JP2011113265A - Sales support system and sales support method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sales support system and a sales support method for efficiently supporting sales of clearance goods. <P>SOLUTION: The sales support system includes an in-store apparatus installed in each store and a distribution server connected to the in-store apparatus. The in-store apparatus includes: a reading means for reading a commodity code identifying a commodity and freshness information indicating the freshness of the commodity using the date and time from an electronic tag attached to each commodity to be sold in a store; a clock means for clocking the current date and time; an extraction means for comparing the date and time indicated by the freshness information read by the reading means with the current date and time clocked by the clock means, and extracting the commodity code of the freshness information showing that a difference between them falls within a predetermined range; and a transmission means for transmitting the commodity information on the commodity of the commodity code extracted by the extraction means to the distribution server. The distribution server includes a distribution means for distributing the commodity information transmitted from the transmission means to a consumer terminal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sales support system and a sales support method for supporting sales of products.

  Conventionally, mass merchandisers and department stores have been making efforts to sell foods that have been used up or expiry date as “close-out products” without reducing their prices. Also, in retail stores such as convenience stores, part-time sales have begun to be introduced in order to reduce waste due to unsold goods. Further, a technique related to part-time sales has been proposed, and Patent Document 1 discloses a product management system that changes a product price based on freshness information such as the expiration date and the current date and time.

  By the way, for products with a short shelf life such as lunch boxes, it is difficult to predict the amount of products that will be closed, and it is difficult to predict how many will be closed. There is a problem that can not be. In addition, with the spread of mail order sales and the growth of online sales in recent years, there is a problem in that it is not possible to actively sell closed products because the number of customers at stores tends to decrease. In addition, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to solve the above-mentioned problem because it is impossible to confirm a product that has been closed out by a customer who actually visited the store and the price thereof.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sales support system and a sales support method capable of efficiently providing sales support for a parting product.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is a sales support system including an in-store device provided in each store and a distribution server connected to the in-store device, The in-store device includes a reading unit that reads, from an electronic tag attached to each product sold in the store, a product code that identifies the product and freshness information that represents the freshness of the product by date and time, and a current date and time. Product code of freshness information that compares the date and time indicated by the freshness information read by the reading means with the current date and time measured by the timekeeping means and determines that the difference between both dates and times is within a predetermined range Extracting means for extracting the product code, and sending means for sending the product information relating to the product of the product code extracted by the extracting means to the delivery server, wherein the delivery server sends the product sent from the sending means. Provided with a delivery means to be delivered to the consumer addressed to the terminal the broadcast.

  Further, the present invention provides a reading step in which the reading means reads, from an electronic tag attached to each product sold in the store, a product code for identifying the product and freshness information representing the freshness of the product by date and time. The extraction means compares the date and time represented by the freshness information read in the reading step with the current date and time, and extracts the product code of the freshness information determined that the difference between the two dates is within a predetermined range; and the distribution means Includes a distribution step of distributing, to the consumer terminal, product information related to the product of the product code extracted in the extraction step.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sales support system and a sales support method capable of efficiently performing a part-time sales advertisement.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a sales support system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the tag reading device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the POS terminal shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the store computer shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of data items constituting the product master table shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of data items constituting the parting item management table illustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of data items constituting the store sales table illustrated in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed between the tag reading device and the store computer. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed between the tag reading device and the store computer. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed between the POS terminal and the store computer. FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the advertisement distribution server shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of data items constituting the delivery destination management table shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of data items constituting the advertisement management table illustrated in FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the sales support system.

  Embodiments of a sales support system and a sales support method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a sales support system. As shown in FIG. 1, the sales support system 1 includes an in-store system 10, an advertisement distribution server 20, and a user terminal 30.

  The in-store system 10 is a POS (Point Of Sale) system or the like provided in each retail store such as a supermarket or a convenience store, and as shown in FIG. 1, a tag reader 11 (11a, 11b), a POS, A terminal 12 and a store computer 13 are included.

