JP6695924B2 - Point management system and point management method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides a point management system including a vending machine capable of short-distance communication with a mobile terminal having a communication function, and a management server capable of communicating with the mobile terminal via a network, and a short distance to the mobile terminal. The present invention relates to a point management method using a vending machine capable of communication and a management server capable of communicating with the mobile terminal via a network, and a point management program usable for the mobile terminal used in the point management system. ..

  In recent years, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-53922 (Patent Document 1) proposes, for the purpose of sales promotion, to give points to a purchaser for a beverage or the like purchased at an automatic vending machine. Specifically, it enables short-distance communication with vending machines that sell beverages, etc., and allows mobile terminals such as smartphones to acquire information on products purchased at the vending machines via short-distance communication, and manages points for each user. It has been proposed to add points according to the price of the purchased product to the holding points of the user stored in the management server through communication between the management server and the mobile terminal.

JP, 2016-53922, A

  However, in Patent Document 1, the points to be added are determined according to the price of the product, and there is no differentiation between the product types, and the promotion of a specific type of product such as the sale of a new product. Was insufficient when trying to do.

  Therefore, a point management system, a point management method, and a point management program that are effective in promoting sales of a specific product are desired.

The point management system according to the present invention is
A point management system comprising: a vending machine capable of short-distance communication with a mobile terminal having a communication function; and a management server capable of communicating with the mobile terminal via a network,
The vending machine is
A short-range communication unit capable of short-range communication with the mobile terminal,
A vending machine control unit configured to cause the short-range communication unit to transmit product information regarding a product purchased by a user to the mobile terminal in communication with the short-range communication unit;
The management server is
From the mobile terminal, a communication unit that receives the identification information for identifying the mobile terminal and the product information,
A storage unit that stores the points owned by each user for each user,
A point addition unit that, when receiving the product information, adds points to the possessed points of the user identified by the identification information, which is stored in the storage unit, and stores the added points in the storage unit. ,,
The point adding unit specifies a type of product based on the product information and adds different points according to the specified type of product.

  In this configuration, since the management server obtains the product information regarding the product to be purchased from the vending machine via the mobile terminal and provides the difference in points to be added according to the type of the product specified from the product information, It is possible to provide a point difference between a specific product that is to be sold, such as a product that is about to be sold, and a specific product that is to be sold, and another product. As a result, it is possible to effectively promote sales of a specific product.

  As one aspect, it is preferable that the point addition unit adds different points according to the type of product, based on the degree of contribution to the user's health for each type of product.

  In recent years, products that contribute to the health of users, such as foods for specified health uses, which have certain effects on human health, are being sold. According to this configuration, the types of products contribute to the health of users. Since the difference is added to the points to be added depending on the degree, it is possible to effectively promote the sale of the product that contributes to the health of the user. In particular, by performing the above-mentioned configuration in a vending machine that is often used by users who are not interested in health, it is possible to give users who are not interested in health an opportunity to purchase foods for specified health purposes, It is possible to raise interest in health and raise awareness.

  As one aspect, the management server converts points of another point service into points stored in the storage unit and stores the points in the storage unit according to an instruction from a user transmitted from the mobile terminal. Point conversion for adding to the points held by the user, or subtracting all or part of the points held by the user stored in the storage unit, and converting the subtracted points to points for another point service It is preferable to include a part.

  According to this configuration, the effect of sales promotion can be further enhanced by linking with another point service. In particular, if there is a gap in the points to be added according to the degree of contribution to health, it will be linked to other point services that give points related to health, and the difference in points will be fixed according to a certain purpose. If provided, by linking with other point services related to the purpose, it is possible to further improve the user's interest and awareness of the purpose (health, etc.). On the other hand, since it is possible to further promote the sale of products related to the purpose, and to newly incorporate users who use other point services, it is extremely effective.

  As one aspect, it is preferable that the point addition unit adds different points by combining the type of product and other conditions.

  According to this configuration, more flexible sales promotion can be performed by combining with other conditions.

  As one aspect, the point addition unit acquires time information regarding time when a product is purchased, and sets a purchase time for the predetermined product type as a purchase condition specified from the time information with the purchase time as the other condition. It is preferable to add different points accordingly.

  With this configuration, it is possible to carry out more flexible sales promotion, such as increasing the points to be added by purchasing a specific product at a specific time, and more effectively promoting a specific type of product. It can be carried out.

  As one aspect, in addition to the product information, the communication unit receives, as the other condition, location information about the installation location of the vending machine from the mobile terminal, and the point addition unit sets the predetermined product type. With regard to, regarding the installation location as the other condition, it is preferable to add different points according to the installation location specified from the location information.

  With this configuration, especially points are given to users in specific areas and users (employees, workers, students, etc.) who frequently use specific buildings / facilities (company buildings, factories, schools, etc.). More flexible sales promotion such as addition can be performed, and sales promotion for a specific type of product can be performed more effectively.

  As one aspect, the vending machine control unit specifies the user when the short-range communication unit receives, from the mobile terminal in the communication state, purchase information indicating that the user-specified product is to be purchased with the owned points in consideration. The commodity purchase process for discharging the commodity from the vending machine can be executed, and the management server receives consumption information indicating that the communication unit consumes points corresponding to the commodity designated by the user from the mobile terminal. In this case, it is preferable to include a point consuming unit that subtracts points corresponding to the product designated by the user from the possessed points of the user stored in the storage unit.

  With this configuration, it is possible to consume points and purchase products, and since the points accumulated by purchasing products from the vending machine can be used in the vending machine, it is easy to use points and sales promotion of the product is possible. Can be done effectively. Further, in the above configuration, since the product is discharged from the vending machine only by an instruction from the mobile terminal, convenience for the user can be improved.

  As one aspect, the vending machine control unit transmits to the mobile terminal, in response to a request from the mobile terminal, sales merchandise information, which is information on a merchandise sold by the vending machine, to the short-range communication unit. It is preferable to do so.

