(12) United States Patent
`(10) Patent N0.:
`US 6,721,743 B1
`
`Sakakibara
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Apr. 13, 2004
`
`USOO6721743B1
`
`6,424,949 B1 *
`6,424,951 B1 *
`
`7/2002 Deaton et al.
`7/2002 Shurling et al.
`
`................ 705/14
`.............. 705/14
`
`EP
`EP
`JP
`
`JP
`JP
`WO
`W0
`W0
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0992952
`* 10/1999
`........................ 7/8
`
`1172744 A1 *
`1/2002
`GO6F/17/60
`........... GO6F/17/60
`10—97575
`4/1998
`
`10'254968
`2000—20552
`WO9103789
`WO 98/29822
`WO 99/03053
`
`9/1998
`1/2000
`3/1991
`7/1998
`1/1999
`
`*
`*
`*
`
`........... GO6F/17/30
`.......... 15/21
`
`17/60
`.................... 17/60
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—Srirama Channavajjala
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Staas & Halsey LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A customer-use terminal unit 20 managed by a customer
`transmits exchange instructing information, Which instructs
`an exchange of valuable points obtained by the customer for
`communication points used for receiving on-line services, to
`a central unit 10 that manages the communication points
`(S202). The central unit 10 transmits valuable point request
`information according to the received exchange instructing
`information to a cooperate-use terminal unit 30 that manages
`the valuable points (S204). The cooperate-use terminal unit
`30 transmits valuable points corresponding to the received
`valuable point request information to the central unit 10
`(S206). The central unit 10 exchanges the received valuable
`points for communication points according to a predeter-
`mined exchange rate (S209). Accordingly, it is possible to
`achieve point management capable of reducing the loss of
`valuable points given to the customer as a reward for
`consumption activity, due to the expiration of the term of
`validity of the valuable points, and improving the frequency
`in use of on-line services.
`
`10 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
`
`(54) VALUE POINTS EXCHANGING MANAGING
`METHOD AMONG FIRST AND SECOND
`BUSINESS ENTITIES WHERE VALUE
`POINTS AVAILABLE TO ON-LINE
`CUSTOMER OBTAINING GOODS OR
`SERVICES
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Hisashi Sakakibara, Osaka (JP)
`-
`.
`-
`(73) Assignee. AD. Ken C0rp0rat10n, Osaka (JP)
`( * ) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 472 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/632,586
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Aug. 4, 2000
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Mar. 24, 2000
`
`(JP)
`
`....................................... 2000—085057
`
`Int. Cl.7 ................................................ G06F 17/30
`(51)
`(52) US. Cl.
`........................... 707/10, 707/102, 705/14,
`705/26; 705/37, 705/39, 709/217
`(58) Field of Search .................... 707/1—10, 100—104.1,
`707/200—205, 501.1, 512—514, 709/203—210,
`217—219, 705/1—15, 25—37, 39, 400, 713/200—202
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`................... 705/5
`5,839,114 A * 11/1998 Lynch et al.
`.......
`705/27
`2/2000 Bezos et al.
`6,029,141 xx
`*
`
`6J78A08 B1
`.....
`705/14
`1/2001 Copple et al.
`................... 705/7
`6/2001 Ruffin et al.
`6,249,769 B1
`................ 705/14
`12/2001 Walker et al.
`6327573 B1
`2/2002 Clark ................
`705/37
`
`6351fl38 B1
`
`6381585 B1
`4/2002 Maples et al.
`..