  The tag reading device 11 is a device that is provided on a shelf or the like on which the product C is arranged and automatically reads an electronic tag such as an RFID attached to each product C. In the present embodiment, among the tag readers 11, the tag reader 11 a is used as a display shelf for products that are normally sold or a storage shelf for products provided in the backyard (hereinafter collectively referred to as a normal arrangement position P 1). It is assumed that the tag reader 11b is provided on a display shelf or a wagon (hereinafter collectively referred to as a parting sale position P2) provided for sale of a parting product.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the tag reader 11 (11a and 11b). As shown in the figure, the tag reading device 11 includes a tag reading unit 111, a timing unit 112, a communication unit 113, and a control unit 114, and each unit is connected by a bus 115.

  The tag reading unit 111 is a functional unit that reads the electronic tag T attached to the product, and outputs the tag information read from the electronic tag T to the control unit 114. The electronic tag T includes at least a product code for identifying a product to which the electronic tag T is added and freshness information, and the information is read by the tag reading unit 111 as tag information. Here, the freshness information is information that represents the freshness of a product, and stores, for example, the date, date and time when the product is manufactured, the expiration date or the expiration date, and the like as freshness information. Moreover, it is good also as a form which uses the start date and time which starts a parting sale as freshness information.

  The time measuring unit 112 is a time measuring device that measures the current date and time such as RTC (Real Time Clock), and provides the control unit 114 with date and time information representing the current date and time.

  The communication unit 113 is a network interface or the like that communicates with an external device by wire or wireless, and controls communication between the tag reading device 11 and the store computer 13. Note that the communication unit 113 performs communication in a state where reader identification information capable of identifying its own device is added to transmission data. Here, the reader identification information is, for example, a shelf number or an IP address indicating a position where the tag reading device 11 is provided, and uniquely identifies the tag reading device 11 provided at each position in the store. Is possible information.

  The control unit 114 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and in cooperation with a predetermined control program stored in the ROM, Control the overall operation.

  The ROM of the control unit 114 stores a control program having different contents according to the arrangement position (normal arrangement position and parting sale position) of the tag reading device 11, and the tag is executed by the CPU executing this control program. The function according to the arrangement position of the reading device 11 is configured to be realized. The ROM of the control unit 114 may be configured to store only a control program corresponding to the arrangement position of the tag reading device 11, or both control programs for the normal arrangement position and the parting sale position may be stored in the ROM. It is good also as a form which memorize | stores and switches the control program performed according to the arrangement position of the tag reader 11. FIG.

  Specifically, in the control unit 114 of the tag reading device 11a (hereinafter referred to as the tag reading device 11a for convenience of explanation), the tag information of each product placed at the normal placement position via the tag reading unit 111 is stored in a predetermined manner. When acquired at each time interval (for example, 15 minutes), the date and time represented by the freshness information included in each tag information is compared with the current date and time counted by the time measuring unit 112, and the product corresponding to each tag information is closed It is determined whether or not the conditions for selling are satisfied. When the tag reading device 11a extracts the product code from the tag information determined to satisfy the condition, the tag reading device 11a notifies the store computer 13 via the communication unit 113 as part-time product information.

  Here, the determination as to whether or not the product is a part-off product is made based on the difference between the date and time represented by the freshness information and the current date and time. For example, if the difference between the date and time indicated by the freshness information and the current date and time is within a predetermined threshold such as 3 days or 6 hours, the product is determined to be a closeout product. The threshold value serving as a determination index can be changed according to the type and accuracy of information represented by the freshness information. For example, the threshold value can be specified in units of months or days for freshness information expressed in units of year, month, and day. In addition, for freshness information expressed in date / time units, a threshold value can be specified in time units. Further, when the start date / time for starting the part-time sales is specified in the freshness information, it is determined that the product is a part-off product when the current date / time reaches the start date / time.

