JP2001188846A - Barcode information transmission method and system using portable terminal and server and client therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide barcode information transmission method and system using an internet portable telephone by which information is easily exchanged between the internet portable telephone set and terminal equipment. SOLUTION: This server 10 is provide with a member registration homepage(HP) generation part 10a for receiving member registration, a member information generation part/transmission part 10b for generating a message to a member, converting it to barcode information and transmitting it and a shop information transmission part/ processing part 10c for transmitting the information of the contents of the message sent to the member and the sending destination, etc., to a shop under a contract and receiving and processing the information from the shop. When the message is transmitted from the server 10, a prescribed message and a barcode are displayed on the internet portable telephone set 12. A user goes to the shop as desired, presents the message and receives a prescribed service such as a discount service. A person in charge at the shop reads the barcode displayed on the internet portable telephone set by a barcode reader and performs an accounting processing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and system for transmitting barcode information using a portable terminal, and a server and a client therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to increase sales of merchandise and services in stores, it is widely practiced to distribute leaflets and discount tickets for merchandise and services as part of advertising.
These types of flyers and discount coupons were inserted in newspapers, sent directly to homes by direct mail, and distributed free of charge at station squares and prime venues.

[0003]

However, due to the remarkable development of information and communication technology in recent years and the spread of cellular phones, one person is now possessing one portable information terminal. In particular, Internet mobile phones, which have been put into practical use and are rapidly spreading in recent years, can access the Internet in addition to ordinary telephone calls, and are considered to have great potential. Using this type of Internet mobile phone, a method of advertising that is completely different from the conventional method is expected.

[0004] For example, it is conceivable to send information on merchandise services directly to an individual using an Internet mobile phone.
In this case, it is necessary to exchange information between the Internet mobile phone and the conventional terminal device. However, it is desirable that the information exchange method be simple and use the function of the conventional terminal device as much as possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a bar code information transmission method and system using a portable terminal capable of easily exchanging information between the portable terminal and the terminal device, and a method therefor. It is intended to provide a server and a client.

[0006]

A bar code information transmission method using a portable terminal according to the present invention comprises the steps of: converting message information into bar code information; and transmitting the bar code information to a portable terminal (including an Internet portable telephone). Transmitting the bar code information to the display unit, reading the bar code information on the display unit with a bar code reader, and reading the bar code information. Is transferred.

Preferably, the bar code information is graphic data composed of a plurality of dots according to the display capability of the display unit. Preferably, the barcode information is present at a predetermined URL, and
An email containing the RL is sent, and the mobile terminal sends the UR
L, and receives barcode information prepared in advance. According to this method, even when a file cannot be attached to a mail, a predetermined homepage can be accessed by a URL, a barcode can be received from the homepage, and displayed on a mobile terminal.

[0008] A bar code information transmission method using a portable terminal according to the present invention comprises the steps of: extracting a member to which message information is to be transmitted based on the extraction reason on the user side and the extraction reason on the consumer side; Converting to bar code information, transmitting the bar code information to the extracted mobile terminal of the member, receiving the transmitted message, and displaying the bar code information on the screen of the mobile terminal Reading the barcode information on the display unit with a barcode reader, converting the barcode information into the message information, and comparing the message information with information previously sent from a server. Determining whether to provide the privilege, and providing the privilege based on the determination result of the determining step. Using a portable terminal, comprising: transmitting information about a user to the server; receiving and analyzing the information about the user; and storing the analyzed information. .

A bar code information transmission system using a portable terminal according to the present invention is a member registration HP generating section for generating a home page for registering a member, and generating information for the member and providing the member with a portable terminal. A member information generating unit transmitting unit for transmitting the information, a bar code converting unit for converting the information into bar code information and transmitting the bar code information to the member information generating unit transmitting unit, and generating information for the store based on the information for the member And a server including a store information transmission unit processing unit for receiving and analyzing information on the use situation from the store, and a mobile terminal for receiving the barcode information for the member from the server and displaying a barcode. A bar code reader that reads the bar code information, and a bar code that converts the bar code information into message information. And a store client that transmits the message information to the server, wherein the information for the member is related to a product and / or service provided by the store and means a predetermined privilege. Things.

