JP2008293456A - Commodity information management server and commodity information management method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress illegal reproduction of privilege by preventing illegal use of the privilege (coupon) given to a user of a system for providing commodity information. <P>SOLUTION: A commodity information management server 10 receives retrieval request information, retrieves commodity information and advertisement information using a presented in-store code, decides and gives a point value based on the retrieved advertisement, and provides a retrieval result screen including the commodity information and the advertisement information. In addition, the server receives an issue request for a coupon, decides the issue count of coupons according to a point value obtained by converting a given point value by a conversion rate associated with a store ID included in the coupon issue request and a coupon identification code for the issue count of coupons, registers coupon management information, and transmits coupon issue instruction information. Furthermore, the server receives an analysis request which has presented a coupon identification code, determines whether or not to authenticate the presented coupon identification code, and transmits the determination result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a merchandise information management server that accepts search request information presenting a predetermined search code, and provides merchandise information searched based on the presented search code, and a merchandise information management method.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, traceability systems that provide consumers and the like who have purchased specific vegetables and meat with a history of production and distribution of the vegetables and meat via a communication network such as the Internet have come to be used.

  With the traceability system, it is possible to search and browse the production / distribution history of the product by using the search key as the code (traceability code) affixed or printed on the product such as vegetables and meat and the packaging of the product. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-31875 A

  In the conventional system described in Patent Document 1 described above, production / distribution history of products (fruits, meat, chicken eggs, processed foods, seasonings, beverages, etc.) is provided, but simply providing history information. There is a risk that the willingness to use the system will decline and the system will not be used actively.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to give a privilege such as a coupon to the user of the system so that the willingness to use the system is improved. However, there is a problem that the system cannot be operated safely because the coupon may be illegally copied.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, prevent unauthorized use of a privilege granted to a user of the system, and suppress unauthorized duplication of the privilege. To do.

  The product information management server of the present invention is a product information management server that receives search request information presenting a predetermined search code and provides product information searched based on the presented search code, the search request information Search request information receiving means for receiving the product information, product information search means for searching for product information using the presented search code, advertisement information search means for searching for advertisement information provided together with the searched product information, and searching Point granting means for determining and assigning point values based on advertisements, search result screen providing means for providing a search result screen including searched product information and searched advertisement information, and coupon issue request acceptance for accepting coupon issue requests Means and when the coupon issue request is accepted, the granted point value is included in the coupon issue request Point value conversion means for converting at a conversion rate associated with the store ID, issue number determination means for determining the number of coupons issued according to the point value converted by the point value conversion means, and number of coupons issued Code determination means for determining the coupon identification code for the minute, coupon management information registration means for registering coupon management information including the determined coupon identification code and the current status information indicating that the coupon is unused, and issuance of the determined coupon An issue instruction means for transmitting coupon issue instruction information including the number of sheets and the determined coupon identification code; an analysis request acceptance means for accepting an analysis request presenting a coupon identification code printed on a coupon used for settlement; Authentication for determining whether or not to authenticate the presented coupon identification code with reference to the coupon management information Characterized by comprising a constant section and a determination result transmitting means for transmitting a determination result of the authentication determination unit.

  By comprising as mentioned above, the unauthorized use of the privilege provided with respect to the user of a system can be prevented, and the unauthorized duplication of a privilege can be suppressed.

  The authentication determination unit may be configured to confirm whether or not the presented coupon identification code is registered as the coupon management information and to determine whether or not to authenticate according to the confirmation result.

  The coupon management information registration means registers coupon management information in which a coupon identification code and current status information indicating that the coupon is not used are associated with a user ID indicating a user who issues a coupon, and receives the analysis request The means accepts an analysis request presenting a coupon identification code printed on a coupon used for settlement and a user ID of a user who uses the coupon, and the authentication judgment means presents the presented coupon identification code It may be configured to check whether or not it is registered in association with the user ID and determine whether to authenticate according to the confirmation result.

  The authentication determination unit confirms whether or not the current status information associated with the presented coupon identification code indicates that it is unused, and determines whether to authenticate according to the confirmation result. It may be configured.

  The analysis request accepting unit accepts an analysis request presenting a coupon identification code printed on a coupon used for settlement and a store ID indicating a store where the coupon is used, and the authentication determining unit is presented It is configured to check whether or not the store ID associated with the coupon identification code matches the store ID presented in the analysis request and whether or not to authenticate according to the confirmation result. May be.

  The coupon identification code is, for example, a code that can uniquely identify the corresponding coupon.

