JP2004326303A - Coupon issuance system, and coupon issuance method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the convenience of a coupon to a user. <P>SOLUTION: User terminals 100 and a coupon management device 200 are communicatively connected via a network 300. The coupon management device 200 has a coupon folder 212 for holding user-registered coupons for every user, and a coupon information table 211 for storing given coupon information. A coupon information control part 202, when requested by an arbitrary user terminal 100 to display the coupons held in the coupon folder 212 of the user of the user terminal 100, fetches the coupon information corresponding to the coupons from the coupon information table 211 and sends it to the user terminal 100. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coupon issuing system in which a coupon management device for managing coupons and a user terminal are communicably connected.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Today, magazines with coupons that publish articles introducing restaurants and the like and that provide coupons that can be used in these stores on the magazine are widely used. Here, the coupon is a piece of paper indicating that a discount of a fee, a service of a drink, and the like can be received at the corresponding store.
[0003]
When a user uses such a coupon, a method is used in which the relevant coupon on the magazine is cut out, brought to the store, and handed over when ordering or paying for a product.
[0004]
In addition, a means for obtaining an electronic coupon on the Internet using a computer or a mobile phone that can be connected to a network has been put to practical use today. This means that coupons that can be used in the store are provided along with various store information on a Web site on the Internet, and when the user needs a coupon, the screen is printed with a printer and used as a coupon ticket. It is like doing. In a portable terminal such as a mobile phone, a means of using a browser screen itself displaying a coupon as a coupon, receiving a coupon as an e-mail, and displaying this e-mail as a coupon is also used.
[0005]
Furthermore, in the case of a coupon having an expiration date, a method of acquiring a new coupon on the server when the coupon held in the user terminal has passed the expiration date based on the expiration date information is also available. (For example, see Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2003-6499
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described method of using the coupon of the magazine or the method of printing and using the coupon requires the trouble of cutting the coupon from the magazine or printing it with a printer, and the user puts such a coupon in a wallet or the like. These operations have been troublesome for the user.
[0008]
On the other hand, the method of obtaining a coupon on a network does not require the user to hold the coupon itself. However, it is necessary for the user to manage coupons such as what kind of coupon the user himself holds and whether the coupon is within the validity period. There was a problem that it was bothersome.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention employs the following configuration to solve the above-described problem.
<Configuration 1>
The coupon issuing system of Configuration 1 is a coupon issuing system in which a coupon management device for managing coupons and a user terminal are communicably connected. The coupon management device includes a coupon information table for storing predetermined coupon information. When a coupon holder that holds a coupon registered by each user for each user and a display request for a coupon held in the coupon holder of the user of the user terminal from any user terminal are received, a coupon corresponding to the coupon is received. A coupon information control unit for extracting information from the coupon information table and transmitting the coupon information to the user terminal, wherein the user terminal issues a coupon display request and displays the coupon information received from the coupon management device. It is characterized by having.
[0010]
According to the coupon issuing system of this configuration, since the user's coupon is held in the coupon holder of the coupon management device, there is no need for the user to manage the coupon, and thus the convenience for the user can be improved.
[0011]
<Configuration 2>
In the coupon issuing system according to the configuration 2, in the coupon issuing system according to the configuration 1, when the coupon management device receives a predetermined coupon search request from the user terminal, the coupon information matching the condition specified in the coupon search request Is extracted from the coupon information table, a coupon information control unit that transmits the extracted coupon information to the user terminal, the user terminal transmits a coupon search request with a coupon search condition added, and The display is configured to be displayed.
[0012]
According to the coupon issuing system of this configuration, the coupon management apparatus searches for the corresponding coupon information by designating a search condition from the user terminal and making a search request to the coupon management apparatus. Thus, the user can obtain desired coupon information using the user terminal in any case.
[0013]
<Configuration 3>
In the coupon issuing system according to the third aspect, in the coupon issuing system according to the second aspect, the coupon management device includes a coupon information table storing time service coupon information having predetermined posting period information, and a predetermined coupon search from a user terminal. If a request is received, the coupon is used to extract the time service coupon information within the posting period by referring to the posting period information stored in the coupon information table and transmit the extracted time service coupon information to the user terminal. An information control unit, wherein the user terminal is configured to make a coupon search request and to display coupon information as a search request result.
[0014]
According to the coupon issuing system of this configuration, if the coupon is a time service coupon, it is determined whether or not it is within the posting period, and only the coupon information of the coupon is displayed on the user terminal. I do. Therefore, the user can obtain only the information of the time service coupon that can be reliably used.
[0015]
<Configuration 4>
The coupon issuing system according to the fourth aspect is the coupon issuing system according to the third aspect, wherein the search result is displayed such that the search result is displayed such that the coupon information of the time service coupon is higher and the coupon information of the normal coupon is lower. An information control unit is provided.
[0016]
According to the coupon issuing system of this configuration, for example, even if the user terminal is a terminal having a small display screen such as a mobile phone, it can be seen from the information relating to the time service coupon that is more advantageous to the user, and Convenience can be improved.
[0017]
<Configuration 5>
In the coupon issuing system according to the fifth aspect, in the coupon issuing system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the user terminal transmits the identification information of the store published in the magazine with the coupon as information for registering the coupon. When the coupon management device receives the store identification information, the coupon management device specifies the store information corresponding to the identification information, specifies the coupon corresponding to the store information, and stores the coupon in the coupon holder. And a unit.
