JP2005108128A - Sample distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sample distribution system in which personal expenditures spent for distributing samples are suppressed and information on users' tastes in samples, or the like can be collected. <P>SOLUTION: The sample distribution system comprises a non-contact storage medium, a sample distribution apparatus, and a server connected to the sample distribution apparatus via a communication line so that it can communicate with the apparatus. The non-contact storage medium stores intrinsic identification information, and the sample distribution apparatus is provided with an input means, a read means for the non-contact storage medium, a communication means, a sample discharge means, and a control means. The server is provided with a communication means; a user information data base; a sample information data base; a judgement means for judging sample distribution from user information registered in the user information data base and sample information registered in the sample information data base on the basis of the received identification information and selection information; a judgement result information distribution means for transmitting judgement result information to the sample distribution apparatus via the communication line; and a control means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a sample desired by a user by a non-contact storage medium possessed by the user, a sample distribution device for distributing a sample, and a server communicably connected to the sample distribution device via a communication line. It relates to a sample distribution system that provides

  For example, sales promotion activities when launching new products such as cosmetics and confectionery include advertising by flyer distribution, TV commercial broadcasting, POP exhibition, etc. In addition to this, we prepare samples of new products These samples are also distributed to pedestrians on the street.

  The sales promotion activities by distributing these samples allow the user to actually use the new product or have it tasted in order to provide the user with the actual product. The product can be evaluated directly, and if the user likes it, the motivation to purchase the new product can be strongly given to the new product, and there is an advantage that a sales promotion effect can be expected. is there.

  However, the sales promotion activities by the above sample distribution also have the following problems.

  For example, there may be a so-called double picking state where labor costs are required for sample distribution or the same person repeatedly receives samples.

  And in order to prevent this two picking state, the situation where the staff for monitoring must be additionally hired may arise, and there also exists a problem that a further labor cost is required.

  Taking cosmetics as an example, for example, when a sample packaged with six types of lipsticks is distributed to the user, the user who received the sample uses only one type of lipstick that suits his taste, The remaining five may be discarded, and there is a problem that it is not preferable from the viewpoint of resource saving.

  In addition, since the sample distributor cannot collect information about which lipstick the user who received the sample from among the six types of lipsticks showed the most interest, There is also a problem that it cannot be used for product development.

On the other hand, in view of recent progress in networking, a technique for disclosing sample distribution information on a home page via the Internet has been proposed. (For example, see Patent Document 1)
However, in the technology for disclosing the sample distribution information on the homepage, even though the sample distributor can collect information such as the user's interest in what the sample shows, Problems such as labor costs, taking two pieces, and resource saving in the problem cannot be solved.
JP 2001-350896 A

  Therefore, the present invention can reduce labor costs for sample distribution and information collection, and can collect information such as user preferences for the sample without placing an extra burden on the user who received the sample. In addition, a sample distribution system is provided which can further prevent two samples from being taken.

  The sample distribution system of the present invention is connected to a non-contact storage medium possessed by a user, a sample distribution device in which distributable samples are built and exhibited, and a communication line connected to the sample distribution device. A sample distribution system for providing a sample desired by a user by means of a server, wherein unique identification information is stored in the non-contact storage medium, and a user desires distribution in the sample distribution device Input means for inputting sample selection information, reading means for reading the identification information stored in the non-contact storage medium in a non-contact manner, identification information read by the reading means, and selection information input from the input means Communication means for receiving determination information on whether or not to perform sample distribution from the server and the sample distribution by the communication means. A sample discharging unit that discharges a built-in sample to the outside when receiving information that permits permission, and a control unit. The server includes a communication unit that communicates with the sample distribution device; A user information database in which identification information stored in a contact storage medium and user information are registered in association with each other; a sample information database in which information on samples contained in the sample distribution device is registered; and Whether sample distribution may be performed from the user information registered in the user information database and the sample information registered in the sample information database based on the identification information and selection information received by the communication means Determination means for determining whether or not, and determination result information of the determination means to the sample distribution device via the communication line Characterized in that it comprises a signal determining result information delivery unit, and a control unit.

  In the sample distribution system of the present invention, when the server receives the same identification information via a communication line, the sample distribution system according to the present invention includes a two-part prevention unit having a function of disabling sample distribution by the determination unit. It is characterized by having.

  Further, a user's mail address information is registered in the user information database, and the server has a function of distributing questionnaire information to the mail address when receiving identification information from the sample distribution device. It has an information distribution means.

