JP2008129870A - Ticket issue management system, provision server, and usage management server - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coupon ticket having a usage limit to a specific consumer at a low cost, and to prevent usage not intended by a provider side. <P>SOLUTION: Coupon ticket data including a bar code encoding a customer ID, an advertisement ID corresponding to the type of the coupon ticket, and hash values generated from these IDs are sent from a provision server 1 to a consumer terminal 2 to be printed. At a shop at which the coupon ticket is used, bar code data read from the coupon ticket are sent from a shop terminal 4 to a usage management server 5, and confirmation of permission/prohibition of usage is requested. The usage management server 5 checks permission/prohibition of current use according to a confirmation result, which is obtained from the hash values in the bar code data for checking presence/absence of manipulation, and a coupon ticket usage history for each customer ID and each advertisement ID, and notifies the check result to the shop terminal 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a system and a server for providing a specific consumer with coupons with usage restrictions.

  Conventionally, when a consumer purchases a product at a store, a coupon can be used to receive a discount. Coupons are usually provided as newspaper inserts, handed at the same time as pamphlets in the city, and coupons limited to specific users are provided by direct mail. In addition, coupon coupons that do not limit the recipients of coupons, only limit the period, limit the number of purchased products and the number of people applied to each coupon, are provided on the Internet web page and consumed. It is possible to print and use with their own printer.

  However, if you categorize consumers according to their age, gender, purchase history, etc., and further divide the usage pattern according to it, and narrow down the aim of the coupon ticket, while checking the other party in the city Many costs are required, such as handing coupons or sending direct mail.

  In addition, if the coupon is offered via the Internet and the consumer prints it, the cost of the offer will drop, but in this case, the consumer can print freely, so if you print many sheets, In addition to the possibility of distribution, barcode standards that provide management information on coupons are published in JIS standards, etc. Also, printers with scanners and computers that can edit images are printed Therefore, there is a possibility that discount information and management information of coupon coupons are rewritten and printed, and the use is not intended by the provider.

  On the other hand, if printing is allowed only once, it will not be possible to handle printer printing failures, and even if the number of output sheets is limited, there will be no watermark on the paper prepared by the consumer. Duplication and tampering are possible.

  On the other hand, the coupon information can be downloaded to a mobile phone using a non-contact IC card, etc., and the non-contact IC card of the mobile phone can be brought close to the store terminal instead of the coupon and the coupon can be used recently. It has become. However, users of such terminals are still limited, and there are no facilities that can be used in any store, and coupons made of paper have very high convenience.

  In this way, in order to provide coupons that can be used anywhere, not limited use but targeted to specific consumers, rely on handing and mailing, and offer coupons Cost is high. For this reason, the discount rate is low for consumers, coupons are not provided, and the cost of acquiring the use as marketing data is also increased as the providing side calls the customers targeted by the coupons. ing.

In the literature, the following has been proposed as inventions related to coupons.
-By printing the barcode and OCR character string on the coupon in a predetermined positional relationship, and reading the barcode and OCR character string from the coupon collected at the retail store, customer trend information and settlement information can be obtained. What to generate (Patent Document 1).
In order to solve the problem (paragraph 0005) that only the consumer who accesses the flyer or the information providing site can use the coupon ticket, the user system 102 (paragraphs 0035 to 0037, FIG. 1) and the coupon in the user system 102 A management server 101 (paragraphs 0038 to 0042, FIG. 1) is provided for ticket issue management, and a user who owns the user system 102 prints a plurality of coupons and distributes them to other consumers by handing or the like. (Paragraph 0069) (Patent Document 2).

  However, the invention described in Patent Document 1 is such that the provider side obtains valid information from the coupon that the consumer has used, and does not relate to a method of providing the coupon to the consumer. .

  Further, in the invention described in Patent Document 2, since coupons are distributed to the consumers who actually use the coupons by handing or the like as in the past, compensation is paid to the user who performed the distribution (paragraph) As a result, the cost of providing coupons is also increased. There is also an example in which the number of coupon tickets printed out is limited (Claim 3, paragraphs 0074 to 0079, FIG. 13), and the management server does not print freely with a general consumer printer. It is intended to print in a special user system 102 managed by the server 101.

JP-A-63-111474 JP 2005-316579 A

  In view of the above-described points, an object of the present invention is to provide a specific consumer with coupons whose number of uses is not unlimited at low cost and to prevent unintended use on the provider side. .

