JP2002032723A - Terminal device, information service device, pos terminal, information service system, and information service physical distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information service system which enables a customer to receive various services and information by having one terminal device and a store side to gather marketing activities to customers and customer information without any new facility investment. SOLUTION: A portable terminal 1 is provided with a bar code display device 2 and receives bar code information and various service information from a service server 5A by radio communication. The service server 5A collects data corresponding to the user of the portable terminal 1 and data regarding services from an alliance company 6 and sends them to the portable terminal 1. The user of the portable terminal 1 presents the bar code displayed at the bar code display part 2 to a POS terminal 7A at a store 7 to receive the service corresponding to the bar code.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal device having a data communication function in a portable telephone, an information service device for providing various information, and a P installed in a store or the like.
The present invention relates to an OS terminal, an information service system for exchanging various kinds of information, and an information service distribution system for operating the information service system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, at various stores, a membership card is issued to a customer, and when the customer purchases a product or receives various services, the member card is presented to provide a privilege such as a discount. The system given is widely used. Such a membership card system has the advantage of being able to enjoy various benefits from the customer side, and has the advantage of securing and managing customers from the store side. ing.

[0003] Apart from the above membership card,
There is also widely provided a service in which discount tickets and the like are widely distributed on a street or the like, and when a customer purchases a specific product, the customer receives a discount service by presenting a discount ticket corresponding to the product.

Conventionally, settlement systems using credit cards have been widely used. More recently,
Debit card payment systems using bank cash cards are also becoming popular. Such a card-based payment system is advantageous for stores in that customers do not miss the time of purchase, and it is possible for customers to shop whenever they want, even if they do not have cash. There is a merit that can be done.

[0005]

The above-mentioned membership cards and the like are issued for each store used by the customer, and the customer is inconvenienced in having to use a plurality of cards for each of these stores. ing. As a result, a variety of cards overflow in the customer's wallet. Further, when a user wants to use a discount ticket or the like, he or she must also put the discount ticket in a wallet, which makes card and ticket management extremely complicated.

[0006] In addition, stores that can be used for credit cards are limited depending on the type of the card. Credit cards also have forgery and unauthorized use issues.
In addition, in the case of a debit card, it is necessary to prepare a device capable of performing settlement by the debit card at the store side, and there are currently few available stores. In addition, when using a debit card, a password must be entered at a store, and some people point out a security problem.

As a means for solving such a problem, an IC card in which an IC (Integrated Circuit) is incorporated in the card has been proposed. It is very difficult to analyze the data contained in the IC card, and it is possible to prevent a person from knowing his / her own number and abusing it when using it as a credit card. In addition, by storing information that can be used by a plurality of companies and stores in the IC, it is possible to combine a plurality of cards into a single card, which has been required until now. Further, by providing the function of electronic money, it is possible to expand the range of purchase.

As described above, although the IC card is promising, it is necessary to prepare an IC card reader at the store where the IC card is used. The standard of the IC card has not been completely determined yet, and it is possible to cope with various IC cards having various functions.
It is difficult to prepare a C card reader, and it seems that it will take more time to spread.

Further, these cards do not have an information display function, and are very weak as a marketing tool. That is, such a card has a fundamental problem that it is impossible to make a push-type proposal in which the card itself works on the user to encourage the user to use the card.

On the other hand, the spread of mobile phones has been remarkable, with 40% of the people owning them. In particular, the number of mobile phones capable of displaying Internet information has exceeded 10 million units, and it is expected that all mobile phones will change to this type in the future. Under such circumstances, information services for mobile phones of this kind are also being enhanced. You can search for the store you want to use with your mobile phone anytime and anywhere, and it is possible to make a reservation as well as to display the contents of the service. In addition, detailed map data up to the destination can be displayed.

Focusing on the diffusion rate and information display capability of the mobile phone, if there is a means for transmitting information of a visiting customer and information of service for the customer from the mobile phone to the store, the above-mentioned active The problem of not being able to do marketing is likely to be solved. That is, it is possible to transmit customer information to the store using a mobile phone and to perform various marketing activities such as advertisements using the display screen of the mobile phone.

As a means for transmitting information from the mobile phone to the store, wireless communication using IrDA, Bluetooth, or the like can be considered. However, these systems are hardly said to be standardized at present, and are hardly standardized. Can not be used with an accounting device (POS cash register or the like) in a store. In addition, it is likely that it will take more time for such a system to spread.

Further, there is no means for displaying customer information or means for indicating that a customer can receive a special service in a mobile phone. If you dare to say, you visit the coupon display site on the homepage of the store that the customer is trying to use and tell the clerk what the contents are, or tell the clerk the email the customer received from the store, And the like.
However, what can be performed by such a method is extremely limited, and there is a problem that information exchange relating to the security of personal information cannot be performed.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable a customer to enjoy various services and information by having a single terminal device. On the side, it is an object of the present invention to provide an information service system that does not require new capital investment and that enables marketing activities to customers and collection of customer information.

[0015]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a terminal device according to the present invention is a portable terminal device, comprising a communication means for performing data communication with an external computer, and the communication means. And bar code display means for displaying a bar code based on the bar code data received via the PC.

According to the above arrangement, the data communication with the external computer is performed by the communication means, the bar code data is received in the data communication, and the corresponding bar code is displayed on the bar code display means based on the received bar code data. Code can be displayed. Here, barcode readers that can read information indicated by barcodes are widely used at present, and barcodes displayed on barcode display means can be used in various places. is there. Therefore, while receiving barcode data indicating various information from an external computer and displaying the barcode on a barcode display unit, the barcode is included in the barcode for various devices that can read the barcode. Information can be transmitted.

Since the terminal device is portable, a user can carry the terminal device and move the terminal device to read a barcode at various places.
Bar code information can be transmitted.

In the above terminal device, the communication means may perform wireless data communication in the above configuration.

According to the above configuration, since data communication is performed wirelessly, data can be transmitted and received at a desired time even while the terminal device is being carried. Therefore, it is possible to receive barcode data indicating necessary information when necessary, display the barcode data on the barcode display means, and transmit the information to a device capable of reading the barcode.

[0020] In the above-mentioned terminal device, the terminal device may further include a communication means having a voice communication function.

According to the above configuration, since the terminal device further has a telephone call function, the terminal device functions as a portable telephone which is widely used at present. Therefore, the user introduces the terminal device without feeling any inconvenience, since the function is merely added to the mobile phone currently used without carrying a new terminal device. be able to.

In the above terminal device, the barcode display means may be configured by a liquid crystal display device.

According to the above arrangement, the bar code is displayed by the liquid crystal display device which is currently employed as a display means for performing various displays on a portable terminal device, so that technical difficulty is not accompanied. Barcode display means can be configured. In addition, even if the liquid crystal display device is relatively inexpensive, it has sufficient display performance for displaying barcodes. Display can be performed.

In the above terminal device, the external computer may be a server computer of a company or an organization, and the barcode data may be stored in the terminal of the enterprise or an organization. Indicates information specific to the user of the terminal device and / or information relating to services provided by the company or group to the user of the terminal device. In various stores associated with the company or group, barcode display means is provided. By reading the displayed barcode, the store may be notified of user information and / or service information.

According to the above configuration, the information unique to the user of the terminal device and / or the information on the service is indicated in the barcode, and the store reads the information with the existing barcode reader to read it. Such information can be recognized. Therefore, at the store side, the user's information and / or service information can be read from the terminal device by using a conventionally used bar code reader such as a POS terminal without providing a special device. The function of the terminal device of the present invention can be easily used without making a significant capital investment.

In addition, in the past, a user had to bring a membership card, a coupon ticket, and the like to each store to use various services such as discounts in order to use various services such as discounts. According to the above, various services can be used in various stores by carrying one terminal device. Further, since the barcode data can be received by the communication means, the corresponding barcode data can be received immediately when desired, and the service can be enjoyed in real time.

[0027] Further, the above terminal device may have a configuration further comprising a main display means for displaying hypertext data received via the communication means.

According to the above arrangement, the main display means receives the hypertext data, for example, HTM
Since the L file and the like are displayed, the user can check, for example, various menu screens, service information in various stores, maps, and the like. Therefore, the user can search for desired service information, study service contents in detail, or go to a desired store based on a map. Also, the service provider can use the hypertext data to perform aggressive marketing activities.

In the above terminal device, the bar code data includes information on a service, and data indicating an expiration date of the service is received from the external computer. When the expiration date has passed, the barcode data including the information on the corresponding service may be invalidated.

According to the above configuration, when bar code data including information on a service is received, data indicating the expiration date of the service is further received. The corresponding barcode will be revoked so that it cannot be used. As a result, it is possible to enhance the synchronization between the issuance time of the bar code including the contents of the service information and the time when the customer actually uses the corresponding service, such as setting a service expiration date such as a discount. Can be realized.