  According to this configuration, since it is possible to display only the product suitable for the vending machine to be used on the mobile terminal, it is possible to improve the convenience for the user.

  As one aspect, when the communication unit receives a request for the remaining number of points from the mobile terminal, the point consumption unit determines, from the communication unit, the number of remaining points of the user specified by the identification information. It is preferable to send it to.

  With this configuration, it is possible to cause the mobile terminal to perform display in accordance with the number of remaining points of the user, and thus it is possible to improve convenience for the user.

The point management method according to the present invention is
A point management method using a vending machine capable of short-distance communication with a mobile terminal having a communication function, and a management server capable of communicating with the mobile terminal via a network,
An input step of receiving input of product information regarding a product purchased by the user by the vending machine;
A transmission step of transmitting the input product information to the mobile terminal in communication with the short-range communication unit,
A receiving step of receiving, from the mobile terminal, identification information for identifying the mobile terminal and the product information transmitted from the short-range communication unit, by the management server;
A point addition step of adding points to the possessed points of the user identified by the identification information stored in the management server when the product information is received,
In the point adding step, the type of product is specified based on the product information, and different points are added according to the specified type of product.

The point management program according to the present invention is
A point management program usable for the mobile terminal, which is used in a point management system comprising: a vending machine capable of short-range communication with the mobile terminal; and a management server capable of communicating with the mobile terminal via a network. ,
A short-range communication connection function for putting the mobile terminal in a communication state with the vending machine,
A purchase information transmission function for transmitting the product information received by the mobile terminal to the management server when the mobile terminal receives product information regarding a type of product to be purchased from the vending machine in communication. ,
When the management server adds different points to the purchase of the product depending on the type of the product, the type of the product to which the advantageous points are given compared to the other types of products is displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal Sales promotion information notification function to
Is realized in the mobile terminal.

  With this configuration, when the management server provides a difference in points to be added depending on the type of the product, the product to which the advantageous points are given is transmitted, so that the sales promotion for the specific type of product is effectively performed. be able to.

  As one aspect, in the mobile terminal, points of other point services are converted into points stored in the management server and stored in the management server according to an input from the user to the mobile terminal. Point conversion for adding to the points owned by the user, or subtracting all or part of the points owned by the user stored in the management server, and converting the subtracted points to points for another point service It is preferable that the mobile terminal has a point conversion function of generating information and transmitting the point conversion information to the management server.

  With this configuration, it is possible to easily convert points stored in the management server and other points services.

  As one aspect, as the purchase information transmission function, the portable terminal is caused to also transmit time information regarding time at the time of product purchase, and the management server adds different points according to product purchase time for a predetermined product type. In this case, as the sales promotion information notification function, it is preferable to display, on the display unit of the mobile terminal, a purchase time zone in which points more advantageous than other time zones are given.

  As one aspect, when the management server adds different points according to a purchase time of a product for a predetermined product type, the sales promotion information notification function is provided with advantageous points as compared with other time zones. It is preferable to cause the mobile terminal to notify the user when the current time reaches the purchase time zone or a time that is a predetermined time before the purchase time zone.

  According to these configurations, when the management server provides a difference in points to be added according to the purchase time, the purchase time to which the advantageous points are given is transmitted, so that the sales promotion can be effectively performed.

  As one aspect, as the purchase information transmission function, the portable terminal is caused to acquire location information regarding an installation location of the vending machine that transmits the product information, and the location information is also transmitted to the management server. When the management server changes the points to be added according to the purchase location of the product, the purchase location where advantageous points are given as compared with other purchase locations is displayed on the mobile terminal as the sales promotion information notification function. It is preferable to display it on the section.

  As one aspect, when the management server varies the points to be added according to the purchase location of the product, the sales promotion information notification function determines a purchase location to which points more advantageous than other purchase locations are given. It is preferable that when the mobile terminal enters the range, the mobile terminal is caused to notify the user.

  According to these configurations, when the management server provides a difference in points to be added depending on the purchase place, the purchase place to which the advantageous points are given is transmitted, so that the sales promotion can be effectively performed.

  As one aspect, based on a user's instruction, the portable terminal is caused to transmit purchase information to the effect that the holding point is a consideration for purchasing a user-specified product to the vending machine in communication. A point corresponding to a user-specified product for the management server in the mobile terminal, in connection with the product purchase processing for causing the vending machine to discharge the user-specified product from the vending machine and the transmission of the purchase information. Point consumption processing for transmitting the consumption information indicating that the user consumes the product and subtracting points corresponding to the product designated by the user from the possessed points of the user managed by the management server, and a product purchase / point consumption function It is preferable to realize the mobile terminal.

  According to this configuration, the communication between the vending machine and the management server by the mobile terminal makes it possible to consume the possession points and discharge the product from the vending machine only by operating the mobile terminal. Then, by using the points in this way, sales can be promoted.

  In one aspect, the vending machine in communication is allowed to acquire sales item information, which is information on a product sold by the vending machine, and the vending machine sells based on the sales item information. It is preferable that the mobile terminal realizes a target product display function of displaying a target product, which can be purchased by consuming points, on the display unit of the mobile terminal.

  According to this configuration, the product suitable for the vending machine to be used is displayed, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

  As one aspect, in the target product display function, the number of remaining holding points of the user is acquired from the management server, and among the target products, products that can be purchased with the remaining number of holding points of the user are distinguished from others. It is preferable to display it.

  According to this configuration, the merchandise that can be purchased is displayed separately, so that the convenience for the user can be improved.

Schematic diagram of the management system according to the present embodiment Schematic diagram of vending machine Block diagram of mobile terminal Management server block diagram The figure which shows the flowchart of point addition processing The figure which shows the flowchart of the point conversion processing The figure which shows the flow chart of point consumption processing

  Embodiments of a point management system, a point management method, and a point management program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The point management system 1 according to the present embodiment communicates via a vending machine 10 capable of near field communication, a mobile terminal 20 capable of near field communication with the vending machine 10, and a mobile terminal 20 and a network 40. Possible management server 30.

