roles are different.

[0028] The introducer terminal 200 and the potential customer terminal 300 are information processing devices such as smartphones, personal computers, and tablet devices, but may also be wearable devices such as smart watches, headsets, gloves, and chokers.

[0029] The introducer terminal 200 and the prospective customer terminal 300 communicate with the management server 100 using a data communication network such as a carrier network or the Internet, using a predetermined data transmission protocol (HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), Https (HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure), etc.). The introducer terminal 200 and the prospective customer terminal 300 send and receive web content using URLs (Uniform Resource Locators), or perform so-called web browsing. For example, the introducer terminal 200 and the prospective customer terminal 300 request and display the company homepage or web content obtained from the management server 100 on a display (not shown) or the like.

[0030] The management server 100 responds to various requests according to a data transmission protocol from the introducer terminal 200 and the potential customer terminal 300. For example, the management server 100 reads a QR code (e.g., a unique code for a product that can only be read by opening the purchased product) provided on a product or the like, and displays content data including a predetermined sales page or the like on the introducer terminal 200 and the potential customer terminal 300 accessed via web browsing.

[0031] The SNS system 400 is a system that provides a predetermined SNS (Social Networking Service). The specific type of SNS is not important, but includes, for example, anonymous and non-anonymous services such as Facebook and X. In an SNS, each user maintains an account, and the follow relationships between accounts are recorded. The SNS system 400 also discloses the status of mutual follow between accounts via a predetermined API (Application Programming Interface).

[0032] The AI ​​service 500 is a service that provides the functionality of so-called generative AI, such as GPT or Gemini, via an API or the like. It may be built within the management server 100. The AI ​​service 500 provides natural language prompts to the generative AI to generate desired results. Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence based on machine learning, a learning model capable of generating new information and content based on input data. Generative AI is a technology that primarily utilizes deep learning to create new text, images, audio, etc. by studying large data sets and extracting patterns and features from that data. Generative AI is applied in various fields, such as text generation, image generation, and speech synthesis, and has achieved particularly successful results in areas such as natural language processing and image processing.

[0033] In this embodiment, when the AI ​​service 500 receives an instruction via, for example, an API, it causes the generation AI to generate answer information and sends the result to the instruction source as a return value of the API. At that time, the generation AI accepts related information necessary for the answer as RAG information, adds the RAG information, reads it as part of the information to be considered, and reflects it in generating the answer.

[0034] For example, the AI ​​service 500 can refer to the purchasing history of a potential customer, estimate what types of products and services the potential customer is likely to be interested in, and present this as an answer.

[0035] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management server. The management server 100 includes a processing unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a communication unit 150. The storage unit 120 includes product information 121, introducer information 122, access history information 123, potential customer information 124, and purchase history information 125. The processing unit 110 includes an authentication unit 111, an introduction code issuing unit 112, an introduction code validation unit 113, an introducer trust evaluation unit 114, and a recommendation planning unit 115.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example data structure of product information. Product information 121 includes a product ID, a JAN code (including a business code, a product item code, etc.), product attributes, and purchaser attributes. Product attributes include product types such as home appliances, games, kitchenware, clothing, food, and household goods; product specifications such as product size, weight, size, and color; sales regions; product replacement periods; frequency of use; place of use; whether the product is a consumable or durable; and sales formats (special sale products and event products). Purchaser attributes include the product's target demographic (male, female, age group, etc.). In other words, product information 121 can be said to be information in which a sales region is associated with each product. Product information 121 can also be said to be information in which target purchaser attributes including at least one of gender, age group, and occupation are associated with each product.

[0037] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of introducer information 122. The introducer information 122 includes an introducer ID, an SNS account, a referral history identified by a transaction ID, a purchaser satisfaction level for each transaction, a reliability score, location information, and connection information.

[0038] The introducer ID is information that identifies the introducer. The SNS account is information that identifies the account in the SNS system 400 used by the introducer. The introduction history is information that shows the history of products and services that the introducer has purchased through an introduction. The purchaser satisfaction level is information that records, for each transaction, information on the evaluation of satisfaction with the product or service made by the purchaser of the product or service that the introducer has purchased through an introduction.

[0039] The reliability score is a predetermined index value based on the introducer's sincere response, the prior explanation of the product or service, evaluations from purchasers, etc. For example, the reliability score should be higher the more sincere the introducer's response, the more thorough and clear the prior explanation of the product or service, or the higher the evaluation from purchasers.

