JP6167082B2 - Sales promotion system using vending machines - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a sales promotion system using a vending machine.

  Management and operation of vending machines are generally left to vending machine operating companies entrusted by manufacturers who manufacture products sold by the vending machines. For this reason, the fact is that there is no way for manufacturers to implement sales promotions using vending machines.

  Conventionally, there has been proposed a vending machine provided with a sensor capable of communicating with a contactless card having an electronic money function in the vicinity of a product sample. In this vending machine, the user can select a product and pay for it only by bringing the contactless card close to a sensor corresponding to a desired product sample. Further, when a specific product is sold, sales promotion information such as a service point can be written on the contactless card.

JP 2003-006717 A

  The problem to be solved by the embodiment of the present invention is to provide a sales promotion system that can easily realize a sales promotion using a vending machine led by a manufacturer.

In one embodiment, a sales promotion system using a vending machine is managed by a vending machine, a portable terminal carried by a user who purchases a product from the vending machine, and a manufacturer of the product sold by the vending machine. Manufacturer server. The manufacturer server enables data communication via a network with vending machines and portable terminals. The portable terminal enables near field communication with the vending machine.
The vending machine is associated with each product to be sold, a plurality of detection units for detecting the purchase operation of the associated product, and a settlement unit for receiving a price input of the product for which the purchase operation is detected by the detection unit Each is provided with a short-range wireless communication chip.
The portable terminal includes first acquisition means and first transmission means. The first acquisition means acquires a part code for identifying the detection unit and a device code for identifying the vending machine by short-range wireless communication with the short-range wireless communication chip of the detection unit. The first transmission means transmits information related to the product associated with the detection unit identified by the part code acquired by the first acquisition means and the device code acquired by the first acquisition means to the portable terminal. Along with the terminal code to be identified, it is transmitted to the manufacturer server via the network.
The vending machine includes second acquisition means and second transmission means. A 2nd acquisition means acquires the terminal code which identifies the said portable terminal by short-distance wireless communication with the portable terminal by the short-distance wireless communication chip | tip of a payment part. The second transmission means transmits the terminal code acquired by the second acquisition means together with the device code for identifying the vending machine to the manufacturer server via the network.
The manufacturer server includes storage means, issuing means, and accumulating means. The storage means stores a record in which information, a device code, and a terminal code transmitted from the portable terminal via the network by the first transmission means are recorded. The issuing means purchases the product specified by the information of the record when the record in which the device code and the terminal code sent from the vending machine via the network are stored by the second transmitting means is stored. Issue service points for. The accumulating means accumulates the service points issued by the issuing means for each terminal code.

Schematic of a sales promotion system using a vending machine. The schematic diagram which shows the main data structures of the vending machine data record preserve | saved in the vending machine database of FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the main data structures of the goods data record preserve | saved at the goods database of FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the main data structures of the customer data record preserve | saved at the customer database of FIG. The schematic diagram which shows roughly the external appearance front of the vending machine in FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the same vending machine. The block diagram which shows the structure of the portable terminal in FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the maker server in FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the data structure of the data table memorize | stored in the auxiliary storage device of FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the data structure of the work record temporarily stored in RAM of FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the first half of an information processing procedure executed by the CPU of the mobile terminal in FIG. The flowchart which shows the second half part of the information processing procedure which CPU of the portable terminal in FIG. 7 performs. The flowchart which shows the first half of the information processing procedure which the vending machine controller of the vending machine in FIG. 6 performs. 7 is a flowchart showing the second half of the information processing procedure executed by the vending machine controller of the vending machine in FIG. The flowchart which shows the first half part of the information processing procedure which CPU of the maker server in FIG. 8 performs. The flowchart which shows the second half part of the information processing procedure which CPU of the maker server in FIG. 8 performs. The flowchart which shows the latter half part of the information processing procedure which the vending machine controller of a vending machine performs in 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the latter half part of the information processing procedure which the vending machine controller of a vending machine performs in 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a sales promotion system using a vending machine will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a vending machine that sells merchandise such as beverages is used, and the manufacturer of the merchandise promotes sales using a point service.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a sales promotion system 1 using a vending machine. The sales promotion system 1 includes a vending machine 2, a mobile terminal 3, a vending machine server 4, and a manufacturer server 5. And the sales promotion system 1 is constructed | assembled by connecting the vending machine 2, the portable terminal 3, the vending machine server 4, and the manufacturer server 5 to the communication networks 6, such as the internet.

  In the sales promotion system 1, the number of vending machines 2 is not particularly limited. Moreover, the area and place where the vending machine 2 is installed are not particularly limited. The management / operation system of the vending machine 2 is not particularly limited. It may be a vending machine 2 that is managed and operated by a dedicated operating company, or may be a vending machine 2 that is directly managed and operated by a manufacturer. In short, the connection environment with the communication network 6 is sufficient.

  The portable terminal 3 is an electronic device carried by each user (customer) who purchases a product from the vending machine 2. The mobile terminal 3 includes at least an input device, a display device, and a communication device. In addition, the mobile terminal 3 is mounted with an application program (hereinafter referred to as a vending machine point program) corresponding to a point service that is a sales promotion performed by the manufacturer using the vending machine 2. The vending machine point program can be installed in the mobile terminal 3 by accessing the maker server 5 via the communication network 6, for example. Such a portable terminal 3 may be an electronic device dedicated to this system, or a general-purpose electronic device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

  The vending machine server 4 is managed by an operating company of the vending machine 2, for example. For example, a business entity related to the construction of the sales promotion system 1 may manage the vending machine server 4 instead of the operating company.