[0010] A server according to the present invention extracts a member suitable for the generated message from a member information generating unit that generates a message for the member relating to goods and / or services provided by the store, and reads out the destination of the member. A member extraction filter to be output, a barcode conversion unit that converts the generated message into barcode information, a member information transmission unit that transmits the barcode information to a predetermined destination, and a store corresponding to the message. A store information transmitting unit that transmits the message and the verification information, and a customer that receives customer information indicating that a user has requested a predetermined privilege by presenting a display screen of a mobile terminal at the store. An information receiving unit, and a customer information analyzing unit for analyzing the customer information, wherein the member-oriented information generating unit includes the customer information And it generates the message based on an analysis result of analyzing unit.

[0011] A client according to the present invention comprises: a receiving unit that receives information and collation information relating to a message sent from a server; a barcode reader that reads barcode information from a display unit of a portable terminal presented by a user;
A barcode processing unit that converts the barcode information into message information, a matching unit that matches the message information with the matching information, an accounting unit that performs an accounting process based on an output of the matching unit, A transmitting unit that receives the information on the user and transmits the information to the server.

A recording medium according to the present invention stores a program for causing a computer to execute the above method.

The medium includes, for example, a floppy disk,
Hard disk, magnetic tape, magneto-optical disk, CD-
Includes ROM, DVD, ROM cartridge, RAM memory cartridge with battery backup, flash memory cartridge, nonvolatile RAM cartridge, and the like.

[0014] Also, communication media such as a wired communication medium such as a telephone line and a wireless communication medium such as a microwave line are included. The Internet is also included in the communication medium mentioned here.

A medium is a medium on which information (mainly digital data and programs) is recorded by some physical means, and which allows a processing device such as a computer or a dedicated processor to perform a predetermined function. You can do it.
In short, any method may be used as long as the program is downloaded to the computer by some means and a predetermined function is executed.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 of the Invention An apparatus / method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of this device / method. The server 10 that provides information is the Internet 1
1 (or may be an intranet). Similarly, the mobile phones with data communication function (Internet mobile phones) 12a and 12b on the user side
1 connected. The Internet mobile phone 12 registered in the server 10 can receive a message from the server 10 via the Internet.
The server 10 includes a member registration homepage (HP) generator 10a for receiving a member registration, and a member information generator / transmitter 10 for generating and transmitting a message to the member.
b, a store information transmitting unit / processing unit 1 for transmitting information such as the contents of the message sent to the member and its destination to the contracted store, and receiving and processing information from the store.
0c. When a message is transmitted from server 10, a predetermined message is displayed on Internet mobile phone 12. For example, a message as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. This message includes information on the sale of merchandise and services and discount coupons. The message is displayed in the form of characters and / or graphics on the display screen of the Internet mobile phone. The user can go to the store as desired, present the message, and receive a predetermined service such as a discount service. At the store, whether the service can be provided is checked. If the service can be provided, the service is provided, and identification information such as the telephone number of the user is input to the store client (terminal) 13. The store client 13 is a dedicated line, a public line,
Information such as the input identification number, the content of the provided service, and the provided date and time is transmitted to the server 10 via the Internet or the like.

According to the system shown in FIG. 1, a flyer, a discount ticket, and the like can be directly delivered to a user's Internet mobile phone via the Internet, so that the cost of distribution is reduced and a predetermined range (target). Because it is distributed to members, necessary information can be delivered to necessary parties, and the effectiveness is improved. From the user's point of view, he can select the message he wants to send on the HP for member registration, so he can receive only the necessary information without any hassle. I often feel). In addition, from the point of view of providers of products and services, sales can be expected to increase by increasing customer attraction, and users can be analyzed in near real time by computer, which is very useful in sales strategies. is there.

A brief description will be given of the Internet portable telephone. Internet mobile phones are different from conventional mobile phones in that they can use familiar and convenient online services such as voice calls, bank account balance inquiry / transfer, restaurant guides, town page search, etc. In addition to sending and receiving e-mail via the Internet, you can also view websites compatible with Internet mobile phones with the mobile phone alone.

