JP2003099668A - Information management system, information management method and program for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information management system, an information management method and a program therefor that can transmit information to an arbitrary user at arbitrary timing. SOLUTION: A price tag device stores an identifier unique to the price tag device, receives a designating identifier and display information, verifies whether the received designating identifier designates the price tag device, and updates display on a display part. In an information management device 12, a merchandise information database 33a stores merchandise information as information about merchandise, the designating identifier and change information including change content and a change date and time, relative to a merchandise code. An information change processing part 34 refers to the merchandise information database 33a to change the display information at the timing of the change date and time according to the change information. A transmission processing part 32 transmits the display information and the corresponding designating identifier relatively to the price tag device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information management system, an information management method and a program thereof, which includes a price tag device having a display unit for displaying a price and an information management device for controlling the price tag device. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order for an advertiser to distribute an advertisement to sell a product, an advertisement can be distributed once a day by requesting a folded advertisement in a newspaper. At this time,
The advertiser created the advertisement by requesting a professional trader who creates the insert advertisement.

[0003]

As described above, in the newspaper advertisement, only one advertisement per day can be made, and there has been an increasing demand for advertisements to be made a plurality of times at arbitrary timings per day. . In particular, in recent years, various information devices have become widespread, and portable information devices that can be connected to the Internet, telephones that have a function of browsing contents on the Internet, fax transmission software via the Internet, and the like are provided. An environment for delivering arbitrary information to users at an arbitrary timing using the hardware and software of is being developed. Therefore, it has been desired to realize the above-mentioned demands with a simple system.

Further, with the recent widespread use of personal computers, digital cameras, and printers, an environment has been created in which simple advertisements can be created even by a professional advertising agency. As a result, there has been an increasing demand for a simple system for generating and distributing an advertisement including the price reduction information when the price of the product is reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an information management system, an information management method, and a program therefor capable of transmitting information to any user at any timing. It is another object of the present invention to provide an information management system, an information management method, and a program therefor capable of easily generating an advertisement including product information changed at any timing.

[0006]

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the invention according to claim 1 is a price tag device having display means for displaying a price, and the price tag device. An information management system comprising an information management device for controlling the price tag device, wherein the price tag device is associated with at least an identifier storage unit for storing an identifier unique to the price tag device and a designated identifier for designating the price tag device, Receiving means for receiving display information including price information, verifying means for verifying whether or not the received designated identifier designates the price tag device by referring to the identifier stored in the identifier storing section, and the verifying means. Comprises a display control means for updating the display of the display means based on the received display information when it is verified that the price tag device is designated. Change information including product information, which is information about a product sold at the price included in the display information, a designated identifier that specifies the price tag device, the change content for changing the information included in the display information, and the change date and time. And a product information database that stores the product in association with a product code that specifies the product, and information that changes display information at the timing of the modification date and time based on the modification information associated with the product code by referring to the product information database. An information management system comprising: a changing unit and a transmitting unit that transmits the display information changed by the information changing unit to a price tag device in association with a designated identifier corresponding to the display information.

As a result, the information management system can automatically update the price information displayed on the price tag device at the timing of change, based on the change information that is the information for changing the price of the product.

The invention described in claim 2 is the same as claim 1.
The information management system according to claim 1, wherein the information management device controls the printing means for printing and an advertisement for notifying the change to be printed by the printing means in a predetermined layout based on the change information. Means are further provided. Thereby, the information management system can print the advertisement notifying the change based on the change information.

The invention described in claim 3 is the same as claim 1
The information management system according to claim 1, wherein the information management device generates, based on the change information, an advertisement having a predetermined layout for notifying the change and a notification information in a data format that can be notified via a network. Notification information generating means,
It further comprises notification information transmitting means for transmitting the notification information to a terminal capable of network connection.

As a result, the information management system generates the notification information, which is the data in the electronic mail format that can be communicated via the network and the data in the HTML format that can be browsed by the browser, and sends the electronic mail or sends the notification information. It is possible to send URL link information for browsing HTML.

The invention according to claim 4 is the same as claim 3
In the information management system described in [1], when the network connectable terminal is a FAX, the notification information generating means generates notification information for FAX transmission, and the notification information transmitting means generates the FAX transmission. Credit notification information to FA
It is characterized by transmitting X. As a result, the information management system can notify the change information using FAX.

Further, the invention according to claim 5 is the same as claim 2
The information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the notification information is a layout to which privilege information prepared in advance is added. This allows
The information management system can add privilege information, which is more attractive to users and has added value, to an advertisement that notifies change information.

