JP2004164414A - Information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing system that further accelerates recovery of consumables. <P>SOLUTION: An information processing method is embodied by a dealer that awards individual points to a customer who purchases a consumable, and a maker that awards individual points to a person who recovers a consumable and brings the consumable thereto. When receiving a consumable from a customer (1), the dealer awards points to the customer (2) and notifies the maker of information on the consumable as the object of point awarding (4). The maker notified of the information on the consumable by the dealer, when recovering the consumable from the dealer (5), awards points to the dealer (7). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technology for collecting consumables.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, consumables are generally collected in consideration of environmental issues and the like. There is known a method in which a collection underwriter provides an incentive to a collection requester who cooperated with the collection of consumables in order to increase a user's (customer's) willingness to return consumables.
[0003]
For example, in a cartridge recycling factory, a method of accumulating point values corresponding to cartridges collected from a user, and awarding a privilege to the user if the accumulated point value exceeds a preset award threshold. Is known (see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-83097
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional method, the user can receive the collection incentive only when the collection item is directly given to the collection underwriter, and the user can supply the collection agent with the consumable item. If returned, the user did not get any benefits.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to further promote the collection of consumables.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
In order to provide a first type of incentive to a customer who has purchased the consumable item, a first dealer that sells the consumable item supplies information on the first type of incentive to the customer who purchased the consumable item. A first information processing device that is managed in association with
In order to provide a second type of incentive to a consumables provider who brought in the consumables, the second supplier that collects the consumables supplies the information on the second type of incentive to the consumables provider. A second information processing device that is managed in association with the
An information processing system including
The first information processing device includes:
A first management unit that manages information on the first type of incentive in association with the customer who brought in the consumable, when the first trader entrusts a consumable from a customer;
Transmitting means for transmitting information about the consumable item managed by the first management means to the second information processing apparatus;
Has,
The second information processing device includes:
Receiving means for receiving, from the transmitting means, information on the consumables managed by the first managing means;
The second type of incentive when the information is received by the receiving means and the consumables managed by the first management means are collected by the second trader from the first trader; Second management means for managing information related to the first trader,
It is characterized by including.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the components described in this embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only thereto.
[0009]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an embodiment of an information processing system according to the present invention. The present information processing system performs information processing between the store 20 and the manufacturer 30. Hereinafter, the information processing method will be described.
[0010]
First, a user 10 of a cartridge (CRG in the figure) such as a toner cartridge or an ink cartridge returns a used cartridge with a serial ID to the store 20 ((1)). The serial ID is uniquely assigned to each cartridge at the time of manufacture or sale by the cartridge maker 30. This serial ID may be attached by a barcode, stored in a memory tag attached to the cartridge, or simply printed with a numerical value. Although the serial ID is used here, it is not necessary to use a continuous number as long as it is unique for each cartridge.
[0011]
When the salesperson of the store 20 deposits the cartridge from the user 10, the salesperson inputs the serial ID to the store client 21. As an input method here, various methods can be adopted depending on how IDs are assigned. For example, a method of reading with a bar code reading device or a magnetic reading device, or a method of reading with a human eye and key input is conceivable.
[0012]
Further, the salesperson at the store 20 inputs the user ID from the point card owned by the user to the store client 21. Similar to the method of inputting the serial ID, the method of inputting the user ID may be a method of reading with a bar code reading device or a magnetic reading device, or a method of reading with human eyes and key input.
[0013]
The input serial ID and user ID of the cartridge are transmitted from the shop client 21 to the shop server 22. The store server 22 calculates the number of points to be issued to the cartridge user 10 using the data of the point calculation database (the database is referred to as DB in the figure) 23. Then, the shop 20 gives the shop 10 a point number unique to the shop to the user 10 who has returned the cartridge ([2]). This point is given by the store 20 to various customers as a part of the customer attracting promotion means. For example, it is issued as a kind of incentive to a customer who has purchased a product at the store 20. The customer can use this point as an actual discount or the like after the next purchase. For example, if 100 points are issued to the customer by purchasing the product A, the customer can purchase the product B at a discount of 100 yen by using the points at the next purchase of the product B. Become. Needless to say, the incentive for the customer is applicable as long as the customer has a profit, such as cash itself.