  The vending machine server 4 has a function of accessing the vending machine database 7. The vending machine database 7 is formed, for example, in an auxiliary storage device built in the vending machine server 4. The vending machine server 4 may include an external interface (not shown), and the vending machine database 7 may be formed in a storage device connected via the external interface.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the vending machine data record 7R stored in the vending machine database 7. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the vending machine data record 7R includes a vending machine code (equipment code), the number N of price tags, and price tag information for the number N of price tags. Each vending machine 2 connected to the communication network 6 is assigned a unique vending machine code in advance as a device code for identifying the vending machine 2. The vending machine code in the vending machine data record 7R is a device code unique to each vending machine 2. In the vending machine database 7, vending machine data records 7R corresponding to the number of vending machines 2 are stored.

  The number N of price tags is the number of price tags 27 (see FIG. 6) provided in the vending machine 2 identified by the vending machine code in the same record 7R. The price tag 27 is associated with each product sold by the vending machine 2 and functions as a detection unit that detects a purchase operation of the associated product.

  The price tag information is information for each price tag 27. The price tag information includes a price tag code, a product code, a product name, a price tag price, a manufacturer address, and the like. A unique price tag code is assigned to each of the price tags 27 provided in one vending machine 2 as a part code for identifying the price tag 27. The price tag code in the price tag information is a part code unique to the price tag 27 provided in the vending machine 2 identified by the vending machine code in the same record 7R.

  The product code, the product name, the price tag price, and the manufacturer address are information on the product associated with the price tag 27 identified by the price tag code in the same price tag information. Each product is assigned a unique product code as an identification code. The product code in the price tag information is a product-specific identification code associated with the price tag 27. The product name is the name of the product identified by the product code, and the price tag price is the selling price of the product. The price tag price is set for each vending machine 2. Even for the same product, the price tag price may differ depending on the vending machine 2. The manufacturer address is a network address for accessing the manufacturer server 5 of the manufacturer that is the manufacturer of the product identified by the product code via the communication network 6. Each manufacturer server 5 is assigned a unique network address as a manufacturer address.

Returning to FIG.
The manufacturer server 5 is managed by the manufacturer of each product sold by the vending machine 2. The number of manufacturers is not limited to one. There are as many maker servers 5 as the number of manufacturers of products sold by the vending machine 2. By making the manufacturer address included in the price tag information common, a plurality of manufacturers can also manage by using one manufacturer server 5 in common.

  The manufacturer server 5 has a function of accessing the product database 8 and the customer database 9. The product database 8 and the customer database 9 are formed in an auxiliary storage device built in the manufacturer server 5, for example. The manufacturer server 5 may include an external interface (not shown), and the product database 8 and the customer database 9 may be formed in a storage device connected via the external interface.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a main data structure of the product data record 8R stored in the product database 8. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the product data record 8R includes a product code, a product name, a standard price, and a point Px. The definition of the product code and the product name is as described above. The standard price is a price set by the manufacturer of the product for the product identified by the product code in the same record 8R. The point is a service point set by the manufacturer of the product for the product identified by the product code in the same record 8R.

  For example, when a retail store promotes sales using point services, it is common to provide a customer with several percent of the sales price as service points. For this reason, it is desirable that the service points included in the product data record 8R are originally set based on the selling price. However, the price of a product sold by the vending machine 2 is usually determined by an operating company that manages and operates the vending machine 2. For this reason, even if it is the same product of the same manufacturer, the selling price is different. For example, there is a vending machine 2 that sells the same product at a standard price, and there is also a vending machine 2 that sells at a price different from the standard price. Therefore, a manufacturer that enters the sales promotion system 1 of the present embodiment sets a standard price of a product sold by the vending machine 2, and further sets a service point based on this standard price. Thus, the standard price and service point set for each product are incorporated into the product data record 8R.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a main data structure of the customer data record 9R stored in the customer database 9. As shown in FIG. 4, the customer data record 9R includes a customer code (terminal code) and a cumulative point Pm. A unique customer code is assigned to the user of the portable terminal 3 in advance as a terminal code for identifying the terminal 3. A unique customer code is determined by the manufacturer server 5 when the vending machine point program is installed in the portable terminal 3 of the customer code. When the mobile terminal 3 is a smartphone or a mobile phone, the manufacturer server 5 may determine the phone number as a customer code.

  The accumulated point Pm is an accumulated value of service points provided from the manufacturer of the manufacturer server 5 to the user specified by the customer code in the same record 9R. Each manufacturer predetermines a benefit rule such as discount for the accumulated points. The benefit rules may be determined by each manufacturer, or a benefit rule common to each manufacturer may be determined. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that each manufacturer commonly determines the following benefit rules.

・ Benefit rule: 10 points are discounted per 10 points of accumulated points Pm. However, the upper limit is 50 points (50 yen discount).

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the front of the exterior of the vending machine 2, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vending machine 2. As shown in FIG. 5, the vending machine 2 includes a product sample display unit 21, a product discharge port 22, a coin insertion port 23, a coin payment port 24, a bill insertion port 25, and a short-range wireless communication unit 26. Are provided on the front.

  A price tag 27 is arranged on the display unit 21 so as to correspond to a sample of each product sold by the vending machine 2. As shown in FIG. 6, each price tag 27 includes a display 27A and an NFC (Near Field Communication) chip 27B. The display device 27A is, for example, electronic paper. A color LED (liquid crystal display), a segment display, or the like can be used as the display 27A.

