JP2004334725A - Method for supporting formation of price information list by use of portable electronic medium with computing power - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system enabling a user to easily compare a price between stores including a store which does not disclose price information on the Internet. <P>SOLUTION: This method for providing price information comprises reading commodity information for price information acquisition which stores model number identification information for identifying a commodity for every unit quantity in association with the quantity of the commodity from the portable electronic medium; transmitting the model identification information included in the read information to a price information providing system; receiving the unit price of the commodity corresponding to the transmitted model identification information from the price information providing system; multiplying the quantity of the commodity matched to the received commodity unit price by the commodity unit price to determine the price for every model identification information; totaling the determined price for every model identification information to determine the total amount of sum; and storing the price information which mutually associates the model identification information, the price for every model identification information, and the total mount of sum in the portable electronic medium. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of using a portable electronic medium such as an IC card to support creation of product information in a store and comparison of product information by a purchaser.
[0002]
[Prior art]
On the Internet, there is a price information acquisition means in a computerized form as conventional technology. That is, when a store publishes prices on the Internet, a consumer (user) can use a computer to send information for identifying a product to a store server and receive information on the price of the product from the server. it can.
[0003]
On the other hand, in order to obtain price information at the actual store, the shopping list stored in the IC card is read from the IC card, and the shopper buys the shopping list from the read shopping list information and the price lookup table that records the price of the product. There is a technology that presents the price of the product you want. As such a technique, for example, there is a technique described in JP-A-2000-30148.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-30148 A
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, no means was considered for comparing prices between stores that did not disclose price information on the Internet or for stores that did not disclose price information on the Internet and those that did. .
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to provide a system that makes it easy for users to compare prices between stores, including those stores that do not disclose price information on the Internet.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The price information acquisition information that stores the model number identification information for identifying the product for each unit quantity and the quantity of the product in association with each other is read from the portable electronic medium, and the model number identification information included in the read price information acquisition information is read. The price is transmitted to the price information providing system, the unit price of the product corresponding to the transmitted model number identification information is received from the price information providing system, and the quantity of the product corresponding to the received product price is multiplied by the product price to identify the model number. The price for each piece of information is determined, the price for each piece of the determined model number identification information is summed to determine the total amount, and the price information for associating the model number identification information with the price for each piece number identification information and the total price is transported. Store in electronic media.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
<First embodiment>
An outline of the contents of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, a user 101 and a group of real stores (real store A103, real store B118, real store C119) exist as actors, and a portable electronic device for exchanging electronic information between the user and the real store. An IC card 102 exists as a medium.
[0009]
The user 101 in FIG. 1 performs a price information acquisition product list creation process 104 using the computer 117, and obtains price information including one or more product types for which the user wants to obtain price information and the number of the products. A commodity list for price information acquisition 105 that describes the commodity information for use is generated. The price information acquisition product list 105 is written into the IC card 107 via the IC card reader / writer 106 connected to the computer 117 (price information acquisition product list storage processing 107).
[0010]
In the actual store A103, the price inquiry / aggregation process 120 is performed by the computer 109 connecting the IC card reader / writer 108 and the POS system 110, and the price information list 111 is generated. Specifically, first, the user 101 reads out the price information acquisition product list 105 from the IC card 102 brought into the physical store A 103 via the IC card reader / writer 108. Using the model number of the product described in the price information acquisition product list 105 as a key, the POS system inquires about the price of the product. Lists the model number and quantity of one or more products, and the price of the products for the quantity, for each product, and the price that describes the total price of all products for which price information is to be acquired and price information including auxiliary information from stores. An information list 111 is generated. Here, the auxiliary information is information input by the computer 109 of the store, and is auxiliary information other than the price of a single product such as "If a certain product is bought, the price is set as a set with another product". . The generated price information list 111 is written to the IC card 102 via the IC card reader / writer 108 (price information list storage processing 112). In other real stores B118 and real stores C119, price information lists 121 and 122 are generated in the same manner, and the respective price information lists are written in the IC card 102 by the price information list storage processing 112.
[0011]
Here, the model number is identification information defined for each unit quantity of the product, and one price usually corresponds to one model number in one store.
[0012]
One use of the price information list (111, 121, 122) written in the IC card 102 of FIG. 1 is to present a price information list of each physical store to the user. Specifically, the computer 117 reads out the price information list (111, 121, 122) written in the IC card 102 via the IC card reader / writer 106. Then, as shown at 114, the price information list group is presented to the user via the display of the computer (price information list presentation processing 113). The price information list contains not only the price and total price of each product but also auxiliary information from the store that each store has written independently, so the user must consider both the price of the product and the information from the store. It is possible to select a store for purchasing a product.
[0013]
Another use of the price information list is to present a price information list of the cheapest shops. Specifically, the total price of the quote is compared in the IC card 102, and the price information list 116 of the cheapest store is extracted (the cheapest store calculation process 115). Then, the computer 109 of the actual store A 103 reads the lowest store price information list 116 in the IC card 102 via the IC card reader / writer 106. Then, as shown at 124, the price information list of the cheapest store is presented to the sales person at the actual store via the display of the computer, if necessary, by hiding the store name of the price information list. Thereby, the user can present the price information list of the cheapest shop without performing the calculation by himself / herself, so that the price negotiation can be facilitated.
[0014]
The above is the outline of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the contents of FIG. 1 will be described in detail.
First, FIG. 2 shows a system configuration of a computer 117 used by the user 101 in the embodiment of the present invention.
[0015]
The computer 117 includes a display 201, a keyboard 202, a pointing device 203, a central processing unit (CPU) 205, a magnetic disk device 208, a main storage device 210, and a bus 204 connecting these. The magnetic disk device 208 is one of the secondary storage devices, and stores a commodity list 209 for obtaining price information. Reading and writing of information in the IC card 102 is performed via an IC card reader / writer 206 connected to the computer 117 via an electric communication line. The IC card reader / writer 206 and the magnetic disk device 208 may be configured to be connected to the computer 117 via another device connected by a communication line (not shown in FIG. 2) or the like.
