JP4227823B2 - Customer guidance system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a customer guidance system, and in particular, a wireless IC tag is attached to each product in a store, and an ID code of a product stored in the wireless IC tag and product information or customer information stored in a store-side database. The present invention relates to a technology for guiding customers to purchase specific products by cooperation.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  Currently, in large-scale retail stores such as department stores and supermarkets, prices are generally displayed by sticking a sticker with a price printed on each product.
  For this reason, when reducing the price of fresh foods just before closing, or when reducing the price of products that are nearing the expiration date, the employee must replace the sticker indicating the price reduction one by one. Cost and time were required. In addition, since it is necessary to perform processing in a short time, there is a problem in that change omission is likely to occur.
[0003]
  On the other hand, by attaching a wireless IC tag to each product in the store, it has been attempted to omit the above-described work that occurs when the price is changed.
  For example, in Patent Document 1, a wireless IC tag (RF-ID tag) that stores a product code, price data, and the like is attached to each product. A method for updating price data is disclosed. This document also describes that the expiration date data is stored in the wireless IC tag, and that the price is changed for a product that is approaching the expiration date by emitting an instruction radio wave specifying the expiration date. Has been.
  In this case, the price itself printed on the surface of the wireless IC tag remains the same, but the price data after the change is reflected when the product is cleared at the cash register, and the customer enjoys the benefits of price reduction. It is a mechanism that can.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
          JP 2002-133519 A
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  Certainly, according to the above method, it is possible to change the price of a large number of products all at once, eliminating the need for employees to change labels at the sales floor as before, and preventing changes from being made. it can.
[0006]
  However, in the above method, product attribute data is stored in the wireless IC tag itself, and the data on the wireless IC tag is rewritten by specifying the attribute. The store cannot grasp the state in real time.
  For this reason, the price is automatically changed according to the expiration date or sales of the product, the customer cannot be guided to the purchase of the specific product, and the price is automatically reset by monitoring the effect of the price reduction. I couldn't do that either.
  In addition, it automatically detects crowded locations in the store based on the sales status of specific products, and lowers the price of products displayed in other locations to guide customers to purchase the products and eliminates crowded conditions. I couldn't do it either.
  Furthermore, since a mechanism for managing the purchase history of the customer is not provided, it has been impossible to induce the customer to purchase a specific product by presenting some incentive based on the purchase record.
[0007]
  The present invention was made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and can automatically change the price according to the expiration date or sales of the product, and also has the effect of price reduction. The purpose is to realize a system that can monitor and reset prices flexibly.
  In addition, it automatically detects crowded locations by monitoring the sales status of products, and lowers the price of products displayed at other locations to guide customers to the location where the products are displayed. The purpose is to realize a system that can be resolved.
  Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to realize a system capable of managing the purchase history of a customer and giving each customer a purchase of a specific product by giving an individual privilege based on the history information.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, the customer guidance system according to claim 1 is a system for guiding a customer to purchase a specific product, and an ID code unique to the product is stored in each product. A wireless IC tag is attached, a wireless reader that communicates with each wireless IC tag and reads the ID code, a display for displaying the price of the product, and a link for each product in association with the ID code.Includes product name and display locationA product database that records attribute information and status;For each product, the sales per unit time of the product is set as a set value as a condition for reducing the price of the product of the other product to eliminate the congestion of the product sales floor, and the sales floor of the other product If the price of the product needs to be reduced to eliminate congestion, the price reduction (amount or rate) is set as the set value.The price change setting database to be set and the ID code of the product are periodically detected via the wireless reader,IndividualMeans for checking the presence or absence of a product and recording the result in the product database;A means for referring to this product database and obtaining sales per unit time of each product,Refer to the above price change setting database,If the sales per unit time of a specific product is greater than or equal to the set value, the products whose sales per unit time are less than or equal to the set value among the products that are displayed more than a predetermined distance from the display location of the product And select the price reduction range for the product to be reduced.Means to identify;The price reduction range or the price after the price reductionAnd a means for displaying on the display.
