JP2018156193A - Point management apparatus, point system, point management method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a point management apparatus capable of reducing a burden on a business entity required for using a point service and simplifying point management.SOLUTION: A point management apparatus according to an embodiment includes an acquisition part, a point providing part, and an adjustment part. The acquisition part acquires payment data indicating a payment amount from a purchaser and point usage data indicating a point usage amount by the purchaser from a device managed by a business entity using a point system. The point providing part provides a point to the purchaser based on the payment amount indicated by the payment data. The adjustment part calculates an amount based on the point provided by the point providing part as a charge amount to the business entity, and determines an adjustment amount for the business entity so that an amount obtained by subtracting an amount based on the point usage amount indicated by the point usage data from the charge amount becomes the adjustment amount for the business entity at a certain time point.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a point management device, a point system, a point management method, and a program.

  In recent years, a point service in which a provider that provides a product or service gives points based on a payment amount or the like to a customer has been performed. The customer can use the given points for payment at the next product purchase or service use. Businesses can use such point services as a means for promoting sales of products and services.

  In order to realize such a point service, a point system for managing a customer's point grant history, point use history, point expiration date, and the like is required. For example, a business operator who uses the point service manages points using a system provided by a vendor.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-232929 JP 2002-163536 A

  When a company uses a system provided by a vendor, it is necessary to pay the vendor a maintenance cost such as a system usage fee and a maintenance cost in addition to the initial cost for introducing the system. Expenses necessary for the introduction and maintenance of such point services are borne by the operator.

  Further, when a customer uses a point, the business operator bears an amount based on the point. However, the business operator cannot grasp in advance the burden associated with the use of such points, which is a factor that complicates the management of point services.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and reduces the burden on the operator required for the use of the point service and simplifies the management of points, a point system, A point management method and program are provided.

  The point management device of the embodiment has an acquisition unit, a point grant unit, and a settlement unit. The acquisition unit acquires payment data indicating a payment amount from a purchaser and point usage data indicating a point usage amount by the purchaser from an apparatus managed by a business operator who uses the point system. The point grant unit gives points to the purchaser based on the payment amount indicated by the payment data. The settlement unit calculates the amount based on the points granted by the point granting unit as the amount charged to the business operator, and the amount obtained by subtracting the amount based on the point usage amount indicated by the point usage data from the amount charged, The settlement amount for the business operator is determined so as to be the settlement amount for the business operator at a certain time.

The figure which shows an example of the point system of embodiment. The functional block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the provider terminal of embodiment. The functional block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the point management server of embodiment. The flowchart figure which shows an example of the process at the time of the point provision of the point system of embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the payment data memorize | stored in the payment data memory | storage part of embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the possession point data memorize | stored in the possession point memory | storage part of embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the system usage fee data memorize | stored in the system usage fee memory | storage part of embodiment. The flowchart figure which shows an example of the process at the time of point use of the point system of embodiment. The flowchart figure which shows an example of the process at the time of the point expiration of the point system of embodiment. The flowchart figure which shows an example of the adjustment process of the point system of embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the sequence table | surface of the point provision in the point system of embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the sequence table | surface of the point provision in the point system of embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a point management device, a point system, a point management method, and a program according to embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Drawing 1 is a figure showing an example of point system 1 of an embodiment. The point system 1 is given to the purchaser U based on the payment amount when the purchaser U pays a fee or the like for a product or service (hereinafter simply referred to as “product”) provided by the business operator. Points (hereinafter referred to as “grant points”). The point system 1 includes, for example, at least one business terminal 3 (device) and at least one point management server 5 (point management device). The business operator terminal 3 and the point management server 5 are connected to each other by a network N. The network N includes, for example, the Internet, a dedicated line, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), and the like.