[0016]
The main storage device 210 stores a system control program 211, a text editing program 212, a price information list presentation program 213, and a work area 214. The above program can be stored in a storage medium that can be read and written by a computer such as the magnetic disk device 208.
[0017]
The system control program 211 is activated upon receiving an instruction from the keyboard 202 or the pointing device 203 or a function call from another program, and controls the text editing program 212 and the price information list presentation program 213.
[0018]
1 is created by the computer 117 using the text editing program 212 in accordance with a user's instruction. As the text editing program 212, a generally used text editor may be used, and therefore, the details of the processing are omitted here. FIG. 3 shows a format example of the price information acquisition product list 105. An italic character string between '<' and '>' means a character code corresponding to a tab and a line feed, respectively. For each line, describe the model number and the number of products for which you want to obtain price information. Separate the model number and the number with a tab character.
[0019]
In the present embodiment, a text format is used as an example of the format of the price information acquisition product list 105. However, the identification information of the model number for uniquely identifying the product or for each unit quantity is essentially used. The format is not limited to a text format as long as the quantity is associated with the text format. For example, there is no problem even if it is described in a binary format.
[0020]
FIG. 4 shows the internal configuration of the IC card 102. The IC card 102 includes a connection terminal 401, a central processing unit (CPU) 402, a main storage device 404, and a bus 403 connecting these.
[0021]
The main storage device 404 stores a price information acquisition product list writing / reading program 406, a price information list writing / reading program 407, a lowest price calculation program 408, and a user password storage / verification program 413. A storage area 414, a commodity list storage area for price information acquisition 409, a price information list storage area 410, a cheapest shop price information list storage area 412, and a work area 411 are secured.
[0022]
The system control program 405 is activated upon receiving an instruction input via the connection terminal 401 connected to the IC card reader / writer 106, and writes / reads a price information acquisition product list writing / reading program 407 and a price information list writing / reading program 408. , The lowest estimate calculation program 408, and the user password storage / collation program 413, and exchanges data via the connection terminal 401.
[0023]
In the price information acquisition product list storage processing 107, the user inserts the IC card 102 into the IC card reader / writer 106 and stores the price information acquisition product list 105 in the IC card 102. Specifically, the price information acquisition product list writing / reading program 406 is called, and the price information acquisition product list 105 created in the price information acquisition product list creation process 104 is stored in the IC card reader / writer 106 and the connection terminal. The information is written to the product information storage area 409 for price information acquisition in the IC card 102 via 401. The price information acquisition product list writing / reading program 406 is a simple process of writing data to a specific area of an IC card or reading data from a specific area, and is frequently used in conventional IC card utilization technology. Since this is a process, a detailed description of the process is omitted. At this time, if no password is set in the user password storage area 414 in the IC card 102, the price information acquisition product list writing / reading program 406 is executed via the system control program 405 in the IC card 102. The user password storage / collation program 413 is called, and the user password is stored in the user password storage area 414. The user password storage / verification program 413 is also a simple process of storing a user password in a specific area of an IC card and verifying the password with input information, and is often used in conventional IC card utilization technology. The detailed description of the processing is omitted here.
[0024]
The user brings the IC card 102 in which the price information acquisition product list 105 is stored to the store and hands over the IC card 102 to a salesperson at the store to request price information acquisition. The salesperson inserts the IC card into the IC card reader / writer 108 connected to the computer 109 and instructs the computer 109 to start the price inquiry / aggregation process 120.
[0025]
FIG. 5 shows a configuration of a computer 109 in which an IC card reader / writer 108 and a POS system 110 are connected. The computer 109 includes a display 501, a keyboard 502, a pointing device 503, a central processing unit (CPU) 505, a main storage device 510, and a bus 504 connecting these. Reading and writing of information in the IC card 102 is performed via an IC card reader / writer 108 connected to the computer 109 via an electric communication line. The POS system 110 is connected via a communication line 508.
[0026]
The main storage device 510 stores a system control program 511, a price inquiry / aggregation program 512, and a cheapest shop price information list presentation program 513, and a work area 514 is secured. The above programs can also be stored in a storage medium that can be read and written by a computer such as a magnetic disk device.
[0027]
The system control program 511 is activated upon receiving an instruction from the keyboard 502 or the pointing device 503 or a function call from another program, and controls the price inquiry / aggregation program 512 and the cheapest shop price information list presentation program 513. .
[0028]
In the actual store A103, the price inquiry / aggregation process 120 is performed by the computer 109 connecting the IC card reader / writer 108 and the POS system 110, and the price information list 111 is generated.
[0029]
FIG. 6 shows a format of the price information list 111. An italic character string sandwiched between '<' and '>' means a character code corresponding to a tab and a line feed, respectively. First, a character string 601 up to the first blank line 602 represents a store name. Each line 603 from the first blank line 601 to the second blank line 604 is product-specific information in which three types of information, such as a model number, a quantity, and a price, are separated by tab characters for each product. A number 605 described from the second blank line 604 to the third blank line 606 represents the total amount of all the estimated products. Finally, the character string 607 after the third blank line 606 becomes store-specific character string information given by the store.
[0030]
In this embodiment, a text format is adopted as an example of the format of the price information list 111 in FIG. 1. However, essentially, information of a model number for uniquely identifying a product for each product or for each unit quantity is used. And the quantity of the product, and the price of the product, as long as the store name information and the store-specific auxiliary information are given as other information. That is, the format is not limited to the text format, but may be described in, for example, a binary format.
[0031]
FIG. 7 shows a processing flow of the price inquiry / aggregation process 120 executed by the price inquiry / aggregation program 512. In step 701, the price inquiry / aggregation program 512 secures an output buffer in the work area 514. In step 702, the price inquiry / aggregation program 512 outputs a predetermined store name to the output buffer, and subsequently outputs a blank line. This blank line is a blank line separating the store name and the individual product information group indicated by reference numeral 602 in FIG. In step 703, the price inquiry / aggregation program 512 reads the price information acquisition product list 105 from the IC card 102. Here, in response to an instruction from the price inquiry / aggregation program 512, the price information acquisition product list writing / reading program 406 in the IC card 102 is called, and the price information acquisition product list 105 is read out to the computer 109.
