JP2010250798A - Shopping support device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To further raise a customer's interest by making a customer aware of given points at present in the middle of shopping. <P>SOLUTION: A portable device body includes a scanner 25 for reading a commodity code and a display unit 27, and constituted to be carried by the customer himself/herself to read the commodity code of a purchased commodity by the scanner, and further includes a storage part 23 which stores total amount data of the purchased commodity and a control part 21. The control part 21 obtains a price of the commodity to be specified by the commodity code whenever the commodity code is read by the scanner 25 and adds the obtained price to the total amount data in the storage part 23. Then, the given points according to the total amount data are calculated whenever the total amount data is updated, and the calculated given points are displayed on the display unit 27. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a shopping support apparatus used in a retail store where a point system is introduced.

  Many retail stores have introduced a point system to keep customers close. In general, in the point system, a point rate is set in advance, and a point to be awarded is calculated by multiplying the total amount of purchase by the point rate. In such a point system, for example, it has already been proposed to increase the customer's purchasing mind by increasing the point rate in a specific time zone such as midnight (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, in the conventional point system, the customer can know the granted points after settlement. For this reason, customers rarely become aware of points during shopping. If it is possible to make the customer aware of the current grant points in the middle of shopping, it is possible to increase the customer's purchasing mind, such as wanting to continue shopping to obtain more points.

  The present invention has been made based on such circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to allow the customer to be aware of the current grant point in the middle of shopping, and to further increase the customer's purchasing mind. It is intended to provide a shopping support device.

  The shopping support apparatus of the present invention includes a product specifying unit for specifying a product, a display unit, a storage unit for storing total amount data of purchased products, and a price of the product every time the product is specified by the product specifying unit. And an amount updating means for adding to the total amount data of the storage means, and a point calculating means for calculating a given point according to the total amount data every time the total amount data is updated by the amount updating means, The portable device includes a control unit that causes the display unit to display the granted points calculated by the point calculation unit.

  According to the present invention in which such measures are taken, it is possible to provide a shopping support apparatus that can make a customer aware of the current grant points during shopping and can further increase the customer's purchasing mind.

The system block diagram of 1st Embodiment which applied the shopping assistance apparatus of this invention to the radio | wireless communication terminal. The block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the radio | wireless communication terminal in the embodiment. The figure which shows the main memory areas formed in RAM of the radio | wireless communication terminal in the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the main process procedures which CPU of the radio | wireless communication terminal in the embodiment performs. The figure which shows an example of the data displayed on the indicator of the radio | wireless communication terminal in the embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the data displayed on the indicator of a radio | wireless communication terminal in 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the data displayed on the indicator of a radio | wireless communication terminal in 3rd Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the data displayed on the indicator of a radio | wireless communication terminal in 4th Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the main process procedures which CPU of the radio | wireless communication terminal in 4th Embodiment performs.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an embodiment according to the present invention. This system is built in retail stores such as supermarkets that introduce the point system. The system includes a store server 1 as a central part thereof. A POS (Point Of Sales) terminal 3, an access point 4, and a terminal rack controller 5 are connected to the store server 1 via a network 2 such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The store server 1 manages the product database 11 and the member database 12. The product database 11 stores product data such as a product code, a product name, and a price of each product. The member database 12 stores the member number, name, holding points, etc. of each point member.

  The terminal rack controller 5 connects the member number input unit 6 and the terminal rack 7. The member number input unit 6 is used to input a member number assigned to a customer registered as a point member. For example, a card reader for reading a membership number from an IC card is applicable.

  The terminal rack 7 forms a plurality of terminal stands 8. One wireless communication terminal 9 is detachably placed on each table 8. In addition, a display unit 10 such as an LED is provided for each table 8 on a one-to-one basis.

  The wireless communication terminal 9 is an aspect of the shopping support apparatus of the present invention, and has a small and lightweight main body so that customers who shop in the store can carry it, and access points 4 provided at various locations in the store. A wireless unit 24 is provided for performing data communication with the store server 1 via the wireless communication.

  The principal part structure of the radio | wireless communication terminal 9 is shown with the block diagram of FIG. The wireless communication terminal 9 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a wireless unit 24, a scanner 25, a keyboard 26, a display 27 (display unit), a battery 28, and an interface 29 in its main body. The scanner 25 reads a product code such as a barcode attached to the product. The product code is a code unique to each product, and the wireless communication terminal 9 can specify the product from the product code read by the scanner 25. Here, the scanner 25 constitutes product specifying means.

