JP2005092841A - Method and system for managing customer information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a system for managing customer information, capable of providing quickly working sales promotion by using mails to mobile phone members, while continuously providing point services to card members and the mobile phone members, without changing an existing POS system. <P>SOLUTION: The system comprises a server 3 connected to the Internet, having a customer table 32, a mobile information terminal 50 of a customer, having a transmitting/receiving means for transmitting/receiving data to/from the server 3 through the Internet 60, and a display part for displaying the obtained data, and a card 51 recording customer identification ID used in an existing store POS system. The server 3 links a mail address set to the mobile information terminal 50 and the customer identification ID and records them in the customer table 32. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  Point-of-sale information management (hereinafter simply referred to as “POS”) system using a card worth a personal identification membership card, such as a point card used to give points in proportion to the purchase price of a product purchased by a customer And a customer information management system in which a system using a portable information terminal that displays a barcode on a mobile phone and uses it instead of a membership card coexists.

  Customer barcodes that have been removed from membership cards and displayed on personal digital assistants (mobile phones) for the purpose of eliminating the hassle of managing cards held by many customers and matching purchase information with personal information. A customer management system that uses a credit card instead of a membership card is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  To reduce card issuance costs and direct mail costs, the membership card will be abolished, the identification code determined according to the customer's personal information will be displayed on the mobile information terminal, and the customer's identification code will be read according to the product purchase. A customer management system including a server that gives points to customers is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  Similarly, to reduce card issuance costs and direct mail costs, the membership card is abolished, the identification code displayed on the customer's personal digital assistant is read according to the purchase of the product, and points are given to the customer. A customer management system capable of transmitting a sales promotion mail to a portable information terminal is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 3).

  On the other hand, as a system in which customers can obtain useful information at any time without presenting their personal information to the store side, the customer's purchase history or Configure a customer information management system to manage points, provide a service terminal that can be operated by the customer to read the ID card and retrieve the information required by the customer, and the customer needs to access with a terminal having an Internet connection function A customer information management system including a server from which information can be extracted is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 4).

  Many stores, such as retail stores, have introduced point services that use magnetic cards, etc., to attract customers. In this point service, when a customer who has become a point member purchases a product, points are calculated according to the purchase price and accumulated for each customer. It provides services such as discounts on products according to points. In addition, as in Patent Document 4, this service is realized in conjunction with the POS system from the viewpoint of customer information management, and a system that enables more accurate sales promotion by analyzing accumulated data such as customer purchase history. There are many.

When point services become common as in recent years, stores will be able to use the mobile phones owned by customers by eliminating the card from the standpoint of improving customer convenience and cost effectiveness for differentiation from other stores. I have started to consider moving to a system. That is, Patent Document 1 to Patent Document 3 and the like are used in place of the conventional membership card by eliminating the point card, displaying the customer identification ID as a barcode on the customer's mobile phone, and reading it with a scanner. In this system, the sales promotion information can be transmitted to the email address of the customer's mobile phone registered in advance. With this system, stores will abolish cards and reduce their costs, customers will eliminate the hassle of managing cards, stores will eliminate direct mail and reduce their costs, and customers will be able to save time In addition to obtaining information, store information can be actively acquired.
JP 2002-42244 A (page 3-5, FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-117312 (page 5-6, FIG. 1) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-163537 (page 8, FIG. 8) Japanese Patent No. 2002-216249 (page 3-10, FIG. 1-19)

  On the other hand, unlike the case of building a system from the beginning, changing an existing system that uses a card to a system that uses the customer's mobile phone without the card can sometimes be difficult. The store will be forced to change and the financial burden on the store will be large, and the transition period will be necessary to ensure a smooth transition from card members to mobile phone members. . In addition, in reality, there are customers who do not have a mobile phone, and it is difficult to completely abolish the card.

  In view of the above, the present invention enables immediate sales promotion using e-mail to mobile phone members while using the existing POS system as it is without changing the card. Both of them intend to provide a customer information management method and the system which can use the point service as before.

  In particular, in the present invention, the customer information stored in the POS system is recorded in the new system without abolishing the existing POS system, and a portable information terminal owned by the customer registered in the existing POS system, for example, a mobile phone In addition to providing promotional information by e-mail to PDAs, items that can be used on portable information terminals such as point confirmations can be increased, but conventional point cards can also be used, and customers can use portable information instead of point cards. Even if it is a terminal, it is intended to provide a customer information management method and system capable of gradually expanding the usage range so that a point service can be enjoyed using a customer identification ID displayed on a portable information terminal To do.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a customer portable information terminal comprising a server having a customer table connected to the Internet, a transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the server via the Internet, and a display unit for displaying acquired information And a card recording a customer identification ID used in an existing store POS system,
The server is a customer information management method in which the e-mail address set in the portable information terminal and the customer identification ID of the card are linked and recorded in the customer table.