[0009]
  According to this system, if the sales amount or sales quantity of a specific product is greater than or equal to the set value, it is assumed that the display location of the product is congested, and the price of the other product displayed at a remote location is calculated. By lowering, it is possible to guide the customer to the display place of the other goods and reduce the congestion.
  In addition to the display, it is also possible to announce the change width or the changed price by voice through a speaker.
[0010]
  The customer guidance system according to claim 2 is based on the system according to claim 1, and when the ID code stored in the wireless IC tag of the product is input via the wireless reader, the product database is stored in the customer guidance system. It is characterized by having means for referring to and displaying the attribute information of the product on the display.
  As a result, the customer can easily check the current price and product characteristics of the specific product at the store.
[0011]
  The customer guidance system described in claim 3 is premised on the system of claim 1 or 2, and further has a customer database in which customer attribute information and point balance are registered in association with a customer ID, and possessed by the customer. The reader database that reads the customer ID recorded on the card, the wireless reader that reads the ID code of the product purchased by the customer, and bonus points in the customer database when the product purchased by the customer contains a specific product And a means for adding.
  As a result, it is possible to guide the customer to purchase the target product for the bonus points.
  Here, the “specific product” corresponds to, for example, a product whose price has been reduced due to the closing of a store or the expiration date.
[0012]
  The customer guidance system described in claim 4 is based on the system of claim 3, and further includes a database that records the ID code of the product purchased by the customer in association with the customer ID, and the cumulative purchase amount of the specific product. A feature is provided that includes means for adding a predetermined point to the customer database when (purchase amount or purchase quantity) exceeds a set value.
  In this case as well, it is possible to guide the customer to continue purchasing the target product for the bonus points.
  Here, the “specific product” corresponds to, for example, a vegetable grown by a specific farmer.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of a customer guidance system 10 according to the present invention. In a large-scale retail store 12 such as a supermarket, a store server 14, a plurality of display terminals 16, and a cash register terminal 18 are provided. is set up.
  In addition, an inventory management terminal (personal computer) 22 is installed in a warehouse 20 provided in parallel with the store 12.
[0014]
  The store server 14 has a Web server function, a mail server function, an application server function, a database server function, and the like, and is actually composed of a plurality of computers connected to the network.
  However, it is not necessary for all these computers to be physically located in the store 12, and for example, a part of the above functions can be performed by a host computer installed at the headquarters of the supermarket chain.
  A large number of personal computers 24 used by customers and a server 26 managed by product producers and logistics companies are connected to the store server 14 via the Internet 28.
[0015]
  The display terminal 16 has a configuration similar to that of a personal computer, that is, a CPU, a memory (RAM, ROM), a liquid crystal panel, an interface for connecting peripheral devices, a wireless LAN adapter, and the like. Program is stored.
  The display terminal 16 is connected with a wireless reader 30 for communicating with the wireless IC tag and a speaker 32.
  The display terminal 16 is connected to the store server 14 via a LAN by communicating with radio base stations 34 installed at various locations in the store 12.
  It is desirable that a large number of display terminals 16 are installed for each of the same type of products displayed in the store 12, but at least for each product for which the price may change within a short period of time.
[0016]
  A large number of wireless readers 30 arranged in the warehouse 20 are connected to the inventory management terminal 22 and are connected to the store server 14 via a LAN.
  The cash register terminal 18 is connected with a wireless reader / writer 36 for communicating with a wireless IC tag and a non-contact type IC card.
[0017]
  A wireless IC tag 40 is attached to each product 38 displayed in the store 12.
  The ID code of the product is stored in the IC chip of the wireless IC tag 40, and when radio waves of a predetermined frequency are radiated from the antenna of the wireless reader 30 connected to the display terminal 16, each displayed on the periphery An ID code is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless IC tag 40 of the product.