[0018]
According to the coupon issuing system of this configuration, the coupon is registered using the information described in the magazine with the coupon. Therefore, the user publishes not only the information from the coupon management device but also the magazine with the coupon. It is possible to determine a desired coupon based on the information of the shop that has been set.
[0019]
<Configuration 6>
In the coupon issuing system according to the sixth aspect, in the coupon issuing system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the coupon management device may provide preferential coupon information unique to the user of the user terminal based on a coupon issuance history to the user terminal. A coupon information control unit for selecting and transmitting preferential treatment coupon information to the user terminal is provided.
[0020]
According to the coupon issuing system of this configuration, the coupon management device selects preferential coupon information unique to the user based on the coupon issuance history to the user terminal. Therefore, the user can obtain more useful coupons by using the coupon issuing system. Further, from this point, the coupon service provider can be expected to further improve the use of the coupon issuing system, so that the system can be further enhanced.
[0021]
<Configuration 7>
The coupon issuing system according to the seventh aspect is the coupon issuing system according to the sixth aspect, wherein the coupon information corresponding to the coupon held in the coupon holder and the other coupon information are classified to create preferential coupon information. An information control unit is provided.
[0022]
According to the coupon issuing system of this configuration, when preferential coupon information is displayed on the screen of the user terminal, coupon information corresponding to the coupon held in the coupon holder and other coupon information are classified and displayed. You. Thereby, the user can grasp the outline of the contents of the preferential coupon at a glance.
[0023]
<Configuration 8>
The coupon issuing system according to the eighth aspect is the coupon issuing system according to the sixth aspect or the seventh aspect, wherein the location information of the access point of the user terminal to the coupon management device is acquired, and the home of the user terminal is determined based on the location information. A coupon information control unit for specifying a position and creating preferential coupon information based on the home position is provided.
[0024]
According to the coupon issuing system of this configuration, the coupon information control unit determines, for example, a store in an area with the highest access frequency as a preferential coupon store based on the position information of the user terminal. As a result, it is possible to provide a preferential coupon that better meets the needs of the user.
[0025]
<Configuration 9>
The coupon issuing system according to the ninth aspect is the coupon issuing system according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the coupon management device assigns identification information to each coupon when issuing a coupon, and based on the identification information, A coupon information control unit for recording coupon usage results used for each user and creating preferential coupon information based on the usage results is provided.
[0026]
According to the coupon issuing system of this configuration, since the identification information is provided for each coupon, for example, by acquiring this identification information from the store where the coupon was used, it is ensured that the coupon was actually used. Can be grasped. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a reliable coupon usage record.
[0027]
<Configuration 10>
The coupon issuing system according to the configuration 10 is the coupon issuing system according to the configuration 9, wherein the store terminal is installed in a store where the coupon is used, and transmits the coupon identification information to the coupon management device when the coupon is used. The coupon information control unit is characterized in that the coupon information control unit is configured to record the use record based on the coupon identification information transmitted from the store terminal.
[0028]
According to the coupon issuing system of this configuration, when a coupon is used, the identification information of the coupon is notified to the coupon management device by the shop terminal. Therefore, the coupon usage record can be made more reliable.
[0029]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail using specific examples.
<< Specific Example 1 >>
<Constitution>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific example 1 of the coupon issuing system of the present invention.
The illustrated coupon issuing system is realized by connecting a user terminal 100 and a coupon management device 200 via a network 300. The magazine 400 with a coupon is a magazine provided with an introduction article of a store or the like and a coupon usable at the store.
[0030]
The user terminal 100 is a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) having a network connection function. The user terminal 100 includes an input unit 101, a display unit 102, and a terminal control unit 103. The input unit 101 includes a keyboard, a pointing device for designating an arbitrary part on the screen, and the like. The display unit 102 is a display unit including a liquid crystal display or the like for displaying various screens related to coupon information. The terminal control unit 103 is a functional unit that controls the entire user terminal 100, and performs various processes related to coupons according to information input from the input unit 101. The terminal control unit 103 is realized by various control software and hardware such as a CPU and a memory for executing the software.
[0031]
The coupon management device 200 is a server computer provided on a Web site on the Internet, and includes a coupon information database (coupon information DB) 201 and a coupon information control unit 202. This Web site is a site that issues a magazine 400 with a coupon and is managed by a provider of the coupon service.
[0032]
In the coupon management device 200, the coupon information database 201 is a database relating to various coupon information, and includes a coupon information table 211, a coupon holder 212, a user information table 213, a mail information table 214, and a usage record information table 215. .
[0033]
The coupon information table 211 is a functional unit that stores various information related to coupons, and details thereof will be described later. The coupon holder 212 is a functional unit for realizing a coupon holder function provided for each user, and stores information on coupons held for each user. The user information table 213 includes information on the user such as attributes of each user (user ID, password, name, date of birth, gender, address, mail address, favorite genre, etc.), and user area information (home position information). Is a functional unit that stores The mail information table 214 is a functional unit that stores information indicating what type of mail has been transmitted for each user, such as a special treatment coupon. The use record information table 215 is a functional unit that stores information on the use record of coupons for each user.
[0034]
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the coupon information database 201.