Further, a server having a customer table connected to the Internet, a transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the server via the Internet, a customer portable information terminal having a display unit for displaying acquired information, and an existing store A card on which a customer identification ID used in the POS system is recorded; a transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the server; a barcode reading means for reading a barcode displayed on the display unit of the portable information terminal; and a customer identification ID of the card An information terminal comprising ID reading means for reading
The server links the mail address set in the portable information terminal to the identification ID of the customer table, records it in the customer table, converts the identification ID into a barcode image that can be displayed on the display unit of the portable information terminal, and converts the identification information into the portable information terminal To
The server receives the identification ID obtained by transcoding the barcode image and the customer identification ID from the information terminal that has read the identification ID barcode image of the portable information terminal and the customer identification ID of the existing card,
The server that has received the identification ID and the customer identification ID from the information terminal uses a customer information management method in which the customer identification ID is linked to the identification ID and recorded in the customer table.

  The server extracts a mail address from a customer table based on a customer identification ID obtained from an existing POS system, and uses a customer information management method for transmitting predetermined information to the mail address.

The server includes a point table,
The server obtains the customer identification ID and the point information linked to the customer identification ID from the POS system, records them in the point table, and stores the point information by the request signal of the customer portable information terminal or the request signal of the information terminal. The customer information management method provided to a terminal or an information terminal is used.

  The server is a customer information management method in which the customer identification ID recorded in the customer table is converted into a barcode image displayed on the display unit of the portable information terminal and sent to the portable information terminal.

  A barcode image based on the customer identification ID displayed on the display unit of the portable information terminal is read by the barcode scanner of the POS terminal provided in the POS system or the barcode reading means of the information terminal to obtain the customer identification ID. The customer information management method was adopted.

  The bar code converted based on the identification ID and the bar code converted based on the customer identification ID are different customer code management methods.

  The store card in which the customer identification ID is recorded is a customer information management method that is one of a rewrite card, a magnetic card, and an IC card.

  The customer identification ID recorded on the existing card is a barcode printed on the card, and the ID reading means is a customer information management method which is a barcode reading means.

In order to solve the above problems, a mobile information terminal of a customer provided with a transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data and mail to / from a server via the Internet, and a display unit for displaying acquired information,
A card recording a customer identification ID used in an existing store POS system;
Bar code of portable information terminal, comprising: transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data to / from server; barcode reading means for reading barcode displayed on display unit of portable information terminal; and ID reading means for reading customer identification ID of card An information terminal that reads the image and card information and sends the barcode identification ID and the card customer identification ID to the server;
A bar code image that has a customer table, is connected to the Internet, and is recorded in the customer table by linking the mail address set in the portable information terminal to the identification ID of the customer table and can be displayed on the display unit of the portable information terminal A server that receives the identification ID and customer identification ID from the information terminal, links the customer identification ID to the identification ID, and records it in the customer table;
A customer information management system with

  The server is a customer information management system in which the recorded customer identification ID is converted into a barcode image and transmitted to the portable information terminal.

  The server is a customer information management system including a customer identification ID of a POS system and a point table for recording customer point information linked to the customer identification ID.

  The server is a customer information management system that transmits information linked to the customer identification ID to the portable information terminal in response to a request signal from the customer's portable information terminal authenticated by the server.

  The server is a customer information management system that transmits information linked to the customer identification ID to the information terminal in response to a request signal transmitted from the information terminal.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, in order to carry out the system transition step by step, the customer identification ID registered in the existing POS system and the customer's portable information terminal such as a mobile phone or PDA are first set. An Internet mail address (hereinafter simply referred to as “mail address”) is linked and registered in the customer table of the new server. The customer data of the existing POS system and the customer's email address are now linked, and if the customer identification ID is obtained from the purchase information analysis result of the existing POS system, this can be used as the email transmission destination ID, and the service is performed on the portable information terminal You can send a promotional email to the mobile information terminal for the customer you want to receive.

  In Claim 2 or Claim 10, the link between the customer identification ID registered in the existing POS system and the mail address set in the customer's portable information terminal can be implemented more specifically. It can also be performed based on the customer's intention using the information terminal. A unique identification ID linked to the mail address of the customer table of the server is sent to the customer's portable information terminal as a barcode image, and the barcode based on the identification ID displayed on the portable information terminal by the customer, By reading the customer identification ID of the card into the information terminal and transmitting it to the server, the server links and stores the received identification ID and customer identification ID. The customer's email address is linked. A customer who wants to receive a service at a portable information terminal can send a promotional mail to the portable information terminal.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the customer identification ID of the extracted customer is assigned to some medium (FD, CD) by utilizing the function of extracting the direct mail destination focused by analyzing the purchase history of the customer provided in the existing POS system. , MD) or a signal line (LAN, WAN), the server can receive e-mail with accurate information as a sales promotion for a customer's portable information terminal.

  According to claim 4 or claim 12, if the server receives the point information for each customer identification ID stored in the existing POS system, the server connected to the Internet sends the information to the portable information terminal of the customer who accessed the server. Point information. Specifically, if the server receives the point information stored in the existing POS system as information obtained by linking the customer identification ID and the point information via some media or signal line, the server has a point table. Can be built. Since the information of the constructed point table is distinguished by the customer identification ID, if the customer requests the point information by accessing the server with the portable information terminal, the customer identifies the URL by the URL or customer identification ID accessed by the customer, The customer's point can be notified to the portable information terminal. Further, if the customer accesses the server at the information terminal and requests the point information, the customer's point can be notified by identifying with the customer identification ID of the customer. In addition, the information recorded in the server linked to the customer identification ID can be provided to the customer by a request with the customer identification ID of the customer.