  This ID code is received by the antenna of the wireless reader 30 and transmitted to the store server 14 via the wireless LAN network.
  The ID code stored in the wireless IC tag 40 includes not only an identification number indicating the type of product like a conventional barcode but also a unique serial number for identifying individual products among similar products. Therefore, the store server 14 can detect the presence or absence of individual products.
[0018]
  The products stored in the warehouse 20 are similarly attached with the wireless IC tag 40. When radio waves are emitted from the antenna of the wireless reader 30 connected to the inventory management terminal 22, the wireless IC of each product 38 When the ID code is transmitted from the tag 40 and the antenna of the wireless reader 30 receives the ID code, the store server 14 can detect the stock of each product.
[0019]
  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the system 10. The store server 14 includes a customer data management unit 42, a product data management unit 44, a price change unit 46, a voice processing unit 48, The display processing unit 50, the product data inquiry unit 52, the customer database 54, the product database 56, the content database 58, and the price change setting database 60 are provided.
  Among these, the customer data management unit 42, the product data management unit 44, the price change unit 46, the voice processing unit 48, the display processing unit 50, and the product data inquiry unit 52 are the CPUs of the computers constituting the store server 14, This is realized by executing necessary processes according to the OS and various dedicated programs.
  The customer database 54, the product database 56, the content database 58, and the price change setting database 60 are stored in the hard disk of the computer.
[0020]
  As shown in FIG. 3, the product database 56 includes the product ID code, the product classification, product name, producer, production date and time, logistics company, necessity of selling out on the day, expiration date, normal price, price. Data items such as change history, price change setting ID, warehousing date / time, display date / time, display location, responsible terminal ID, detection history, settlement date / time, and disposal date / time are set.
  As shown in FIG. 4, the customer database 54 has data items such as a customer ID, a password, a name, an age, a gender, an address, a telephone number, an email address, credit card information, a purchase history, and a point balance. Is set.
  In the content database 58, a text file for advertising and price change of each product, a still image file, a moving image file, and an audio file are stored in association with the product name.
[0021]
  In the price change setting database 60, a plurality of patterns are set in advance for conditions and change widths (discount amount and discount rate) for changing the price of a product.
  For example, the following settings are prepared for lunch boxes that are sold out on the day.
      (1) Two hours before closing → 30 yen discount from regular price
      (2) 1 hour before closing → 80 yen discount from regular price
  Further, in the case of canned food that is relatively long-lasting, for example, the following settings are prepared.
      (1) 2 months before expiration date → 10% discount from normal price
      (2) Expiration date 1 month before → 15% discount from regular price
      (3) 2 weeks before expiration date → 20% discount from normal price
[0022]
  As described above, the wireless IC tag 40 is attached in advance to all the products 38 handled in the store.
  The wireless IC tag 40 of each product 38 is first attached by the producer during the manufacturing process or immediately after harvesting, and attribute information such as the product name, producer name, date of production, and expiration date is input in association with each ID code. Is done. The attribute information is transmitted from the producer server 26 to the store server 14 via the Internet 28.
  Next, each product 38 is collected from the producer by the logistics company, and the ID code of each product 38 is read by the logistics company's server 26 via a wireless reader in the logistics center. Then, physical distribution information such as the physical distribution company name and estimated arrival date is input in association with each ID code. Such logistics information is transmitted to the store server 14 via the Internet 28.
[0023]
  When the product 38 is carried into the warehouse 20 of the store 12, the wireless reader 30 reads the ID code of each product 38.
  Then, when data indicating the delivery of a new product is transmitted from the inventory management terminal 22, the product data management unit 44 of the store server 14 transmits the product attribute information previously transmitted from the producer and the logistics company. After collating with the distributed physical distribution information, it is registered as a new product in the product database 56.
  Further, immediately after the product 38 is carried out from the warehouse 20 and placed on the display shelf in the store 12, its presence is detected by the wireless reader 30 connected to the nearest display terminal 16, and the product data management unit 44 displays it. The date and time is recorded in the product database 56.