In the figure, the coupon information table 211 includes a coupon table 221 and a store table 222. The coupon table 221 is a table including data of a coupon ID 221a, a coupon category 221b, a posting period 221c, and coupon information 221d. -3 data. Here, the features of the coupon such as the time service and the special treatment are usually referred to as attributes of the coupon. In the present invention, this attribute can be used as a key to manage coupon groupings, that is, regular coupons, time service coupons, and preferential coupons.
[0035]
The coupon ID 221a is identification information of each coupon, and a unique number or the like is assigned to all coupons. The coupon category 221b is data indicating what kind of coupon the coupon is, that is, any one of the normal coupon 221b-1, the time service coupon 221b-2, and the preferential coupon 221b-3. Also, the normal coupon 221b-1 is, for example, a coupon that can be used in all periods within the range when the coupon information is updated on a monthly basis. This is the same as the coupon of the magazine 400 with coupon. Has become.
[0036]
Further, the time service coupon 221b-2 is a coupon that can be used only during a specific period (a period such as a time zone, a date unit, or a day of the week) within the range of the normal coupon 221b-1. Furthermore, the special treatment coupon 221b-3 is a specific coupon for a certain user. The posting period 221c indicates a posting period of each coupon category 221b. For example, when the coupon information is updated on a monthly basis, the normal coupon 221b-1 is one month, and the time service coupon 221b-2 is the time service. , The preferential coupon 221b-3 is in a range unique to the preferential coupon. The coupon information 221d includes special treatment contents (discount rate / special treatment product name), use conditions (can be used from two people, only groups of four or more can be used), available store names, text information for displaying coupon tickets (coupon ticket display) Image information), barcode information and the like.
[0037]
The store table 222 includes data of a store ID 222a, store information 222b, and a coupon ID 222c. The store ID 222a is unique information for identifying the store. When the store is a restaurant, for example, the store information 222b is data indicating all information about the store, such as an address, a telephone number, a menu, a feature, an image, and the like. The coupon ID 222c is information for linking the coupon table 221 with the store table 222, and stores the same coupon ID as the coupon ID 221a in the coupon table 221.
[0038]
The coupon holder 212 includes a user ID 212a and a store ID 212b. The user ID 212a is identification information unique to each user, and is an ID determined at the time of member registration described later. The store ID 212b indicates coupon holder information of the user, and is information for linking the coupon holder 212 with the store table 222. That is, the same ID as the store ID 222a of the store table 222 is stored in the store ID 212b of the coupon holder 212. In this specific example, the shop ID 212b is used as the coupon holder information in the coupon holder 212, but the coupon ID can also be used as the coupon holder information.
[0039]
The user information table 213 includes a user ID 213a and user information 213b. The user ID 213a is a user ID similar to the user ID 212a of the coupon holder 212, and is information for specifying a user. The user information 213b indicates various information about the user, and includes attribute information of the user such as name, date of birth, gender, e-mail address, and genre of interest acquired at the time of member registration, and access history and the like of the user. It includes data such as access location information (information obtained using a location information notification function of a mobile phone or the like, which will be described later).
[0040]
The mail information table 214 includes a user ID 214a, mail information 214b, and a coupon ID 214c. The user ID 214a is user identification information similar to the user ID 212a and the user ID 213a. The mail information 214b indicates mail-related information such as what kind of content mail was delivered to the user and when. The coupon ID 214c is information for specifying the coupon (coupon for preferential treatment) distributed by the mail, and corresponds to the coupon ID 221a and the coupon ID 222c.
[0041]
The usage record information table 215 includes a user ID 215a and a coupon ID 215b. The user ID 215a is user identification information similar to the user ID 212a and the user ID 213a described above. The coupon ID 215b is information for specifying which coupon the user has used, and corresponds to the above-described coupon ID 221a, coupon ID 222c, and coupon ID 214c.
[0042]
Returning to FIG. 1, the coupon information control unit 202 is a functional unit that manages all controls related to coupon information in the coupon management device 200 and has the following functions. That is, when a display request for a coupon held in the coupon holder 212 of the user of the user terminal 100 is received from the user terminal 100, coupon information corresponding to the coupon is taken out from the coupon information table 211, and this is retrieved from the user terminal 100. 100, and when a predetermined coupon search request is received from the user terminal 100, coupon information matching the conditions specified in the coupon search request is extracted from the coupon information table 211, and the extracted coupon information is And a function of transmitting to the user terminal 100.
[0043]
When a predetermined coupon search request is received from the user terminal 100, the time service coupon information within the posting period is extracted with reference to the posting period information stored in the coupon information table 211, and the extracted time service When the coupon information is transmitted to the user terminal 100 and the identification information of the store listed in the magazine 400 with the coupon is received, the coupon is specified based on the store information, and the coupon is stored in the coupon holder 212. Storage function.
[0044]
Further, based on the coupon issuance history to the user terminal 100, the user selects the special coupon information unique to the user of the user terminal 100, and stores the special coupon information with the store corresponding to the coupon held in the coupon holder. And a function of classifying and selecting other stores, transmitting the preferential coupon information to the user terminal 100, and acquiring the location information of the access point of the user terminal 100 to the coupon management device 200, and acquiring the location information. Based on the home position information, a home position of the user terminal 100 is specified, and the coupon information of the corresponding store is selected as preferential coupon information based on the home position information.