The invention according to claim 6 is the same as claim 1.
6. The information management system according to claim 5, wherein the information regarding the user's name and contact information is added every time the user purchases a predetermined product or uses a predetermined service. Information that stores at least user information including at least point information that is point information associated with date and time information that is information about the date and time when the user information is registered and a user identifier that identifies the user It is further characterized by further comprising a database and a lottery means for drawing a predetermined number from the user information registered in the user information database within a predetermined period.

As a result, the information management system can draw the user by using the information stored in the user information database as the drawing condition.

The invention described in claim 7 is the same as claim 6
The information management system described in (1) above, further comprising selection means for selecting a product or service to be presented to the user based on the point information included in the user information selected by the lottery means. To do. Thereby, the information management system can select the product or service to be presented to the user in consideration of the point information.

The invention described in claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7.
In the information management system described in 1 above, referring to the user information database, the privilege information including at least the contents of the privilege, the place where the privilege is provided, and the date and time when the privilege is provided is sent to the contact information of the user who is arbitrarily selected. A privilege information transmitting means for transmitting, a privilege information database for storing privilege information in association with a user identifier for arbitrarily selecting a user,
When a user tries to enjoy the contents of a privilege, a privilege that refers to the privilege information database based on the user identifier of the user and verifies whether the user is a target to enjoy the contents of the privilege It is characterized by further comprising subject verification means.

As a result, the information management system can verify whether the user can enjoy the privilege by using the user identifier.

The invention described in claim 9 is the same as claim 8.
In the information management system described in, the user information further includes lottery history information, which is information on the number of times the user has been drawn by the target person who can enjoy the benefit in the past and the number of times the user has enjoyed the benefit in the past. Including the above, the lottery means is characterized in that, when arbitrarily selecting a target person who can enjoy the privilege from the user information database, the user is selected in consideration of the lottery history information of the user information.

As a result, the information management system can lottery the users who are to receive the privilege in consideration of the past lottery history information.

The invention according to claim 10 is an information management method using a price tag device having display means for displaying a price, and an information management device controlling the price tag device, wherein the price tag device comprises: A step of receiving display information associated with a designated identifier for designating the price tag device, the display information including at least information relating to the price; and referring to the identifier from the identifier storage unit that stores the unique identifier of the price tag device A step of verifying whether the designated identifier specifies the price tag device, and a step of updating the display of the display means based on the received display information when verifying that the specified price tag device is specified. The information management device processes the display information, the product information that is information about the product sold at the price included in the display information, and the designated identifier that specifies the price tag device. , A change information for changing the information included in the display information and change information including a change date and time are associated with the product code by referring to a product information database that stores the change information including the change date and time and the product code specifying the product. The step of changing the display information at the timing of the change date and time based on the changed information, and the step of transmitting the display information changed by the information changing means to the price tag device in association with the designated identifier corresponding to the display information. It is characterized by doing.

The invention according to claim 11 is a program used for a price tag device having a display means for displaying a price and an information management device for controlling the price tag device.
A step of receiving display information associated with a designated identifier for designating the price tag device, the display information including at least information relating to the price; and referring to the identifier from the identifier storage unit that stores the unique identifier of the price tag device A step of verifying whether the designated identifier specifies the price tag device, and a step of updating the display of the display means based on the received display information when verifying that the specified price tag device is specified. To the price tag device, and display information,
A change that includes product information that is information about a product sold at the price included in the display information, a designated identifier that specifies the price tag device, a change content for changing the information included in the display information, and a change date and time. Information and a product information database that stores the product in association with a product code that identifies the product, and based on the change information associated with the product code, changing the display information at the timing of the change date and time, And a step of transmitting the display information changed by the changing means to the price tag device in association with the designated identifier corresponding to the display information.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention described in the claims, and all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are required for the solution means of the invention. Not necessarily. First, a schematic configuration of an information management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, reference numeral 10 is an information management system that manages information relating to the price of a product, and comprises the following devices and systems. 11 wirelessly receives price information for display,
It is a price tag device that displays the price information. 12 wirelessly transmits display information including the changed price information to the price tag device 11 according to the change of the price of the product, distributes the change information via a network, and advertises based on the change information. Is an information management device that prints, manages price change information, and performs various processes. A printer 13 prints an advertisement including change information. The printer 13 may print the price tag reflecting the changed price on a predetermined price tag paper.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a POS (Point of Sales) which is a system for managing product sales information including an electronic cash register and a database of product information.
System) system. Reference numeral 15 is a network which is a communication line network such as the Internet or a public line network. Reference numeral 16 is a FAX machine capable of transmitting and receiving a FAX signal via the network 15. Reference numeral 17 denotes a terminal, which is a telephone or a personal computer having a function of using contents on the network 15. Reference numeral 18 denotes a mobile terminal that is a mobile phone or a mobile information terminal that can use contents on the Internet.