The main features are as follows. -In addition to "voice calls" using mobile phones, you can access many sites published on the Internet simply by pressing the Internet mobile phone key. Services provided by Internet mobile phones are being created one after another, focusing on things that are familiar and convenient to life, such as not only mobile banking and ticket reservations, but also breaking news and restaurant searches. -Since the data communication system of the Internet mobile phone is a packet communication (9600 bps) system, it is not charged based on the communication time, but based on the amount of data transmitted and received. Therefore, it is possible to view information over time without worrying about the communication time.・ Internet mobile phone mail supports not only Internet mobile phones but also the Internet, so it is possible to send and receive Internet mail from outside. In addition, since it is packet communication, short mails can be sent and received for about 1 to 3 yen.

The screen of an Internet mobile phone corresponds to a small screen of a personal computer. Therefore, the user
By connecting to the Internet and various information services, you can pull out the information you want, anytime, anywhere.

The main services provided by the Internet portable telephone are as follows. -Internet mobile phone message service When you apply for message reception at a site that offers the Internet mobile phone message service, the information you want automatically arrives at your mobile phone. For example, information services such as breaking news and weather forecast can be received without concern for communication time. -Internet mobile phone mail service It is possible to exchange Internet mail as well as exchange mail between Internet mobile phones. In an Internet mobile phone, the contracted mobile phone number is directly included in the e-mail address. -Internet mobile phone Internet browsing Internet mobile phones can also browse the Internet homepage created for Internet mobile phones. Not only sites that provide commercial services for Internet mobile phones, but also homepages created by individuals for Internet mobile phones can be viewed on Internet mobile phones.

In order to send and receive Internet mail and view home pages on a personal computer, it is necessary to make predetermined settings. However, this operation was difficult. In addition to having a built-in browser for viewing the homepage, there is no need for complicated settings. What is unique about Internet mobile phones is that
In addition to the existing Internet mobile phone service, it is possible to freely view a homepage corresponding to the Internet mobile phone on the Internet.

The message service is a service that automatically arrives when desired information is registered in the message service of each site. There are two types of messages: message requests that require registration in advance and message free.
Both arrive automatically, just like receiving an email.

A convenient point of the Internet portable telephone is that various Internet information services can be accessed without having a computer device such as a personal computer and a PDA (Personal Data Assistance).

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the server according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The user browses the Web on the Internet to access a predetermined homepage, and registers as a member to receive a predetermined message service. The member registration unit 100 performs this processing. Information on the registered users is stored in a member database (DB). User information includes name, age, occupation, work location,
Home, e-mail address, phone number, desired message type, etc. The registered user is provided with a predetermined service provided by this HP, in addition to the service provided by the embodiment of the present invention. For example, mailing lists, message boards, forums, weather, stock prices, news, etc. This service is provided by the member service providing unit 102.

When providing the service according to the embodiment of the present invention, first, the member information generation unit 105 generates a predetermined information message, for example, a discount ticket, a flyer, an advertisement, a direct mail, and the like.

The output message of the information generating unit 105 is sent to the member information transmitting unit 104 as it is, and is converted into barcode information by the barcode converting unit 105b and sent to the member information transmitting unit 104. The message information is displayed on the screen of the Internet mobile phone for the user, and the barcode information is displayed on the screen of the Internet mobile phone for the store register or the POS system (FIG. 5). Note that the message information and the barcode information need not completely match. For example, even when the sales message is included in the message information for the user, it is not necessary to include this in the barcode information. Further, even when barcode information includes information for a store, information for sales management, encrypted information for collation, and other information, it is not necessary to include the information in the message information. In this way, it can be said that the message information is for the user and the barcode information is for the store and the provider. In addition, since the information is digital information, encryption is easy. In the Internet mobile phone, the received barcode information may be displayed as it is, or may be displayed after some processing is added. For example, in addition to the received barcode information, identification information (telephone number) of the Internet mobile phone may be added.

A description will be given of a specific method of displaying bar code information. Since the barcode is described by the line thickness and interval, the same display may be performed on the Internet mobile phone. For example, the width of a ruled line can be specified to adjust the line thickness. Further, a barcode can be expressed using image data in the GIF format.

At the same time that the member information generating unit 105 generates a predetermined information message, the member extracting filter 103
Searches the member DB 101, extracts members suitable for the generated message, and reads out the destination. The read destination is sent to the member information transmitting unit 104. The member information transmitting unit 104 transmits the generated message to the transmitted destination.