  A current status information updating unit that updates the current status information associated with the coupon identification code to be used when the authentication determination unit determines to authenticate the presented coupon identification code. It may be configured.

  The product information management method of the present invention is a product information management method for receiving search request information presenting a predetermined search code and providing product information searched based on the presented search code, wherein the search A search request information reception process for receiving request information; a product information search process for searching for product information using the presented search code; an advertisement information search process for searching for advertisement information provided together with the searched product information; A point grant process that determines and grants point values based on the searched advertisement, a search result screen providing process that provides a search result screen that includes the searched product information and the searched advertisement information, and a coupon issue request that accepts a coupon issue request When the request acceptance process and the coupon issue request are accepted, the granted point value is included in the coupon issue request. Point value conversion processing for conversion at a conversion rate associated with the store ID, issuance number determination processing for determining the number of coupons issued according to the point value converted by the point value conversion processing, and coupon issuance A code determination process for determining the number of coupon identification codes, a coupon management information registration process for registering coupon management information including the determined coupon identification code and the current status information indicating that the coupon is unused, and An issuance instruction process for transmitting coupon issuance instruction information including the issued number and the determined coupon identification code; an analysis request acceptance process for accepting an analysis request presenting a coupon identification code printed on a coupon used for settlement; , An authentication certificate for determining whether or not to authenticate the presented coupon identification code with reference to the coupon management information. And processing, characterized in that it comprises a determination result transmitting process of transmitting the determination result of the authentication judgment processing.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the unauthorized use of the privilege provided with respect to the user of a system can be prevented, and the unauthorized duplication of a privilege can be suppressed now.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a product information management system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the product information management system 100 includes a product information management server 10 and retail store servers 31 to 3N (N: any positive integer). The merchandise information management server 10 and the retail store servers 31 to 3N are each connected to a communication network 40 such as the Internet.

  The merchandise information management server 10 and the retail store servers 31 to 3N are each configured by an information processing device such as a WWW server.

  The merchandise information management server 10 is a server managed by, for example, a system administrator of the merchandise information management system 100, and is used in a manufacturing code given to the merchandise when the merchandise is produced or manufactured, or in each retail store. Various processing such as management of in-store code is performed.

  The merchandise information management server 10 includes a code management DB 11 in which code management information is stored, a maker production management DB 12 in which maker production management information is stored, and merchandise history information including product production history and distribution history. It includes a product master DB 13 that stores a product master (commodity medical record) including various types of related information, an advertisement DB 14 that stores advertisement information used as an advertisement, and a point management DB 15 that stores point management information.

  The code management information is information for managing the relationship between the manufacturing code and the in-store code used at each retail store. The manufacturer production management information includes the manufacturing code given to the product by the manufacturer when the product is produced or manufactured, the product name of the product indicated by the manufacturing code, and the name of the manufacturer that produced or manufactured the product. Including. The code management DB 11 and the manufacturer production management DB 12 may be inside or outside the product information management server 10. Further, the manufacturer production management information is periodically transmitted from the manufacturer terminal (not shown) managed by each manufacturer, for example, to the product information management server 10 via the communication network 40 and stored in the manufacturer production management DB 12. The

  The product master includes a product master number (an example of a product chart code) for uniquely identifying a product, a manufacturing code assigned to the product, and product history information including production history and distribution history of the product. Including. The product history information is information indicating the production history and distribution history of the product. For example, the product classification, the product name, the product producer / manufacturer / seller, the product seller / seller, the product production date・ Includes various information such as date of manufacture, product production location, and production location. The product master DB 13 may be inside or outside the product information management server 10.

  The advertisement information is information on various advertisements related to the searched product. For example, various information related to the product such as a recipe of the menu using the searched product (advertising material used in the menu). Information (specifically, for example, URL) for accessing an advertisement or a site where the recipe or advertisement is posted is included. The advertisement DB 14 may be inside or outside the product information management server 10.

  The point management information includes various information related to points given to users of the system 100 and coupons issued based on the points. The point management DB 15 may be inside or outside the product information management server 10.

  Each of the retail store servers 31 to 3N is managed by, for example, a retail chain manager who manages each of the retail chains A to N, and stores the POS information used in each of the retail chains A to N. 3Na is provided. The retail store servers 31 to 3N are installed in the retail chains A to N, for example. A retail store server 311 installed in each retail chain A to N and a POS register 312 used in each retail chain A to N are connected to the retail store servers 31 to 3N (the retail store server 31). Only those connected to are shown.) The POS register is a register installed at the payment amount payment place. For example, a POS system barcode (an example of a POS code: hereinafter referred to as a POS barcode) attached to a product is read and used for POS. It has various functions such as a function of printing purchase contents on a receipt using a product name and a product price specified based on the barcode. In addition, although not shown, the retail store servers 31 to 3N are connected to a computer that performs POS data intra processing before the processing of the retail store servers 31 to 3N.