[0040] The location information is information that specifies the location of the introducer, or information that specifies a predetermined range (for example, a city, ward, town, village, or prefecture) that includes the location of the introducer. The relationship information is information that specifies people who are related to the introducer, such as family members, blood relatives, cohabitants, teacher-student relationships, friends, colleagues, etc.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example data structure of access history information. The access history information 123 includes a sales link (access URL), an introducer ID, an access history by session, the number of sales, and an expiration date. The sales link includes information identifying the introducer of the product or service. The access history by session includes, for each HTTP session, the access date and time, the displayed content ID, the time spent on the content (display time), and, for videos, the percentage of the display time relative to the total video time, the access area, etc. The access area is information estimated from the IP address, etc., of the area accessed by the introducer terminal 200 and the potential customer terminal 300 after reading the introduction code. Furthermore, the accessed area includes not only base station units but also prefecture units, for example.

[0042] The number of sales is information that indicates the maximum number of times a customer who accessed the sales link can purchase the product or service. The expiration date is information that specifies the period during which a customer can purchase the product or service via the sales link.

[0043] Here, as the configuration of the access URL in this embodiment, a URL that is considered to be easy to analyze access is adopted so that it can be easily matched by various search engines. Specifically, It is recommended to use a URL like "https: / / xxx.co.jp / laben-ECS / g-code / C6-00313 / jan=4988760012036 / col=green / no=001 / referrer=987654 / refcode=123456 / peeler.html." "xxx.co.jp / laben-ECS" is the hostname and domain name portion, "g-code" is a separator indicating the product code, "C6-00313 / jan=4988760012036" is the product classification code and JAN code, "col=green" is the color classification, "no=001" is a unique code for special sales, events, sales regions, etc., "referrer=987654" indicates that the introducer's ID is "987654," and "refcode=123456" indicates that the introducer's referral code is "12345." While not shown here, you can also add codes indicating size, such as "siz=xl." In addition, product classification codes can be unified by using design classification codes established in the examination standards of the Design Act.

[0044] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of prospective customer information 124. The prospective customer information 124 includes a social media account, a customer ID, a referral history (transaction ID), a purchase history (for each transaction), and a persona (consumption trends, interests, etc.).

[0045] An SNS account is information that identifies an account in the SNS system 400 used by a potential customer. A customer ID is information that identifies a potential customer. A referral history is information that indicates the history of products and services accessed through a referral from an introducer. A purchase history is information that indicates the history of products and services purchased through a referral from an introducer. A persona is information that identifies one or more types of potential customers, classified based on predetermined criteria based on their consumption trends, areas of interest, etc. Note that a persona is a different concept from a target used in the field of marketing in that the target is a group or an individual, but the two may be essentially the same or different.

[0046] 7 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of purchase history information 125. The purchase history information 125 includes a transaction ID, a product ID, an introducer ID, a purchaser (customer ID), a sales date and time, a sales price, a sales quantity, and a purchase location.

[0047] The transaction ID is information that identifies the transaction at the time of purchase of a product or service that was purchased through an introduction from an introducer. The product ID is information that identifies the product or service. The introducer ID is information that identifies the introducer. The purchaser is information that identifies the customer who purchased the product or service through an introduction from an introducer. The sales date and time, sales price, and sales quantity are information that identifies the date and time, price, and quantity of the product or service purchased through an introduction from an introducer. The location at the time of purchase is information that identifies the location of the potential customer terminal 300 used to purchase the product or service when purchasing the product or service through an introduction from an introducer.

[0048] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 2, the authentication unit 111 authenticates the introducer or the purchaser. The authentication is performed, for example, by determining whether or not a combination of the introducer ID and password matches information registered in advance.

[0049] The referral code issuing unit 112 issues a referral code that is a coded sales link that is a link to a sales page related to a predetermined product or service.

[0050] The referral code validation unit 113 accepts access made by a customer's user terminal using a sales link obtained by decoding the referral code, and if the referral is made through an appropriate referral, provides at least the introducer or the customer with a predetermined incentive for the purchase of a product or service previously associated with the referral code. That is, the referral code validation unit 113 determines whether an appropriate referral has been made from a purchaser (first purchaser) to another purchaser (second purchaser), and if the referral is made through an appropriate referral, provides at least one of the first purchaser and the second purchaser with a predetermined incentive.

[0051] Furthermore, the referral code validation unit 113 determines that the referral is an appropriate referral if the number of accesses using the referral code or the number of purchases using the referral code is less than the limit, if the referral code is within its expiration date, or if the introducer and the prospective customer have a predetermined relationship. The referral code validation unit 113 queries the SNS system 400 using an API or the like, and determines that the referral is an appropriate referral if the introducer and the prospective customer have a mutual follow relationship.

[0052] Alternatively, the referral code validation unit 113 may determine that the referral is an appropriate referral when the introducer and the potential customer are in the same household or family relationship.Alternatively, the referral code validation unit 113 may determine that the referral is an appropriate referral when the potential customer responds with the introducer's current location.Furthermore, the referral code validation unit 113 may determine that the referral is an appropriate referral when the introducer has received a predetermined or higher rating from customers who have purchased products or services that the introducer has introduced in the past.

