JP2004013670A - Information providing method and system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information providing method and system that facilitate consumer's reference to necessary merchandise information even at the purchase of merchandise, and contribute to an increase in the earning of a sales outlet. <P>SOLUTION: The information providing method provides a user with desirable merchandise information with the use of the system having an information management server device for providing merchandise information, a user terminal device with an IC card reader/writer, and a shopping cart set in a store of merchandise and provided with a bar code reader, a network communication device, a display device and an information processing device. The user uses the user terminal device to acquire registration information including bar code information and names of desired merchandise from the information management server device via a network, and to register the registration information and digital money drawn from a given account in an IC card. When the user purchases merchandise, merchandise information on the corresponding merchandise is acquired on display from the information management server device via the network according to read-in bar code information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information providing method and system for providing product information using a network such as the Internet.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the development of information and communication technology, it has become possible to acquire various information using a network such as the Internet.
[0003]
In a conventional information providing system, a consumer accesses, via a network, a website of an information provider that provides information online, and searches for, for example, the name, price, material, quality, and the like of a desired product or service. Thus, the product information necessary for the purchase decision was obtained.
[0004]
At that time, the consumer memorizes the product name of the product decided to be purchased from the obtained product information, or brings a memo in which the product information is printed or handwritten, so that the product can be sold at a retail store, a supermarket, Or, it was referred to when purchasing at a store such as a department store.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in the conventional information providing system, the consumer stores the product name or purchases the product at a supermarket or the like by bringing a paper with the product information. There is a problem that a desired product cannot be purchased, for example, when the paper on which is described is lost.
[0006]
Also, if the price, the material, the quality, etc. match the wishes, the user must obtain the product information from various manufacturers even if the brand name (manufacturer) and the design are not concerned. There is a problem that it takes a lot of time to select a product to be purchased.
[0007]
Furthermore, in processed foods, etc., information on the presence or absence of ingredients and additives, or the place of production, etc., is displayed only on items set by the producer or items specified by law, etc. You may not be able to obtain such information if you want to know.
[0008]
On the other hand, it is difficult for a store such as a supermarket that sells products to provide consumers with information on products (foods such as prepared foods) and bargain items that are manufactured and processed by themselves in a short time. Therefore, there is a problem that these products do not necessarily lead to an improvement in the ability to attract customers.
[0009]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology. The consumer can easily refer to necessary product information even when purchasing the product, and the store can improve the profit. An object of the present invention is to provide an information providing method and a system that contribute to the information.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an information providing method of the present invention provides, via a network, an information management server device that provides barcode information attached to a product and product information that is information on the product,
A user terminal device used by a user who is a recipient of the barcode information and the product information, to which an IC card reader / writer for registering information in an IC card is connected;
A barcode reader for reading the barcode information, a communication device for connecting to the network, a display device for displaying information, and information processing, which are arranged at a store that sells products purchased by the user. A shopping cart with the device,
An information providing method for providing desired product information to the user using a system having
By the user terminal device, via the network, the user obtains barcode information attached to a product desired to be purchased and registration information including the product name from the information management server device,
Register the acquired registration information and electronic money instructed to be debited from a predetermined account in an IC card,
When the user purchases a product, when the barcode information attached to the product is read by the barcode reader, the product management server stores the product information of the product via the network based on the barcode information. Obtained from the device,
This is a method of displaying the obtained product information on the display device.
[0011]
At this time, when the barcode information attached to the product is received from the shopping cart via the local network, the product information of the product is searched based on the barcode information, and the product information is stored in the shopping cart. You may return it,
Upon receiving a purchase instruction for a product that has read the barcode information, the user may make an electronic payment using electronic money registered in the IC card in advance.
[0012]
Further, registering payment information as a result of the electronic payment received from the shopping cart,
At the end of the user's product purchase, the payment information may be displayed for confirmation,
When the shopping cart receives the product information, a predetermined item may be selected and displayed from the product information based on the registration information registered in the IC card in advance by the user.
