JP3609398B1 - Product information provision system - Google Patents

Abstract

Information suitable for each customer is provided.
[MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A company server (2) provided with storage means (2f) for storing product information such as member information and product color and price, reading means (1a), display means (1c), calculation means (1b), storage means (1f), communication input / output means The terminal 1 provided with 1e and the checkout machine 4 are connected via a communication network. The terminal 3 reads the identifier 3b of the tag 3 attached to the product to obtain a product code, which is transmitted to the company server 2 as inquiry information together with the member ID. The company server 2 calculates information suitable for the member based on the information and returns it to the terminal 1 as member-specific information. The member looks at the member-specific information on the display means 1c and considers purchasing the product.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a product information providing system for providing product information to a customer. More specifically, products that can provide product information such as product prices customized based on information such as product purchase history accumulated for each customer to registered members via the information communication network. Information provision system.

Currently, the number of mobile phone terminals is said to exceed 50 million, and the percentage of mobile phone terminals owned by young people in their 20s is said to be about 90%. Furthermore, over 80% of people in their twenties use the Internet from mobile phone terminals. For those who provide services to end users who own mobile phones, mobile phone terminals are a social capital owned by customers. Can be considered.
Then, the service providing side provides a program for the customer to display a unique authentication symbol such as a barcode on the screen of a portable information communication terminal such as a mobile phone terminal. A system for authenticating a customer by reading an authentication symbol displayed on the screen of the portable information communication terminal and managing the customer using a POS system has already been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). .

  In such a conventional system, an e-mail is transmitted from the information communication terminal on the service providing side to the customer's portable information communication terminal, and the customer's portable information communication terminal is included in the information content of the mail. By using a specific address to connect to a specific web page provided by the service provider via the Internet, display a recognition code on the screen of the customer's mobile information communication terminal, obtain information about the service, It is configured to display mileage points.

In addition, using access information to a specific web page provided by the service provider, it provides information on the advertising effectiveness judgment material to the advertising client who is a company that sells products etc. posted on the web page An information providing service configured to be able to do this has already been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2002-163537 A JP 2002-111909 A

However, even if uniform information is provided to a large number of customers, such as advertisements that are currently being sent by e-mail or direct mail, the contents of the advertisement contained in such information are not necessarily Most customers do not show interest in advertising because they are not always useful to the customer, and are often useless to the customer. There is a situation where such useless advertisements go to trash as they are.
That is, the customer is requesting information provision mainly including appropriate information according to each customer, and information provision including useless information is not welcomed. Therefore, as a service provider, in order to provide customers with finer and better services, they select appropriate information and advertisements according to each customer, It is necessary to provide information in a state.
However, it is difficult for advertisers, that is, companies that provide services and products, to provide product information suitable for each customer (matching customer preferences), and so far customized product information has been provided to customers. A simple method to provide is not proposed.

Further, even if a customer tries to obtain advice on products or services at a store or the like, there are cases where the number of store clerk is insufficient, and therefore it may not be possible to obtain appropriate information from the store clerk when it is crowded.
In addition, when a customer registers as a member of a company that has purchased goods or services, membership cards are provided, so membership cards increase more and the membership cards do not enter the wallet. May occur. In addition, since the membership card is provided with a magnetic tape or the like, it may adversely affect other magnetic tapes or the like.
Furthermore, the service content provided from the company to the members is uniform, and the types of service content (grades, etc.) such as preferential benefits are limited to several types. In addition, the service contents cannot be changed frequently, so discounts for each customer are not changed frequently, and the customer is less stimulated by shopping.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to enable a customer to electronically obtain product information customized to himself / herself with a simple configuration. It is.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides:
In a product information providing system that consists of an actual product or a product tag arranged in the vicinity thereof, a communication terminal for a member, and a web server, and distributes product information to the member communication terminal via an information communication network.
The product tag includes a product ID for identifying the product and displays an optically readable product identifier.
Member communication terminal
Reading means capable of optically reading the product identifier on the product tag;
Storage means for storing the member ID for identifying the member and the URL of the web server;
Communication input / output means for communicating information with a web server via an information communication network;
When the product identifier is read by the reading means, the product identifier is decoded to obtain the product ID, and the product inquiry information including the obtained product ID and member ID is distributed from the communication input / output means to the web server. Means and
Web server
Member information storage means for storing the privilege level for each member in association with the member ID;
Product information storage means for storing a discount rate corresponding to a privilege level for each product in association with a product ID;
A communication input / output means for communicating information with a member communication terminal via an information communication network;
When the communication input / output unit receives the product inquiry information, based on the member ID and the product ID included in the information, the privilege level of the member is read from the member information storage unit, and the privilege level is read from the product information storage unit. Calculation of the discount rate of the product corresponding to the product and the full price of the product, calculating the product price for the member, and distributing member-specific information including the product price from the communication input / output means to the member communication terminal of the member The product information providing system is characterized by comprising means.