[0053] The introducer reliability evaluation unit 114 evaluates the reliability of each introducer and calculates a reliability score.

[0054] The recommendation planning unit 115 encourages the introducer to introduce a predetermined product when the introducer has received a predetermined or higher evaluation from a purchaser of a product or service that the introducer has previously introduced.

[0055] The communication unit 150 communicates with the introducer terminal 200, the potential customer terminal 300, the SNS system 400, and the AI ​​service 500 via a data communication network and other networks such as the Internet.

[0056] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a management server. The management server 100 has a hardware configuration realized by the housing of a so-called server device, workstation, personal computer, smartphone, or tablet terminal. The management server 100 has a processor 101, memory 102, storage device 103, communication device 104, and a bus connecting each device.

[0057] The processor 101 is an arithmetic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0058] The memory 102 is a memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0059] The storage device 103 is a non-volatile storage device capable of storing digital information, such as a so-called hard disk drive, a solid state drive (SSD), or a flash memory.

[0060] The communication device 104 is a network interface card (NIC) or the like that communicates with other devices via the data communication network 50 .

[0061] The authentication unit 111, referral code issuing unit 112, referral code validation unit 113, introducer trust evaluation unit 114, and recommendation planning unit 115 of the management server 100 are realized by a program that causes the processor 101 to perform processing. This program is stored in the memory 102, the storage device 103, or a ROM device (not shown), and is loaded onto the memory 102 for execution and executed by the processor 101.

[0062] The storage unit 120 of the management server 100 is realized by the memory 102 and the storage device 103. The communication unit 150 is realized by the communication device 104. An example of the hardware configuration of the management server 100 has been described above.

[0063] The configuration of the management server 100 can be further divided into more components depending on the processing content, or can be divided so that one component performs more processing.

[0064] Furthermore, each processing unit (authentication unit 111, referral code issuing unit 112, referral code validation unit 113, introducer trust evaluation unit 114, recommendation planning unit 115) may be constructed using dedicated hardware (ASIC, GPU, etc.) that realizes each function. Furthermore, the processing of each processing unit may be executed by a single piece of hardware, or may be executed by multiple pieces of hardware. The introducer terminal 200 and the potential customer terminal 300 also have basically the same hardware configuration as the management server 100.

[0065] Next, the operation of the referral code management system 1 in this embodiment will be described.

[0066] 9 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the referral code issuing process. The referral code issuing process is started when the management server 100 is put into a standby state and a login is made from the introducer terminal 200. Note that the login process is handled by the authentication unit 111, and it is sufficient if it goes through general authentication (password authentication, biometric information authentication, passcode authentication, image authentication, etc.).

[0067] First, the introducer terminal 200 requests the management server 100 to issue an introduction code (step S001). At that time, the introducer terminal 200 transmits to the management server 100 the product ID of the product to be introduced and information about the introducer's SNS account in the SNS system 400.

[0068] Then, the referral code issuing unit 112 issues a sales link including the product ID and the introducer ID, and issues a referral code (step S002). Specifically, the referral code issuing unit 112 refers to the introducer information 122, and if the introducer ID of the logged-in introducer matches the introducer ID in the introducer information 122 and the information of the SNS account sent in step S001 matches the SNS account in the introducer information 122, it issues a sales link including the product ID and the introducer ID sent in step S001, issues a referral code, and sends the referral code including the sales link to the introducer terminal 200.

[0069] Then, the referral code issuing unit 112 stores the initial values ​​of the number of issues and the validity period (step S003). Specifically, the referral code issuing unit 112 makes an entry into the access history information 123 for the sales link issued in step S002, and stores the introducer ID. Then, the referral code issuing unit 112 stores the initial value of a predetermined number of sales (for example, 0 times) as the number of sales, and stores a predetermined period of time (for example, 7 days from the date and time of issuance of the referral code) as the validity period.

[0070] The above is an example of the processing content of the referral code issuance process. According to the referral code issuance process, for a certain product, a referral code including a sales link containing introducer information can be easily created and issued to the introducer terminal 200. The introducer terminal 200 can print the issued referral code and attach it to the product or a flyer, or display it on the introducer terminal 200 and read it by the potential customer terminal 300, or read it by the potential customer terminal 300 via email or SNS 400 to direct the customer to a sales site.

[0071] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the sales process. The sales process is started when the management server 100 starts operation, and then goes into a standby state, and the sales process is started when the prospective customer terminal 300 reads the referral code.

[0072] First, the potential customer reads the referral code on the potential customer terminal 300 (step S101). Specifically, the potential customer terminal 300 reads the referral code using a camera or the like, decodes it to identify a sales link, accesses the sales link together with the potential customer's SNS account information, and transmits it to the management server 100.