In order to solve the above problems, the ticketing management system according to the present invention includes:
The providing server, consumer terminal, store terminal, and usage management server are connected to the network,
The providing server is
A coupon voucher,
A customer ID storage unit for storing the customer ID;
An advertisement ID storage unit storing an advertisement ID for identifying the type of coupon,
A hash value generator for generating a hash value;
A barcode encoder for encoding a numerical value into a barcode;
An image data generation unit that generates image data of coupon coupons including barcodes,
The coupon voucher providing unit receives a coupon voucher request from the consumer terminal, stores the customer ID of the customer who made the request in a customer ID storage unit, and the customer ID and the advertisement in the advertisement ID storage unit A hash value is generated by the hash value generation unit from an advertisement ID corresponding to the requested coupon in the ID, and the customer ID, the advertisement ID, and the hash value are barcoded by the barcode encoding unit. Encoding the coupon data, causing the image data generation unit to generate image data of the coupon including the barcode, and transmitting the coupon data for specifying the image data to the consumer terminal that has made the request,
The consumer terminal
A coupon receiving unit that requests a coupon ticket from the providing server and receives the coupon data;
The coupon data received by the coupon receiving unit is transferred to a printer connected to the consumer terminal, and includes a print control unit that instructs printing of the coupon ticket,
The store terminal
A barcode reading unit that reads the barcode from the coupon,
A data confirmation unit that sends the barcode data read by the barcode reading unit to the usage management server and makes a data confirmation request about whether or not the coupon can be used;
The usage management server is:
A data receiving unit that receives the barcode data from the store terminal and receives the data confirmation request;
A decoding unit for decoding the barcode of the barcode data received by the data receiving unit;
A hash value storage unit, a customer ID storage unit, an advertisement ID storage unit for storing the customer ID, the advertisement ID, and the hash value in the barcode decoded by the decryption unit;
A hash value generation unit that generates a hash value from the customer ID in the customer ID storage unit and the advertisement ID in the advertisement ID storage unit;
A falsification confirmation unit that confirms the presence or absence of falsification of a coupon by the presence or absence of identity between the hash value generated by the hash value generation unit and the hash value in the hash value storage unit;
A history storage unit for storing a coupon usage history for each of the customer ID and the advertisement ID;
Based on the confirmation result of the presence or absence of falsification in the falsification confirmation unit, the customer ID in the customer ID storage unit and the usage history in the history storage unit for the advertisement ID in the advertisement ID storage unit, A usage restriction confirmation unit is provided for confirming whether or not it can be used, notifying the result of the confirmation to the store terminal, and for storing the current usage history in the history storage unit when the current usage is possible. It is characterized by that.

  In this ticket issue management system, when a coupon is requested from the consumer terminal to the providing server via the network, the requested coupon image (customer ID, advertisement ID corresponding to the requested coupon, and these IDs). Coupon data for specifying the image including a barcode obtained by encoding the generated hash value is transmitted from the providing server to the consumer terminal. And based on this coupon data, a coupon is printed with the printer connected to the consumer terminal. In this way, consumers do not rely on handing over, etc. by printing coupons themselves using free paper if it is paper that can print even barcodes with a printer connected to the consumer terminal. You can get a coupon right away at any time.

  When using the obtained coupon at the store, the barcode on the coupon is read by the store terminal, the barcode data is sent from the store terminal to the usage management server via the network, and the coupon is used. A data confirmation request is made regarding whether or not it is possible.

  The usage management server confirms whether or not this coupon can be used from the confirmation result of whether or not the coupon has been tampered with using the hash value included in the barcode data and the usage history of the coupon. The confirmation result is notified to the store terminal. In the store where the store terminal is installed, the consumer can be allowed to use the coupon only when the notification that the use is possible is received.

  In this way, it is possible to provide a specific consumer with a coupon that is not unlimited in the number of times of use, etc. by printing it by himself / herself at a lower cost than handing, etc. While permitting reprinting freely when lost, it is possible to prevent the use of coupons in a manner not intended by the provider, such as use by falsification or use beyond usage restrictions.

Next, the providing server according to the present invention is:
A coupon voucher,
A customer ID storage unit for storing the customer ID;
An advertisement ID storage unit storing an advertisement ID for identifying the type of coupon,
A hash value generator for generating a hash value;
A barcode encoder for encoding a numerical value into a barcode;
An image data generation unit that generates image data of coupon coupons including barcodes,
The coupon supply unit accepts a request for a coupon from an external terminal via a network, stores the customer ID of the customer who made the request in a customer ID storage unit, and stores the customer ID and the advertisement ID storage unit The hash value generation unit generates a hash value from the advertisement ID corresponding to the requested coupon ticket among the advertisement IDs of the customer ID, the advertisement ID, and the hash value in the barcode encoding unit. Encodes a barcode, causes the image data generation unit to generate image data of a coupon including the barcode, and transmits coupon data for specifying the image data to the external terminal that has made the request It is characterized by doing.