The FAX 16, the terminal 17, the portable terminal 18
Are owned by a plurality of users, and a plurality of units are connected to the network 15. Also,
The information management device 12, the terminal 17, and the mobile terminal 18 include a display device (or a display unit) such as a CRT (CathodeRay Tube) or a liquid crystal display device, and an input device (or an input unit) such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a button. ) And software for using content (including electronic mail) on the Internet such as a browser.

With the above configuration, the information management system 10
An outline of the operation in the case where the price change of the product managed in and the change information including the date and time information for performing the price change is set will be described. The information management device 12 transmits display information (including price information) to be displayed on the price tag device 11 at the date and time set based on the change information. As a result, the price tag device 11 updates the display information. In addition, the information management device 1
The control unit 2 controls the printer 13 to print an advertisement to which the change information is added based on the change information and which is provided with privilege information prepared in advance, in a predetermined layout. Further, the information management device 12 refers to the product information from the POS system 14 or instructs the POS system 14 to give a privilege based on the privilege information added to the advertisement.

The information management device 12 also generates FAX notification information, which is an advertisement of a predetermined layout for notifying the change, which can be notified by a FAX signal, based on the change information via the network 15. Send to FAX16.
Further, the information management device 12 generates, via the network 15, an advertisement having a predetermined layout for notifying the change based on the change information and generating notification information in an electronic mail format, and the terminal 17 or the mobile terminal 18 Send to. As described above, the information management system 10 automatically reflects the change information such as the price change on the price tag, and prints, faxes, distributes in the form of e-mail, etc., the advertisement information including the change information. The user can be notified using various means.

Next, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of the information management system 10 will be described. First, the detailed configuration of the price tag device 11 described above will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the price tag device 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 21 is a price tag device 1
It is a control unit for controlling the data in 1. A reception processing unit 22 receives from the antenna the display information associated with the designated identifier for designating the price tag device 11 wirelessly transmitted from the information management device 12.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a display information storage unit 23a for storing the display information received by the reception processing unit 22, and each price tag device 11.
Is a storage unit including an identifier storage unit 23b that stores a unique identifier in the. Reference numeral 24 is a display unit such as a liquid crystal screen having a display area 24a for displaying characters and images in black and white or color. 25 is an identifier storage unit 23
It is a verification processing unit that refers to the identifier from b and verifies whether the specified identifier received by the reception processing unit 22 specifies the price tag device 11.

When the verification processing unit 25 verifies that the designated identifier designates the price tag device 11, the verification processing unit 25 refers to the display information from the display information storage unit 23a and displays the display area 24a of the display unit 24. A display control processing unit for displaying the display information. With the above configuration, the price tag device 11 wirelessly receives the display information and displays the display information in the display area 24a. The identifier stored in the identifier storage unit 23b may be rewritable from outside,
Alternatively, the price tag device 11 may be provided with a switch function for setting an identification number or the like.

Next, a detailed configuration of the information management device 12 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the information management device 12 in the embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 31 is a control unit that controls data in the information management device 12. Reference numeral 32 denotes a transmission processing unit that wirelessly transmits display information to the price tag device 11 from an antenna. Three
Reference numeral 3 denotes a database that stores product information that is information about products, user information that is information about users, and privilege information that is information about benefits provided to users. An example of the configurations of the product information database 33a, the user information database 33b, and the privilege information database 33c included in the database 33 will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The product information database 33a includes "display information", "product information" which is information on products sold at the price included in the "display information", a designated identifier for designating the price tag device 11, and the display. The change information for changing the information included in the information and the change information including the change date and time are stored in association with the product code that specifies the product. Here, a configuration example of the product information database 33a is shown below.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the product information database 33a in one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, various kinds of information regarding the product are stored in association with the "product code" that specifies the product. “Product name” is the name of the product. The “display information” is information to be displayed on the price tag device 11, and includes the following information, for example. The “commodity name” is the same as that described above.
“Price” is information on the price at which the product is sold. “Discount rate (%)” is information indicating a discount rate when a product is sold at a price lower than a normal selling price. The "discount date and time" is information on the date and time when the discount sale of the product is started. This information also includes information on the date and time when the discount sale is to be ended when it is desired to specify the date and time when the discount sale is to be ended. The “commodity information” is not limited to this, and it is preferable to include information (for example, information such as the place of origin) desired to be displayed on the price tag device 11.

Next, "product information" is information on the product specified by the "product code". The “commodity name” and the “price” are as described above. The "manufacturer / origin information" is information on the manufacturer and origin of the product. “Purchase date, manufacturing date, production date” is information regarding the date and time when the product was purchased and the date and time when the product was manufactured and produced. The “product image information” is image data obtained by digitizing the product with a digital camera or the like, and is used when creating an advertisement.