[0073] Then, the referral code validation unit 113 checks the validity of the sales link (step S102). Specifically, the referral code validation unit 113 checks the validity of the sales link by determining whether the number of sales or the number of accesses using the referral code is less than an upper limit and is within the expiration date. For example, the referral code validation unit 113 refers to the access history information 123 for the accessed sales link, obtains the number of sales or the number of accesses using the referral code, and determines whether it is less than a predetermined upper limit (e.g., 20 times), and also determines whether the current date and time is within the expiration date. If any of the sales links is invalid, i.e., if the number of sales or the number of accesses using the referral code is equal to or greater than a predetermined upper limit, or if it is not within the expiration date, the referral code validation unit 113 advances control to step S109, which will be described later.

[0074] If both sales links are valid, that is, if the number of sales or the number of accesses using the referral code is less than the upper limit and is within the expiration date, the referral code validation unit 113 performs the next validity check of the sales link (step S103). Specifically, as a validity check of the sales link, the referral code validation unit 113 asks the prospective customer a question about the introducer's current location to determine whether the sales link is valid.

[0075] For example, the referral code validation unit 113 sends an answer input screen to the potential customer terminal 300, displays a question about the introducer's current location, and accepts input of an answer from the potential customer (step S104). If the input answer substantially matches the location information in the introducer information 122, the referral code validation unit 113 determines that the code is valid. This is because the fact that the potential customer knows the introducer's location suggests that there is some kind of relationship between the potential customer and the introducer. If the sales link is confirmed to be valid in step S103 (if it is valid), the referral code validation unit 113 advances control to step S106, which will be described later.

[0076] If the sales link validity check in step S103 is NG (if it is not valid), the referral code validation unit 113 performs the next validity check of the sales link (step S105). Specifically, the referral code validation unit 113 checks the relationship of the introducer to determine whether the sales link is valid or not as a validity check of the sales link.

[0077] For example, the referral code validation unit 113 queries the SNS system 400 via a predetermined API, and determines that the referral is an appropriate referral if the introducer and the prospective customer are in a mutual follow relationship. The referral code validation unit 113 also reads the relationship information in the introducer information 122, and determines that the referral is an appropriate referral if there is a relationship between the introducer and the prospective customer. If the sales link is not valid, that is, if it is determined to be invalid as a result of the introducer relationship check, the referral code validation unit 113 advances control to step S109, which will be described later.

[0078] If the sales link is valid, that is, if it is determined to be valid as a result of the introducer relationship check, the referral code activation unit 113 identifies the product to be purchased and sends a purchase screen to the potential customer terminal 300 (step S106). Specifically, the referral code activation unit 113 identifies the product or service to be purchased, specifies the unit price for the product or service, and sends a purchase screen to the potential customer terminal 300 that accepts input of the purchase quantity. At this time, if the predetermined monetary incentive is a discount on the sales price or a coupon, the referral code activation unit 113 reflects this in the sales price. For example, if the sales price via the referral code is a 10% discount, the referral code activation unit 113 applies a 10% discount to the unit price for purchasing the product or service.

[0079] Then, the potential customer terminal 300 performs payment processing for the product / service from the purchase screen (step S107). Note that the payment processing may be performed via a general credit card payment or electronic money payment.

[0080] Then, when the payment process is completed, the referral code validation unit 113 grants a monetary incentive to the prospective customer terminal 300 (step S108). Specifically, the referral code validation unit 113 may cause the referral code issuing unit 112 to perform the processes of steps S002 and S003 of the referral code issuing process, treat the prospective customer terminal 300 as a new introducer terminal 200, newly register the prospective customer as an introducer, and issue a referral code. In this case, the referral code validation unit 113 may set the monetary incentive as a discount on the sales price or a coupon. Furthermore, the referral code validation unit 113 assigns a transaction ID for the product or service for which payment has been processed, updates the purchase history information 125, and updates the access history information 123.

[0081] Alternatively, the referral code validating unit 113 may provide the purchaser with a monetary incentive in the form of accumulatable points that can be applied to the sales price at a predetermined rate.

[0082] If any of the sales links is invalid, i.e., if the number of sales is equal to or exceeds a predetermined upper limit, if the expiration date is not yet reached (if "NG" in step S102), or if the introducer relationship check determines that the link is invalid (if "NG" in step S105), the referral code validation unit 113 determines whether the introducer is trustworthy (step S109). Specifically, the referral code validation unit 113 refers to the reliability score of the introducer information 122, and if the score is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (if "OK" in step S109), the referral code validation unit 113 determines that the introducer is trustworthy and proceeds to step S106. If the reliability score of the introducer information 122 is less than a predetermined value (if "NG" in step S109), the referral code validation unit 113 determines that the introducer is not trustworthy and terminates the sales process (for example, a purchase screen at the normal sales price without using the referral code may be presented).