  The threshold value can be specified from the store computer 13 or the like via the communication unit 113, but a different value may be specified for each product code. Moreover, it is good also as a form which memorize | stores including the threshold value in the electronic tag T itself, and determines whether it is a parting product using the threshold value memorize | stored in each electronic tag T.

  On the other hand, in the control unit 114 of the tag reading device 11b (hereinafter, referred to as the tag reading device 11b for convenience of explanation), the tag information of each product placed at the close-out sales position P2 is sent through the tag reading unit 111 for a predetermined time. When it is acquired every interval (for example, 15 minutes), it is notified to the store computer 13 via the communication unit 113 as in-store transfer information.

  Further, the tag reading device 11b compares the date and time indicated by the freshness information (expiration date or expiration date) included in each tag information acquired via the tag reading unit 111 with the current date and time counted by the time measuring unit 112, When the product code is extracted from the tag information whose expiration date or expiration date has passed, it is notified to the store computer 13 via the communication unit 113 as discard information.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the POS terminal 12 is a sales data registration apparatus operated by an operator such as a store clerk, and is connected to the store computer 13 through a network N1 such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the POS terminal 12. As shown in the figure, the POS terminal 12 includes a control unit 121 having a computer configuration including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and uses a communication unit 123 connected via a bus 122 to communicate with the store computer 13. It is comprised so that communication can be performed between.

  In addition, the control unit 121 includes a bus 125 and a I / O device control unit 124, a keyboard 125 including current keys and numeric keys, and a display unit 126 including a display device such as a liquid crystal display. , Printer 127 for printing receipts, journals, etc., code scanner 128 for reading data codes (product codes) such as barcodes attached to products, storage devices such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and SSD (Solid State Drive) Is connected to the storage unit 129.

  The control unit 121 controls the operation of each unit constituting the POS terminal 12 by cooperating with various control programs stored in the storage unit 129. Further, the control unit 121 realizes various functions by cooperating with the control program stored in the storage unit 129.

  Specifically, when the control unit 121 accepts reading of a product code by the code scanner 128 or input of a sales quantity by a numeric key, the control unit 121 stores the transaction type input by the keyboard 125 in the work area of the RAM. Here, as the transaction type, there are “normal sale” for products that are normally sold, “close-out sales” for products that are considered to be closed products, and the like. In the case where “close sale” is input as the transaction type, it is assumed that a close price obtained by subtracting a predetermined amount from the regular product price (normal price) is applied.

  Further, the control unit 121 obtains corresponding product information from a product master table 1371 (to be described later) of the store computer 13 based on the product code stored in the work area, and sales including this product information, transaction type, sales quantity, and the like. Generate data. Thereafter, the control unit 121 calculates the total sales amount each time sales data is generated, and repeats until the current key on the keyboard 125 is pressed. When the control unit 121 detects that the current key is pressed, the store sales table 1373 of the store computer 13 together with the transaction number for identifying the transaction, using the sales data and the total sales amount generated so far as the transaction contents. Register with

  Returning to FIG. 1, the store computer 13 is an information processing device that functions as a host device of the POS terminal 12, and is connected to the tag reading device 11 and the POS terminal 12 through the network N1. The store computer 13 is connected to the advertisement distribution server 20 through a network N2 such as a WAN (Wide Area Network) or the Internet.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the store computer 13. As shown in the figure, the store computer 13 includes a control unit 131 including a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like (not shown), and the tag reading device 11 and the POS terminal via a communication unit 133 connected to the bus 132. 12 and the user terminal 30 can be communicated with each other. Note that the communication unit 133 performs communication in a state in which store identification information capable of identifying its own device is added to transmission data. Here, the store identification information is information that can uniquely identify the store computer 13 provided in each store, such as a store name or store code that can identify each store, an IP address, or a host name. .

  The control unit 131 includes an input unit 135 configured by an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, a display unit 136 configured by a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and the like via the bus 132 and the I / O device control unit 134. A storage unit 137 composed of a storage device such as an HDD or SDD is connected to each other.