  Explaining the outline, the point management system 1 attempts to promote sales by giving points to a user for a product purchased at the vending machine 10. More specifically, the management server 30 is made to manage the points for each user, and the mobile terminal 20 in communication with the vending machine 10 receives information about the product purchased at the vending machine 10 and uses this information. By transmitting to the management server 30, the points for the purchased product are added to the possessed points of the user. Although not shown in the figure, the number of the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 is not limited to one, and a plurality of vending machines 10 and mobile terminals 20 are planned to be used, and each of them can use the mobile terminal 20. When a large number of users to use each vending machine 10 scattered in various places, their own mobile terminals 20 are in communication with the vending machine 10 and the management server 30, and information on the products purchased by themselves is displayed. By transmitting from the vending machine 10 to the management server 30 via the mobile terminal 20, points corresponding to the products purchased by each of the users are stored by the management server 30 for a large number of users. Then, in particular, in the point management system 1 of the present embodiment, the points to be added are provided with a disparity according to the type of product, or the points that are held are converted into points of another point service or other points. It is possible to convert the points of the service to the points of the point management system 1 and to purchase the products of the vending machine 10 with the possessed points, thereby promoting the sales. Hereinafter, the configuration of each unit will be specifically described.

The vending machine 10 sells a plurality of types of products, and the products to be sold are not particularly limited. However, in the present embodiment, an example of selling a plurality of types of beverages will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the vending machine 10 specifically includes a display unit 11 for displaying products to be sold, an input unit 12 for receiving information about products to be purchased, and products according to inputs to the input unit 12. A control unit (corresponding to a vending machine control unit) 13 for discharging the product from the product discharge port 14 is provided. The display unit 11 may be one in which product samples are arranged, or may be one in which products are displayed on a liquid crystal screen. Further, in the present embodiment, the input unit 12 is provided as a push button type for each product displayed on the display unit 11, and a unique button ID is set for each input unit 12. The vending machine storage unit (not shown) stores correspondence information in which the button ID and the corresponding product ID (corresponding to product information) related to the purchased product are associated with each other.
Then, when the user inputs money and inputs (presses) to the input unit 12 corresponding to the product to be purchased, the control unit 13 responds to the button ID of the input unit 12 having the input. The product is discharged from the product discharge port 14. In addition, the control unit 13 sends purchase information (for example, button ID, product ID) that the short-range communication unit 15 to be described later purchases a product designated by the user from the mobile terminal 20 in communication with the owned points as a consideration. When received, the product discharge process for discharging the product designated by the user from the product discharge port 14 of the vending machine 10 can be executed.

  Further, the vending machine 10 of the present embodiment is provided with the short-range communication unit 15 capable of short-range communication with the mobile terminal 20 in order to enable short-range communication with the mobile terminal 20. The near field communication unit 15 may be any device capable of near field communication by some means such as NFC (Near Field Communication), WiFi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared communication, etc., and in the present embodiment, As an example of the short-range communication unit 15, a beacon terminal capable of short-range communication according to Bluetooth is used. More specifically, a beacon terminal as a short-range communication unit 15 is incorporated in the vending machine 10 under the control of the control unit 13.

  The operation of the short-range communication unit 15 will be described. The control unit 13 causes the short-range communication unit 15 to transmit a beacon signal including a beacon ID for identifying the short-range communication unit 15 at predetermined intervals. .. The beacon ID is associated with the vending machine 10 provided with the beacon terminal or the installation location of the vending machine that is associated with the beacon terminal (that is, the beacon ID is an automatic transmission of product information (product ID)). It corresponds to the location information about the installation location of the vending machine 10). When the mobile terminal 20 receives the transmitted beacon signal and receives a response from the mobile terminal 20 when the user carrying the mobile terminal 20 approaches the vending machine 10, the short-range communication unit 15 and the mobile terminal 20 are connected to each other. Are connected to enter the communication state. Then, when the vending machine 10 purchases a product (that is, when there is an input to the input unit 12) when the short-range communication unit 15 and the mobile terminal 20 are in the communication state, the control unit 13 is not illustrated. The product ID corresponding to the button ID is specified from the correspondence information in the vending machine storage unit, and the short-range communication unit 15 is made to transmit the product ID to the mobile terminal 20 in communication with the short-range communication unit 15. is there. As a result, the information regarding the type of the purchased product is transmitted to the mobile terminal 20.

  In addition, the vending machine storage unit (not shown) stores sales product information that is information on products sold by the vending machine 10, and the control unit 13 responds to a request from the mobile terminal 20 (more details). Is when the short-range communication unit 15 receives a request for sale product information described later), the short-range communication unit 15 sells product information (for example, in the vending machine) related to information on products sold by the vending machine. The mobile terminal 20 is caused to transmit the product ID of each product for sale. As a result, it is possible to inform the mobile terminal 20 what the product sold by the vending machine 10 is. At this time, when there is a sold-out product among the products being sold, the sales product information reflecting that the product is sold-out is transmitted (for example, the product is sold-out). Information to that effect is also transmitted, the sold-out product is deleted from the sold product information, etc.).

  The mobile terminal 20 may be any communication device capable of short-range communication with the vending machine 10 and having a communication function capable of communicating with the management server 30 via the network 40. However, a mobile phone such as a smart phone is preferable, and in the present embodiment, an example using a smart phone as the mobile terminal 20 will be described. In the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 20 has a display unit 21 including a display, an input unit 22 including a touch panel, a control unit 23 including a CPU, a terminal storage unit 24 including a memory, and a Bluetooth communication function. The communication unit 25 is provided. Although omitted in FIG. 3, the mobile terminal 20 is equipped with hardware and software for realizing basic functions as a mobile phone such as a call function. Further, as will be described later in detail, in the terminal storage unit 24, an application AP (corresponding to a point management program) required for the point management system 1 as an example of the point management program according to the present embodiment is recorded. .. Then, the control unit 23 causes the mobile terminal 20 to execute the operation required for using the point management system 1 according to the application AP. This application AP can be downloaded from a predetermined server, and the user can download the application AP to his / her own mobile terminal 20 to use the point management system 1.