[0032]
Step 704 is the beginning of a loop in which the price inquiry / aggregation program 512 repeats the number of lines of the price information acquisition product list 105, and the price inquiry / aggregation program 512 reads the price information acquisition product list 105 line by line. In step 705, the price inquiry / aggregation program 512 acquires the model number of the product separated by tabs and the estimated number from the line read in the process 704. In step 706, the price inquiry / aggregation program 512 inquires and acquires the unit price of the product from the POS system 110) based on the model number.
[0033]
In step 707, the price inquiry / aggregation program 512 calculates the price of the product by multiplying the product unit price obtained as a result of the processing 706 by the estimated number. In step 709, the model number of the product, the estimated number, and the price of the product obtained as a result of step 707 are output to the output buffer, separated by tab characters. In step 710, the price inquiry / aggregation program 512 adds the price of the product obtained as a result of the process 707 to the total price up to that time (initial value 0). Step 711 is the end of the loop starting from step 704. If the loop has not been completed, the process returns to step 704; if the loop has been completed, the process proceeds to step 712.
[0034]
In step 712, the price inquiry / aggregation program 512 outputs a blank line to the output buffer. This blank line corresponds to the division between the individual product information group and the total price shown in 604. In step 713, the price inquiry / aggregation program 512 outputs the total amount to the output buffer, and subsequently outputs a blank line. This blank line corresponds to a blank line indicated by 606, which is a delimiter between the total amount and the store-specific character string information. In step 714, the price inquiry / aggregation program 512 outputs the store-specific character string information that the store clerk inputs using the keyboard 502 and the pointing device 503 to the output buffer.
[0035]
In step 715, the price inquiry / aggregation program 512 outputs the contents of the output buffer as a price information list. In step 716, the price inquiry / aggregation program 512 stores the price information list in the IC card 102. Specifically, the price information list writing / reading program 407 is called in response to the instruction of the price inquiry / aggregation program 512, and the price information list 111 created in the price inquiry / aggregation process 120 is read by the IC card reader / writer 108 and The information is written to the price information list storage area 410 in the IC card 102 via the connection terminal 401 (this processing corresponds to the price information list storage processing 112 in the IC card 102). The price information list writing / reading program 407 is a simple process of writing data to a specific area of an IC card or reading data from a specific area, and is a process frequently used in conventional IC card utilization technology. Therefore, detailed description of the processing is omitted.
[0036]
The price information list presentation processing 113 calls the price information list writing / reading program 407 in the IC card 102, reads out all the price information lists stored in the price information list storage area 410 to the user's computer 117, and displays the price information list on the display 201. This is the process of displaying.
[0037]
FIG. 8 shows an example of the display screen. A window 801 is allocated on the display 201 for the price information list presentation processing 113. Reference numeral 802 denotes an area in the window 801 for displaying individual price information lists. Reference numeral 803 denotes a display example of an individual price information list. In each price information list, for example, as indicated by reference numeral 803, a store name, information on the model number, quantity, and price of each product, a total price, and information from the store are displayed. Reference numeral 804 denotes a scroll bar. When the price information list does not fit in the display area of the area 802, the user operates the scroll bar using the pointing device 203 or the like to scroll the area 802 and display the price information list. To change. An end button 805 is a button for the user to instruct, by using the pointing device 203 or the like, to end the price information list presentation processing 113 and close the window 801. By performing such a screen display, the user can make the most purchases of all price information lists stored in the IC card 102 while simultaneously referring to the prices of individual products, the total price, information from stores, and the like. A suitable store can be selected.
[0038]
Further, when the user brings the IC card 102 storing the price information list into the store and presents the price information of the cheapest store at that time for use in price negotiations, the store computer 109 The cheap store price information list presentation processing 123 is executed, and the price information list of the cheapest store is displayed on the display 501 of the computer of the store, as shown at 124. The cheapest shop price information list presenting process 123 is a process executed by the cheapest shop price information list presenting program 513 in the computer 109 in the shop, and calls the cheapest estimate calculating program 408 in the IC card 102. As a result, the price information list output to the cheapest shop price information list storage area 412 is read out via the IC card reader / writer 108, and the content is displayed on the display 501. Hereinafter, the processing flow of the cheapest estimate calculation program 408 in the IC card 102 will be described in detail.
[0039]
FIG. 9 shows a processing flow of the cheapest estimate calculation program 408. In step 901, the cheapest estimate calculation program 408 prepares an output buffer in the work area 411. In step 902, the cheapest estimate calculation program 408 copies the first list in the price information list stored in the price information list storage area 410 to the output buffer. Step 903 is the beginning of a loop in which the cheapest estimate calculation program 408 reads the price information lists stored in the price information list storage area 410 one by one from the second. In step 904, it is determined whether or not the total price of the price information list read by the lowest price calculation program 408 is smaller than the total price of the price information list in the output buffer. If smaller, the process proceeds to step 905; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 906. In step 905, the cheapest estimate calculation program 408 replaces the price information list in the output buffer with the read price information list. Step 906 is the end of the loop started from step 903.
[0040]
In step 907, the cheapest estimate calculation program 408 performs a character string search to determine whether or not the auxiliary information from the store in the price information list in the output buffer includes a character string of “Store name non-display”. If the character string “Store name non-display” is included, the process proceeds to step 908; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 911. Here, it has been described that the character string representing “Hide store name” is included in the auxiliary information from the store depending on whether or not it is included.However, the price information list includes some information indicating whether or not the store name is displayed. For example, a store name display / non-display flag may be provided in the price information list in advance, and the flag may be switched when creating the price information list. In step 908, the cheapest estimate calculation program 408 makes a request for input of a user password via the display 501 using the cheapest shop price information list presentation program 513.