In addition, the usage management server according to the present invention includes:
The barcode data in which the customer ID, the advertisement ID, and the hash value generated from the customer ID and the advertisement ID are encoded is received from an external terminal via the network, and whether or not the coupon can be used is determined. A data reception unit for receiving a data confirmation request;
A decoding unit for decoding the barcode of the barcode data received by the data receiving unit;
A hash value storage unit, a customer ID storage unit, an advertisement ID storage unit for storing the customer ID, the advertisement ID, and the hash value in the barcode decoded by the decryption unit;
A hash value generation unit that generates a hash value from the customer ID in the customer ID storage unit and the advertisement ID in the advertisement ID storage unit;
A falsification confirmation unit that confirms the presence or absence of falsification of a coupon by the presence or absence of identity between the hash value generated by the hash value generation unit and the hash value in the hash value storage unit;
A history storage unit for storing a coupon usage history for each of the customer ID and the advertisement ID;
Based on the confirmation result of the presence or absence of falsification in the falsification confirmation unit, the customer ID in the customer ID storage unit and the usage history in the history storage unit for the advertisement ID in the advertisement ID storage unit, A usage restriction confirmation unit is provided for confirming whether or not it can be used, notifying the result of the confirmation to the store terminal, and for storing the current usage history in the history storage unit when the current usage is possible. It is characterized by that.

  These providing server and usage management server are components of the above-described ticket management system according to the present invention, and constitute a ticket management system according to the present invention together with other servers and terminals to be used by a specific consumer. While providing coupons whose number of times is not unlimited at low cost, unintended use on the provider side can be prevented.

  According to the present invention, a coupon that is not unlimited in the number of times of use is provided to a specific consumer at a low cost, and the coupon is used in an unintended manner on the side of the provider, such as usage by tampering or usage exceeding usage restrictions. The effect that it is possible to prevent the use of is obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a ticketing management system to which the present invention is applied. This ticketing management system is operated by a company that provides a portal service for digital TVs having a broadband connection function. The providing server 1 and the use management server 5 owned and managed by this portal service company and individual consumers Digital TV (corresponding to consumer terminal) 2 and printer 3 at home, store terminal 4 installed at each store (store where merchandise is sold, store where services are provided) where coupons are used, and Is connected to the Internet 6.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the providing server 1. The network IF (interface) unit 10 and the storage units 13 to 16 and 20 are configured by hardware, and the other portions are software. Composed.

  The customer ID storage unit 13 is for storing a customer ID of a consumer who has requested a coupon (an ID given to a consumer through prior user registration).

  The advertisement ID storage unit 14 is for storing an advertisement ID that identifies the type of coupon. The usage condition storage unit 15 is for storing coupon usage condition information (information such as discount target, discount rate, number of uses, usage period, usage time zone, etc.) for each advertisement ID. The advertisement image storage unit 16 is for storing image data of an advertisement to be posted on a coupon for each advertisement ID. The advertisement ID, use condition information, and advertisement image data stored in these storage units 14 to 16 are a sales matrix that requests a portal service company to issue a coupon (a company that sells products or a company that provides services). From the Internet.

  The hash value generation unit 18 uses the hash function to calculate the hash value from the customer ID in the customer ID storage unit 13, the advertisement ID in the advertisement ID storage unit 14, and the usage condition information in the usage condition storage unit 15. Is to be generated. Examples of the hash function used in the hash value generation unit 18 include a summation of ASCII codes representing a predetermined number of numbers or symbols in the lower order of the customer ID, advertisement ID, and usage condition information.

  The encryption key storage unit 20 stores a common key as an encryption key when the providing server 1 is set. The encryption key adjustment unit 12 transmits the common key in the encryption key storage unit 20 to the usage management server 5 (FIG. 1) based on a request from the usage management server 5 (FIG. 1). The encryption unit 21 includes a customer ID in the customer ID storage unit 13, an advertisement ID in the advertisement ID storage unit 14, usage condition information in the usage condition storage unit 15, and a hash generated by the hash value generation unit 18. A part (for example, only the hash value or only the customer ID) or all of the value is encrypted using the common key in the encryption key storage unit 20. In order to shorten the time required for encryption and decryption processing, it is desirable to limit the range of encryption to a part rather than all.

  The barcode encoding unit 19 encodes the customer ID, advertisement ID, usage condition information, and hash value encrypted by the encryption unit 21 into a barcode defined by the JIS standard or the like. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a barcode generation method in the barcode encoding unit 19 together with the processing of the hash value generation unit 18 and the encryption unit 21. After the customer ID, the advertisement ID, the usage condition information, and the hash value generated from them using the hash function are encrypted, a check bit for detecting a reading error or correcting the error is given. Are converted into barcode characters C1 to Cn. Before and after the characters C1 to Cn, a quiet zone in which nothing is described, a start character indicating a start point and an end point of the bar code, and a stop character are provided so that the bar code can be read accurately.

  In FIG. 2, the coupon generation unit 17 generates image data of a coupon including the barcode generated by the barcode encoding unit 19 and the advertisement image data in the advertisement image storage unit 16, and the image data Is stored in a specific URL in the providing server 1.