  Although various functions that the application AP causes the mobile terminal 20 to perform will be described later, the mobile terminal 20 receives the beacon ID and the product ID from the vending machine 10 according to the application AP, and receives the received beacon ID and product ID. It is adapted to be transmitted to the management server 30. In addition to the received beacon ID and product ID, the mobile terminal 20 transmits to the management server 30 a terminal ID (corresponding to identification information) that identifies the mobile terminal 20 and time information regarding the time when the product is purchased. Is becoming

  The management server 30 manages the points for the products purchased by the user for each user, and is composed of a general server machine. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the management server 30 includes a communication unit 31 including a communication device or the like that can communicate with the mobile terminal 20 via the network 40, and a control including a CPU that performs various data processing. The storage unit 33 includes a unit 32 and a storage unit 33 including a hard disk, for example. Then, in the management server 30, the communication unit 31 receives the beacon ID, the product ID, the terminal ID, and the time information transmitted from the mobile terminal 20, and the control unit 32 controls the information based on the information stored in the storage unit 33. Various processes are performed. The process executed by the management server 30 will be specifically described below.

  First, the storage unit 33 stores the points owned by each user for each user. Specifically, the registration information is acquired from the user through the application AP, and the registration information of the user is sequentially stored in the database on the storage unit 33 in association with the terminal ID. Then, according to the processing of the point adding unit 34 described later, points corresponding to the purchased product are added to the user corresponding to the received terminal ID. In addition to the number of points owned by the user, the purchased product, the type of product, the place of purchase, and the purchase time are accumulated and stored for each product purchase. In addition, the storage unit 33 stores the installation location of the vending machine 10 corresponding to the beacon ID in association with each beacon ID. Thus, by acquiring the beacon ID and the product ID, it becomes possible to know which product the user purchased at the vending machine 10 at which installation place. Further, the storage unit 33 also stores point consumption information regarding which products can be purchased by consuming points, and the number of points consumed for each product that can be purchased by consuming points. If the mobile terminal 20 acquires this point consumption information, the mobile terminal 20 displays a purchase screen that displays only the products that are sold by the vending machine 10 that is about to be used and that can be purchased using points. Can be displayed on the display unit 21. The point consumption information may be stored in the terminal storage unit 24 of the mobile terminal 20 by incorporating it into the application AP itself.

  The control unit 32 has various functional units such as a point addition unit 34, a point conversion unit 35, and a point consumption unit 36. Explaining each function unit, when the point addition unit 34 receives a product ID, the point addition unit 34 adds points to the possessed points of the user identified by the terminal ID stored in the storage unit 33, and the points after the addition are added. Is stored in the storage unit 33. Then, in the present embodiment, the point addition unit 34 identifies the type of the product based on the product ID (specifically, identifies the product corresponding to the product ID and then identifies the product type), and identifies the product. It is possible to add different points depending on the type of product. In other words, instead of giving points regardless of the product type, such as giving points according to the price of the product or giving certain points regardless of the product type, only the product of a specific type It is possible to give advantageous points to.

  Here, the types of products are those classified by beverage varieties such as tea, water, coffee, soft drinks, and special beverages described below, and regardless of the varieties of beverages, new products or specific seasons There is no particular limitation as long as it is classified according to a predetermined standard, such as a product classified in a category related to the sales period such as a seasonal product that is sold only. According to such a point addition unit, it is possible to set a point difference between a specific product that is about to be newly sold, particularly a specific product that the user wants to promote, and another product. Can be effectively promoted. In addition, if you want to promote sales to a specific place (school, factory, company, etc.), or sell products for a certain time zone (morning direction etc.) The addition unit 34 acquires time information and a beacon ID, and adds different points for a predetermined product type according to the purchase time specified by the time information and the beacon ID and the installation location of the vending machine 10. Is also possible.

In order to perform the above-described processing, specifically, the storage unit 33 stores, in the storage unit 33, point information necessary for the calculation of the number of points added by the point addition unit 34 (a classification table to which each product belongs. , The number of points added for each product type for one product purchase, whether or not the number of points added for each product changes depending on the purchase time and place of purchase, and if there is a change in the purchase time or place of purchase, purchase Memorize the time and place of purchase and the number of points added at that time.
Then, the point addition unit 34 specifies the purchased product, purchase location, and purchase time based on the received beacon ID, product ID, and time information, and specifies the identified product, purchase location, purchase time, and storage unit 33. Based on the point information stored in, the number of points to be added for the purchase of the product at that time is calculated, and the calculated number of points to be added is added to the points owned by the user specified by the terminal ID. is there.

  With respect to such a point addition unit 34, in particular, in the present embodiment, the point addition unit 34 adds different points according to the type of product based on the degree of contribution to the user's health for each type of product. I am doing it. Specifically, in recent years, so-called specially protected drinks, which are recognized as foods for specified health uses that have a certain effect on human health, are sold, but among the products sold by the vending machine 10, As a product that is a type of beverage that has a high contribution to the health of the user, for a product that is a beverage that is a special insurance product, for example, 1 point is added for each purchase of a regular product. The point addition unit 34 is set so as to give more advantageous points compared to other types of products, such as giving 5 points when purchasing the product (in other words, the points stored in the storage unit 33). The information is set that way). In addition, as a point difference based on the degree of contribution to the user's health, it is possible to give points that are advantageous when purchasing generally healthy products such as tea and mineral water in addition to special protection drinks. Further, it may be finely classified based on the degree of contribution to the health of the user.