[0013]
On the other hand, the information providing system of the present invention includes, via a network, barcode information attached to a product, and an information management server device that provides product information that is information on the product,
Registration information including the barcode information and the product name of the product desired to be purchased, and a receiver of the barcode information to which an IC card reader / writer for registering electronic money withdrawn from a predetermined account into an IC card is connected. A user terminal device used by a user,
The barcode information affixed to the product is read from the information management server device via the network based on the barcode information. A shopping cart to acquire and display information,
It is a structure which has.
[0014]
At this time, when the barcode information attached to the product is received from the shopping cart via the local network, the store that returns the product information of the product to the shopping cart based on the barcode information is It may have a product management server device to manage,
The shopping cart is
Upon receiving a purchase instruction for a product that has read the barcode information, the user may make an electronic payment using electronic money registered in the IC card in advance.
[0015]
Further, it may have a payment server device managed by the shop, which receives and registers payment information as a result of the electronic payment from the shopping cart,
The shopping cart is
When the product information is received, a predetermined item may be selected from the product information and displayed based on the registration information registered in the IC card in advance.
[0016]
In the information providing method and system as described above, based on the barcode information read by the shopping cart, corresponding product information is acquired from the information management server device via the network, and the acquired product information is displayed. The user can confirm the material and quality before actually purchasing the product.
[0017]
Further, upon receiving an instruction to purchase a product that has read the barcode information, the user makes an electronic payment using electronic money registered in the IC card in advance, and further registers payment information as a result of the electronic payment, and the user purchases the product. By displaying the settlement information for confirmation at the end, the user can eliminate anxiety due to cashlessness.
[0018]
Further, when the product information is received by the shopping cart, the user selects and displays predetermined items registered in the IC card in advance from the product information, thereby, for example, displaying the allergic ingredients of the consumer in the shopping cart. The presence or absence is displayed, and the health-conscious user can purchase foods and the like with confidence.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the information providing system of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the information management server device shown in FIG.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, an information providing system according to the present invention includes an information management server device 1 that manages product information to be provided to a user (consumer), and a product management server that manages products handled at a store that sells the product. It has a device 2 and a user terminal device 4 which is a terminal device used by a user. The information management server device 1, the product management server device 2, and the user terminal device 4 are connected via a network 5 such as the Internet. Configuration.
[0022]
The product management server device 2 transmits and receives information wirelessly to and from a payment server device 3 for performing electronic payment when a user purchases a product at a store and a plurality of shopping carts 7 used in the store. Are connected via a LAN line 8.
[0023]
An IC card reader / writer 10 for reading / writing information from / to an IC card 11 owned by the user is connected to the user terminal device 4.
[0024]
It is not necessary to provide the product management server device 2 and the settlement server device 3 shown in FIG. 1 separately. For example, the product management server device 2 may be configured to have both processing functions. Alternatively, the product management server device 2 may be configured by a server device having a management function and a database server device that stores information. Similarly, the information management server device 1 may include a server device having a management function and a database server device for storing information. In addition, a plurality of transmission / reception devices 6 may be provided according to their communication capabilities.
[0025]
The information management server device 1, the product management server device 2, and the settlement server device 3 are information processing devices such as a workstation server computer, and the user terminal device 4 is a mobile terminal having a communication function connectable to the network 5, It is an information processing device such as a personal computer. The information management server device 1 is managed by a service providing company that manages the information providing system of the present invention, or a third party entrusted with the operation of the company.
[0026]
The user terminal device 4 is connected to the network 5 by, for example, dial-up connection to a remote access server device (not shown), and is connected to the information management server device 1 via the network 5.
[0027]
The shopping cart 7 includes a liquid crystal display device (not shown), an information processing terminal device, a barcode reader (reading device), an IC card reader, an earphone jack, a power supply (battery), and a wireless LAN for performing wireless communication with the transmitting / receiving device 6. Equipment etc. are mounted.
[0028]
The IC card 11 owned by the user includes personal information (name, age, gender, family structure, hobbies, etc.), as well as product information and dish recipe information obtained from the information management server device 1 via the network 5. Be recorded.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 2, the information management server device 1 includes a processing device 10 for executing predetermined processing according to a program, an input device 20 for inputting commands, information, and the like to the processing device 10, a processing device And an output device 30 for monitoring the processing results of the ten processes.