  Each of the retail store servers 31 to 3N includes, for example, a label printing pasting device (not shown) for printing a matter related to a product on a label and pasting the printed label on the corresponding product.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of POS information stored in the retail chain product master DB 31a included in the retail store server 31 installed in the retail chain A. As shown in FIG. 2, the POS information includes a product name, an in-store code, a manufacturing code, and a product price. The in-store code may be a specific standard format such as a JAN format, or may have a store-specific format. The in-store code is a POS code that is currently used in association with a predetermined product in the POS system in the corresponding retail chain A.

  As shown in FIG. 2, as the product name, a product name such as lunch box A, seasoning A, and / or supplier name (manufacturer name) is set. Moreover, the price of the sales unit for every number and weight is set to the price.

  The POS information is stored in each retail chain product master DB 31a to 3Na provided in each retail store server 31 to 3N. Also, different in-store codes may be set for the POS information even for the same product depending on the POS system employed in each store.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a retail chain product master stored in the retail chain product master DB 31a included in the retail store server 31 installed in the retail chain A. As shown in FIG. 3, the retail chain product master includes a product name, an in-store code, icon data indicating the corresponding product, the date of arrival of the product, and the expiration date of the product. The icon data is, for example, image data such as a photograph of the corresponding product.

  The retail chain product master is a retail chain product master managed in each retail chain A to N, and each retail chain product master DB 31a to 3Na provided in each of the store servers 31 to 3N and the retail store servers 31 to 3N. Is stored in each.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of code management information stored in the code management DB 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the code management information is associated with a product name, a manufacturing code, a retail chain name, an in-store code, and an expiration date corresponding period that is a corresponding period of the expiration date of the product indicated by the manufacturing code. Information. The expiry date corresponding period means a period in which the expiry date of the product to which the applicable manufacturing code (or the product chart code associated with the manufacturing code) is assigned indicates the range of the applicable date. Is still being produced or manufactured, the end date of the period cannot be determined, so “continuing use (applied)” is set. Note that the expiration date corresponding period may be managed not in units of days but in units of months, weeks, hours, minutes, and seconds.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a product chart stored in the product master DB 13. As shown in FIG. 5, in the product chart, the product name of the product, the manufacturing code uniquely assigned to the product, the product chart code uniquely assigned to the product, and the product This is information in which used materials, used material amount information indicating the amount of each used material, and used material specification information indicating the specification of each used material are associated with each other. The specification information of the materials used is information indicating the specifications regarding the energy (calories), raw materials, additives, allergens, etc. of the materials used (for example, each raw material product or semi-finished product (eggaki, boiled beans, paste, etc.)) means.

Next, the operation of the product information management system 100 of this example will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of code management information registration processing executed by the product information management server 10 in the product information management system 100 of this example. The code management information registration process is executed, for example, when instructed by the operator of the product information management server 10 or periodically (for example, once a day early in the morning or late at night).

  In the code management information registration process, first, the product information management server 10 of the manufacturer production management information stored in the manufacturer production management DB 12 is newly registered (registered since the last acquisition). Information is read (step S101).

  Next, the merchandise information management server 10 newly registers the merchandise name and the manufacturing code included in the acquired manufacturer production management information in the corresponding items of the code management information stored in the code management DB 11 and responds accordingly. The start date is registered in the item corresponding to the expiration date, and since the end date is undetermined, “use in progress” is registered (step S102). Note that the end date may be registered by the merchandise information management server 10 in accordance with an instruction from the manufacturer's terminal.

  Next, the merchandise information management server 10 acquires POS information newly registered (registered after the previous acquisition) from each of the retail store servers 31 to 3N (step S103). In step S103, only the manufacturing code and the in-store code may be acquired from the POS information.

  Next, the merchandise information management server 10 registers the in-store code and the retail chain name in association with the code management information including the manufacturing code included in the POS information acquired in step S103 (step S104). If the in-store code is already associated with the code management information including the manufacturing code included in the POS information, the code management information including the manufacturing code included in the POS information is copied, and then the in-store code or retail The in-store code and retail chain name are registered by updating the chain name to that included in the POS information.