[0045]
When a coupon is issued, identification information is given to each coupon, and based on the identification information, a record of use of the coupon used for each user is recorded, and based on the record of use, preferential coupon information is provided. And a function for selecting
[0046]
The functions of the coupon information control unit 202 are realized by software corresponding to each function and hardware such as a CPU, a memory, and a hard disk device for executing the software.
[0047]
The network 300 is, for example, a network such as the Internet using TCP / IP as a communication protocol. The communication line is a line such as wireless, wired, or a mixed environment. If the user terminal 100 and the coupon management device 200 can communicate with each other, the protocol and the line environment of the network 300 are in any form. There may be.
[0048]
The magazine 400 with a coupon is, for example, an introduction article such as Hot Pepper (a registered trademark of Recruit Co., Ltd.) such as a restaurant or various classrooms, and a regular publication provided with a coupon that can be used in these stores. Magazine In the magazine 400 with a coupon, for example, in the case of a restaurant, the location and characteristics of the store, a telephone number, and the like are listed. Further, as described later, the listed telephone number can be used as coupon registration information by inputting from the user terminal 100.
[0049]
<motion>
Next, the operation of the coupon issuing system will be described.
First, the user member registration operation will be described.
In order to use the coupon holder function in the present system, first, a member registration is performed. The member registration is performed by inputting information such as the user's e-mail address, date of birth, frequently used area, frequently used restaurant genre, and frequently used day of the week from the input unit 101 of the user terminal 100 to perform a registration operation. It is. Such information is stored in the user information table 213 by the coupon information control unit 202.
[0050]
Next, the additional registration operation to the coupon holder will be described. First, the operation when a coupon is added from the information of the magazine 400 with a coupon will be described.
[0051]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a screen when a coupon is added from a book.
FIG. 3A shows a top page when the user terminal 100 connects to the website of the coupon management device 200.
As shown in the figure, the current issue is also displayed on the Web site corresponding to the issue date of the magazine 400 with coupon (in the illustrated example, it is the Tokyo April issue). Note that “ABCDEF” in the figure means the name of this service. Further, the page of the coupon service is described in the HTML format, and hyperlinks are provided to selected items (items enclosed by a dotted frame in the drawing). As these selection items, there is a “coupon holder” for displaying coupon information held by the user, and “add from book” and “add by search” to be selected at the time of search are provided. The value of the coupon holder ((8) in the illustrated example) indicates the number of coupons.
[0052]
On the top page, “time service coupon” for displaying a time service coupon and “special treatment coupon” for displaying special treatment coupon information are displayed as selection items. The value of the “time service coupon” in the illustrated example ((6) in the illustrated example) and the value of the “special treatment coupon” ((6) in the illustrated example) respectively indicate the number of existing coupons. Therefore, initially, the number of held coupons for these items is all (0).
[0053]
It is assumed that the user selects “add from book” from such a top page. As a result, the coupon information control unit 202 transmits the next screen to the user terminal 100, and this is displayed on the display unit 102 as shown in FIG.
[0054]
In this specific example, a case is shown in which the telephone number of a store introduced in the magazine 400 with coupon is input as store identification information. When the user inputs the phone number of the store of the coupon to be added to such a screen from the input unit 101, the coupon information control unit 202 of the coupon management device 200 determines the store ID 222a based on the store information 222b of the store table 222. Is extracted and stored as the store ID 212b of the coupon holder 212. In addition, the coupon information control unit 202 transmits an additional confirmation screen to the user terminal 100 and displays it on the user terminal 100 (see FIG. 3C).
[0055]
Next, a case where a store is searched to add a coupon will be described.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a screen when a coupon is added by search.
FIG. 4A is a top page similar to FIG. 3A. When “Add by search” is selected on this screen, the coupon information control unit 202 displays the search screen on the user terminal 100. It is displayed on the unit 102 (see FIG. 4B).
[0056]
In this example, “search from current location” is selected from “search from current location”, “search from store name”, and “search from conditions” provided as selection items. “Search from the current location” refers to, for example, specifying an approximate current location using a location information service of the user terminal 100 provided by a mobile phone carrier, and performing a store search based on the current location.
[0057]
That is, when this “search from current location” is selected, first, coupon information control section 202 acquires current location information of user terminal 100. Next, the corresponding store is extracted with reference to the store information 222b in the store table 222. If there is a time service coupon at the corresponding store, it is determined whether the access date and time is within the range of the posting period 221c of the coupon table 221. If so, this store is used as a search result by the user. Transmit to terminal 100. As a result, a search result as shown in FIG. 4C is displayed on the display unit 102 of the user terminal 100.
[0058]
Here, as the display of the search result, the display is performed such that the information of the store during the time service is in the high rank and the store of the normal coupon is in the low rank. Since the time service coupon is generally more advantageous (better) for the user, it is displayed at the top. In particular, in the case of a mobile phone, the display screen has dimensional restrictions, and all information cannot be displayed at one time. Therefore, by arranging such information at a higher rank, the convenience for the user is further improved. Can be.