[0030]
The processing device 10 includes a CPU 11, a main storage device 12 for temporarily storing information necessary for processing by the CPU 11, and a recording device on which a program for causing the CPU 11 to execute a process of an information providing method of the present invention described later is recorded. A medium 13; a data storage device 14 for storing product information provided by a product manufacturer and member information including a user ID and a password for each user; a main storage device 12, a recording medium 13; A memory control interface unit 15 that controls data transfer with the device 14, an I / O interface unit 16 that is an interface device with the input device 20 and the output device 30, and a communication that is an interface that controls communication via the network 5. A control device 17 is provided, which is connected via a bus 18.
[0031]
The processing device 10 executes an information providing service process described below according to a program recorded on the recording medium 13. Note that the recording medium 13 may be a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, an optical disk, or another recording medium.
[0032]
The information processing terminal device provided in the merchandise management server device 2, the settlement server device 3, the user terminal device 4, and the shopping cart 7 has the information except that the programs and data recorded in the recording medium 13 and the data storage device 14 are different. Since the configuration is the same as that of the management server device 1, the description of the configuration is omitted.
[0033]
With such a configuration, the procedure of the information providing method of the present invention will be described next with reference to the drawings.
[0034]
FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a processing procedure of the information providing method of the present invention.
[0035]
Note that the service providing company that provides the information receives the provision of the product information including the barcode information from the manufacturer or the like in advance and registers the product information in the information management server device 1 managed by the company. These pieces of information may be purchased from each manufacturer for a fee, and may be collected and updated via the network 5 as needed to maintain the latest state.
[0036]
Further, the service providing company concludes a contract with a store such as a supermarket in advance to provide the product information. Further, with respect to products (for example, processed foods such as salads and boiled foods) which are processed and numbered independently by the store, the barcode information and the product information are registered in the product management server device 2 installed in the store. do that for me.
[0037]
A link is set between the product information registered in the product management server device 2 and the product information registered in the information management server device 1 so that they can be searched by the same search engine. At that time, in order to prevent the response to the search from deteriorating, the information of the information management server device 1 may be registered in a proxy server device installed in the store.
[0038]
A user (consumer) registers in advance as a member with a service providing company, and registers a user ID, a password, and the like in the information management server device 1. It is also assumed that an account is set up at a bank that has made a settlement contract with the service provider, and that the bank account has a deposit of an amount necessary for purchasing products.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 3, when the user accesses the information management server device 1 via the network 5 by the user terminal device 4, the information management server device 1 checks whether the accessed user is a registered user or not. In this case, authentication screen data for transmitting a user ID, a password, or the like is returned.
[0040]
When the user transmits the user ID and password to the information management server device 1 according to the authentication screen, the information management server device 1 authenticates the user terminal device 4 using the received user ID and password, and the accessed user is a member. Is confirmed (authentication OK), selection menu screen data for selecting information to be registered in the IC card is returned.
[0041]
According to the selection menu screen displayed on the user terminal device 4, the user selects a product to be purchased, a type of allergic ingredients, a dish to be cooked, and the like (product selection), and transmits the product to the information management server device 1.
[0042]
The information management server device 1 searches the data storage device 14 based on the information received from the user terminal device 4, and obtains the product name and barcode information of the product desired by the user, recipe information including a recipe for cooking and necessary ingredients. (Registration information) is read out and returned to the user terminal device 4.
[0043]
The user confirms the information displayed on the user terminal device 4 and registers the information on the IC card 11 using the IC card reader / writer 10. This information includes a product name and barcode information.
[0044]
Further, the user accesses the server device managed by the bank that has made a settlement contract with the service provider on the selection menu screen displayed on the user terminal device 4 and withdraws the deposit in the form of electronic money from a predetermined account, and Register to 11.
[0045]
Next, when the user comes to the store and inserts his / her own IC card 11 whose information has been registered into the IC card reader mounted on the shopping cart 7, the information processing terminal device mounted on the shopping cart 7 A start menu and a screen saver screen are displayed on the device, and a bargain product, a recommended product, and the like are displayed. The product information may be provided to the user by voice using an earphone jack mounted on the shopping cart 7.