Next, the "change information" is the above "display information".
Is information about changes in the. "Discount rate (%)",
The “discount date and time” is as described above. “Reason for discount”
Is the reason for discounting such as "Thanks for XX anniversary sale" and may be included in the "display information". The "change information" is not limited to the price change, and may be information for changing the information displayed on the price tag device 11 as "display information".

Next, the user information database 33b is
Information about the user is stored in association with the user identifier. Here, a configuration example of the user information database 33b is shown below. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a configuration example of the user information database 33b in the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, various information regarding the user is stored in association with a "user identifier" that identifies the user. “User name” is the name of the user.
“Telephone number, FAX number” is a contact number such as a telephone number, a mobile phone number, and a FAX number that can be contacted with the user. The "e-mail address" is the e-mail address of the user who can distribute information in the e-mail format.

The "address, work place, commuting route information" is information such as the address of the user, information about the work place, and commuting route information. As a result, it is possible to deliver the bargain information of the dealer near the office or on the way to work on the working day, and the bargain information of the dealer near the home on the holiday. The “point information” is information on points accumulated each time the user purchases a predetermined product or uses a predetermined service. For example, when a predetermined number or more of points are accumulated, various benefits are given to the user.

"Purchase history information" is history information of products purchased by the user in the past. The “lottery history information” is history information such as the number of times the user has been randomly selected in the user information database 33b to be able to automatically enjoy the privilege and the number of times the privilege has been enjoyed. With this information, it is possible to prevent the user from presenting the same item as a privilege, even if only one item is sufficient. Further, in the case of a consumable item, it is possible to make a determination such as selecting the consumable item if the date and time required for the consumption has passed by referring to the date of present in the past.

Next, the privilege information database 33c stores the privilege information, which is information related to the privilege granted to the user,
Stored in association with the user identifier. Here, a configuration example of the privilege information database 33c is shown below. Figure 5 (b)
[Fig. 3] is a diagram showing a configuration example of a privilege information database 33c in one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, "privilege information", which is information regarding a privilege to be given to the user in association with a "user identifier" that identifies the user, is stored.

"User name" is the name of the user.
The “privilege content information” is information on the content of the privilege given to the user. The “privilege providing location information” is information about a place (distributor) that provides the benefit.
The “privilege expiration date information” is information indicating the expiration date of the “privilege information”. The "privilege enjoyment history information" is information on whether the user has enjoyed the privilege of "privilege information". As a result, it is possible to prevent illegal attempts to enjoy the privilege twice if the privilege is once for each person. The configuration of the database 33 has been described above, but the configuration is not limited to this.
It is preferable to store information for more easily transmitting information to the user and automatically updating the information displayed on the price tag device 11.

Next, the description returns to the internal configuration of the information management device 12. An information change processing unit 34 changes the "display information" at the timing of the change date and time based on the "change information" associated with the "product code" by referring to the product information database 33a. Reference numeral 35 is a notification information generation processing unit that generates an advertisement having a predetermined layout for notifying the change based on the change information and generating notification information in an electronic mail format that can be notified via the network 15. In addition, the notification information generation processing unit 35 is a FAX that can be received by the FAX 16.
You can also generate notification information in the form.

The data format to be notified is not limited to the electronic mail format or the FAX format, but may be voice, video, URL link or the like. Also, the advertisement generated by the notification information generation processing unit 35 has a layout to which the privilege information prepared in advance is added. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a layout example of an advertisement generated by the notification information generation processing unit 35 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The notification information generation processing unit 35 generates the advertisement 60 having the layout shown in FIG. At this time, the notification information generation processing unit 35 refers to the "product image information" from the product information database 33a and posts it as indicated by reference numeral 61 in FIG.
Also, predetermined privilege information indicated by reference numeral 62 is added. Since the advertisement 60 is electronic data, it can be printed by the printer 13, transmitted by FAX, or attached to an electronic mail.

Reference numeral 36 is a lottery processing section for drawing a predetermined number from the user information registered in the user information database 33b within a predetermined period. The lottery processing unit 36 takes into consideration the “lottery history information” included in the user information stored in the user information database 33b when the lottery is drawn. May be considered when doing. For example, processing such as preferentially drawing out users with similar addresses by the store is performed. A selection processing unit 37 selects a product or service to be presented to the user based on the point information included in the user information selected by the lottery processing unit 36. The selection processing unit 37 performs ranking according to the number of points, such as selecting a luxurious privilege or present as the number of points accumulated by the users selected by the lottery processing unit 36 increases. In addition, the selection processing unit 37
Is "lottery history information" in the user information database 33b.
Refer to to select benefits and gifts.