[0041]
FIG. 11 shows an example of the input request screen. Reference numeral 1101 denotes a window for requesting an input. Reference numeral 1102 denotes an area for inputting a password. Reference numeral 1103 denotes a button for receiving an instruction to verify the password input in 1102 using the user password storage / verification program 413 in the IC card. A button 1104 is pressed when a password is not input. If the password is successfully verified by the user password storage / verification program 413, the process proceeds to step 911; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 910.
[0042]
In step 910, the cheapest estimate calculation program 408 deletes the store name in the price information list in the output buffer. In step 911, the cheapest estimate calculation program 408 copies the price information list of the output buffer to the cheapest shop price information list storage area 412. By the above processing, the price information list of the store with the lowest total price is stored in the cheapest store price information list storage area 412. According to this processing, the store name can be hidden in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances specific to a real store such as "I do not want other stores to know the price of my store".
[0043]
The flow of the process of hiding the store name will be described with reference to FIG. 10 as an example. For example, it is assumed that one of the price information lists stored in the price information list storage area 410 is a price information list such as 1001. If the store that issued this price information list intends that “I do not want other stores to know that my store has issued this price,” as shown in 1003, Information indicating that the store name is not displayed on the display of the computer of another store, for example, a character string such as "Store name non-display" may be described in the price information list. Then, when this price information list is stored in the cheapest store price information list storage area 412 by the cheapest store calculation processing 100115, the store name is deleted as shown in 1005 of the price information list 1004. Is stored in This is realized by the processing of steps 907 to 910 in FIG. However, when the user himself / herself refers to the price information list of the cheapest store, the user inputs the user password to refer to the price information list of the cheapest store without deleting the store name in steps 908 and 909. Is also possible. As described above, a function is possible in which the store name cannot be seen by the clerk of another store, but the owner of the IC card can see it.
[0044]
By automatically calculating and presenting the price information list of the cheapest store by the method as described above, it is possible to support the user's price negotiation at the actual store. In the present embodiment, an IC card is exemplified as a portable electronic medium having a computing ability, but the medium is not limited to an IC card. For example, the same function can be realized by using a mobile phone having an input / output interface with a computer.
[0045]
Further, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the purchaser and the store obtain a common product type name. However, both the purchaser and the store may obtain the model number from the homepage of the maker 1210. . In the present embodiment, the model number of the product is used as the information for specifying the product. However, this may be any information that can specify or identify the product, and is not limited to the model number. For example, electronic barcode information may be used.
[0046]
<Second embodiment>
A second embodiment will be described.
[0047]
The second embodiment is an embodiment in which a product list for acquiring price information is created by using an ID read from products arranged in a store. Further, the manufacturer 1210 can grasp the consumer's interest in and purchase tendency of the company's products.
[0048]
FIG. 12 is a system configuration diagram in the second embodiment. The maker 1210, the ID management center 1230, and the POS system 110 are connected via a telecommunication line network 1220 such as the Internet. The manufacturer 1210 is a company that manufactures products and wholesales the products to the actual store A or the like. The ID management center 1230 includes a model number DB 1240, a model number DB update program 1231, an information request count DB 1250, an information request count update program 1232, and a transmitting / receiving unit. The computer of the physical store A and the computer of the physical store B have a product price information list updating unit in addition to the configuration described in FIG. 1 and are communicably connected to the product ID reading device.
[0049]
The product ID is product identification information stored in the information recording medium attached to the product. The product ID is information that can uniquely identify an individual article or for each unit quantity even if the product belongs to the same model number. Therefore, one model number corresponds to a plurality of product IDs. The information recording medium that stores the product ID is a medium such as a barcode or other paper on which identification information is printed, or an RF-ID tag or other IC chip, and is read by a product ID reading device connected to a computer at an actual store. It is possible.
[0050]
FIG. 17 shows a data configuration diagram of the model number DB 1240. The model number DB 1240 stores a product ID, a model number, and a product ID, which is information for identifying a store corresponding to the product ID, in association with each other. FIG. 18 shows a data configuration diagram of the information request count DB 1250. The information request count DB 1250 stores the information request count, the model number, and the store ID in association with each other. The number of information requests will be described later.
[0051]
The model number DB update program 1231 stores the product ID received by the ID management center 1230 from the manufacturer 1210 in association with the model number and the store ID in the model number DB 1240, and determines the model number using the product ID as a key. If the model number can be determined using the product ID as a key, in each store, the model number of the product with the product ID can be obtained from the product ID, and the price can be obtained from the obtained model number. When used to determine a price from a product ID, a store ID is not essential.
[0052]
When receiving the request for determining the model number from the product ID from the transmitting / receiving unit, the information request frequency update program 1232 obtains the model number and the store ID corresponding to the product ID from the model number DB 1240, and obtains the information corresponding to the model number and the store ID. The number of requests 1810 is increased. The information request count update program 1232 determines the information request count corresponding to the information request count 1810 acquisition request using the model number and / or the store ID from the information request count DB 1250. When only an acquisition request for the information request count 1810 is made using only the model number as a key, the store ID is not essential.
[0053]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a product ID storage process, a price information acquisition product list editing process, an information request count information acquisition process, and the like in the present embodiment. Hereinafter, these processes will be described with reference to this flowchart.
[0054]
First, the product ID storage processing will be described. The manufacturer 1210 attaches the product ID to the product and delivers it to the physical store A (step 1305), and transmits the model number, the product ID, and the store ID of the physical store A corresponding to the product to the ID management center 1230 (step). 1310). The ID management center 1230 receives this, and stores the model number, the product ID, and the store ID in the model number DB 1240 in association with each other (step 1315).
[0055]
In step 1305, the product ID transmitted to the ID management center 1230 by the manufacturer 1210 is obtained by reading the product ID attached to the product shipped from the manufacturer 1210 by a reading device provided in the system of the manufacturer 1210. It may be something. Thus, the manufacturer 1210 can associate the shipping destination of the product with the product ID in the shipping. Therefore, even when individual products having the same model number are identified by the product ID as in the present embodiment, it is possible to save the trouble of searching for the product having the product ID corresponding to the store ID of the shipping destination from the stock.