[0046]
Subsequently, when the user picks up a favorite product from the displayed products and reads the barcode attached to the product using a barcode reader mounted on the shopping cart 7, the product is mounted on the shopping cart 7. The information processing terminal device accesses the product management server device 2 or the information management server device 1 installed at the store based on the read barcode information, and converts the barcode information to product information such as food material information and production area information. The search is performed and displayed on the liquid crystal display device mounted on the shopping cart 7. The user sees this display screen and confirms whether or not the product is a product to be purchased.
[0047]
Further, at this time, for example, when the product that the user wants to purchase includes the type of the allergic ingredient or the like as the registration information registered in the IC card 11 in advance, the information processing terminal apparatus outputs “allergic ingredient ( *****) Use "is displayed. Also, the recipe information registered in the IC card 11 is checked in advance, and the forgotten ingredients are displayed in comparison with the registered ingredients.
[0048]
Then, when the user presses a “purchase button” displayed on the liquid crystal display device mounted on the shopping cart, the information processing terminal device withdraws the electronic money registered in the IC card 11 and setstle the payment at the store. The payment information is transmitted to the server device 3 via the transmission / reception device 6, and the payment information is registered in the payment server device 3.
[0049]
Next, when the user finishes the purchase of the product, removes the IC card 11 from the shopping cart 7 at the checkout shop of the store, and hands it to the clerk at the shop, the clerk at the shop installs the POS (point of The user inserts the IC card 11 given by the user into the IC card reader of the sales system, accesses the payment server 3 according to the instructions on the screen displayed on the POS terminal, and confirms that each product purchased by the user is already Check whether payment has been made with electronic money. Here, payment processing is basically not performed, but if there is a product for which payment has not been completed, payment is performed using a POS terminal device. When the settlement is confirmed, the IC card 11 is returned to the user.
[0050]
Therefore, according to the information providing system and method of the present invention, the consumer (user) can confirm the material and quality of the product before actually purchasing the product, and can purchase the product with confidence. In addition, since the product to be purchased is registered in the IC card in advance, there is no need to bring a memo describing the product to be purchased or a paper on which product information is printed. No more buying. In addition, since the sale information and the recommended product of the store are displayed on the shopping cart, the same product can be obtained at a lower price. In addition, since the payment is made with electronic money and the payment is confirmed at the checkout point of the store, the anxiety due to cashless can be solved.
[0051]
Furthermore, if the member is registered as a member of the service providing company, various benefits such as discounts on merchandise can be obtained from the service providing company or a dealer contracted with the service providing company.
[0052]
On the other hand, in the store, for example, the presence or absence of allergic ingredients of the consumer is displayed in the shopping cart 7, and the health-conscious consumers can purchase the ingredients and the like with a sense of security. In addition, since the special sale information and recommended products of the day can be quickly displayed on the shopping cart, consumers' awareness of these products is increased, which contributes to the improvement of customer attraction and sales. In addition, if the IC card 11 owned by the user is used in combination as a customer card of the company, it is useful for FRM (floor ready merchandise) analysis and analysis of in-store traffic flow. In addition, since the user purchases a product by pressing a purchase button displayed on the shopping cart, it is possible to link with a product inventory management system or an EOS (electric ordering system), thereby enabling proper ordering. . Furthermore, since the checkout office only checks the presence or absence of settlement, the amount of cash handled is reduced, and settlement can be processed accurately.
[0053]
Further, a service provider that provides product information concludes a similar contract with a plurality of dealers, and provides the contract dealers with, for example, national brand (manufacturer product) product information for a fee. Convenience for users by obtaining commissions for mediating electronic payment data to multiple banks and card companies, or by providing analysis to customer FRM information and other services for a fee to contract dealers. While improving profits.
[0054]
In the above description, the case where the user (consumer) has previously registered as a member with the service providing company has been described. However, the user does not necessarily need to register as a member, as long as the user has the IC card 50 and the IC card reader / writer 40. It is possible to purchase a product in the same procedure as a member. In this case, the user may use a credit card designated by the service provider to withdraw electronic money and register the electronic money in the IC card.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
[0056]
By acquiring the corresponding product information from the information management server device via the network based on the barcode information read by the shopping cart and displaying the obtained product information, the user can make a purchase before actually purchasing the product. Because you can check the material and quality, you can purchase products with confidence. In addition, since the product to be purchased is registered in the IC card in advance, there is no need to bring a memo describing the product to be purchased or a paper on which product information is printed. No more buying.