Reference numeral 38 refers to the user information database 33b, and details of the privilege to the contact information of the user arbitrarily selected,
It is a privilege information transmission processing unit that transmits privilege information including at least a place to provide the privilege and a date and time to provide the privilege. Three
9 is a privilege information database 33 based on the user identifier of the user when the user wants to enjoy the contents of the privilege.
It is a privilege target person verification processing unit that verifies whether or not the user is a target to enjoy the contents of the privilege by referring to the “privilege privilege history” of c. As a method of confirming the user identifier of the user, for example, when the user pays at the electronic cash register of the POS system 14, a point card or the like is presented and the information stored in the point card is exclusively used. There is a method of confirming the reading user identifier with a reading device.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a print control processing unit which controls, based on the change information, an advertisement for notifying the change to be printed by the printer 13 in a predetermined layout. 41 is POS
A POS transmission / reception processing unit that transmits and receives various information to and from the system 14. For example, the POS transmission / reception processing unit 41 periodically refers to the product price information of the POS system 14 and reflects it in the product information database 33a. Reference numeral 42 denotes a notification information transmission processing unit that transmits the notification information to the terminal 17 or the mobile terminal 18 that can be connected to the network 15. The notification information transmission processing unit 42 can also perform FAX transmission.

Each processing unit shown above may be realized by dedicated hardware, and each processing unit is composed of a memory and a CPU (central processing unit), and each processing unit has The function may be realized by loading a program for realizing the function into a memory and executing the program. The memory is a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, a flash memory, a read-only recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or a RAM (Random Access).
A volatile memory such as ss Memory), or a computer-readable / writable recording medium using a combination thereof.

Next, the operation of the above information management system 10 will be described. The operation of the information management system 10 is roughly divided into an operation of updating the display of the price tag device 11 based on the change information and an operation of giving a privilege to the user who has been selected. First, the operation of the information management system 10 for updating the display of the price tag device 11 based on the change information will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of changing the display of the price tag device 11 by the information management system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the network terminals are the FAX 16, the terminal 17, and the mobile terminal 18 shown in FIG.
Is the name to summarize.

First, change information for changing the price of a desired product to a predetermined date and time is set from the input device of the information management terminal 12 (t1). As a result, the set change information is stored in the product information database 33a in association with the product code. Next, the notification information generation processing unit 35 is an advertisement 60 as shown in FIG. 6 that notifies the change based on the change information, and is an electronic mail format (or FAX) that can be notified to the network terminal via the network 15. The notification information in the form) is generated (t2).

Next, the print control processing unit 40 controls the printer 13 to print an advertisement informing of the change from the printer 13 based on the change information (t3). As a result, an advertisement that informs the change information is automatically sent to the printer 1.
3 is printed. Before printing with the printer 13,
The user may be able to confirm and correct. In addition, the notification information transmission processing unit 42 includes the notification information generation processing unit 3
The notification information generated by 5 is transmitted to the network terminal via the network 15 (t4). As a result, the notification information, which is an advertisement, is distributed to the network terminal operated by the user and displayed on the display unit of the network terminal (t
5).

Next, the information change processing unit 34 refers to the product information database 33a and changes the "display information" at the timing of the change date and time based on the "change information" associated with the "product code". As a result, the transmission processing unit 32
Transmits the changed "display information" by radio in association with the designated identifier designating the price tag device 11 of the product corresponding to the "display information" (t6). As a result, the reception processing unit 2
2 wirelessly receives "display information" including the designated identifier. Next, the verification processing unit 25 compares the received designated identifier with the identifier stored in the identifier storage unit 23b, and verifies whether the received "display information" is transmitted to the price tag device 11 (t7). .

If the verification is OK, the "display information" stored in the display information storage unit 23a is updated to the received "display information" (t8). Next, the display control processing unit 2
6 refers to "display information" from the display information storage unit 23a to update the display in the display area 24a (t9).
In addition, when the time zone for discounting is determined, the price tag device 11 receives the information of the time zone, and displays the “display information” before the update to the display information storage unit 23a at the regular price. It is stored as "display information", and when the discount time period ends, it is updated to "display information" at the time of selling at the original regular price.

In addition, the POS transmission / reception processing unit 41
The price change information is transmitted to the system 14 (t1
0). As a result, when the user sees the notification information and purchases the advertised product at the store at a predetermined date and time, the discount information is reflected in the price processed by the POS system 14. As described above, the information management system 10
By setting the change information that changes the price of the product,
The display of the price tag device 11 can be automatically changed.

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned information management system 10 for giving a privilege to a user who has been selected by lottery will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information management system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention for giving a privilege to a user who has been selected by lottery. In addition, also in this figure, the network terminal is a general name of the FAX 16, the terminal 17, and the mobile terminal 18 in FIG.