`705/36
`6A05475 B1
`6/2002 Ng .............................. 705/14
`
`******
`
`33' RECORDING
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`32
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`
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`COOPERATE-USE
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`TERMINALUNIT
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`
`
`34
`
`OUTPUTDEVICE
`COMMUNICATION
`DEVICE
`
`
`21
`CUSTOMER—USE
`
`
`
`
`TERMINALUNIT
`24
`INPUTDEVICE
`RECORDING
`DEVICE
`
`CPLJ
`
`OUTPUT DEVICE
`COMMUNICATION
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
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`EXCHANGE COMMUNI—
`CATION POINTS
`
`
`ACCORDING TO
`
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`EXCHANGE RATE
`
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`
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`
`25
`35
`36
`26
`
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`400
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`
`CUSTOMERUSE TERMINAL UNIT
`
`COOPERATEUSETERMINALUNIT
`
` COOPERATE-USE TERMI AL UNIT
`
`
`CENTRAL L
`
`
`12
`AUXILIAQY
`
`
`STORAGE DEVICE
`TRANSMIT VALUABLE
`
`POINT REQUEST
`RECORDING
`
`
`
`DEVICE
`INFORMATION
`
`1018
`
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`
`1028
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`1038
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`INPUT DEVICE
`
`OUTPUT DEVICE
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`COMMUNICATION
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`
`l 7
`
`ASKELADDEN1505
`
`ASKELADDEN 1505
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 13, 2004
`
`Sheet 1 0f 11
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`US 6,721,743 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 13, 2004
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 13, 2004
`
`Sheet 3 0f 11
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`US 6,721,743 B1
`
`FIG.3
`
`CUSTOMER
`ID
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 13, 2004
`
`Sheet 4 0f 11
`
`US 6,721,743 B1
`
`FIG. 4
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`NAME
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 13, 2004
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`Sheet 5 0f 11
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`US 6,721,743 B1
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`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 13, 2004
`
`Sheet 6 0f 11
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`US 6,721,743 B1
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`INFORMATION
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 13, 2004
`
`Sheet 7 0f 11
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`US 6,721,743 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 13, 2004
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`Sheet 8 0f 11
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`US 6,721,743 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 13, 2004
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`Sheet 9 0f 11
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`US 6,721,743 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 13, 2004
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`Sheet 10 0f 11
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`US 6,721,743 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 13, 2004
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`Sheet 11 0f 11
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`US 6,721,743 B1
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`

`US 6,721,743 B1
`
`1
`VALUE POINTS EXCHANGING MANAGING
`METHOD AMONG FIRST AND SECOND
`BUSINESS ENTITIES WHERE VALUE
`POINTS AVAILABLE TO ON-LINE
`CUSTOMER OBTAINING GOODS OR
`SERVICES
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a point managing method
`for managing various points such as communication points
`used for receiving on-line services, a point managing system
`that employs the method, a central unit for use in the system,
`and a recording medium on which a program for realizing
`the device is recorded.
`
`With the development of communication networks such
`as the Internet, businesses that provide various services,
`such as giving communication points used for charged or
`free on-line services to customers and providing on-line
`games and on-line shopping according to the given points,
`have been increasing.
`Moreover, various service providers and various retail
`shops, which give valuable points as rewards for using
`transportation facilities, such as an air line, and for con-
`sumption activity, such as purchasing products, and provide
`various products and services in exchange for the valuable
`points when the amount of given valuable points reaches a
`predetermined value, are popularized.
`However, when the amount of points given as a reward for
`consumption activity does not reach the predetermined value
`that gives a chance to exchange the points for products and
`services, these points are useless and the term of validity of
`the points sometimes expires before exchanging the points
`for products and services.
`Since the services of giving valuable points as a reward
`for consumption activity are provided by many service
`providers and retail shops, there is a circumstance that the
`consumers have difficulty in remembering which service
`providers and retail shops they use as customers (members).
`In such a circumstance, there is a possibility that the expiry
`date of the valuable points passes before the consumers
`notice the given valuable points.
`Furthermore, there is such a problem that the service
`providers and retail shops have disadvantages from the
`viewpoint of the taxation system because the valuable points
`that are not exchanged for products and services are counted
`as profits on the account books.
`Besides, there are objectives to be achieved by a business
`entity which provides various services according to com-
`munication points that the number of customers must be
`increased and the frequency in use of services must be
`improved.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention has been made in view of the above
`circumstances, and a main object of the present invention is
`to provide a point managing system which enables a cus-
`tomer to effectively use valuable points without considering
`the term of validity by exchanging the valuable points for
`communication points by a preset exchange rate according
`to an instruction from the customer, enables a business entity
`that provides various services in exchange for communica-
`tion points to obtain new customers and achieve an improve-
`ment
`in the frequency in use of services, and prevents
`service providers and retail shops that manage the valuable
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`points from having disadvantages from the viewpoint of the
`taxation system; a point managing system employing the
`method; a central unit for use in the system; and a recording
`medium on which a program for realizing the device is
`recorded.