[0083] The above is an example of a sales process flow. According to the sales process, if the access using the sales link is due to an appropriate referral, the customer can at least be given a predetermined incentive for purchasing a product or service that has been previously associated with the referral code.

[0084] 11 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of introducer trust evaluation processing. The introducer trust evaluation processing is started when the management server 100 starts operation. Alternatively, the introducer trust evaluation processing is started at predetermined intervals (for example, weekly, daily, or hourly).

[0085] First, the introducer trust evaluation unit 114 performs expiration processing of the sales link (step S201). Specifically, the introducer trust evaluation unit 114 acquires the number of sales for the sales link included in the access history information 123, and if it is equal to or greater than a predetermined upper limit (for example, 20 times), it determines that the upper limit of the number of sales has been reached, and stores information indicating that the upper limit has been reached. Furthermore, if the current date and time has passed the expiration date, the introducer trust evaluation unit 114 stores information indicating that the expiration date has passed.

[0086] Then, the introducer trust evaluation unit 114 performs a scoring process for the introducer (step S202). Specifically, the introducer trust evaluation unit 114 inputs the number of sales by product, the sales amount, the number of sales to trusted associates, and the number of times the relationship check has failed for each introducer into a predetermined trust calculation function with the number of sales by product, the sales amount, the number of sales to trusted associates, and the number of times the relationship check has failed as variables, calculates a trust score, and stores it in the introducer information 122. Note that the trust calculation function can use various functions that are set so that the number of sales by product, the sales amount, and the number of sales to trusted associates act as factors that increase the trust score, and the number of times the relationship check has failed as a factor that decreases the trust score.

[0087] Alternatively, the introducer trust evaluation unit 114 may instruct the AI ​​service 500 to score the introducer's trustworthiness in the introducer scoring process and obtain the result.

[0088] The above is an example of the flow of the introducer trust evaluation process. According to the introducer trust evaluation process, a reliability score indicating whether an introducer who performed an introduction sale via a sales link is making an introduction appropriately can be calculated, and an index value indicating the reliability of the introducer can be obtained objectively.

[0089] 12 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the recommendation plan processing. The recommendation plan processing is started when the management server 100 starts operation. Alternatively, the introducer trust evaluation processing is started at predetermined intervals (for example, every week, every day, or every hour).

[0090] First, the recommendation planning unit 115 extracts products and services to be promoted (step S301). Specifically, the recommendation planning unit 115 extracts products and services to be promoted (for example, new products, products to be promoted, or seasonal products). For example, the recommendation planning unit 115 may extract the products and services to be promoted from a list stored in a predetermined storage unit, or may accept designation of the products and services to be promoted from a terminal (not shown) for operating the management server.

[0091] Then, the recommendation planning unit 115 identifies the purchaser attributes for each of the products and services to be promoted (step S302). Specifically, the recommendation planning unit 115 refers to the product information 121 for each of the products and services to be promoted, identifies the target demographic (male, female, age, etc.) of the product as information on the purchaser attributes, and also identifies the product attributes.

[0092] Then, the recommendation planning unit 115 extracts introducers with a track record of sales to prospective customers who have personas corresponding to the purchaser attributes of each of the products and services targeted for sales promotion (step S303). Specifically, the recommendation planning unit 115 extracts prospective customers who have personas corresponding to the purchaser attributes identified for each of the products and services targeted for sales promotion using persona information in the prospective customer information 124. Then, by referring to the purchase history of the prospective customers, introducers with a track record of sales are identified, and introducers with a greater track record of sales for the prospective customers are extracted.

[0093] Then, the recommendation planning unit 115 issues an introduction code to the introducer who is related to the prospective customer and has a high reliability score among the extracted introducers (step S304). Regarding the introduction code issuing process, the recommendation planning unit 115 issues a sales link including the product ID and introducer ID of the product / service to be promoted, issues an introduction code, and transmits the introduction code including the sales link to the introducer terminal 200.

[0094] Then, the recommendation planning unit 115 stores the initial values ​​of the number of times of issuance and the validity period (step S305). Specifically, the recommendation planning unit 115 makes an entry in the access history information 123 for the sales link issued in step S305 and stores the introducer ID. Then, the recommendation planning unit 115 stores the initial value of a predetermined number of sales (for example, 0 times) as the number of sales, and stores a predetermined period of time (for example, 7 days from the date and time of issuance of the referral code) as the validity period.

[0095] The above is an example of the processing content of the recommendation plan processing. According to the recommendation plan processing, for a product or service that is the target of sales promotion, a referral code including a sales link containing information about a highly relevant introducer can be easily created for a prospective customer who is likely to purchase the product or service, and issued to the introducer terminal 200. The introducer terminal 200 can print the issued referral code and attach it to a product or flyer, or display it on the introducer terminal 200 and read it by the prospective customer terminal 300, or read it by the prospective customer terminal 300 via email or SNS 400, thereby directing the customer to a sales site.