[0024]
  The wireless reader 30 in the store 12 periodically emits radio waves, and instructs the wireless IC tag 40 of the product 38 disposed around to transmit an ID code.
  Upon receiving this, the wireless IC tag 40 of each product transmits the ID code stored in the IC chip to the wireless reader 30.
  This ID code is transmitted to the store server 14 via the display terminal 16 and the wireless base station 34 as described above.
  Upon receipt of this, the product data management unit 44 collates with the record in the product database 56 and determines the presence or absence of each product 38. That is, when the ID code is not transmitted even though it is registered in the product database 56, the product 38 is taken out from the display shelf by the customer and is recognized as being transferred to the shopping cart.
  On the other hand, the product 38 registered in the product database 56 and having the ID code read by the wireless reader 30 is recognized as still remaining on the display shelf.
  By frequently executing such product presence confirmation processing, the product data management unit 44 can grasp the presence or absence of each product 38 in almost real time.
  The detection result of each product 38 is recorded in the detection history item of the product database 56 one by one.
[0025]
  When the customer brings the product 38 taken out from the display shelf to the checkout counter, the ID code of the product 38 is read by the wireless reader / writer 36 connected to the cash register terminal 18, and the payment by cash or credit card is completed. Is output from the cashier terminal 18, the product data management unit 44 records the settlement date and time in the product database 56.
  At this stage, the sale of the product 38 is finalized.
[0026]
  When the number of similar products on the display shelf falls below the specified value, the product data management unit 44 outputs a product display instruction to the inventory management terminal 22.
  As a result, a display instruction specifying the product ID code, the product name, and the replenishment quantity is displayed on the display of the inventory management terminal 22, and the necessary product 38 is placed in the store 12 by the staff.
  The wireless reader 30 in the warehouse 20 also periodically performs an ID code reading operation on the product 38 placed in the warehouse 20, and the product data management unit 44 performs inventory number confirmation processing.
  Then, when the stock quantity of the same type of product falls below the specified value, the product data management unit 44 outputs a product delivery instruction specifying the quantity to the server 26 of the producer of the product. As a result, the server 26 transmits order information such as the ID code of the scheduled delivery product and the scheduled delivery date and time.
[0027]
  By the way, in the case of a product with a best-before date such as food, the seller wants to order the product in the order of the best-before date, whereas customers tend to select products with a best-before date as much as possible at the store. There is. In addition, in the case of products that are not sold on the next day, such as lunch boxes and prepared dishes, it is important that all products are sold out by the closing time.
  In this way, in the case of a product with a time limit (expiration date), it is effective in terms of sales strategy to flexibly reduce the price of the product in consideration of the remaining time. Since it has been dealt with by sticking a sticker with a message such as `` 30 yen discount '' to the product individually, it can take a lot of time and effort, and the price can be changed many times just because there is no effect of price reduction There wasn't.
[0028]
  On the other hand, according to this system 10, whether or not the price can be lowered for each individual product is determined by the price changing unit 46, and the effect is continuously verified even after the price is lowered once, and the price is lowered as many times as necessary. It becomes possible.
  Hereinafter, a processing procedure when changing the price according to the remaining time will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
  First, the product data management unit 44 periodically detects the ID codes of all the products 38 displayed in the store 12 through the wireless reader 30 (S10), and records the presence / absence of each product 38 in the detection history of the product database 56. .
[0029]
  Next, the price changing unit 46 refers to the product database 56 and determines whether the price change is necessary for each existing product 38.
  First, the price changing unit 46 checks the item “Need to sell out on the day” in the product database 56, and if the product 38 is a product for the day only, such as bento, side dish, sashimi (S12), “price change setting ID” And the corresponding record in the price change setting database 60 is referred to (S14), and the price change setting related to the product is acquired.