[0014]
Next, the store server 22 registers the point issuance information in the user-specific point management database 24 using the user ID input from the store client 21 and the calculated number of points ((3)). This database 24 is for registering the number of points accumulated up to now for each customer.
[0015]
Further, the store server 22 registers what cartridge was collected from the user and when in the cartridge management database 25 and, at the same time, transmits the serial ID and the store ID of the returned cartridge to the manufacturer server 32 ([4] ▼). The maker server 32 registers the information in the point management database 33 for each shop.
[0016]
When the store 20 sends the collected cartridge with the serial ID to the manufacturer 30 ((5)), the store server 22 registers which cartridge was sent to the manufacturer and when in the cartridge management database.
[0017]
On the other hand, the maker client 31 provided at the collection center of the maker 30 reads the serial ID of the collected cartridge and sends it to the maker server 32. The maker server 32 refers to the store-specific point management database 33 using the serial ID sent from the maker client 31 ([6]), and if the information matches, sells the maker's own points. Issued to stores (7). Here, the manufacturer's unique points issued to the store are profits that are supplemented by the manufacturer to the store, and correspond to, for example, transfer of money to a predetermined account via an Internet bank. Hereinafter, these supplemented profits will be described as points.
[0018]
As described above, in the information processing system according to the present embodiment, points that should be originally issued by the manufacturer to the user are issued by the store in exchange for the points.
[0019]
Therefore, the user can receive issuance of points more quickly, and can use the points for other products sold at the store, thereby increasing the willingness to return the cartridge. Therefore, as a result, the cartridge collection service can be received very effectively.
[0020]
On the other hand, the store can compensate for the points issued to the user later with points from the manufacturer, so there is no loss at all.On the other hand, if the cartridge user actively visits the store, Products can be promoted.
[0021]
In addition, this system reduces the need for the user to bring the cartridge directly to the manufacturer, so that the manufacturer does not need to take such measures for each user and can save point management for each user. Further, by increasing the user's willingness to return the cartridge, it is possible to promote the collection of the cartridge which is the manufacturer's target.
[0022]
Furthermore, since the maker server matches the actually collected cartridge with the information using the serial ID, it is possible to prevent fraudulent declaration from the dealer. For example, it is possible to prevent a fraudulent request for points from a maker, saying that "the cartridge has been collected from the user" even though the store has not actually issued points to the user.
[0023]
Although FIG. 1 shows that the shop client 20 and the shop server 22 are provided one each in the shop 20, this is merely an example for explanation. A plurality of store clients 21 may exist. That is, in the case of a large-scale store having a plurality of stores, a store client 21 is provided for each store or sales counter, and information collected from the plurality of store clients 21 is stored in the store server. 22.
[0024]
Further, the same applies to the maker 30. One maker client 31 may be provided for each of a plurality of collection centers, or a plurality of maker clients 31 may exist in each of the plurality of collection centers. Then, a configuration in which information from the many maker clients 31 is collected in the maker server 32 may be adopted.
[0025]
<Apparatus configuration>
Next, a typical hardware internal configuration of the store client 21, the store server 22, the maker client 31, and the maker server 32 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0026]
Reference numeral 201 denotes an arithmetic and control CPU for controlling the entire apparatus, 202 denotes a ROM for storing programs executed by the CPU 201, fixed values, and the like, and 203 denotes a data storage unit such as an HD. Reference numeral 204 denotes a RAM for temporary storage, including a program load area for storing a program to be loaded.
[0027]
Reference numeral 205 denotes an input / output interface (I / O) for inputting and outputting data to and from an external device. Data is exchanged with another computer (server or client) via the I / O.
[0028]
Reference numeral 206 denotes an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse for receiving data input from the operator, and reference numeral 207 denotes a display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display for displaying data to the operator. These input device 206 and display device 207 are also connected to I / O 205.
[0029]
<Sequence>
Next, data or cartridge exchange between the user 10, the shop client 21, the shop server 22, the maker server 32, and the maker client 31 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
[0030]
First, in step S301, when the user 10 provides personal information to the store 20 for registration in the point system of the store, the clerk of the store 20 inputs the user's name and address to the store client 21. These pieces of personal information are sent from the shop client 21 to the shop server 22 and stored in a user information database (not shown) of the shop server 22.