`
`Another object is to provide a point managing method,
`point managing system, central unit and recording medium
`capable of confirming the status of obtained valuable points
`and exchanging the valuable points for communication
`points by transmitting identification information such as a
`membership number given from a business entity who
`provides valuable points to a central unit managed by a
`service provider who manages communication points, and
`thereby unitarily managing the valuable points so that valu-
`able points do not fall into oblivion.
`Apoint managing method according to the first invention,
`which is a method for managing points among a first
`business entity, a second business entity who cooperates
`with the first business entity and customers of the first and
`second business entities, the first business entity managing
`communication points used for on-line services, the second
`business entity managing valuable points given to customers
`as a reward for consumption activity, the method comprising
`the steps of:
`instructing the first business entity by the
`customer to exchange valuable points for communication
`points; requesting the second business entity by the first
`business entity to send valuable points given to the customer,
`according to the instruction; sending requested valuable
`points by the second business entity to the first business
`entity; and exchanging received valuable points for com-
`munication points by the first business entity, according to a
`preset exchange rate.
`The point managing method according to the first inven-
`tion enables the customer to extend the substantial term of
`
`validity of valuable points whose expiry date is approaching
`by exchanging the valuable points for communication points
`by a preset exchange rate according to the instruction from
`the customer and enables the customer to effectively use
`various valuable points of small values which are useless as
`individuals by adding up these valuable points for a single
`communication point,
`thereby accelerating the spread of
`communication points. Hence, the first business entity can
`obtain new customers and achieve an improvement in the
`frequency in use of services. Moreover, by introducing a
`business mode in which the charge of services calculated
`according to the exchange rate is paid from the second
`business entity to the first business entity, the second busi-
`ness entity can limit profits derived from the expiration of
`the term of validity of valuable points on an account book
`and consequently can never have disadvantages from the
`viewpoint of the taxation system.
`A point managing system according to the second
`invention, which is a point managing system comprising a
`central unit for managing communication points used for
`on-line services, a cooperate-use terminal unit that is con-
`nected to the central unit and manages valuable points
`representing a reward for consumption activity, and a
`customer-use terminal unit that is connected to the central
`
`unit, wherein the customer-use terminal unit comprises a
`controller capable of performing the operation of transmit-
`ting to the central unit exchange instructing information
`instructing an exchange of valuable points for communica-
`tion points,
`the central unit comprises: a communication
`point database that records information related to commu-
`nication points; an exchange database that records informa-
`tion related to an exchange rate between communication
`points and valuable points; and a controller capable of
`
`

`

`US 6,721,743 B1
`
`3
`performing the operation of transmitting to the cooperate-
`use terminal unit valuable point request information request-
`ing valuable points corresponding to the customer-use ter-
`minal unit according to received exchange instructing
`information; and the cooperate-use terminal unit comprises:
`a valuable point database that records information related to
`valuable points; a controller capable of performing the
`following operations: transmitting to the central unit valu-
`able points corresponding to received valuable point request
`information; and updating the valuable point database
`according to the transmitted valuable points; and the con-
`troller of the central unit further capable of performing
`following operations: exchanging received valuable points
`for communication points according to an exchange rate
`recorded in the exchange database; and updating the com-
`munication point database according to the exchanged com-
`munication points.
`The point managing system according to the second
`invention enables the customer to extend the substantial
`
`term of validity of valuable points whose expiry date is
`approaching by exchanging the valuable points for commu-
`nication points by a preset exchange rate according to the
`exchange instructing information received from the
`customer-use terminal unit and enables the customer to
`
`effectively use various valuable points of small values which
`are useless as individuals by adding up these valuable points
`for a single communication point, thereby accelerating the
`spread of communication points. Hence, the first business
`entity who manages the central unit can obtain new custom-
`ers and achieve an improvement in the frequency in use of
`services. Moreover, by introducing a business mode in
`which the charge of services calculated according to the
`exchange rate is paid to the first business entity from the
`second business entity who manages the cooperate-use
`terminal unit, the second business entity can limit profits
`derived from the expiration of the term of validity of
`valuable points on an account book and consequently can
`never have disadvantages from the viewpoint of the taxation
`system.