  In this example, for example, when the material used for the corresponding product is changed, the manufacturing code included in the maker production management information is updated and registered in the maker production management DB 12. When the manufacturing code is updated, a new product chart for the corresponding product is created and stored in the product master DB 13. This product chart includes a newly added product chart code. Then, when the manufacturing code is updated, this is notified to the retail store servers 31 to 3N, and the manufacturing code in the POS information is updated. In this example, it is assumed that the in-store code is not updated in the retail store servers 31 to 3N for products having the same product name (for example, products such as XX croquette and XX lunch box are not changed).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of product search processing executed by the product information management server 10 in the product information management system 100 of this example. Here, a user (for example, a consumer) X who has visited the retail chain A is a product to which a designated in-store code is given by operating the retail store terminal 311, and a product with a designated best-before date, A case where product information such as used materials is searched will be described as an example.

  First, the user X inputs the consumer ID assigned to himself / herself in the consumer ID (user ID) input area 101 of the search condition designation screen as shown in FIG. Further, the user X designates the search condition by inputting the in-store code assigned to the product to be searched and the expiration date of the product in the search condition designating area 102. When the search condition is specified, the product name of the product specified as the search target and the manufacturing code of the product are displayed in the search target confirmation area 103 of the search condition specifying screen. That is, when the retail store server 31 receives the specification of the search condition from the user X, the retail store server 31 searches for the product name and the manufacturing code using the POS information and the retail chain product master, and displays it in the search target confirmation area 103. Do. Then, when the user X confirms the specified content of the search condition, the user X presses the search execution button 104 by operating an input device such as a mouse. When the search execution button 104 is pressed, the retail store server 31 transmits the designated in-store code and expiration date to the product information management server 10.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the search condition designation screen displays icons for each of the selectable products in the search condition designation area 102, and it is also possible to select a search target product by designating the icon. Good. In this case, when the retail store server 31 accepts the selection of the icon, it searches for the in-store code, the product name, and the manufacturing code of the product associated with the selected icon using the POS information and the retail chain product master. Then, a process of displaying in the search target confirmation area 103 is performed. Further, the retail store server 31 performs a process of determining, as a search condition, a best-before date that is the most recent date among the best-before dates associated with the corresponding product, and displaying it in the search target confirmation area 103. When the search execution button 104 is pressed, the retail store server 31 transmits the designated in-store code and the expiration date to the product information management server 10.

  In the product search process, the product information management server 10 sends the consumer ID (for example, 000123ABC), the in-store code (for example, A000000023), and the expiration date (for example, March 23, 2007) from the retail store server 31 via the communication network 40. ) Is received (step S301).

  Next, the merchandise information management server 10 refers to the code management DB 11 and is associated with the in-store code received in step S301, and the expiration date received in step S301 is included in the expiration date corresponding period. The management information is searched and extracted (step S302).

  Next, the merchandise information management server 10 selects the manufacturing code included in the code management information extracted in step S302, so that step S301 among the merchandise for which the in-store code received in step S301 is used. The manufacturing code assigned to the product with the expiration date received at is selected (step S303).

  Next, the product information management server 10 identifies the product chart to which the product chart code associated with the manufacturing code selected in step S303 is assigned (step S304).

  Next, the product information management server 10 refers to the advertisement DB 14 and shows an advertisement related to the product indicated by the product chart identified in step S304 (for example, a product that is highly likely to be purchased together with the product). Information is searched (step S305). In addition, you may make it select and extract arbitrary advertisements instead of the advertisement relevant to the goods which a goods chart shows.

  Next, the merchandise information management server 10 calculates points to be given to the user X (step S306). This point is extracted as what is searched for and placed in step S305, and is predetermined according to the number and type of advertisements. In step S306, processing for adding the points assigned to each advertisement is performed. In this example, for simplicity, it is assumed that, for example, 10 points are allocated to each advertisement.

  When the points are calculated, the merchandise information management server 10 gives the calculated points to the user X (step S307). Specifically, the calculated points are added to the total number of points of the user X and the current number of points in a point management information table to be described later. At this time, the number of browsing advertisements is also added.