  The RAM 23 includes, as main memory areas, a purchase file 31, a point rate setting table 32, and a point calculation file 33 as shown in FIG. The purchase file 31 stores data on a product code, a product name, a unit price, a quantity, and an amount of money for each product purchased by the customer. The point rate setting table 32 sets the point rate so as to increase as the amount increases, corresponding to each of the range of amounts divided in stages. The point calculation file 33 has storage areas for member numbers, holding points, purchase amount, current point rate, current points, and accumulated points. The purchase price storage area functions as storage means for storing the total price data of the purchased products.

  In a retail store where this system is constructed, for example, a terminal rack 7 is installed at the entrance of the store. A wireless communication terminal 9 is placed on each table 8 of the terminal rack 7. When the wireless communication terminal 9 is placed on the cradle 8, the wireless communication terminal 9 is electrically connected to the terminal rack controller 5 via the interface 29 and the battery 28 is charged.

  A member number input unit 6 is provided in the vicinity of the terminal rack 7. A customer (point member) who visits the store inputs his / her member number via the member number input unit 6. When the member number is input, the terminal rack controller 5 sends this member number to the store server 1 to inquire about member information. Upon receiving the inquiry, the store server 1 searches the member database 12 and calls the holding point of the member identified by the member number. Then, the member number and the holding point are returned to the terminal rack controller 5.

  The terminal rack controller 5 selects one wireless communication terminal 9 placed on any one of the tables 8. Then, the membership number and the retention point received from the store server 1 are written in the membership number area and the retention point area of the point calculation file 33. Further, for example, the display unit 10 corresponding to the table 8 on which the terminal 9 is placed blinks.

  In addition, you may make it confirm a customer by displaying arbitrary information on the indicator 27 of the terminal 9 instead of making the display part 10 blink. By doing so, the display unit 10 can be omitted from the terminal rack 7.

  The customer who confirms the blinking of the display unit 10 takes out the wireless communication terminal 9 from the table 8 corresponding to the display unit 10. At this time, the purchase file 31 of the terminal 9 is cleared. Further, areas other than the membership number area and the holding point area of the point calculation file 33 are also cleared. In the point rate setting table 32, a point rate for each amount range is set in advance.

  The CPU 21 of the wireless communication terminal 9 taken out from the cradle 8 operates according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, the CPU 21 waits for the scanning of the product code by the scanner 25 as ST (step) 1. When scanning is performed, the CPU 21 creates a product information inquiry message including the product code as ST2. Then, this message is wirelessly transmitted to the store server 1 via the wireless unit 24.

  This message is transmitted to the store server 1 via any one of the access points 4. The store server 1 searches the product database 11 with the product code in the message, and reads the product name and unit price of the product identified by the inquired product code. Then, the product information including the product code, the product name, and the unit price is wirelessly transmitted to the wireless communication terminal 9 as the inquiry source.

  This merchandise information is transmitted to the inquiring wireless communication terminal 9 via any access point 4. CPU21 which received merchandise information via the radio | wireless part 24 memorize | stores the merchandise information in the purchase file 31 as ST3. At this time, it is determined whether or not product information of the same product code is already stored in the purchase file 31. If not stored, the responding product code, product name, and unit price are stored as one record. Further, the quantity of this record is set to “1”, and the product of the quantity and the unit price is stored as an amount of money. When the product information of the same product code is already stored, the quantity of the record is increased by “1”. Then recalculate the amount.

  Next, the CPU 21 adds the amount data of all the records stored in the purchase file 31 as ST4. Then, the total amount is overwritten in the purchase amount area of the point calculation file 33 (amount update means).

  Next, CPU21 calculates the present grant point according to the amount data in purchase amount area as ST5 (point calculating means). That is, the point rate setting table 32 is searched with the amount data in the purchase amount area, and the point rate corresponding to the amount range including the amount data is acquired. And the present grant point is calculated by multiplying the amount data in the purchase amount area by the point rate. The point rate and the granted points acquired from the point rate setting table 32 are stored in the current point rate area and the current point area of the point calculation file 33.

  Next, the CPU 21 calculates cumulative points as ST6. In other words, the accumulated points are calculated by adding the granted points in the current point area to the retained points in the retained point area. The calculated accumulated points are stored in the accumulated point area of the point calculation file 33.