  In claim 5 or claim 11, when the customer identification ID is converted into a barcode image and sent to the portable information terminal, the barcode image can be displayed on the display unit of the portable information terminal and presented to the store. It can be read by a POS system barcode scanner. That is, the customer can carry the customer identification ID with the customer's portable information terminal instead of the card. Further, the barcode image of the customer identification ID can be read by the information terminal.

  In claim 6, when the barcode image based on the customer identification ID displayed on the display unit of the portable information terminal is read by the barcode scanner of the POS terminal included in the POS system, the read barcode is converted by the scanner. The existing POS system adopts and records this as a customer identification ID, so that the existing POS system and the point card used in the existing POS system can be used as they are, and the barcode displayed on the portable information terminal is also used as the point card. It can be used in parallel as a replacement membership card.

  In claim 7, the barcode converted based on each of the identification ID and the customer identification ID is, for example, a barcode based on the identification ID is a one-dimensional barcode, and a barcode based on the customer identification ID is a two-dimensional barcode. Thus, it is possible to visually check how far the registration of customers who want to use the portable information terminal has progressed. In other words, if the identification ID and the customer identification ID are not linked, the barcode image of the customer identification ID is not converted, so if the one-dimensional barcode is displayed due to some mistake, the customer is guided to read by the information terminal. To complete the record in the customer table.

  In claim 8, there are various forms of cards used in the store, but the store card in which the customer identification ID is recorded may be a rewrite card, magnetic card, or IC card, and the ID of the information terminal. The reading means may employ ID reading means corresponding to each card. This is a procedure for linking the customer identification ID and the e-mail address set in the customer's portable information terminal, and the existing POS system and the point card used in the existing POS system can be used.

  In claim 9, the customer identification ID recorded on the existing card is a bar code printed on the card, and the ID reading means of the information terminal is a bar code reading means, so that it is registered in the customer table in the same procedure as the above card. Is completed. This procedure is also a procedure for linking the customer identification ID and the e-mail address set in the customer's portable information terminal, and the existing POS system and the point card used in the existing POS system can be used.

  In Claims 13 and 14, the registered customer can access the server by using the customer's portable information terminal or information terminal, and obtain information recorded by linking to the customer identification ID from the server.

  In any of the above cases, the member using the portable information terminal can register with the portable information terminal while using the existing POS system, and the membership card used in the existing POS system can be used as before. it can. In addition, since the customer who registered as a member of the portable information terminal can use the barcode displayed on the portable information terminal for the POS system, the member card can be used while the existing POS system is operated. It is possible to construct a customer information management system capable of sending sales promotion information by e-mail to customers who own terminals and register as members.

  A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a customer information management apparatus 1 related to the present invention, and includes a POS server 2 and a server 3. The POS server 2 includes a POS computer (hereinafter referred to as “POS-PC”) 21 that manages product point-of-sale information management, and a point computer 22 (connected to the POS-PC 21 via a network to manage points for each customer. (Hereinafter referred to as “point-PC”). The POS-PC 21 includes a product table 23 that records codes and prices of products to be sold, a sales table 24 that records product sales, a purchase table 25 that records product purchases, an order table 26 that records product orders, and the like. Is provided. The point-PC 22 is a customer table 27 for recording customer information (customer name, address, email address, contact information, etc.) corresponding to the customer identification ID and customer identification ID, and a product corresponding to the customer identification ID and customer identification ID. Point table 28 for recording points (addition points, subtraction points, point balances, etc.) added to customers according to the sales of the customer, and a txt table 29 for recording customer information to be imported into the server 3. The POS-PC 21 is connected to a POS terminal 40 installed in a store and called a normal cash register through a network of a plurality of units. The POS terminal 40 includes a scanner 41 that reads a product barcode and a card reader 42 that reads a customer identification ID from a point card. The POS server 2 and the POS terminal 40 are used as an existing POS system.

  The POS-PC 21 refers to the product price of the product table 23 using the product barcode read by the scanner 41 and transmits it to the POS terminal 40, and records the sales for each product code input at the POS terminal 40 in the sales table 24. In addition, the customer identification ID read by the card reader 42 is transmitted to the point-PC 22 together with the merchandise sales amount. The point-PC 22 calculates points based on the data transmitted from the POS-PC 21 and records them in the point table 28 corresponding to the customer identification ID, and records information on the customer who issued the point card in the customer table 27. Etc. are executed.

  The server 3 includes a WEB computer (hereinafter referred to as “WEB-PC”) 31. The WEB-PC 31 includes a www (World Wide Web) server and a mail server that are open to the Internet 60, a database server, and the like. Specifically, an application that executes these processes is installed, and a program that is executed to provide information to a customer, for example, a program that is created in HTML language, ASP language, JAVA language, or the like is installed. Further, a customer table 32 that records customer information including a customer identification ID for identifying a customer who has a point card, a store table 33 that records information of stores that operate the system, and a point table that records customer points. 34. An information table 35 for recording information specific items to be provided for each customer identification ID is provided.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that the server 3 is configured to be connectable to the POS server 2 via a network. For example, a connection using a protocol common to the server 3 and the POS server 2 such as the TCP / IP protocol may be established, and any connection that can receive data necessary for the server 3 from the POS server may be used. In other words, a wireless LAN may be used as a hardware configuration in appearance. The POS server 2 and the server 3 may be means other than network connection. Data may be imported into the server 3 via a medium such as a CD-ROM.