In the above configuration, since the terminal is a portable terminal device and can receive data by the communication function, the expiration date of the service can be set within a more detailed time range. Become. By this, for example, if there is a situation where there are few customers in a certain time zone at a certain store for some reason, for example, the service will increase the discount rate only for that time zone and try to attract customers It is possible to

By adding the temporal use restriction as described above, for example, a large number of customers having once issued barcode information including service information with a high discount rate go to the store for a long period of time. By receiving the service, it is possible to avoid a situation where the substantial profit of the store is reduced.

Further, in the above-described terminal device, the terminal device may be configured to transmit and receive data to and from a car navigation system mounted on an automobile.

According to the above configuration, data can be transmitted / received to / from the car navigation system. For example, when position information of a store using barcode data can be received from an external computer, the position information of the store Can be effectively used by the navigation function of the car navigation system.

Further, the information service device according to the present invention comprises:
The terminal device, and a communication unit for communicating with an external computer, receiving data including barcode information from the external computer in response to a request from the terminal device, including the barcode information Data is transmitted to the terminal device.

According to the above configuration, the terminal device described above,
And transmitting and receiving data to and from an external computer by communication means, extracting data including barcode information from the external computer in response to a request from the terminal device, and transmitting the data to the terminal device. become. In other words, by accessing the information service device, the terminal device can receive data including barcode information from various external computers, greatly reducing the time and effort required to obtain desired data. can do. In addition, since the external computer can transmit and receive data to and from the terminal device via the information service device, various tasks related to data transmission and reception can be entrusted to the information service device.

Further, in the above-mentioned information service apparatus, in the above-mentioned configuration, when an access is made from said terminal device via said communication means, the information service device transmitted from said terminal device is transmitted.
The external computer may receive data including barcode information corresponding to the terminal device based on the D number.

According to the above configuration, based on the ID number transmitted from the terminal device, the external computer can
Since data including barcode information corresponding to the terminal device is received, accurate data corresponding to the user of the terminal device can be transmitted to the terminal device. Therefore,
Since unique data can be transmitted for each user of the terminal device,
Information optimal for each user can be provided to the user.

Further, the above-mentioned information service apparatus has a database server owned by a company or an organization as the above-mentioned external computer in the above-mentioned configuration.
The database server may be configured to store data for each customer or each member.

According to the above configuration, the present information service device receives data including barcode information from the database server of the company or organization. Further, since the database server stores data for each customer and each member, it receives data unique to the user who has requested the provision of information from the terminal device from the database server, and receives the data of the user. It can be transmitted to the terminal device. Therefore, since data unique to each user of the terminal device can be transmitted, information optimal for each user can be provided to the user.

Further, the above-mentioned information service device has the above-mentioned configuration, and includes, as the external computer, a content server provided by a company or an organization, wherein the content server is a service information provided by the company or the organization. , And at least one of store location information may be stored.

According to the above configuration, the information service device receives data from a content server owned by a company or an organization. Further, the content server includes service information provided by the company or the organization,
Since at least one of the location information and the store location information is stored, such information can be transmitted to the terminal device. Therefore, the user of the terminal device can purchase such various kinds of information in real time, and the company or the group can provide various kinds of information to customers and members in real time. Marketing activities can be performed.

In the above information service apparatus, the information service apparatus may include any one of data including barcode information received from the database server, service information received from the content server, and store location information. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which data including the data is formatted as hypertext data and transmitted to the terminal device.

According to the above configuration, the data including the bar code information and the data including any one of the service information and the location information of the store, which are to be separately received, are transmitted to the information service. The hypertext data compiled and formatted in the device is transmitted to the terminal device. Therefore, since the terminal device can receive such information in a bundled form, it is possible to greatly reduce the user's labor as compared with a configuration in which each piece of information must be received independently, for example. It becomes possible.

In addition, a company or an organization that provides such information can save the trouble of compiling the information and can provide the information to the user in an effective form.

In the above information service apparatus, the map data around the relevant position is stored from a map information server that provides map data based on the store position information received from the content server. A configuration may be adopted in which information indicating the location where the information is stored is extracted and transmitted to the terminal device.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to notify the user of the terminal device of the location of the shop where the service can be received by referring to the map data stored in the map information server. Therefore, the user
Even when the user wants to use the store, he can reach the store without hesitation.

Further, the POS terminal according to the present invention comprises a bar code reading means for reading a bar code displayed on the bar code display means in the above terminal device, and a data for each customer or each member possessed by a company or an organization. Communication means for performing data communication with a database server that stores data, and the barcode reading means includes:
Data obtained by reading the barcode displayed on the terminal device is transmitted to the database server, and service information corresponding to the barcode is received from the database server.

According to the above arrangement, the bar code displayed on the terminal device is read by the bar code reading means, the read data is transmitted to the database server, and the corresponding service information is received. . Therefore, it is possible for the store side to grasp the service information for each customer in real time, and it is possible to enhance the service for the customer. Further, the database server side can accurately grasp the usage status of the customer.

Further, the information service system according to the present invention comprises the above terminal device, the above information service device, a database server for storing data for each customer or each member of a company or organization, And a POS terminal.

In the above configuration, in response to a request from the terminal device, the information service device extracts data corresponding to the user of the terminal device from the database server, and data including barcode data is transmitted to the terminal device. . Then, the terminal device displays the barcode on the barcode display unit based on the received barcode data. The POS terminal reads the barcode displayed on the barcode display section of the terminal device by barcode reading means, and transmits this data to the database server.
Then, the corresponding service information is received from the database server, and the service is provided to the user of the terminal device.

Therefore, the user of the terminal device can access the information service device when necessary, receive the bar code data, and present the bar code when receiving the service at the store, thereby promptly providing the bar code. ,
In addition, a service with strong real-time properties can be enjoyed.

Further, the information service system can be used by the store side by directly using the POS terminal capable of reading a bar code which is currently widely used, so that no new capital investment is required. In addition, the information service system can be introduced with little effort. Further, since the service to the customer can be enhanced, the customer can be enclosed and the sales can be improved.

Further, since the use situation of the customer can be accurately and in real time grasped by the company or the organization, the service for the customer can be further enhanced, and the decision-making in the business policy can be made. Can be enriched.

Further, the above-mentioned information service system further comprises a content server which stores at least one of service information and store location information possessed by a company or an organization. It may be.

According to the above arrangement, the terminal device can receive, from the content server, information including at least one of the service information and the location information of the store via the information service device. Therefore, the user of the terminal device can obtain more detailed information when receiving the service, and can improve the convenience.

Further, in the above information service system, in the above configuration, the database server may include the P server.
A configuration in which the OS terminal is provided in the same store where the OS terminal is provided may be adopted.

According to the above configuration, the customer data is also managed in the store where the service is actually provided, so that the detailed attributes (hobbies, etc.) of the customer can be referred to at the store at any time. And can be updated. In addition, this allows the clerk to grasp various attributes of the customer in detail, thereby giving a good impression to the customer.

Further, the information service distribution system according to the present invention comprises an information service provider owning the above information service device, a terminal dealer selling the above terminal device, and a database server storing customer data. And a store with the POS terminal and a company with a contract, wherein the company provides financial support to the terminal store.

In the above configuration, if the terminal device is widely used in the world, the number of customers using the service provided by the information service provider increases, and the sales at stores where the service can be used increase. Thus, it is possible to improve the income of the above-mentioned companies. In other words, it can be said that it is desirable for the company to increase the number of users of the terminal device. Therefore, as described above, by providing financial support to the terminal retailer, the terminal retailer can lower the selling price of the terminal device and promote the spread of the terminal device. it can. Further, depending on the amount of the financial assistance, the terminal device can be distributed free of charge, and the explosive spread of the terminal device can be realized.

Also, for the user side, if the price of the terminal device is reduced by the above-mentioned company's financial support to the terminal store, it becomes easy to obtain the terminal device, and the information service provider provides the terminal device. Convenient services can be easily used.

[0062] In the above information service distribution system, the terminal device may further include a communication carrier for providing a communication path used for data communication, wherein the communication carrier is provided to the terminal dealer. It may be configured to provide financial assistance.

In the above configuration, if the terminal device is widely spread in the world, the number of customers using the service provided by the information service provider increases, and the use time when performing communication via a communication carrier increases. Will be. That is, it can be said that it is desirable for a communication carrier to increase the number of users of the terminal device. Therefore, as described above, the communication carrier provides financial assistance to the terminal retailer, so that the terminal retailer can further reduce the selling price of the terminal device and promote the spread of the terminal device. Can be. Further, depending on the amount of the financial assistance, the terminal device can be distributed free of charge, and the explosive spread of the terminal device can be realized. In addition, as more organizations provide funding to device retailers,
It is possible to reduce the amount of financial support in each organization.

[0064]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an information service system using a portable telephone with a barcode display function according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information service system includes a mobile terminal (terminal device) 1 owned by a user, an ASP (Application Service Provider) operator (information service operator) 5, an alliance company 6, and various stores 7. It is composed of

The mobile terminal 1 is, for example, a mobile phone or a PHS
(Registered trademark) or the like. The mobile terminal 1 has a configuration including a barcode display unit 2, a main display unit 3, an input button unit 4, and the like.