First, a desired lottery condition is set from the input device of the information management terminal 12 (t21). Next, the lottery processing unit 36 draws a predetermined number from the user information registered in the user information database 33b within a predetermined period based on the lottery conditions (t22). In the processing of the lottery processing section 36, various kinds of lottery conditions may be set, or user information registered within a predetermined period may be randomly selected. Next, the selection processing unit 37 selects a product or service to be presented to the user based on the point information included in the user information selected by the lottery processing unit 36 (t23).
It is also possible to combine the above-mentioned lottery process and selection process to obtain a purposeful process. For example, a newly registered user is selected by lottery and a FAX is presented to the user, so that the number of FAX receivers of the information management system 10 can be increased.

Next, the privilege information transmission processing section 38 selects the destination of the user who has been selected by the lottery processing section 36.
The privilege information including at least the contents of the privilege selected by the user, the place to provide the privilege, and the date and time to provide the privilege is transmitted (t2
4). Next, the control unit 31 stores the privilege information in the privilege information database 33c (t25). Here, when the user who sees the privilege information transmitted by the privilege information transmission processing unit 38 requests the privilege reception at the store, the POS system 1
4 receives the request (t26). Next, the user identifier of the user is read from the point card or the like owned by the user and is transmitted to the information management device 12 together with the request for verification of the user identifier (t27).

As a result, the POS transmission / reception processing unit 41
The user identifier and the verification request are received. Next, the privilege target person verification processing unit 39 refers to the “privilege reception history” of the privilege information database 33c based on the received user identifier, and determines whether the user is a target for enjoying the contents of the privilege. Verify (t29). Next, the verification result of the privilege target verification processing unit 39 is returned to the POS system 14 (t3).
0).

If the verification result is OK, POS
The system 14 provides a privilege to the user (t31).
Further, if the verification is NG, the POS system 14 does not provide the privilege to the user. Further, when the privilege information is a discount for a specific product, the fact may be written on the price tag device 11 of the product. At this time, the transmission processing unit 32 wirelessly transmits the display information including the privilege information (t28). As a result, the display information including the privilege information is displayed in the display area 24a of the price tag device 11 (t32).

As described above, the information management system 1
0 is capable of randomly selecting an arbitrary user, selecting the privilege of the selected user, and transmitting the privilege information to the user. Thereby, the privilege information can be efficiently delivered by setting the lottery conditions. Further, the information management system 10 can verify whether or not the user is a user who may be provided with the privilege information, by cooperating with the POS system 14.

Some examples of conditions to be considered when the lottery processing section 36 carries out a lottery will be given. First, if a privilege has been given by lottery in the past, it can be a condition that the privilege is enjoyed. This is because a person who has enjoyed the privilege multiple times in the past is likely to come to the store to receive the privilege again. In addition, for users who use the FAX as a terminal,
X consumables (ink, paper, etc.) may be provided as a privilege.

Further, a program for realizing the function of the processing unit for performing the above-described various processes is recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded in this recording medium is read into the computer system and executed. Therefore, each process may be performed. The “computer system” mentioned here includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. In addition, the “computer system” includes a homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW system is used.

The "computer-readable recording medium" means a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk,
A portable medium such as a ROM or a CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium"
Is a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that serves as a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, and holds the program for a certain period of time. It also includes things.

Further, the above program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. Further, the program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Further, it may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system. Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes a design and the like within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0063]

As described above, the information management system according to the present invention is an information management system including a price tag device having a display means for displaying a price and an information management device controlling the price tag device. The price tag device includes an identifier storage unit that stores an identifier unique to the price tag device, a receiving unit that is associated with a designated identifier for designating the price tag device, and that receives display information including at least information regarding price, and an identifier. Referring to the identifier stored in the storage unit,
Verification means for verifying whether or not the received designated identifier specifies the price tag device, and when the verification means verifies that the price tag device is specified, the display means of the display means is based on the received display information. The information management device comprises display control means for updating the display, display information, product information that is information about a product sold at a price included in the display information, and a designated identifier that specifies the price tag device. , A product information database that stores change information including change content and change date and time for changing information included in the display information in association with a product code that specifies the product, and a product information database with reference to the product information database Based on the change information associated with the code, the information changing means for changing the display information at the timing of the change date and time, and the display information changed by the information changing means are paired with the display information. The price information displayed on the price tag device is automatically changed at a timing when the price information displayed on the price tag device is changed based on the change information that is information for changing the price of the product. Can be updated. As a result, it is possible to save the cost and labor of replacing and managing the price tag. Further, if the display means of the price tag device is a large color display device, various information other than price information can be displayed at any timing.

Further, in the information management system according to the present invention, the above-mentioned information management device includes a printing means for performing printing.
A printing control unit that controls the printing unit to print an advertisement notifying the change based on the change information is printed. Therefore, the advertisement notifying the change is printed based on the change information. You can As a result, it is possible to easily and efficiently create an advertisement by compiling information on products that have been manually changed to create an advertisement.