[0031]
Next, in step S302, the shop server 22 assigns a unique user ID to the name, address, and the like, and transmits the user ID to the shop client 21. At the store, a point card with this user ID is issued and handed to the user. A plurality of user IDs are assigned to the store client 21 in advance, and after the store client 21 issues a point card with the user ID, the user ID and the user's personal information are May be associated with each other and registered in the database. Further, the user ID may be notified by e-mail to a terminal owned by the user.
[0032]
On the other hand, in step S303, the maker 30 sells the cartridge with the serial ID to the store 20, and in step S304, the store sells the cartridge to the user 10.
[0033]
When the user 10 runs out of consumables such as toner using the cartridge, the user 10 returns the cartridge to the store 20 in step S305.
[0034]
In step S306, the client terminal 21 of the store 20 reads the serial ID and the point issuing cartridge code attached to the cartridge, and reads the user ID from the point card owned by the user. These pieces of information are sent to the store server 22 in step S307.
[0035]
The store server 22 performs a user point issuing process in step S308. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the user point issuing process in detail. The processes shown in FIG. 4 are all performed by the store server 22.
[0036]
In FIG. 4, first, in step S401, the store server 22 acquires a user ID from the store client 21. Subsequently, the store server 22 acquires the serial ID of the cartridge from the store client 21 in step S402. Further, in step S403, the store server 22 acquires the point issuing cartridge code from the store client 21. Next, in step S404, the point calculation database 23 is referred to.
[0037]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the contents of the point issue calculation database 23.
[0038]
This database stores a table 600 including both an issue point calculation formula 601 for purchase of a product and an issue point calculation formula 602 for collection of a cartridge.
[0039]
That is, it is used both when issuing points by normal product sales and when issuing points for a cartridge brought in by a user.
[0040]
Points generated for the purchase of a product are managed for each JAN code of each product. On the other hand, since the cartridge ID to be serialized cannot be registered in advance at the store side, it cannot be used as a material for deriving an occurrence point, and a cartridge code for point issuance for separately registering the point setting is required. Prepared and added to the cartridge. This code may be different for each device to which the cartridge is mounted, or may be different for each cartridge maker.
[0041]
Here, the serial ID and the cartridge code are completely different information, but a collection point issuing code may be embedded in a part (for example, the first four digits) of the serial ID.
[0042]
In FIG. 6, a difference is set in the generation point for each type of cartridge, but the same point may be issued uniformly to all cartridges. In that case, the point issuing cartridge code is not required.
[0043]
Returning to FIG. 4, when the issue points are calculated in step S405, the points are registered in the user-specific point management database 24 in step S406.
[0044]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the contents of the user-specific point management database 24 managed by the store server 22.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 7, the database 24 stores, for each user ID 701, a date 702 at which points were issued as a store server, a type of service (product purchase or cartridge collection) received from the store on that day, and the service. A table 700 in which issued points are registered is stored. The serial ID 705 of the cartridge is also registered.
[0046]
Returning to FIG. 4, in step S407, information about the collected cartridge is registered in the cartridge management database 25, and the process proceeds to step S309 in FIG.
[0047]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the contents of the cartridge management database 25 managed by the store server 22.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 9, the database 25 includes a serial ID 902 of the cartridge, a collection date 903 of the cartridge at the store 20, a date 904 when the cartridge was sent from the store 20 to the manufacturer 30, and A table 900 for registering the date 905 at which the point was issued is stored.
[0049]
With this database, it is possible to grasp the problem of delay in sending the collected cartridge to the manufacturer, and the problem that the manufacturer has not issued points for the cartridge even though the cartridge has been sent to the manufacturer. .
[0050]
Next, in step S309, the store server 22 transmits the issue point information, that is, the number of issued points and the total number of accumulated points for the user 10 who brought the cartridge, to the store client 21.
[0051]
In step S310, the store client 21 records the point issue information received from the store server 22, the point issue date, the type of the returned cartridge, the purchased product, and the like on the receipt, and stores the information on the receipt. Issue to When the point card is an IC card, such information may be recorded in the IC card. Alternatively, such information may be transmitted to the user terminal by e-mail.