Bar code display section (bar code display means)
Reference numeral 2 denotes a reflection-type high-definition liquid crystal display device, and a C in the portable terminal via a liquid crystal driver (not shown).
The bar code is displayed by being controlled by the PU. The barcode displayed on the barcode display unit 2 can be read by, for example, a general-purpose barcode reader widely used in various general stores.

The main display unit 3 is a liquid crystal display device for displaying various types of information, such as a general portable telephone. The liquid crystal display device may be of a monochrome display or a color display. The input button unit 4 is various buttons for performing a dial operation and various operations. Further, although no member number is added, a speaker as a sound output device and a microphone as a sound input device used for talking, an antenna for transmitting and receiving various radio signals, and the like are provided. The details of the configuration of the mobile terminal 1 will be described later.

[0069] The ASP company is a company that performs supervision and operation as a core of the information service system, and upon request from the alliance company 6 (contract company), transmits the content data and barcode data of the alliance company 6 to the service server (not shown). (Information service device) 5A, and has a role of providing such information when there is a request from the portable terminal 1.

The alliance company 6 is a group of companies that provide various data and provide services in the information service system. The alliance company 6 includes, for example, companies and stores that provide various services such as a credit card company 6A, a restaurant chain store 6B, a retail chain store 6C, a department store 6D, a major mass merchandise store 6E, and a convenience store group 6F. Will be included.

The store 7 is a retail store in which a company or a store participating in the alliance company 6 actually provides a service to a user who is a general consumer. This store 7 has a POS (Poi
(nt of Sale) A terminal 7A is provided.

The POS terminal 7A is a POS terminal generally used at present and has a bar code reader 7B. That is, in the present information service system, it is not necessary to provide the POS terminal 7A provided in the store 7 with a special function.
The S terminal can be used as it is. Therefore, there is no need to require a new capital investment for the retail store, and the store 7 can easily introduce the present information service system.

The mobile terminal 1 and the service server 5A of the ASP 5 are provided with a normal mobile phone line and
The connection is made by a dedicated line connecting the communication carrier as a telephone company and the service server 5A, or in the middle via the Internet.

The service server 5A acquires data from various external servers in response to a request from the portable terminal 1,
This is transferred to the portable terminal 1. At this time, a process of acquiring information from other various servers and transferring the information to the portable terminal 1 is also performed according to the setting of the content data acquired by the request from the portable terminal 1.

The exchange of content data between the service server 5A and the portable terminal 1 is basically configured using a known Internet technology. That is, the service server 5A is a Web server (HTTP (Hyper Text Tran
sfer Protocol) server, and the communication protocol used is IP (Internet Protocol) based HTTP. The display of information on the mobile terminal 1 side is performed by a Web browser (HTML (Hyper Text Mark-up Language) browser).
It is. The information exchanged includes not only simple text information but also GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) using extended functions (plug-ins) of the Web browser.
Image, animated GIF image, JPEG (Joint Pho
tographic Experts Group) Image data such as images, MP
Moving image data such as EG (MovingPicture Experts Group) 4, MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)
It is possible to enjoy data, music data such as MP3 (MPEG1 AudioLayer3), and the like.

The barcode data for displaying the barcode on the barcode display unit 2 of the portable terminal 1 is embedded in a part of the HTML file as the content with an extension tag attached. Details of the barcode data will be described later.

The outline of data transmission and reception between the service server 5A and the portable terminal 1 is as follows. First, when the mobile terminal 1 accesses the service server 5A, the service server 5A obtains approximate position information of the accessing mobile terminal 1 at that time from a telephone station or telephone company server (not shown). Then, the service server 5A transmits an optimal menu screen to the mobile terminal 1 based on the attributes of the user of the mobile terminal 1 and the acquired position information.

The user selects his / her necessary information (contents) from the menu screen displayed on the main display unit 3 of the portable terminal 1 and sends it to the service server 5A. At this time, the mobile terminal 1 automatically transmits the user identification ID data pre-installed in the mobile terminal 1 to the service server 5A automatically without the user's awareness. The service server 5A identifies the content requested from the mobile terminal 1 and the transmitted ID data, obtains the requested content data from the content server of the alliance company 6, and obtains the corresponding user from the customer database server. Get barcode information for. Then, the service server 5A generates an HTML file including the barcode information in the content data, and transmits the HTML file to the mobile terminal 1.

The portable terminal 1 displays the content on the main display unit 3 based on the received HTML file, generates a barcode based on the barcode information, and displays the barcode on the barcode display unit 2. If the user determines that he / she wants to use services such as discount information in the content, the user stores the information in
Content and barcode information can be temporarily stored. Note that the data stored here may be all data of the content and barcode information, or, for large data such as image data, only the link information is stored, and when displayed later, Only such large data may be downloaded again.

Further, using the clock function of the portable terminal 1,
A mechanism for automatically deleting the contents stored in the memory means after a predetermined time has elapsed may be provided. Alternatively, a means for accessing the service server 5A when the content is displayed again and for confirming the validity of the content may be provided. This is a configuration for providing time-limited protection, because if various services are made available indefinitely, it may be disadvantageous for the contracted company in some cases.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the portable terminal 1 has a Bluetooth interface for exchanging information with a car navigation system 8 A provided in the car 8, and an in-flight information server 9 A in the airplane 9.
An IrDA interface for exchanging information with the device may be provided. By providing such an interface, the car navigation system 8 is not limited to data transmission and reception via a mobile phone line.
By using the communication function of A and the in-flight information server 9A, it becomes possible to transmit and receive data and receive content and barcode information in the same manner as described above.

The bar code information obtained as described above is actually sent to the store 7 where the user decides to use the corresponding content, and the corresponding bar code is displayed on the bar code display section 2 of the portable terminal 1 to the clerk. Used by presenting. The clerk puts the displayed barcode on the POS terminal 7A.
Of the POS terminal 7A.
The customer information and service information indicated by the barcode are recognized by accessing the customer database server connected to the server. As a result, the user can quickly receive the corresponding service on the spot without performing complicated and time-consuming processing.

Next, transmission and reception of data related to bar code display will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the barcode used in the present embodiment needs to be read by the POS terminal 7A in the store 7 with a contract with a company included in the alliance company 6. Therefore, the barcode is issued individually for each company, or a barcode that can be used in common by a plurality of companies included in the alliance company 6, such as a membership number of the credit card company 6A included in the alliance company 6. Has become.

The information indicated by the bar code may simply indicate the ID number of the customer,
It may indicate information including service information such as discount information in addition to the customer ID information. The contents of the information indicated by the barcode can be set arbitrarily for each company or for a plurality of companies commonly used.

Such barcode information is managed by a customer database or a product management database stored in the database server 10A of the alliance company 6. On the other hand, the alliance company 6 has a content server 10B as a Web server, separately from the database server 10A. By this content server 10B, through the Internet,
Marketing activities are widely performed by making various information such as shop information, product information, and campaign information open to the public.

[0086] The service provider that provides the service of transmitting the above barcode information to the portable terminal 1 is the ASP service provider 5, and the base that provides this service is called a service center. The service center is provided with a service server 5A for transmitting service information to a specific customer who the alliance company 6 wants to provide a service.

The basic technology of the service server 5A is We
The server b has a function of performing authentication on the mobile terminal 1 that has accessed it and transferring an optimal HTML file to the mobile terminal 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the portable terminal 1
It has a main display unit 3 on which a screen by the b browser is displayed and a bar code display unit 2. The mobile terminal 1 is provided with a mechanism for transmitting the telephone number of the own station as standard.
Also, the mobile terminal 1 has a unique (unique) number assigned to each mobile terminal 1 such as a serial number of the mobile terminal 1 itself.
In addition, the mobile terminal 1 has a terminal ID that the user cannot know, and the mobile terminal 1 has a function of transmitting the terminal ID in response to a request from the service server 5A. As described above, by having the function of transmitting the terminal ID which is extremely difficult for the user to grasp, it is possible to prevent a fake portable terminal from being created by a simulation using a computer or the like.

When the mobile terminal 1 makes a request to transmit content to the service server 5A, the service server 5A recognizes the terminal ID transmitted from the mobile terminal 1 and sends the request to the customer in the database server 10A of the alliance company 6. Query the database. In this customer database, customer attributes and customer IDs are stored in advance for each contracted customer. The customer attribute data includes the name, age, occupation, address, gender, hobbies, and the like of the customer. Also, data such as the past usage history of the customer is stored.

The database server 10A stores the customer ID transmitted as an inquiry from the service server 5A.
Based on the information of the content selected by the customer, the special service that the contracted company can provide to the customer is immediately searched, and the content of the special service and the corresponding barcode information data are sent back to the service server 5A. .

On the other hand, the service server 5A makes a request for the content to the content server 10B of the alliance company 6 based on the information on the content selected by the customer, and receives an HTML file of the content. The service server 5A pastes a sentence indicating the content of the special service at the designated location of the received HTML file. Further, the barcode information is embedded in the HTML file using the extension tag, a new HTML file is generated, and then the generated HTML file is transmitted to the mobile terminal 1.