[0059]
Further, by selecting an arbitrary store from the screen of FIG. 4C, detailed information of the store is displayed (see FIG. 4D). Also, on this store detail screen, what kind of coupon is set in the store is displayed. "Special coupon" in the figure is displayed when a special coupon is set for the user, and "time service" indicates that a time service coupon is set at the store. The “main magazine coupon” is equivalent to a normal coupon published in the magazine 400 with a coupon. Hyperlinks are set for these “coupons”, “time service”, and “journal coupons”, and when any of them is selected, corresponding information is displayed. This information will be described later.
[0060]
In the store information shown in FIG. 4D, if the store is already in the coupon holder, it is displayed as "coupon registered" and "delete coupon" is displayed as a selection item. If the coupon is not in the coupon holder, a selection item of “add coupon” is displayed. Then, when this “add coupon” is selected, this is added to the coupon holder 212.
[0061]
In addition, when “Search by store name” in FIG. 4B is selected, the coupon information control unit 202 displays a store name input screen (not shown), and inputs a store name (even a part thereof) from the user terminal 100. When "OK" is input, the shop information 222b of the shop table 222 is searched using the shop name as a key. This search result is similar to the screen shown in FIG. Further, subsequent screen transitions are the same as the above-described “search from the current location”, and thus description thereof will be omitted.
[0062]
Furthermore, when a condition search by area or genre is designated on the search screen of FIG. 4B, the coupon information control unit 202 sequentially displays the corresponding information, and displays the screen of FIG. 4C as a search result. Display.
[0063]
In the above description, the determination as to whether or not the store under the time service is set as the search result is performed based on the access date and time. This is because when the user terminal 100 is a mobile phone or the like, priority is given to the simplicity of the input operation by the user. On the other hand, the coupon information control unit 202 may be configured to search for a time service coupon based on this scheduled date and time, by inputting the scheduled date and time when the coupon is actually used as the search condition. Time service coupon search results can be obtained.
[0064]
Next, the coupon issuing process will be described.
FIG. 5 is a screen explanatory diagram showing a flow at the time of issuing a coupon.
First, "coupon holder" is selected from the top page (see FIG. 5A). Thereby, the coupon information control unit 202 refers to the coupon holder 212 of the user and displays all the stored shop information (see FIG. 5B). If there is a time service coupon at the corresponding store, it is determined whether the access date and time is within the range of the posting period 221c of the coupon table 221. If so, the store information is displayed. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5B, the store corresponding to the time service coupon is displayed at a higher position on the display screen. Furthermore, when both a time service coupon and a normal coupon are present in the same store, only the time service coupon information is used as store information, and only the store name is used for the normal coupon. This is for avoiding the complexity of the display screen when the number is large and improving the visibility. In the case where the user has previously registered in the coupon holder but is not a member store of the coupon service at present, no coupon is provided in the lowest area on the screen of FIG. 5B. Is left along with a display that indicates
[0065]
It should be noted that the identification of the user when identifying the coupon holder 212 corresponding to the user is performed by a user ID or the like when logging in to the coupon service site.
[0066]
Next, for example, when the store corresponding to the time service coupon is selected on the screen of FIG. 5B, the corresponding store detailed information is displayed (see FIG. 5C). In the screen of FIG. 5B, the same store detailed information is displayed by selecting the store name of the normal coupon. However, in FIG. 5C, “time service” is not displayed as confirmation of the coupon.
[0067]
In the store detailed information of FIG. 5C, a corresponding time service coupon or the like is displayed as a selection item. When the user selects this, coupon information is displayed (see FIG. 5D). Then, when the user selects “issue coupon”, a coupon that is actually used in the store is issued with reference to the corresponding coupon information 221d (see FIG. 5E). Simultaneously with the issuance of the coupon, the coupon information control unit 202 assumes that the user has used the coupon (temporary use state coupon) and adds the coupon to the coupon ID 215b of the usage result information table 215. When a coupon is issued, a different identification number is assigned for each issue (coupon id: 123456 in the illustrated example). The identification number unique to this issued coupon is also stored in the usage record information table 215.
[0068]
Next, a description will be given of the operation in the case of selecting “under time service” from the top page of the coupon service to issue a coupon.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a screen when a time service coupon is selected and a coupon is issued.
When "time service in progress" is selected from the screen shown in FIG. 6A, the coupon information control unit 202 causes the coupon information control unit 202 to display a list of stores within the display period 221c of the time service coupon 221b-2. Is displayed on the user terminal 100 (see FIG. 6B). The subsequent screen transition is the same as in the case of FIG.
[0069]
That is, by selecting “time service” in the store detailed information shown in FIG. 6 (c), the coupon explanation screen (see FIG. 6 (d)) is displayed. In this state, “coupon issue” is selected. By doing so, a coupon is issued. These basic flows are the same as those in FIG.
[0070]
Next, issuance of a preferential coupon will be described.
In the coupon management device 200, the use result information is accumulated in the use result information table 215 by issuing the coupon to the user. As a result, the coupon information control unit 202 selects and issues the preferential coupon information based on the usage result information at regular intervals. There are the following methods for determining a store to be a target of this preferential coupon.
[0071]
That is, based on information such as what category of store the target user used, the users are classified (clustered) into groups under specific conditions, and stores corresponding to this group are candidates for issuing preferential coupons. Extract as Further, based on the current location information accessed by the user (or the location of the issued coupon store), a home position that is frequently used by the user is determined, and a store located in the home position area is determined. Candidates for preferential coupon issue. Alternatively, candidate stores may be extracted based on information such as the type of favorite store that the user has input at the time of member registration.