  In the sample distribution system of the present invention, when the identification information is received from the sample distribution apparatus, the server distributes the point information in association with the received identification information to the user information database when the identification information is received from the server. It has the point information registration means which has a function, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In the sample distribution system of the present invention, since the user's personal information is registered in advance in the user information database, it is possible to collect information such as the user's preferences such as who requested the distribution of what sample. In addition, there is an effect that labor costs for distributing samples can be suppressed.

  In addition, since the sample distribution device is provided with a means for preventing two samples from being taken, it is possible to prevent two samples from being taken.

  Furthermore, since the user's mail address information is registered in the user information database, the questionnaire information can be distributed to the mail address, and the user information can be collected.

  Further, since it is possible to add and register point information to the user who requested and distributed the sample, the user service can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a sample distribution device used in a sample distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a non-contact storage medium used in the sample distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a plan view showing an example of a non-contact IC tag, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram of a sample distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. These are flowcharts which show the process sequence of the sample distribution system which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  First, as shown in Fig. 1, the sample distribution device can be freely touched by anyone on the street corner, station, convenience store, etc. where people can freely come and go. 2 is installed.

  The user 1 who can use the sample distribution device 2 is a registrant who has previously registered personal information such as name, address, age, occupation, and email address in a database. A contactless storage medium 3 is distributed to users who are registrants.

  The sample distribution device 2 includes a reading unit 4 including a reading unit that reads information stored in a non-contact storage medium 3 possessed by the user in a non-contact manner, and a product that can be distributed to the user. An exhibition section 5 for displaying samples, an input means 6 including a push button or a touch panel for allowing a user to freely select a sample that the user wants to obtain and press the finger to input selection information, and an internal A sample storage unit (not shown) that stores a sample for distribution, and a sample outlet 8 for allowing the user 1 to take out the sample 7 stored in the sample storage unit.

  In addition, the reading unit 4 may be configured to allow the user 1 to bring the non-contact storage medium 3 close and read the identification information including the ID number stored in the non-contact storage medium 3 in a non-contact manner. The sample distribution device 2 may be provided anywhere.

  Here, the display unit 5 displays the sample to be distributed through the glass, displays the product itself corresponding to the distributed sample through the glass, etc., and displays the advertisement of the product corresponding to the sample to be distributed on the LCD monitor. There are various display modes such as switching and displaying, and it is only necessary for the user to know what kind of sample is distributed.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the non-contact storage medium 3 includes a non-contact IC tag 30 inside, and has a card shape, for example.

  The non-contact IC tag 30 is also called, for example, a non-contact data carrier or RFID. As shown in FIG. 3, a coil pattern 33 is formed on a base material 31 such as plastic, and a resonance circuit is formed by the coil and a capacitive element. It is formed so that it can receive and transmit radio waves of a certain frequency.

  As another method, power transmission and data transmission may be performed by electromagnetic induction of a carrier wave from a reader / writer.

  Generally, a frequency band of 135 kHz (medium wave), 13.56 MHz, and 2.45 GHz (microwave) is used.

  In the case of the illustrated example, the coil pattern 33 forms a jumping circuit on the back surface of the base material 31 by the conductive member 34 and is connected to the bump on the back surface of the IC chip 32 by the coil connection terminal 33C.

  In the illustrated example, the capacitive element is built in the IC chip 32.

  Such a non-contact IC tag 30 is formed by forming a coil pattern 33 by photo etching or etching after resist printing on a metal foil such as an aluminum foil laminated on a resin base material, mounting an IC chip 32, and a protective coating. Can be formed.

  The size can also be set to about 30 mm × 30 mm or less.

  As the resin base material 31 used for the non-contact IC tag 30, various materials such as PET, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, and nylon can be used, and paper may be used.

  A thickness of 15 to 300 μm can be used, but 20 to 100 μm is more preferable from the viewpoint of strength, workability, cost, and the like.

  Although copper foil, aluminum foil, or iron foil can be used as the metal foil, aluminum foil is preferable from the viewpoint of cost and workability, and the thickness is preferably about 6 to 50 μm.

  Then, the information recorded in the memory of the IC chip 32 of the non-contact IC tag 30 is read out by sending a resonating call signal to the non-contact IC tag 30 and at a distance of several centimeters to several tens of centimeters. The response signal from the tag can be read and recorded in the memory of the IC chip 32 of the non-contact IC tag 30.

  The non-contact IC tag 30 is built in the non-contact storage medium 3 in a state of being sandwiched between two card base sheets 35a and 35b, for example.