  The NFC chip 27B performs data communication conforming to the NFC standard with other NFC chip-equipped devices close to the price tag 27. The NFC standard method is not particularly limited. When the NFC chip 27B performs data communication with the NFC chip-equipped device, the vending machine 2 assumes that the sample product corresponding to the price tag 27 including the NFC chip 27B has been selected. Incidentally, a switch is provided on the back side of each price tag 27, and even when the price tag 27 is physically pressed, the price tag 27 detects a product purchase operation of a sample associated with the price tag 27. Note that the switch for detecting the purchase operation of the product may be provided separately from the price tag 27.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the vending machine 2 includes a product stocker 210 that accommodates each product, a drive unit 220 of the product stocker 210, a settlement unit 230, a communication device 240, and a vending machine controller 250. . The drive unit 220 operates a mechanism (not shown) for taking out the products stored in the product stocker 210 one by one and discharging them to the product discharge port 22.

  The settlement unit 230 receives a price input for a product for which a purchase operation has been detected via the price tag 27. The settlement unit 230 includes a short-range wireless communication unit 26 for accepting price input by electronic money. The short-range wireless communication unit 26 incorporates an NFC chip 261. The NFC chip 261 performs data communication conforming to the NFC standard with other NFC chip-equipped devices that are close to the short-range wireless communication unit 26.

  The settlement unit 230 includes a coin unit 231 and a bill unit 232 for accepting cash input. The coin unit 231 sorts the coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 23 into denominations and stores them in a safe (not shown). At this time, the coin unit 231 calculates the amount of the inserted coin and notifies the vending machine controller 250 of the amount data. When the coin unit 231 receives change data from the vending machine controller 250, the coin unit 231 picks up a coin corresponding to the change amount from the safe and pays it out to the coin payout outlet 24. The banknote unit 232 sorts banknotes inserted from the banknote insertion slot 25 into denominations and stores them in a safe (not shown). At this time, the bill unit 232 calculates the amount of the inserted bill and notifies the vending machine controller 250 of the amount data. When the bill unit 232 receives change data from the vending machine controller 250, the bill unit 232 picks up a bill corresponding to the change amount from the safe and pays it out to the bill insertion slot 25.

  The communication device 240 controls bidirectional data communication performed between the servers 4 and 5 via the communication network 6.

  The vending machine controller 250 includes computer parts such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The vending machine controller 250 controls the drive unit 220, the settlement unit 230, the communication device 240, and the display unit 21 to realize the function as the vending machine 2. The vending machine controller 250 stores the vending machine code unique to the vending machine 2 and the price tag code unique to each price tag 27 in the memory area.

  5 and 6 illustrate the vending machine 2 that sells five items of merchandise. In the present embodiment, the number of items sold by the vending machine 2 is not limited to five items. The number of items may be 4 items or less, or 6 items or more.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the mobile terminal 3. The mobile terminal 3 includes a CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, auxiliary storage device 34, touch panel 35, communication device 36, and NFC chip 37, which are connected by a bus line BL such as an address bus or a data bus.

  The CPU 31 corresponds to the central part of the computer. CPU31 controls each part in order to implement | achieve various functions as the portable terminal 3 according to an operating system or an application program.

  The ROM 32 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The ROM 32 stores the above operating system and application programs. The ROM 32 may store data necessary for the CPU 31 to execute processing for controlling each unit.

  The RAM 33 corresponds to a main storage part of the computer. The RAM 33 stores data necessary for the CPU 31 to execute processing. The RAM 33 is also used as a work area where information is appropriately rewritten by the CPU 31.

  The auxiliary storage device 34 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage device 34 is, for example, a flash memory card. The auxiliary storage device 34 stores data used when the CPU 31 performs various processes and data generated by the processes performed by the CPU 31. The auxiliary storage device 34 may store the above application program.

  The touch panel 35 is a device device in which a touch sensor as an input device is arranged on a screen of a panel type display as a display device.

  The communication device 36 controls bidirectional data communication performed between the servers 4 and 5 via the communication network 6.

  The NFC chip 37 performs data communication conforming to the NFC standard with other NFC chip-equipped devices close to the mobile terminal 3.

  The mobile terminal 3 having such a configuration stores electronic money balance data 341 in the auxiliary storage device 34. The mobile terminal 3 stores the customer code assigned to the user of the mobile terminal 3 in the auxiliary storage device 34.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the maker server 5. The manufacturer server 5 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, an auxiliary storage device 54, a clock unit 55, and a network interface 56, which are connected by a bus line BL such as an address bus and a data bus.

  The CPU 51 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The CPU 51 controls each unit in order to realize various functions as the manufacturer server 5 according to the operating system and application programs.

  The ROM 52 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The ROM 52 stores the above operating system and application programs. The ROM 52 may store data necessary for the CPU 51 to execute processing for controlling each unit.

  The RAM 53 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The RAM 53 stores data necessary for the CPU 51 to execute processing. The RAM 53 is also used as a work area where information is appropriately rewritten by the CPU 51.

  The auxiliary storage device 54 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage device 54 is, for example, an EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The auxiliary storage device 54 stores data used when the CPU 51 performs various processes, and data generated by the process in the CPU 51. The auxiliary storage device 54 may store the above application program.

The clock unit 55 measures the current date and time.
The network interface 56 controls bidirectional data communication with devices such as the portable terminal 3 and the vending machine 2 via the communication network 6.

  The manufacturer server 5 having such a configuration stores the data table 57 having the data structure shown in FIG. 9 in the auxiliary storage device 54. The data table 57 includes a vending machine code area and a refund amount area, and a vending machine code unique to the vending machine 2 is set in the vending machine code area. The initial value of the refund amount area corresponding to each vending machine code is “0”.

  The manufacturer server 5 temporarily stores the work record 58 having the data structure shown in FIG. The work record 58 includes data of customer code, vending machine code, product code, price tag price, standard price, issue point P, discount amount, and usage point Py.

  The vending machine server 4 is not shown, but its components are the same as or similar to the manufacturer server 5.