[0096] In other words, with the recommendation planning process, if an introducer has received a certain level of evaluation from customers who have purchased products or services that the introducer has previously introduced, it is possible to encourage the introducer to introduce certain products (for example, new products, products that are being promoted, or seasonal products), thereby enabling efficient sales promotion. This makes it easier to build continuous relationships through introductions, which leads to the formation of a community and contributes to improving brand value.

[0097] The above is the referral code management system 1. As in the above embodiment, with the referral code management system 1, if the access using the sales link is due to an appropriate referral, it is possible to at least provide the customer with a predetermined incentive for purchasing a product or service that has been previously associated with the referral code. This makes it easier to build a continuous relationship with the referral, which leads to the formation of a community and contributes to improving brand value.

[0098] Incentives may also refer to the following: That is, the reward may be a monetary reward, in which a certain amount is paid to the introducer or purchaser when a purchase is made based on the referral. The reward may be a discount coupon, in which the introducer or purchaser is provided with a discount coupon that can be used on their next purchase. The reward may be a points award, in which the introducer or purchaser is given a certain number of points that can be used to purchase products or use services. The reward may be a special product or service that the introducer or purchaser is provided with free of charge if certain conditions are met. The reward may be a rank-up or status change, in which the introducer or purchaser can be upgraded to a higher membership or special status when they achieve a certain number of purchases or referrals, thereby enjoying further benefits. The reward may be a gift card, in which the introducer or purchaser is provided with a gift card that can be used at any store or online shop. The reward may be a prize lottery right, in which the introducer or purchaser is given the right to participate in a specific lottery and have the chance to win a prize. The reward may be an award, in which a certificate of commendation, trophy, etc. is given to the introducer or purchaser when they meet certain criteria. Invitations to special events may include offering the referrer or purchaser invitations to exclusive events, parties, seminars, etc. Priority service may include giving the referrer or purchaser privileges such as priority handling or reservations for products or services. VIP membership may include giving the referrer or purchaser special VIP membership status and providing preferential service and dedicated support. Access to limited products may include giving the referrer or purchaser priority purchasing rights for limited products or special collections. Granting of honorary titles may include giving the referrer or purchaser a specific title or position to recognize their honor. Offering of special experiences may include offering the referrer or purchaser special experiences that are provided as non-monetary rewards, such as travel, meals, or experiential activities.

[0099] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Various modifications to the above-described embodiment are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Specifically, in the sales process, the referral code validation unit 113 may determine that a referral is appropriate if the number of accesses using the referral code is less than the limit, if the referral code is within its expiration date, or if the introducer and the customer satisfy a predetermined relationship. This prevents unlimited abuse of referral code access and avoids a significant decrease in the customer's satisfaction with the product or service.

[0100] Alternatively, steps S102, S103, and S105 related to checking the validity of the sales link in the above sales processing may be performed by the referral code validation unit 113 instructing the AI ​​service 500. Alternatively, steps S301, S303, and S304 related to the extraction of products and services to be promoted, the extraction of introducers, and the issuance of referral codes in the above recommendation planning processing may be performed by the recommendation planning unit 115 instructing the AI ​​service 500.

[0101] The management server 100 may also include a purchase information receiving unit in the processing unit 110. The purchase information receiving unit receives, along with information indicating the purchase history of a second purchaser who is said to have been introduced by a first purchaser and made a purchase, a unique referral code associated with the first purchaser, which is said to have been handed over via email, social media, messenger, or face-to-face at the time of introduction. The referral code validation unit 113 then determines whether the first purchaser appropriately introduced the second purchaser, and if so, provides a predetermined incentive to at least one of the first purchaser and the second purchaser.

[0102] In this way, the referral code management system 1 allows purchasers of products to receive incentives by receiving appropriate referrals, which leads to ensuring the quality of referrals.

[0103] Alternatively, if the introducer terminal 200 and the potential customer terminal 300 are considered to be user terminals, the user terminals are respectively owned by the first purchaser and the second purchaser who purchase the merchandise, and the user terminal owned by the first purchaser reads a merchandise-specific code (for example, information encoded in a barcode or QR code, such as a product code that identifies the merchandise) that is associated with the merchandise purchased by the first purchaser and can only be read by opening the package of the merchandise after purchase, and transmits the read merchandise-specific code to the management server 100.