  Next, the CPU 21 calculates the shortage amount until the amount data in the purchase amount area reaches the amount range one step higher than the current point in the point rate setting table 32 as ST7. That is, the point rate setting table 32 is searched with the amount data in the purchase amount area, and the lowest amount in a range one level higher than the amount range including this amount data is acquired. Then, the shortage amount is calculated by subtracting the amount in the purchase amount area from the minimum amount (shortage amount calculation means).

  Furthermore, the CPU 21 calculates the points awarded when purchasing the shortage amount in ST8. That is, a point rate corresponding to a range that is one step higher than the amount range including the amount data in the purchase amount area is acquired, and the point amount is calculated by multiplying the minimum amount in this range by the above point rate.

  Thereafter, the CPU 21 causes the display device 27 to display necessary item data and a sales promotion message as shown in FIG. 5 at ST9 (control means). In FIG. 5, “current purchase price” 51 is data in the purchase price area. The “current point rate” 52 is data of the current point rate area. “Currently acquired points” 53 is data of the current point area. In the sales promotion message “If you buy another 100 yen, the point rate will increase to 7%” 54, the amount data is the shortage amount calculated in the process of ST7, and the point rate data is the amount data in the purchase amount area. This is the point rate corresponding to the range one step above the included amount range. Of the sales promotion message “42 points earned when shopping for another 100 yen” 55, the amount data is the deficit amount calculated in the process of ST7, and the point rate data is the granted points calculated in the process of ST8. .

  In other words, the sales promotion message 54 notifies the point rate that is increased by shopping at an amount corresponding to the shortage amount. The sales promotion message 55 notifies the points given to the purchase amount when shopping for the amount corresponding to the shortage amount.

  Note that, in the process of ST7, when the range that is one step higher than the amount range including the amount data in the purchase amount area is not set in the point rate setting table 32, the CPU 21 does not execute the processes of ST7 and ST8. In this case, the sales promotion messages 54 and 55 are not displayed on the display device 27.

  The CPU 21 determines whether or not the shopping end key on the keyboard 26 has been input in ST10. When the shopping end key is not input and the product code of the next purchased product is scanned, the CPU 21 executes the processes of ST2 to ST9 again.

  When the shopping end key is input, the CPU 21 wirelessly transmits the data of the purchase file 31 and the data of the point calculation file 33 to the store server 1 from the wireless unit 24 as ST11. At this time, the ID unique to the wireless communication terminal 9 stored in the ROM 22 is also transmitted. The store server 1 temporarily stores and saves the data of the purchase file 31 and the data of the point calculation file 33 received from the wireless communication terminal 9 by linking them with the ID of the terminal 9.

  The CPU 21 of the wireless communication terminal 9 taken out from the cradle 8 operates as described above. Therefore, the customer carrying the wireless communication terminal 9 scans the product code attached to the product with the scanner 25 when the product to be purchased is put in, for example, a shopping cart. Then, each time the purchase amount up to the present time, the point rate corresponding to the amount, and the current earned points are displayed on the display device 27 each time. Therefore, the customer can easily know the granted points (acquired points) of the current transaction before the settlement, and can make the customer fully aware of the benefit effect by the points. In addition, it is possible to increase the customer's purchasing mind, such as wanting to continue shopping to increase the current point.

  In addition, the display 27 displays sales promotion messages 54 and 55 including a shortage amount until the total amount of purchased products reaches the amount range one level higher than the current point in the point rate setting table 32. For example, in the display example of FIG. 5, the promotional message 54 informs the customer that the current earned points are 29 points, but that the point multiplier will increase from 5% to 7% if another product of 100 yen or more is purchased. It can be tightened. In addition, the sales promotion message 55 can inform the customer that when the product for another 100 yen is purchased, the earned points increase from 29 points to 42 points at once. Therefore, these sales promotion messages 54 and 55 can further increase the customer's desire to purchase, leading to sales promotion of the store.

  The customer who has finished shopping, after pressing the shopping end key, goes to the cash register and gives the wireless communication terminal 9 to the cashier. The cashier inputs the ID of the wireless communication terminal 9 to the POS terminal 3. Then, the data of the purchase file 31 and the data of the point calculation file 33 linked by this terminal ID are called from the store server 1 to the POS terminal 3 and displayed on the display unit, so that the cashier confirms the display contents, Make a payment. As a result, the retained points in the member database 12 are updated to the accumulated points.