  In the price change setting, as described above, the relationship between the remaining time until the closing of the store and the price reduction range is defined, and the price changing unit 46 compares the current time and the closing time to determine whether the price change is necessary and the discount price. Is determined (S16, S18).
[0030]
  For example, for a lunch that is unsold at 20:00 in a store with a closing time of 22:00, the price change unit 46 decides to discount 30 yen from the normal price according to the price change setting for the lunch, The price obtained by subtracting 30 yen from the normal price is registered as the “latest price” in the price change history item (S20).
[0031]
  Next, the price changing unit 46 instructs the display processing unit 50 and the voice processing unit 48 to notify the fact of price reduction.
  Receiving this, the display processing unit 50 extracts the still image file for price reduction notification stored in the content database 58 and outputs it to the display terminal 16 associated with the product. As a result, a display clearly indicating the discount price is made on the display terminal 16 of the lunch box (S22).
  In addition, the voice processing unit 48 extracts the price reduction notification text file of the product stored in the content database 58, converts it into voice data, and transmits it to the display terminal 16. As a result, a discount is announced from the speaker 32 connected to the display terminal 16 of the lunch box (S22).
  Of course, the notification of price reduction is not limited to the display terminal 16 in charge of the product, but a temporary notification of discounts for a specific product (lunch) using the display terminal 16 in the store. You can also.
[0032]
  With the discount display using the above image and the discount guidance by voice, it is possible to guide the customer to purchase a product with a short remaining time.
  When the customer brings the product with this price reduction to the checkout counter, the ID code of the product is sent to the store server 14 through the wireless reader / writer 36 of the cash register terminal 18, and the latest price recorded in the product database 56 is displayed. As a result of the return from the data management unit 44 to the cashier terminal 18, the customer can purchase at the price after the price reduction.
[0033]
  Even after the above discounts are implemented, the price changing unit 46 periodically checks the product database 56 and monitors the sales of the product.
  If the product remains unsold even when less than one hour has passed before closing the store, according to the setting information in the price change setting database 60, it is determined to reduce the price again by 80 yen from the normal price.
  Also in this case, the price reduction notification is executed through the screen of the display terminal 16 and the speaker 32 by the same procedure as described above.
[0034]
  On the other hand, if the product is not a food only for the day but a food with a expiration date (S24), the price changing unit 46 determines whether or not to reduce the price according to the remaining days until the expiration date. .
  For example, when a product of two months and a product of three months until the expiration date are mixed in a plurality of apple juices displayed at the storefront, the price change unit 46 stores the corresponding product stored in the price change setting database 60 According to the setting information of the product (S14), it is decided to reduce 50 yen for the product for 2 months until the expiration date (S16, S18), and the price change history item of the product database is reduced by 50 yen from the normal price. Record as “latest price” (S20).
[0035]
  Next, the price changing unit 46 instructs the display processing unit 50 and the voice processing unit 48 to notify the fact of price reduction.
  Receiving this, the display processing unit 50 extracts the still image file for price reduction notification stored in the content database 58 and outputs it to the display terminal 16 associated with the product (S22).
  As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, display that clearly indicates the expiration date and the discount price is realized on the display terminal 16 of the apple juice section.
  Further, the audio processing unit 48 extracts the price reduction notification text file of the product stored in the content database 58, converts it into audio data, and transmits it to the display terminal 16.
  As a result, a discount announcement is reproduced from the speaker 32 connected to the display terminal 16 of the apple juice department.
[0036]
  With the discount display using the above image and the discount guidance by voice, it is possible to guide the customer to purchase a product with an expiry date.
  If the expiration date is unclear, the customer picks up the item appropriately and holds it over the display terminal 16.
  When the sensor of the display terminal 16 detects this, the ID code of the product is read through the wireless reader 30, and necessary information is extracted from the product database 56 by the product data inquiry unit 52. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, whether or not a discount can be applied to the product and the current price are immediately displayed on the screen of the display terminal 16.