[0104] The "unique product code associated with a product purchased by a purchaser and readable only after opening the product package" refers to, for example, a seal-type code or an integrated tag code. A seal-type code has a unique code printed on a seal attached to the product package, and the seal is designed to remain unremovable until the package is opened. A purchaser can receive special benefits or authentication exclusive to the purchaser by opening the package, peeling off the seal, and reading the QR code or barcode printed on the back. An integrated tag code has a unique code embedded in a tag attached to the product package, and the tag can be damaged or removed by opening the package. The code printed on this tag cannot be read from the outside of the package, and is only exposed once the package is opened. This system allows for the creation of a system in which only those who purchase and actually pick up the product can read the unique product code.

[0105] The management server 100 stores the received product unique code in association with the first purchaser, issues a referral code associated with the first purchaser, and transmits it to the user terminal of the first purchaser. The user terminal of the first purchaser then delivers the received referral code to the user terminal of the second purchaser by email, SNS, messenger, or by sending or displaying it in a readable manner in person.

[0106] The user terminal of the second purchaser receives the referral code, reads the product specific code which is a code associated with the product purchased by the second purchaser and can be read only by opening the package of the product after purchase, and sends the read product specific code together with the referral code to the management server 100.

[0107] The management server 100 performs a purchase information reception process for receiving a unique referral code associated with the first purchaser, which is information indicating the purchase history of a second purchaser who is said to have been introduced by the first purchaser and made a purchase, along with a sales item specific code, which is information indicating the purchase history of the second purchaser. Furthermore, the management server 100 determines whether the first purchaser has made an appropriate referral to the second purchaser, and if the referral is appropriate, performs a referral code activation process that provides a predetermined incentive to at least one of the first purchaser and the second purchaser. The referral code activation process may determine whether the referral code received from the user terminal of the second purchaser in the purchase information reception process matches the referral code issued in association with the first purchaser, and if they match, determine that the referral is an appropriate referral.

[0108] In addition, the management server 100 may identify an already issued referral code that matches the referral code received from the user terminal of the second purchaser during the purchase information reception process, identify the first purchaser linked to the identified referral code, and determine that the referral is an appropriate one if the first purchaser and the second purchaser satisfy a specified relationship (for example, the above-mentioned mutual followers, same household, family, etc.).

[0109] In this way, the referral code management system 1 allows purchasers of merchandise to receive incentives by receiving appropriate referrals, which leads to ensuring the quality of referrals. In other words, only those who purchase and actually receive the merchandise can refer it to those with whom they have a certain good relationship, and the referred person will then actually purchase it, creating a virtuous cycle.

[0110] In all of the above embodiments, the information shown as the access URL is an example, and may be an identifier (access identifier) ​​including a description format other than the URL description format.

[0111] The functions of the management server 100 may also be realized by a system made up of one or more computers.

[0112] Furthermore, the technical elements of the above-described embodiments may be applied independently, or may be applied by dividing them into multiple parts, such as program parts and hardware parts. Furthermore, part of the configuration of an embodiment may be replaced with another configuration, or the configuration of another embodiment may be added to the configuration of an embodiment. Furthermore, part of the configuration of an embodiment may be deleted.

[0113] The present invention has been described above mainly with reference to the embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1···Referral code management system, 100···Management server, 110···Processing unit, 111···Authentication unit, 112···Referral code issuing unit, 113···Referral code activation unit, 114···Referrer trust evaluation unit, 115···Recommendation planning unit, 120···Memory unit, 121···Product information, 122···Referrer information, 123···Access history information, 124···Prospective customer information, 125···Purchase history information, 150···Communication unit, 200···Referrer terminal, 300···Prospective customer terminal, 400···SNS system, 500···AI service.

Claims

1. A referral code management system executed by a computer system including a management server and a user terminal, the user terminals are respectively owned by a first purchaser and a second purchaser who purchase the item for sale; The management server a purchase information receiving process for receiving, with respect to the second purchaser who is said to have been introduced by the first purchaser and made a purchase, information indicating the purchase history of the second purchaser, as well as a unique introduction code associated with the first purchaser that is said to have been handed over at the time of introduction; determining whether an appropriate referral has been made from the first purchaser to the second purchaser, and if the referral is appropriate, performing a referral code activation process to generate a predetermined incentive for at least one of the first purchaser and the second purchaser; In the referral code activation process, if the number of purchases using the referral code is less than the limit, it is determined that the referral code is an appropriate referral. A referral code management system characterized by:

2. The referral code management system according to claim 1, In the referral code activation process, an inquiry is made to a predetermined SNS system, and if the first purchaser and the second purchaser are in a mutual follow relationship in the SNS system, it is determined that the referral is made by an appropriate referral. A referral code management system characterized by:

3. The referral code management system according to claim 1, In the referral code activation process, by referring to information associated with the first purchaser, if the first purchaser and the second purchaser are in the same household or family, it is determined that the referral code is an appropriate referral. A referral code management system characterized by:

4. The referral code management system according to claim 1, In the referral code activation process, when the second purchaser responds with the current location of the first purchaser, it is determined that the referral is an appropriate referral. A referral code management system characterized by:

5. The referral code management system according to claim 1, The referral code activation process further refers to information associated with the first purchaser, and determines that the referral code is an appropriate referral if the first purchaser has received a predetermined or higher rating from a purchaser of the product that the first purchaser has previously referred. A referral code management system characterized by:

6. The referral code management system according to claim 1, a recommendation plan process for encouraging the first purchaser to introduce a predetermined product when the first purchaser has received a predetermined or higher evaluation from a purchaser of the product previously introduced by the first purchaser; A referral code management system characterized by implementing the above.