Further, in the information management system according to the present invention, the information management device is an advertisement of a predetermined layout for notifying the change based on the change information, which is a data format that can be notified via the network. Since it further comprises a notification information generating means for generating information and a notification information transmitting means for transmitting the notification information to a terminal capable of connecting to the network, it is possible to browse the data in an electronic mail format which can be communicated via the network or a browser. It is possible to generate notification information, which is HTML format data, and send the e-mail, or send URL link information for browsing the HTML. Also, if it is attached to an electronic mail, advertisements can be created by various applications.

Further, in the information management system according to the present invention, when the network connectable terminal is a FAX, the notification information generating means generates the notification information for FAX transmission, and the notification information transmitting means generates the notification information. Said FA
Since the notification information for X transmission is transmitted by FAX, the change information can be notified using FAX. This allows
Information can be distributed to elderly users who cannot operate information terminals that can connect to the Internet.

Further, in the information management system according to the present invention, since the notification information is a layout to which the privilege information prepared in advance is added, the added value more attractive to the user for the advertisement notifying the change information. It is possible to add privilege information that becomes As a result, the effect of attracting customers to the store can be further enhanced.

Further, in the information management system according to the present invention, information about the name and contact information of the user and points accumulated each time the user purchases a predetermined product or uses a predetermined service. A user information database that stores user information including at least point information, which is information about the user information, in association with date and time information that is information about the date and time when the user information is registered and a user identifier that identifies the user, Since it further comprises a lottery means for drawing a predetermined number from the user information registered in the user information database within a predetermined period, it is possible to draw the user by using the information stored in the user information database as a lottery condition. it can.
As a result, it is possible to perform a lottery taking into consideration the needs and behavior patterns of the user.

The information management system according to the present invention further comprises selection means for selecting a product or service to be presented to the user based on the point information contained in the user information drawn by the lottery means. Therefore, the product or service to be presented to the user can be selected in consideration of the point information. As a result, it is possible to provide products and services according to the amount of points. For example, when the user receives information distribution using FAX, when the accumulated point amount is large, there is a high possibility that a long date and time has passed since registration as a member.
It can be inferred that the consumables of X are likely to be replaced. This can also be the target of the lottery.

Further, in the information management system according to the present invention, at least the contents of the privilege, the place to provide the privilege, and the date and time to provide the privilege are referred to the contact information of the user arbitrarily selected by referring to the user information database. A privilege information transmitting means for transmitting privilege information including the privilege information database, a privilege information database for storing privilege information in association with a user identifier for identifying a user arbitrarily selected, and when the user tries to enjoy the contents of the privilege. , A privilege target person verification means for verifying whether or not the user is a target to enjoy the contents of the privilege by referring to the privilege information database based on the user identifier of the user, The identifier can be used to verify whether the user can enjoy the privilege. As a result, it is possible to prevent the same user from illegally enjoying the privilege once per person many times.

Further, in the information management system according to the present invention, the user information is information on the number of times the user has been drawn by the target person who can enjoy the privilege in the past and the number of times the user has enjoyed the privilege in the past. In addition to the history information, when the lottery means arbitrarily draws a target person who can enjoy the privilege from the user information database, the lottery means selects the user in consideration of the lottery history information of the user information. It is possible to lottery the users who are to receive the privilege in consideration of the lottery history information. As a result, it is possible to efficiently perform the lottery for the target person of the privilege by weighting the probability that the users who are likely to visit the store are lottery.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a price tag device 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an information management device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a product information database 33a according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a user information database 33b and a privilege information database 33c in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a layout example of an advertisement generated by the notification information generation processing unit 35 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of changing the display of the price tag device 11 by the information management system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation in which the information management system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention gives a privilege to a user who has been selected by lottery.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Information management system 11 price tag device 12 Information management device 13 Printer 14 POS system 15 network 16 FAX 17 terminals 18 Mobile terminal 21 Control unit 22 Reception processing unit 23 Storage 23a Display information storage unit 23b identifier storage 24 Display 24a display area 25 Verification processing unit 26 Display Control Processing Unit 31 Control unit 32 Transmission processing unit 33 Database 33a Product information database 33b User information database 33c privilege information database 34 Information change processing unit 35 Notification Information Generation Processing Unit 36 Lottery processing section 37 Selection Processing Section 38 Privilege information transmission processing unit 39 Benefit Target Verification Processing Unit 40 Print control processing unit 41 POP transmission / reception processing unit 42 Notification Information Transmission Processing Unit