As a method for embedding a barcode in an HTML file, a general-purpose browser compatible with HTML 4.0 (for example, Internet Explorer (registered trademark) manufactured by Microsoft Corporation, Netscape Navigator (registered trademark) manufactured by Netscape, or the like) is used. Create a tag that cannot be interpreted (ignored tag) and respond. For example, a tag <BARCODE> is defined. The format of this tag is, for example, <BAR
CODE, TYPE = XXX> AAAAAAA <// BA
RCODE>, and the bar code type (CODE-39, NW-7, JAN standard, JAN shortening, etc.) is symbolized and written in the XXX part. The actual barcode number is written in the AAAAAAA part. FIG.
In the bar code standard of the AN standard, "4912345"
HTM containing the barcode information 678904 "
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an L file.

The transmitted HTML file is analyzed by the Web browser on the portable terminal 1 side, and <BARCODE
If there is a tag, a function to interpret this part is provided.
Then, based on the interpreted barcode information, the process proceeds to a barcode generation process, and the result is displayed on the barcode display unit 2 as a barcode. FIG. 4 shows the HT shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a barcode displayed on a barcode display unit 2 by an ML file.

The bar code generation process is performed by a bar code generation circuit (dedicated ASIC or the like) not shown. The bar code generation circuit has a function of generating an image according to a bar code type registered in advance, and sends the bar code information to a liquid crystal display device constituting the bar code display unit 2. In the present embodiment, the barcode display unit 2 is provided separately from the main display unit 3, but a barcode display may be performed on a part of the main display unit 3.

Here, the communication path of the information service system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. First, the mobile terminal 1 and the service server 5A communicate via a mobile phone line and the Internet. In this communication path,
Although the security of communication contents is maintained in the mobile phone line, security problems occur in the Internet. Therefore, security is ensured by providing a function such as SSL (Secure Socket Layer) in the Web browser of the portable terminal 1.

The service server 5A and the database server 10A of the alliance company 6 communicate via a dedicated line. This is because the information sent from the database server 10A to the service server 5A is highly confidential information such as customer information, and requires extremely high security. Also, the service server 5A
Is communicated with the content server 10B of the alliance company 6 via a dedicated line or the Internet. Information transmitted from the content server 10B includes:
Basically, since it is widely disclosed on the Internet, it is not necessary to increase security in this communication path.

Since the database server 10A and the content server 10B are basically servers in the same company, a dedicated line connection such as a company network is established. Communication between the database server 10A in the alliance company 6 and the store 7 contracted with the alliance company 6 is performed by a dedicated line or a VPN (VirtualPr
ivate Network) is used. The communication content here is also highly confidential information such as customer information, and it is necessary to increase security.
A dedicated line connection is preferred. However, considering the infrastructure construction cost for connecting to a dedicated line, it may be more economical to use the Internet. Therefore, when using the Internet, the security problem in the Internet can be solved by using the VPN for performing the encrypted communication as described above. Since the Internet connection using the VPN has a sufficient security function, it is possible to replace the portion where the dedicated line connection is made with the Internet connection using the VPN.

Next, the operation of the information service system as a whole will be described based on a more specific application with reference to an explanatory diagram showing the cooperation of the information service system shown in FIG.

A customer A of an alliance company 6
It is assumed that the service terminal 5A is accessed using the mobile terminal 1. At this time, the mobile terminal 1 sends its telephone number to the exchange of the communication carrier 11 via the route A shown in FIG. The exchange finds the service server 5A based on the request URL (Uniform Resource Locator) transmitted from the mobile terminal 1, and transmits a packet signal to the service server 5A via the route B. At this time, from the exchange, the position information of the antenna station that first received the call from the mobile terminal 1 is simultaneously sent to the service server 5A.

After connecting to the service server 5A, the terminal ID is sent from the portable terminal 1 to the service server 5A. The service server 5A sends the received location information and terminal ID.
, The current position of the user of the mobile terminal 1 that has accessed and the attribute of the user is determined from the database stored in the service server 5A. Based on the information, the service server 5A generates an optimum top menu screen for the user, and transmits the generated top menu screen to the portable terminal 1 via the path C as an HTML file. Here, the generated top menu shows, for example, services available from the current positional relationship of the user by picking up only those that are adapted to Mr. A's tastes and preferences. The information on the hobbies and preferences may be registered in the service server 5A in advance, or may be set by performing an analysis based on the usage history. Then, the Web browser in the mobile terminal 1 displays a top menu on the main display unit 3 based on the received HTML file.

From the top menu screen displayed on the main display section 3, Mr. A selects gourmet information. In response to the selected information, A further selects A from the menu screen showing details of gourmet information sent from the service server 5A. Has
It is assumed that the information of the restaurant “Izakaya NEXT” is selected. At this time, the portable terminal 1 transmits the terminal ID to the service server 5A, and transmits a request for information of “Izakaya NEXT” to the service server 5A via the route D.

In response to the request from the portable terminal 1, the service server 5A stores the customer ID and the selected information in the database server 10A of the alliance company 6 that manages or subscribes to “Izakaya NEXT”. Transmit via path E. At the same time, "Izakaya NEX" is displayed on the content server 10B of the alliance company 6.
A request for data transmission of “T” is transmitted via the path F.

The database server 10A searches the customer database for service information and bar code information for the customer based on the customer ID and the selected information transmitted from the service server 5A.
The information is returned to the service server 5A via the route G. On the other hand, based on the request for data transmission of “Izakaya NEXT” transmitted from the service server 5A, the content server 10B transmits the corresponding content data to the route H.
Is returned to the service server 5A via the.

Thereafter, the service server 5A sends the map information server 12 to the map information server 12 via the route I based on the position data of the store 7 (pub NEXT) included in the content data received from the content server 10B. A request for map data around the store 7 is made. In response to a request from the service server 5A, the map information server 12 transmits the corresponding map data via the route J to the service server 5A.
Send to A.

[0105] The service server 5A transmits the content data H received from the content server 10B.
Based on the TML file, the map information server 1
A new HTML file containing the map data received from the server 2 and the service information and barcode information corresponding to Mr. A received from the database server 10A is generated, and the generated new HTML file is transmitted to the mobile terminal 1 via the route C. Send.

[0106] The Web browser of the portable terminal 1 interprets the received HTML file and causes the main display unit 3 to display the contents. Here, the main display unit 3 of the portable terminal 1 of Mr. A displays detailed information of “Izakaya NEXT”, a map around the store 7, and special service contents corresponding to Mr. A (for example, “Dishes 20% off”). Etc.) are displayed. At the same time, a barcode issued as a coupon is displayed on the barcode display unit 2. Mr. A looks at the service content displayed on the main display unit 3 and, if he wishes to use it, selects a menu for performing “save coupon” to “Izakaya NEXT”.
Data and barcode data are stored in the mobile terminal 1
Is stored in a memory means in the memory.

Then, Mr. A actually said, “Izakaya NEX
T ", but as described above, since the map around the corresponding store 7 is attached, the user can go to the destination without hesitation. Then, after using the service at the store 7, Mr. A takes out the portable terminal 1 and selects a menu for performing “call bar code”, so that the bar code stored in the memory means is stored in the bar code display unit 2. Display the code and check the cashier (POS terminal 7
Point to the clerk in A).

The clerk writes the bill into the POS terminal 7A and reads the bar code displayed on the bar code display section 2 of the portable terminal 1 with a bar code reader. The read barcode data is sent from the POS terminal 7A to the database server 10A of the alliance company 6 immediately.
Sent via path K. Database server 10A
Calculates the customer from the received barcode data, and returns service information (discount information) corresponding to the customer to the POS terminal 7A via the route L. Then, the POS terminal 7A automatically corrects the settlement data based on the received service information, and the corrected settlement amount is presented to Mr. A. Mr. A completes the settlement by paying the discounted amount. After the payment is completed, A's usage history will be
The feedback is sent to the database server 10A of the alliance company 6. The alliance company 6 can utilize such customer usage history as effective marketing data, for example, by reflecting the usage history at the next use.

Here, a specific use scene using the car navigation system 8A shown in FIG. 1 will be described. First, when the user of the mobile terminal 1 is using a car, a store to be visited is searched using the car navigation system 8A. Here, the car navigation system 8A is connected to the mobile terminal 1 via Bluetooth, and uses the communication function of the mobile terminal 1 to access the service server 5A and perform a search. Thereafter, store information is acquired from the service server 5A, a store to be visited is selected, and the navigation function of the car navigation system 8A operates based on the position information data of the store.

After that, when the vehicle arrives at or near the relevant store, data is transferred from the car navigation system 8A to the portable terminal 1 with, for example, an engine key being OFF. Then, by pressing the redisplay button on the mobile terminal 1, the data of the corresponding store is called up, the service information and the map information are displayed on the main display section, and the barcode is displayed on the barcode display section. Then, after using the store, by presenting the bar code to the clerk at the time of settlement, the corresponding service (such as discount) is received.

As described above, by linking the car navigation system 8A and the portable terminal 1, the position information of the store to be visited can be stored in the car navigation system 8A.
It can be used effectively by the navigation function.