  Further, the non-contact storage medium 3 is not limited to the above configuration, and is configured such that information recorded in the memory of the other IC chip 32 can be read from the sample distribution device 2 in a non-contact manner. As long as it is a storage medium, it may have any configuration or shape.

  The memory of the IC chip 32 of the non-contact IC tag 30 stores identification information such as unique ID information that is different for each non-contact IC tag 30, and information management based on this identification information can be performed. .

  The non-contact IC tag 30 may store information such as “sex” and “age” in a readable manner.

  Next, a system configuration related to the sample distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The sample distribution device 2 includes a reading unit 4 that reads information stored in the non-contact storage medium 3 in a non-contact manner, an input unit 6 including a push button or a touch panel operated by the user, and a sample storage unit. It has a sample discharge means 9 for discharging the built-in sample to the sample outlet 8, a communication means 10 for communicating with the server 13 via the communication line 12, and a control means 11.

  The server 13 includes a communication unit 14, a two-piece prevention unit 15, a determination unit 16, a determination result information distribution unit 17, a sample distribution destination information registration unit 18, a mail transmission unit 19, a point information registration unit 20, a sample information database 21. , A user information database 22, a control means 23, and the like are provided.

  In the sample information database 21, information related to samples built in the sample distribution device 2 as distribution samples is registered in advance.

  In the user information database 22, identification information stored in the non-contact storage medium 3 and user information are associated and registered in advance.

  The two-pick prevention means 15 has a function of performing processing that does not distribute samples when the server 13 receives the same identification information and further requests the same sample distribution.

  For example, the following three methods are conceivable as the function of the two-piece prevention unit 15.

  The first method is, for example, when there are 5 types of gums, after obtaining a mint flavor sample, acquire one sample so that an orange flavor sample cannot be subsequently acquired. A function that prevents samples of the same product from being acquired unless a certain period of time elapses.

  In the second method, for example, when samples are switched every week, the first week of June is A company's sugarless gum: the brand name “Non Sugar A” is made different in taste 6 The function that the sample recipient A can acquire only one type of sample for this product “Non Sugar A”.

  In the third method, for example, when there are five types of gums, all five types can be obtained repeatedly, but the same type of product, for example, the product name “Non Sugar A” mint taste can be obtained only once. There is a function to do.

  When the server 13 receives the identification information from the sample distribution device 2, the determination unit 16 distributes the sample based on predetermined criteria from information registered in the sample information database 21 and the user information database 22. It has a function of performing a determination process as to whether or not to perform it.

  In addition, the determination unit 16 determines to reject the sample distribution again even when the two-collection prevention unit 15 determines that the same user has requested two samples for the same sample. It has a function.

  The determination result information distribution unit 17 has a function of transmitting determination result information about whether or not to distribute a sample by the determination unit 16 to the sample distribution device 2, and receives the determination result information. The apparatus 2 discharges the requested sample 7 from the sample discharge means 9 to the sample outlet 8 only when the determination result information received from the server 13 is information indicating permission of distribution.

  Next, the sample distribution destination information registration means 18 has a function of registering information regarding which sample is distributed to whom of the users registered in the user information database 22 at any time.

  For example, the user information database 22 can collect distributed sample information, information on users who have received samples, and information on where the sample distribution device 2 at the installation location was used.

  By collecting these information, it is possible to collect information such as what “age”, “sex”, and “profession” of each sample was provided, and for each sample, analyze the interests of interested persons. You can also do it.

  The mail transmission means 19 has a function of distributing questionnaire information and the like to the mail address of the user 1 to whom the sample 7 is distributed based on the sample distribution information registered in the user information database 22. .

  This questionnaire information is registered in advance in the sample information database 21 for each sample, and when the sample 7 is distributed, the user's personal information registered in the user information database 22 is sent by e-mail. It has a function to transmit.

  By distributing questionnaire information to users, it is possible to collect detailed information about the sample, such as comments and opinions, from the user who obtained the sample, and use this information as a reference for product development. Can do.

  Further, the point information registration means 20 gives a privilege to the personal information of the user in the user information database 22 when a point is given as a thanks to the respondent of the questionnaire or when the sample 7 is distributed. It has a function to register point information.

  This point information also serves as a motivation to use the sample distribution device 2 by adding the point information so as to receive various services such as a discount service and a free gift.

  These are special features that allow the sample distribution device 2 to be used as much as possible. For the respondents of the questionnaire, the slot machine screen appears on the screen, and the product is used as soon as all three are collected. Various methods may be considered, such as sending a gift to a user, sending a crude product to a respondent of a questionnaire, or sending a high-priced gift to a user when a certain point amount has been accumulated.