  Therefore, the customer can definitely select a bargain item to which the discount is applied.
[0037]
  Even after the above discount is implemented, the price changing unit 46 periodically checks the product database 56 and monitors the sales of the product.
  If the product remains unsold even one month before the expiration date, the price is again reduced to 100 yen from the normal price according to the setting information in the price change setting database 60.
  Also in this case, the price reduction notification is executed through the screen of the display terminal 16 and the speaker 32 by the same procedure as described above.
[0038]
  In the above, the example in which the price is changed according to the remaining time until the expiration date (the closing time or the expiration date) has been described, but the price changing unit 46 may change the price according to the sales of the specific product. it can. Hereinafter, the processing procedure in this case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0039]
  First, the price changing unit 46 refers to the product database 56 and the price change setting database 60 (S30), and acquires the price change condition and change range for the product set as the price to be changed according to the sales.
  For example, when the sales target of 500 bottles per day is set for the canned beer in the campaign, the following change condition and change range are set in the price change setting database 60.
      (1) If you drop below 500 per day → 10 yen discount
      (2) Lower price limit → 150 yen
[0040]
  Next, the price changing unit 46 checks the product database 56 to grasp the number of sales of the product on the previous day (S32). If the target 500 is not reached, the price changing unit 46 normally Decide to reduce the price by 10 yen (S34, S36).
  Also in this case, the discounted price is registered as the latest price in the product database 56 by the same procedure as above (S38), and the price reduction notification process is executed through the screen of the display terminal 16 and the speaker 32 (S40). ).
  On the next day, the price changing unit 46 checks the sales of the product, maintains the previous day's price if the sales have reached the target, and lowers the price again if the sales have not reached the target. However, if the latest price of the product has reached the lower limit of 150 yen, the price reduction process is not executed again even if the sales are below the target.
[0041]
  Furthermore, the price changing unit 46 monitors the product database 56 to grasp the congestion situation at a specific location in the store 12, and correspondingly reduces the price of the product displayed at a remote location to It can be guided to other places to reduce congestion. The processing procedure in this case will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0042]
  First, the price changing unit 46 refers to the product database 56 and grasps the sales quantity per unit time of each product (S50).
  Next, the price change unit 46 refers to the price change setting database 60 (S52), and acquires price change setting information set for each product.
  For example, the following change conditions and change widths are set in the price change setting database 60 for specific types of milk packs arranged in the milk corner.
      (1) When the number exceeds 50 per 10 minutes → Price reduction of products on other sales floors
      (2) When price reduction is necessary to eliminate congestion at other sales floors → 30 yen discount
  In addition, the following change conditions and change widths are set in the price change setting database 60 for specific types of soaps arranged in the detergent corner.
      (1) When the number of items exceeds 30 per 10 minutes → Price reduction of products on other sales floors
      (2) When price reduction is necessary to eliminate congestion at other sales floors → 50 yen discount
[0043]
  Here, if 80 milk cartons have been sold in the past 10 minutes, the price changing unit 46 determines that the milk corner is “crowded” and the price of the product displayed in the other corner needs to be reduced (S54). ).
  Next, the price changing unit 46 displays products other than the milk corner, and the number of units sold per unit time is less than a predetermined value and is estimated to be “not crowded”, for example, a specific soap displayed in the detergent corner. The price is reduced by a predetermined amount (50 yen) (S56), and the price after the price reduction is registered in the product database 56 (S58).
  At the same time, the fact of the price reduction is announced through the screen of the display terminal 16 and the speaker 32 arranged in the milk corner and the detergent corner (S60), and the implementation of the time service is announced through in-store broadcasting.
  As a result, some of the customers who have gathered in the milk corner move to the detergent corner, and the congestion situation can be alleviated.
  When it is determined that the sales volume per 10 minutes of the milk pack is 50 or less and the congestion situation in the milk corner has been eased, the price changing unit 46 restores the soap price and ends the time service.