[0056]
Next, the price information acquisition product list editing process will be described. The IC card reader / writer 108 accepts the insertion of the IC card 102 of a customer (hereinafter, referred to as a user) who has visited the actual store A (step 1320). The time for inserting the IC card may be any time as long as the price information acquisition product list can be read from the IC card at the time of updating the price information acquisition product list in the IC card in step 1360 described below. It is not restricted by the timing in the example of the flowchart. The computer 109 of the physical store A reads the product ID of the product desired by the user via the product ID reading device, and transmits the read product ID to the POS system 110 (step 1330). The POS system 110 transmits the product ID to the ID management center 1230 (Step 1335). The ID management center 1230 obtains the model number and the store ID from the model number DB 1240 using the received product ID as a key, and increases the number of information requests corresponding to the combination of the model number and the store ID in the information request count DB 1250 (step 1340).
[0057]
In the above step 1310, it has been described that the manufacturer 1210 transmits the model number, the product ID, and the store ID to the ID management center 1230. However, if the model number and the product ID can be correlated in the ID management center 1230, the POS system Since the model number corresponding to the product ID received from 110 can be obtained and transmitted to the POS system 110, the maker 1210 transmits the product ID to the ID management center 1230 in advance of step 1310 in association with the model number. In addition, the model number may not be transmitted to the ID management center 1230 in the above step 1310. As a result, information on a combination of a product ID and a model number that can be transmitted together before shipment can be sent together to the ID management center 1230, and the amount of information transmitted by the manufacturer 1210 to the ID management center 1230 during shipment can be reduced. As a result, communication costs can be reduced.
[0058]
In this way, the ID management center 1230 stores the product ID and the corresponding model number in the model number DB 1240 in association with each other, and receives the product ID read from the product desired by the user at the store by the reading device, By counting the number of information requests to the model number DB 1240 for each model number corresponding to the received product ID, it is possible to measure the degree of interest in the product of that model number even when purchase is not completed. Also, the merchandise ID, the model number, and the store ID corresponding to the store that sells the merchandise corresponding to the merchandise ID are stored in association with each other, and the merchandise ID read from the merchandise desired by the user at the store is received. Then, by counting the number of information requests to the model number DB 1240 for each store ID for each model number corresponding to the received product ID, it is possible to grasp the purchase tendency of the product for each store.
[0059]
The ID management center 1230 transmits the model number obtained in step 1340 to the POS system 110 of the actual store A (step 1345). The POS system 110 transmits the received model number to the computer 109 of the actual store A (step 1350). The computer 109 of the actual store A accepts an input of the number of products desired by the user corresponding to the read product ID (step 1355). A price information acquisition product list corresponding to the actual store A is created (edited if created), and the desired number of input products and the model number received from the POS system 110 are added to the IC card price information acquisition product list. Write (step 1360).
[0060]
The estimation calculation in step 1365 by the computer 109 of the actual store A is the same as the processing in steps 701 to 716 described in FIG. In addition, the unit price of the product corresponding to the model number received by the POS system in step 1350 can also be transmitted to the actual store A. In this case, the computer 109 that has received the product unit price determines the correspondence between the received model number and the product unit price. Since it is possible to omit the inquiry to the POS system 110 using the stored unit price in step 706, the communication cost can be reduced.
[0061]
Next, the information request frequency information acquisition process will be described. The maker 1210 transmits an information request count information request to the ID management center 1230 (step 1370). The information request count information request includes, for example, a model number. In this case, the ID management center 1230 reads information request count information corresponding to the model number from the information request count DB 1250 (step 1375), and reads the read information. The data is transmitted to the maker 1210 (step 1380).
[0062]
The information transmitted from the maker 1210 to the ID management center 1230 in the above step 1310 includes a maker ID for uniquely identifying the maker 1210. Is stored in association with the information request count information request in step 1370, a maker ID for uniquely identifying the maker 1210 is included, and the ID management center 1230 transmits information corresponding to the received maker ID. , The manufacturer 1210 can select and obtain information on its own products.
[0063]
Further, the ID management center 1230 stores the maker ID and the authentication information such as the password in advance in association with each other, and transmits the maker ID and the password together with the maker ID and the password in the above-mentioned step 1310 to thereby obtain the model number ID and the information request count DB 1250. At the same time, it is possible to prevent a third party who does not correspond to the manufacturer ID from writing. The ID management center 1230 stores the maker ID and the authentication information such as the password in advance in association with each other, and transmits the maker ID and the password together with the maker ID and the password in the above-described step 1370. If only the data corresponding to the password is not obtained from the ID management center 1230, it is possible to prevent a person who does not know the authentication information such as the password from requesting information about the company's product.
[0064]
As in steps 1385 to 1390, price inquiry / aggregation processing can be performed at another store different from the actual store A by using the price information acquisition product list already stored in the IC card. It is also possible to calculate the lowest price estimate and present the lowest price information list as described with reference to FIG.
[0065]
As described above, in the price information acquisition product list editing process of the present embodiment, the ID management center 1230 uses the product ID read from the product desired by the user by the product ID reading device connected to the computer at the store as a key, and Since the model number corresponding to this product ID is obtained from the DB 1240 and the obtained product ID is transmitted to the computer of the store, the computer of the store obtains the model number of the product corresponding to the product desired by the user and obtains price information. Product list can be updated.
[0066]
<Third embodiment>
Hereinafter, a third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment is an embodiment in which the user creates a price information acquisition product list using the mobile terminal system 1400 including a product ID reading unit. The overall system configuration is similar to that of FIG. 12 except that the user's portable terminal system 1400 is connected to a telecommunications network 1220.
