JP2003067552A - Information management method, system and device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a merchandise manufacturer to grasp the circulation of merchandise. SOLUTION: An information management system 50 includes a portable terminal 18 which a user purchasing the merchandise 20 uses to transmit pieces of ID information 24 and 26, and an information management device 100 which receives the pieces of ID information 24 and 26 to provide enjoyment to the user and which stores the received pieces of ID information 24 and 26. The circulation of the merchandise can be grasped from the stored pieces of ID information 24 and 26.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method, system and device for managing information on distribution of goods.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A point-of-sale information management system (hereinafter referred to as P
There is an OS). The POS is a system that connects a POS terminal in each store and a host computer to perform sales management, inventory management, and the like. This system reads the barcode that identifies the brand added to the product with the POS terminal, and the host computer stores this brand,
In addition to sales management and inventory management, it is possible to analyze the vast amount of accumulated sales data, grasp consumer needs, and make a product lineup based on consumer needs at each store.
In recent years, retail stores have actively introduced POS, and by accumulating and analyzing sales data, it is possible to quickly respond to diversifying consumer needs.

[0003]

As described above, at the retail store level, just-in-time distribution according to consumer needs is carried out, and thorough inventory management is performed.
Therefore, when an unpopular item is found, the ordering of the item is immediately stopped. On the other hand, the manufacturer can only grasp the wholesale situation at the wholesaler, and there is no way to grasp the purchase situation of the product by the consumer in real time. Since a manufacturer manufactures a large number of products at once, if the discovery of an unpopular product is delayed for a while, the inventory quantity of the product becomes enormous.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for managing information regarding distribution of goods.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a system for grasping the distribution status of products on the side of the manufacturer, and grasps the distribution status of each product in almost real time. The system uses a mobile phone as a tool to collect purchasing data for merchandise. Since the mobile phone that is close to the user is always used, the user can easily send the purchase data.

The present invention also provides entertainment to the user who sent the purchase data. For example, when taking a break while drinking juice during work breaks, the user uses his or her mobile phone to send purchase data for the juice. Then, contents for enjoying the time such as games, novels, fortune telling, etc. are displayed on the user's mobile phone.
By providing such entertainment, the user can enjoy the purchase data and can promote the collection of the purchase data.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a method for managing information regarding the distribution status of goods. This method comprises the steps of: receiving the identification information given to the product, which the user who purchased the product sent using the terminal, and providing the user with entertainment after receiving the identification information; Analyzing the distribution status of the product based on the identified information. The terminals are mobile phones, PDAs (personal d
A terminal that can be carried by a user such as an digital assistant) and that has a function of connecting to a network such as the Internet. Hereinafter, the term "mobile phone" refers to all phones that have portability regardless of communication methods and have a network connection function.

The method further comprises a step of accumulating the received identification information in association with at least one of the information for specifying the user or the date and time when the identification information is received, and based on the accumulated identification information, The distribution status of the products is classified and analyzed.

[0009] Different identification information is given to each individual product, and the step of providing the entertainment includes providing the entertainment when the identification information is first received, and then providing the entertainment when the same identification information is received. Do not provide. This allows the user to enjoy the entertainment only once, when purchasing the product. Further, the method may further include the step of determining the number of times of receiving the identification information, and the step of providing entertainment may perform a process of providing the identification information only when the number of times of receiving the identification information is within a predetermined number. Thus, when the user purchases the product, the user can enjoy the entertainment a predetermined number of times.

The method further comprises a step of preliminarily storing the identification information and the information for specifying the brand of the product in association with each other, and the analyzing step may analyze the distribution status of the product for each brand. . This method analyzes the purchase tendency of the user from the accumulated identification information and classifies the user according to the purchase tendency, and whether or not to give a present to the user who has enjoyed the entertainment based on the classification. May be further provided.

The method may further include a step of registering information about the user, and the analyzing step may analyze the distribution status based on the registered items and the accumulated identification information. This method includes a step of obtaining information for identifying the position of the terminal when the identification information is transmitted,
The step of associating the stored identification information with the position information may be further included, and the step of analyzing may use the position information as an area where the user purchased the product for analysis of distribution status.