[Operator terminal]
The business entity terminal 3 performs accounting processing for the product paid by the purchaser U. Further, the business entity terminal 3 gives the purchaser U points based on the payment amount based on the point processing result received from the point management server 5. The business entity terminal 3 includes, for example, a POS (point of sales) terminal and other dedicated devices for performing accounting processing. The business operator terminal 3 is used, for example, by a salesperson of the business operator. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the operator terminal 3. The business entity terminal 3 includes, for example, a communication unit 30, an operation unit 31, a reading unit 32, an accounting processing unit 33, a display unit 34, a storage unit 35, and a storage unit 36.

  The communication unit 30 includes data indicating a payment amount (hereinafter referred to as “payment data”) and data indicating a used point (point usage amount) (hereinafter referred to as “use point”) (hereinafter referred to as “point use data”). ) Is transmitted to the point management server 5, and a point processing result including data indicating the granted points (hereinafter referred to as “point grant data”) is received from the point management server 5. Note that the communication unit 30 also transmits the point use data of “0” to the point management server 5 even when the point use amount by the purchaser U is 0. In addition to the granted points, the point processing result includes data indicating the purchaser ID, the retained points indicating the total points held by the purchaser U, the last update date (last purchase date) of the points, and the like.

  The operation unit 31 receives an operation by a salesperson regarding the accounting process. The operation unit 31 is, for example, a barcode scanner that reads barcode information (including product information, money amount information, and the like) given to a product, a keyboard that receives an input of a product amount, and the like. In addition, the operation unit 31 receives an operation for selecting whether to use points.

  The reading unit 32 is a reader / writer that reads information on a medium (such as a point card) that stores a purchaser ID that identifies the purchaser U, and / or writes information related to a possessed point or the like on the medium. The reading unit 32 is, for example, a card reader / writer.

  The accounting processing unit 33 calculates the total amount of products purchased by the purchaser U, calculates a difference from the deposit amount from the purchaser U, and outputs the calculated result from the storage unit 35 as change. Note that the accounting processing unit 33 may perform payment settlement by credit settlement or debit settlement. Further, the accounting processing unit 33 may perform processing such as receipt issuance.

  The display unit 34 displays the amount of merchandise, information related to the settlement result, information related to usage points, and the like. The information related to the settlement result is information indicating that the settlement is normally completed or information indicating the reason why the settlement is not completed. The display unit 34 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display device. When the display unit 34 is a touch panel, the display unit 34 may have a part of the function of the operation unit 31.

  The storage unit 35 stores money. The money may be a coin or banknote paid by a purchaser U who purchases the product, or may be a coin or banknote prepared in advance for change. The storage unit 35 stores and discharges money according to an operation on the operation unit 31.

  The memory | storage part 36 memorize | stores various information regarding accounting processes, such as payment amount, the purchased goods, and a purchase date.

[Point management server]
The point management server 5 calculates and manages the grant points using the payment data and the point use data received from the provider terminal 3, and transmits the point processing result including the point grant data to the provider terminal 3. In addition, when the point management server 5 receives the point use data from the operator terminal 3, the point management server 5 performs a process of subtracting the use point from the possessed point and cash back (return) the amount based on the use point to the operator. Amount). The point management server 5 operates, for example, in a cloud environment connected to the provider terminal 3 via the network N. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the point management server 5. The point management server 5 includes, for example, a communication unit 50 (acquisition unit), a point calculation unit 51 (point granting unit, a settlement unit), a settlement processing unit 52 (a settlement unit), a payment data storage unit 53, and a stored point storage. Unit 54 and a system usage fee storage unit 55.

  The communication unit 50 receives the payment data and the point use data from the business operator terminal 3 and transmits the point processing result to the business operator terminal 3. That is, the communication unit 50 acquires payment data indicating the payment amount from the purchaser U and point usage data indicating the point usage amount by the purchaser U from the device managed by the business entity using the point system 1.