  And the merchandise information management server 10 is provided with a display area for the merchandise search result information including the merchandise name and used material indicated by the merchandise chart identified in step S304, and a display area for posting the advertisement searched in step S305. The search result screen information for displaying the search result screen is generated, and the generated search result screen information is transmitted to the retail store server 31 (step S308). The retail store server 31 displays the search result screen indicated by the received search result screen information on the display screen of the display device provided in itself. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the search result screen includes a consumer ID display area 201 that displays a consumer ID, a search condition display area 202 that displays search conditions, and a search result display area 203 that displays search results. An advertisement display area 204 for displaying advertisements is provided.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of the search result when the in-store code “A0000025” and the expiration date “March 23, 2007” are designated as the search conditions. As shown in FIG. 10, as a search result, the product indicated by the in-store code “A00000023” is the product name “Bento A” and the specified date “March 23” is the expiration date, the production code “000123” and a commercial chart code “KA00045” are used, and it is shown that the material used for “Bento A” is “eggaki”, “fried chicken” and the like. In this example, based on the in-store code and the expiration date that are independently assigned to each retail chain, even if the manufacturing code (commodity chart code) has been updated, the material used for the product is searched. It becomes possible.

  In the above example, a part of the product chart is extracted and displayed on the search result screen. However, the entire contents of the product chart may be extracted and displayed on the search result screen. In the above example, the search result screen is displayed. However, the search result screen may be printed, or the search result may be output by voice.

  In the above example, the search result screen is displayed on the retail store server 31, but the above-described search is performed when product-related information is printed on the label by the label print pasting device provided in the retail store server 31. Display information on the result screen and information that can be grasped at the retail store may be printed on a label and attached to the corresponding product.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of coupon issue processing executed by the product information management server 10 in the product information management system 100 of this example. Here, a user (for example, a consumer) X who visits the retail chain A specifies the current point number based on the consumer ID specified by operating the retail store terminal 311 and a coupon is issued according to the point number. An example will be described.

  First, the user X operates the retail store terminal 311 to input a consumer ID assigned to himself / herself in a consumer ID input area of a coupon issue request screen (not shown). Then, the user X presses a coupon issue request button provided on the coupon issue request screen by operating an input device such as a mouse. When the coupon issue request button is pressed, the retail store terminal 311 transmits the input consumer ID to the retail store server 31. Then, the retail store server 31 transmits coupon issue request information including the received consumer ID and the retail chain ID (store ID) indicating the retail chain A, which is the issuing place, to the product information management server 10. To do.

  In the coupon issuance process, when the merchandise information management server 10 receives the coupon issuance request information from the retail store server 31 (step S401), the merchandise information management server 10 refers to the point management information and corresponds to the consumer ID included in the coupon issuance request information. The attached point (current point remaining) is searched (step S402).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the point management information includes a consumer ID, a point total indicating the total number of points granted to the user to whom the consumer ID has been assigned, and a coupon out of the total points. The current point remaining indicating the value of the remaining points without being converted to, the issued coupon number indicating the number of coupons issued to the user to whom the consumer ID is given, and the consumer ID are given. This is information associated with the number of browse advertisements indicating the number of advertisements browsed by a user who is browsing.

  Next, the merchandise information management server 10 converts the point value of the searched point with the conversion rate (conversion ratio) associated with the retail chain A indicated by the retail chain ID included in the coupon issue request information. The number of issued coupons is determined based on (Step S403). In this example, it is assumed that the conversion ratio is predetermined for each retail chain. Specifically, in the retail chain A, for example, if 10 points are converted into one coupon, if the remaining point is 100 and the issuing office is the retail chain A, the number of coupons issued is 10 Become.

  When the issued number of coupons is determined, the merchandise information management server 10 determines a coupon identification code for the issued number (step S404). The coupon identification code is a code determined so that each coupon can be uniquely identified. The coupon identification code is determined based on, for example, the consumer ID, the issue location indicated by the retail chain ID included in the coupon issue request information, the issued number, the title (for example, URL) of the referred advertisement. In this example, the coupon identification code combines (arranges) the consumer ID (for example, “000123ABC”), the issue location (for example, “A” for retail chain A), and the number of issued cards for the corresponding consumer. Determined by. Since the consumer ID is unique for each consumer and the number of issued cards is unique for the corresponding consumer, all the coupon identification codes determined are unique. For example, “000123ABCA01” to “000123ABCA35” are determined as coupon identification codes of coupons issued to the consumer X.

  Next, the merchandise information management server 10 refers to the coupon management information registered in the coupon management information table shown in FIG. 13 and associates “issued” with the consumer ID assigned to the consumer X. The coupon number determined in step S404 is added to the item of “coupon identification code” associated with the consumer ID assigned to the consumer X while adding the issued number determined in step S403 to the “coupon number” The code is registered, and “unused”, which is initial information, is set as the usage status of each registered coupon identification code (step S405).