  In the product information providing system according to the present invention described above, the system is further arranged in a store that sells products, and a checkout provided with communication input / output means for communicating information with a web server via an information communication network. The product tag identifier further includes a store ID for identifying the store, and the computing means of the member terminal is configured to include the store ID in the product inquiry information and distribute it to the web server. Further, the calculation means of the web server further sends the product price returned to the member communication terminal, the product ID, and the member ID related to the member communication terminal to the checkout machine corresponding to the store ID included in the product inquiry information. And a means for delivering via the communication input / output means, and the checkout machine includes the product price, product ID, and member delivered from the web server. Based on the means for storing D in correspondence, the reading means for optically reading the product identifier on the product tag, the means for inputting the member ID, and the input member ID and the read product ID It is preferable that the processing unit includes an arithmetic unit that reads out the corresponding product price from the storage unit and settles the sales of the product.

  In the product information providing system according to the present invention, the system further includes a communication input / output unit that is managed by a store that sells products and communicates information with a web server via an information communication network. When the product inquiry information is received, the calculation means of the web server further sends other product information specific to the member along with the product price to the member communication terminal via the communication input / output unit. In addition, the product information, the product price, and the product ID are distributed as member access information to the store web server corresponding to the store ID included in the product inquiry information via the communication input / output unit. The store web server stores the received member access information and settles it. Comprising storage means for storing settlement results in, it is preferable to be able to build an activity history in the shop of shop travelers.

  In the product information providing system provided with the store web server, the store web server computing means further determines the store member's history built in the store web server storage means from the store member's history when the store visits the store. The means for extracting the member ID of the member who did not purchase, the member communication terminal holding the extracted member ID, the information on the product not purchased or other information included in the member access information in the storage means It is preferable to include means for distributing product information via communication input / output means.

  In the product information providing system according to the present invention described above, the privilege level stored in the member information storage means of the web server is the member's product purchase history, store visit history, and whether the member belongs to a specific organization. Preferably it is determined by at least one of no.

The present invention also includes a product identifier arranged near a product image in a product catalog, a communication terminal for a member, and a web server, and distributes product information to the member communication terminal via an information communication network. An information providing system,
The product identifier includes a product ID for identifying the product and is optically readable.
Member communication terminal
Reading means capable of optically reading a product identifier on a product catalog;
Storage means for storing the member ID for identifying the member and the URL of the web server;
Communication input / output means for communicating information with a web server via an information communication network;
When the product identifier is read by the reading means, the product identifier is decoded to obtain the product ID, and the product inquiry information including the obtained product ID and member ID is distributed from the communication input / output means to the web server. Means and
Web server
Member information storage means for storing the privilege level for each member in association with the member ID;
Product information storage means for storing a discount rate corresponding to a privilege level for each product in association with a product ID;
A communication input / output means for communicating information with a member communication terminal via an information communication network;
When the communication input / output unit receives the product inquiry information, based on the member ID and the product ID included in the information, the privilege level of the member is read from the member information storage unit, and the privilege level is read from the product information storage unit. A calculation unit that reads a discount rate of the product corresponding to the product and a net price of the product, calculates a product price for the member, and distributes it from the communication input / output unit to the member communication terminal of the member Provide an information provision system.
In this product information providing system, it is preferable that the computing means of the web server further includes means for providing an input screen for purchasing the product to the member communication terminal that has transmitted the product inquiry information.

In the invention of claim 1, a customer who is a member can view a product price specially set for himself / herself on the communication terminal such as a mobile phone terminal carried by the customer.
In addition, the membership card issued each time membership registration is unnecessary or can be reduced. People who own membership cards of various companies have a large number of cards, and sometimes they do not fit in their wallets. In addition, cards having a magnetic tape adversely affect each other if they are held in layers. Specifically, if it is held in a cassette tape, a card such as a credit card, a watch, a mobile phone, etc., in a bag or a wallet, the magnetic recording part often breaks. As in the present invention, by providing a communication terminal carried by a member such as a mobile phone terminal with a function as a membership card, it is possible to reduce the number of membership cards carried and prevent destruction of cards.

  In the invention of claim 2, since the member-specific product price is transferred to the settlement machine provided in the store, it is easy to settle at the store at the product price. As a result, it becomes possible to provide a service at a price suitable for the member, and specialization of each member can be achieved. It is also expected that higher satisfaction can be given to members.

In the invention of claim 3, since the store visit record can be taken at the store, the member management for each store can be performed and the member management unique to the store can be performed.
In the invention of claim 4, the sales approach can be applied again to members who have visited the store but have not purchased the product.