Next, a business form between the ASP company 5 and the alliance company 6 will be described. ASP operator 5
The service server 5A receives the sales points for each customer from the database server 10A of the alliance company 6 each time it is used. And ASP operator 5
Collects monthly usage points for each alliance company 6 and charges a usage fee for each alliance company.
In addition, the ASP operator 5 analyzes each customer's usage status to provide each of the alliance companies with data for effective sales promotion activities. In addition, ASP operator 5
Performs a solicitation of a new customer based on the analysis of the usage status of the customer, and receives a margin from the alliance company 6 when the solicitation is successful.

Next, the configuration for applying time-limited protection to the service information and barcode information stored in the memory means of the portable terminal 1 will be described in detail. To store service information and barcode information,
It is effective to set a certain deadline. This is important in improving the synchronization between the issuance time of the barcode including the contents of the service information and the time when the customer actually uses the corresponding service. That is, for example, services such as discounts usually have a term set for receiving the service in many cases.

Further, the information service system according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the expiration date of the service can be freely controlled, and more effective marketing is also possible. For example,
It is possible to provide a service in a store where, for some reason, when there are few customers during a certain time zone, the discount rate is raised only for that time zone and efforts are made to attract customers. is there. In particular,
For example, the service is provided to the customer in a state where the barcode information including the discount service information is restricted from being used within two hours from the current time. By adding the temporal use restriction in this way, for example, a large number of customers who have once issued barcode information including service information with a high discount rate can go to a store for a long time to receive a service. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the substantial profit of the store is reduced.

[0115] Such time limitation of service information can be realized as follows. When the service information and the barcode information are transmitted from the database server 10A of the alliance company 6 to the service server 5A, the time information data is further transmitted to the service server 5A. Then, time limit information is added to the HTML file created in the service server 5A using the newly defined tag, and the HTML file is transmitted to the portable terminal 1. As tags that define timed information,
For example, if an extension tag such as <COUPON TIME> is specified, the expiration date of the barcode information in the portable terminal 1 can be controlled.

For example, in the above example, when Mr. A sees the contents of “Izakaya NEXT”, the display screen shows “This coupon is valid for 2 hours until 18:00. Please show it to the shop first. Is displayed, and an HTML file that sets the time limit tag to 2 hours is transmitted from the service server 5A to the mobile terminal 1. When the portable terminal 1 receives such an HTML file, the Web browser of the portable terminal 1 interprets the time limit tag and, in conjunction with the clock function of the portable terminal 1, stores the barcode information including the service information. You will control the time.

As described above, according to the system as described above, it is possible to provide an expiration date in units of hours or minutes in service information such as discounts. As a result, it is possible to control customer attraction in minute time units. Such a function, like the information service system according to the present embodiment,
This is an effective function unique to a system that allows the user to immediately obtain desired information at a desired time via the mobile terminal 1 that the user always carries, and a system that does not have real-time properties such as a printed matter or a membership card. Can provide services that cannot be realized.

In the above example, when the bar code is read from the portable terminal 1 of the visiting customer at the store 7, the POS terminal 7A inquires the database server 10A of the alliance company 6 for the bar code information. System. However, in stores such as barber shops, sushi shops, bars and cabarets, there are many familiar customers, and it is not unusual for customers who once came to the store to manage each store. In the case of such a store, there is a method in which a store server as a database server is provided in the store, or the POS terminal 7A itself functions as a database server to manage customer data such as barcode information. . The advantage in this case is that the detailed attributes (hobbies, tastes, etc.) of the customer can be referenced and updated at the store at any time. In the case of the customer service store mentioned above, conversation with the customer is an important sales factor, and since the clerk side understands various attributes of the customer in detail, it gives a good impression to the customer. Can be given.

When the portable terminal 1 is used for such a store, for example, a customer number of a credit card company is used as a barcode, and the barcode is stored in the portable terminal 1 as a customer ID. This barcode
It can be displayed whenever necessary (such as displaying your own telephone number). Then, when the customer actually visits the store, a barcode is displayed and presented to the store clerk. By reading this bar code and referring to the database server in the store, the store can grasp the various data of the customer concerned, which can be useful for services. In the above description, an example in which the customer number of the credit card company is used as a barcode has been described. At the time of storage and use, a method of reading and using a barcode corresponding to each store can be considered.

Next, an information service distribution system for realizing the information service system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the information service distribution system. The information service logistics system includes a terminal maker 13, an ASP 5 and a terminal retailer 1.
4, a communication carrier 11, an alliance company 6, and a customer 15.

The terminal maker 13 is a manufacturer that manufactures the mobile terminal 1 as shown in FIG. 1, and wholesales the manufactured mobile terminal to the ASP operator 5 and receives the price from the ASP operator 5. The ASP company 5 sells the mobile terminal purchased from the terminal maker through the terminal store 14 such as a mobile phone store or a general electronics store, and collects the sales price. Several types of mobile terminals sold here are sold according to the specifications of the communication carrier 11 used.

Further, the ASP carrier 5 has the communication carrier 11
And urge communication carriers 11 to actively promote sales activities. The communication carrier 11 wants to increase the sales number of the mobile terminals in order to earn the communication fee (the number of mobile terminals × the communication unit price). Therefore, the communication carrier 11 pays an incentive to the terminal store 14 for promoting the sales of the mobile terminals.

Further, the alliance company 6 is able to further increase the number of customers 15 by introducing this new system in addition to enclosing the customers 15 which have been operated by the company.
The goal is to secure. That is, in order to increase the number of users of the information service system, pay a part of the price of the mobile terminal by paying an incentive to the terminal retailer 14 through the ASP 5 to increase the number of users. Become.

Regarding the amount of the incentive, as for one portable terminal, as the number of alliance companies 6 sharing the information service system increases, the investment ratio as an incentive becomes smaller. Or, while the number of participating alliance companies is small,
There is a high possibility that the incentive paid to the terminal store 14 will decrease. Therefore, the price of the mobile terminal paid by the customer 15 as a member of the alliance company 6 when he / she wants to join this system may be expensive while the number of participating alliance companies is small. However,
If the number of participating alliance companies increases, the total amount of incentive paid to the terminal dealer 14 increases, and ultimately, the mobile terminals can be distributed free of charge. That is, it is expected that the number of users will increase exponentially as the system becomes more popular.

[0125] Therefore, the alliance company 6 or the ASP company 5 as the founder (founder) pays for the mobile terminal, and distributes the mobile terminal to the customer 15 free of charge from the beginning of the system. A method is conceivable. It is expected that the free distribution of the mobile terminals will increase the number of customers who subscribe to the system and the number of participating alliance companies 6 that provide services. As described above, when the number of participating alliance companies 6 increases, the burden on the mobile terminal of each alliance company 6 decreases, and the profit increases due to the increase in the number of customers who subscribe to the system. In addition, as the number of participating alliance companies 6 increases and the content increases and becomes more convenient, the number of customers increases, and the customer unit price, that is, the customer usage increases. It is expected that this increase in revenue will reimburse the founder's initial burden and turn into profit.

That is, in realizing the present information service system, the most important point is to widely spread the portable terminals used in this system to customers 15. The customer 15 accesses the necessary contents by obtaining the mobile terminal, and receives the actual service at a store with a contract with the alliance company 6 or at a store managed by the alliance company 6 itself. Will be paid to the store. A part of the service usage fee from the customer 15 is paid to the alliance company 6 from each store, and becomes the sales of the alliance company 6.

The alliance company 6 actively provides contents to the ASP company 5 in order to promote the use of customers,
In addition, a part of the customer's actual payment is returned to the ASP company 5 as a usage fee in consideration of the system use. The ASP operator 5 operates at this usage fee. On the other hand, in order for the customer 15 to access the content, communication using the communication carrier 11 is indispensable. The communication carrier 11 collects a communication fee according to the frequency of use of the customer, and incentivizes a part of the profit. Is paid to the terminal store 14.

As described above, in the information service distribution system for constructing the present information service system, A
Since the SP company 5 involves the initial system construction cost and initial terminal payment burden, etc., the system is not operated solely by the ASP company 5 but with the terminal manufacturer 13 and the founder who benefit from the entire system. It can be said that it is the most preferable form to operate with a joint investment of the alliance company 6 and the communication carrier 11.

Next, the configuration of the portable terminal 1 used in the information service system according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the portable terminal 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 1 includes an antenna unit 21, an RF (Radio Frequency) unit 22, a baseband unit 23, a microphone / speaker 24, a control unit 25, and a power supply I.
C26, battery 27, flash ROM (Read Only
Memory) · SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) 2
8. EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable
able Read Only Memory) 29, barcode display 3
0, an LCD backlight 32, a keyboard 33, a ringer 34, a vibrator 35, and an external port 36.

The portable terminal 1 has basically the same configuration as a PDC (personal digital cellular phone of Japanese specification) currently on the market, except that a bar code display unit 30 is added. And the control unit 25
EEPROM 29 and Flash R directly connected to
The difference is that the program stored in the flash ROM in the OM SRAM 28 is improved.