[0072]
By using such a method, a store targeted for the special treatment coupon is determined, and a special treatment coupon unique to the user is created. Then, the coupon information control unit 202 transmits the selected preferential coupon information to the user terminal 100 by e-mail. Here, the coupon information control unit 202 refers to the coupon holder 212 to determine whether the extracted store is the store of the coupon held by the user in the coupon holder or another store. An e-mail is configured so that each coupon can be identified by setting a store other than the recommended store as a recommended store, and this is transmitted to the user terminal 100.
[0073]
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a screen relating to a preferential treatment coupon.
FIG. 7A shows the text of an e-mail sent from the coupon management device 200, and as shown, the number of coupon stores and the number of recommended stores put in the coupon holder by the user are described. ing. Thereby, the user can grasp at a glance the outline of the contents regarding the special treatment coupon. Therefore, even a user who frequently receives various e-mails can easily recognize the difference from other e-mails, and does not receive many e-mails at once. From such a point, the coupon service provider can also be expected to improve the user's preferential coupon usage.
[0074]
Also, on the screen shown in FIG. 7A, the URL of the list screen of the special treatment coupon for each user is displayed, and the list is displayed by using the browser activation function of the mailer (FIG. 7 ( c)). Also, from the top page of the coupon service (see FIG. 7B), the list shown in FIG. 7C can be displayed by selecting the “preferential coupon” portion. Further, the screen transitions after (d) in the figure are the same as those in (c) to (e) in FIGS. 5 and 6 described above, and thus description thereof will be omitted.
[0075]
Next, a case where a user uses a coupon at a store will be described.
When a user uses a coupon at a store, the user presents the coupon display screens shown in FIGS. 5 (e), 6 (e) and 7 (f). The store writes the identification number of the coupon displayed at the time of receiving the order or adjusting the fee, for example, in a separately provided document as the coupon usage history. By performing such processing, it is possible to accumulate a history of the fact that the coupon has been used. Further, by performing such processing, for example, there is also an effect of suppressing unauthorized use of employees at the time of settlement. That is, it is possible to prevent a fraud such as an ordinary settlement being treated as a coupon-use settlement, and the difference caused by this treatment being taken by an employee.
[0076]
Further, after that, the coupon usage record entered at the store is collected by a coupon service provider that manages the Web site of the coupon management device 200, and is used as the usage record data in the use record information table 215 based on this. In this case, a more accurate usage record can be obtained.
[0077]
<effect>
As described above, according to the specific example 1, the coupon used by the user is managed by the coupon management device 200. Therefore, the user does not need to manage the coupon at his or her own user terminal 100. The convenience of using the coupon can be improved.
[0078]
In addition, when the coupon is a time service coupon at the time of the coupon search, it is determined whether or not the coupon is within the range of the posting period, and only the coupon information of the coupon is displayed on the user terminal 100. Therefore, the user can obtain only the information of the time service coupon that can be reliably used.
[0079]
Furthermore, when the search result is displayed, the screen is configured so that the coupon information of the time service coupon is at the top and the coupon information of the normal coupon is at the bottom, so that the user terminal 100 has a small display screen such as a mobile phone. However, it can be seen from the information on the time service coupon which is more advantageous for the user.
[0080]
Further, since the identification information of the store where the magazine 400 with coupon is published is used for adding a coupon, various coupon registration means can be provided to the user, and therefore, the convenience for the user is further improved. Can be improved.
[0081]
Further, the special coupon information unique to the user is transmitted to the user terminal 100, and the coupon information corresponding to the coupon held in the coupon holder 212 and the other coupon information are classified as the e-mail. As a result, a coupon having more merit can be obtained for the user, and the outline thereof can be easily grasped by e-mail of the preferential coupon.
[0082]
In addition, the home position of the user is obtained based on the access point of the user terminal 100, and the store of the special coupon is extracted based on the home position information. Therefore, the special coupon that better meets the needs of the user is provided. be able to.
[0083]
<< Specific Example 2 >>
The specific example 2 is an example in which a store using a coupon and the coupon management device 200 are connected to a network, and use result data is acquired online.
[0084]
<Constitution>
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of the specific example 2.
In the illustrated system, the user terminal 100 and the coupon management device 200a are connected via a network 300, and the store terminal 501 of the store 500 is connected to the coupon management device 200a via a network.
[0085]
Store 500 is a member store of the coupon service, and is a store where coupons can be used. The store terminal 501 is, for example, a POS terminal that manages cash, and is connected to a barcode reader 502 for reading a barcode of a coupon displayed on the user terminal 100. The barcode reader 502 is a barcode reader that can read a barcode displayed on a liquid crystal screen of a mobile phone or the like. The store terminal 501 is configured to transmit barcode data indicating the identification number of the coupon read by the barcode reader 502 to the coupon management device 200a. As for the POS system for managing cash and the like when the store terminal 501 is a POS terminal, various types of POS systems are already widely used, and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0086]
In addition, the coupon information control unit 202a of the coupon management device 200a is configured to record a coupon usage record based on the coupon identification number transmitted from the store terminal 501 of the store 500. That is, each time the coupon information control unit 202a receives the identification number of the coupon from the store terminal 501, the coupon information control unit 202a stores the identification number as the coupon ID 215b of the corresponding user ID in the usage result information table 215.