  In the invention of claim 5, when a member belonging to a specific organization, for example, a member who is also an employee of a specific company visits a store or the like, the member may belong to a specific organization based on the member ID information. It is possible to create member-specific information under conditions that are determined and unique to members belonging to a specific organization. This can be adapted to, for example, occupational sales.

In the invention of claim 6, the member can obtain a product price specially set for himself / herself through catalog shopping without going to the store.
In the invention of claim 7, it is possible to purchase a desired product with a simple operation at a personal price by catalog shopping. Thereby, it is possible to meet the needs of catalog shopping and to prevent the store from becoming crowded. In addition, members can obtain information about products not only on the information printed in the catalog, but also on the communication terminal. In particular, the information displayed on the communication terminal can be changed by the information stored in the web server. As a result, the catalog can be a so-called “dynamic” catalog.

The configuration of the product information providing system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a basic configuration of a product information providing system of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the system includes an information communication terminal 1 (hereinafter referred to as “member terminal 1”) such as a mobile phone terminal and a personal computer owned by a registered member and appropriate information communication from the member terminal 1. A basic configuration is a server (hereinafter referred to as “corporate server”) 2 that operates and manages the company side, which provides a web page accessible via a network. The company server 2 is not limited to those that are directly operated and managed by companies that provide products and services, but may be those that are managed by a company entrusted by a plurality of companies that provide products (services). When a member requests product information such as the price of a product or service from the member terminal 1 to the company server 2, the price of the product or service set for the member terminal 1 from the company server 2 to the member terminal 1 is set. Etc. are configured to be returned.
In the following, the product and service will be referred to as “product”.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of the product information providing system according to the present invention, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the flow of information processing in the member terminal 1 and the company server 2, respectively. . FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of information processing in the member terminal 1 and the company server 2. As shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the member terminal 1 and the company server 2, the information providing system according to the present embodiment includes a checkout machine 4 arranged in a store managed by the company, and a product displayed in the store. And a tag 3 attached to.

  The member terminal 1 includes a calculation unit 1b that performs a calculation function and a control function, an input unit 1d that performs an input function to the calculation unit 1b, a display unit 1c that displays a calculation result of the calculation unit 1b, and information A communication input / output unit 1e that performs a function of inputting / outputting information via a communication network; a program executed by the calculation unit 1b; an application program provided by a company; and a storage unit 1f that stores a member ID; Reading means 1a which is an imaging device such as a camera is provided.

  A customer who is an end user registered as a member of the company, that is, a member, is given a member ID by the company and an application program for the information providing system at the time of member registration. Then, the assigned application program is installed in the member terminal 1, and a member ID for authenticating the member is input in advance and stored in the storage unit 1f.

At present, a mobile phone terminal to which a function as a two-dimensional code scanner is added is on the market, but in this embodiment, the member terminal 1 may not necessarily be such a mobile phone terminal. That is, if the member terminal 1 has an imaging function such as a camera, the authentication symbol can be decoded by installing an application program including a program unit that reads and decodes the authentication symbol such as a two-dimensional code or a barcode. A function can also be added to the member terminal 1. The application program is a program for enabling the member terminal 1 to perform the processing described below in the product information providing system according to the present invention.
In this embodiment, the communication between the company server 2 and the member terminal 1 allows the member terminal 1 to download the application program from the company server 2. Specifically, when the input unit 1 d of the member terminal 1 is operated to request acquisition of an application program stored in the storage unit 2 f of the company server 2, the company server 2 sends the application program to the member terminal 1. Send.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the company server 2 includes a member information database (DB) and a product information DB, and stores various information including member information, product information, and downloaded application programs. Means 2f, communication input / output means 2e for transmitting and receiving information via the information communication network, and arithmetic means 2b for performing arithmetic processing and controlling these means are provided. Member information is stored in the member information DB so as to be searchable using the member ID. Member information includes the member's name, gender, age, contact information (address, telephone number, e-mail, etc.), as well as the member's product purchase history and product access history so far. In the product information DB, product information is stored so as to be searchable using a product code (product ID).

  The settlement machine 4 is a register device, and as shown in FIG. 2, the calculation means 4b that performs the calculation function and the control function, the input means 4d that performs the input function to the calculation means 4b, and the calculation result of the calculation means 4b. Display means 4c that fulfills the function of displaying and output, communication input / output means 4e that fulfills the function of inputting and outputting information via the information communication network, programs executed by the computing means 4b, and application programs provided by companies Is stored, and a reading unit 4a such as a scanner is provided.