[0044]
  When the price changing unit 46 determines that the display location of a certain product is congested, various methods can be considered as to which specific product price is to be lowered.
  For example, location information such as shelf number of each product and store coordinate data is registered in the display location item of the product database 56, and is displayed at a position more than a predetermined distance from the display location of the product causing the congestion. First, it narrows down to the products, and among them, the products whose sales quantity per unit time is less than the set value or the products whose inventory quantity is more than the set value are selected as the target for price reduction.
  Instead of the position of the product itself, the distance between the products can be determined by the position information of the display terminal 16 associated with each product.
[0045]
  Alternatively, a product to be price-reduced at the time of congestion can be set in the price change setting database 60 in advance.
  For example, curry powder and potato porridge are associated as candidates for price reduction for pork in advance, and when the pork corner is congested, the price changing unit 46 decides to lower the price of curry powder and potato porridge, as well as the pork corner and curry curry. By simultaneously informing the price cut through the display terminals 16 installed in the powder corner and the jaguar corner, it is possible to eliminate the congestion and increase sales of related products.
  In this case, instead of specifying the specific product name of curry powder, the product category of “curry powder” is associated with pork, and the product with the smallest sales volume per unit time at the time of congestion or the inventory quantity It can also be operated to reduce the price of the most products.
[0046]
  If a customer is registered as a member customer in the customer database 54 of the store server 14 and has an IC card (member card) 62 in which the customer ID is recorded, a specific product is granted by giving bonus points at the time of settlement. It is possible to guide to the purchase of The processing procedure in this case will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
  First, the member customer presents the IC card 62 at the accounting counter. As a result, the customer ID is read by the wireless reader / writer 36 of the cash register terminal 18 and transmitted to the store server 14 (S70).
  Next, all purchased products of the member customers are detected by the wireless reader / writer 36 of the cash register terminal 18 and include products that are subject to discount, such as products that are nearing their expiration date or products that are sold out on the day. When the product data management unit 44 recognizes this (S72), the customer data management unit 42 adds a predetermined bonus point to the user's point balance as well as receiving a discount on the price as usual (S72). S74).
  The member customer can apply this point to perform settlement at the next accounting, or accumulate a predetermined point and exchange it for a prize. Thereby, it becomes possible to guide the member customer to purchase a product whose expiration date is imminent or a product sold out on the day.
[0047]
  In addition, when a member customer continuously purchases vegetables produced by a specific farmer or purchases a brand-specific product of a store, he purchases a product related to a specific producer. If it is present (S76), bonus points are awarded every time the cumulative purchase amount reaches a certain amount (S78, S80).
  For this purpose, the customer data management unit 42 checks the purchase history of each customer recorded in the customer database 54, and executes conversion processing to points in accordance with preset criteria. For example, this means adding 100 points to the customer's point balance every time 10,000 yen worth of products produced by a specific farmer is purchased.
  Thereby, it becomes possible to guide the customer to purchase a product related to the specific producer.
[0048]
  Historical data indicating that the customer is continuously purchasing products related to a specific producer must be sent to the producer's server 26 via the customer data management unit 42 after receiving the prior consent of the customer. Can do.
  As a result, the producer can grasp the end user's reaction to his / her product.
  It is also possible to send useful information to the customer's mail address or to send a special coupon.
[0049]
  When the above membership card is an IC card having a payment function such as a credit card or a prepaid card, card information (card number, expiration date, etc.) necessary for payment is read through the wireless reader / writer 36 of the cash register terminal 18, The number of points acquired simultaneously with the completion of settlement is added to the point balance in the customer database 54.
  At this time, data on the point balance and purchase history can be recorded in the memory of the IC card 62 via the wireless reader / writer 36.
  However, the membership card is not limited to the IC card 62, and the customer ID can be read by a barcode reader or magnetic reader using a card in which the customer ID is recorded on a barcode or magnetic tape.