[0057]
Further, upon receiving an instruction to purchase a product that has read the barcode information, the user makes an electronic payment using electronic money registered in the IC card in advance, and further registers payment information as a result of the electronic payment, and the user purchases the product. By displaying the settlement information for confirmation at the end, the user can eliminate anxiety due to cashlessness. On the other hand, since the dealer only needs to check whether or not payment has been made at the checkout counter, the amount of cash handled is reduced, and payment can be processed accurately.
[0058]
Further, when the product information is received by the shopping cart, the user selects and displays predetermined items registered in the IC card in advance from the product information, thereby, for example, displaying the allergic ingredients of the consumer in the shopping cart. Presence / absence is displayed, and the health-conscious user can purchase foods and the like with ease, and the store can increase the ability to attract customers.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information providing system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information management server device illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a processing procedure of the information providing method of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information management server device 2 Merchandise management server device 3 Settlement server device 4 User terminal device 5 Network 6 Transceiver device 7 Shopping cart 8 LAN line 10 Processing device 11 CPU
Reference Signs List 12 Main storage device 13 Recording medium 14 Data storage device 15 Memory control interface unit 16 I / O interface unit 17 Communication control device 18 Bus 20 Input device 30 Output device 40 IC card reader / writer 50 IC card

Claims (10)

Via a network, barcode information attached to the product, and an information management server device that provides product information that is information about the product,
A user terminal device used by a user who is a recipient of the barcode information and the product information, to which an IC card reader / writer for registering information in an IC card is connected;
A barcode reader for reading the barcode information, a communication device for connecting to the network, a display device for displaying information, and information processing, which are arranged at a store that sells products purchased by the user. A shopping cart with the device,
An information providing method for providing desired product information to the user using a system having
By the user terminal device, via the network, the user obtains barcode information attached to a product desired to be purchased and registration information including the product name from the information management server device,
Register the acquired registration information and electronic money instructed to be debited from a predetermined account in an IC card,
When the user purchases a product, when the barcode information attached to the product is read by the barcode reader, the product management server stores the product information of the product via the network based on the barcode information. Obtained from the device,
An information providing method for displaying the obtained product information on the display device. Upon receiving the barcode information affixed to the product from the shopping cart via a local network, searching for the product information of the product based on the barcode information, and returning the product information to the shopping cart. Item 1. The information providing method according to Item 1. The information providing method according to claim 1, wherein, when receiving a purchase instruction of a product that has read the barcode information, the user performs electronic payment using electronic money registered in the IC card in advance. Register the payment information that is the result of the electronic payment received from the shopping cart,
4. The information providing method according to claim 3, wherein the payment information is displayed for confirmation when the user has completed the purchase of the product. 5. When the product information is received by the shopping cart, a predetermined item is selected and displayed from the product information based on the registration information registered in the IC card by the user in advance. The method for providing information according to item 1. Via a network, barcode information attached to the product, and information management server device that provides product information that is information about the product,
A receiver of the barcode information to which an IC card reader / writer for registering the barcode information and the product name of the product desired to be purchased and the product name and electronic money withdrawn from a predetermined account into an IC card is connected. A user terminal device used by a user,
The barcode information affixed to the product, which is arranged at a store that sells the product purchased by the user, is read, and the product of the product is sent from the information management server device via the network based on the barcode information. A shopping cart to acquire and display information,
Information providing system having When the barcode information attached to the product is received from the shopping cart via a local network, the product information of the product is returned to the shopping cart based on the barcode information. The information providing system according to claim 6, further comprising a management server device. The shopping cart is
8. The information providing system according to claim 6, wherein upon receiving a purchase instruction for a product that has read the barcode information, the user performs electronic payment using electronic money registered in the IC card in advance. 9. The information providing system according to claim 8, further comprising: a settlement server managed by the store that receives and registers settlement information as a result of the electronic settlement from the shopping cart. The shopping cart is
10. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the product information is received, a predetermined item is selected from the product information based on the registration information registered in the IC card in advance and displayed. Information provision system.

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