[0087]
The other configuration of the coupon management device 200a and the configuration of the user terminal 100 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted.
[0088]
<motion>
FIG. 9 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the second embodiment.
Here, the member registration operation, coupon search processing, and the like by the user terminal 100 are the same as those in the first specific example, and thus the description thereof will be omitted, and the operation in which the user terminal 100 issues a coupon issue instruction will be described.
[0089]
When a coupon issuance instruction is issued from the user terminal 100 in step S1, the coupon management device 200a issues a coupon as described in the first specific example (step S2). As a result, the coupon is held as an image in the user terminal 100. Further, the coupon image includes identification information unique to the coupon as a barcode. The illustration of the coupon screen is omitted.
[0090]
When the user uses the coupon at the store 500, a coupon display screen is presented at the time of payment or the like (step S3). On the shop 500 side, the barcode on the coupon display screen is read by the barcode reader 502 (step S4), and this is transmitted to the coupon management apparatus 200a by the shop terminal 501 (step S5).
[0091]
When the coupon management device 200a receives the barcode data, the coupon information control unit 202a checks the coupon identification number data stored in a storage device (not shown) to determine whether the coupon is valid. (Step S6). If the result of the determination is valid, "coupon available" is transmitted (step S7). On the other hand, if it is an erroneous coupon such as a coupon of another store, "unavailable" is transmitted (step S8). If the coupon is valid, the coupon is added to the usage result information table 215 as usage result data (step S9). The transmission of "coupon available" can include preferential treatment information such as a discount rate and a discount product code as its contents. The store side (store terminal) receiving such contents is released from the operation of the preferential treatment process of manually inputting the information for specifying the discount rate and the discounted product. Furthermore, when the special treatment information can be specified by some digits of the bar code information, the store side prepares a data table indicating the correspondence between the partial bar code digits and the special treatment information, so that the store side The preferential treatment can be executed independently. Such a data table can be constructed by a store periodically downloading data from the coupon management device 200a. Further, the management device 200a transmits the barcode information issued according to the provisional use state coupon to the store at a predetermined timing, so that when the store executes the coupon process, the barcode information to be subjected to the preferential treatment is stored in the data. It is possible to avoid the situation that the table does not exist. Such processing can be applied not only to barcode information but also to all information specifying coupons, and can also be transmitted from the management device 200a together with contents representing preferential treatment information.
[0092]
As described above, since the coupon check processing is performed on the coupon management device 200a side, it is necessary to write down the identification information of the coupon on the store 500 side and visually check whether or not the coupon can be used in the store. Therefore, the burden on the store 500 can be reduced. When the coupon management device 200 notifies "coupon available", the coupon management device 200 changes the corresponding use history in the use record information table 215 from used assumption to used based on the notified identification number. Can be updated. By such an updating process, the use record of the coupon can be reliably recorded.
[0093]
The coupon management device 200a periodically performs a process of creating preferential coupon information based on the value of the coupon ID 215b of the usage result information table 215 (step S10). That is, in the process of creating the preferential coupon information, as in the specific example 1, the store of the preferential coupon is determined based on the user's usage record and information such as the home position information and the genre of the frequently visited store. Then, the coupon information control unit 202a transmits the selected preferential coupon information to the user terminal 100 by e-mail. Note that, in FIG. 9, the preferential treatment coupon information creation processing is performed at the end of the above-described series of operations, but may be performed at any timing.
[0094]
<effect>
As described above, according to the specific example 2, in addition to the configuration of the specific example 1, the coupon usage result data is transmitted from the store 500, so that more accurate coupon usage result data is obtained. , And more effective coupon contents. In addition, when coupon identification information is received from the shop terminal 501, the coupon information control unit 202a calculates a discount rate based on the user's usage record and responds to the shop terminal 501. .
[0095]
In the specific example 2, the store terminal 501 is a POS terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a barcode reader is connected to a mobile phone to transmit coupon identification information. Is also good.
[0096]
In each of the above specific examples, the user terminal 100 may be a terminal such as a stationary personal computer instead of a portable terminal. In this case, a similar effect can be obtained by printing a coupon screen and bringing it in instead of displaying the coupon on the display unit 102 on the mobile terminal.
[0097]
Further, in each of the above specific examples, the identification information of the store listed in the magazine 400 with coupon may be other than the telephone number. For example, a configuration may be used in which an identification number is assigned to each coupon of the magazine 400 with a coupon and used.
[0098]
Further, in the specific examples 1 and 2, the identification information unique to the issued coupon is not limited to the identification number, and may be any type. Further, the identification information in the specific example 2 may use means other than the barcode.
[0099]
Further, in each specific example, only the information of the posting period 221c is included as the information of the time service coupon 221b-2, but the information may further include valid period information indicating the actual time service period.
[0100]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the coupon of the user is managed by the coupon management device, it is not necessary for the user to manage the coupon himself, and the convenience when the user uses the coupon can be improved. it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific example 1 of a coupon issuing system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a coupon information database.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a screen when a coupon is added from a book.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a screen when a coupon is added by search.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a screen showing a flow at the time of issuing a coupon.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a screen when a time service coupon is selected and a coupon is issued.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a screen relating to a special treatment coupon.