On the other hand, the store information transmitting unit 107 notifies the store to which the discount by the message or the like is applied that such a message has been transmitted. this is,
This is to make the payment process proceed smoothly when the user presents the display screen of the Internet mobile phone at the store. Also, this is to cope with a case where a mischief message is sent. The information transmitted here is the contents of the member information, the sending target, the verification information, and the like.

When the user presents the display screen of the Internet mobile phone and receives a predetermined service, the service is transmitted from the shop client 13 to the server 10. The customer information receiving unit 108 receives this, and the customer information analyzing unit 109 analyzes this. For example, it analyzes how many of the people who have received the message have used the service, what the usage fee is, whether the usage status has improved compared to the previous message, and the like. The analyzed information is stored in the sales information DB 110 and used for marketing in the future, and is fed back for creating the next message.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the Internet portable telephone and the shop client according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The message and barcode information transmitted from the server 10 to the member are transmitted to the antenna 120, the transmitting / receiving unit 121, the processing unit 122 of the Internet mobile phone.
Is displayed on the display unit 123 via the. Display unit 123
Is typically a relatively small liquid crystal display (LCD). On the other hand, the store information transmitted from the server 10 is input to the matching unit 131 via the receiving unit 130 of the store client 13.

Here, the user presents the transmitted message (for example, as shown in FIG. 5) to the display unit 123 of the Internet portable telephone, and asks a clerk at a cash register for a discount. The cashier scans the display unit 123 with the barcode reader 134 and takes in the barcode information. The fetched barcode information is converted into a code by the barcode processing unit 135 and sent to the collation unit 131. With this process, the product name and price can be input to the cash register. According to this method, information displayed on the Internet mobile phone can be read very easily. Since the barcode reader is used in many cash register / POS systems, it can be used in existing systems as it is. Since the server performs barcode conversion, it can be used in existing Internet mobile phones. In other words, this method can be applied to existing telephones and cash registers as they are, or with some modifications, and can be realized at low cost.

The matching unit 131 compares the input information such as the product name and the information for the store sent from the server 10 to determine whether to provide the service or not, and compares the determined result with the accounting processing unit 132. Output to Accounting unit 13
2 performs a predetermined discount and displays the billed amount. Note that the collation data may include a telephone number, an ID, a keyword, a code, a trader's trade name / trademark, and contents to be provided. By using telephone numbers and IDs, services can be provided only to specific members. If a keyword or a code is used, a predetermined product group / service group or a service for a predetermined period can be provided. By using the trader's trade name / product, services can be provided for each specific manufacturer / provider. This is of value to campaigning manufacturers.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an apparatus / device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an operation flowchart of the method. The overall operation of the apparatus / method will be described according to this flowchart.

A member is extracted (S1). This is to select an appropriate person to send the message to. Some members do not want to receive messages, so these are excluded from the destination (reason for extraction on the consumer side). On the other hand, there is a case where the provider wants to transmit a message to a specific member (extraction reason on the provider side). For example,
If you are conducting a special sale at a certain store, extract people who have a work place or home near the store, or if you only provide services for a certain product, consider who is likely to be a consumer of the product, for example, age Extract according to gender, hobby, and annual income. It is also conceivable to exclude those who have not used at all for a certain period. For example, in the example of FIG. 6, a salaryman or an OL who has lunch for lunch is targeted.

The member information is transmitted (S2). A message created in advance (for example, as shown in FIG. 6)
The message is transmitted to the partner extracted in step S1.

Receiving the transmitted message, the Internet portable telephone notifies the user of the existence of the message. When the user performs an operation of reading the message, the message is displayed on the screen (S3).

The user presents a message screen at the store where the service is to be received (S4).

The cashier enters collation information into the cashier (S5). The collation unit 131 collates the collation information with information sent in advance from the server, and determines whether to reject service provision (S6).

If the service can be provided, the service is provided (S8). Thus, the user can receive services such as a discount purchase of the product. The collation unit 131 sends information such as the telephone number and ID of the customer to the transmission unit 133, and transmits the customer information (S9).

The server 10 analyzes the received customer information (S10) and stores the information (S11). The accumulated information is expected to be used as management information.