[0050]
  The customer can browse the past purchase history and the point balance by accessing the store server 14 from the personal computer 24 via the Internet 28 and inputting the customer ID and password.
  Further, by accessing the server 26 of the producer or logistics company and inputting the ID code of the specific product, the history of the product can be traced.
[0051]
  Furthermore, the customer can purchase the product at the store 12 after accessing the website of the specific producer and selecting (reserving) a specific product (for example, a specific melon) through the live camera.
  In this case, by checking the ID code of the wireless IC tag affixed to the product, the customer can confirm that the product is definitely selected by the customer.
  Every time a specific product ordered by a customer is transported, a confirmation email specifying the product ID code is delivered to the customer's email address from the server 26 or store server 14 of the producer or logistics company. You can also
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the customer guidance system according to the present invention, the sales per unit time of the product is set as the price change condition, the sales of the specific product is more than the set value, and the display location of the product is congested. Reduce the price of items displayed remotely if estimatedBecauseIt is possible to alleviate the congestion state by guiding the customer to another place.
[0053]
  In addition, a database for managing customer purchase history and point balances is provided, and when a customer purchases a specific product, a bonus point is given to guide the customer to purchase the target product for the bonus point. It becomes possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overall configuration of a customer guidance system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main functional configuration of the system.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of data items set in a product database.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of data items set in a customer database.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when changing the price according to the remaining time.
FIG. 6 is a layout diagram illustrating a screen display example when performing a discount according to the expiration date.
FIG. 7 is a layout diagram showing a screen display example of whether or not discounts can be applied to individual products and the current price.The
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when changing the price of a product according to the sales of the product.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when changing the price of another product according to the sales of the product.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for giving bonus points to a member customer who has purchased a specific product.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Customer guidance system
12 stores
14 Store server
16 Display terminal
18 Cash register terminal
30 wireless reader
40 Wireless IC tag
42 Customer Data Management Department
44 Product Data Management Department
46 Price Change Department
48 Audio processor
50 Display processing section
52 Product Data Inquiry Department
54 Customer Database
56 Product Database
58 Content database
60 Price Change Setting Database
62 IC card

Claims (4)

A system for directing customers to purchase specific products,
Each product is equipped with a wireless IC tag that stores the ID code unique to that product.
A wireless reader that communicates with each wireless IC tag and reads the ID code;
A display for displaying the price of the product,
A product database that records the product name of each product in association with the ID code, attribute information including the display location, and state,
For each product, the sales per unit time of the product is set as a set value as a condition for reducing the price of the product of the other product to eliminate the congestion of the product sales floor, and the sales floor of the other product A price change setting database that sets the price reduction range when the price reduction of the product is necessary to eliminate congestion as a setting value ,
Means for periodically detecting the ID code of the product via the wireless reader, confirming the presence or absence of each product, and recording the result in the product database;
A means for referring to this product database and obtaining sales per unit time of each product,
Refers to the price change setting database, and if the sales per unit time of a specific product is greater than or equal to the set value, sales per unit time among the products displayed at a predetermined distance from the display location of the product Selecting a product whose price is less than or equal to the set value as the target for price reduction ,
Means for displaying the price reduction price or the price after the price reduction on the display,
A customer guidance system characterized by comprising:   When the ID code stored in the wireless IC tag of the product is input via the wireless reader, the product database is referred to and the attribute information of the product is displayed on the display. The customer guidance system according to claim 1. A customer database in which customer attribute information and point balances are registered in association with customer IDs;
A reader that reads the customer ID recorded on the card possessed by the customer;
A wireless reader that reads the ID code of the product purchased by the customer;
Means for adding bonus points to the customer database when a customer purchases a specific product,
The customer guidance system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: A database that records ID codes of products purchased by customers in association with customer IDs;
4. The customer guidance system according to claim 3, further comprising means for adding bonus points to the customer database when the accumulated purchase amount or the accumulated purchase amount of the specific product becomes a set value or more.

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