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a specific example 2.
FIG. 9 is a sequence chart showing an operation of a specific example 2.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 user terminal
200, 200a coupon management device
202, 202a Coupon information control unit
211 Coupon information table
212 coupon holder
213 User information table
214 mail information table
215 Usage record information table
Magazine with 400 coupons
500 stores
501 store terminal

Claims (16)

A coupon issuing system in which a coupon management device for managing coupons and a user terminal are communicably connected,
The coupon management device,
A coupon information table that stores predetermined coupon information,
A coupon holder for holding a coupon registered by each user for each user;
When a display request for a coupon held in the coupon holder of the user of the user terminal is received from any user terminal, coupon information corresponding to the coupon is extracted from the coupon information table, and the coupon information is obtained by the user. A coupon information control unit for transmitting to the terminal,
The coupon issuing system, wherein the user terminal is configured to make a display request for the coupon and to display coupon information received from the coupon management device. The coupon issuing system according to claim 1,
The coupon management device
If a predetermined coupon search request is received from the user terminal, coupon information that matches conditions specified in the coupon search request is extracted from the coupon information table, and the extracted coupon information is transmitted to the user terminal. Equipped with a control unit,
The coupon issuing system, wherein the user terminal is configured to transmit a coupon search request with a coupon search condition added thereto and to display the result of the coupon search request. The coupon issuing system according to claim 2,
The coupon management device
A coupon information table storing time service coupon information having predetermined notice period information,
When a predetermined coupon search request is received from the user terminal, the time service coupon information within the posting period is extracted by referring to the posting period information stored in the coupon information table, and the extracted time service coupon is extracted. A coupon information control unit that transmits information to the user terminal,
The coupon issuing system, wherein the user terminal issues a coupon search request and displays coupon information as a result of the search request. The coupon issuing system according to claim 3,
A coupon issuing system comprising: a coupon information control unit that transmits a search result such that the display of the search result is such that the coupon information of the time service coupon is at the top and the coupon information of the normal coupon is at the bottom. The coupon issuing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The user terminal is configured to transmit the identification information of the store published in the magazine with the coupon as information for registering the coupon,
The coupon management device
When the identification information of the store is received, the coupon information control unit that identifies the store information corresponding to the identification information, identifies the coupon corresponding to the store information, and stores the coupon in the coupon holder is provided. Coupon issuing system characterized by the following. The coupon issuing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The coupon management device
A coupon information control unit for selecting preferential coupon information unique to the user of the user terminal based on a coupon issue history to the user terminal and transmitting the preferential coupon information to the user terminal; Publishing system. In the coupon issuing system according to claim 6,
A coupon issuing system comprising: a coupon information control unit that classifies coupon information corresponding to a coupon held by a coupon holder and other coupon information to create preferential coupon information. The coupon issuing system according to claim 6 or 7,
Coupon information control for acquiring position information of an access point of a user terminal to a coupon management device, identifying a home position of the user terminal based on the position information, and creating preferential coupon information based on the home position. Coupon issuing system characterized by comprising a unit. The coupon issuing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The coupon management device
When issuing a coupon, identification information is assigned to each coupon, and based on the identification information, the use record of the coupon used for each user is recorded, and based on the use record, preferential coupon information is provided. A coupon issuing system comprising a coupon information control unit to be created. The coupon issuing system according to claim 9,
A coupon is installed in a store where the coupon is used, and when the coupon is used, a store terminal that transmits identification information of the coupon to the coupon management device,
A coupon issuing system, wherein the coupon information control unit is configured to record a use record based on coupon identification information transmitted from the shop terminal. The coupon selected by the user is temporarily saved for each user,
The content of the coupon is kept up to date,
When a display request for the temporarily stored coupon is generated, the coupon corresponding to the display request is displayed on the user side,
The display on the user side is a coupon issuing method that is executed by being grouped for each attribute of the coupon. The coupon issuing method according to claim 11,
Coupons are extracted based on the conditions selected by the user,
The coupon includes display control information indicating whether or not display is possible on the user side,
A coupon issuing method in which, among the extracted coupons, only the display control information indicating that display is possible when the coupon is extracted is displayed on the user side. The coupon issuing method according to claim 11 or 12,
The attribute includes a first attribute indicating a time service coupon and a second attribute indicating a coupon other than the time service coupon,
The coupon issuance method in which the user displays the coupons grouped by the first attribute before the coupons grouped by the second attribute. The coupon selected by the user is temporarily saved for each user,
Keep the content of the coupon up to date,
When receiving a display request for the temporarily stored coupon from the user side, the user is notified of the coupon corresponding to the display request,
A coupon issuing device that controls the user to display the coupons grouped by attribute. The coupon issuing device according to claim 14,
Extract coupons based on conditions selected by the user,
The coupon includes display control information indicating whether or not display is possible on the user side,
A coupon issuing device in which, among the extracted coupons, only the display control information indicating that display is possible when the coupon is extracted is displayed on the user side. The coupon issuing device according to claim 14 or 15,
The attribute includes a first attribute indicating a time service coupon and a second attribute indicating a coupon other than the time service coupon,
A coupon issuing device that controls the user to display the coupons grouped by the first attribute before the coupons grouped by the second attribute.

Images