  The point calculation unit 51 calculates grant points based on the payment data and point use data received from the business operator terminal 3. That is, the point calculation unit 51 gives points to the purchaser U based on the payment amount indicated by the payment data. Moreover, the point calculating part 51 performs the process which deducts a utilization point from a possession point, when receiving point utilization data. In addition, the point calculation unit 51 performs a process of subtracting an expired point (hereinafter referred to as “expired point”) from the possessed point.

  The settlement processing unit 52 calculates the amount based on the granted points as the system usage fee (billing amount) of the business operator, and the amount obtained by subtracting the amount based on the point usage amount indicated by the point usage data from this system usage fee The settlement amount for the business operator is determined so as to be the settlement amount for the business operator. That is, the settlement processing unit 52 determines the amount based on the point usage amount indicated by the point usage data as the first cash back to be refunded to the business operator. When the granted point expires, the settlement processing unit 52 determines the amount based on the expired point as the second cash back to be refunded to the business operator. Then, the settlement processing unit 52 determines the settlement amount to the business so that the amount obtained by subtracting the first cashback and the second cashback from the system usage fee to the business becomes the settlement amount for the business. To do. The settlement processing unit 52 performs settlement processing at a predetermined timing such as daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, and accounting processing.

  The payment data storage unit 53 stores the payment data and point use data received from the business operator terminal 3. The possession point storage unit 54 stores possession point data indicating points possessed by the purchaser U. The system usage fee storage unit 55 stores a system usage fee paid from the provider to the provider of the point management server, data indicating first and second cashbacks paid from the provider of the point management server to the provider, and the like. .

  Part or all of the functional units of the provider terminal 3 and the point management server 5 may be realized by a processor executing a program (software) stored in a program storage unit (not shown). The program may be installed in advance when the operator terminal 3 and the point management server 5 start operating, may be downloaded from another computer, or may be installed from a portable storage medium such as a compact disk. Further, part or all of the provider terminal 3 and the point management server 5 are realized by hardware such as LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). Alternatively, it may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

  The storage unit 36 of the operator terminal 3 and each storage unit (payment data storage unit 53, possessed point storage unit 54, system usage fee storage unit 55) of the point management server 5 are ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM (Random Access). This is realized by a memory (HDD), a hard disk drive (HDD), a flash memory, or the like. Moreover, the memory | storage part 36 of the provider terminal 3 and each memory | storage part of the point management server 5 may be provided outside each apparatus. Each storage unit of the point management server 5 may be provided as one housing.

[Point grant processing]
Next, the operation of the point system 1 of the embodiment will be described. First, the operation when the purchaser U purchases a product and receives points will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when the point system 1 grants points.

  First, the user of the business terminal 3 causes the business unit terminal 3 to read the purchaser ID stored in a medium (such as a point card) in which the purchaser ID received from the purchaser U is stored. Acquires the purchaser ID (step S101). The reading unit 32 may display the acquired purchaser ID on the display unit 34.

  Next, the user of the business entity terminal 3 operates the operation unit 31 to acquire information on the product that the purchaser U desires to purchase, and the accounting processing unit 33 performs product accounting processing using the acquired information. This is performed (step S103). The accounting processing unit 33 may display the acquired product information on the display unit 34.

  Next, the accounting processing unit 33 transmits payment data and point use data including the business ID, purchaser ID, payment amount, and purchase date to the point management server 5 via the communication unit 30 (step S105). ). The point management server 5 causes the payment data storage unit 53 to store the payment data and point use data received from the business operator terminal 3. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of payment data and point use data stored in the payment data storage unit 53. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the business ID is “0001”, the purchaser ID is “1001”, the payment amount is “1000 (yen)”, the usage point is “0”, and the purchase date is Payment data “20170228 (February 28, 2017)” is stored.

  Next, the point calculation unit 51 of the point management server 5 determines whether or not the payment data and the point use data received from the business operator terminal 3 via the communication unit 50 have been normally received (step S107). For example, the point calculation unit 51 determines whether the payment data and the point use data have been normally received based on whether the data format or the like satisfies a predetermined condition or no data loss has occurred.