  The control unit 131 controls the operation of each unit constituting the store computer 13 by cooperating with the control program stored in the storage unit 137. Further, the control unit 131 realizes various functions by cooperating with the control program stored in the storage unit 137.

  The storage unit 137 stores various control programs executed by the CPU of the control unit 131. The storage unit 137 also manages a product master table 1371 for managing product information regarding each product sold in the store, a closeout product management table 1372 for managing in-store transfer information, and sales of products sold in the store. Store sales table 1373 and the like are stored.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of data items constituting the product master table 1371. As shown in the figure, the product master table 1371 includes product information including items such as a product code, a product name, a product price, and a product classification code. Here, the “product code” is a unique code preset for each product in order to identify various product items sold in the store. The “product name”, “product price”, and “product classification code” indicating the product classification are information on products specified by the same product code. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the product price is composed of a price at the time of normal sales (normal price) and a price at the time of close-out sales (close-out price), but for each transaction at the POS terminal 12. The parting unit price may be manually input.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of data items constituting the parting item management table 1372. The closeout product management table 1372 is a table for managing the closeout product information notified from the tag reader 11a, and is configured by items such as reader identification information, product code, and inventory quantity as shown in FIG. ing. Here, the “reader identification information” is an area in which the reader identification information of the tag reading device 11a that has notified the part-off product information is stored. “Product code” is an area in which the product code notified as part-time product information is stored. The “stock quantity” is an item for storing the number of duplicate product codes among the product codes notified as the close-out product information, and corresponds to the number of the same products determined as close-out products.

  When the control unit 131 receives the notification of the closeout product information from the tag reading device 11a via the communication unit 133, the control unit 131 registers the closeout product information in the closeout product management table 1372 in association with the reader identification information of the tag reading device 11a that has transmitted the closeout product information. . Then, the control unit 131 references each piece-of-item information registered in the piece-of-item management table 1372 at a predetermined timing, that is, the item code, and reads out the item information corresponding to the item code from the item master table 1371. The posted information is transmitted to the advertisement distribution server 20 via the communication unit 133. It should be noted that the timing for referring to the closeout product management table 1372 may be every predetermined time interval such as 30 minutes or 1 hour, or may be the timing when the closeout product information is registered in the closeout product management table 1372.

  Further, the control unit 131 displays the product information read from the product master table 1371 based on the parting product information on the display unit 136 together with the reader identification information of the tag reading device 11a that has transmitted the parting product information. The store clerk is urged to move the product to the closeout sales position P2. In this way, by displaying the product information of the product that has become a part-off product and the reader identification information on the display unit 136, the store clerk can grasp the product that has been a part-off product and its arrangement position. It is possible to efficiently transfer to the sales position.

  In addition, when the control unit 131 receives the in-store transfer information from the tag reading device 11b via the communication unit 133, the control unit 131 includes the product code included in the in-store transfer information and the close-out product information (product code) registered in the close-out product management table 1372. ). Next, the control unit 131 detects a difference between the two product codes, that is, a product code other than the product code included in the in-store transfer information, or a difference in the number (stock quantity), and displays the difference on the display unit 136. As a result, the clerk can grasp the product code and the number relating to the product that has not yet been moved to the closeout sales position, so that it is possible to prompt the store clerk to move the corresponding product to the closeout sales position P2. .

  In addition, when receiving the discard information from the tag reading device 11b via the communication unit 133, the control unit 131 displays the product code included in the discard information on the display unit 136, thereby allowing the store clerk to discard the corresponding product. Prompt.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of data items constituting the store sales table 1373. As shown in the figure, the store sales table 1373 includes items such as a transaction number, sales data, and total sales amount.