  Next, the merchandise information management server 10 refers to the point management information, subtracts the point value specified for issuing the coupon from the remaining current point, and adds the number of coupons to be issued to the issued coupon number (step S406). ).

  Then, the merchandise information management server 10 notifies the retail store server 31 of the issued number of coupons and the coupon identification codes for the determined issued number (step S407).

  The retail store server 31 transmits the received coupon issuance number and the coupon identification code to the retail store terminal 311. The retail store terminal 311 issues a coupon on which the received coupon identification code is printed for the number of issued sheets. As shown in FIG. 14, for example, the issued place, the date of issue, the coupon identification code, the code information indicating the coupon identification code (for example, a barcode), and the value of the coupon are printed on the issued coupon. . The coupon identification code itself may not be printed, but only code information may be printed. The code information may be a two-dimensional barcode. The coupon shown in FIG. 14 is an example, and any design may be used, and any monetary value may be given.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of coupon analysis processing executed by the product information management server 10 in the product information management system 100 of the present example. Here, a case will be described as an example in which settlement is performed using issued coupons presented by a user (for example, a consumer) X who has visited the retail chain A.

  First, the cashier in charge reads the coupon identification code of the coupon presented by the user X by operating the code reader connected to the POS register 312 and inputs the consumer ID presented by the user X into the POS register 312. To do. The POS register 312 transmits the input consumer ID and the read coupon identification code to the retail store server 31. Then, the retail store server 31 transmits coupon analysis request information including the received consumer ID, retail store ID, and coupon identification code to the product information management server 10.

  In the coupon analysis process, when the merchandise information management server 10 receives the coupon analysis request information from the retail store server 31 (steps S501 and S502), the coupon information is referred to to determine whether it is a legitimate coupon (step S501). S503). Specifically, it is confirmed whether or not the coupon identification code included in the received coupon analysis request information is associated with the consumer ID included in the received coupon analysis request information. Whether the code is associated with the consumer ID and the retail store ID included in the received coupon analysis request information matches the retail store ID included in the received coupon analysis request information If it matches, it will determine with it being a regular coupon.

  If it is a legitimate coupon, the merchandise information management server 10 refers to the coupon management information and confirms whether or not the usage status of the coupon identification code included in the received coupon analysis request information is unused (step). S504). Specifically, it is confirmed whether the usage status associated with the corresponding coupon identification code is “unused”.

  If it is confirmed that the product is not used, the product information management server 10 generates analysis result information indicating that the corresponding coupon has been authenticated (step S506), and sets the usage status of the corresponding coupon identification code to “used”. The coupon management information is updated by updating (step S507), and the generated analysis result information is transmitted to the retail store server 31 (step S508).

  If it is determined in step S503 that the coupon is not a legitimate coupon, or if it is confirmed that the coupon is a used coupon in step S504, the product information management server 10 cannot authenticate the corresponding coupon (this is an error). And the analysis result information indicating the fact (step S505), and the generated analysis result information is transmitted to the retail store server 31 (step S508). In step S505, the reason for the error (for example, “not issued to user X”, “used”) may be included in the analysis result information.

  As described above, in the above-described embodiment, the merchandise information management server 10 receives the search request information and uses the presented in-store code to merchandise information (information on merchandise included in the merchandise chart). , Search for advertisement information to be provided together with the searched product information, determine and assign a point value based on the searched advertisement, and provide a search result screen including the searched product information and the searched advertisement information . Moreover, when the merchandise information management server 10 receives the coupon issue request, the assigned point value is converted at the conversion rate associated with the store ID included in the coupon issue request, and the converted value is converted. Decide the number of coupons issued according to the point value and coupon identification codes for the number of coupons issued, and register coupon management information including the determined coupon identification code and current status information indicating that it is unused The coupon issue instruction information including the determined number of issued coupons and the coupon identification code is transmitted. Further, whether or not the merchandise information management server 10 accepts an analysis request presenting a coupon identification code printed on a coupon used for settlement, and refers to the coupon management information to authenticate the presented coupon identification code Is determined, and the determination result is transmitted. Since it is comprised in this way, the unauthorized use of the privilege (coupon) provided with respect to the user of the system which provides merchandise information can be prevented, and the unauthorized duplication of a privilege can be suppressed. It becomes like this. That is, unauthorized use of coupons issued according to points given based on the number of advertisements viewed can be prevented. Further, since coupons are issued at a predetermined conversion rate determined for each store, individual operations can be performed for each store.