[0052]
Next, in step S311, the store server 22 transmits the cartridge collection information to the manufacturer server 32. That is, the serial ID, the date of collection at the store, and the like are read from the cartridge management database 25 shown in FIG. 9 as information for specifying the cartridge collected by the store 20 in place of the manufacturer 30, and included in the input / output interface. It transmits to the maker server 22 via a network using a communication device (not shown). Further, at this time, a store code for identifying the store 20 is added and transmitted. The maker server 23 also receives the information using a communication device (not shown) and registers the information in the point management database 33 for each shop.
[0053]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the contents of the store-specific point management database 33.
[0054]
The store-specific point management database 33 manages point information for each store. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the store code 801, a table 800 for registering the point issue date 802 at the store, the serial ID 803 of the cartridge that issued the point at the store, and the like are stored. . FIG. 8A is a database at the timing when only the cartridge information is received from the store server 22 and the actual cartridge is not collected.
[0055]
Next, in step S312, the store 20 returns the cartridge with the serial ID to the manufacturer 30. In step S313, the maker client 31 reads the serial ID and cartridge code of the returned cartridge. The read serial ID and cartridge code are sent from the maker client 31 to the maker server 32 in step S314.
[0056]
In step S315, the maker server 32 determines whether or not the received serial ID is a serial ID to which a point should be issued. It is issued, and in step S316, this is notified at a predetermined timing. As specific notification contents, a serial ID and the number of issued points are notified to the store server as information indicating that points have been issued.
[0057]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the details of the processing in step S315. Each process shown in FIG. 5 is executed by the maker server 32.
[0058]
In FIG. 5, first, in step S501, the cartridge serial ID and the cartridge code read in step S313 are received (input).
[0059]
Next, in step S503, it is determined whether or not the store-specific point management database 33 has a serial ID that matches the input serial ID in the store-specific point management database 33 shown in FIG. If they do not match, the process ends and no points are issued to the store.
[0060]
If they match, the process proceeds from step S504 to step S505. In step S505, it is further determined whether or not the serial ID input in step S501 is registered as a cartridge for which points have not been issued in the store-specific point management database 33. That is, it is determined whether or not the serial ID has already been input with the point issue date in the point issue date 806 column of FIG. If no data has been input to the point issuance date 806, the point is regarded as a serial ID to be issued, and the process advances to step S506 to calculate points to be issued to the store. If the point issuance date 806 has been input, the process proceeds to step S508, and the maker server 32 transmits to the store server 22 that the cartridge is not a point payment target.
[0061]
In step S506, the points given to the store 20 are calculated using the cartridge code input in step S501. Although not shown, the maker server 32 has a database storing a table similar to the table 600 shown in FIG. 6, and the maker server 32 calculates points by referring to the point calculation database. That is, the point calculation database stores a table in which the point issuing cartridge codes are associated with the points to be issued. Therefore, different points can be issued for the same cartridge in the store 20 and the server 30. Of course, the same point may be used.
[0062]
Then, in step S507, the points 804 calculated in step S506 are registered in the point management database 33 for each shop. Then, the information on the number of issued points accumulated by executing the flowchart of FIG. 5 for each collected cartridge is notified from the maker server to the store server. This notification corresponds to step S316 described in FIG.
[0063]
As described above, the number of issued points is calculated and registered for each cartridge, and the accumulated points are issued to the store at a predetermined time (for example, at the end of the month). Then, the point issuance date is registered in the table 800 of FIG. 8 as the point issuance date 806.
[0064]
That is, when an actual cartridge is collected and a maker issues points to the store for the cartridge, those dates and points are registered as shown in FIG. 8B.
[0065]
With this, a warning is issued when the actual cartridge has not been collected for a long time despite receiving the cartridge information from the store, or when the point has not been issued for a long time despite the collection of the cartridge. It becomes possible.
[0066]
(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, the serial ID of the cartridge is collated, and when the serial ID is matched, points are issued from the manufacturer to the store. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the store is not limited to this. Notify the manufacturer only of the type and quantity of the cartridge that issued the point to the user, and if the manufacturer can confirm that the cartridge of the notified type and quantity has been collected from the dealer, the point is issued without collation etc. Sequence.