  In the first embodiment, the purchase price, the point rate, the earned points, and the sales promotion message are displayed on the display device 27 of the wireless communication terminal 9, but the display items are not limited thereto. For example, accumulated points may be displayed instead of earned points. In stores where a point system is introduced that gives a reward when the accumulated points are accumulated more than a certain point, by making the customers check the accumulated points in the middle of shopping, it will intensify the customer's purchasing mind, It is effective.

  In the first embodiment, the purchase amount, the point rate, the earned points, and the sales promotion message are displayed on the display unit 27 at the same time, but the display method is not limited to this. For example, the purchase amount, the point rate, the earned points, and the sales promotion message may be displayed in order by pressing a confirmation key provided on the keyboard 26. This method is effective when the screen of the display 27 is small.

  In addition, although the wireless communication terminal 9 has been described as storing the point rate setting table 32 in advance, the point rate setting table 32 is written each time the member number and the retention point received from the store server 1 are written. You may do it. By doing so, it becomes possible to cope with operations in which the point rate changes according to the time zone.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the purchase amount 51, the point rate 52, the earned points 53, and the amount corresponding to the shortage amount are purchased on the display device 27 of the wireless communication terminal 9. The sales promotion message 54 for notifying the point rate and the sales promotion message 55 for notifying the point given to the purchase amount when the amount corresponding to the shortage is purchased are displayed.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the display 27 of the wireless communication terminal 9 displays only the sales promotion message 54 for notifying the point rate that is increased by shopping for the amount corresponding to the shortage amount. .

  In the second embodiment, the amount obtained by the control means shown in ST9 of FIG. 4 by searching the point rate setting table 32 using the shortage calculated in the processing of ST7 and the amount data in the purchase amount area. The sales promotion message 54 is created from the point rate data corresponding to a range one level higher than the amount range including the data, and only the sales promotion message 54 is displayed on the display unit 27. Otherwise, the first embodiment is applied as it is.

  Even if only the sales promotion message 54 is displayed in this way, the customer can be made aware of the present grant point in the middle of shopping, and the customer's purchasing mind can be further enhanced.

  In the second embodiment, since the current acquired points 53 are not displayed, the point calculation processing of ST5 and ST6 in FIG. 4 may be omitted.

(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a sales promotion message for notifying the display unit 27 of the wireless communication terminal 9 of the points given for the purchase amount when shopping for the amount corresponding to the shortage amount. Only 55 is displayed.

  In the third embodiment, the control means shown in ST9 of FIG. 4 creates the above-mentioned sales promotion message 55 from the shortage amount calculated in the process of ST7 and the grant points calculated in the process of ST8, and this sales promotion message 55 Is displayed on the display unit 27. Otherwise, the first embodiment is applied as it is.

  Even if only the sales promotion message 55 is displayed in this way, the customer can be made aware of the current grant point in the middle of shopping, and the customer's purchasing mind can be further enhanced.

  In the third embodiment as well, since the current acquired points 53 are not displayed, the point calculation processing of ST5 and ST6 in FIG. 4 may be omitted.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, points given to the purchase price when a purchase of an amount corresponding to the shortage amount is made from the current grant point on the display device 27 of the wireless communication terminal 9. Only the sales promotion message 56 notifying the increase points up to is displayed.

  FIG. 9 shows main processing procedures executed by the CPU 21 of the wireless communication terminal 9 taken out from the cradle 8 in the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 9, the same processing steps as those in FIG. 4 showing the same processing of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  That is, in the fourth embodiment, after calculating the grant point B when the shortage amount is purchased as ST8, the amount data in the purchase amount area calculated in ST5 from this grant point B is calculated as ST21. A point obtained by subtracting the current grant point A corresponding to is calculated as an image red point. Then, in the display process of ST9, from the shortage amount calculated in the process of ST7 and the increase points, as shown in FIG. 8, a promotional message 56 such as “If you buy another 100 yen, you get 23 points” is displayed. Only the sales promotion message 56 is created and displayed on the display unit 27 (control means). Otherwise, the first embodiment is applied as it is.

  Even if only the sales promotion message 56 is displayed in this way, the customer can be made aware of the present grant point in the middle of shopping, and the customer's purchasing mind can be further enhanced.