The coupon providing unit 11 activates the hash value generation unit 18, the encryption unit 21, the barcode encoding unit 19, and the coupon generation unit 17 described above based on a request from the digital television 2 (FIG. 1), and the coupon generation unit 17 shows the data indicating the URL where the image data of the coupon is stored,
This is transmitted to the digital television 2 as coupon data (data for specifying image data of a coupon).

  Each digital television 2 in FIG. 1 is a normal digital television having a broadband connection function as hardware. Such a digital television can be used, for example, by advertising various products and services by data broadcasting and obtaining coupons for receiving discounts on those products and services via the Internet.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of only the part related to the present invention in the digital television 2, and the network IF unit 31 is configured by hardware, and the other part is configured by software. .

  The coupon receiving unit 30 requests the coupon from the providing server 1 based on the fact that the consumer who has entered the customer ID and logged in performs an operation of selecting a coupon for any product or service, The above coupon data (data indicating the URL) is received.

  The print control unit 32 transfers the coupon data received by the coupon receiving unit 30 to the printer 3 in the same consumer's house via the Internet 6 and instructs printing of the coupon ticket. Based on this instruction, the printer 3 accesses the URL indicated by the coupon data and prints the coupon.

  Each store terminal 4 in FIG. 1 is a terminal composed of a register (money register) with a barcode scanner and a computer with a network IF, and may have a hardware configuration relatively similar to an existing POS system. it can. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the store terminal 4, and the barcode reading unit (barcode scanner) 40, the charging processing unit (register) 42, and the network IF unit 43 are configured by hardware. The data confirmation unit 41 is configured by software.

  The data confirmation unit 41 sends the barcode data read from the coupon by the barcode reading unit 40 to the usage management server 5 (FIG. 1) and makes a data confirmation request as to whether or not the coupon is usable. , Amount according to the confirmation result notified from the usage management server 5 (the amount discounted according to the coupon discount rate when the coupon is available, the amount not discounted when the coupon is not available) The charging processing unit 42 is instructed to perform the charging processing in ().

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the usage management server 5 of FIG. 1, and the network IF unit 51 and the storage units 53, 55 to 58, 62 are configured by hardware, and the other parts Consists of software.

  The data receiving unit 50 receives barcode data from the store terminal 4 (FIGS. 1 and 5) and receives the above-described data confirmation request.

  The encryption key storage unit 53 is for storing an encryption key. The encryption key adjustment unit 54 requests the common key from the providing server 1 (FIGS. 1 and 2) based on the operation of the administrator of the usage management server 5, and uses the common key sent from the providing server 1 as an encryption key storage unit. 53 is stored.

  The decryption unit 52 decrypts the barcode of the barcode data, and the encrypted portion of the customer ID, advertisement ID, usage condition information, and hash value (FIG. 3) in the decrypted barcode is Decryption is performed using the common key in the encryption key storage unit 53.

  The hash value storage unit 55, the customer ID storage unit 56, the advertisement ID storage unit 57, and the use condition storage unit 58 store the customer ID, advertisement ID, use condition information, and hash value in the barcode decoded by the decryption unit 52. Each is for memorizing.

  The hash value generation unit 60 generates a hash value in the providing server 1 from the customer ID in the customer ID storage unit 56, the advertisement ID in the advertisement ID storage unit 57, and the use condition information in the use condition storage unit 58. A hash value is generated using the same hash function as that of the unit 18 (FIG. 2).

  The falsification confirmation unit 59 compares the hash value generated by the hash value generation unit 60 with the hash value in the hash value storage unit 55, and determines that the voucher has not been falsified if both hash values are the same. If the two hash values are different, it is determined that the coupon has been tampered with.

  The history storage unit 62 is for storing a use history (such as the number of uses at each store) of coupon coupons for each customer ID and advertisement ID. The history registration unit 61 writes a usage history in the history storage unit 62.

  The usage restriction confirmation unit 63 uses the result of confirmation in the falsification confirmation unit 59, the use history in the history storage unit 62 regarding the customer ID in the customer ID storage unit 56 and the advertisement ID in the advertisement ID storage unit 57. Based on the use condition information in the use condition storage unit 58, whether or not the coupon can be used this time is confirmed. That is, when it is determined that the falsification confirmation unit 59 has tampered with, it is unconditionally determined that the current use is not possible. On the other hand, if it is determined by the tampering confirmation unit 59 that there has been no tampering, the current usage is within the range of usage restrictions based on the usage history and usage restriction information such as the number of uses in the usage condition information. Check if it exists. If the usage limit is exceeded, it is determined that the current usage is not possible, and if it is within the usage limitation, it is determined that the current usage is possible.