  The tag 3 attached to the product includes a price 3a for a general customer who is not registered as a member, an identifier 3b such as a barcode for a general customer, and an identifier 3c such as a two-dimensional code or barcode for the member. It is displayed. Therefore, the price for the member is not displayed on the tag 3. Normally, the price 3a to be paid when a general customer purchases is displayed, but as a preferential privilege for members, the popular product tag 3 does not display the price 3a for general customers, but an identifier for the member. By displaying only 3c, it is possible that only the member is eligible to purchase the product.

The flow of processing in the information providing system in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
When a customer who visits a store wants to obtain information (including price) about a product to be considered for purchase, a general customer who is not a member selects a product by looking at the price 3a for the general customer, and pays. Sometimes, the checkout machine 4 reads the identifier 3b for the general customer and displays the price, and the general customer pays based on the displayed price.

  On the other hand, when a customer who visits a store is a registered member who is given a member ID, when shopping at the store or the like of the company, by operating the optical reading means 1a provided in the member terminal 1 The member identifier 3c displayed on the tag 3 attached to the product to be purchased is imaged (step SA1). The obtained image of the identifier 3c is decoded by the computing means 1b (step SA2) and becomes product identifier information. In the member terminal 1 in which the application program is installed, the product identifier information, which is a signal after decryption, is output by the display unit 1c, whereby detailed product information is displayed on the display unit 1c (step SA3). . Thereby, the member can obtain detailed information on the product. The product identifier information includes a product code (that is, a product ID) that identifies product information.

  Here, the detailed information of the product displayed on the display means 1c includes, for example, the date of manufacture of the product, the type of product (including color and size), the presence / absence of stock in the store, and the company's chain development. The presence or absence of stock of the product at other stores, the past sales of the product, and the like. Among them, information with a large amount of data is defined as detailed information (product specifying information) related to a product to be described later, and is not an identifier 3c consisting of a two-dimensional code or a barcode on the tag 3, but a storage means 2f of the company server 2. It is preferable to accumulate in That is, the amount of information that can be included in the identifier 3c is small compared to the amount of information that can be stored in the storage unit 2f of the company server 2, and the information cannot be changed frequently. It is preferable to use mainly information such as product code and date of manufacture.

Further, when the member wants to know member-specific information such as a discounted member price of the product or more detailed information of the product, the member operates the input means 1d of the member terminal 1 to make the request. When it is input, it is determined (step SA4), and “product inquiry information” including the product code and the member ID stored in the storage means 1f of the member terminal 1 is sent from the member terminal 1 to the company server. 2 (step SA5), and the company server 2 receives it (step SB1).
In addition, by operating the input means 1d of the member terminal 1 and directly inputting the product code obtained from the identifier 3c, the product code can be acquired in the member terminal 1. Instead of the information obtained from the identifier 3c, the product code of the product desired by the member can be input.

Upon receiving the product inquiry information transmitted from the member terminal 1, the company server 2 stores the information in the storage unit 2f under the control of the calculation unit 2b (step SB2), and also obtains the member ID and the product from the information. Extract the code. Then, product information corresponding to the obtained product code is extracted with reference to the product information DB (step SB3), and member information corresponding to the obtained member ID is extracted with reference to the member information DB. (Step SB3).
Thereafter, the computing means 2b of the company server 2 calculates “member-specific information” comprising preferential benefits including the price of the product that can be assigned to the member based on the extracted member information and product information (step SB4). The calculated member-specific information is newly added to the member information, stored in the member information DB, and returned to the member terminal 1 (step SB5).

In the member terminal 1, when the returned member-specific information is received (step SA6), the member-specific information is displayed on the display means 1c by the application program (step SA7). Thereby, the member can consider purchase of the product with reference to the member-specific information. When purchasing the product, the calculation means 1b determines that the member ID display output command has been input by operating the input means 1d of the member terminal 1 when paying the product price with the checkout machine 4 ( In step SA8), the member ID is read from the storage means 1f and displayed on the display means 1c (step SA9). The member presents the member terminal 1 on which the member ID is displayed to the salesperson, whereby the member ID is authenticated.
In this case, the member ID displayed and output on the display means 1c of the member terminal 1 is set as a two-dimensional code or barcode, and the two-dimensional code or barcode displayed on the screen is read by the reading means 4a of the settlement machine 4 to calculate It is preferable that the authentication is performed by decrypting by means 4b. In addition to this, the account adjusting machine 4 may acquire the member ID by directly inputting a combination of numbers representing the member ID by the input means 4d of the account adjusting machine 4.