  11 and 12 are flowcharts showing the main part of the information processing procedure executed by the CPU 31 of the portable terminal 3. 13 and 14 are flowcharts showing the main part of the information processing procedure executed by the vending machine controller 250 of the vending machine 2. 15 and 16 are flowcharts showing the main part of the information processing procedure executed by the CPU 51 of the manufacturer server 5. Hereinafter, the operation of the system 1 when the user of the mobile terminal 3 purchases a product from the vending machine 2 will be described with reference to these flowcharts.

  A user who purchases a product from the vending machine 2 activates a vending machine point program installed in the mobile terminal 3. Then, based on this vending machine point program, CPU31 of the portable terminal 3 starts the process shown to the flowchart of FIG.11 and FIG.12. First, the CPU 31 turns off the discount flag F1 (Act1). The discount flag F1 is information for identifying whether or not discount is applied, and is stored in the RAM 33. In the present embodiment, the discount flag F1 is turned off when the discount is not applied, and the discount flag F1 is turned on when the discount is applied.

  The user who has started the vending machine point program brings the mobile terminal 3 closer to the price tag 27 corresponding to the sample of the product to be purchased among the price tags 27 arranged on the display unit 21 of the vending machine 2. Then, data communication conforming to the NFC standard is performed between the NFC chip 37 mounted on the portable terminal 3 and the NFC chip 27B mounted on the price tag 27.

  After turning off the price tag flag F1, the CPU 31 of the portable terminal 3 waits for data communication with the NFC chip 27B to start (Act 2). When data communication is started (YES in Act 2), the CPU 31 acquires a vending machine code (device code) and a price tag code (part code) transmitted from the vending machine 2 by this data communication (Act 3: No. 2). 1 acquisition means).

On the other hand, the vending machine controller 250 waits for the NFC chip 27B mounted on any price tag 27 to start data communication with the NFC chip 37 mounted on the mobile terminal 3, as shown in FIG. (Act21). When the mobile terminal 3 is brought close to any price tag 27, the NFC chip 27B of the price tag starts data communication with the NFC chip 37 of the mobile terminal 3. When data communication is started (YES in Act 21), the vending machine controller 250 stores the selection number assigned in advance to the price tag 27 that mounts the NFC chip 27B that started the data communication in the memory in the vending machine controller 250. Store in the area (Act 22). The vending machine controller 250 reads the vending machine code of the vending machine 2 and the price tag code of the price tag 27 from the memory area, and notifies the NFC chip 37 of the mobile terminal 3 via the NFC chip 27B that has started data communication. (Act 23).
Note that the processing order of Act22 and Act23 is not limited to this embodiment. The process of Act23 may be executed first, and the process of Act22 may be executed later.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 31 of the mobile terminal 3 that has acquired the vending machine code and the price tag code from the vending machine 2 establishes a communication line with the vending machine server 4 via the communication device 36. When the communication line with the vending machine server 4 is established, the CPU 31 transmits the vending machine code and the price tag code acquired from the vending machine 2 to the vending machine server 4 via the communication network 6 (Act 4).

  Although not shown, the vending machine server 4 that has received the vending machine code and the price tag code from the portable terminal 3 that has established the communication line accesses the vending machine database 7. The vending machine server 4 detects price tag information including the same price tag code from the vending machine data record 7R including the same vending machine code. The vending machine server 4 transmits the detected price tag information via the communication network 6 to the mobile terminal 3 having a communication line established. When the transmission is finished, the vending machine server disconnects the communication line with the mobile terminal 3.

The CPU 31 of the mobile terminal 3 that has established a communication line with the vending machine server 4 in Act 4 acquires price tag information sent from the vending machine server 4 (Act 5). Further, the CPU 31 detects a customer code from the auxiliary storage device 34 (Act 6).
Note that the processing order of Act5 and Act6 is not limited to this embodiment. The process of Act6 may be executed first, and the process of Act5 may be executed later.

  CPU31 of the portable terminal 3 which acquired price tag information detects a manufacturer address from the price tag information. Then, the CPU 31 establishes a communication line with the manufacturer server 5 specified by the manufacturer address via the communication device 36. If the communication line with the maker server 5 is established, the CPU 31 sends the vending machine code, price tag information (information on the product) and customer code (terminal code) acquired by the processing of Act3, Act5 and Act6 via the communication network 6. To the maker server 5 (Act7: first transmission means).

  As shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 51 of the manufacturer server 5 waits for the establishment of a communication line with the portable terminal 3 (Act 41). When the communication line with the mobile terminal 3 is established (YES in Act 41), the CPU 51 acquires the vending machine code, price tag information, and customer code sent from the mobile terminal 3 (Act 42). Subsequently, the CPU 51 acquires a product code and a price tag price from the price tag information (Act 43).

  The CPU 51 determines whether or not the product identified by the product code acquired in the process of Act 43 is a point service benefit target (Act 44: determination means). Specifically, the CPU 51 accesses the product database 8 and takes in a product data record 8R in which the same product code is set. Then, the CPU 51 acquires a standard price from the record 8R, and compares this standard price with the price tag price acquired by the processing of Act43. As a result, when the price tag price is less than 90% of the standard price, for example, the CPU 51 recognizes that the price tag price is not eligible. When the price tag price is 90% or more of the standard price, for example, the CPU 51 recognizes that the price tag price is the benefit target.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the price (price price) of a product sold by the vending machine 2 is discounted to a certain ratio or more with respect to the standard price of the product, the manufacturer implements it. Not eligible for point service. In other words, for a product whose price tag price is not discounted to a certain ratio or more with respect to the standard price, a service point is issued from the manufacturer to the user who purchased the product from the vending machine 2.

  In the case of the benefit target (YES in Act 44), the CPU 51 sets the point Px of the product data record 8R as the service point P (Act 45). If it is not eligible for the benefit (NO in Act 44), the CPU 51 sets “0” as the service point P (Act 46).