  Moreover, in embodiment mentioned above, the merchandise information management server 10 confirms whether the presented coupon identification code is registered as coupon management information, and determines whether it authenticates according to a confirmation result. Since it is set as the structure, it can prevent that the illegal coupon without the log | history which issued is used.

  Moreover, in embodiment mentioned above, the merchandise information management server 10 is coupon management information by which the coupon ID and the present condition information that it was unused were matched with the user ID which shows the user who issues a coupon. Is received, an analysis request that presents the coupon identification code printed on the coupon used for settlement and the user ID of the user who uses the coupon is received, and the presented coupon identification code is presented to the user ID presented Since it is configured to check whether or not it is registered in association and whether to authenticate according to the confirmation result, the coupon is used by another person who is not the user who issued the coupon This can be prevented. In addition, when a coupon printed with a coupon identification code that should have been printed on the coupon, even though it is not a user who issued the coupon, it is considered that the coupon is an illegal coupon. It is possible to prevent unauthorized coupons from being used.

  Moreover, in embodiment mentioned above, the merchandise information management server 10 confirms whether the present condition information matched with the presented coupon identification code has shown that it is unused, and it becomes a confirmation result. Since it is configured to determine whether or not to authenticate accordingly, when a coupon that should have been used is presented, it is considered that the coupon is an illegal coupon, and the copied illegal coupon Can be prevented from being used.

  Moreover, in embodiment mentioned above, the merchandise information management server 10 receives the analysis request | requirement which presented the coupon identification code currently printed on the coupon used for payment, and store ID which shows the use shop of the coupon, A configuration for checking whether or not the store ID associated with the presented coupon identification code matches the store ID presented in the analysis request and determining whether or not to authenticate according to the confirmation result Therefore, it is possible to prevent a coupon that is not issued at the store from being used at the store. Therefore, since coupons are issued at a predetermined conversion rate determined for each store, individual operations can be performed for each store.

  In the above-described embodiment, the in-store code is used. However, the code management information is assigned to the product indicated by the product specification identification code in each retail chain instead of the in-store code or together with the in-store code. The figure code may be included. That is, a graphic code that is used privately in each retail chain may be used instead of or together with the in-store code.

  Moreover, in embodiment mentioned above, the merchandise information management server 10 confirms that it is unused, produces | generates the analysis result information which shows having authenticated the applicable coupon (step S506), and applicable coupon identification code After the coupon management information is updated by updating the usage status of the product to “used” (step S507), the generated analysis result information is transmitted to the retail store server 31 (step S508). The management server 10 transmits the analysis result information to the retail store server 31 without updating the coupon management information, and the retail store server 31 notifies the product information management server 10 of the fact after the coupon issuance is completed. After receiving the notification, the merchandise information management server 10 updates the usage status of the corresponding coupon identification code to “used”. It is also possible to update the emissions management information.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it is useful in preventing the unauthorized use of the privilege provided with respect to the user of a system, and suppressing the unauthorized duplication of a privilege.

It is a block diagram which shows the example of a structure of the merchandise information management system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of POS information. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a retail chain goods master. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of code management information. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the content of a merchandise chart. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a code management information registration process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of goods search processing. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a search condition designation | designated screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a search condition designation | designated screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a search result screen. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a coupon issue process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of point management information. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of coupon management information. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a coupon. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a coupon analysis process.

Explanation of symbols

10 Product Information Management Server 11 Code Management DB
31-3N Retail store server 40 Communication network 100 Product information management system

Claims (14)