  When it is determined that the payment data and the point use data are not normally received, the point calculation unit 51 transmits an instruction to perform local processing to the business operator terminal 3 (step S113). The local process includes a process of granting a provisionally issued point on the provider terminal 3 and a process of leaving a record indicating that a point is given in a later process. After performing the local processing, the business entity terminal 3 ends the processing of this flowchart.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the payment data and the point use data have been normally received, the point calculation unit 51 calculates the granted points based on the payment amount included in the payment data (step S109). The point calculation unit 51 calculates, for example, 0.5% of the payment amount as a grant point. When the payment amount is 10,000 yen, 50 points are calculated as grant points. The point grant rate can be set arbitrarily. Also, the point grant rate can be set to be changed every day or every week.

  Next, the point calculation part 51 transmits the point process result containing the calculated point grant data to the provider terminal 3 via the communication part 50 (step S111).

  Next, the point calculation unit 51 determines whether or not the transmission of the point processing result has been normally completed (step S115). For example, the point calculation unit 51 determines whether or not the transmission of the point processing result has been normally completed based on a signal (data indicating normality or abnormality) received from the provider terminal 3 after the transmission of the point processing result. .

  When the point calculation unit 51 determines that the transmission of the point processing result is normally completed, the point calculation unit 51 performs a storage process of the granted points to the possessed point storage unit 54 (step S117). When the point calculation unit 51 stores a new purchaser ID in the possession point storage unit 54, the point calculation unit 51 stores data in which the purchaser ID and the granted points are associated with each other in the possession point storage unit 54. On the other hand, when the purchaser ID included in the payment data is stored in the possession point storage unit 54, the point calculation unit 51 adds a new grant point to the possession points stored in association with the purchaser ID. The added points are stored (updated) in the retained point storage unit 54 as retained points.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of retained point data stored in the retained point storage unit 54. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, possession point data having a purchaser ID of “1001”, a possession point of “325”, and a last update date of “20170228 (February 28, 2017)” is stored. Yes. This possessed point data is stored for each business operator.

  Further, the point calculation unit 51 stores, for example, the same amount as the grant point (amount based on the grant point) in the system usage fee storage unit 55 as a system usage fee. When the system usage fee associated with the business operator ID included in the payment data is not stored in the system usage fee storage unit 55, the point calculation unit 51 uses the same amount as the granted point as the system usage fee. Remember me. On the other hand, when the system usage fee already associated with the business operator ID included in the payment data is stored in the system usage fee storage unit 55, the point calculation unit 51 is stored in association with this business operator ID. The system usage fee is added to the system usage fee, and the system usage fee after the addition is stored (updated) in the system usage fee storage unit 55. Thus, the process of this flowchart is completed.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of system usage fee data stored in the system usage fee storage unit 55. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the operator ID is “0001”, the system usage fee is “15000 (yen)”, and the amount pooled for cash back (hereinafter referred to as “cash back pool”). Is “8960 (yen)”, the first cashback is “1240 (yen)”, and the second cashback is “2300 (yen)”. The cash-back pool indicates the total amount of money that the point service provider providing the point management server 5 is expected to pay (cash back) to the business in the future. It is added when points awarded for U are generated, and subtracted when the purchaser U uses the points and when the purchaser U's points expire. The cash-back pool is “0” when the purchaser U has used all of the possession points excluding the expired portion, and does not become negative.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the transmission of the point grant data is not normally completed, the point calculation unit 51 rolls back (deletes) the payment data newly stored in the payment data storage unit 53 in this process ( Step S119). Next, the point calculation part 51 transmits the instruction | indication which performs a local process with respect to the provider terminal 3 (step S121). In this case, the storage processing of the point processing results in the possessed point storage unit 54 and the system usage fee storage unit 55 is not performed. After performing the local processing, the business entity terminal 3 ends the processing of this flowchart.