  The use restriction confirmation unit 63 notifies the store terminal 4 of the result of confirmation of the availability of such use (when the use is possible, the information on the discount object and the discount rate in the use condition information is also transmitted). At the same time, when the usage is possible, the history registration unit 61 is instructed to add the current usage to the usage history in the history storage unit 62.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing registration / provision processing executed by the providing server 1 in the ticketing management system having the above-described configuration. In this process, first, it is confirmed whether a coupon for any product or service is requested from any digital television 2 (step S1). If requested, the customer ID entered by the requested customer at the time of login is stored (step S3), the customer ID, and the advertisement ID of the requested coupon among the advertisement IDs in the advertisement ID storage unit 14 The hash value is calculated from the use condition information about the coupon ticket of the advertisement ID among the use condition information in the use condition storage unit 15 (step S4).

  Subsequently, a part or all of the customer ID, advertisement ID, usage condition information, and hash value is encrypted with a common key (step S5), and the encrypted customer ID, advertisement ID, usage condition information, and hash value are obtained. The barcode is encoded (step S6). Then, image data of the coupon including the barcode and the advertisement image of the requested coupon is generated (step S7), and the coupon data indicating the URL of the image data is sent to the requested digital television 2 Transmit (step S8) and return to step S1.

  If no coupon is requested in step S1, it is confirmed whether an encryption key is requested from the usage management server 5 (step S2). If not, the process returns to step S1. When requested, the common key in the encryption key storage unit 20 is transmitted to the usage management server 5 so that the same common key can be used by the providing server 1 and the usage management server 5 (step S9). Return to S1.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a coupon acquisition process executed by the digital television 2. In this process, first, the consumer who has entered the customer ID and logged in performs an operation of selecting a coupon for any product or service, and requests the coupon from the providing server 1 (Step S1). S11). And the coupon data (data which shows URL) transmitted from the provision server 1 are received (step S12), the coupon data are transferred to the printer 3 of the same consumer's house, and the printing of the coupon is instructed (step S13). ), The process is terminated.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the billing process executed by the store terminal 4. In this process, first, the barcode of the coupon printed by the consumer is read (step S21), and the read barcode data is sent to the usage management server 5 to determine whether the coupon can be used. A data confirmation request is made (step S22). Then, an amount according to the availability of use notified from the usage management server 5 is charged (step S23), and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing registration / confirmation processing executed by the usage management server 5. In this process, first, it is confirmed whether or not an encryption key acquisition operation has been performed by the administrator of the usage management server 5 (step S31). When the acquisition operation is performed, an encryption key is requested from the providing server 1 (step S33), and the encryption key (common key) sent from the providing server 1 is stored in the encryption key storage unit 53 (step S34). ), The process returns to step S31.

  If the acquisition operation has not been performed in step S31, it is confirmed whether there is a data confirmation request from any store terminal 4 (step S32). If there is no data confirmation request, the process returns to step S31. If there is a data confirmation request, the barcode data sent from the store terminal 4 is decrypted and the customer ID, advertisement ID, usage condition information, and hash value are stored (step S35), and the stored customer ID The hash value is calculated from the advertisement ID and the usage condition information (step S36), and the presence or absence of falsification of the coupon is confirmed based on whether or not the calculated hash value and the stored hash value are the same (step S37). .

  If it has been tampered with, the store terminal 4 that requested the data confirmation is notified that the coupon cannot be used (step S40), and the process returns to step S31.

  If there is no falsification, check whether the current usage is within the limits of usage from the stored customer ID, advertising ID, usage condition information, and coupon voucher usage history for the customer ID and advertising ID (Step S38).

  If the usage limit is exceeded, the store terminal 4 that requested the data confirmation is notified that the coupon cannot be used (step S40), and the process returns to step S31. If it is within the range of usage restrictions, this usage is added to the usage history (step S39), and the store terminal 4 that requested the data confirmation is notified that the coupon is available ( Step S41) and return to Step S31.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the data exchanged in this ticketing management system including the sales matrix (digital television 2, store terminal 4 and sales matrix 6 are shown one by one for convenience of illustration. ). From the sales matrix 7, information on an advertisement ID for identifying the type of coupon, information on coupon coupon usage conditions for each advertisement ID (discount target, discount rate, number of usages, usage period, usage time zone, etc.) The image data of the advertisement to be posted on the coupon is sent to the providing server 1.

  A coupon is requested from the digital television 2 to the providing server 1, and coupon data (URL data where image data of the coupon is present) is sent from the providing server 1 to the digital television 2. The coupon data is transferred from the digital TV 2 to the printer 3 at the same consumer's house, and an instruction for printing the coupon is given.

  The usage management server 5 requests an encryption key from the providing server 1, and the providing server 1 sends the encryption key to the usage management server 5.