  Furthermore, it is possible to add different points by combining the type of product and other conditions. For example, if the type of special drink is one that is particularly effective when taken during a certain period of time (for example, morning, noon, evening, evening, after a meal), then purchase during that period. It is possible to set so as to give more advantageous points when doing. In addition, if there is a type of product that is targeted specifically at persons who have a certain type of business, occupation, or lifestyle, the type can be determined by the vending machine 10 installed in a place where those persons use it on a daily or frequent basis. When purchasing the item, more advantageous points may be given. In addition, if the target special insurance drink is expected to be particularly effective by continuing to take it every day or taking it at a fixed time every day, purchase it for a certain number of days in a row or make a fixed decision. More advantageous points may be given when a symmetrical type of product is continuously purchased for a predetermined number of days in different time zones. In addition, the points to be added are set to be different according to the registered information (sex, age, etc.) of the user, and a specific user group such as a specific age group (30s, 40s, elderly, etc.) or a specific gender When there is a product targeted for, the user of the age group or the gender group may be given more advantageous points.

  Thus, by providing a difference in points to be added according to the degree of contribution to the user's health for each type of product, it is possible to effectively promote the sale of the product that contributes to the user's health. By doing this with the vending machine 10 that is often used by users who are not interested in health, it is possible to provide users who are not interested in health with the opportunity to purchase specially protected beverages, and Arousal and awareness can be improved.

  In addition to the above, the point addition unit 34 is configured to add special points at the time of first registration or according to the total purchase cumulative number of products of a predetermined type and the total purchase cumulative number regardless of type. The cumulative purchase number may be a cumulative number within a predetermined period such as a campaign period, or a cumulative number that is not divided by the period.

  Various kinds of information such as the point information and the point consumption information stored in the storage unit 33 are rewritable by the administrator by accessing the management server 30, and the criteria for adding points may be appropriately determined. It can be changed. Therefore, not only is there a gap in the points to be added based on the degree of contribution to the user's health, but there is also a gap in the points to be added for new products and seasonal products when selling new products or seasonal products. It is also possible to do so, and in this case, it is possible to provide a difference in points depending on the purchase time and the like in the same manner as the degree of contribution to the health of the user.

  The point conversion unit 35 converts the points of other point services into the points stored in the storage unit 33 according to an instruction (point conversion information described later) transmitted from the mobile terminal 20, and the storage unit 33. Is added to the points held by the user stored in the table, or all or part of the points held by the user stored in the storage unit 33 is subtracted, and the subtracted points are converted to points of another point service. To do. By cooperating with such other point services, the effect of sales promotion can be further enhanced. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the difference is added to the points to be added according to the degree of contribution to health, another point service that gives points in relation to the health of the user (for example, KENPOS (registered trademark)). And the like) so that point conversion can be performed bidirectionally or unidirectionally (only conversion of possession points stored in the storage unit 33 to points of another point service or vice versa). There is. In addition, when a point difference is set according to a certain purpose, the point conversion can be performed bidirectionally or unidirectionally by linking with another point service related to the purpose. As a result, it is possible to further improve the interest and consciousness of the user with respect to the purpose (health, etc.), and further promote the sale of products related to the purpose to the user who uses the vending machine 10. Users who are using the point service of can be newly added. For example, to execute point conversion, necessary information is sent to the management server of the point service of the partner specified by the user, and when a response is received from the management server of the point service of the partner, the own storage is held. It is possible to add / subtract points.

  The point consuming unit 36 consumes the points owned by the user and executes a process when purchasing a product from the vending machine 10. Specifically, the point consuming unit 36 uses the identification information when the communication unit 31 receives a request for the remaining point number from the mobile terminal 20 as a pre-stage before receiving the point consumption instruction from the mobile terminal 20. The communication unit transmits the number of points owned by the identified user to the mobile terminal. This allows the user to consume points and know the products that can be purchased, which improves convenience for the user. Then, the communication unit 25 consumes the points owned by the user from the mobile terminal 20 of the user, and instructs to purchase the product from the vending machine (consumption that the points corresponding to the product designated by the user are consumed. When (information) is received, the points corresponding to the product designated by the user are subtracted from the possessed points of the user stored in the storage unit 33.

  In addition, the point addition unit 34, the point conversion unit 35, and the point consumption unit 36 each cause the communication unit 21 to transmit the possessed points after addition, conversion, and subtraction to the mobile terminal 20. This allows the user to know the possessed points after addition / conversion / subtraction.

  Next, the application AP will be described. The application AP is for causing the mobile terminal 20 to perform an operation necessary for using the point management system 1, and in using the point management system 1, a short-distance communication connection function, a purchase information transmission function, and possession points. The mobile terminal 20 is made to execute a notification function, a short-range communication disconnection function, a sales promotion information notification function, a point conversion function, a target product display function, a product purchase / point consumption function, and the like.

  Explaining each function, the short-range communication connection function brings the mobile terminal 20 into a communication state with the vending machine 10. More specifically, when the communication unit 25 receives the beacon signal from the short-range communication unit 15, automatically or in response to an instruction from the user, the communication unit 25 includes a beacon ID included in the beacon signal, A terminal ID (corresponding to identification information) for identifying the mobile terminal 20 is transmitted to the management server 30. Then, as a response from the management server 30, when the communication unit 25 receives an authentication including a key or the like required for communication with the short-range communication unit 15, the short-range communication unit 15 is made to respond and the mobile terminal 20 is set. The communication is established by connecting to the short-range communication unit 15. The short-distance communication connection function may be executed only when the application AP is started up, or the communication unit 25 uses the beacon from the short-range communication unit 15 even when the application AP is not started up. It may be executed automatically when a signal is received. Further, when the communication unit 25 receives the beacon signal from the short-range communication unit 15, the user may be notified.