  Note that the configuration of each table and the record items are examples, and it is a database design matter to add a data field and further divide and increase the number of tables or combine multiple tables into one. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

  What is indicated by reference numeral 50 is a portable information terminal 50 possessed by the customer. The portable information terminal 50 may be any terminal that can be connected to the Internet 60 and has a WEB browser function, and a personal computer, a cellular phone, and a portable communication terminal (commonly called palm, PDA) can be applied. Hereinafter, the mobile phone 50 will be described. The customer connects the mobile phone 50 to the server 3 via the Internet 60. Further, the customer has a point card 51 issued at the store. The mobile phone 50 includes a display unit 52 and an input unit (operation button) 53.

  Next, the mobile phone 50 will be described with reference to FIG. The main control unit 55 includes a storage unit 56 for storing programs and information, a call control unit 57 for controlling a call by connecting a speaker 57a and a microphone 57b, and a transmission / reception control unit 58 for controlling a call and data transmission / reception by being connected to an antenna 58a. Are connected to each other. The mobile phone 50 according to the present invention uses a function of transmitting / receiving information by connecting to the server 3 via the Internet by browser software instead of calling or sending / receiving mail by mail software.

  In the above configuration, on the assumption that the customer identification ID and the mail address linked to the customer exist in the customer table 27 of the point-PC 22, the customer including the customer identification ID and the customer's mail address from the POS server 2. A procedure for importing information into the server 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the POS server 2 creates customer information data including the customer identification ID and the mail address in the txt table 29 of the POS server in the txt format (step 101). It is sufficient for the data to be created to have at least the customer identification ID and email address shown in FIG. Preferably, the customer's name, password, date of birth, point data in the point table 28, etc. acquired from the customer when the point card 51 is issued and recorded in the POS server 2 are added as other customer information. In this example, it is assumed that the txt table 29 is set to be readable by ftp. The creation of customer information data by the POS server 2 may be performed by executing a program on the POS server 2 in a timely manner. In other words, customer information data may be created by batch processing after the store is closed.

  The server 3 reads the customer information data in the txt table 29 in the POS server 2 created by the batch processing of the POS server 2 by ftp (step 102). The server 3 links at least the customer identification ID of the read customer information data and the mail address, and records them in the customer table 32 of the server 3 (step 103). If the customer information data includes point data, it is recorded in the point table 34. Data recording (update) is executed with reference to the customer identification ID recorded in the customer table 32 of the server 3 based on the customer identification ID included in the data of the txt table 29. Accordingly, customer identification ID data other than the customer identification ID included in the data of the txt table 29 is not updated. In this way, customer information of the POS server 2 is recorded in the server 3. Acquisition of customer information data by the server 3 may be executed by the server 3 in a timely manner. That is, the server 3 may execute batch processing in accordance with the end of batch processing of the POS server 2 to acquire customer information data, and then record the customer information data in the server 3. The data creation of the POS server 2 and the execution of the reading of the server 3 are performed regularly, so that the latest customer information can always be obtained. In addition to this, the POS server 2 is not allowed to execute processing, and processing once a day is sufficient, and applying the present invention does not impose a heavy burden.

  Thus, the customer information including the customer identification ID of the customer who has issued the point card and the mail address of the customer recorded in the POS server 2 is imported into the server 3. The server 3 records store information in the store table 33 as necessary. Of course, it may be obtained from the POS server 2. Store information includes store location, contact information, sales products, price, bargain information, and the like. In the above procedure, the customer identification ID and the email address of the customer are linked and recorded in the customer table 32. Mail can be sent from the server 3 to the mail address of the customer table 32. Also, the server 3 can be accessed from the customer's mobile phone 50, and the server 3 can send the customer identification ID input screen to the mobile phone 50 and request it. Can be distinguished. In addition, if a password exists in the customer table 32 by import, a password input screen may be transmitted to the mobile phone 50 and requested. As a system on the POS server 2 side, it is possible to construct a sales promotion system for a customer utilizing a mobile phone only by creating a program for executing txt data creation and making it resident.

  Another method for linking the customer identification ID and the customer's e-mail address and recording them in the customer table 32 will be described with reference to FIGS. The description of FIG. First, a description will be given with reference to FIGS. In the following description, it is assumed that the communication terminal is the mobile phone 50 and that the server 3 is unknown about the mail address and customer identification ID of the customer mobile phone 50. The store notifies the customer of an e-mail address for membership registration with a mobile phone, for example, “XX@tasnet.com”. The customer sends mail from the mobile phone 50 to the notified mail address (step 201). The server 3 records the customer email address of the received email in the customer table 32. (Step 202). At this time, the registration in the customer table 32 is recorded by linking to a unique ID of the table. This ID is used as an identification ID.