When the member pays in the store, the checker 4 obtains the member ID of the member as described above, and obtains the product code by the reading means 4a. Then, the calculation means 4b generates “store inquiry information” in which these pieces of information are combined, and this information is transmitted to the company server 2 via the communication input / output means 4e and the information communication network.
In the company server 2 that has received the store inquiry information, the member information is extracted by the member ID included in the information, and the product information is extracted by the product code. Based on the extracted information, member-specific information including price information is calculated. In the case of the same product, this member-specific information is the same as the member-specific information generated and returned based on the product inquiry information from the member terminal 1 previously. The generated member-specific information is returned from the company server 2 to the settlement machine 4 via the information communication network, and the sales price included in the member-specific information is displayed on the display means 4c of the settlement machine 4.
In addition, when the company server 2 returns the member-specific information to the member terminal 1 without transmitting the store inquiry information from the account settlement machine 4 to the company server 2, the information is automatically distributed to the account settlement machine 4 of the store. You may make it do.
As a result, the member can purchase the product at his / her own price presented on the settlement machine 4.

The “member-specific information” is information customized to the member and is different for each member.
First, depending on the state of the member when information is transmitted / received from the member terminal 1 to the corporate server 2, the product price (included in the specific information) corresponding to the member is used as member-specific information. be able to. The member status includes, for example, the number of purchases made by a company so far, the total purchase price, the number of times a questionnaire requested by the company has been answered, and the elapsed period of time as a member. And based on these, privileges, such as a discount rate, a discount amount, the number of points, an additional rate of the number of points, an appendix, and a service product, are set.
For example, it is possible to present as a member-specific information a price with a large discount for members who shop a lot from a company and a price with a small discount for members who do not shop very much. Further, the discount rate may be set according to the number of visits to the store rather than the amount of merchandise purchase, and the discount rate may be set by a combination thereof.
Also, the “birthday price” can be presented as member-specific information for the month, week, or day to which the member's birthday belongs.

Secondly, if the product is food / food, the expiration date and recipe of the food / food are included in the member-specific information, and if the product is clothing, information such as the coordination method suitable for the clothing is included in the member-specific information. be able to. In this way, the company server 2 can transmit a detailed explanation about the product as well as the product price as member-specific information. Therefore, if there is a product that the member is interested in, the member frequently accesses the company server 2. , You can receive and receive preferential benefits such as price for yourself and detailed explanation of the product.
Thus, even when the store is crowded and it is difficult to hear the advice of the clerk regarding the product, it is possible to receive accurate information on the member terminal 1 owned by the member.

Third, the member-specific information can include access history information formed by accumulating information on products that have been accessed by the company server 2 in the past.
As a result, the member can remember when the forgotten product is the product that he has been interested in the past. At the same time, the member can provide information specific to the member to compare information on products purchased in the past or products that have been considered for purchase with information on products that are currently being purchased. Can be considered appropriately.

In the product information providing system according to the present invention, the following development can be achieved.
In the member information DB of the storage means 2f of the company server 2, access history information relating to various products of each member is stored so as to be extractable by member ID. In other words, the company server 2 stores information on who is interested in what products at which stores, and the company analyzes the preferences of members based on the access history information. Is possible. Thereby, the company can send advertisement contents and information useful for the member to the member by mail as a direct mail, or to the member terminal 1 or a registered mail address.

Members can also obtain information on what size clothes they bought in the past by browsing the access history information in their member information stored in the member information DB. It is.
Furthermore, when the store has an information communication terminal (not shown) and the member does not have the member terminal 1 such as a mobile phone terminal, the member ID and the product code are input to the information communication terminal and the company server 2 is entered. By transmitting, member-specific information can be obtained, and such an accelerator history can be stored in the member information DB.

  In this way, it is possible to provide product information suitable for each member (matching customer preference), etc., so that the advertising effect can be enhanced and the cost related to advertising can be reduced. It becomes possible. Further, as the number of purchases and the purchase price increase, more benefits such as discounts can be obtained, so that the member's willingness to purchase is expected to increase. Then, after reading the two-dimensional code of the tag 3 and accessing the corporate server 2, it can be excited how much you can get cheaper, so the shopping enjoyment is more than ever for the members.

In addition to the above, in the company server 2, product information including a photograph, a property, detailed information, etc. of the product is created based on the product code, and the product information is transmitted from the company server 2 via the information communication network. It can be transmitted to a communication terminal owned by a member's friend or family while attached to an e-mail or the like. As a result, when a member wants to hear his / her opinion on the product of a friend or family member, the member terminal 1 such as a mobile phone terminal with a camera needs to take a picture of the product and attach it to an e-mail. It is possible to distribute beautiful video and accurate information from the company server 2 to friends and the like.
In recent years, I often see customers shooting products using mobile phone terminals in stores, but I have re-taken many times because the light applied to the products is not suitable for shooting. Sometimes. In the information providing system of the present invention, information including video data etc. of products stored in the product information database of the company server 2 can be taken into the terminal 1 or transmitted as an email attachment. The bug is solved.