[0067]
FIG. 14 is a functional configuration diagram of the portable terminal system 1400 of the user. The portable terminal system 1400 has an IC card reading / writing unit 1410, a list editing program 1420, a price information list presentation program 1430, a work area 1440, a display unit 1460, and a user instruction input unit 1470, and has a product ID reading device 1450, It is connected so that information can be exchanged. The IC card reading / writing unit 1410 reads information from an IC card inserted by a user and rewrites the content or writes new information as necessary. The list editing program 1420 edits the price information acquisition product list placed in the work area 1440 of the mobile terminal system 1400 based on the instruction input from the user instruction input unit 1470. The price information list presentation program calls the price information list writing / reading program 407 in the IC card 102, reads the price information list stored in the price information list storage area 410 to the user's portable terminal system 1400, and displays the display unit 1460. Is a program that causes the portable terminal system 1400 to execute the process of displaying the information on the screen. The mobile terminal system 1400 does not necessarily need to have the price information list presentation program, and in this case, the computer of the actual store can have the estimate presentation program. Thus, the user reads the price information list from the IC card using the IC card reader / writer connected to the computer at the actual store, and the computer at the actual store displays the price information list on the display 501.
[0068]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the product ID storage process and the price information acquisition product list editing process according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the processing in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart. It is to be noted that processes such as the above steps 1365 to 1390 can be performed after the processes described in the present embodiment.
[0069]
The maker 1210 carries out the product with the product ID attached to the physical store A (step 1505), and sends the product ID, the corresponding model number, and the store ID of the physical store A to which the product is delivered to the ID management center 1230. It transmits (step 1510). The ID management center 1230 stores the received model number, product ID, and store ID in the model number DB 1240 in association with each other (step 1515). The effects of these configurations are the same as those described with reference to FIG.
[0070]
Portable terminal system 1400 accepts the insertion of the user's IC card (step 1520). The IC card can be inserted at any time as long as the price information acquisition product list can be read from the IC card at the time of updating the price information acquisition product list in the IC card in step 1545 described below. It is not restricted by the timing in the example of the flowchart. The mobile terminal system 1400 reads the product ID of the product desired by the user among the products received from the maker 1210 by the product ID reader 1450 connected to the mobile terminal system 1400 (step 1525), and reads this product ID into the ID management center. It transmits to 1230 (step 1535).
[0071]
The ID management center 1230 obtains the model number and the store ID corresponding to the product ID received from the model number DB 1240 using the received product ID as a key, and transmits the obtained model number to the portable terminal system 1400 (step 1535). The ID management center 1230 increases the information request count corresponding to the obtained model number and store ID in the information request count DB 1250 (step 1535).
[0072]
The user instruction input unit of the portable terminal system 1400 inputs the number of products desired by the user corresponding to the read product ID (step 1545), and based on the input number and the model number received in step 1540, The product list for price information acquisition stored in the work area 1440 is updated (step 1550). Here, the price information acquisition product list stored in the work area 1440 may be a newly created price information acquisition product list, or a price information acquisition product list that has already been created may be replaced with a portable terminal device. May be read from an IC card by the IC card reading / writing unit 1410 of FIG. The mobile terminal system 1400 updates the price information acquisition product list stored in the work area 1440 and stores it in the IC card after updating.
[0073]
Note that after step 1350, it is possible to calculate an estimate in accordance with the price information acquisition product list stored in the IC card in the same manner as in the processes of steps 701 to 716, but the portable terminal system 1400 may Price information by connecting to the store computer via the line, sending the estimate request to the store computer, and receiving the estimate calculated by the store computer based on the combination of the model number and the desired number included in the estimate request You may get a list.
[0074]
In steps 1530 to 1540, the portable terminal system 1400 requests the model number from the ID management center 1230 by transmitting the product ID to the ID management center 1230, and the price information based on the model number obtained from the ID management center 1230. Although it has been described that the product list for acquisition is created, the product ID for price information acquisition may be created by associating the product ID read in step 1525 with the number input in step 1545. In this case, in the subsequent estimation calculation, the processing as in steps 1325 to 1345 of the second embodiment or the computer 109 of the store stores the product ID in the ID management center 1230 based on the product ID included in the price information acquisition product list. , The store computer 109 obtains the model number from the product ID, and creates / edits a price information list by requesting the corresponding model number and transmitting the corresponding product ID from the ID management center 1230. Thereby, the portable terminal system 1400 can create the price information acquisition product list without communicating with the ID management center 1230.
[0075]
As described above, the portable terminal system 1400 reads the commodity ID of the commodity desired by the user with the commodity ID reading device 1450 connected to the portable terminal system 1400, transmits the read commodity ID to the ID management center 1230, and performs ID management. The model number stored in association with the product ID transmitted in the model number DB 1240 of the center 1230 is received from the ID management center 1230, and the number corresponding to the product corresponding to the product ID is input from the user instruction input unit and received. Since the product number list is created by associating the model number with the input number, the user obtains the model number by reading the product ID from the desired product without knowing the model number, and creates the product list for obtaining price information and makes a quote. It can be used for calculation.
[0076]
In the present embodiment, the case where the maker 1210 ships the product has been described as an example. However, instead of shipping the product with the product ID to the physical store A, the maker 1210 sends to the advertising agency of a physical medium such as paper. The product ID is transmitted, and the advertiser attaches the information recording medium storing the product ID to a position corresponding to the product information described in the advertisement of the physical medium such as paper, and the user attaches the advertisement by the portable terminal system 1400. The product ID may be read. In this case, the store ID transmitted by the maker 1210 to the ID management center 1230 in step 1510 is information for identifying an advertising agency or an individual advertisement. By checking the number of information requests, the ID management center 1230 can know an advertisement with a high advertising effect, and the user can obtain a price information acquisition product list based on the advertisement without going to the store.
<Fourth embodiment>
A fourth embodiment will be described. This embodiment is an example in which an advertisement is presented on a website or the like, and a product ID is notified as electronic data. In the present embodiment, a Web site (hereinafter, referred to as an advertisement site) for posting an advertisement relating to a product of the maker 1210 communicates with the user's computer 117, the maker 1210, and the ID management center 1230 via a telecommunication line network 1220. They are connected so that they can be exchanged.