Note that the bar code information exists at a predetermined URL, and the URL is sent to the Internet portable telephone.
May be sent, and the Internet mobile phone may access the URL and receive barcode information prepared in advance. In other words, the server notifies the URL to the Internet mobile phone by e-mail,
The procedure is such that the user accesses the URL and receives a predetermined barcode from the server. According to this method, even when a file cannot be attached to an e-mail, the UR
The user can access a predetermined homepage with L, receive a barcode from the homepage, and display the barcode on the Internet mobile phone. A plurality of barcodes may be prepared on the homepage, and the user may select and receive a desired one. This homepage is, as it were, a collection page of discount tickets, and the user can obtain a desired discount ticket. In addition, this homepage uses barcodes other than discount tickets, such as lottery tickets, lotteries,
A bar code of a scratch card, a voucher, or the like may be presented.

In the above description, an Internet portable telephone has been described as an example. However, a wireless terminal device having no telephone function and capable of connecting to the Internet and capable of receiving and / or browsing mail is available. The present invention can also be applied.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, which are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say, this is done. Also,
In this specification, means does not necessarily mean physical means, but also includes a case where the function of each means is realized by software. Further, the function of one unit may be realized by two or more physical units, or the function of two or more units may be realized by one physical unit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an apparatus / method according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a server according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the Internet mobile phone and the shop client according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the apparatus / method according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an example of a screen displayed on the Internet mobile phone by the device / method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (7)

[Claims] A step of converting the message information into barcode information; a step of transmitting the barcode information to a portable terminal; a step of displaying the barcode information on a display unit in the portable terminal; A bar code information transmission method using a portable terminal, comprising: reading the bar code information on the display unit; and transferring the read bar code information. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bar code information is graphic data composed of a plurality of dots according to a display capability of the display unit. . 3. The bar code information is present at a predetermined URL, an e-mail including the URL is sent to the mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal accesses the URL and prepares bar code information prepared in advance. 2. The method for transmitting barcode information using a portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein 4. A step of extracting a member to which message information is to be transmitted based on the extraction reason on the user side and the extraction reason on the consumer side; a step of converting the message into barcode information; A step of transmitting the barcode information to a mobile terminal; a step of receiving the transmitted message and displaying the barcode information on a screen of the mobile terminal; and a barcode of the display unit using a barcode reader. Reading information; converting the bar code information to the message information; collating the message information with information previously sent from a server to determine whether to provide a privilege; Providing the privilege based on the determination result of the step; and transmitting information on a user to the server. Step a, Step a, the bar code information transmission method that uses a mobile terminal and a step of storing the analyzed information to receive and analyze the information about the user who trust. 5. A member registration HP generating unit for generating a home page for registering a member, a member information generating unit transmitting unit for generating information for the member and transmitting the information to a portable terminal owned by the member, A barcode conversion unit that converts information into barcode information and sends the barcode information to the member information generation unit transmission unit, and generates and transmits information on the store based on the information on the member, and receives information on the use status from the store. A server including a store information transmitting unit processing unit to analyze and perform, a mobile terminal that receives the barcode information for the member from the server and displays a barcode, a barcode reader that reads the barcode information, and A bar code processing unit that converts the bar code information into message information; and transmits the message information to the server. A bar code using a mobile terminal, comprising a client for paving, wherein the information for the member is related to a product and / or a service provided by the store and means a predetermined privilege. Information transmission system. 6. A member information generation unit for generating a message for a member relating to goods and / or services provided by a store, and a member extraction filter for extracting a member suitable for the generated message and reading out and outputting its destination. A bar code conversion unit that converts the generated message into bar code information; a member information transmission unit that transmits the bar code information to a predetermined destination; and a store corresponding to the message, A store information transmitting unit that transmits the transmitted and verification information, a customer information receiving unit that receives customer information indicating that a user has requested a predetermined privilege by presenting a display screen of a mobile terminal at the store, A customer information analysis unit that analyzes the customer information, wherein the member-oriented information generation unit outputs an analysis result of the customer information analysis unit. Server, characterized in that Hazuki generating the message. 7. A receiving unit for receiving information and collation information relating to a message sent from a server, a bar code reader for reading bar code information from a display unit of a portable terminal presented by a user, and a message for transmitting the bar code information to a message. A barcode processing unit that converts the information into information, a matching unit that matches the message information with the matching information, an accounting unit that performs accounting based on the output of the matching unit, and information about the user from the matching unit. A transmission unit for receiving and transmitting the received data to the server.