Further, in the information providing system of the present invention, even if the member terminal 1 holding the member ID is lost, if the company that manages the company server 2 is notified of the loss, the member terminal 1 can be notified. If the member is authenticated by the phone number or identification number that is unique information, the member resets the purchase history etc. by inputting the original member ID or the new member ID into the new member terminal 1 You can continue to receive preferential benefits.
The application program used when inputting the member ID to the lost member terminal 1 may be reused, and authentication or the like may be unnecessary. By doing in this way, the convenience especially increases for a member having two or more member terminals 1.

A countermeasure when the member does not own the member terminal 1 is as follows.
The company grants a member ID to the member and issues a member card having the member ID to the member.
A mobile phone terminal in which an application program installed in the member terminal 1 is installed when a member who visits the store for purchase of a product or acquisition of information about the product is authenticated by a member ID or the like described on the member card A mobile communication terminal (“store terminal”) can be borrowed. The member ID of the member is input to the store terminal at the time of lending, and by using the store terminal, the member receives an information providing service in the same manner as the member who owns the member terminal 1. be able to.

Further, the store terminal may be a fixed type information processing communication terminal instead of a portable type. In this case, in the fixed type terminal, the member has a member ID and a plurality of numbers attached to the product tag 3. By inputting a product code composed of a combination, an information providing service similar to that obtained at the member terminal 1 can be received. The fixed type terminal may also be provided with a scanner as reading means. In this case, in particular, the reading operation of the identifier 3c attached to the tag 3 is facilitated by enlarging the grip portion of the scanner. It is preferable to do.
In this way, if a member can use not only the member terminal 1 such as a mobile phone terminal owned by the user but also the store terminal owned by the store, the member will bear communication costs and the like. You can enjoy shopping more than ever.

  Even when the member terminal 1 is not used, the company server 2 accumulates information such as what products each member is interested in based on the member ID. The company can send an appropriate direct mail or the like at a later date based on this information. And if you have a membership card, you can receive a guarantee service, etc., which will be described later.

Next, Embodiment 2 of the product information providing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the product information providing system according to the second embodiment is provided with a store server 6 in a store operated by a company and displaying products in the configuration of the product information providing system according to the first embodiment. By accumulating information relating to the store's unique members, the store's own membership management can be performed, and the store's unique information can be provided to the members.
For example, by creating store records based on information about store-specific members, members can search for what products at what stores, at what stores, what purchase history, and for what purpose. Information such as whether or not you have visited the store can be created, which can be used for store management. In addition, in the store, when a member wants detailed information about a certain product and transmits inquiry information about the product to the company server 2 using the member terminal 1, whether the member purchased the product at the store. You can know how. Such information can be used for setting the price of goods.

The store server 6 provided in the store has a calculation unit 6b that performs a calculation function and a control function, an input unit 6d that performs an input function for the calculation unit 6b, and a display that functions to display and output the calculation result of the calculation unit 6b. A means 6c, a communication input / output means 6e that performs a function of inputting / outputting information via an information communication network, and a storage means 6f that stores a program executed by the calculation means 6b and includes a store member DB. Is provided. The store member DB stores the store member's name, sex, age, contact information (address, telephone number, e-mail, etc.), as well as store purchase history and product access history of the store member so far. . The store server 6 can send and receive information to and from the member terminal 1, the company server 2, and the payment machine 4 via the information communication network.
The storage unit 2f of the company server 2 includes a store management DB in addition to the member information DB and the product information DB of the storage unit of the first embodiment.
Furthermore, information (store ID) for identifying the store is added to the identifier 3c such as a two-dimensional code or a barcode displayed on the tag 3 attached to the product displayed at the store together with the information on the product. Yes.

In the information providing system according to the second embodiment, the identifier 3c displayed on the tag 3 attached to the product is read by the reading unit 1a of the member terminal 1 owned by the member who has visited the store, and the product code is obtained from the information of the identifier. Is deciphered. As described above, the identifier 3c includes information for identifying a product and a store ID for identifying a store displaying and selling the product.
Then, when the product code and the store ID are read by the member terminal 1, the information is combined with the member ID stored in the storage means 1f of the member terminal 1 to the company server 2 as product inquiry information. Sent.

  When the company server 2 receives the inquiry information, the member information and the product information are extracted from the storage unit 2f based on the member ID and the product code included in the product inquiry information, as in the case of the first embodiment. Then, the calculating means 2b calculates member-specific information regarding the product. Then, the member-specific information is returned from the company server 2 to the member terminal 1.