The operation will be briefly described.
The received radio signal is input to the RF unit 22 composed of an RF-only IC. The RF unit 22 extracts only a necessary frequency signal from the input radio signal, removes the carrier signal by performing frequency conversion, and sends this signal to the subsequent baseband unit 23 as an analog signal.

The baseband unit 23 performs a process of converting all the input analog signals into digital signals by using an AD converter and a DA converter (not shown).
At this time, the input signal is decomposed for each signal slot (unit) by a channel codec (not shown), and is decomposed into a voice signal, a data signal, and a control signal.

The audio signal is converted into an analog signal by an audio codec (not shown),
Is driven to output sound. The audio signal input by the microphone in the microphone / speaker 24 is digitized by the baseband unit 23,
The signal is transmitted via the RF unit 22 and the antenna unit 21. The signal of the data system is sent to the control unit 25, and the signal of the control system is data-encoded as a management signal, and then is transmitted to the control unit 25.
Sent to.

The control unit 25 includes a DSP (Digital Signal Pr
ocessor) 37, CPU (Central Processing Unit) 3
8. ROM / RAM39, PLL (Phase Locked Loop)
& CLK (Clock) 40, LCD controller 41, system timer 42, external modem I / F 43, and GP
It has an IOI / F44 and has a control ASIC (Applicati
on Specific Integrated Circuit).

The signals of the control system input to the control unit 25 are as follows:
The analysis is performed by the CPU 38 according to the program, and the function of the mobile terminal 1 as a telephone is controlled. Also, the DSP 37 performs a programmed dedicated routine. In addition, the control unit 25 analyzes the input data, displays various information on the display unit of the mobile terminal 1, converts the input from the keyboard 33 of the mobile terminal 1 into a signal, and transmits the signal to the exchange of the communication carrier. Function.

Programs describing various processing operations as described above are stored in the EEPROM 29 for fixed programs that do not need to be rewritten frequently, and flash programs for programs that need to be rewritten.
It is stored in the flash ROM in the M-SRAM 28. In addition, S in the flash ROM / SRAM 28
The RAM is used as a temporary cache. Normally, the control program, telephone directory function program, e-mail transmission / reception program, Web browser, etc.
In M29, telephone directory data, received mail, and the like are stored in a flash ROM.

When bar code data is detected from data signals in the control unit 25, the contents of the data are transferred to the bar code display unit 30. The bar code display 30 is the same as the bar code display 2 shown in FIG. The bar code display section 30 is composed of an LCD controller composed of a simple one-chip microcomputer and an LCD controller / bar code LCD composed of a bar code display LCD.
31 and the like. The one-chip microcomputer stores a program for generating a barcode from the transmitted barcode data, a barcode pattern look-up table, and the like. L for barcode
The CD may be constituted by a normal bitmap LCD. However, in order to control the CD more efficiently, a vertically long cell having a width that can be read (identified) by a bar code reader of a POS terminal and an appropriate height is used. It is more rational to configure the LCD with a one-dimensionally arranged aggregate in terms of simplification of display control and the like.

The bar code patterns generally used in Japan are standardized, and Code-3 is used.
9, NW-7, JAN shortened version, JAN standard version, Indu
stria12of5, Interleaved2of
5 and the like. The number of digits that can be displayed in each standard is determined. Therefore, the control unit 2
The bar code data sent from 5 is composed of a type code indicating the bar code standard and a data sequence. LCD controller and bar code LCD3
The one-chip microcomputer provided in the device 1 refers to the look-up table based on these two data, generates an ON / OFF pattern of the liquid crystal display as a barcode pattern, transfers the pattern to the LCD controller, and It is displayed on the display unit 30.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process of generating a bar code in the control unit 25. First, in step 1 (hereinafter, referred to as S1), a data signal is input from the baseband unit 23 to the control unit 25. Then, it is determined whether or not the input data signal is an HTTP signal (S2). When the input data signal is HT
If it is determined that the signal is not a TP signal (N in S2
O), the data signal is determined to be a normal voice signal, and normal telephone processing is performed (S3).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the input data signal is the HTTP signal (YES in S2), the Web browser, which is software, is started and transferred to the Web browser as an HTML file (S4). Then, the Web browser analyzes each tag described in the transferred HTML file (S5).

In this analysis, if no tag described as <BARCODE> is found among the tags described in the HTML file (N in S6)
O), based on the HTML file, the Web browser generates a browser screen and displays it on the display screen (S
7). On the other hand, if a tag described as <BARCODE> is found in the tags described in the HTML file (YES in S6), then </ BARCOD>
The barcode tag is analyzed by looking up to the end written as E> (S8). Then, the character string after TYPE = is written as a barcode type, and <BARCO
The numeric string sandwiched between the tags DE, TYPE => and </ BARCODE> is used as barcode data, and the two are transferred to the barcode display unit 30 as (character string, numeric string) data (S9).

After the data transfer to the barcode display section 30 is completed, the portion sandwiched between the <BARCODE, TYPE => and </ BARCODE> tags is removed (S10). When the process of S10 is completed, S
Return to 6. Here, since the barcode tag has been removed, it is determined to be N in the determination of S6, and the browser screen generated by the Web browser based on the HTML file is displayed on the display screen. You.

On the other hand, when the barcode display section 30 receives the barcode type and the barcode data transferred in S9 (S11), the barcode display section 30 refers to the look-up table based on these data to obtain the corresponding barcode. Generate a bitmap indicating the code (S1
2). Then, based on this bitmap, a barcode is displayed on the display screen of the barcode display unit 30 (S13).

Next, in the information service system according to the present embodiment, the service server 5A, the database server 10A, the content server 10B, and the map information server 1
2, the cooperation of the flow of each process in the POS terminal 7A and the mobile terminal 1 will be described using a specific example.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in each of the above configurations in association with each other. In FIG. 9, the processes shown inside the frames 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, and 56 shown by broken lines are the service server 5A, the database server 10A, the content server 10B, the map information server 12, and the POS terminal 7A, respectively. , And processing performed in the mobile terminal 1.

First, the service server 5A receives a request from the portable terminal 1 owned by Mr. A that the menu C on the menu screen of the restaurant B has been selected (S21). However, at this point, it is assumed that Mr. A has already logged in to the service server 5A, and the terminal ID for personal identification has been sent to the service server 5A at the time of logging in.
It is assumed that a session has been established with The request of "C menu of restaurant B" from Mr. A is temporarily stored in the holding database (DB) as a cache memory of the service server 5A as numerical data of (Mr. A, restaurant B, menu C) (S22). . Thereafter, the service server 5A finds the address of the database server 10A of the restaurant B from the database, and sends “Ms. A, C” to the database server 10A.
The menu is transmitted, and the session is started (S23).

Receiving the request from the service server 5A (S31), the database server 10A of the restaurant B
Refers to the database storing the customer information (S3
2) Generate service data according to a predetermined rule (S33). The service data includes a bar code type used by the POS terminal 7A of the restaurant B, a digitized version of the service data, and a simple document of the service content (bar code type, bar code numeric value, service document). Service server 5A as data of
(S34).

The service server 5A receives the service data received from the database server 10A, and adds the service data to the data relating to Mr. A which has been cached in the pending database previously (S24). Next, an inquiry about "C menu" is made to the content server 10B of the restaurant B (S25).

Content server 10B of restaurant B
Refers to the database storing various contents in response to the request for the "C menu" from the service server 5A (S41) (S42), and contains the contents of the C menu (images and description of the menu). The URL indicating the location of the file and the location information code of the restaurant B are returned to the service server 5A (S43). Here, a method of storing the URL of the C menu in the service server 5A from the beginning is also conceivable, but in the above system, a system for inquiring the content server 10B of the B restaurant so that the B restaurant can flexibly change the menu. Has adopted. Also, here, the content server 10B
Although it is conceivable to transfer the content itself from the service server 5A to the service server 5A, in consideration of an increase in the transfer time due to an increase in the data amount, only the data indicating the URL is transferred, and the actual reception of the content is performed on the mobile terminal 1 side. Is preferred.

The service server 5A adds the data indicating the URL of the content and the position information code received from the content server 10B to the data relating to Mr. A, which has been cached in the hold database (S26). Next, the service server 5A transfers the location information code of the restaurant B to the map information server 12 of the location service center (S27).

The map information server 12 is a service server 5
The location information code from A is received (S51), and the map database is searched to generate a map URL in which a map image file of the map around the B restaurant is stored (S5).
2). Then, the map URL is returned to the service server 5A (S53).

The service server 5A is the map information server 1
2 and receives the map URL from S2 (S28).
Add to the data about Mr. A that has been cached in the pending database. Here, from the beginning, the map URL
Can be stored and stored in the service server.
The above system employs a system that inquires the map information server 12 so that the map information server 12 can flexibly change the map data. Here, a method of transferring the map image file itself from the map information server 12 to the service server 5A is also conceivable. However, in consideration of an increase in transfer time due to an increase in the amount of data, only the map URL is transferred. The system in which the image data is received by the mobile terminal 1 is more preferable.