[0067]
In the above embodiment, the case where the cartridge is collected as an example of the consumables has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Other consumables include, for example, films with lenses, such as disposable cameras.
[0068]
Further, in the above embodiment, the relationship between the maker and the store has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be widely applied to the relationship between the consumables collection company and the collection agency. In other words, a first trader who sells consumables and gives a first type of incentive to a customer who purchases consumables, and collects consumables with a first trader who collects consumables. The present invention can be applied to a second company that provides a second type of incentive to a person who brings in consumables. It should be noted that the trader may be specified not by company but by business unit.
[0069]
Further, in the above embodiment, the case where points are given as an example of the incentive has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Other incentives include cashback, prizes, and products such as cartridges.
[0070]
Further, in the above embodiment, the table in which the type of cartridge is associated with the number of points to be issued is provided independently for the store and the manufacturer, but the present invention is not limited to this. Only the store may have such a table, and the store may pass points, products, or money according to the number of points issued to the user from the manufacturer to the store.
[0071]
According to the present invention, a software program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is directly or remotely supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer of the system or apparatus reads and executes the supplied program code. Including the case that is also achieved by In that case, the form need not be a program as long as it has the function of the program.
[0072]
Therefore, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the claims of the present invention include the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.
[0073]
In this case, any form of the program, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, and script data supplied to the OS, is applicable as long as the program has the function of the program.
[0074]
As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card , ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.
[0075]
Other methods of supplying the program include connecting to a homepage on the Internet using a browser of a client computer, and downloading the computer program itself of the present invention or a file containing a compressed automatic installation function from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Can also be supplied. Further, the present invention can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. In other words, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for implementing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the claims of the present invention.
[0076]
In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and downloaded to a user who satisfies predetermined conditions from a homepage via the Internet to download key information for decryption. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer to realize the program.
[0077]
The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented when the computer executes the read program, and an OS or the like running on the computer executes a part of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program. Alternatively, all the operations are performed, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.
[0078]
Further, after the program read from the recording medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or the A CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing also realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.
[0079]
Embodiments of the present invention are described below.
[0080]
[Embodiment 1]
In order to provide a first type of incentive to a customer who has purchased the consumable item, a first dealer that sells the consumable item supplies information on the first type of incentive to the customer who purchased the consumable item. A first information processing device that is managed in association with
In order to provide a second type of incentive to a consumables provider who brought in the consumables, the second supplier that collects the consumables supplies the information on the second type of incentive to the consumables provider. A second information processing device that is managed in association with the
An information processing system including
The first information processing device includes:
A first management unit that manages information on the first type of incentive in association with the customer who brought in the consumable, when the first trader entrusts a consumable from a customer;
Transmitting means for transmitting information about the consumable item managed by the first management means to the second information processing apparatus;
Has,
The second information processing device includes:
Receiving means for receiving, from the transmitting means, information on the consumables managed by the first managing means;
The second type of incentive when the information is received by the receiving means and the consumables managed by the first management means are collected by the second trader from the first trader; Second management means for managing information related to the first trader,
An information processing system comprising:
[0081]
[Embodiment 2]
The first information processing device includes:
A notification unit for notifying the customer of the first type of incentive,
The second information processing device includes:
The information processing system according to the first embodiment, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify the first information processing apparatus of a notification that the second type of incentive is given to the first trader.
[0082]
[Embodiment 3]
The first information processing apparatus further includes first input means for inputting a consumable item ID attached to the consumable item collected from a customer,
The transmitting unit transmits the consumable item ID input by the input unit to the second information processing apparatus;
The receiving means receives the consumable ID from the transmitting means,
The second managing means manages the consumable goods ID received by the receiving means in association with the first trader,
The second information processing device includes:
Second input means for inputting a consumable item ID given to the consumable item collected from the first trader;
Determining means for determining whether or not the consumable ID input by the second input means matches the consumable ID managed by the second management means;
Further having
The second management unit may manage the second type of incentive corresponding to the consumable item ID in association with the first trader when the consumable item ID is determined to match by the determination unit. The information processing system according to the first embodiment, which is characterized in that:
[0083]
[Embodiment 4]
The first input means and the second input means further input an incentive code attached to the consumable,
The first information processing device includes:
Means for deriving the first type of incentive to be provided to the customer from the incentive code,
The second information processing device includes:
The information processing system according to embodiment 3, further comprising: means for deriving the second type of incentive to be given to the customer from the incentive code.