  After the Act 45 or Act 46 processing, the CPU 51 accesses the customer database 9 and takes in a customer data record including the customer code acquired in Act 42 processing. Then, the CPU 51 acquires the accumulated point Pm from this record 9R (Act47). If the accumulated point Pm is acquired, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the discount by the accumulated point Pm is possible based on the benefit rule (Act48). Specifically, the CPU 51 checks whether or not the accumulated point Pm is 10 points or more. When the accumulated point Pm is 10 points or more, the CPU 51 determines that discounting is possible. When the accumulated point Pm is less than 10 points, the CPU 51 determines that the discount is not possible.

  When it is determined that the discount is possible (YES in Act 48), the CPU 51 determines the discount amount from the accumulated point Pm (Act 49: determination means). That is, when the accumulated point Pm is 10 to 19 points, the CPU 51 determines a discount amount of 10 yen. In the case of 20 to 29 points, the CPU 51 determines a discount amount of 20 yen. In the case of 30 to 39 points, the CPU 51 determines a discount amount of 30 yen. In the case of 40 to 49 points, the CPU 51 determines a discount amount of 40 yen. In the case of 50 points or more, the CPU 51 determines a discount amount of 50 yen.

  If the discount amount is determined, the CPU 51 transmits the service point P and the discount amount to the mobile terminal 3 with which the communication line is established (Act 50: third transmission means, fourth transmission means). When the transmission is finished, the CPU 51 disconnects the line with the portable terminal 3.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the discount is not possible (NO in Act 48), the CPU 51 transmits only the service point P to the mobile terminal 3 where the communication line is established (Act 51: third transmission means). ). When the transmission is finished, the CPU 51 disconnects the line with the portable terminal 3.

  After the processing of Act 50 or Act 51, the CPU 51 creates a work record 58 and stores it in the RAM 53 (Act 52: storage means). In this work record 58, the customer code, the vending machine code, the product code, and the discount price are data acquired from the mobile terminal 3 by the processing of Act42. The standard price is data acquired from the product database 8 by the process of Act44. The issue point is data P obtained by the processing of Act45 or Act46. The discount amount is data determined in the process of Act49. The use point Py is “0” at this time. When it is determined that the discount is not possible in the process of Act 48, the discount amount of the work record 58 is “0”.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 31 of the mobile terminal 3 that communicated with the manufacturer server 5 in Act 7 confirms whether or not the service point P sent from the manufacturer server 5 is greater than “0” (Act 8). . When the service point P is larger than “0” (YES in Act 8), the CPU 31 displays the service point P on the touch panel 35 (Act 9: first display means). When service point P is “0” (NO in Act 8), CPU 31 does not execute Act 9. Accordingly, when a service point P is issued from the manufacturer of the product when purchasing the product with the vending machine 2, the user can check the service point P via the touch panel 35 of the mobile terminal 3.

  Next, the CPU 31 confirms whether or not discount data has been sent from the maker server 5 (Act 10). When the discount amount data is sent (YES in Act 10), the CPU 31 displays the discount amount on the touch panel 35 (Act 11: second display means). At this time, the touch panel 35 also displays a button image for allowing the user to select whether or not to receive the discount amount. The CPU 31 waits for an input as to whether or not to receive a discount (Act12: accepting means). When discounting is selected by touch input to touch panel 35 (YES in Act 12), CPU 31 turns on discount flag F1 (Act 13).

  On the other hand, when it is selected that no discount is selected by touch input to the touch panel 35 (NO in Act 12), the CPU 31 does not execute the process of Act 13. If no discount data is sent from the maker server 5 (NO in Act 10), the processes of Act 11 to Act 13 are not executed. That is, in any case, the discount flag F1 remains off.

  As described above, when a user purchases a product with the vending machine 2 and the accumulated point Pm of the service points P given by the manufacturer of the product is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the discount is applied to the touch panel 35 of the mobile terminal 3. Is displayed. Further, a button image for selecting whether or not to receive the discount by the discount amount is also displayed on the touch panel 35. Therefore, the user decides whether or not to receive a discount and touches the corresponding button image.

  Therefore, when the vending machine 2 purchases a product, the user can confirm the discount amount via the touch panel 35 of the mobile terminal 3 when the manufacturer can receive a discount from the accumulated point Pm. In addition, the user can arbitrarily select whether or not to discount. Furthermore, the user can convert the accumulated points that have not been used for discounting into points that can be used at a store affiliated with the manufacturer by using a command of the vending machine point program.

  In this way, the user who confirms the service point P issued by the manufacturer and, if the discount by the manufacturer can be confirmed, confirms the discount amount and selects whether to discount or not. move on. In the present embodiment, a user who purchases a product using the mobile terminal 3 makes a payment with the electronic money that the mobile terminal 3 has. That is, the user brings the mobile terminal 3 that has been close to the price tag 27 close to the short-range wireless communication unit 26. Then, data communication conforming to the NFC standard is performed between the NFC chip 37 mounted on the portable terminal 3 and the NFC chip 261 built in the short-range wireless communication unit 26.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 31 of the portable terminal 3 waits for the start of data communication with the NFC chip 261 (Act 14). When data communication is started (YES in Act 14), the CPU 31 notifies the NFC chip 261 of the customer code, the price tag information, and the discount flag F1 via the NFC chip 37 (Act 15).

  As shown in FIG. 13, the vending machine controller 250 that has notified the mobile terminal 3 of the vending machine code and the price tag code in Act 23 starts data communication between the NFC chip 261 and the NFC chip 37 of the mobile terminal 3. (Act 24). When the portable terminal 3 is brought close to the short-range wireless communication unit 26, the NFC chip 261 of the short-range wireless communication unit 26 starts data communication with the NFC chip 37 mounted on the portable terminal 3. When the data communication is started (YES in Act 24), the vending machine controller 250 acquires the customer code, price tag information, and discount flag F1 (selection information) notified from the mobile terminal 3 through this NFC communication (Act 25: Second acquisition means). The vending machine controller 250 detects the vending machine code from the memory area (Act 26).