A product information management server that accepts search request information presenting a predetermined search code and provides product information searched based on the presented search code,
Search request information receiving means for receiving the search request information;
Product information search means for searching for product information using the presented search code;
An advertisement information search means for searching advertisement information provided together with the searched product information,
Point granting means for determining and granting a point value based on the searched advertisement,
A search result screen providing means for providing a search result screen including the searched product information and the searched advertisement information;
A coupon issue request receiving means for receiving a coupon issue request;
Point value conversion means for converting the granted point value at a conversion rate associated with the store ID included in the coupon issue request when receiving the coupon issue request;
Issuance number determination means for determining the number of coupons issued according to the point value converted by the point value conversion means;
A code determining means for determining a coupon identification code corresponding to the number of issued coupons;
Coupon management information registration means for registering coupon management information including the determined coupon identification code and the current status information indicating that it is unused;
Issuing instruction means for transmitting coupon issuing instruction information including the determined number of issued coupons and the determined coupon identification code;
An analysis request receiving means for receiving an analysis request presenting a coupon identification code printed on a coupon used for settlement;
Authentication determination means for referring to the coupon management information and determining whether to authenticate the presented coupon identification code;
A product information management server comprising: a determination result transmission unit that transmits a determination result of the authentication determination unit. The merchandise information management server according to claim 1, wherein the authentication determination unit determines whether or not the presented coupon identification code is registered as the coupon management information, and determines whether or not to authenticate according to the confirmation result. . The coupon management information registration means registers coupon management information in which a coupon identification code and current status information indicating that the coupon is not used are associated with a user ID indicating a user who issues a coupon,
The analysis request accepting means accepts an analysis request presenting a coupon identification code printed on a coupon used for settlement and a user ID of a user who uses the coupon,
The authentication determination unit checks whether the presented coupon identification code is registered in association with the presented user ID, and determines whether to authenticate according to the confirmation result. Product information management server. The authentication determination unit confirms whether or not the current status information associated with the presented coupon identification code indicates that it is unused, and determines whether to authenticate according to the confirmation result. The merchandise information management server according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The analysis request accepting unit accepts an analysis request presenting a coupon identification code printed on a coupon used for settlement and a store ID indicating a store where the coupon is used,
Whether the authentication determination unit confirms whether or not the store ID associated with the presented coupon identification code matches the store ID presented in the analysis request, and authenticates according to the confirmation result. The product information management server according to claim 1, wherein the product information management server is determined. The product information management server according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the coupon identification code is a code that can uniquely identify a corresponding coupon. A current status information updating unit that updates the current status information associated with the coupon identification code to be used when the authentication determination unit determines to authenticate the presented coupon identification code. The product information management server according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A product information management method for receiving search request information presenting a predetermined search code and providing product information searched based on the presented search code,
A search request information receiving process for receiving the search request information;
Product information search processing for searching for product information using the presented search code;
An advertisement information search process for searching for advertisement information provided together with the searched product information,
A point grant process that determines and grants point values based on the searched advertisement,
A search result screen providing process for providing a search result screen including the searched product information and the searched advertisement information;
A coupon issue request receiving process for receiving a coupon issue request;
When the coupon issue request is received, a point value conversion process for converting the assigned point value at a conversion rate associated with the store ID included in the coupon issue request;
An issued number determination process for determining the number of issued coupons according to the point value converted by the point value conversion process;
A code determination process for determining a coupon identification code for the number of issued coupons;
A coupon management information registration process for registering coupon management information including the determined coupon identification code and current status information indicating that it is unused;
Issuing instruction processing for transmitting coupon issuing instruction information including the determined number of issued coupons and the determined coupon identification code;
An analysis request receiving process for receiving an analysis request presenting a coupon identification code printed on a coupon used for settlement;
An authentication determination process for determining whether to authenticate the presented coupon identification code with reference to the coupon management information;
And a determination result transmission process for transmitting a determination result in the authentication determination process. The product information management method according to claim 8, wherein in the authentication determination process, it is determined whether or not the presented coupon identification code is registered as the coupon management information, and whether or not to authenticate is determined according to the confirmation result. . In the coupon management information registration process, register coupon management information in which a coupon identification code and current status information indicating that the coupon is not used are associated with a user ID indicating a user who issues a coupon,
In the analysis request reception process, an analysis request that presents a coupon identification code printed on a coupon used for settlement and a user ID of a user who uses the coupon is received,
The authentication determination process confirms whether or not the presented coupon identification code is registered in association with the presented user ID, and determines whether or not to authenticate according to the confirmation result. Product information management method. In the authentication determination process, it is confirmed whether or not the current status information associated with the presented coupon identification code indicates that it is unused, and it is determined whether or not to authenticate according to the confirmation result. The merchandise information management method according to any one of claims 8 to 10. In the analysis request reception process, an analysis request that presents a coupon identification code printed on a coupon used for settlement and a store ID indicating a store where the coupon is used is received.
Whether the store ID associated with the presented coupon identification code matches the store ID presented in the analysis request and authenticates according to the confirmation result in the authentication determination process The merchandise information management method according to claim 8, wherein a determination is made as to whether or not. The product information management method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the coupon identification code is a code that can uniquely identify a corresponding coupon. A current situation information update process for updating that the current situation information associated with the coupon identification code has been used in response to the decision to authenticate the coupon identification code presented in the authentication determination process; The merchandise information management method according to any one of claims 8 to 13.

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