[Point use processing]
Next, the operation when the purchaser U uses points when purchasing a product will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when the point system 1 uses points.

  First, the user of the business terminal 3 causes the business unit terminal 3 to read the purchaser ID stored in the medium storing the purchaser ID received from the purchaser U. Is acquired (step S201). The reading unit 32 may display the acquired purchaser ID on the display unit 34.

  Next, the user of the business entity terminal 3 operates the operation unit 31 to acquire information on the product that the purchaser U desires to purchase, and the accounting processing unit 33 performs product accounting processing using the acquired information. This is performed (step S203). The accounting processing unit 33 may display the acquired product information on the display unit 34. Here, a case where the purchaser U pays the full price of the product with points will be described. In addition, when the purchaser U pays a part of the charge of the product with points, both the following point use processing and the above point grant processing may be performed.

  Next, the accounting processing unit 33 transmits payment data and point use data including the business ID, purchaser ID, payment amount, and purchase date to the point management server 5 via the communication unit 30 (step S205). ). The point management server 5 causes the payment data storage unit 53 to store the payment data and point use data received from the business operator terminal 3. Here, for example, as in the data “No 3” in the example shown in FIG. 5, the business ID is “0001”, the purchaser ID is “1002”, and the payment amount is “0 (yen)”. The payment data with the usage point “350” and the purchase date “20170301 (March 1, 2017)” is stored in the payment data storage unit 53.

  Next, the point calculation unit 51 of the point management server 5 determines whether or not the payment data and the point use data received from the business operator terminal 3 via the communication unit 50 have been normally received (step S207). For example, the point calculation unit 51 determines whether the payment data and the point use data have been normally received based on whether the data format or the like satisfies a predetermined condition or no data loss has occurred.

  When it is determined that the payment data and the point use data are not normally received, the point calculation unit 51 transmits an instruction to perform local processing to the business operator terminal 3 (step S213). Here, as the local process, a process of temporarily holding a use point history on the provider terminal 3 is performed. After performing the local processing, the business entity terminal 3 ends the processing of this flowchart.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the payment data and the point use data are normally received, the point calculation unit 51 performs a calculation using the use points (step S209). The point calculation unit 51 extracts use points included in the point use data. In addition, the point calculation unit 51 calculates the latest first cashback obtained by adding the same amount as the extracted usage points to the first cashback (for usage points) stored in the system usage fee storage unit 55. In addition, the point calculation unit 51 calculates the latest possessed points obtained by subtracting the use points from the retained points stored in the system usage fee storage unit 55.

  Next, the point calculation unit 51 transmits the point processing result including the use point, the first cashback, the possession point, and the like obtained by the above calculation to the business entity terminal 3 via the communication unit 50 (step) S211).

  Next, the point calculation unit 51 determines whether or not the transmission of the point processing result has been normally completed (step S215). For example, the point calculation unit 51 determines whether or not the transmission of the point processing result has been normally completed based on a signal (data indicating normality or abnormality) received from the provider terminal 3 after the transmission of the point processing result. .

  When the point calculation unit 51 determines that the transmission of the point processing result has been normally completed, the point calculation unit 51 stores the point processing result in the possessed point storage unit 54 and the system usage fee storage unit 55 (step S217). Thus, the process of this flowchart is completed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the transmission of the point processing result is not normally completed, the point calculation unit 51 rolls back (deletes) the payment data newly stored in the payment data storage unit 53 in this processing ( Step S219). Next, the point calculation part 51 transmits the instruction | indication which performs a local process with respect to the provider terminal 3 (step S221). In this case, the storage processing of the data regarding the point processing result to the possessed point storage unit 54 and the system usage fee storage unit 55 is not performed. After performing the local processing, the business entity terminal 3 ends the processing of this flowchart.

[Point revocation processing]
Next, an operation when the purchaser U's possession points expire will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when the point system 1 expires.