At this point, (A, B restaurant, bar code type, bar code data, service document, C menu URL, map URL) are stored in the hold database in the service server 5A. When all the data are collected, the service server 5A starts a process of generating an HTML file for reply to the portable terminal 1 owned by Mr. A, and pastes each data into a predetermined format HTML sentence (S29). ).

The following is an example of the reply HTML file. Title: To "A" From "B restaurant", message "Service document" Please show the barcode displayed below to the shop. <BARCODE, TYPE = Barcode type> Barcode data </ BARCODE> C menu content URL Map URL The service server 5A generates the above-described HTML sentence and returns it to the portable terminal 1 owned by Mr. A (S3).
0).

When the portable terminal 1 receives the above HTML file from the service server 5A (S61),
The Web browser analyzes the HTML file and downloads the C menu content data and the map data based on the URL indicating the C menu content and the map URL (S62). Then, the data is displayed on the main display unit as a Web browser screen including the data (S63). At the same time, a barcode is generated based on the barcode data (S64), and the corresponding barcode is displayed on the barcode display section.

Mr. A goes to Restaurant B and displays the received barcode on the portable terminal 1 at the time of settlement, and presents it to the person in charge. When the person in charge reads the barcode with the barcode reader of the POS terminal 7A (S71), the barcode data is immediately referred to the database server 10A of Restaurant B (S72). The database server 10A adds the usage history to the data on Mr. A and issues a discount instruction to the POS terminal 7A. The POS terminal 7A performs the discount specified by the bill and displays the discount on the receipt and the display unit. After that, the displayed amount is settled by Mr. A and shopping ends (S73). The completion of the settlement is transmitted to the database server 10A, and the expiration date of the service expires.

As described above, according to the information service system according to the present embodiment, dynamic marketing to users in a mobile environment becomes possible, and a service providing company remarkably improves customer enclosing and improvement of customer satisfaction. Can contribute.

The main display unit 3 of the portable terminal 1
, The customer can perform aggressive marketing activities, present service information to shoppers, attract customers, deal with each customer on the shop side, and so on, thereby increasing customer service satisfaction. In addition, it will be possible to provide feedback on customer visits to store management as reference, and to promote aggressive marketing that offers advantages through the point system.

[0158] For the customer, there is no need to have a card for each store, all services can be used only with the portable terminal 1, there is no forgetting to use the card, and chances such as discounts and bargains are provided by the real-time information display. Never miss out. The usage history is stored in the database server 10A.
If you accumulate it in the, you can always see the usage statement without receiving a receipt.

Further, since a bar code is used as a means for transmitting information from the mobile phone to the store, the existing store system can be used as it is. Therefore, it is possible to provide a system in which new investment is small, the system can be immediately introduced, and the effect is improved. On the other hand, infrared or wireless communication is promising as a non-contact information transmission means, but it is hardly said that it has been standardized at present, and it cannot be used in most of the accounting devices (cashiers and POS) in stores. This means not only providing services for each store, but also providing feedback on marketing activities based on understanding customers at affiliated stores as a whole, and customers using multiple and diverse stores, such as members of even larger scales, such as members of credit card companies. However, there is a problem that it is impossible to provide a flexible system capable of providing a total service.

At present, POS terminals using barcodes are widely used, and the barcodes themselves are standardized, so that there are many opportunities to use them. The display is at a level that can be displayed on the current LCD. The customer (member) information is stored in the database server 10A in advance, and only the necessary data is bar-coded and transmitted at the time of the request from the mobile terminal 1. For example, in the case of a restaurant chain, it is possible to dynamically transmit the bar rate data in conjunction with the service information screen, such as the degree of customer use, the degree of inclusion of the store, the discount rate according to the sales, the customer's anniversary data, etc. it can. In the case of selling clothing, it is also conceivable to include size information, favorite information, and the like in the barcode data. Of course, the type of barcode used varies depending on the type of business, so the display format of the barcode displayed on the barcode display unit 2 can be changed according to the type.

[0161] At the store 7, these bar codes are
By reading with the terminal 7A, a discount service, a special service for a customer, a service that is effective (for example, size and color matching), etc. can be speedily performed in real time. In order to dynamically change and use the barcode data, a mechanism for reflecting the usage data of each customer in the store 7 on the data of each customer stored in the database server 10A is also indispensable. The case where the information from each store 7 is reflected on the database server 10A side according to the size of the store 7, and the case where the store is centrally managed in a chain store or the like, the server that is centrally managed, and the database A case in which the server 10A is linked with the server 10A may be considered. In a private store or the like, by storing customer data in a store server, it is possible to utilize the data for studying service contents, marketing, and the like.

As described above, according to the information service system according to the present embodiment, the store 7 hardly touches the existing system, hassle in issuing a card in-house, and does not incur any cost. Marketing activities and customer information can be collected. Also, the customer side is one mobile terminal 1
By simply having, you can enjoy providing various information and services at the same time, and you can receive many advantages at the same time, freeing you from the hassle and not missing out opportunities.

[0163]

As described above, the terminal device according to the present invention is a portable terminal device, comprising: communication means for performing data communication with an external computer; and bar code data received via the communication means. And a bar code display means for displaying a bar code based on the bar code.

Thus, bar code data indicating various information is received from an external computer, and the bar code is displayed on the bar code display means. There is an effect that information included in the barcode can be transmitted.

Further, since the terminal device is portable, a user can carry the terminal device and move the terminal device to read a bar code at various places.
The bar code information can be transmitted.

[0166] The terminal device may be configured so that the communication means performs data communication wirelessly.

Thus, in addition to the effects of the above-described configuration, it is possible to transmit and receive data at a desired time even while the terminal device is being carried, and when necessary, when necessary. The barcode data indicating the information is received, the barcode data is displayed on the barcode display means, and the information can be transmitted to a device capable of reading the barcode.

Further, the above terminal device may be further provided with a communication means having a voice communication function.

As a result, in addition to the effects of the above-described configuration, the function is merely added to the portable telephone currently used, so that the terminal device can be introduced without any special inconvenience. This has the effect that it can be performed.

[0170] The terminal device may be configured such that the barcode display means is constituted by a liquid crystal display device.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the above-described configuration, it is possible to perform bar code display with high accuracy without technical difficulty and without significantly increasing the cost of the apparatus. It works.

Further, in the terminal device, the external computer is a server computer owned by a company or an organization, and the barcode data is stored in a user-specific form of the terminal device owned by the company or the organization. And / or information related to services provided by the company or organization to the user of the terminal device. The bar code displayed on the bar code display means at various stores associated with the company or organization. The information of the user and / or the information of the service may be notified to the store by reading.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the above-described configuration, the information and / or information of the user can be obtained from the terminal device by using a bar code reader such as a POS terminal which has been conventionally used without providing a special device on the store side. Alternatively, since the information of the service can be read out, there is an effect that the function of the terminal device of the present invention can be easily used without making a new capital investment.

[0174] For the user, by carrying one terminal device, various services can be used in various stores. Further, since the barcode data can be received by the communication means, the corresponding barcode data can be received immediately when desired, and the service can be enjoyed in real time. .

The terminal device may further include a main display unit for displaying the hypertext data received via the communication unit.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the above-described configuration, the user can check, for example, various menu screens, service information and maps at various stores, and the user can search for desired service information. This makes it possible to examine service contents in detail, or to go to a desired store based on a map. In addition, the service provider can use such hypertext data to perform aggressive marketing activities.

In the terminal device, the barcode data includes information on a service, and data indicating the expiration date of the service is received from the external computer, and the expiration date has passed. In such a case, a configuration may be adopted in which barcode data including information on the corresponding service is invalidated.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the above-described configuration, it is possible to increase the synchronization between the issuance time of the bar code including the contents of the service information and the time when the customer actually uses the corresponding service. For example, it is possible to realize setting of an expiration date of a service such as a discount.

Also, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a service such as increasing the discount rate only in a specific time zone and trying to attract customers.

Further, the above terminal device may be configured to transmit and receive data to and from a car navigation system mounted on an automobile.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the above-described configuration, for example, when the position information of the store using the barcode data can be received from an external computer, the position information of the store is transmitted by the navigation function of the car navigation system. The effect that it can be used effectively is produced.

The information service device according to the present invention
The terminal device, and a communication unit for communicating with an external computer, receiving data including barcode information from the external computer in response to a request from the terminal device, including the barcode information This is a configuration for transmitting data to the terminal device.

Thus, by accessing the information service device, the terminal device can receive data including barcode information from various external computers, and can save time and effort when acquiring desired data. Can be greatly reduced. In addition, since the external computer can transmit and receive data to and from the terminal device through the information service device, various operations related to data transmission and reception can be entrusted to the information service device. To play.

[0184] Also, when the information service device is accessed from the terminal device via the communication means, the information service device sends the information to the external computer based on the ID number transmitted from the terminal device. It may be configured to receive data including barcode information corresponding to the terminal device.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the above configuration, accurate data corresponding to the user of the terminal device can be transmitted to the terminal device, and information optimal for each user can be provided to the user. It has the effect of being able to.