  The vending machine controller 250 detects the manufacturer address from the price tag information acquired by the processing of Act 25. Then, the vending machine controller 250 establishes a communication line with the manufacturer server 5 specified by the manufacturer address via the communication device 240. If the communication line with the maker server 5 is established, the vending machine controller 250 transmits the customer code, the vending machine code, and the discount flag F1 acquired by the processing of Act 25 and Act 26 to the maker server 5 (Act 27: second transmission). means).

  The CPU 51 of the manufacturer server 5 that created the work record 58 in Act 52 waits for the establishment of a communication line with the vending machine 2 (Act 53). When the communication line is established (YES in Act 52), the CPU 51 acquires the customer code, vending machine code, and discount flag F1 sent from the vending machine 2 (Act 54).

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 16, the CPU 51 detects a work record 58 including the customer code and the vending machine code acquired in the process of Act 54 (Act 55). Further, the CPU 58 checks the discount flag F1 acquired in the process of Act 54 (Act 56). When the discount flag F1 is off (NO in Act 56), the CPU 51 determines the price tag price included in the work record 58 as the selling price (Act 57).

On the other hand, when the price tag flag F1 is on (YES in Act 58), the CPU 51 uses the price obtained by subtracting the discount amount included in the work record 58 from the price tag price included in the work record 58 as the sales price. Determine (Act 58). Further, the point corresponding to the discount amount is recorded in the work record 58 as the use point Py (Act 59). That is, if the discount amount is 10 yen, the use point Py is 10 points. If the discount amount is 20 yen, the use point Py is 20 points. The same applies to discounts of ¥ 30, ¥ 40, and ¥ 50.
After performing the processing of Act 57 or Act 59, the CPU 51 transmits sales price data to the vending machine 2 with which the communication line is established (Act 60: fifth transmission means).

  As shown in FIG. 13, the vending machine controller 250 of the vending machine 2 that established the communication line with the manufacturer server 5 in Act 27 waits for the sales price data to be sent from the manufacturer server 5 (Act 28). . If the sales price data is received (YES in Act 28), as shown in FIG. 14, the vending machine controller 250 makes a balance request to the mobile terminal 3 via the NFC chip 261 (Act 29).

  As shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 31 of the portable terminal 3 that has transmitted the customer code, price tag information, and discount flag F1 to the vending machine 2 in Act 15 waits for a balance request from the vending machine 2 (Act 16). If a balance request is received via NFC chip 37 (YES in Act 16), CPU 31 reads balance data 341 of electronic money stored in auxiliary storage device 34. Then, the CPU 31 notifies the balance data 341 to the vending machine 2 via the NFC chip 37 (Act 17).

  As shown in FIG. 14, the vending machine controller 250 of the vending machine 2 that has made a balance request at Act 29 checks whether or not the balance data 341 notified from the portable terminal 3 is insufficient with respect to the sales price. (Act30).

  When the balance data 341 is not insufficient (NO in Act 30), the vending machine controller 250 calculates the balance data 341n after the product purchase by subtracting the sales price from the balance data 341 (Act 31). Then, the vending machine controller 250 notifies the mobile terminal 3 of the new balance data 341n via the NFC chip 261 (Act 32). Further, the vending machine controller 250 controls the drive unit 220 to discharge the product of the product stocker 210 specified by the selection number stored in the process of Act 22 to the product discharge port 22 (Act 33: sales means). Further, the vending machine controller 250 sets the settlement status ST indicating the status of settlement to “1” (Act 34). Incidentally, in this embodiment, “1” of the settlement status ST represents that the settlement has been established. Note that the order of processing of Act32 to Act34 is not limited to the present embodiment. The order of processing of Act32 to Act34 can be changed as appropriate.

  On the other hand, when the balance data 341 is insufficient with respect to the sales price (YES in Act 30), the vending machine controller 250 notifies the mobile terminal 3 of the shortage of balance via the NFC chip 261 (Act 35). The vending machine controller 250 sets the settlement status ST to “9” (Act 36). Incidentally, in the present embodiment, “9” of the settlement status ST represents that the settlement has not been established. Note that the order of processing of Act 35 and Act 36 is not limited to the present embodiment. The process of Act35 may be executed first, and the process of Act36 may be executed later.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 31 of the mobile terminal 3 that has notified the balance data 341 to the vending machine 2 in Act 17 waits for a response from the vending machine 2 (Act 18). If the response from the vending machine 2 is a response notifying the new balance data 341n (NO in Act 18), the CPU 31 stores the balance data of the electronic money stored in the auxiliary storage device 34. 341 is rewritten to the new balance data 341n (Act 19). On the other hand, if the response from the vending machine 2 is a response notifying that the balance is insufficient (YES in Act 18), the CPU 31 notifies the user that the balance of electronic money is insufficient ( Act 20). For example, the CPU 31 causes the touch panel 35 to display a message indicating insufficient balance. This completes the information processing of the CPU 31 according to the vending machine point program.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the vending machine controller 250 of the vending machine 2 in which the settlement status ST is set to “1” or “9” in the process of Act 34 or Act 36 is connected to the manufacturer via the communication device 240. The settlement status ST is transmitted to the server 5 (Act 37). This completes the information processing of the vending machine controller 250.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the CPU 51 of the maker server 5 that has transmitted the sales price data to the vending machine 2 in Act 59 waits for the settlement status ST to be sent from the vending machine 2 (Act 61). . If data “1” is sent as the settlement status ST (YES in Act 61), the CPU 51 searches the customer database 9 with the customer code included in the work record 58 detected in the process of Act 55. . Then, the CPU 51 adds the issue point P included in the work record 58 to the accumulated point Pm of the customer data record 9R in which the same customer code is set, and subtracts the used point Py (Act62: accumulating unit). With this process, a service point determined by the manufacturer of the product is given to a user who purchased the product with the vending machine 2 using the mobile terminal 3. In addition, when the benefit of discount is received, the cumulative point Pm decreases accordingly. That is, the user can receive a point service provided by the manufacturer.