  Points can be revoked arbitrarily. For example, the settlement processing unit 52, based on the last update date stored in the retained point storage unit 54, points that have passed a predetermined period, that is, retained points of the purchaser U who has not made a purchase for a predetermined period All of these are determined as revocation points. Or when the date of grant is memorize | stored for every point in the possession point memory | storage part 54, the adjustment process part 52 determines only the possession point which passed the predetermined period as an expiration point. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which holding points that have passed one year from the date of last update, that is, all of the holding points of the purchaser U who have never made purchases in the past year are determined as invalid points. .

  First, the settlement processing unit 52 of the point management server 5 determines whether or not there is a point to be revoked (a point that has expired) in the retained point data stored in the retained point storage unit 54. (Step S301). Here, the possession point storage unit 54 determines whether or not there is a possession point that has passed one year from the last update date. When it is determined that the revocation point does not exist, the settlement processing unit 52 ends the process of this flowchart.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the invalidation point exists, the settlement processing unit 52 calculates the second cashback based on the invalidation point (step S303). For example, the settlement processing unit 52 calculates 50% of the invalidation points as the second cash back. The calculation condition of cash back based on the revocation point can be arbitrarily set for each business operator. For example, for businesses with business categories in which points do not expire much (businesses such as supermarkets where purchasers are expected to purchase goods on a regular basis), the cashback ratio is set low (for example, 25 %), For businesses with business categories that frequently lose points (such as clothing stores where purchasers are not expected to purchase products on a regular basis), a higher cashback ratio is set. (E.g., cash back 75%).

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, data having a purchaser ID “1010”, a possession point “1000”, and a last update date “201610210 (February 10, 2016)” is stored. Here, for example, when the point revocation processing is performed on March 1, 2017, the settlement processing unit 52 determines the possessed point data with the purchaser ID “1010” as revocation data. Then, the settlement processing unit 52 calculates “500 (yen)” that is 50% of the possession point “1000” of the purchaser ID “1010” as the second cashback.

  Next, the settlement processing unit 52 performs a storage process using the calculated second cashback (step S305). The settlement processing unit 52 adds the calculated second cashback to the second cashback stored in the system usage fee storage unit 55, and stores the added second cashback in the system usage fee storage unit 55 ( Update). Further, the settlement processing unit 52 stores (updates) the amount obtained by subtracting the revocation point from the cash back pool in the system usage fee storage unit 55 as a cash back pool.

  For example, regarding the business operator whose business ID is “0001” shown in FIG. 7, when the above-mentioned purchase point with respect to the purchaser whose purchaser ID is “1010” expires, the settlement processing unit 52 determines the system usage fee. The calculated second cashback “500” is added to “2300” which is the second cashback stored in the storage unit 55, and “2800” after the addition is stored in the system usage fee storage unit 55. Further, the settlement processing unit 52 cash-backs the amount “7960” obtained by subtracting “1000” that is the revocation point from “8960” that is the pool for cashback stored in the system usage fee storage unit 55. It is stored in the system usage fee storage unit 55 as a pool for use. Thus, the process of this flowchart is completed.

[Checkout]
Next, the operation at the time of cash back settlement processing of the point system 1 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the settlement process of the point system 1.

  First, the settlement processing unit 52 of the point system 1 determines whether there is data to be settled (step S401). The settlement processing unit 52, for example, in the case where there is data in which any of “system usage fee”, “first cashback”, and “second cashback” is recorded in the system usage fee storage unit, It is determined that there is data to be processed. If the settlement processing unit 52 determines that there is no data to be settled, the processing of this flowchart ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is data to be settled, the settlement processing unit 52 calculates sales (step S403). The settlement processing unit 52 calculates, for example, the system usage fee stored in the system usage fee storage unit 55 as sales.

  Next, the settlement processing unit 52 calculates the first cashback (step S405). For example, the settlement processing unit 52 calculates “first cash back (for usage points)” stored in the system usage fee storage unit 55 as the first cash back.