In addition, the company server 2 that has received the product inquiry information identifies the store by the store ID included in the inquiry information, and associates the store ID with the store ID in the store management DB built in the storage unit 2f of the company server 2. Stores the product inquiry information. Then, information including the contents of the product inquiry information (“store member information”) is transmitted from the company server 2 to the store server 6 of the store specified based on the store ID. In the store member information, in addition to the member ID and product code in the product inquiry information, the date and time when the product inquiry information is received by the company server 2 and the member information DB of the storage means 2f of the company server 2 are stored. Includes member information.
The store server 6 that has received the store member information stores the store member information in the store member information DB of the storage means 6f so as to be accessible using the member ID.

  Thus, in the store, by referring to the store member information DB constructed in the storage means 6f of the store server 6, what kind of purchase history members come to the store, what time to search for what products, For example, it is possible to create store record information such as whether the customer has visited the store or purchased the product. By referring to this store record information, it is possible to know what kind of product the member wanted in the store and what conditions the product was purchased at, and so on. And can be used as information for store management such as customer management.

  Also, by collecting valuable store records before purchase, an effective sales approach can be made to members who have missed purchases. That is, when the member reads the tag identifier 3c of the product by the reading unit 1a and obtains member-specific information from the company server 2, but does not purchase the product, the store server 6 stores such a member. Extract from means 6f. Then, by sending an e-mail to the member, information indicating that the price of the product can be further discounted or information for recommending the purchase of a product such as another similar product is distributed. can do. This is an efficient sales approach because the member will consider purchasing the product again.

Next, a third embodiment of the product information providing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In the first and second embodiments described above, the identifier 3c such as a two-dimensional code or a bar code is displayed on the tag 3 attached to the product displayed in the store or the like. An identifier 3c such as a two-dimensional code or bar code is printed in the vicinity of a product posted in a mail-order catalog, flyer or direct mail distributed to homes or companies, or a catalog distributed in stores, etc. ing.

  In the plurality of catalogs, even if the identifiers 3c attached to the same product are the same, the company server 2 can calculate member-specific information based on the member ID. That is, the identifier 3c is read and decoded by the member terminal 1 to obtain a product code, and the product server 2 stores product inquiry information in which the product code and the member ID stored in the member terminal 1 are combined. Sent. Therefore, the company server 2 extracts the member information and the product information with reference to the member information DB and the product information DB constructed in the storage unit 2f, and the member-specific information is obtained based on the extracted information. Calculated and returned. As the product price included in the member-specific information, a price suitable for each member is determined based on the past purchase history of the member in the member information DB.

In the third embodiment, when the member browses the member-specific information and decides to purchase, by operating the member terminal 1, the fact is transmitted to the company server 2. In the company server 2, when the purchase decision notification information transmitted from the member terminal 1 is received, the calculation means 2b performs a settlement process with an amount appropriate for the member in the member-specific information.
The product can be settled using a payment card such as a credit card. The company server 2 makes an inquiry to the card company and confirms whether the payment card is valid. Payment information including the information is transmitted to the member terminal 1 and billed to the card company.

According to the third embodiment, it is not necessary to change the contents of the catalog according to the customer, and the advertising cost can be greatly reduced.
In addition, the member-specific information can include not only the price of the product but also various privileges granted according to each member. For example, it is a free shipping benefit in mail order. As a result, the member can receive many benefits if the purchase is increased, so that the purchase becomes fun and the member's willingness to purchase can be stimulated.

In addition, a member who is reading the catalog makes a contribution to a service provided by the company using his / her member ID as an information source ID, or makes a contribution to a product provided by the company by entering a product code. By doing so, companies can get the voice of members who are consumers.
By constructing such a system, it is possible to turn a catalog, which is a publication printed with fixed contents, into a “dynamic catalog” that responds to the changing voices of consumers (needs). In addition, the contents can be increased every moment. As a result, the advertising effect of the catalog is dramatically improved.

In the information providing system of the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the following development can be achieved.
By applying this information providing system, it is possible to make the warranty for the product handed over when purchased, paperless.
Since the product purchase history is stored in the company server 2, the member ID stored in the member terminal 1 is authenticated by the checkout machine 4 or the like even if there is no guarantee when the product is broken at a later date. Further, based on the member ID, if the payment machine 4 accesses the company server 2 and refers to the member information stored in the member information DB to confirm the purchase of the product, the member can receive a guarantee. it can. As a result, the company does not need to distribute the guarantee, and even the customer can prevent the guarantee from increasing and management becoming difficult.
A member who is worried that the warranty card is electronic information stored in the company server 2 can be distributed. In this case, even if the member loses the warranty, the member ID can be obtained by authenticating the member ID with the checkout machine 4 if the member terminal 1 holding the member ID is present.