  Further, the CPU 51 calculates the difference between the standard price included in the work record 58 and the price tag price (Act 63). Then, the CPU 51 confirms whether or not the difference is 0 yen or more (Act 64). If the difference is negative (NO in Act 64), the CPU 51 sets the difference to “0” (Act 65).

  If the difference is 0 yen or more in Act 63 (YES in Act 64) or if the difference is set to “0” in Act 65, the CPU 51 automatically subtracts the difference from the discount included in the work record 58 to automatically The amount returned to the vending machine 2 is calculated (Act 66).

  The CPU 51 searches the data table 57 with the vending machine code included in the work record 58. Then, the CPU 51 adds the return amount calculated by the processing of Act 65 to the return amount data of the area where the same vending machine code is set (Act 67). Thereafter, the CPU 51 deletes the work record 58 (Act 68).

  On the other hand, when data “9” is sent as the settlement status ST in Act 61 (NO in Act 61), the CPU 51 deletes the work record 58 without executing the processes in Act 62 to Act 67. (Act68). This completes the information processing of the CPU 51 in the manufacturer server 5.

  When the difference calculated in the process of Act 63 is 0 yen, the product purchased by the user with the vending machine 2 is sold at the standard price set by the manufacturer of the product. On the other hand, when the difference is larger than 0 yen, the product is sold at a price discounted from the standard price. When the difference is smaller than 0 yen, the product is sold at a price that is higher than the standard price.

  For the products sold at the standard price in the vending machine 2 and the products sold at an additional price, the manufacturer refunds the discount due to the manufacturer as it is to the operating company of the vending machine 2. On the other hand, for products sold at a discounted price from the standard price on the vending machine 2, the manufacturer gives the discount to the operating company of the vending machine 2 from the discount amount provided by the manufacturer. Reduce and refund.

  The manufacturer can easily cope with the operation related to the above-mentioned sales promotion cost only by referring to the data in the data table 57.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, when a user purchases a product from the vending machine 2 using the mobile terminal 3, the payment is limited to electronic money. In the second embodiment, cash settlement is also possible. For that purpose, the processing procedure shown in FIG. 12 is changed into the processing procedure shown in FIG. 17 among the information processing which CPU31 of the portable terminal 3 performs according to a vending machine point program. Further, among the information processing executed by the vending machine controller 250 of the vending machine 2, the processing procedure shown in FIG. 14 is changed to the processing procedure shown in FIG. In the information processing executed by the vending machine controller 250, a payment flag F2 described later is added to the information received in the processing of Act 25 shown in FIG.

  That is, when the processing procedure shown in FIG. 11 is completed, the CPU 31 of the portable terminal 3 displays a payment method selection screen on the touch panel 35 as shown in FIG. 17 (Act 71). On this screen, a button image for selecting whether to pay for the goods purchased by the vending machine 2 with electronic money or with cash is displayed. The user then decides the payment method and touches the corresponding button.

  The CPU 31 waits for a payment method to be selected (Act 72). When electronic money is selected, the CPU 31 turns on the payment flag F2 (Act 73). When cash is selected, the CPU 31 turns off the payment flag F2 (Act74). The payment flag F2 is information for identifying whether the payment method is cash or electronic money. In this embodiment, the payment flag F2 is turned off for cash, and the payment flag F2 is turned on for electronic money.

  After Act 73 or Act 74, the CPU 31 waits for data communication with the NFC chip 261 to start (Act 75). When the data communication is started (YES in Act 75), the CPU 31 notifies the NFC chip 261 of the customer code, the price tag information, the discount flag F1, and the payment flag F2 via the NFC chip 37 (Act 76).

  The vending machine controller 250 that has notified the mobile terminal 3 of the vending machine code and the price tag code in the process of Act 23 in FIG. 13 waits for the NFC chip 261 to start data communication with the NFC chip 37 of the mobile terminal 3. (Act24). When the data communication is started (YES in Act 24), the vending machine controller 250 acquires the customer code, price tag information, discount flag F1, and payment flag F2 notified from the mobile terminal 3 by NFC communication (Act 25). ). The vending machine controller 250 detects the vending machine code from the memory area (Act 26). Then, the vending machine controller 250 establishes a communication line with the maker server 5 specified by the maker address detected from the price tag information acquired in the process of Act 25, and sends the customer code, the vending machine code, and the discount flag F1 to the maker server 5. Transmit (Act27).

  Thereafter, if sales price data is received from manufacturer server 5 (YES in Act 28), as shown in FIG. 18, vending machine controller 250 checks payment flag F2 acquired in the processing of Act 25 (Act 81).

  When payment flag F2 is off (NO in Act 81), the payment method is cash. In this case, the vending machine controller 250 calculates the total amount (injection amount) of bills and coins inserted from the bill insertion slot 25 and the coin insertion slot 23, and waits for the insertion amount to be equal to or higher than the selling price (Act82). . If the input amount is equal to or greater than the selling price (Act 82), the vending machine controller 250 executes the processes of Acts 33, 34, and 37 described above.