[0012] This method includes a step of preliminarily storing identification information and area information for selling the product in association with each other, and determining whether the position of the terminal is included in the area specified by the area information. And a step of accumulating,
When the location of the terminal is included in the area information, the identification information may be stored. As a result, the same identification information can be used in a plurality of areas.

Another aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for managing information on the distribution status of goods. The device includes a receiving unit that receives identification information attached to the product, which is transmitted by a user who purchased the product using a terminal, and a providing unit that receives the identification information and then provides the user with entertainment. And an analysis unit that analyzes the distribution status of the product based on the received identification information.

This device has a user information storage unit for storing information about the user, an authentication unit for confirming that the user is a user registered in the user information storage unit, and successful authentication of the user. And a storage unit that stores the identification information in association with at least one of the information identifying the user and the date and time when the identification information is received, and the analysis unit stores the distribution status based on the stored identification information. Classify and analyze.

When different identification information is given to each individual product, the device permits the providing unit to provide entertainment to the user only when the identification information is first received. May be further provided.
The apparatus further includes a counting unit that counts the number of times the identification information is received, and a permission unit that allows the providing unit to provide entertainment to the user when the number of times the identification information is received is within a predetermined number. You may prepare.

The apparatus further includes an identification information storage unit that holds in advance the identification information and the information for identifying the brand of the product in association with each other, and the permitting unit is configured such that the received identification information is stored in the identification information storage unit. The permission may be given to the providing unit based on whether or not it is stored in.

This device classifies the user according to the purchase tendency of the user based on the accumulated identification information, and gives a present to the user who enjoys the entertainment based on the classification. A lottery unit for determining whether or not it may be further provided.

The amusement is a sugor-like amusement in which an event is set for each section, and the providing unit stores the event contents in which the position of the section and the event set in the section are stored in association with each other. Units, a number generation unit that determines the number of pieces to be advanced by the user when permitted by the permission unit, and a progression unit that advances the pieces based on the number determined by the number generation unit.

The number generation unit has a probability varying unit that determines any one of a plurality of preset numbers as an output value and sets a probability of determining the output value. The number generation unit further includes a partition estimation unit that estimates a partition position desired by the user based on a subjective factor of the user, and the probability variation unit includes the partition position estimated by the partition estimation unit. Increase the probability of determining the number that a piece reaches as the output value. The event gives the user the right to download digital goods, and the subjective factor is based on whether or not the digital goods have been downloaded.

Another aspect of the present invention is a system for managing information on the distribution status of products. This system
An information management device that receives the identification information given to the product transmitted by the user who purchased the product using a mobile phone, and analyzes the distribution status of the product based on the received identification information; And a printing device for printing information.

The information management device has a providing unit for providing entertainment to the user after receiving the identification information. The information management device stores the identification information printed on the printing unit in association with the information identifying the brand of the product, and the distribution status of each brand based on the received identification information. And an analysis unit for analyzing

It is to be noted that any combination of the above constituent elements and any expression of the present invention converted between an apparatus, a method, a system and a computer program are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an information system 50. A label 22 having a first code 24 and a second code 26 for identifying it is attached to the product 20. Those codes are covered with a seal or the like, and the user peels off the seal and looks at the codes. The mobile phone 18 is connected to the Internet 10 via the base station 14.
Has the function of connecting to. The mobile phone 18 transmits the first code 24, the second code 26, and the user authentication information input by the user who purchased the product 20 to the information management device 100 using the Internet connection function.

The information management device 100 stores the code in association with the date and time of reception and provides the user with entertainment. Entertainment is provided as compensation for the transmission of a code useful for managing the distribution status, and is for entertaining users such as games and presents. The position information providing server 16 provides the position information of the mobile phone 18 at the time of code transmission to the information management device 100. The information management device 100 is
This position information is also stored in association with the code. The information management device 100 analyzes the codes accumulated in this way,
The distribution status of the product is provided to the company PC 28.

The user PC 12 is a computer that can be used by the user, and the user can also use the user PC 12 to send a code and be provided with entertainment.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the information management device 100. Each component of the information management device 100 is, in terms of hardware components, a CP of an arbitrary computer.
It is realized mainly by the U, the memory, the program loaded in the memory, the hard disk, and the interface for network connection, but it is understood by those skilled in the art that there are various modified examples of the realizing method and the device. . Each drawing to be described below does not show a hardware-based configuration but a functional-based block.