[0077]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of the ID storage process and the price information acquisition product list creation process in this embodiment. Hereinafter, these processes will be described with reference to this flowchart. It is to be noted that processes such as the above steps 1365 to 1390 can be performed after the processes described in the present embodiment.
[0078]
The manufacturer 1210 associates the product information of the product on which the advertisement information is to be placed with the product ID and transmits the product information to the server of the advertisement site (step 1605). The advertisement information refers to information on a Web page having a function (a mechanism such as a hyperlink) for receiving an instruction to access product information and other information corresponding to the product information. The manufacturer 1210 transmits the model number, the product ID, and the store ID corresponding to the product to the ID management center 1230 (Step 1610). In the present embodiment, the store ID is information for uniquely identifying an advertisement site that publishes an advertisement corresponding to the product ID. The ID management center 1230 stores the model number, the product ID, and the store ID received from the manufacturer 1210 in association with each other in the model number DB 1240 (step 1615).
[0079]
The computer of the user receives the insertion of the IC card (step 1617), inputs an instruction from the user via the keyboard 202 or the input device of the pointing device 203, and when the instruction is a Web page acquisition from an advertisement site, A Web page is requested from the server of the advertisement site (step 1620). The server of the advertisement site transmits the Web page with the advertisement of the product of the maker 1210 to the computer of the user in response to the Web page request (Step 1625). The Web page with advertisement includes a button and a hyperlink for receiving product information on a product of the maker 1210 and an instruction for requesting a model number corresponding to the product.
[0080]
When the user requests a model number of the product received by operating a button or the like included in the Web page, a model number request including information for specifying the product is notified to the server of the advertisement site by the user's computer (step 1630). . The server of the advertising site transmits the product ID corresponding to the product specifying information included in the model number request to the ID management center 1230 (Step 1635).
[0081]
Here, the product ID does not correspond one-to-one with the model number of the product, and a plurality of product IDs are assigned to one model number. The server of the advertising site manages segment analysis information such as the user's age group, purchase history, and web page browsing history in advance in association with the identifier of the user browsing the web page, and stores the segment analysis information in the segment analysis information. Based on this, the product ID to be transmitted to the ID management center 1230 is determined.
[0082]
The information request DB of the ID management center 1230 stores model numbers, store IDs, information request counts, and attribute information in association with each other. The attribute information is information for uniquely identifying a plurality of segments received by the segment analysis information of the user. The ID management center 1230 stores the product ID and the attribute information in advance in the attribute information DB in association with each other, specifies the attribute information corresponding to the received product ID using the attribute information DB, The number of information requests corresponding to the attribute information is increased (step 1640). The attribute information may be a product ID. In this case, the attribute information DB is unnecessary, and the information request DB stores the number of information requests for each product ID.
[0083]
Thereby, the ID management center 1230 can collect more detailed information about the user from the received product ID, for example, grasps the purchase tendency of the segment to which a certain user belongs, and obtains information of another user belonging to the same segment. It is possible to predict a purchase tendency and transmit an advertisement for a product having a high purchase probability to the other user.
[0084]
In step 1635, the server of the advertisement site transmits the product ID to the ID management center 1230. Transmits the product ID to the ID management center 1230 by redirection, and in step 1655, the ID management center 1230 may transmit the model number to the user's computer. In this case, step 1650 becomes unnecessary, and the communication cost can be reduced.
[0085]
In addition, although it has been described that the product ID does not correspond to the model number of the product in a one-to-one correspondence, the model number may be uniquely determined for the product if segment analysis information is not acquired. The information request DB 1230 stores a model number, a store ID, and the number of information requests in association with each other. If the product ID is not changed depending on the segment to which the user belongs, the product ID is included in the Web page transmitted to the user in step 1625, and the model number request in step 1630 is transmitted to the ID management center 1230 by the computer of the user. The ID management center 1230 may transmit the model number to the user's computer in step 1645. In this case, steps 1635 and 1650 become unnecessary, and the communication cost can be reduced.
[0086]
The ID management center 1230 obtains the model number corresponding to the product ID received from the advertisement site server from the model number DB 1240, and transmits it to the advertisement site server (step 1645). The server of the advertising site that has received the model number transmits the received model number to the user's computer (step 1650). The user's computer inputs the desired number of products by the user via the input devices 202 and 203 (step 1655), and based on the model number received from the server of the advertising site and the input number, a product list for obtaining price information. Is updated (step 1660).
[0087]
In this way, the product ID different from the product ID attached to the actual product is associated with the advertisement on the Web, and the number of requests for the model number of the product described in the advertisement is identified by the ID management center 1230 of the Web site on which the advertisement is placed. By storing the information in association with the information, the ID management center 1230 can quantitatively know which website has placed the advertisement and how effective the advertisement is. Clicking a button or the like corresponding to the product information on the Web page gives the model number ID, so that the user can create a product list for obtaining price information without going to the store. There is an advantage that it is not necessary to know in advance the product ID and the model number when creating the product list.
[0088]
As described above, a plurality of product IDs corresponding to a product having one model number are stored in the ID management center 1230 in association with the model number, and the ID management center 1230 transmits the model number corresponding to the received product ID. The ID management center 1230 can obtain information on where the user is interested in the product based on the information obtained.
[0089]
Although the blocks in FIG. 12 are functionally divided, the blocks may be divided and integrated. For example, the maker 1210 may double as the ID management center 1230. In this case, step 1310, step 1370, and step 1380 may be omitted. The business entity described as “manufacturer” in the above description is not necessarily the product maker 1210, but may be any company that ships products to retail stores, such as a wholesaler.
[0090]
Regardless of the case of the first embodiment or the case of the fourth embodiment, since the price information acquisition product list and the price information list stored in the IC card are the same, Web Price information obtained at the site and price information obtained at the actual store can be easily compared.