  Whenever the sales registration is received from the POS terminal 12 via the communication unit 133, the control unit 131 associates the transaction number, sales data, and the total sales amount included in the sales registration, and stores the store sales as a record related to one transaction. Register in table 1373. In addition, the control unit 131 aggregates the sales data and the total sales amount registered in the store sales table 1373 at a predetermined timing (for example, once a day), and uses a higher-level server device (not shown) via the communication unit 133. Send to

  Hereinafter, the operation of the in-store system 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed between the tag reading device 11 a and the store computer 13.

  First, when the tag reader 11a reads the tag information from the electronic tag of each product placed at the normal sales position (step S11), the tag reader 11a compares the date and time indicated by the freshness information included in the tag information with the current date and time. (Step S12), it is determined whether or not there is a product to be sold as a parting product (Step S13). Here, when it determines with not existing (step S13; No), a process is complete | finished.

  If it is determined in step S13 that there is a product to be sold as a closeout product (step S13; Yes), the product code of the corresponding product is extracted from the tag information (step S14), and is stored in the store computer 13 as the closeout product information. After the transmission (step S15), the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, in the store computer 13, the control unit 131 waits until the closeout product information is notified from the tag reading device 11 a (step S 21; No). When the closeout product information is received (step S 21; Yes), the notification source It is registered in the closeout product management table 1372 in association with the reader identification information (step S22).

  Next, when the product information corresponding to the product code registered in the closeout product management table 1372 is read from the product master table 1371 (step S23), the control unit 131 transmits the product information as advertisement placement information to the advertisement distribution server 20 (step S24). ). And the control part 131 alert | reports by displaying on the display part 136 the merchandise information read by step S23 with corresponding reader identification information, and after prompting the salesclerk to move the close-out goods (step S25), step Return to S21 again.

  As a result, the product information of the product determined as the closeout product is registered in the closeout product management table 1372 and transmitted to the advertisement distribution server 20 as the advertisement placement information. Further, the store clerk checks the product information and the reader identification information displayed on the display unit 136 of the store computer 13 so as to grasp the product that has been closed and the position of the product, and closes the corresponding product from the normal layout position. Move to sales position.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed between the tag reading device 11 b and the store computer 13. When the tag reading device 11b reads the tag information from the electronic tag of each product placed at the parting position (step S31), the tag reading device 11b notifies the store computer 13 of the product code included in the tag information as transfer information ( Step S32).

  On the other hand, in the store computer 13, the control unit 131 waits for notification of in-store transfer information from the tag reader 11b (step S41; No → S47; No). Then, when receiving the notification of the in-store transfer information (Step S41; Yes), the control unit 131 compares the product code included in the in-store transfer information with the product code registered in the closeout product management table 1372 (Step S41). S42), it is determined whether or not there is a difference (step S43). Here, if it is determined that it does not exist (step S43; No), the process proceeds to step S47.

  In step S43, when a difference from the product code included in the in-store transfer information is detected from the part-off product management table 1372 (step S43; Yes), the control unit 131 displays the corresponding product code and its reader identification information. It is extracted from the parting product management table 1372 (step S44). Then, when the product information corresponding to the product code extracted in step S44 is read from the product master table 1371 (step S45), the control unit 131 notifies the store clerk by displaying it on the display unit 136 together with the corresponding reader identification information. After (step S46), the process proceeds to step S47.

  Further, in the tag reading device 11b, the freshness information (consumption date or expiration date) included in the tag information read in step S31 is compared with the current date and time (step S33), and there is a product that has passed the expiration date or expiration date. It is determined whether or not to perform (step S34). Here, if it is determined that it does not exist (step S34; No), the process ends.

  If it is determined in step S34 that there is a product whose expiration date or expiration date has passed (step S34; Yes), the product code of the corresponding product is extracted from the tag information (step S35) and stored in the store computer as discard information. 13 (step S36), the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, in the store computer 13, the control unit 131 waits until the discard information is notified from the tag reading device 11b (step S47; No → S41; No). When the control unit 131 receives the notification of the discard information (Step S47; Yes), the product information corresponding to the product code included in the discard information is read from the product master table 1371 (Step S48), and is displayed as a discarded product. By displaying on 136, the store clerk is notified (step S49). Next, the control unit 131 subtracts the number of each product code included in the discard information from the stock number of the corresponding product code in the closeout product management table 1372 (step S50), and returns to step S41 again. In step S 50, when the stock quantity becomes “0”, the record of the product code itself is deleted from the part management table 1372.