`Apoint managing system according to the third invention
`is characterized in the system of the second invention that:
`the controller of the customer-use terminal unit further
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`capable of performing following operations: accepting input
`of first identification information related to customers and
`second identification information that is different from the
`
`45
`
`first identification information; and transmitting the first and
`second identification information to the central unit;
`the
`controller of the central unit further capable of performing
`the following operations: authenticating the customer-use
`terminal unit based on received first identification informa-
`
`tion; and transmitting received second identification infor-
`mation to the cooperate-use terminal unit; the valuable point
`database provided in the cooperate-use terminal unit stores
`valuable points recorded to correspond to the second iden-
`tification information, and the controller of the cooperate-
`use terminal unit further capable of performing the operation
`of extracting from the valuable point database valuable
`points to be transmitted to the central unit, according to
`received second identification information.
`
`In the point managing system according to the third
`invention, by performing authentication based on the first
`identification information such as an ID number and a
`
`password given to a customer from the first business entity
`to ensure safety and then transmitting to the central unit the
`second identification information such as a membership
`number given to the customer from the second business
`entity,
`it
`is possible to confirm the status of obtained
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`valuable points corresponding to the second identification
`information and exchange the valuable points for commu-
`nication points. It is therefore possible to unitarily mange the
`valuable points through the central unit, improve the con-
`venience of the customer, and prevent the valuable points
`from falling into oblivion.
`A central unit according to the fourth invention, which is
`connected to a cooperate-use terminal unit for managing
`valuable points representing a reward for consumption activ-
`ity and a customer-use terminal unit, for managing commu-
`nication points used for on-line services, comprising: a
`communication point database that records information
`related to communication points; an exchange database that
`records information related to an exchange rate between
`communication points and valuable points; and a controller,
`coupled to the communication point database and said
`exchange database, and capable of performing the following
`operations: when exchange instructing information instruct-
`ing an exchange of valuable points for communication
`points is received, for transmitting to the cooperate-use
`terminal unit valuable point request information requesting
`valuable points corresponding to the customer-use terminal
`unit according to the received exchange instructing infor-
`mation; when valuable points corresponding to the trans-
`mitted valuable point information are received, for exchang-
`ing the received valuable points for communication points
`according to an exchange rate recorded in the exchange
`database; and updating the communication point database
`according to the exchanged communication points.
`The central unit according to the fourth invention enables
`the customer to extend the substantial term of validity of
`valuable points whose expiry date is approaching by
`exchanging valuable points for communication points by a
`preset exchange rate according to the exchange instructing
`information received from the customer-use terminal unit
`
`and enables the customer to effectively use various valuable
`points of small values which are useless as individuals by
`adding up these valuable points for a single communication
`point,
`thereby accelerating the spread of communication
`points. Hence,
`the first business entity who manages the
`central unit can obtain new customers and achieve an
`
`improvement in the frequency in use of services. Moreover,
`by introducing a business mode in which the charge of
`services calculated according to the exchange rate is paid to
`the first business entity from the second business entity who
`manages the cooperate-use terminal unit, the second busi-
`ness entity can limit profits derived from the expiration of
`the term of validity of valuable points on an account book
`and consequently can never have disadvantages from the
`viewpoint of the taxation system.
`A computer readable recording medium according to the
`fifth invention, which is a computer readable recording
`medium including thereon a recorded computer program for
`causing a computer having communication means to man-
`age communication points used for on-line services, com-
`prising: computer readable program code means, when
`exchange instructing information instructing an exchange of
`valuable points representing a reward for consumption activ-
`ity for communication points is received, for causing a
`computer to transmit valuable point request
`information
`requesting valuable points to the communication means
`corresponding to the requested valuable points, according to
`the exchange instructing information; and computer read-
`able program code means, when valuable points correspond-
`ing to the transmitted valuable point request information are
`received, for causing a computer to exchange the received
`valuable points for communication points according to a
`preset exchange rate.