[0091]
In the second, third, and fourth embodiments, the product ID is transmitted to the ID management center 1230 and the model number is obtained from the ID management center 1230. However, when a predetermined operation is performed on the product ID, the model number is changed. The merchandise ID is pre-configured so as to be obtained, the computer 109 in the second embodiment, the user's portable terminal system 1400 in the third embodiment, and the user in the fourth embodiment. The user's computer may obtain a model number by performing a predetermined operation on the read product ID. In this case, it is not necessary to obtain the model number by communication, and the model number corresponding to the product ID can be obtained more easily. For example, a model number is assigned to the upper bits of the IC tag, and detailed product identification information is assigned to the lower bits.
[0092]
To explain from another angle, a portable electronic medium for the buyer to hold the price information acquisition product list in an electronic form and transport it to the store (([Means 1])) Means for reading the price information acquisition product list from the electronic medium, creating a price information list by comparing the product information held by the store with the price information list, and storing the price information list in the portable electronic medium ([Means 2] ), Means for adding information specific to the store to the price information list at the store ([Means 3]), the shopper stores the price information list stored on the portable electronic medium by the store. Means for comparing in a form taking into account unique information; ([means 4]) calculating and presenting which store's price information list is the cheapest from a plurality of price information lists stored in the portable electronic medium; Calculation means and ([means ]), It comprises a. When the portable electronic medium of [Means 1] has a computing capability, the computing means of [Means 5] may be realized by the portable electronic medium.
[0093]
First, the [Means 1] and [Means 2] provide a means for sending and receiving computerized information via a portable electronic medium even between a general consumer who is not connected online and an actual store. .
[0094]
Here, by means of the above [means 3], each store has its own appeal, such as "the house has its own warranty for three years,""the store is near, you can rush to support immediately," and "the store has its own points of 10%." The points can be added to the price information list, and the [means 4] enables the consumer to compare stores not only by comparing prices but also by considering appeal points of each store. Therefore, it is possible to support a situation peculiar to purchasing behavior in an actual store, such as "comparing not only price but also characteristics of each store to determine a store to purchase".
[0095]
Further, the above [Means 5] allows the user to obtain a price information list of the cheapest shop at that time from a plurality of price information lists without having to perform price comparison processing by himself / herself. Easy access to negotiation material. As a result, it is possible to support a situation peculiar to purchasing behavior in a real store, such as "bargaining between a general consumer and a real store using an estimation result in another store".
[0096]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, a buyer can first obtain a price information list in a short time. Further, by supporting the presentation of the estimate at another store, it becomes easier to negotiate the price with the actual store. Further, by supporting the purchaser's comparison of the price information list, the purchaser can more easily determine a store that has an advantage. Thus, the present invention greatly increases the convenience of the purchaser.
[0097]
On the other hand, for the store, first, the labor required for creating the price information list can be reduced. Furthermore, by appealing the convenience of the system using the mechanism of the present invention to the purchaser, it is possible to obtain an effect of enclosing the purchaser and increase sales opportunities. Also, in a store that operates a service such as "Make sure to be cheaper than the store price of another store", it is possible to easily obtain the product price of the other store without checking by telephone or the like, which leads to a reduction in labor.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a computer used by a user.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a format of a price information acquisition product list.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of an IC card.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration example of a computer used by a store.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a format of a price information list.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a price inquiry / aggregation program.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a price information list display screen on a user's computer.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a cheapest estimate calculation program.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a store name is hidden by the cheapest store calculation process.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of requesting input of a user password.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration example according to a second embodiment;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a price information providing method according to the second embodiment;
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a portable terminal system of a user according to a third embodiment;
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a price information providing method according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a price information providing method according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a model number DB.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of an information request count DB.
[Explanation of symbols]
102: IC card, 105: price information acquisition product list, 106, 108: IC card reader / writer, 109: store computer, 111, 121, 122: price information list, 1240: model number DB, 1250: information request count DB

Claims (5)

Read the product information for price information acquisition that stores the product number identification information that identifies the product for each unit quantity and the quantity of the product in association with each other, from the portable electronic medium,
The model number identification information included in the read price information acquisition information is transmitted to the price information providing system,
Receiving the unit price of the product corresponding to the transmitted model number identification information from the price information providing system,
The quantity of the product associated with the received product price is multiplied by the product price to determine a price for each model number identification information,
Total the prices for the determined model number identification information, determine the total amount,
A price information providing method, wherein price information for associating the model number identification information, the price for each model number identification information, and the total amount is stored in the portable electronic medium. The price information providing method according to claim 1,
When there are a plurality of pieces of price information stored in the portable electronic medium, a price information providing method, wherein, among the plurality of pieces of price information, the one having the smallest total amount is selected and displayed. In the price information providing method according to claim 1 or 2,
Reading the product identification information that uniquely identifies the product from the information storage medium attached to the product,
Transmitting the read product identification information to an ID management center that stores the product identification information, the model number identification information, and the identification information of a store that sells the product in a model number database,
Receiving the model number identification information corresponding to the transmitted product identification information from the ID management center,
A price information providing method, comprising: writing received model number identification information to price information acquisition information; and writing the price information acquisition information to a portable electronic medium. The price information providing method according to claim 3, wherein
The ID management center associates the model number identification information with the information request count as the number of information requests to the model number identification information corresponding to the received product identification information, and A method for providing price information, which is stored in a database. A method for acquiring price information using a portable electronic medium, comprising:
The portable electronic medium stores price information acquisition information for storing the model number identification information for identifying the product for each unit quantity and the quantity of the product in association with each other,
Transmitting the price information obtaining information to the portable electronic medium reader based on an instruction from the portable electronic medium reader into which the portable electronic medium has been inserted,
Price information including the price information of the product included in the transmitted price information acquisition information and the identification information of the store corresponding to the price information is received and stored from the portable electronic medium reader,
When the stored price information includes information indicating that the store identification information is not displayed,
A method for providing price information, wherein the identification information of the store is deleted from the price information and transmitted to the portable electronic medium reader.

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