  A data confirmation request is sent from the store terminal 4 to the usage management server 5 together with the barcode data, and the usage management server 5 notifies the store terminal 4 of the result of confirming whether or not the coupon can be used.

  Next, how the coupon is provided to the consumer and how the coupon is used in the ticket management system will be described.

  For example, when a consumer who has watched a data broadcast promoting a product on the digital television 2 inputs a customer ID, logs in, and selects a coupon ticket for the product, the digital server 2 provides the server 1 The coupon is required.

  And the image data of the coupon (customer ID, advertisement ID corresponding to the coupon, usage condition information about the coupon, and a hash value generated from the ID and usage condition information are partially Alternatively, coupon data for specifying an image including a barcode that has been encrypted and then encoded is transmitted from the providing server 1 to the digital television 2. And based on this coupon data, a coupon is printed with the printer 3 of the same consumer's house. In this way, the consumer does not rely on handing or the like by printing the coupon by himself using a free paper as long as the barcode 3 can be printed on the printer 3 connected to the digital television 2, You can get coupons immediately when you need them.

  When the consumer uses the coupon at the store where the product is sold, the barcode on the coupon is read by the store terminal 4 and the barcode data is read from the store terminal 4 to the usage management server. 5 and a data confirmation request is made as to whether or not the coupon is usable.

  In the usage management server 5, whether or not this coupon can be used is confirmed from the confirmation result of the presence or absence of falsification of the coupon using the hash value included in the barcode data and the usage history of the coupon. The confirmation result is notified to the store terminal 4. In the store terminal 4, only when a notification that it can be used is received, the billing process is performed with an amount discounted according to the coupon discount rate.

  In this way, the number of times of use is unlimited for specific consumers (those who use the portal service and registered as users, but may be further targeted by age, gender, etc. at the time of user registration) Can be provided at a lower cost than manual delivery by allowing them to print their own, and if they fail to print or lose the coupon, they can tamper with it while allowing free reprinting (customer Unintended aspects of the provider such as usage by rewriting information such as ID, discount target, discount rate, usage period, etc. or usage exceeding the range of usage restrictions (use exceeding the number of usages by printing multiple sheets, etc.) It is possible to prevent the use of coupons in the market.

  Then, the sales parent can accurately check the consumer's consumption trend at low cost from the usage status of the coupon.

Finally, some modifications to the configuration and the like of the ticket issue management system described above will be described.
[Modification 1]
Instead of the encryption and decryption performed by the providing server 1 and the usage management server 5 using the same common key, the usage management server 5 stores the secret key in the encryption key storage unit 53 and the providing server 1 stores the secret key. The public key paired with the key is stored in the encryption key storage unit 20 so that the providing server 1 performs encryption using the public key, and the usage management server 5 performs decryption using the private key. It may be. This eliminates the need to transmit / receive the encryption key between the providing server 1 and the usage management server 5, making it possible to manage the encryption key more safely.

[Modification 2]
When the secret key and the public key are used as in the first modification, the decryption unit 52 and the encryption key storage unit in FIG. 6 are functions for confirming whether or not the coupon ticket has been tampered among the functions of the usage management server 5. 53, the encryption key adjustment unit 54, the hash value storage unit 55, the customer ID storage unit 56, the advertisement ID storage unit 57, the use condition storage unit 58, the falsification confirmation unit 59, and the hash value generation unit 60 have the same functions. Then, the usage management server 5 may only check whether the use of the coupon coupon is within the usage restriction range. This makes it possible to reduce the load on the usage management server 5 when the number of store terminals 4 is large.

[Modification 3]
Since both the providing server 1 and the usage management server 5 are owned by the portal service company, the function as the providing server 1 and the function as the usage management server 5 may be provided in one server. As a result, it is not necessary to exchange the encryption key via the network, so that the encryption key can be managed more safely.

[Modification 4]
From the viewpoint of shortening the processing time, the providing server 1 may encode the customer ID, advertisement ID, usage condition information, and hash value into a barcode without encryption. Even in such a case, the usage management server 5 can check the presence or absence of falsification based on the presence or absence of the hash value identity. However, if there is no encryption, there is no possibility that the customer ID, advertisement ID, and usage condition information can be seen from the coupon barcode itself, so encryption should be performed to prevent tampering more reliably. Is desirable.

[Modification 5]
Instead of supplying information indicating usage restrictions such as the number of times coupons are used and the period of use to the providing server 1 from the sales mother to be part of the barcode of the coupon, the information is supplied from the sales mother to the usage management server 5. Then, the usage management server 5 stores the information for each customer ID and advertisement ID (the usage restriction confirmation unit 63 confirms whether the usage restriction is within the range based on the stored information). You may do it.

[Modification 6]
The printer 3 is connected to the digital television 2 by USB or the like without being connected to the Internet, and the coupon ticket image data itself is supplied from the providing server 1 to the digital television 2 as coupon data (data for specifying the coupon ticket image data). The digital television 2 may send the image data to the printer 3 for printing.