The code generator 116 generates identification information to be given to each product. By giving identification information to each product, the distribution status of each product can be grasped. Also, the conditions for providing entertainment to the user can be clarified. For example,
It is possible to set a condition that entertainment is provided only once to the user who has sent the identification information of the juice when the juice is purchased.

In order to add identification information to each product such as juice, a huge number of pieces of identification information are required, so that the number of digits of the identification information inevitably increases. Therefore,
In the present embodiment, the identification information is the first code 24 and the second code.
The code 26 is divided into two to reduce the number of digits and prevent a user's input error. Also, if there is a huge number of identification information,
If only one character string is input, the probability that the appropriately input value and the identification information match will increase. Therefore, for the purpose of preventing unauthorized users, the identification information is used as the first code 24 and the second code.
It is also effective to divide the code 26 by changing the number of digits.

The code generator 116 stores the generated identification information and the brand code for identifying the brand of the product in the code database 122 in association with each other. The printing unit 118
The identification information generated by the code generation unit 116 is printed on the label 22. The manufacturer attaches the label 22 to the product and ships it. In another embodiment, the code generation unit 116 and the printing unit 118 may not be included in the information management device 100.

The code receiving unit 102 receives the first code 24, the second code 26, and the user authentication information transmitted from the user PC 12 or the mobile phone 18. Hereinafter, the first code 24 and the second code 26 are collectively referred to as identification information. The code receiving unit 102 outputs the user authentication information to the authentication unit 104 and the identification information to the code management unit 106. The user authentication information is a user ID and password.

The user database 120 is the user I
It holds information about the user such as D, password, postal code of residence, gender, age, occupation, educational background, married, unmarried, and family structure. The authentication unit 104 performs authentication based on the user authentication information and the data stored in the user database 120. The code management unit 106 determines whether the received identification information matches the identification information held in the code database 122. When they match,
The permission unit 108 is notified that the received identification information is valid, and the issue code associated with the identification information is output to the permission unit 108.

The permitting unit 108 succeeds in authenticating the user,
When the identification information is valid, the entertainment provider 110 is allowed to provide entertainment to the user. Also, the permission unit 1
08 stores the user ID, brand code, identification information, reception date and time in the purchase history database 124 in association with each other. The distribution status analysis unit 112 analyzes the distribution status of each product brand based on the data stored in the purchase history database 124 for each classification such as time zone, purchaser's age, and gender. The distribution status analysis unit 112 outputs the analysis result to the company PC 28. The manufacturer understands the distribution status of the product based on this analysis result.

The entertainment providing section 110 provides the user with entertainment when permitted by the permitting section 108. After purchasing the product, the user uses the mobile phone 18 to transmit the identification information attached to the product and enjoy the provided entertainment. When the identification information is given to a product such as juice, the user can expect to transmit the identification information using the mobile phone 18 while drinking the juice, so that the purchase time of the product can be grasped in almost real time. Position information acquisition unit 114
Acquires the position information of the mobile phone 18 at the time of transmitting the identification information from the position information providing server 16 and stores it in the purchase history database 124. As a result, the distribution status analysis unit 11
In 2, the distribution status can be analyzed by adding the position information.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the data structure of the user database 120. The user ID column 200 holds information for identifying the user. The password field 202 holds a password associated with each user ID. The authentication unit 104 uses the user ID column 200 and the password column 2
It is determined whether the data held in 02 and the user authentication information match. The postal code column 204 holds the postal code of the place of residence of the user. The gender column 206 holds the gender of the user. The age column 208 holds the age of the user. The usage count column 210 holds the number of times this user has used this system. The permission unit 108 increments the number of times of use each time the user provides entertainment. If various information is held as user information, the distribution status analysis unit 112 can perform detailed analysis accordingly.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the data structure of the code database 122. The first code column 220 holds a first code which is a part of the identification information. Second code column 22
4 holds the remaining second code of the identification information. For example, when the identification information is 8 digits, the code generation unit 116 stores the first 4 digits as the first code in the first code column 220 and the last 4 digits as the second code in the second code column 224. For the other identification information, the first three digits are stored as the first code in the first code column 220, and the latter half five digits are stored as the second code in the second code column 224. The brand code column 226 holds a brand code that identifies the brand of the product associated with the identification information. The usage flag column 228 holds a flag indicating whether or not the identification information has already been received. In this embodiment, “1” indicates that it has been received, and “0” indicates that it has not been received.
The code management unit 106, when this flag is “0”,
The issue code is output to the permission unit 108, and the flag is changed to "1".