  Next, a processing procedure of the sample distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

First, the user 1 brings the non-contact storage medium 3 possessed by the user close to the sample distribution device 2, and the identification information stored in the non-contact storage medium 3 is not read by the reading means 4 of the sample distribution device 2. Read by contact method. (Step S1)
At substantially the same time, after a sample to be distributed is selected from a plurality of types of samples displayed on the sample distribution device 2, the distribution is desired by pressing a push button as the input means 6 or the like. Enter sample selection information. (Step S2)
Next, identification information and selection information are transmitted from the sample distribution device 2 to the server 13. (Step S3)
In the server 13, the received identification information and selection information are based on the criteria determined in advance by the two-picking prevention means 15 and the determination means 16 based on the information registered in the sample information database 21 and the user information database 22. Then, a determination process for determining whether or not to distribute the sample is performed. (Step S4)
If it is determined that the sample is to be distributed as a result of the determination process, the sample distribution destination information registration unit 18 uses the user information database 22 to determine which sample the user has been distributed to. Register. (Step S5)
Next, based on the sample distribution information registered in the user information database 22, the mail transmission means 19 distributes questionnaire information and the like to the mail address of the user to whom the sample has been distributed. (Step S6)
Further, the point information registration unit 20 registers point information as a privilege in the personal information of the user in the user information database 22. (Step S7)
Next, the determination result information distribution unit 17 of the server 13 transmits the determination result information subjected to the determination process from the communication unit 14 via the communication line 12 to the sample distribution device 2. (Step S8)
The sample distribution device 2 that has received the determination process result information, the sample discharge means 9 sends the sample to the sample outlet 8 only when the determination process result information is information determined to distribute the sample. Let it drain. (Step S9)
If it is determined that the sample is not distributed as a result of the determination process, the process is stopped and terminated.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the sample distribution apparatus used for the sample distribution system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the non-contact storage medium used for the sample distribution system concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the example of a non-contact IC tag. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a sample distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the sample distribution system which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 user
2 Sample distribution device
3 Non-contact storage media
4 Reading means
5 Exhibition Department
6 Input means
7 samples
8 Sample outlet
9 Sample discharge means
10, 14 Communication means
11, 23 Control means
12 Communication line
15 Two prevention measures
16 Determination means
17 Determination result information distribution means
18 Sample distribution destination information registration means
19 Mail sending means
20 point information registration means
21 Sample information database
22 User information database
30 Non-contact IC tag
31 Substrate
33 Coil pattern
33C Coil connection terminal
34 Conducting member
35a, 35b card base sheet

Claims (4)

The user desires by using a non-contact storage medium possessed by the user, a sample distribution device in which a distributable sample is built and exhibited, and a server that is communicably connected to the sample distribution device via a communication line. A sample distribution system for providing samples
In the non-contact storage medium, unique identification information is stored,
The sample distribution device includes an input unit for inputting selection information of a sample that the user desires to distribute, a reading unit for reading the identification information stored in the non-contact storage medium, and a reading unit for reading the identification information. The identification information and the selection information input from the input means are transmitted to the server, and the determination means regarding whether or not to perform sample distribution is received from the server, and the sample distribution is permitted by the communication means. A sample discharging means for discharging the built-in sample to the outside when receiving the information to be received, and a control means,
The server includes communication means for communicating with the sample distribution device, a user information database in which identification information and user information stored in the non-contact storage medium are registered in association with each other, and the sample distribution device A sample information database in which information relating to the sample incorporated in the device is registered, user information registered in the user information database based on the identification information and selection information received by the communication means, and the sample Determining means for determining whether or not the sample distribution may be performed from the sample information registered in the information database; and transmitting the determination result information of the determining means to the sample distributing apparatus via the communication line. Determination result information distribution means, control means,
A sample distribution system characterized by comprising:   2. The server according to claim 1, further comprising: a two-part prevention unit having a function of disabling sample distribution by the determination unit when the same identification information is received via a communication line. The sample distribution system according to 1.   Questionnaire information distribution in which user mail address information is registered in the user information database, and the server has a function of distributing questionnaire information to the mail address when receiving identification information from the sample distribution device The sample distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising means. The server has point information registration means having a function of adding and registering point information in association with the received identification information in the user information database when the identification information is received from the sample distribution device. The sample distribution system according to claim 1, wherein:

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