  By adopting the information providing system according to the present invention, the settlement machine 4 and the information communication terminal arranged in the electronic store or the like transmit the inquiry information including the product code and the member ID to the company server 2, thereby A purchase history created from the member information and product information stored in the server 2 can be received. As a result, even if the member has forgotten the name of the previously purchased electrical device, the member can obtain a purchase history to determine whether the peripheral device is suitable and the peripheral device suitable for the purchased electrical device. Can know.

By applying this information provision system, a member ID of a company can be assigned a member ID, registered as a member, and given to other members of a member of a specific group. It is also possible to give a special privilege to the same privilege as that given to other members.
For example, when a specific organization is a company trading company A and an employee of trading company A is registered as a member, the company server 2 extracts member information and product information when receiving inquiry information consisting of a member ID and a product code. However, at this time, the extracted member information includes information that the member belongs to the trading company A. As a result, the company server 2 calculates member-specific information including price and information superior to those of other members, and the member-specific information is transmitted to the member terminal 1. Therefore, a member who is an employee of trading company A can purchase a product more preferentially than other members.
In this way, this product information providing system can be used for business sales.

1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of a product information providing system according to the present invention. The block diagram which shows Example 1 of the merchandise information provision system which concerns on this invention. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of information provision at a member terminal of the product information provision system according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of information provision at a company server of the product information provision system according to the first embodiment. The flowchart which showed the flow of the information provision in the member terminal and company server of the merchandise information provision system of Example 1. FIG. The block diagram which shows Example 2 of the merchandise information provision system which concerns on this invention. The block diagram which shows Example 3 of the merchandise information provision system which concerns on this invention.

Claims (4)

An actual product or a product tag placed in the vicinity thereof, a communication terminal for members, a web server, and a store that sells products, and communicates information with the web server via an information communication network. In a product information providing system comprising a payment machine equipped with communication input / output means and delivering product information to member communication terminals via an information communication network,
The product tag includes a product ID for identifying the product and a store ID for identifying the store, and displays an optically readable product identifier,
Member communication terminal
Reading means capable of optically reading the product identifier on the product tag;
Storage means for storing the member ID for identifying the member and the URL of the web server;
Communication input / output means for communicating information with a web server via an information communication network;
When the item identifier read by the reading means, and decrypts it to obtain a product ID and the shop ID, the product inquiry information including a product ID and the shop ID and the member ID acquired from the communication input unit Computing means for distributing to a web server,
Web server
Member information storage means for storing the privilege level for each member in association with the member ID;
Product information storage means for storing a discount rate corresponding to a privilege level for each product in association with a product ID;
Communication input / output means for communicating information with a member communication terminal and with a web server via an information communication network;
When the communication input / output unit receives the product inquiry information, based on the member ID and the product ID included in the information, the privilege level of the member is read from the member information storage unit, and the privilege level is read from the product information storage unit. reads the discount rate and net price of the product of the product corresponding to calculates the product price for the member, the member-specific information including the commodity price, causes delivered from the communication input unit to the members of the member communication terminal The product price and product ID returned to the member communication terminal and the member ID related to the member communication terminal are distributed to the settlement machine corresponding to the store ID included in the product inquiry information via the communication input / output means. And calculating means having means for making
The checkout machine
Storage means for storing the product price, product ID, and member ID delivered from the web server in association with each other;
Reading means capable of optically reading the product identifier on the product tag;
Means for entering a member ID;
A calculation unit that reads the corresponding product price from the storage unit based on the input member ID and the read product ID, and performs settlement of the product sales;
Commodity information providing system characterized in <br/> be composed of. The product information providing system according to claim 1 ,
The system further includes a store web server that is managed by a store that sells products and includes communication input / output means for communicating information with the web server via an information communication network.
The calculation means of the web server further returns other member-specific product information together with the product price to the member communication terminal via the communication input / output means when the product inquiry information is received, and the product inquiry information. Is distributed to the store web server corresponding to the store ID included in the information via the communication input / output means as the other product information, the product price, and the product ID as member access information.
The store web server includes storage means for storing the received member access information and storing the settlement result in the settlement machine,
A product information providing system characterized in that an activity history of a store member in the store can be constructed. The product information providing system according to claim 2, wherein the calculation means of the store web server further includes:
Means for extracting the member ID of a store member who has visited the store but did not purchase the product at the store from the history of the member constructed in the storage means of the store web server;
The member communication terminal having the extracted member ID is allowed to distribute the information on the product not purchased or the information on the other product included in the member access information in the storage unit via the communication input / output unit. A product information providing system comprising: means. The product information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the privilege level stored in the member information storage means of the web server includes a member's product purchase history, a store visit history, and a member assigned to a specific organization. A product information providing system, which is determined by at least one of whether or not the user belongs.

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