  As a result, it is possible to confirm whether or not the product designated as the closeout product has been moved to the closeout sales position. In addition, for a product for which the expiration date or the expiration date has passed, in order to notify the store clerk and to delete it from the close-out product management table 1372, it is possible to quickly remove the product after the expiration date or the expiration date. it can.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed between the POS terminal 12 and the store computer 13. The control unit 121 of the POS terminal 12 receives an input of a product code read by the code scanner 128 (step S61) and then receives an input such as a transaction type and a sales quantity from the keyboard 125 (step S62). The product information corresponding to the product code is read from the product master table 1371 of the store computer 13 together with these pieces of information to generate sales data (step S63).

  The control unit 121 repeats steps S61 to S63 until the current key press signal is input from the keyboard 125 (step S64; No). When the current key press signal is received (step S64; Yes), The sales data generated so far, the total sales amount calculated for each sales data, and the transaction number of this transaction are transmitted to the store computer 13 as sales registration (step S65).

  On the other hand, the control unit 131 of the store computer 13 waits until the sales registration is notified from the POS terminal 12 (step S71; No). When the sales registration is accepted (step S71; Yes), it is included in the sales registration. Each information is associated and registered in the store sales table 1373 (step S72).

  Subsequently, the control unit 131 refers to the sales data registered in step S72, and determines whether or not there is sales data whose transaction type is “close-out sales” (step S73). Here, when it determines with not existing (step S73; No), it returns to step S71 again. If it is determined that there is sales data whose transaction type is “Closing sale” (step S73; Yes), the control unit 131 sets the sales quantity included in the sales data to the closing code corresponding to the product code of the sales data. Subtract from the stock quantity in the product management table 1372 (step S74), and return to step S71 again. In step S74, when the number of stocks becomes “0”, the record of the product code itself is deleted from the part management table 1372.

  As a result, when the closeout product is sold, the information registered in the closeout product management table 1372 can be updated. Therefore, the sales state of the closeout product (product) arranged at the closeout sales position is displayed as the closeout product. This can be reflected in the management table 1372. In the present embodiment, the sales data for the transaction type of the close-out transaction is managed together with the sales data of the normal transaction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the sales data of the transaction type “close-out sale” is extracted. Alternatively, it may be managed separately. Alternatively, the total sales amount of the sales data with the transaction type “closed sale” may be calculated separately, and the fee for advertisement distribution in the advertisement distribution server 20 may be paid from the total sales amount.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the advertisement distribution server 20 is a server device that provides advertisement information to the user terminal 30, and is connected to the in-store system 10 and the user terminal 30 via a network N <b> 2 such as a LAN or WAN.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the advertisement distribution server 20. As shown in the figure, the advertisement distribution server 20 includes a control unit 21 having a computer configuration including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and a store computer 13 using a communication unit 23 connected via a bus 22. And online communication with the user terminal 30 can be performed.

  The control unit 21 includes an input unit 25 configured by an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse and a display unit 26 configured by a display device such as a liquid crystal display via the bus 22 and the I / O device control unit 24. A storage unit 27 including a storage device such as an SSD or HDD is connected.

  The control unit 21 controls the operation of each unit constituting the advertisement distribution server 20 by cooperating with various control programs stored in the storage unit 27. In addition, the control unit 21 realizes various functions related to advertisement distribution by cooperating with the control program stored in the storage unit 27.