[Modification 7]
As the customer ID, the device ID of the digital television 2 may be used instead of the ID given to the consumer registered as a user.

[Modification 8]
The providing server 1 and the usage management server 5 may be connected via a dedicated network instead of the Internet, or the store terminal 4 and the usage management server 5 may be connected via a dedicated network instead of the Internet.

[Modification 9]
A terminal (for example, a personal computer or a portable information terminal) that can be connected to a network other than the digital television 2 may be used as a consumer terminal. In addition, for example, when advertising a product or service using only the Internet without using television broadcasting and acquiring a coupon ticket, the providing server 1 and the usage management server 5 are not a portal service company but a shopping site on the network. Etc. may be owned and managed by a company that operates etc.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the ticketing management system to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the provision server of FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the production | generation method of the barcode in a provision server. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of only the part relevant to this invention among digital television. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the shop terminal of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the usage management server of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the provision server of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the digital television of FIG. 1 for coupon acquisition. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the shop terminal of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the usage management server of FIG. It is a figure which shows the data etc. which are exchanged in the ticketing management system of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Provision server, 2 Digital television, 3 Printer, 4 Store terminal, 5 Usage management server, 6 Internet, 10 Network IF part, 11 Coupon provision part, 12 Encryption key adjustment part, 13 Customer ID memory | storage part, 14 Advertisement ID memory | storage part , 15 usage condition storage unit, 16 advertisement image storage unit, 17 coupon generation unit, 18 hash value generation unit, 19 barcode encoding unit, 20 encryption key storage unit, 21 encryption unit, 30 coupon reception unit, 31 network IF Unit, 32 print control unit, 40 bar code reading unit, 41 data confirmation unit, 42 billing processing unit, 43 network IF unit, 50 data reception unit, 51 network IF unit, 52 decryption unit, 53 encryption key storage unit, 54 Encryption key adjustment section, 55 Interview value storage unit, 56 customer ID storage unit, 57 advertisement ID storage unit, 58 use condition storage unit, 59 falsification checking unit, 60 hash value generating unit, 61 history registration unit, 62 history storage unit, 63 use restriction confirmation unit

Claims (9)

