Point management system and point management method

Abstract

There are provided a point management system and a point management method allowing effective use of points acquired by a customer, etc., and prevention of a waste in points. Therefore, exchange for various points or points having acquired a digital ticket is possible, exchange using foreign currency is possible, and the number of points desired to be traded for each type of currency, and a rate as a standard for exchange of each type of currency to one point are displayed on an exchanging currency selection screen. A standard number of points converted to one US dollar, one European euro, and one Chinese yuan, for example, is displayed, making it easy to understand transaction conditions under succeeding sales transaction status. Moreover, for example, point exchange conditions are displayed as a list and confirmed, thereby allowing specification of one's own exchange conditions, and allowing exchange of points etc. based on specification of accepted exchange conditions.

1 . A point management method of a point management system, the method being performed by a point management processor configured to allow an exchange of points among different customers via a communication network by using a communication terminal connected thereto, add up points acquired by a customer and allow a transfer of points belonging to a point group, which allows customers to enjoy a benefit using the added-up points, said method comprising the steps of:
 detecting, via the communication terminal, a foreign exchange rate for a foreign currency;   carrying out the transfer of points belonging to the point group by exchanging the points for other valuables other than the points, and enabling the customers operating the communication terminal to specify an exchange condition for the valuables to be exchanged for the added-up points;   displaying all of the exchange conditions for points to be exchanged; and specifying an exchange condition of the customer while taking into consideration an exchange condition of another customer;   disclosing the specified exchange condition so as for the customer to determine whether or not an exchange is to be carried out according to the specified exchange condition;   calculating automatically a number of points to be exchanged so that when selecting points issued in a foreign country as the valuables, the foreign exchange rate of the foreign currency is reflected on the number of points to be exchanged, and enabling specification of the exchange condition on which change in monetary value is reflected;   determining an establishment status for transfer of points belonging to a point exchange applicant; and   presenting a predetermined point exchange condition in accordance with the determination results; wherein   the foreign exchange rate is reflected on the exchange condition when exchanging points using the foreign currency, and a point exchange under the predetermined point exchange condition is made possible.   
     
     
         2 . The point management method according to  claim 1  wherein the valuables include electronic money, game points usable for games, and digital tickets including concert tickets, admission tickets, utilization tickets, and exchange tickets.