(Fifth embodiment)
In the fifth embodiment, as a message switching means, for example, a switching declaration key is provided on a keyboard. In the display process of ST9, for example, when only the sales promotion message 54 notifying the point rate that increases by shopping for the amount corresponding to the shortage amount is displayed, the switch declaration key is pressed. When the sales promotion message is switched to the sales promotion message 55 for notifying the point given to the purchase amount when the purchase of the amount corresponding to the shortage amount is made, and the switch declaration key is further pressed, the current grant point is changed. When the customer switches to a sales promotion message 56 notifying an increase point up to the point given to the purchase amount when shopping for the amount corresponding to the shortage amount, and further pressing the switch declaration key, it corresponds to the shortage amount. The control means is configured to return to the sales promotion message 54 notifying the point rate that is increased by shopping for the amount of money. .

  Thus, by providing the switching means of the sales promotion messages 54, 55, and 56, the customer can be more strongly aware of the present grant point during shopping, and the customer's purchasing mind can be further enhanced.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the spirit of the invention in the implementation stage.

  For example, in each of the above embodiments, the main body shape of the wireless communication terminal 9 that functions as a shopping support device is portable, and the customer scans the product code in his / her hand, but can be attached to a shopping cart, The customer may be able to scan the product code without having it in hand. Further, the product specifying means is not limited to the product code reading means (scanner), and it is essential that the product itself can be specified.

  In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, the constituent elements over different embodiments may be combined.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Store server, 3 ... POS terminal, 4 ... Access point, 5 ... Terminal rack controller, 6 ... Member number input part, 7 terminal rack, 8 ... Stand, 9 ... Wireless communication terminal, 21 ... CPU, 25 ... Scanner 27 ... Display device, 31 ... Buy file, 32 ... Different table according to points, 33 ... Point calculation file.

JP-A-3-110699

Claims (9)

Product identification means for identifying the product;
A display unit;
Storage means for storing total amount data of purchased products;
A price update unit that obtains the price of a product every time a product is specified by the product specifying unit and adds to the total amount data of the storage unit;
Point calculation means for calculating a given point according to the total amount data every time the total amount data is updated by the amount update unit;
Control means for causing the display section to display the granted points calculated by the point calculating means;
A portable shopping support apparatus characterized by comprising: A point rate setting table that is set so that the point rate increases as the amount increases, corresponding to each of the range of amounts divided in stages,
The point calculation means obtains a point rate of an amount range including the total amount data from the point rate setting table, and calculates a grant point from the point rate and the total amount data. The shopping support apparatus according to 1. A shortage amount calculating means for calculating a shortage amount until the total amount data reaches the amount range one step higher than the current point of the point rate setting table each time the total amount data is updated by the amount update means; Further comprising
The shopping support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display the shortage amount calculated by the shortage amount calculation unit together with the grant points.   The shopping support according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display the latest grant point every time the point calculation unit calculates the grant point. apparatus. Product identification means for identifying the product;
A display unit;
Storage means for storing total amount data of purchased products;
A point rate setting table that is set so that the point rate increases as the amount increases, corresponding to the amount range divided in stages,
A price update unit that obtains the price of a product every time a product is specified by the product specifying unit and adds to the total amount data of the storage unit;
A shortage amount calculating means for calculating a shortage amount until the total amount data reaches the amount range one step higher than the current point of the point rate setting table each time the total amount data is updated by the amount update means; ,
Control means for causing the display unit to display a sales promotion message including the shortage calculated by the shortage calculation means;
A portable shopping support apparatus characterized by comprising:   6. The shopping support apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control means causes the display unit to display, as the sales promotion message, a message notifying a point rate that increases as a result of shopping for an amount corresponding to the shortage amount. .   The said control means displays on the said display part the message which notifies the point provided with respect to the purchase amount when shopping the amount of money corresponding to the said shortage amount as the said sales promotion message. The shopping support device described. Each time the total amount data is updated by the amount update means, further comprising point calculation means for calculating the granted points according to the total amount data,
The control means sends a message notifying an increase point from the grant point calculated by the point calculation means to a point given to the purchase price when the amount corresponding to the shortage is purchased. The shopping support apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the shopping support apparatus is displayed on the display unit.   9. The control unit according to claim 5, wherein each time the shortage amount is calculated by the shortage amount calculation unit, the control unit displays a sales promotion message including the shortage amount on the display unit. Shopping support equipment.

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