FIG. 5 shows an example of the data structure of the purchase history database 124. The brand code column 240 holds the brand code associated with the received identification information. The user ID column 242 holds the ID of the user who transmitted the identification information. The usage date / time column 244 holds the date / time when the identification information is received. The position information column 246 holds the position information of the mobile phone 18 that has transmitted the identification information. In this example, the user with the user ID “302” has the stock code “0”.
It can be seen that the product "101" was purchased on "August 2, 2001" in the area where the postal code is "150-0046".

FIG. 6 shows the mobile phone 18 and the information management device 10.
FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of processing in 0 and the company PC 28. The user uses the mobile phone 18 to transmit the identification information to the information management device 100 (S10). Information management device 100
Receives the identification information (S12). The code management unit 106 determines whether the received identification information is valid (S14). If the identification information is valid (Y of S14), the entertainment providing unit 110 provides entertainment to the user (S1).
6).

The permission unit 108 stores the stock code associated with the identification information in the purchase history database 124 together with the user ID and the like (S18). Distribution status analysis unit 11
2 analyzes the distribution status of the product based on the brand code and the like held in the purchase history database 124 (S
20). The information management apparatus 100 displays the analysis result on the company PC 28.
(S22).

When the identification information is invalid (N in S14), the error process is performed and the process is terminated. The error process when the received identification information is already used may be a process of notifying the user of that fact. The error process when the received identification information is incorrect may be a process of having the user send the identification information again.

FIG. 7 is an example of an entertainment display screen 300 provided to the user by the entertainment providing unit 110. This screen
It is displayed on the display unit of the user PC 12. In this embodiment, a sugoroku-like game is provided to the user as entertainment. This game has multiple sections from start to goal, and you can progress your piece as many as the number of virtual dice. In order for the user to move the dice and move the pieces, the user must purchase a product and transmit the identification information given to the product. An event is set in each section. For example, in the event, the user is presented with digital goods such as icons, background images of computer screens, screen savers, standby images for mobile phones, ringtones, and programs.

The sugoroku display area 302 displays the progress screen of this game. First, a piece image 3 showing the user's piece
12 is displayed in the start section 322. When the virtual dice are rolled, the piece image 312 is displayed in a section located at a position advanced by the number of dice. And
This game ends when the piece image 312 reaches the goal section 324. Start section 322 and goal section 3
There are a plurality of partitions 320 between the two. In the Sugoroku display area 302, another user piece image 314 showing the position of the piece of the other user who is playing this game is displayed.
Displaying the other user piece image 314 has the effect of increasing the sense of presence in the game, and it is possible to increase the willingness to participate in the game.

The dice button 306 is used when the user sends the identification information using the user PC 12. The fortune-telling display area 308 displays the fortune of the user today. Although the details will be described later, the result of this fortune-telling is reflected in the appearance of the dice, which has the effect of further increasing the fun of the game. The acquired item display area 310 displays a list of items acquired by the user.

FIG. 8 shows a display screen 33 for inputting identification information.
0 is an example. This screen is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 18 or the display unit of the user PC 12. The user ID input field 332 is an area for inputting a user ID. The password input field 334 is an area for inputting a password. The first code input field 336 is an area for inputting the first code 24. The second code input field 338 is an area for inputting the second code 26. Dice button 340
Is a button for transmitting the input value of each item to the information management device 100 and requesting to roll the dice.

FIG. 9 shows the structure of the entertainment providing unit 110.
When the permitting unit 108 permits the provision of entertainment, the game progressing unit 140 obtains the number of pieces to be advanced from the progressing number generating unit 148. The number provided by the progress number generation unit 148 corresponds to the eyes of the virtual dice. Event content database 1
58 holds the position of each section and the event content associated with that section. Progress database 1
56 holds the current division position of the user piece. The game progression unit 140 advances the number of user pieces by the number acquired from the progress number generation unit 148, and processes the event of the section. When it is necessary to perform the lottery of the items to be provided to the user in the event, the lottery section 142 is notified of that fact.