  On the other hand, when the payment flag F2 is ON (YES in Act 81), the payment method is electronic money. In this case, the vending machine controller 250 executes the processes of Act30 to Act37 described above.

  Thus, according to the second embodiment, not only electronic money but also cash can be used as a payment method when a user purchases a product from the vending machine 2 using the mobile terminal 3. And even if which payment method is employ | adopted, a user can receive the point service by a maker. Further, the user can receive a discount benefit based on accumulated points when purchasing a product from the vending machine 2. Therefore, the sales promotion using the vending machine 2 led by the manufacturer is possible.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
In the embodiment, the price tag code is set for the price tag 27 of the vending machine 2. The vending machine controller 250 notifies the mobile terminal 3 brought close to the price tag 27 of the vending machine code and the price tag code by NFC communication.

  In another embodiment, discount information (a price tag code, a product code, a product name, a price tag price, a manufacturer address, etc.) managed in the vending machine database 7 is set for the price tag 27. Then, the vending machine controller 250 notifies the vending machine code and the price tag information to the portable terminal 3 brought close to the price tag 27 by NFC communication. By doing so, the process in which the portable terminal 3 communicates with the vending machine server 4 and obtains discount information can be omitted. Furthermore, the vending machine server 4 and the vending machine database 7 can be omitted from the system 1.

  In the embodiment, the CPU 51 of the manufacturer server 5 determines the price tag price included in the work record 58 as the selling price when the discount flag F1 is OFF in the processing of Act 56 (NO in Act 56) (Act 57). . Then, the CPU 51 transmits the sales price data to the vending machine 2 in which the communication line is established (Act 60).

  In another embodiment, when the discount flag F1 is off, the CPU 51 transmits information indicating that the product is sold at the price tag price to the vending machine 2 in which the communication line is established. Upon receiving this information, the vending machine 2 causes the product outlet 22 to discharge the product associated with the price tag 27 when the price tag price set in the price tag 27 is entered.

  In addition, although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sales promotion system, 2 ... Vending machine, 3 ... Portable terminal, 4 ... Vending machine server, 5 ... Manufacturer server, 6 ... Communication network, 7 ... Vending machine database, 8 ... Merchandise database, 9 ... Customer database, 21 ... Display 26: Short-range wireless communication unit, 27: Price tag, 27B, 261, 37 ... NFC chip, 230 ... Settlement unit, 240,36 ... Communication device, 259 ... Vending machine controller, 31,51 ... CPU, 57 ... Data table , 58 ... Work record.

Claims (5)

A vending machine; a portable terminal carried by a user who purchases a product from the vending machine; and a manufacturer server managed by a manufacturer of the product sold by the vending machine. The vending machine and the portable terminal are capable of data communication via a network, and the portable terminal is a sales promotion system using a vending machine capable of short-range wireless communication with the vending machine. ,
The vending machine is associated with each product to be sold, detects a purchase operation of the associated product, and inputs the price of the product for which the purchase operation is detected by the detection unit. Each settlement unit that accepts a short-range wireless communication chip,
The portable terminal includes first acquisition means for acquiring a part code for identifying the detection unit and a device code for identifying the vending machine by short-range wireless communication with the short-range wireless communication chip of the detection unit. The portable terminal is identified by information related to the product associated with the detection unit identified by the part code acquired by the first acquisition unit and the device code acquired by the first acquisition unit. A first transmission means for transmitting to the manufacturer server via the network together with a terminal code;
The vending machine includes: a second acquisition unit configured to acquire the terminal code for identifying the portable terminal by short-range wireless communication with the portable terminal by the short-range wireless communication chip of the settlement unit; A second transmitting means for transmitting the terminal code acquired by the acquiring means together with the device code for identifying the vending machine to the manufacturer server via the network;
The manufacturer server includes a storage unit that stores the information, the device code, and the record that records the terminal code transmitted from the portable terminal via the network by the first transmission unit, and the second A service for purchasing a product specified by the information in the record when the device code and the terminal code sent from the vending machine via the network are stored by a transmission means Accumulating means for accumulating points for each terminal code;
A sales promotion system characterized by comprising: The manufacturer server sends the service point issued for the purchase of the product specified by the information sent from the portable terminal via the network by the first sending means via the network. Further comprising a third transmission means for transmitting to the portable terminal,
The sales promotion system according to claim 1, wherein the portable terminal further includes first display means for displaying the service point transmitted from the manufacturer server by the third transmission means. The information includes a sales price of the product specified by the information at the vending machine,
The manufacturer server obtains the service point from the sales price included in the information sent from the portable terminal via the network by the first transmission means and a standard price of a product specified by the information. The sales promotion system according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines whether or not to issue. The manufacturer server determines a discount amount from the accumulated value of the service points accumulated by the accumulating unit corresponding to the terminal code transmitted from the portable terminal via the network by the first transmitting unit. And a fourth transmission means for transmitting the discount amount determined by the determination means to the mobile terminal via the network,
4. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, further comprising a second display unit that displays the discount amount sent from the manufacturer server by the fourth transmission unit. 5. The sales promotion system according to item 1. The portable terminal further includes a receiving unit that receives a selection input as to whether or not to receive the discount of the discount amount displayed by the second display unit,
The second acquisition unit of the vending machine further acquires selection information received by the reception unit by short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal,
The second transmission means of the vending machine further transmits the selection information to the manufacturer server via the network;
The maker server indicates to the vending machine via the network when the selection information sent from the vending machine via the network by the second transmission means receives the discount. Fifth transmission means for transmitting the price discounted by the discount amount,
When the discounted price is received from the manufacturer server by the fifth transmission means, the vending machine purchases at the detection unit according to the price input of the discounted price at the settlement unit. 5. The sales promotion system according to claim 4, further comprising sales means for selling a product for which an operation has been detected.