The providing server, consumer terminal, store terminal, and usage management server are connected to the network,
The providing server is
A coupon voucher,
A customer ID storage unit for storing the customer ID;
An advertisement ID storage unit storing an advertisement ID for identifying the type of coupon,
A hash value generation unit that generates a hash value using a hash function;
A barcode encoder for encoding a numerical value into a barcode;
An image data generation unit that generates image data of coupon coupons including barcodes,
The coupon voucher providing unit receives a coupon voucher request from the consumer terminal, stores the customer ID of the customer who made the request in a customer ID storage unit, and the customer ID and the advertisement in the advertisement ID storage unit A hash value is generated by the hash value generation unit from an advertisement ID corresponding to the requested coupon in the ID, and the customer ID, the advertisement ID, and the hash value are barcoded by the barcode encoding unit. Encoding the coupon data, causing the image data generation unit to generate image data of the coupon including the barcode, and transmitting the coupon data for specifying the image data to the consumer terminal that has made the request,
The consumer terminal
A coupon receiving unit that requests a coupon ticket from the providing server and receives the coupon data;
The coupon data received by the coupon receiving unit is transferred to a printer connected to the consumer terminal, and includes a print control unit that instructs printing of the coupon ticket,
The store terminal
A barcode reading unit that reads the barcode from the coupon,
A data confirmation unit that sends the barcode data read by the barcode reading unit to the usage management server and makes a data confirmation request about whether or not the coupon can be used;
The usage management server is:
A data receiving unit that receives the barcode data from the store terminal and receives the data confirmation request;
A decoding unit for decoding the barcode of the barcode data received by the data receiving unit;
A hash value storage unit, a customer ID storage unit, an advertisement ID storage unit for storing the customer ID, the advertisement ID, and the hash value in the barcode decoded by the decryption unit;
A hash value generation unit that generates a hash value from the customer ID in the customer ID storage unit and the advertisement ID in the advertisement ID storage unit using the same hash function as the hash value generation unit in the providing server;
A falsification confirmation unit that confirms the presence or absence of falsification of a coupon by the presence or absence of identity between the hash value generated by the hash value generation unit and the hash value in the hash value storage unit;
A history storage unit for storing a coupon usage history for each of the customer ID and the advertisement ID;
Based on the confirmation result of the presence or absence of falsification in the falsification confirmation unit, the customer ID in the customer ID storage unit and the usage history in the history storage unit for the advertisement ID in the advertisement ID storage unit, A usage restriction confirmation unit is provided for confirming whether or not it can be used, notifying the result of the confirmation to the store terminal, and for storing the current usage history in the history storage unit when the current usage is possible. A ticket management system characterized by that. In the ticketing management system according to claim 1,
The providing server further includes a use condition storage unit for storing information on use conditions of coupons,
The coupon providing part of the providing server is
The hash value generation unit generates a hash value from the customer ID, the advertisement ID, and the usage condition information, and the barcode encoding the customer ID, the advertisement ID, the usage condition information, and the hash value The barcode is encoded with the unit, and the image data of the coupon including the barcode is generated by the image data generation unit of the coupon,
The usage restriction confirmation unit of the usage management server confirms whether or not the current usage is within a usage restriction range based on the usage condition information in the barcode decoded by the decoding unit. Ticketing management system characterized by In the ticketing management system according to claim 1,
The providing server is
An encryption key storage unit storing the encryption key;
An encryption unit that encrypts at least part of the customer ID, the advertisement ID, and the hash value before being encoded into a barcode by the barcode encoding unit using an encryption key in the encryption key storage unit And further comprising
The usage management server is:
An encryption key storage unit for storing the encryption key;
The decryption unit of the usage management server uses the encryption key in the encryption key storage unit to encrypt the encrypted portion of the customer ID, the advertisement ID, and the hash value in the decrypted barcode. A ticketing management system characterized by decrypting. A coupon voucher,
A customer ID storage unit for storing the customer ID;
An advertisement ID storage unit storing an advertisement ID for identifying the type of coupon,
A hash value generator for generating a hash value;
A barcode encoder for encoding a numerical value into a barcode;
An image data generation unit that generates image data of coupon coupons including barcodes,
The coupon supply unit accepts a request for a coupon from an external terminal via a network, stores the customer ID of the customer who made the request in a customer ID storage unit, and stores the customer ID and the advertisement ID storage unit The hash value generation unit generates a hash value from the advertisement ID corresponding to the requested coupon ticket among the advertisement IDs of the customer ID, the advertisement ID, and the hash value in the barcode encoding unit. Encodes a barcode, causes the image data generation unit to generate image data of a coupon including the barcode, and transmits coupon data for specifying the image data to the external terminal that has made the request A providing server characterized by: The providing server according to claim 4,
It further includes a use condition storage unit for storing information on the use conditions of the coupon ticket,
The coupon providing unit
The hash value generation unit generates a hash value from the customer ID, the advertisement ID, and the usage condition information, and the barcode encoding the customer ID, the advertisement ID, the usage condition information, and the hash value The providing server, wherein the data is encoded into a barcode by the unit and the image data of the coupon including the barcode is generated by the image data generation unit of the coupon. The providing server according to claim 4,
An encryption key storage unit storing the encryption key;
An encryption unit that encrypts at least part of the customer ID, the advertisement ID, and the hash value before being encoded into a barcode by the barcode encoding unit using an encryption key in the encryption key storage unit And a providing server. The barcode data in which the customer ID, the advertisement ID, and the hash value generated from the customer ID and the advertisement ID are encoded is received from an external terminal via the network, and whether or not the coupon can be used is determined. A data reception unit for receiving a data confirmation request;
A decoding unit for decoding the barcode of the barcode data received by the data receiving unit;
A hash value storage unit, a customer ID storage unit, an advertisement ID storage unit for storing the customer ID, the advertisement ID, and the hash value in the barcode decoded by the decryption unit;
A hash value generation unit that generates a hash value from the customer ID in the customer ID storage unit and the advertisement ID in the advertisement ID storage unit;
A falsification confirmation unit that confirms the presence or absence of falsification of a coupon by the presence or absence of identity between the hash value generated by the hash value generation unit and the hash value in the hash value storage unit;
A history storage unit for storing a coupon usage history for each of the customer ID and the advertisement ID;
Based on the confirmation result of the presence or absence of falsification in the falsification confirmation unit, the customer ID in the customer ID storage unit and the usage history in the history storage unit for the advertisement ID in the advertisement ID storage unit, A usage restriction confirmation unit is provided for confirming whether or not it can be used, notifying the result of the confirmation to the store terminal, and for storing the current usage history in the history storage unit when the current usage is possible. A usage management server characterized by that. In the usage management server according to claim 7,
The barcode data is encoded with a customer ID, an advertisement ID, coupon coupon usage condition information, and a hash value generated from the customer ID, the advertisement ID, and the usage rule information.
The usage restriction confirmation unit confirms whether or not the current usage is within a usage restriction range based on the usage condition information in the barcode decoded by the decoding unit. Management server. In the usage management server according to claim 7,
An encryption key storage unit for storing the encryption key;
The decryption unit decrypts an encrypted portion of the customer ID, the advertisement ID, and the hash value in the decrypted barcode using an encryption key in the encryption key storage unit. A usage management server.

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