The lottery section 142 uses the purchase history database 1
Based on the data stored in 24, the lottery of the present winner is performed, and the result is notified to the item management unit 144. The item management unit 144 displays the winning user I
D and the ID of the item are associated and stored in the acquired item database 154.

When the item acquired by the user is provided to the user, the item management unit 144 reads the data file of the item from the item storage unit 152,
User PC 12 or mobile phone 18 via communication unit 162
Send to. The progress number generation unit 148 refers to the data stored in the acquired item database 154, the event content database 158, and the fortune-telling data storage unit 150 to determine the number of the user's pieces to advance, and outputs the determined number to the game progress unit 140. To do.

The output data generator 146 is the user PC 1
2 or screen data to be displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 18 is generated and output to those devices. The image of the Sugoroku display area 302 is generated based on the information from the game progression unit 140, the image of the fortune telling display area 308 is generated based on the fortune telling data stored in the fortune telling data storage unit 150, and the acquired item display area 310 is obtained. The image of is generated based on the information from the item management unit 144. Although there are various methods of generating the image of the Sugoroku display area 302, in this embodiment, a start section 322, a goal section 324, and an image in which a plurality of sections are drawn (hereinafter, referred to as a map image) are added to a frame. Image 31
2 and the other user piece image 314 are combined to generate an image.

The entertainment screen providing instruction receiving unit 160 receives the request from the user PC 12 or the mobile phone 18, and instructs the output data producing unit 146 to produce and provide the screen data.
At this time, the entertainment screen providing instruction receiving unit 160 determines that the user P
Which of the requests, C12 and mobile phone 18, is detected, and the detection result is notified to the output data generation unit 146. Based on this result, the output data generation unit 146 sets the size and format, and generates screen data that matches the size of the display unit of the request source terminal.

FIG. 10 shows the event content database 15
8 is an example of a data structure of No. 8. The partition number column 260 holds the order from the start of each partition. The first image position column 262 holds the display position of the frame image 312 in the map image. The second image column 264 holds the display position of the other user piece image 314 in the map image. The event column 266 holds the storage location of information related to event content. The contents of the event are items that can be acquired,
For example, messages with game characteristics and product advertisements. The item ID column 268 holds the IDs of items that the user can acquire.

For example, when the current position of the user piece is the start section 322 and the progress number generation section 148 generates "2" as the number of pieces to advance the piece, the game progress section 140 refers to the data of section number 2. The game progression unit 140 instructs the output data generation unit 146 to present the user with the information at the URL held in the event column 266. In addition, item I is an item acquired by the user.
D “353” is output to the lottery section 142. Furthermore, the game progression unit 140 acquires the number of other users in each section number to be displayed as the other user piece image 314 from the progress status database 156, and outputs it to the output data generation unit 146.

The output data generator 146 uses the frame image 312.
Is combined with the position of “x = 300, y = 150” of the map image, and the other user piece image 314 is combined with the position designated by the second image column 264 of each section number. A plurality of second image columns 264 are prepared so as to represent the difference in the number of people, and the output data generation unit 146 selects an image corresponding to the number of other users for each section as the second image column 264.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the data structure of the item storage section 152. The item ID column 280 holds identification information for identifying an item. The item name column 282 holds the item name. Storage location column 28
4 holds the storage location of the item data file.
The value column 286 holds the value of the item itself. In this embodiment, the larger the number, the higher the value.

The first classification 287 holds the classification of items, for example, this classification indicates the types of items such as icons, wallpapers, screen savers, schedule management programs, and music data. Second classification 288
, Car, ship, plane, mascot, artist, dog,
Indicates an object contained in an item such as a cat.

FIG. 12 shows the acquired item database 15
4 is an example of the data structure of FIG. The user ID column 290 is
Holds the user ID. In this figure, the user ID is only "302", but in reality there are multiple different user IDs.
Is retained. The acquired item ID column 292 holds the ID of the acquired item. The acquisition date / time column 294 holds the date / time when the item was acquired. The download flag column 296 holds a flag indicating whether or not the item has been downloaded to the user terminal. In this embodiment, "1" indicates that the download has been completed, and "0" indicates that the download has not been completed. Item management unit 14
4 changes this flag to “1” when sending the item to the user.