  With the purchase information transmission function, when the communication unit 25 receives the product ID transmitted from the short-range communication unit 15 in the communication state, the communication unit 25 manages the product ID automatically or according to an instruction from the user. The received product ID is transmitted to the server 30. Further, as the purchase information transmission function, the time information regarding the time when the product is purchased (in addition to the product ID transmission in this embodiment) is also transmitted. In addition, although it is performed by the short-distance communication connection function, the beacon ID (corresponding to the location information regarding the installation location of the vending machine 10) can be acquired and the beacon ID can be transmitted to the management server 30. It is included in the information transmission function. The purchase information transmission function causes the management server 30 to transmit product information regarding the purchased product, time information at the time of purchase, and location information regarding the installation location of the vending machine 10 that transmits the product information.

  In the possessed point notification function, after the points are added to the possessed points of the user stored in the management server 30 in accordance with the execution of the purchase information transmission function, or after the point conversion and the point consumption are performed in the management server 30, When the management server 30 gives a notification to that effect, the display unit 21 displays the number of points after addition / conversion / subtraction or the number of points added / conversion / subtraction.

  In the short-range communication disconnection function, the communication unit 25 and the short-range communication unit 15 are connected to each other when a predetermined condition is satisfied such as when the management server 30 transmits the possession point as a response to the transmission of the product ID and the time information. Disconnect the connection. It should be noted that the predetermined condition is not limited to when the management server 30 notifies the possession point, and in addition, when a predetermined time has passed from the short-range communication connection, or when there is an instruction from the user, An example is when the signal strength from the short-range communication unit 15 falls below a predetermined value due to the user moving away from the vending machine 10.

  In the sales promotion information notification function, when the management server 30 adds different points to a purchase of a product depending on the type of the product, it carries a product type that is given more advantageous points than other types of products. It is displayed on the display unit 21 of the terminal 20. In addition, when the management server 30 adds different points according to the purchase time and the place of purchase of the product, the purchase time zone in which the advantageous points are given as compared with other time zones is displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal. Or, when the current time reaches a purchase time zone or a time before a predetermined time of the purchase time zone where advantageous points are given compared to other time zones, or when there are advantageous points compared to other purchase places. When the mobile terminal 20 enters the predetermined range of the purchase place to be given, the mobile terminal 20 is caused to notify the user.

  Specifically, in the point addition unit 34 in the management server 30 described later, if there is a type of product to which points are more advantageous than others, a purchase time zone, and a purchase place, the information is acquired. Remember. Then, information such as a product to which points more advantageous than others, points of purchase time, and place of purchase is displayed on the screen displayed on the display unit 21 by executing the application AP, or periodically notified to the user. When the purchase time that gives more advantageous points than other processing is reached, or when the purchase time reaches a certain time earlier than the purchase time, advantageous points are given to the user at the purchase time. The process of notifying the grant, when the user (mobile terminal 20) visits the purchase place where the points more advantageous than others are given, or when the user (mobile terminal 20) enters the predetermined range of the purchase place In addition, the mobile terminal 20 is caused to execute a process of notifying the user that advantageous points are given during the purchase time. In particular, if the information such as a product that gives points more advantageous than others, the purchase time, the place of purchase, etc. is displayed after the communication between the mobile terminal 20 and the vending machine 10 is connected, the specific product can be displayed. Can be further promoted.

  The point conversion function is a function for converting points managed by the management server 30 into points of another point service or points of another point service into points of the point management system 1. In the point conversion function, in accordance with a user's instruction, necessary information such as information on other affiliated point services is acquired from the management server 30, and an instruction screen for transmitting the point conversion information is displayed on the display unit 21. To display. After that, in accordance with the input from the user to the input unit 22, the point conversion information (the points of other point services are converted into the points stored in the management server 30 and the points held by the user stored in the management server 30). , Or subtracting all or part of the points held by the user stored in the management server 30 and generating the information indicating that the subtracted points are converted to points of another point service). The communication unit 25 is caused to transmit the point conversion information. The user's instruction includes an instruction for the screen displayed on the display unit 21 by executing the application AP (for example, selection of a tab menu for performing the point conversion function). The contents of the instruction screen may be, for example, (a) which point service to select as another point service to be converted, or (b) from the owned point to another point service point. (A) to (c) of whether the conversion of (1) or the conversion of points from other point services to the points of the point management system 1 is performed (c) how many points are used for conversion. ) Is displayed, and in this case, the selection results of (a) to (c) are the contents of the point conversion information.

  The target product display function is a function for displaying a purchase screen when purchasing a product of the vending machine 10 at a point managed by the management server. In general, not all vending machines 10 sell the same type of product, and not all products can be purchased using points. The display unit 21 displays a purchase screen that displays items that are sold by the vending machine 10 and that can be purchased using points.

  Specifically, in the target product display function, in response to a user's instruction to display a purchase screen, the communication unit 25 transmits the sales product information to the vending machine 10 in communication by the communication unit 25. Is requested to obtain the sale item information from the vending machine 10, and the communication unit 25 requests the management server 30 to transmit the remaining number of points, and the management server 30 requests the remaining points of the user. Get the number. That is, the information about the commodities that can be purchased is acquired from the vending machine 10, and whether the points for purchasing the commodities are sufficient is acquired from the management server 30. Then, the portable terminal 20 is made to acquire the point consumption information from the management server 30 together with the acquisition of the remaining owned points, or in advance, and based on the acquired sale item information and the point consumption information, the vending machine Among the products for sale, the target products that can be purchased by consuming points (the points can be used) are specified, and a purchase screen in which only the target products are displayed on the display unit 21 of the mobile terminal 20 is generated. Display it. Further, on the purchase screen, among the target products, products that can be purchased with the remaining holding points of the user may be displayed separately (for example, only products that can be purchased with the remaining points are highlighted. , Crossmark items that cannot be purchased with the remaining points, or do not display them).

  By displaying such a purchase screen, the display unit 21 displays the purchase screen that displays the products that can be purchased by using points among the products sold by the vending machine 10 to be used. It Examples of the user's instruction in the target product display function include an instruction for a screen displayed on the display unit 21 by executing the application AP (for example, selection of a tab menu for performing the target product display function). The format of the purchase screen is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a screen in which the images or product names of the target products are listed and displayed together with the number of consumption points.