`
`

`

`US 6,721,743 B1
`
`5
`The computer readable recording medium according to
`the fifth invention can extend the substantial term of validity
`of valuable points whose expiry date is approaching by
`exchanging the valuable points for communication points by
`a preset exchange rate according to the exchange instructing
`information by the execution of the recorded program on the
`computer and enables an effective use of various valuable
`points of small values which are useless as individuals by
`adding up these valuable points for a single communication
`point,
`thereby accelerating the spread of communication
`points. Hence,
`the first business entity who manages the
`central unit can obtain new customers and achieve an
`
`improvement in the frequency in use of services. Moreover,
`by introducing a business mode in which the charge of
`services calculated according to the exchange rate is paid to
`the first business entity from the second business entity who
`manages the communication device,
`the second business
`entity can limit profits derived from the expiration of the
`term of validity of valuable points on an account book and
`consequently can never have disadvantages from the view-
`point of the taxation system.
`The above and further objects and features of the inven-
`tion will more fully be apparent from the following detailed
`description with accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL
`VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the concept of a
`point managing system of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the
`point managing system of the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a conceptual view showing the recorded contents
`of a communication point database provided in a central unit
`of the present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a conceptual view showing the recorded contents
`of an exchange database provided in the central unit of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 5 is a conceptual view showing the recorded contents
`of a customer information database provided in the central
`unit of the present invention;
`FIG. 6 is a conceptual view showing the recorded contents
`of a valuable point database provided in a cooperate-use
`terminal unit for use in the point managing system of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are flow charts showing a valuable
`point confirmation process performed by the central unit,
`customer-use terminal unit and cooperate-use terminal unit
`for use in the point managing system of the present inven-
`tion;
`FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are flow charts showing a commu-
`nication point exchange process performed by the central
`unit, customer-use terminal unit and cooperate-use terminal
`unit for use in the point managing system of the present
`invention; and
`FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a Web page
`outputted from the customer-use terminal unit for use in a
`point managing system of the present invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
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`The following description will explain the present inven-
`tion with reference to the drawings illustrating an embodi-
`ment thereof.
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`
`FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the concept of a
`point managing system of the present invention, and FIG. 2
`
`6
`is a block diagram showing the structure of the point
`managing system of the present invention.
`In the drawings, numeral 10 denotes a central unit of the
`present
`invention using a WWW server computer. The
`central unit 10 is managed by a first business entity 100 that
`provides on-line services such as on-line shopping and
`on-line games performed on a communication network 400
`such as the Internet.
`
`For the on-line services, communication points are used
`as virtual money which can be used only on the communi-
`cation network 400. The communication points are given for
`pay or free of charge from the first business entity 100 to
`customers 200 as the members using the on-line services,
`and managed by the central unit 10.
`The customers 200 are connected to the communication
`
`network 400 through customer-use terminal units 20 such as
`personal computers, and also have a membership to point
`services provided by various second business entities 300
`that serve valuable points which are exchangeable for vari-
`ous products and services as a reward for consumption
`activity such as the use of transportation facilities including
`an air line and purchasing of products in addition to on-line
`services.
`
`The first business entity 100 and second business entities
`300 made a business cooperation contract with each other,
`and the second business entities 300 are connected to the
`
`communication network 400 through cooperate-use terminal
`units 30.
`
`The central unit 10 includes an auxiliary storage device 12
`such as a CD-ROM drive for reading information including
`programs and data from a recording medium 40 such as a
`CD-ROM on which information including programs and
`data for the central unit 10 of the present
`invention is
`recorded, and a recording device 13 such as a hard disk for
`recording thereon the information including programs and
`data read by the auxiliary storage device 12.
`By reading the information including programs and data
`from the recording device 13, storing the information in a
`RAM 14 for storing information and executing the infor-
`mation by a CPU 11, the WWW server computer is operated
`as the central unit 10 of the present invention.
`Additionally, parts of a recording area of the recording
`device 13 is allotted as a communication point database 101
`that records information related to communication points, an
`exchange database 102 that records information related to an
`exchange rate of communication points and various valuable
`exchange points managed by the second business entities
`300, and a customer information database 103 that records
`information related to the customers 200. Furthermore, Web
`pages described in program languages such as HTML
`(Hyper Text Markup Language) are recorded.