FIG. 13 shows the structure of the progress number generation unit 148. The progress number generation unit 148 can reflect the objective factor of fortune-telling in the number provided to the game progress unit 140 (hereinafter, referred to as the actual number). The subjective factor input unit 188
Data regarding the acquired item of the user is input from the acquired item database 154, and the section estimating unit 186 is input.
Output to. The subjective factor input unit 188 may input user preferences and information for estimating values.

The section estimating unit 186 estimates the user's preference from the items downloaded by the user and the items not downloaded among the items acquired by the user, and is acquired by the user based on the data held in the event content database 158. It estimates the block number of the item that is desired to be output, and outputs the number from the current block number to the block number (hereinafter referred to as the ideal number) to the probability varying unit 182.

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram of processing in the partition estimation unit 186. On the horizontal axis, the first described with reference to FIG.
The elements of the classification are arranged, and the elements of the second classification are arranged on the vertical axis. Area X is an area created by plotting downloaded items among the items acquired by the user from the acquired item database 154 in this table.

Areas A, B, C, D, E, and F are plots of items that can be obtained when the die roll is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. The partition estimation unit 186
It is estimated that the item is closer to the area X and that the user wants it, and the dice roll is output to the probability varying unit 182 as an ideal number. In this case, since the area A is included in the area X, “2” is output to the probability varying unit 182.

The objective factor input unit 190 of FIG. 13 inputs the digitized fortune-telling data from the fortune-telling data storage unit 150 and outputs it to the probability varying unit 182. For example, the fortune-telling data is represented by the numbers 1 to 5, and the higher the number, the better the luck. The probability variation unit 182 generates data for setting the probability of occurrence of the actual number based on the digitized fortune-telling data and the ideal number from the section estimation unit 186.

The random number generator 184 generates a random number and outputs it to the determiner 180. In the present embodiment, the random number generator 1
84 generates a random number in the range of 0 to 1. Deciding part 1
80 determines the actual number based on the random number and the data from the probability varying unit 182, and outputs it to the game progressing unit 140.

A method of determining the number in the determining unit 180 will be described with reference to FIG. The determination unit 180 uses the random number generation unit 184.
The range of random numbers that can be generated is divided, and the actual number to be output to the game progression unit 140 is determined for each divided range.

FIG. 15A shows a case where the probabilities that the numbers 1 to 6 appear are equal. In this case, the range of 0 to 1 that can be generated as a random number is equally divided into 6 and the numbers 1 to 6 are set in the respective ranges. Determination unit 180
Is "1" if the random number is in the range of 0 or more and less than 0.166,
If the random number is 0.166 or more and less than 0.333, a number is set for each range such as "2".

FIG. 15B shows a case where the probability of producing "2" is increased. In this case, the range that can be determined as "2" is made wider than other numbers. This can increase the probability that "2" will appear. The probability varying unit 182 changes this range based on the fortune telling data. For example, the probability varying unit 18
In the case of 2, the larger the numerical value of the fortune-telling data, the wider the ideal number range.

FIG. 16 shows the structure of the lottery section 142. The lottery section can select the target person based on the purchase tendency of the user. The target person condition storage unit 172 stores conditions such as a gift to be won. For example, this condition
From the users who purchased a large amount of products in a short period of time (hereinafter referred to as A type), 10 winners were selected, and from the users who purchased products regularly (hereinafter referred to as B type), 80 people were selected. No. of winners is selected, and ten winners are selected from users (hereinafter, referred to as C type) who have a small amount of purchased products.

The classification unit 170 is the purchase history database 1
On the basis of the purchase history of each user stored in 24, the users are classified so as to meet the conditions of the target person condition storage unit 172. In this embodiment, A, B, C
It is classified into three types. Then, the user ID is stored in the subject database 176 for each classification.

The selection unit 174 is a subject condition storage unit 172.
Subject database 176 based on the conditions stored in
Select a user from. For example, 10 users are selected from A type users.

With this system, the manufacturer can grasp the distribution status of the product, which facilitates the production plan of the product and leads to the reduction of the inventory quantity. Also,
It is also effective as an advertising method for products. When used in new product campaigns, etc., it produces word-of-mouth advertising effects and makes it easy to understand the age group, sex, region, time zone, etc., who are purchasing the new product. The accumulated data can be used for future advertisement development, development of the next product, etc.