  The product purchase / point consumption function is a function for purchasing the product of the vending machine 10 at the point managed by the management server. In the product purchase / point consumption function, it is displayed by executing the target product display function. Based on the user's instruction on the purchase screen, the mobile terminal 20 is caused to transmit purchase information to the vending machine 10 in communication to the effect that the user-specified product will be purchased at the price of the owned points, and the vending machine is automatically sold. Along with the product purchase processing for causing the machine 10 to discharge the user-specified product from the vending machine 10 and the transmission of the purchase information, the mobile terminal 20 consumes points corresponding to the user-specified product to the management server 30. The point consumption process is performed to transmit the consumption information to that effect and subtract the points corresponding to the product designated by the user from the possessed points of the user managed by the management server 30. As a result, it becomes possible to purchase the product as well as to consume the points. The user's instruction in the product purchase / point consumption function is to select a product to be purchased on the display unit 21 from the target products listed in the purchase screen. The purchase information includes a product ID corresponding to the type of product input by the user for the vending machine 10, and the consumption information includes information about the type of product input by the user and information about the number of points to be consumed. And.

  Next, the flow of the processing performed by the point management system 1 as a whole will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  First, the point addition processing in the point management system 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The short-range communication unit 15 (beacon terminal) in the vending machine 10 transmits a beacon signal including a beacon ID at predetermined intervals (# 10), and a user carrying the mobile terminal 20 downloading the application AP When approaching the vending machine 10 and entering the range of the beacon signal, the mobile terminal 20 receives the beacon signal. When the mobile terminal 20 receives the beacon signal, the mobile terminal 20 automatically transmits the beacon ID and the terminal ID to the management server 30 by executing the near field communication function or in response to the instruction from the user (# 11). ). When the management server 30 receives the beacon ID and the terminal ID, the management server 30 inquires whether the beacon ID and the terminal ID exist in the storage unit 33, and if either one does not exist, an error message is transmitted to the mobile terminal 20. If it exists, an authentication signal including a key necessary for communication with the short-range communication unit 15 is transmitted to the mobile terminal 20 (# 12). Then, when the mobile terminal 20 receives the authentication signal, the short-range communication between the mobile terminal 20 and the vending machine 10 (short-range communication unit 15) is connected, and the mobile terminal 20 and the vending machine 10 are in the communication state. (# 13).

  After that, when the user purchases a product from the vending machine (when there is an input to the input unit 12) (# 14), the product ID is transmitted from the vending machine 10 to the mobile terminal 20 (# 15). Then, the mobile terminal 20 that has received the product ID transmits, together with the product ID, time information when the product was purchased (for example, the time when the mobile terminal 20 received the product ID) to the management server 30 (# 16). When the management server 30 receives the product ID and the time information, the point addition unit 34 uses the received beacon ID, product ID, and time information to calculate the number of points to be added to the product purchase as described above, and the calculated addition. The number of points is added to the possessed points of the user specified by the terminal ID (# 17). Then, when the point addition is completed, the management server 30 notifies the mobile terminal 20 of the possessed points (# 18), and when the mobile terminal 20 receives the notice of the possessed points, the short-distance communication with the vending machine 10 is performed. Disconnect (# 19). This completes the point addition process.

  Next, the point conversion processing in the point management system 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, as the login request, the mobile terminal 20 transmits the terminal ID to the management server 30 (# 20), and when the terminal ID exists in the storage unit 33, the management server 30 transmits the authentication signal to the mobile terminal 20 ( # 21). After that, when the user gives an instruction for point conversion to the mobile terminal 20 (# 22), the point conversion information according to the user's input is transmitted from the mobile terminal 20 to the management server 30 (# 23), and the point conversion information is transmitted. The processing according to is executed by the point conversion unit (# 24). Then, when the point conversion is completed, the management server 30 notifies the mobile terminal 20 of the possessed points (# 25), and the point addition processing ends.

  Finally, the point consumption processing in the point management system 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, since # 30 to # 33 are the same as # 10 to # 13 in the point addition processing, description thereof will be omitted, and description will be given from # 34. After the mobile terminal 20 and the vending machine 10 are in the communication state (# 33), when the user instructs the mobile terminal 20 to display the purchase screen (# 34), the mobile terminal 20 automatically sends the purchase screen. The vending machine 10 is requested to transmit the sale merchandise information (# 35), and in response to this, the vending machine 10 transmits the sale merchandise information to the mobile terminal 20 (# 36). Thereafter, the mobile terminal 20 requests the management server 30 to transmit the remaining point number (# 37), and in response to this, the management server 30 transmits the remaining point number (held point number) to the mobile terminal 20 (#). 38). The mobile terminal 20 that has received the sale item information and the remaining point number displays a purchase screen showing the target item on the display unit 21 (# 39). When the user gives an instruction on the purchase screen displayed on the display unit 21 as to which item to purchase by consuming points (# 40), the mobile terminal 20 displays the purchase information for the vending machine 10. The transmission of (information about which product to purchase) and the consumption information (information about how many points are consumed) to the management server 30 are simultaneously performed (# 41). Then, the vending machine 10 that has received the purchase information ejects the product corresponding to the purchase information (product ID) (# 42), and the management server 30 that has received the consumption information subtracts points corresponding to the consumption information. Perform (# 43). Then, when the point subtraction is completed, the management server 30 notifies the mobile terminal 20 of the possessed points (# 44), and when the mobile terminal 20 receives the notice of the possessed points, the short-distance communication with the vending machine 10 is performed. Disconnect (# 45). As a result, the point consumption processing ends.