  Next, the settlement processing unit 52 calculates the second cashback (step S407). The settlement processing unit 52 calculates, for example, “second cashback (for invalidation points)” stored in the system usage fee storage unit 55 as the second cashback.

Next, the settlement processing unit 52 calculates the settlement amount based on the following equation (1) (step S409).
Settlement = sales (system usage fee)-(first cash back + second cash back)
... Formula (1)

  Next, the settlement processing unit 52 determines whether or not the calculated settlement amount is 0 or less (step S411). If it is determined that the calculated settlement amount is 0 or less, the settlement processing unit 52 creates a settlement statement indicating the amount returned to the business operator (step S413). If the settlement amount is 0, the settlement processing unit 52 creates a settlement statement indicating that there is no settlement.

  On the other hand, when the settlement processing unit 52 determines that the calculated settlement amount is not less than or equal to 0, the settlement processing unit 52 creates a bill (settlement form) indicating the settlement amount to the business operator (step S415).

  Next, the settlement processing unit 52 stores the “system usage fee”, “first cash back (for usage points)”, and “second cash back (for expiration points)” stored in the system usage fee storage unit 55. A storage process to be erased is performed (step S417), and the process of this flowchart ends.

  The amount obtained by subtracting the second cashback (for the expired points) from the amount corresponding to the points that have actually expired becomes the revenue amount of the point service provider. The settlement processing unit 52 of the point management server 5 may perform this income calculation processing.

  FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are diagrams showing an example of a point grant sequence table in the point system 1. As shown in transaction (1) in FIG. 11, when the purchaser purchases a product of 10,000 yen, for example, the purchaser receives 100 points. The business operator receives a deposit of 10,000 yen from the purchaser, but pays the point service provider a system usage fee (100 yen) equal to the points to the point service provider of the point system 1, so the take-out amount is 9900. Yen. On the other hand, the point service provider receives a system usage fee of 100 yen from the business operator.

  Next, as shown in transaction (2) in FIG. 11, when the purchaser purchases a product of 10,000 yen, 100 points are received, and at this point, the cumulative total of 200 points is held. The operator receives a deposit of 10,000 yen from the purchaser, but in order to pay the point service provider a system usage fee (100 yen) equal to the points to the point service provider of the point system 1, The net proceeds are 9900 yen, and at this point, the total proceeds are 19800 yen. On the other hand, since the provider of the point service receives a system usage fee of 100 yen from the business operator, the take-up amount in this transaction is 100 yen, and at this point, the take-up amount is 200 yen.

  Next, as shown in transaction (3) in FIG. 12, when the purchaser purchases a product of 10,000 yen using 200 points, the payment is 9800 yen. Based on the payment of 9800 yen, 98 points are newly received. The operator receives a deposit of 9800 yen from the purchaser, but pays the point service provider a system usage fee (98 yen) equal to the points to the point service provider of the point system 1, so in this transaction The net proceeds are 9702 yen, and at this point, the total is 29502 yen. However, the business operator receives a cash back (200 yen) equivalent to the 200 points used from the point service provider. For this reason, at this time, the net amount of the operator including cash back is 29,702 yen. On the other hand, the point service provider receives a system usage fee of 98 yen from the business operator, but pays a cash back (200 yen) equivalent to the 200 points used by the point service provider. The amount is -102 yen, and at this point, the total proceeds are 98 yen.

  Next, as shown in transaction (4) in FIG. 12, consider a case where 98 points owned by the purchaser expire. Here, when an agreement is made between the point service provider and the business operator that the expired points are not refunded to the business operator, the expired 98 points become the revenue of the point service provider.

  According to the embodiment described above, the point service is provided by the business operator paying the system usage fee based on the grant points to the point service provider and the point service provider paying the business operator cash back based on the usage points. It is possible to ease the management of points while reducing the burden on the business operator necessary for using the service.