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Shigeru Fukumori             1-5-1 Taito, Taito-ku, Tokyo Toppan stamp             Imprint Co., Ltd.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An information management system comprising a price tag device having display means for displaying a price, and an information management device controlling the price tag device, wherein the price tag device assigns an identifier unique to the price tag device. An identifier storage unit to store, a display information storage unit to store display information to be displayed on the display unit, and receive the display information including at least information regarding price associated with a designated identifier for designating the price tag device. And a receiving unit that refers to the identifier from the identifier storage unit, and updates the display information storage unit using the received display information only when the received designated identifier designates the price tag device. And a display control unit that updates the display of the display unit by referring to the updated display information from the display information storage unit. The information management device changes the display information, product information that is information about a product sold at a price included in the display information, a designated identifier that specifies the price tag device, and information included in the display information. Product information database for storing change information including change content and change date and time for changing the product code that identifies the product, and the change information associated with the product code by referring to the product information database Based on the information change means for changing the display information at the timing of the change date and time, the display information changed by the information change means is transmitted to the price tag device in association with the designated identifier corresponding to the display information. An information management system, comprising: 2. The information management device includes a printing unit that performs printing, and a print control unit that controls the printing unit to print an advertisement informing of the change in a predetermined layout based on the change information. The device further comprises:
Information management system described in. 3. The information management device generates notification information based on the change information, which is an advertisement of a predetermined layout for notifying the change, and which is a data format that can be notified via a network. The information management system according to claim 1, further comprising: a notification information transmitting unit that transmits the notification information to a terminal capable of network connection. 4. The network connectable terminal is a fax machine.
4. The notification information generating unit generates the notification information for FAX transmission, and the notification information transmitting unit transmits the generated notification information for FAX transmission by FAX.
Information management system described in. 5. The information management system according to claim 2, wherein the notification information is a layout to which privilege information prepared in advance is added. 6. Information regarding a user's name and contact information,
Information on the date and time when the user information is registered, including user information including at least point information that is point information accumulated each time the user purchases a predetermined product or uses a predetermined service. A user information database that stores the date and time information and a user identifier that identifies the user, and a lottery for randomly selecting a predetermined number from the user information registered in the user information database within a predetermined period. The information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising means. 7. The selection means for selecting a product or service to be presented to the user based on the point information included in the user information selected by the lottery means. The information management system described in 6. 8. Referring to the user information database,
A privilege information transmitting unit for transmitting privilege information including at least the contents of the privilege, the place to provide the privilege, and the date and time to provide the privilege to the contact information of the arbitrarily selected user; and the use for identifying the arbitrarily selected user A privilege information database storing the privilege information in association with a person identifier, and when the user tries to enjoy the contents of the privilege,
It further comprises a privilege target person verification means for verifying whether the user is a target to enjoy the contents of the privilege by referring to the privilege information database based on the user identifier of the user. The information management system according to claim 7. 9. The user information further includes lottery history information that is information on the number of times the user has been drawn by a target person who can enjoy a privilege in the past and the number of times the user has enjoyed the privilege. 9. When randomly selecting a target person who can enjoy the privilege from the user information database, the user is selected in consideration of the selection history information of the user information. Information management system. 10. An information management method using a price tag device having display means for displaying a price, and an information management device controlling the price tag device, wherein the price tag device is for specifying the price tag device. A step of receiving display information including information relating to at least a price, which is associated with the designated identifier; and referring to the identifier from an identifier storage unit that stores an identifier unique to the price tag device, The step of verifying whether to specify the device, and when verifying that the price tag device is specified,
Updating the display of the display means based on the received display information, and the information management device is a product that is information about the display information and a product sold at a price included in the display information. A product that stores information, a specified identifier that specifies the price tag device, and change information that includes change content and change date and time for changing the information included in the display information, in association with a product code that identifies the product. Referring to an information database, changing the display information at the timing of the change date and time based on the change information associated with the product code; and displaying the display information changed by the information changing unit, Transmitting the information to the price tag device in association with the designated identifier corresponding to the information. 11. A program used for a price tag device having display means for displaying a price and an information management device for controlling the price tag device, the program being associated with a designated identifier for designating the price tag device, A step of receiving display information including at least information relating to a price, and referring to the identifier from an identifier storage section that stores an identifier unique to the price tag device, and the received designated identifier designates the price tag device. And the step of verifying that the price tag device is specified,
Updating the display of the display means based on the received display information, causing the price tag device to execute the display information, and product information that is information about a product sold at a price included in the display information. A product information database that stores a specified identifier that specifies the price tag device, and change information that includes change content and change date and time for changing information included in the display information, in association with a product code that specifies the product. With reference to the change information associated with the product code, the step of changing the display information at the timing of the change date and time, the display information changed by the information changing unit, A program for causing the information management device to execute the step of transmitting the price tag device in association with the corresponding designated identifier.