  The server 3 generates a registration URL, for example, “http://tasnet.com/entry/c?no=340001” using the identification ID as a parameter. The server 3 adds the generated registration URL to the received e-mail address and transmits an e-mail describing “Please access this URL to register”. (Step 203). At this time, the generated registration URL may be recorded in the customer table 32. The customer accesses the registration URL attached according to the description of the received mail from the mobile phone 50 (step 204). The server 3 confirms whether the identification ID and the mail address are linked and recorded in the customer table 32 from the parameter of the registration URL at the time of access (identification ID in this case), and proceeds to the next step if the record can be confirmed. (Step 205). If there is no record, an error message screen such as “Mail address not registered” is sent to the mobile phone. (Step 205a) The server 3 may add a procedure for confirming whether or not the registration URL is recorded in the customer table 32.

  The server 3 that has confirmed the recording stores predetermined personal information such as name, birthday, and password on the mobile phone 50 and a customer identification ID (generally a membership number) recorded on the card used in the POS server 2. Is transmitted to the mobile phone 50 (step 206). The customer accessing the server 3 with the mobile phone 50 inputs and transmits the personal information and customer identification ID according to the display unit 52 screen (step 207). The server 3 records the received personal information and customer identification ID linked to the identification ID and mail address in the customer table 32 (step 208). The server 3 sends a dedicated URL, for example, “http://tasnet.com/c?no=340001”, to which a customer who has completed registration has added an identification ID or email address as a parameter for the customer to access. Generate. A notification describing the completion of member registration is sent to the customer by e-mail with the dedicated URL added (step 209). The server 3 records the generated dedicated URL in the customer table 32.

  In addition, although identification ID was employ | adopted and demonstrated as a parameter, a mail address can also be employ | adopted as a parameter. In the case of an e-mail address, it is better to convert the e-mail address into a symbol and write it instead of describing it as it is.

  Next, referring to FIG. 7, the customer who has received the mail accesses the server 3 from the mobile phone 50 with the URL described in the registration notification mail (step 210). The server 3 accessed by the mobile phone 50 checks whether it is a registered member by referring to the customer table 32 based on the parameter identification ID (step 211). In other words, from the identification ID that is a parameter, it is checked whether the customer identification ID and the e-mail address are recorded, or whether the registration URL is recorded. Transmit to the mobile phone (step 212). If there is no description, the process proceeds to step 205 as a member registration procedure (step 211a). For example, the content shown in the display unit 52 of FIG. 1 is displayed on the display unit 52 of the mobile phone 50 of the customer who is recognized as a registered member and has received the TOP menu. When the customer selects “membership card” (sends a request signal) (step 213), the server 3 reads the linked customer identification ID by referring to the customer table 32 based on the parameter identification ID, and sets the customer identification ID. While converting into a barcode image, the barcode image signal is transmitted to the customer's mobile phone 50 (step 214). The barcode image is displayed on the display unit 52 of the mobile phone 50 of the customer who has received the barcode image signal. Since this bar code image is obtained by converting the customer identification ID into a bar code, if the bar code scanner 41 of the POS terminal reads the bar code image, the read POS terminal 40 can acquire the customer identification ID. That is, while using the existing POS system and the point card used in the existing POS system as they are, the barcode displayed on the portable information terminal can be used in parallel as a membership card instead of the point card. Even in this case, the sales promotion mail can be transmitted to the mobile phone 50 of the customer without changing the POS server 2.

  Further, by acquiring the data obtained by linking the customer identification ID and the point information from the point table 28 of the point-PC 22 and creating the point table of FIG. 6, “Point” in the menu of the display unit 52 of FIG. 1 is selected. The point information can be provided to the customer who has sent the request signal.

  The store notifies the customer of a registration URL for registering a member by mobile phone, for example, “http://tasnet.com/entry/”, and the mobile phone 50 is accessed to the customer who accesses the URL with the mobile phone 50. Send the screen to enter the customer's ID and personal information etc. of the e-mail address and card that are set in, suddenly enter the e-mail address, customer identification ID and personal information, and link the entered information to the identification ID It is good also as a member registration procedure by recording on the customer table 32. FIG.

  As described above, without changing the system of the POS server 2, the store can operate the point service using the point card as before, and the information provision can be extended to the customer's communication terminal. Store information can always be provided without using paper media. Customers will be able to check store information and points everywhere, improving convenience and further enclosing customers.

  The embodiment of the customer information management method of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11 with the configuration of the POS server 2 in FIG. 1 as it is. First, the customer information management system will be described with reference to FIG. The server 3 includes a WEB computer (hereinafter referred to as “WEB-PC”) 31, and the WEB-PC 31 includes a www (World Wide Web) server and a mail server that are open to the Internet 60, a database server, and the like. Specifically, an application that executes these processes is installed, and a program that is executed to provide information to a customer, for example, a program that is created in HTML language, ASP language, JAVA language, or the like is installed. Further, a customer table 32 that records customer information including a customer identification ID for identifying a customer who has a point card, a store table 33 that records information of stores that operate the system, and a point table that records customer points. 34. An information table 35 for recording information specific items to be provided for each customer identification ID is provided.