7. The referral code management system according to claim 1, In the referral code activation process, a predetermined generation AI is used to determine whether an appropriate referral has been made from the first purchaser to the second purchaser. A referral code management system characterized by:

8. The referral code management system according to claim 1, The user terminal owned by the first purchaser includes: reading a code associated with the product purchased by the first purchaser, the code being readable only after opening the package, and transmitting the read code to the management server; The management server The received sales item specific code is stored in association with the first purchaser, and an introduction code associated with the first purchaser is issued and transmitted to a user terminal of the first purchaser; The user terminal of the first purchaser The received referral code is delivered to the user terminal of the second purchaser by transmitting or displaying it in a readable manner; The user terminal of the second purchaser Receive the referral code, reading a code associated with the product purchased by the second purchaser, which code can be read only by opening the package, and sending the read code together with the referral code to the management server; The management server In the purchase information reception process, With respect to the second purchaser who is said to have been introduced by the first purchaser and made a purchase, a unique introduction code associated with the first purchaser that is said to have been handed over at the time of introduction is received together with the sales item specific code, which is information indicating the purchase history of the second purchaser; In the referral code activation process, If the number of purchases using the referral code is less than the limit, it is determined that the referral is made appropriately. A referral code management system characterized by:

9. A referral code management method executed by a computer system including a management server and a user terminal, the user terminals are respectively owned by a first purchaser and a second purchaser who purchase the item for sale; The management server a purchase information receiving process for receiving, with respect to the second purchaser who is said to have been introduced by the first purchaser and made a purchase, information indicating the purchase history of the second purchaser, as well as a unique introduction code associated with the first purchaser that is said to have been handed over at the time of introduction; determining whether an appropriate referral has been made from the first purchaser to the second purchaser, and if the referral is appropriate, performing a referral code activation process to generate a predetermined incentive for at least one of the first purchaser and the second purchaser; In the referral code activation process, if the number of purchases using the referral code is less than the limit, it is determined that the referral code is an appropriate referral. A referral code management method.

10. A referral code management program that causes a computer system including a management server and a user terminal to function as a referral code management system, the user terminals are respectively owned by a first purchaser and a second purchaser who purchase the item for sale; The management server, a purchase information receiving process for receiving, with respect to the second purchaser who is said to have been introduced by the first purchaser and made a purchase, information indicating the purchase history of the second purchaser, as well as a unique introduction code associated with the first purchaser that is said to have been handed over at the time of introduction; determining whether or not an appropriate referral has been made from the first purchaser to the second purchaser, and if the referral is appropriate, performing a referral code activation process to generate a predetermined incentive for at least one of the first purchaser and the second purchaser; In the referral code activation process, if the number of purchases using the referral code is less than the limit, it is determined that the referral code is an appropriate referral. A referral code management program.

11. A referral code management system executed by a computer system including a management server and a user terminal, the user terminals are respectively owned by a first purchaser and a second purchaser who purchase the item for sale; The user terminal owned by the first purchaser includes: reading a code associated with the product purchased by the first purchaser, the code being readable only after opening the package, and transmitting the read code to the management server; The management server The received sales item specific code is stored in association with the first purchaser, and an introduction code associated with the first purchaser is issued and transmitted to a user terminal of the first purchaser; The user terminal of the first purchaser The received referral code is delivered to the user terminal of the second purchaser by transmitting or displaying it in a readable manner; The user terminal of the second purchaser Receive the referral code, reading a code associated with the product purchased by the second purchaser, which code can be read only by opening the package, and sending the read code together with the referral code to the management server; The management server a purchase information receiving process for receiving, with respect to the second purchaser who is said to have been introduced by the first purchaser and made a purchase, the sales item specific code, which is information indicating the purchase history of the second purchaser, together with a unique introduction code associated with the first purchaser that is said to have been handed over at the time of introduction; determining whether an appropriate introduction has been made from the first purchaser to the second purchaser based on whether the number of purchases using the introduction code is less than the limit, and if the introduction is appropriate, performing introduction code activation processing to generate a predetermined incentive for at least one of the first purchaser and the second purchaser; A referral code management system characterized by:

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