`In addition, the central unit 10 includes an input device 15
`such as a mouse and a keyboard, an output device 16 such
`as a monitor and a printer, and a communication device 17
`that is connected to the communication network 400 to send
`and receive information to/from other devices.
`
`FIG. 3 is a conceptual view showing the recorded contents
`of the communication point database 101 provided in the
`central unit 10 of the present invention. In the communica-
`tion point database 101, information related to the commu-
`nication points is stored as a record including data of items
`such as a customer ID that identifies the customer 200 and
`
`communication points given to the customer 200.
`FIG. 4 is a conceptual view showing the recorded contents
`of the exchange database 102 provided in the central unit 10
`
`

`

`US 6,721,743 B1
`
`7
`of the present invention. In the exchange database 102, data
`indicating the exchange rates between the valuable exchange
`points and the communication points managed by the
`respective second business entities 300 are recorded in the
`items showing the names of the respective second business
`entities 300 (or the common names of provided services).
`Incidentally, the recorded exchange rates are values set
`according to the contents of the contracts made between the
`first business entity 100 and the respective second business
`entities 300.
`
`FIG. 5 is a conceptual view showing the recorded contents
`of the customer information database 103 provided in the
`central unit 10 of the present invention. In the customer
`information database 103, the information related to a cus-
`tomer 200 is stored as a record including data in the items
`such as personal information including the name, date of
`birth, sex distinction and address of the customer 200, and
`the first identification information including the ID number
`and password that identify the customer 200.
`The customer-use terminal unit 20 has substantially the
`same structure as the central unit 10, and includes a CPU 21,
`a recording device 22, a RAM 23, an input device 24, an
`output device 25, and a communication device 26. In the
`recording device 22,
`information including various
`programs, such as a browsing software program (hereinafter
`referred to as the browser) for browsing Web pages, and data
`is recorded. By activating the browser and inputting a URL
`(Uniform Resource Locator) specifying a Web page
`recorded in the central unit 10 in a predetermined area
`displayed on the output device 25, it is possible to access the
`Web page recorded in the central unit 10.
`The cooperate-use terminal unit 30 has substantially the
`same structure as the central unit 10, and includes a CPU 31,
`a recording device 32, a RAM 33, an input device 34, an
`output device 35, and a communication device 36. Apart of
`the recording area of the recording device 32 is allotted as
`a valuable point database 301 that records information
`related to valuable points.
`FIG. 6 is a conceptual view showing the recorded contents
`of the valuable point database 301 provided in the
`cooperate-use terminal unit 30 for use in the point managing
`system of the present
`invention.
`In the valuable point
`database 301, information related to valuable points is stored
`as a record having data in the items such as second identi-
`fication information including a membership number given
`to a customer by the second business entity 300 and valuable
`points given to the customer 200 as a reward for consump-
`tion activity.
`Next, referring to the flow charts of FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B
`showing a valuable point authentication process performed
`by the central unit 10, customer-use terminal unit 20 and
`cooperate-use terminal unit 30 for use in the point managing
`system of the present invention.
`The customer 200 accesses a Web page recorded in the
`central unit 10 by connecting the customer-use terminal unit
`20 to the communication network 400, activating the
`browser, and inputting the URL.
`identification
`Then,
`the customer 200 inputs the first
`information in a predetermined space on the outputted Web
`page, and inputs the second identification information in a
`predetermined space of a section indicating a second busi-
`ness entity 300 that confirms the status of obtained points
`and manages valuable exchange points desired to be
`exchanged for communication points.
`The terminal unit 20 accepts the input of the first and
`second identification information (S101), and transmits the
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`accepted first and second identification information to the
`central unit 10 (S102).
`The central unit 10 receives the first and second identi-
`
`fication information (S103), and performs authentication by
`collating the received first identification information and the
`first
`identification information recorded in the customer
`
`information database 103 (S104).
`By performing the authentication process in such a
`manner, the customer 200 can use the point exchange