  An information terminal 80 is connected to the WEB-PC 31. The information terminal 80 is installed in a store and includes a barcode scanner 81, a card reader 82, a display unit 83, and an input unit (operation button) 84. This will be further described with reference to FIG. The main control unit 85 is connected to a storage unit 86 that stores programs and information, and an I / F control unit 87 that is connected to a barcode scanner 81 and a card reader 82 to control data transmission / reception. In addition, a display unit 83 and operation buttons 84 are connected to the main control unit 85. The information terminal 80 is connected to the WEB-PC 31 via the I / O control unit 89 connected to the main control unit 85.

  A procedure for linking the customer identification ID and the mail address of the customer and recording it in the customer table 32 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 10 to 13. Further, the server 3 will be described assuming that the e-mail address and customer identification ID of the customer's mobile phone 50 are unknown. The store notifies the customer of an e-mail address for membership registration with a mobile phone, for example, “XX@tasnet.com”. The customer sends mail from the mobile phone 50 to the notified mail address (step 301). The server 3 records the customer email address of the received email in the customer table 32. (Step 302). At this time, the registration in the customer table 32 is recorded by linking to a unique ID in the customer table 32. This ID is used as an identification ID. Thus, the e-mail address set in the customer's mobile phone 50 can be accurately collected by the e-mail transmitted from the mobile phone.

  The server 3 uses a mail address of the customer table 32 as a parameter for registration, for example “http://tasnet.com/entry/c?no=##&P=##&uid=##&oid=##&uid** * "Is generated. Here, an e-mail address below “no =” shows an example encrypted with a symbol. The server 3 adds the generated registration URL to the received e-mail address and transmits an e-mail describing “Please access this URL to register”. (Step 303). At this time, the generated registration URL may be recorded in the customer table 32. The customer accesses the registration URL attached according to the description of the received mail from the mobile phone 50 (step 304). The server 3 confirms whether the identification ID and the mail address are linked and recorded in the customer table 32 from the parameter of the registration URL at the time of access (here, the mail address). If the record can be confirmed, the process proceeds to the next step. (Step 305). If there is no record, an error message screen such as “Mail address not registered” is sent to the mobile phone. (Step 305a) The server 3 may add a procedure for confirming whether the registration URL is recorded in the customer table 32.

  The server 3 confirming the recording transmits to the mobile phone 50 a screen for requesting input of predetermined personal information such as name, birthday, and password to the mobile phone 50 (step 306). The customer accessing the server 3 with the mobile phone 50 inputs and transmits the personal information according to the screen of the display unit 52 (step 307). The server 3 records the received personal information linked to the identification ID and mail address in the customer table 32 (step 308). The server 3 gives the registered customer a dedicated URL with an identification ID or email address added as a parameter for access by the customer, for example, “http://tasnet.com/c?no=##&P = ## & uid = ## & oid = ## & uid *** ”. A notification describing the completion of member registration is sent to the customer by e-mail with the dedicated URL added (step 309). The server 3 records the generated dedicated URL in the customer table 32.

  In addition, although e-mail address was employ | adopted and demonstrated as a parameter, identification ID can also be employ | adopted as a parameter.

  Next, referring to FIG. 11, the customer who has received the mail accesses the server 3 from the mobile phone 50 with the dedicated URL described in the registration notification mail (step 310). The accessed server 3 checks whether it is a registered member by referring to the customer table 32 based on the mail address of the parameter. In other words, from the parameter email address, it is checked whether the customer identification ID and email address are linked or the customer identification ID is recorded. If the customer identification ID is recorded, it is determined as a registered member. A TOP menu screen such as the display unit 52 in FIG. 1 is transmitted to the mobile phone 50 (step 311a). If the customer identification ID and e-mail address are recorded and no customer identification ID is recorded, it is determined as a temporary member (step 311). When the server 3 determines that the customer is a temporary member, the server 3 generates a barcode image based on the identification ID (= temporary member ID) linked to the mail address, and transmits this image data to the mobile phone 50 (step 312). .

  When the customer receives the temporary member barcode image (step 313), the customer displays the barcode image on the display unit 52 of the mobile phone 50, switches the information terminal 80 of FIG. The bar code scanner connected to the terminal 80 scans the bar code image and reads the image (step 314). The barcode signal read by the information terminal 80 is converted into a code signal and transmitted to the server 3, and the server 3 receives the code signal from the information terminal 80 as an identification ID (step 315). The server 3 queries the customer table 32 for this identification ID (step 316), and if the identification ID exists, the server 3 requests a password from the information terminal 80 (step 317). If the identification ID does not exist, information that it does not exist is transmitted to the information terminal 80 (step 316a). The information terminal 80 requested for the password in step 317 displays the password input on the display unit 83. Upon receiving the password input by the customer, the information terminal 80 transmits the password to the server 3 (step 318). The server 3 receives the password from the information terminal 80 and queries the customer table 32 based on the identification ID for the received password (step 319). The server 3 queries the customer table 32 for the password. If the passwords do not match, the server 3 transmits a password request together with an error message to the information terminal 80, and the information terminal 80 displays the password request again on the display unit 83. The server 3 queries the customer table 32 for the password, and if the password matches, the server 3 transmits a signal requesting a member ID (customer identification ID) which is card information possessed by the member to the information terminal 80 (step 321). In the information terminal 80, the member card 51 is displayed on the display unit 83 so that the card reader 82 reads it, and the customer reads the member ID of the member card 51 possessed through the card reader 82, and the information terminal 80 reads the member ID read. A signal is transmitted to the server 3 (step 322). Receiving the member ID signal, the server 3 links the member ID to the identification ID which is the temporary member ID and records it in the customer table 32 (step 323). As a result, an accurate member ID read directly from the member card 51 can be acquired and registered as a customer identification ID. At the same time, member registration by a customer who wishes to use the mobile phone 50 is completed.