The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each constituent element and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. As such a modified example, the entertainment providing unit 110 may perform a process of paying money as a consideration for the transmission of the identification information of the user. In this case, the entertainment provider 110 includes a unit that holds the user's account,
You may have a unit which counts the frequency | count of reception of identification information from a user, and a unit which transfers the amount of money according to the frequency | count of reception to a user's account.

In the second modification, the number of times the identification information is used can be set for the code management unit 106. In this case, the code database 122 further holds the number of times the identification information can be used and the number of times the identification information is received. The code management unit 106 counts the number of times the identification information is received, a unit that determines whether or not the number of receptions is within the usable number, and notifies the permission unit 108 to that effect when the number of receptions is within the usable number. And a unit to Thus, for example, if the number of times the identification information can be used is set to "3", the user can receive the entertainment provided three times when the product is purchased once.

The third modification relates to management of identification information. Although it has been described above that a huge number of pieces of identification information are required, this modification is for managing the identification information for each area and efficiently using the identification information.

Specifically, the area where the product is sold is stored in the code database 122 in association with the identification information. When receiving the identification information from the user, the position information acquisition unit 114 acquires the position information of the mobile phone 18. The code management unit 106 refers to the data in the code database 122 and determines whether the received identification information is included in the identification information associated with the area including the position. As a result, the same identification information can be used in different areas.

In another embodiment, the postal code of the user's place of residence held in the user database 120 may be used as the position information as the position information of the purchase of the product by the user. If the adjacent areas have the same identification information, the situation in which the user transmits the identification information of the product purchased in the first area in the second area is likely to occur. In order to prevent this, the same identification information is assigned to areas that are distant in position.

The fourth modification also relates to management of identification information. In this modification, an expiration date is set in the identification information. Specifically, the code database 122 holds the expiration date in association with the identification information. The code management unit 106 further includes a unit that determines whether the received identification information is within the expiration date. The code generation unit 116 uses again the identification information that has already expired after the expiration date as the identification information. For the identification information that has not been used yet, it is used again as the identification information after a predetermined period has passed after the expiration date. Thereby, the identification information can be reused.

[0074]

According to the present invention, it is possible to grasp the distribution status of goods.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information management system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information management device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of a user database.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of a code database.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of a purchase history database.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of processing of a mobile phone, an information management device, and a company PC.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of entertainment provided to a user.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for inputting identification information.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of an entertainment providing unit.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of an event content database.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of an item storage unit.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of an acquired item database.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a progress number generation unit.

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram when estimating a section position desired by a user.

FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram of probability variation.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a configuration of a lottery section.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Internet, 16 Location information server, 1
8 mobile phones, 20 products, 22 labels, 24 first code, 26 second code, 50 information management system, 1
00 information management device, 102 code receiving unit, 104
Authentication unit, 106 code management unit, 108 permission unit, 11
0 Entertainment provision section, 112 Distribution status analysis section, 114 Position information acquisition section, 116 Code generation section, 118 Printing section, 120 User database, 122 Code database, 124 Purchase history database, 140 Game progression section, 142 Lottery section, 144 items Management unit, 146 output data generation unit, 148 progress number generation unit, 150 divination data storage unit, 152 item storage unit, 154 acquisition item database, 156 progress status database, 158 event content database, 170 classification unit, 172 target person condition storage Part, 17
4 selection unit, 176 target person database, 180 determination unit, 182 probability variation unit, 184 random number generation unit, 186
Section estimation unit, 188 subjective factor input unit, 190 objective factor input unit.