Further, the information service device includes a database server owned by a company or an organization as the external computer, and the database server stores data for each customer and each member. Is also good.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the above configuration, data unique to the user who has requested the provision of information from the terminal device can be received from the database server and transmitted to the terminal device of the user. it can. Therefore,
Since unique data can be transmitted for each user of the terminal device,
There is an effect that information optimal for each user can be provided to the user.

The information service device includes a content server owned by a company or an organization as the external computer.
At least one of the service information provided by the company or the organization and the location information of the store may be stored.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the above configuration, it is possible to transmit information such as service information and store location information to the terminal device. Therefore, there is an effect that the user of the terminal device can purchase such various kinds of information in real time.
Also, it is possible for a company or an organization to provide various kinds of information to customers and members in real time, and it is possible to carry out dynamic marketing activities.

Further, the information service apparatus includes data including bar code information received from the database server, service information received from the content server, and data including any one of store location information. May be formatted as hypertext data and transmitted to the terminal device.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the above-described configuration, the terminal device can receive these pieces of information in a bundled form. For example, a configuration is required in which each piece of information must be received independently. In comparison with this, it is possible to greatly reduce the user's labor.

[0192] Also, for a company or an organization that provides such information, it is possible to save the trouble of compiling the information and to provide the information to the user in an effective form.

[0193] Further, the information service apparatus can determine a location where map data around the relevant location is stored from a map information server that provides map data based on the location information of the store received from the content server. The information to be indicated may be extracted and transmitted to the terminal device.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the above configuration, there is an effect that the user can reach the store without hesitation even when he / she wants to use the store.

Further, the POS terminal according to the present invention comprises a bar code reading means for reading a bar code displayed on the bar code display means in the above terminal device, and a data for each customer or each member possessed by a company or an organization. Communication means for performing data communication with a database server that stores data, and the barcode reading means includes:
Data obtained by reading the barcode displayed on the terminal device is transmitted to the database server, and service information corresponding to the barcode is received from the database server.

As a result, the store side can grasp the service information for each customer in real time, and the service for the customer can be enhanced. In addition, for the database server, there is an effect that the usage status of the customer can be accurately grasped.

Further, the information service system according to the present invention includes the terminal device, the information service device, a database server for storing data for each customer or each member of a company or organization, POS terminal.

Thus, the user of the terminal device can access the information service device when necessary, receive the bar code data, and present the bar code when receiving the service at the store, thereby promptly providing the bar code. In addition, there is an effect that a service with strong real-time properties can be enjoyed.

Further, the information service system can be used by the store side by directly using the POS terminal that can read the bar code which is widely used at present, and thus no new capital investment is required. There is also an effect that the present information service system can be introduced with little effort. In addition, since the service to the customer can be enhanced, the effect of enclosing the customer and improving the sales can be achieved.

[0200] Also, since the use situation of the customer can be accurately and in real time grasped by the company or the organization, the service for the customer can be further enhanced, and the decision-making in the decision of the business policy can be made. The effect that it can be enriched is produced.

The information service system described above may further include a content server that stores at least one of service information and store location information of a company or organization.

[0202] Thus, in addition to the effect of the above-described configuration, the user of the terminal device can obtain more detailed information at the time of receiving the service, and has the effect of improving the convenience.

[0203] In the information service system, the database server may be provided in the same store where the POS terminal is provided.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the above configuration, it is possible to refer to or update the detailed attributes (hobbies, tastes, etc.) of the customer at any time in the store, and to display various attributes of the customer on the clerk side. Knowing the details in detail has the effect of giving a good impression to the customer.

Further, the information service distribution system according to the present invention comprises: an information service provider owning the information service device; a terminal store for selling the terminal device; and a database server for storing customer data. And a company having a contract with a store equipped with the POS terminal, and the company provides financial support to the terminal store.

[0206] Accordingly, it is desirable for the company to increase the number of users of the terminal device. Therefore, the terminal dealer reduces the selling price of the terminal device by providing financial support to the terminal dealer. This makes it possible to promote the spread of the terminal device.

[0207] Also, for the user side, if the price of the terminal device is reduced by the above-mentioned company's financial support to the terminal store, it becomes easy to obtain the terminal device, and the information service provider provides the terminal device. This has the effect that convenient services can be easily used.

In the information service distribution system, the terminal device further includes a communication carrier for providing a communication path used for data communication, and the communication carrier provides financial assistance to the terminal dealer. It may be configured.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the above-described configuration, it is desirable for the communication carrier to increase the number of users of the terminal device. The store has the effect that the selling price of the terminal device can be further reduced, and the spread of the terminal device can be promoted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an information service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of transmission and reception of data related to bar code display in the information service system.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an HTML file including barcode information.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a barcode displayed on a barcode display section by the HTML file shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing cooperation of the information service system.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a physical distribution system for realizing the information service system.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a portable terminal used in the information service system.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of generating a barcode in a control unit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of each process in the service server, the database server, the content server, the map information server, the POS terminal, and the portable terminal in the information service system in cooperation with each other.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 mobile terminal (terminal device) 2 barcode display unit (barcode display means) 3 main display unit 5 ASP operator (information service operator) 5A service server (information service device) 6 alliance company 7 store 7A POS terminal 8A car Navigation system 9A In-flight information server 10A Database server 10B Content server 11 Communication carrier 12 Map information server 13 Terminal manufacturer 14 Terminal retailer 15 Customer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G07G 1/01 301 G06K 19/00 A 1/14 Q H04Q 7/38 H04B 7/26 109M F term (Reference) 3E042 AA01 CA02 CC01 CD04 CE07 EA01 5B035 AA06 BA01 BB01 BC00 5B049 AA01 CC02 CC31 DD02 FF04 GG01 GG04 GG07 GG09 5K067 AA21 BB21 EE02 FF02 FF23 HH11 KK17

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A portable terminal device, comprising: communication means for performing data communication with an external computer; and bar code display means for displaying a bar code based on bar code data received via the communication means. A terminal device comprising: 2. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein said communication means performs data communication wirelessly. 3. The terminal device according to claim 2, further comprising a communication means having a voice communication function. 4. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein said bar code display means is constituted by a liquid crystal display device. 5. The computer according to claim 1, wherein the external computer is a server computer owned by a company or an organization, and the bar code data is information unique to a user of the terminal device owned by the enterprise or the organization, and / or , Indicating the information on the service provided by the company or organization to the user of the terminal device, by reading the bar code displayed on the bar code display means at various stores related to the company or organization, The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shop is notified of user information and / or service information. 6. The terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising main display means for displaying hypertext data received via said communication means. 7. The bar code data includes information on a service, and data indicating an expiration date of the service is received from the external computer.
6. The terminal device according to claim 5, wherein when the expiration date has passed, the barcode data including information on the corresponding service is invalidated. 8. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device transmits and receives data to and from a car navigation system mounted on an automobile. 9. A terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising communication means for communicating with an external computer, wherein a bar code is transmitted from said external computer in response to a request from said terminal device. An information service device comprising: receiving data including information; and transmitting data including the barcode information to the terminal device. 10. An I / O signal transmitted from said terminal device when said terminal device is accessed via said communication means.
10. The information service device according to claim 9, wherein data including barcode information corresponding to the terminal device is received by the external computer based on the D number. 11. The external computer includes a database server owned by a company or an organization,
11. The information service device according to claim 9, wherein the database server stores data for each customer and each member. 12. The external computer includes a content server owned by a company or an organization, and the content server stores any one of service information provided by the enterprise or the organization and location information of a store. 10. The storage device according to claim 9, wherein at least the information is stored.
The information service device according to 0 or 11. 13. Formatting data including barcode information received from the database server, and data including any one of service information and store location information received from the content server as hypertext data. 13. The information service device according to claim 12, wherein the information is transmitted to the terminal device. 14. Based on location information of a store received from the content server, information indicating a location where map data around the relevant location is stored is extracted from a map information server that provides map data, and is extracted. 14. The information service device according to claim 12, wherein the information service device transmits the information to a terminal device. 15. A bar code reading means for reading a bar code displayed on a bar code display means in the terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: Communication means for performing data communication with a database server storing data, wherein the barcode reading means transmits data obtained by reading a barcode displayed on the terminal device to the database server, POS terminal for receiving service information corresponding to the barcode from the database server. 16. A terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, an information service device according to any one of claims 9 to 14, and data for each customer or each member of a company or organization. An information service system comprising: a database server that stores the information; and the POS terminal according to claim 15. 17. The information service system according to claim 16, further comprising a content server that stores at least one of service information and store location information possessed by the company or organization. . 18. The system according to claim 18, wherein said database server is said POS server.
The information service system according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the information service system is provided in the same store where the terminal is provided. 19. An information service provider possessing the information service device according to any one of claims 9 to 14, a terminal store selling the terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, A database server for storing customer data is provided, the store having a POS terminal according to claim 15 and a contracted company, wherein the company provides financial support to the terminal store. Information service logistics system. 20. The terminal device according to claim 19, further comprising a communication carrier for providing a communication path used for data communication, wherein the communication carrier provides financial assistance to the terminal store. Information service logistics system described.