  The temporary member ID (= identification ID) in step 312 may be generated as a temporary member ID by generating a unique code other than the identification ID, and is not limited to the present embodiment. In addition, the input of the member ID in step 322 is inferior to the card reading in terms of accuracy, but may be input using the operation button 84.

  The customer who has become a registered member accesses the server 3 from the mobile phone 50 by the dedicated URL added to the outgoing mail in Step 309 (Step 401). The server 3 accessed by the mobile phone 50 checks whether it is a registered member by referring to the customer table 32 based on the parameter mail address (step 402). That is, it is checked whether the customer identification ID and the mail address are recorded from the mail address which is a parameter included in the URL, and if there is a description, it is recognized as a registered member and the TOP menu of the homepage is transmitted to the mobile phone ( Step 403). If there is no description, the process proceeds to step 312 as a member registration procedure (step 402a).

  For example, the contents shown in the display unit 52 of FIG. 1 are displayed on the display unit 52 of the mobile phone 50 of the customer who has received the TOP menu. When the customer selects “membership card” (sends a request signal) (step 404), the server 3 reads the linked customer identification ID with reference to the customer table 32 based on the mail address of the parameter, and sets the customer identification ID. While converting to a barcode image, the barcode image signal is transmitted to the customer's mobile phone 50 (step 405). The barcode image is displayed on the display unit 52 of the mobile phone 50 of the customer who has received the barcode image signal. Since this bar code image is obtained by converting the customer identification ID into a bar code, if the bar code scanner 41 of the POS terminal reads the bar code image, the read POS terminal 40 can acquire the customer identification ID.

  Stores can operate point services using point cards as before, and can extend information provision to customer communication terminals. Store information can always be provided without using paper media. Customers will be able to check store information and points everywhere, improving convenience and further enclosing customers.

  The connection between the WEB-PC 31 and the information terminal 80 may be either a LAN connection or a connection via the Internet. The information terminal 80 may transmit and receive with the server 3 by browser software.

  The barcode image generated in step 312 is the one-dimensional barcode shown in FIG. 14A, and the barcode image generated in step 405 is the two-dimensional barcode and barcode system shown in FIG. By making it different, anyone can respond to customer inquiries because the member registration step can be visually confirmed by anyone. In addition, when the information terminal 80 reads a barcode, the information terminal 80 can determine whether a one-dimensional barcode is read or a two-dimensional barcode is read. Therefore, even when the barcode is read by the customer, the member can be registered accurately, and the labor burden for registering the store member can be reduced.

  The membership card 51 may be any of a rewrite card, a magnetic card, and an IC card. Since the membership card is a standardized card in the store, the card reader 82 of the information terminal 80 is used for the card 51 used in the store. The card reader 82 conforming to the above standards may be used. In addition, there is a member card 51 in which a member code is printed as a barcode on the card, but this can be dealt with by using the barcode scanner 81 as the card reader 82 for reading the customer identification ID of the member card 51 in step 322. . Therefore, the barcode reader and ID reader in the information terminal can be realized by using the same barcode scanner.

  If the customer accesses the server 3 with the dedicated URL transmitted to the mobile phone, the customer is authenticated as a registered member of the mobile information terminal as it is, so the information linked to the registered member by the request operation of the customer is sent to the mobile phone 50. Although it can be provided, the server 3 may be accessed from the information terminal 80. A menu screen for the customer to access the server 3 from the information terminal 80 is shown in FIG. The customer selects a desired item from the menu of the information terminal 80. In the new member registration procedure, the customer selects “1. New member registration” before step 314. When the customer wants to obtain service information such as point confirmation, the customer selects “2. Member service” and when the customer accesses the server 3 from the information terminal 80, the server 3 is a registered member of the portable information terminal. In order to authenticate, the information terminal 80 is requested to input a customer identification ID. The customer identification ID may be input directly from the operation button 84, or the barcode of the customer identification ID displayed on the display unit 52 of the mobile phone 50 may be read by the scanner 81. At this time, if the password is entered at the same time, the identification is further ensured. Information obtained by a customer accessing the server 3 from the information terminal 80 and transmitting a request signal is customer information linked to the customer identification ID and recorded in the server 3. In addition, store information, sales promotion information, and the like provided by a server normally open to the Internet in a homepage format may be obtained.