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A step of receiving, by a user who purchased a product, identification information attached to the product, which is transmitted by a user himself using a terminal, and a step of providing entertainment to the user after receiving the identification information. And a step of analyzing the distribution status of the product based on the received identification information. 2. The method further comprises a step of accumulating the received identification information in association with at least one of the information for identifying the user and the date and time when the identification information is received, and the step of accumulating the identification information based on the accumulated identification information. The information management method according to claim 1, wherein the distribution status of the products is classified and analyzed. 3. Different identification information is given to each individual product, the provision of the entertainment is permitted when the identification information is first received, and the entertainment is provided when the same identification information is subsequently received. The information management method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a step of not permitting. 4. A step of counting the number of times the identification information is received, wherein different identification information is given to each individual product, and the provision of the entertainment is permitted when the number of times the identification information is received is within a predetermined number of times. The information management method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the step of disallowing the provision of the entertainment when the same identification information is received thereafter. 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of preliminarily storing the identification information and the information for identifying the brand of the product in association with each other, and analyzing the distribution status of the product for each brand. Information management method described in any of. 6. A step of analyzing the purchase tendency of the user from the accumulated identification information and classifying the user according to the purchase tendency, and whether to give a present to the user who has enjoyed the entertainment based on the classification. The information management method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a step of determining whether or not the information management method is included. 7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of registering information about the user, wherein the distribution status is analyzed based on the registered items and the accumulated identification information. Information management method described in crab. 8. The method further comprising: a step of acquiring information for specifying a position of the terminal when the identification information is transmitted; a step of associating the position information with the accumulated identification information; The information management method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the information management method is used as an area in which the user purchased the product for analysis of distribution status. 9. A step of preliminarily storing identification information and area information in which the product is sold in association with each other, and a step of determining whether or not the position of the terminal is included in the area specified by the area information. 9. The information management method according to claim 8, further comprising: and, in a case where the position of the terminal is included in the area information, the storing step stores the received identification information. 10. A receiving unit that receives the identification information given to the product, which is transmitted by a user who purchased the product using a terminal, and a providing unit that provides entertainment to the user after receiving the identification information. And an analysis unit that analyzes the distribution status of the product based on the received identification information. 11. A first storage unit that stores information about the user, an authentication unit that confirms that the user is a user registered in the first storage unit, and authentication of the user is successful. And a storage unit that stores the identification information in association with at least one of the information identifying the user or the date and time when the identification information was received, and the analysis unit based on the stored identification information. The information management device according to claim 10, wherein the distribution status is classified and analyzed. 12. The different identification information is given to each individual product, and further comprises a permitting unit for permitting provision of the entertainment only when the identification information is first received. 11. The information management device according to item 11. 13. A counter that counts the number of times that the identification information is received, each of which is provided with different identification information for each individual product, and if the number of times that the identification information is received is within a predetermined number, The information management device according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising: a permission unit that permits provision of entertainment to the user. 14. A second storage unit for preliminarily storing the identification information and the information for identifying the brand of the product in association with each other, wherein the permission unit is configured such that the received identification information is stored in the second storage unit. 14. The permission for the providing unit is performed based on whether or not the information is stored in.
Information management device described in. 15. The user is classified according to the purchase tendency of the user based on the accumulated identification information, and whether or not to give a present to the user who has enjoyed the entertainment based on the classification. 15. The information management device according to claim 11, further comprising a lottery unit that makes a determination. 16. The entertainment is a sugoroku-like entertainment in which an event is set for each section, and the providing unit determines a number of advancing a piece of the user when the permitting unit permits. The information management device according to claim 10, further comprising: a generation unit, and a progress unit that advances the piece based on the number determined by the number generation unit. 17. The number generation unit includes a probability varying unit that determines any one of a plurality of preset numbers as an output value and sets a probability of determining the output value. The information management device according to claim 16. 18. The event according to claim 16, which gives a user the right to download digital goods, and further comprises a third storage unit for storing a download history of digital goods.
7. The information management device described in 7. 19. The number generation unit further includes a partition estimation unit that estimates a partition position desired by the user from an event set in the partition based on the download history, and the probability variation unit includes: The information management device according to claim 18, wherein the probability that the number estimated by the partition estimation unit is determined as an output value is increased. 20. Information management for receiving the identification information attached to the product, which is transmitted by the user who purchased the product using a mobile phone, and analyzes the distribution status of the product based on the received identification information. An information management system comprising: a device; and a printing device for printing the identification information. 21. The information management system according to claim 20, wherein the information management device includes a providing unit that provides entertainment to the user after receiving the identification information. 22. The information management device stores, for each brand, identification information printed on the printing unit in association with information for identifying a brand of the product, and a storage unit for storing the identification information. The information management system according to claim 20 or 21, further comprising: an analysis unit that analyzes the distribution status of the.