[Another embodiment]
In the present embodiment, the terminal ID is used as an example of the identification information, the product ID is used as an example of the product information, and the beacon ID is used as an example of the location information. However, various kinds of information shown in the above-described embodiments are implemented. The information is not limited to that shown in the form, and any information may be used as long as it is related to various information. For example, in the storage unit 33, the name of the product sold by the vending machine 10 corresponding to the beacon ID and its price, and the correspondence table of the product name and the button ID sold there are stored in association with each beacon ID. Incidentally, the vending machine 10 is made to transmit the button ID as the product information to the management server 30 via the mobile terminal 20, and the management server 30 side based on the beacon ID, the button ID and the correspondence table. The purchased product may be specified.

  Further, the sale merchandise information transmitted by the vending machine 10 to the mobile terminal 20 is not limited to the merchandise ID of each merchandise being sold, and may be any merchandise that can be specified by the vending machine 10. Good. For example, the beacon ID may be used as the sale item information, the beacon ID may be transmitted to the mobile terminal 20, and the mobile terminal 20 may be caused to identify the item sold by the vending machine 10 based on the beacon ID. For example, the management server 30 stores a correspondence table in which the information of each product sold by the vending machine 10 corresponding to the beacon ID is associated with each beacon ID, and the beacon ID acquired from the vending machine 10 is stored in the correspondence table. Based on the management server 30, information on each product sold by the vending machine 10 is acquired, or the mobile terminal 20 acquires the correspondence table in advance, and the mobile terminal 20 itself sells the vending machine 10. One example is to specify the information of each product. In addition, the vending machine storage unit (not shown) of the vending machine 10 also stores information about the products for which points can be used among the products sold by the vending machine, and the vending machine information is used as the selling product information. In addition to the information on the products sold by the machine, only the information on the products for which the points can be used or the information on the products for which the points can be used may be transmitted.

  Further, the order and timing of exchanging information among the vending machine 10, the mobile terminal 20, and the management server 30 are not limited to those shown in the above-described embodiment and FIGS. 5 to 7, and do not deviate from the spirit of the invention. , Can be changed as appropriate.

  In addition, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed in the specification are exemplifications in all respects, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will easily understand that appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, other embodiments modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention are naturally included in the scope of the present invention.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for management of points given by products purchased at a vending machine.

1 point management system 10 vending machine 13 control unit (vending machine control unit)
15 short-distance communication unit 20 mobile terminal 21 display unit 30 management server 31 communication unit 33 storage unit 34 point addition unit 35 point conversion unit 36 point consumption unit 40 network

Claims (11)

A point management system comprising: a vending machine capable of short-distance communication with a mobile terminal having a communication function; and a management server capable of communicating with the mobile terminal via a network,
The vending machine is
A short-range communication unit capable of short-range communication with the mobile terminal,
A vending machine control unit that causes the short-range communication unit to transmit, to the mobile terminal in communication with the short-range communication unit, product information regarding a product purchased by a user and place information regarding an installation location of the vending machine. And
The management server is
From the mobile terminal, a communication unit that receives identification information for identifying the mobile terminal, the product information, and the location information,
A storage unit that stores the points owned by each user for each user,
When the merchandise information and the location information are received, the points are added to the possessed points of the user specified by the identification information, which are stored in the storage unit, and the added points are stored in the storage unit. And a point addition section,
The point adding unit identifies a type of product based on the product information, adds different points according to the identified product type, and adds a different type of a predetermined product to an installation location identified from the location information. A point management system that adds different points accordingly.   The point management system according to claim 1, wherein the point addition unit adds different points according to the type of product based on the degree of contribution to the user's health for each type of product.   The management server converts points of another point service into points stored in the storage unit according to an instruction from the user transmitted from the mobile terminal, and stores the points of the user stored in the storage unit. A point conversion unit that adds to the possession points or subtracts all or part of the possession points of the user stored in the storage unit and converts the subtracted points into points of another point service. The point management system according to 1 or 2.   The point management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the point addition unit adds different points by combining a type of product, a place where the vending machine is installed, and other conditions.   The point addition unit acquires time information regarding time at the time of product purchase, and sets a different point according to the purchase time specified from the time information, with the purchase time as the other condition, for a predetermined product type. The point management system according to claim 4, wherein the points are added.   The point management system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the point adding unit adds different points depending on a user group with respect to a predetermined product type, with the user layer based on user registration information as the other condition.   The point management system according to claim 6, wherein the user registration information includes at least one of gender, age, type of business, and job type. The vending machine control unit, when the short-distance communication unit receives from the mobile terminal in communication, purchase information indicating that the user-specified product is to be purchased in consideration of the owned points, the vending machine control unit automatically executes the user-specified product. It is possible to execute the product discharge process to discharge from the vending machine,
The management server, when the communication unit receives from the mobile terminal consumption information indicating that points corresponding to a product designated by the user are consumed, designates the user from the possessed points of the user stored in the storage unit. The point management system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a point consuming unit that subtracts points corresponding to the item.   The vending machine control unit causes the short-range communication unit to transmit, to the mobile terminal, sales merchandise information related to information on merchandise sold at the vending machine, in response to a request from the mobile terminal. Point management system.   The point consuming unit, when the communication unit receives a request for the number of remaining points from the mobile terminal, causes the communication unit to transmit the number of owned points of the user specified by the identification information to the mobile terminal. 9. The point management system described in 9. A point management method using a vending machine capable of short-distance communication with a mobile terminal having a communication function, and a management server capable of communicating with the mobile terminal via a network,
An input step of receiving input of product information regarding a product purchased by the user by the vending machine;
A transmission step of transmitting the input product information and location information regarding the installation location of the vending machine to the mobile terminal in communication with the short-range communication unit of the vending machine,
A receiving step of receiving, by the management server, identification information for identifying the mobile terminal, the product information and the location information transmitted from the short-range communication unit, from the mobile terminal;
A point adding step of adding points to the possessed points of the user, which is stored in the management server and is specified by the identification information, when the product information and the location information are received,
In the point addition step, the type of product is specified based on the product information, different points are added according to the specified type of product, and a predetermined product type is added to the installation location specified from the location information. A point management method that adds different points accordingly.

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