  According to the embodiment described above, the business operator can substantially reduce the system usage fee to 0 yen unless the revocation point is generated, and can reduce the burden associated with the use of the point service. Further, when the point is used by the purchaser, the business operator receives a cash back from the point service provider, and no burden is incurred when using the point. For this reason, it is possible to simplify the management of points.

  Although the above embodiment has been described mainly with respect to purchase of merchandise and point grant at an actual store, the present point system can also be applied to purchase of merchandise and point grant in e-commerce on the Internet. In this case, the provider terminal and the point management server may be the same device arranged on the Internet.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the method of performing the cashback settlement process together with the system usage fee settlement process has been described. However, the cashback settlement process is performed separately from the system usage fee settlement process. Also good. Further, the cashback settlement process may be performed for each purchase process (each time payment data and point use data are received).

  Further, the point management server 5 determines whether or not the point processing result held in the provider terminal 3 matches the point processing result held in the point management server 5 (for example, at the time of daily checkout). The difference information may be transmitted to the operator terminal 3.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Point system, 3 ... Operator terminal, 5 ... Point management server, 30 ... Communication part, 31 ... Operation part, 32 ... Reading part, 33 ... Accounting processing part, 34 ... Display part, 35 ... Storage part, 36 ... Storage unit 50 ... Communication unit 51 ... Point calculation unit 52 ... Settlement processing unit 53 ... Payment data storage unit 54 ... Holding point storage unit 55 ... System usage fee storage unit N ... Network, U ... Purchaser

Claims (7)

An acquisition unit that acquires payment data indicating a payment amount from a purchaser and point usage data indicating a point usage amount by the purchaser, from an apparatus managed by a business operator using the point system;
A point granting unit for granting points to the purchaser based on a payment amount indicated by the payment data;
The amount based on the points granted by the point granting unit is calculated as the amount charged to the operator, and the amount obtained by subtracting the amount based on the point usage amount indicated by the point usage data from the amount charged is at a certain point in time. A settlement section for determining a settlement amount to the business operator so as to be a settlement amount for the business operator;
A point management device comprising: When the point granted by the point grant unit expires, the settlement unit determines an amount based on the expired point as a refund amount to be refunded to the operator.
The point management apparatus according to claim 1. When the point granted by the point grant unit expires, the settlement unit determines an amount based on the expired point as the revenue amount of the provider of the point system.
The point management apparatus according to claim 1. The settlement section is
An amount based on the point usage amount indicated by the point usage data is determined as a first cashback to be refunded to the operator,
When the point granted by the point grant unit expires, the amount based on the expired point is determined as a second cash back to be refunded to the operator,
Determining the payment amount to the operator so that an amount obtained by subtracting the first cashback and the second cashback from the billing amount to the operator is a payment amount for the operator;
The point management apparatus according to claim 1. The point management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A point system comprising a device managed by the operator. From the device managed by the business operator using the point system, the payment data indicating the payment amount from the purchaser and the point usage data indicating the point usage amount by the purchaser are acquired,
Points are given to the purchaser based on the payment amount indicated by the payment data,
The amount based on the given points is calculated as a billing amount to the operator, and the amount obtained by subtracting the amount based on the point use amount indicated by the point use data from the billing amount is the amount for the provider at a certain point in time. Determine the amount to be paid to the operator so that the amount to be settled;
Point management method. On the computer,
From the device managed by the business operator using the point system, payment data indicating the payment amount from the purchaser and point usage data indicating the point usage amount by the purchaser are acquired,
Based on the payment amount indicated by the payment data, the purchaser is given points,
The amount based on the given points is calculated as the amount charged to the operator, and the amount obtained by subtracting the amount based on the point usage amount indicated by the point usage data from the amount charged is the amount for the operator at a certain point in time. Let the company determine the payment amount so that it becomes the payment amount,
program.

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