[0084]
[Embodiment 5]
A program that realizes each unit included in the information processing system according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 4 by being executed by a computer.
[0085]
[Embodiment 6]
A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to the fifth embodiment.
[0086]
[Embodiment 7]
An information processing method used by a consumable goods collection company,
A receiving step of receiving information about consumables collected by another supplier from the other supplier,
A registration step of registering the information in a memory in association with the other trader;
A determination step of determining whether the information registered in the registration step and the consumable supply correspond to each other when consumable supplies are collected from the other supplier;
When it is determined that the corresponding in the determination step, to the other trader, a step of providing an incentive,
An information processing method comprising:
[0087]
[Embodiment 8]
An information processing device used in a consumables collection business,
Receiving means for receiving information about consumables collected by another supplier from the other supplier,
Registration means for registering the information in a memory in association with the other trader;
When consumables are collected from the other supplier, a determination unit that determines whether the information registered by the registration unit and the consumables correspond to each other,
Has,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the registration unit further registers an incentive in association with the other trader when the determination unit determines that the registration is supported.
[0088]
[Embodiment 9]
A program that realizes each unit included in the information processing apparatus according to the eighth embodiment by being executed by a computer.
[0089]
[Embodiment 10]
A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to the ninth embodiment.
[0090]
[Embodiment 11]
A first vendor that sells consumables and provides a first type of incentive to a customer who has purchased the consumables;
A second supplier that collects the consumables and provides a second type of incentive to a person who brought in the consumables;
An information processing method executed by
A first incentive granting step of granting the first type of incentive to the customer who brought in the consumables, when the first trader deposits a consumable from a customer;
A notification step of notifying the second supplier of information on the consumable that has been subjected to the incentive provision in the first incentive provision step,
When the notification of the information is given in the notifying step, and the second supplier collects the consumable from which the incentive was given in the first incentive giving step from the first supplier, the second A second incentive giving step of giving the kind of incentive to the first trader;
An information processing method comprising:
[0091]
[Embodiment 12]
A first vendor that sells consumables and provides a first type of incentive to a customer who has purchased the consumables;
A second supplier that collects the consumables and provides a second type of incentive to a person who brought in the consumables;
An information processing method executed by
A first registration step of registering information on the first type of incentive in association with the customer who brought in the consumables, when the first trader entrusts consumables from a customer;
A notification step of notifying the second trader of information about the consumable that has been registered in the first registration step,
When the information is notified in the notification step, and the consumables registered in the first registration step are collected by the second trader from the first trader, the second type A second registration step of registering information on incentives in association with the first trader;
An information processing method comprising:
[0092]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the collection of consumables can be further promoted.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an information processing system as an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an apparatus constituting the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing exchange of data and cartridges in the information processing system as an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process in a store server constituting the information processing system as the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process in a maker server included in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing contents of a database managed by a store server constituting the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the contents of a database managed by a store server constituting the information processing system as an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the contents of a database managed by a maker server constituting the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the contents of a database managed by a maker server constituting the information processing system as an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (1)

In order to provide a first type of incentive to a customer who has purchased the consumable item, a first dealer that sells the consumable item supplies information on the first type of incentive to the customer who purchased the consumable item. A first information processing device that is managed in association with
In order to provide a second type of incentive to a consumables provider who brought in the consumables, the second supplier that collects the consumables supplies the information on the second type of incentive to the consumables provider. A second information processing device that is managed in association with the
An information processing system including
The first information processing device includes:
A first management unit that manages information on the first type of incentive in association with the customer who brought in the consumable, when the first trader entrusts a consumable from a customer;
Transmitting means for transmitting information about the consumable item managed by the first management means to the second information processing apparatus;
Has,
The second information processing device includes:
Receiving means for receiving, from the transmitting means, information on the consumables managed by the first managing means;
The second type of incentive when the information is received by the receiving means and the consumables managed by the first management means are collected by the second trader from the first trader; Second management means for managing information related to the first trader,
An information processing system comprising:

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