  It is an Example figure of the system configuration which implement | achieves the customer information management method of this invention.   It is a block diagram which shows an example of a portable information terminal.   It is an example figure which shows the procedure which links and records customer information on the server by this invention.   It is an example of the table of the database employ | adopted for the customer information management method of this invention.   It is another example figure which shows the procedure which links and records customer information on the server by this invention.   It is another example of the database table employ | adopted for the customer information management method of this invention.   It is an example which shows the procedure which displays a barcode on a portable information terminal after registration.   It is another Example figure of the system configuration which implement | achieves the customer information management method of this invention.   It is a block diagram which shows an example of the information terminal by this invention.   It is an Example figure which shows the procedure of the temporary registration which links and records customer information on a server by this invention.   It is an Example figure which shows the procedure of the main registration which links and records customer information on the server by this invention.   It is another example which shows the procedure which displays a barcode on a portable information terminal after registration.   It is another Example figure of the database table employ | adopted for the customer information management method of this invention.   It is a figure which shows an example of the barcode displayed on the display part of the portable information terminal in this invention.   It is a figure which shows an example of the screen of the information terminal concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Customer Information Management System 2 POS Server 3 Server 21 POS-PC
22 points-PC
23 Product table 27 Customer table 28 Point table 29 txt table 31 WEB-PC
32 Customer table 33 Store table 34 Point table 35 Information table 40 POS terminal 41 Scanner 42 Card reader 50 Mobile information terminal (mobile phone)
51 Point card 52 Display unit 53 Input unit (operation buttons)
55 Main control unit 56 Storage unit 57 Call control unit 58 Transmission / reception control unit 60 Internet 80 Information terminal 81 Bar code scanner 82 Card reader 83 Display unit 84 Input unit (operation buttons)

Claims (14)

A customer portable information terminal having a customer table provided with a customer table, a transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the server via the Internet, and a display unit for displaying acquired information, and an existing store POS system And a card on which a customer identification ID used in is recorded,
A server links a mail address set in a portable information terminal and a customer identification ID of a card and records them in a customer table. A customer portable information terminal having a customer table provided with a customer table, a transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the server via the Internet, and a display unit for displaying acquired information, and an existing store POS system A card on which the customer identification ID used is recorded, a transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the server, a barcode reading means for reading a barcode displayed on the display unit of the portable information terminal, and a customer identification ID of the card An information terminal comprising an ID reading means,
The server links the mail address set in the portable information terminal to the identification ID of the customer table, records it in the customer table, converts the identification ID into a barcode image that can be displayed on the display unit of the portable information terminal, and converts the identification information into the portable information terminal To
The server receives the identification ID obtained by transcoding the barcode image and the customer identification ID from the information terminal that has read the identification ID barcode image of the portable information terminal and the customer identification ID of the existing card,
The server which received identification ID and customer identification ID from the information terminal links customer identification ID to identification ID, and records it on a customer table, The customer information management method characterized by the above-mentioned.   3. The customer according to claim 1, wherein the server extracts an email address from the customer table based on the customer identification ID obtained from the existing POS system, and transmits predetermined information to the email address. Information management method. The server has a point table,
The server obtains the customer identification ID and the point information linked to the customer identification ID from the POS system, records them in the point table, and stores the point information by the request signal of the customer portable information terminal or the request signal of the information terminal. 3. The customer information management method according to claim 1, wherein the customer information management method is provided to a terminal or an information terminal.   5. The customer information management according to claim 1, wherein the server converts the customer identification ID recorded in the customer table into a barcode image displayed on the display unit of the portable information terminal and sends the barcode image to the portable information terminal. Method.   The barcode image based on the customer identification ID displayed on the display unit of the portable information terminal is read by the barcode scanner of the POS terminal provided in the POS system or the barcode reading means of the information terminal to obtain the customer identification ID. The customer information management method according to claim 5.   7. The customer information management method according to claim 2, wherein the barcode converted based on the identification ID and the barcode converted based on the customer identification ID have different code systems.   8. The customer information management method according to claim 1, wherein the store card in which the customer identification ID is recorded is any one of a rewrite card, a magnetic card, and an IC card.   8. The customer information management method according to claim 1, wherein the customer identification ID recorded on the existing card is a barcode printed on the card, and the ID reading means is a barcode reading means. A mobile information terminal of a customer comprising a transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data and mail to / from a server via the Internet and a display unit for displaying acquired information;
A card recording a customer identification ID used in an existing store POS system;
Bar code of portable information terminal, comprising: transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data to / from server; barcode reading means for reading barcode displayed on display unit of portable information terminal; and ID reading means for reading customer identification ID of card An information terminal that reads the image and card information and sends the barcode identification ID and the card customer identification ID to the server;
A bar code image that has a customer table, is connected to the Internet, and is recorded in the customer table by linking the mail address set in the portable information terminal to the identification ID of the customer table and can be displayed on the display unit of the portable information terminal A server that receives the identification ID and customer identification ID from the information terminal, links the customer identification ID to the identification ID, and records it in the customer table;
A customer information management system characterized by comprising:   11. The customer information management system according to claim 10, wherein the server transmits the recorded customer identification ID as a barcode image to the portable information terminal.   12. The customer information management system according to claim 10, wherein the server comprises a customer identification ID of the POS system and a point table for recording customer point information linked to the customer identification ID.   13. The customer information management system according to claim 10, wherein the server transmits information linked to the customer identification ID to the portable information terminal in response to a request signal of the customer's portable information terminal authenticated by the server. .   13. The customer information management system according to claim 10, wherein the server transmits information linked to the customer identification ID to the information terminal in response to a request signal transmitted from the information terminal.

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