  The storage unit 27 stores various control programs executed by the CPU of the control unit 21. In addition, the storage unit 27 stores a distribution destination management table 271 that manages advertisement distribution destinations, an advertisement management table 272 that manages advertisement insertion information transmitted from the store computer 13, and the like.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of data items constituting the distribution destination management table 271. As shown in the figure, the distribution destination management table 271 includes a distribution destination address (for example, an e-mail address) indicating a distribution destination, a product classification (for example, varieties and classification codes such as meat and vegetables), a specific region, It consists of items such as a notification area indicating the store name.

  When receiving the advertisement distribution request from the user terminal 30 via the communication unit 23, the control unit 21 registers the distribution destination address, the product classification, and the notification area included in the advertisement distribution request in the distribution destination management table 271 in association with each other.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of data items constituting the advertisement management table 272. As shown in the figure, the advertisement management table 272 stores store identification information and product information (product code, product name, normal price, closing price, product classification code, etc.) transmitted as advertisement placement information. It consists of items.

  When receiving the advertisement placement information from the store computer 13 via the communication unit 23, the control unit 21 associates the advertisement placement information with the store identification information of the store computer 13 that has transmitted the advertisement placement information and registers it in the advertisement management table 272.

  Further, the control unit 21 extracts a corresponding record from each record registered in the advertisement management table 272 based on the genre registered in the distribution destination management table 271 and the condition of the notification area. And the control part 21 will distribute this advertisement to the delivery destination shown by the delivery destination address, if an advertisement is produced | generated from the product name, the product price (close-out product price), etc. which are contained in the extracted record.

  In the store identification information, the store name and address of the store corresponding to the store identification information are defined in advance, and the store identification corresponding to the notification area is determined from the store name and address determined from the store identification information. Information shall be specified.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the user terminal 30 is an information communication terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a mobile phone used by a user who receives advertisement distribution. The user terminal 30 includes a control unit configured by a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an operation input unit that receives an operation from the user, a display unit configured by a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and an external device such as the advertisement distribution server 20. A communication unit for performing communication (not shown).

  A user who desires advertisement distribution from the advertisement distribution server 20 inputs a distribution destination address indicating a distribution destination, a product category for which advertisement distribution is desired, a nearest store name and area (notification area), and the like via the operation input unit. To be transmitted to the advertisement distribution server 20 as an advertisement distribution request. As a result, an advertisement for a product (a parting product) corresponding to the input condition is distributed from the advertisement distribution server 20. Note that the advertisement distribution server 20 may provide the user terminal 30 with an input form that supports the input of the advertisement distribution request.

  Hereinafter, the overall operation of the sales support system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the entire sales support system 1.

  First, when a user (consumer) who uses the sales support system 1 inputs a product category and a notification area for which advertisement distribution is desired, together with a distribution destination address indicating a distribution destination, to the user terminal 30, The control unit receives these pieces of information (step S81), and transmits them as an advertisement distribution request to the advertisement distribution server 20 (step S82).

  The control unit 21 of the advertisement distribution server 20 stands by until an advertisement distribution request is notified from the user terminal 30 (Step S83; No → Step S86; No). When the advertisement distribution request is received (Step S83; Yes), the distribution is performed. Register in the destination management table 271 (step S84).

  On the other hand, in the in-store system 10, the product information of the product that has been closed out is transmitted to the advertisement distribution server 20 as advertisement placement information by the cooperation of the tag reading device 11, the POS terminal 12, and the store computer 13 (steps). S85).

  The control unit 21 of the advertisement distribution server 20 stands by until the advertisement placement information is notified from the in-store system 10 (Step S86; No → Step S83; No). When the advertisement placement information is received (Step S86; Yes), The advertisement placement information is associated with the store identification information of the store computer 13 that has transmitted the information and registered in the advertisement management table 272 (step S87).

  Next, the control unit 21 extracts, from the distribution destination management table 271, an advertisement distribution request that meets the conditions for the advertisement placement information (product information) and the store identification information registered in step S 87 (step S 88). Then, the control unit 21 distributes the advertisement information generated from the advertisement placement information registered in step S87 to the distribution destination address of the advertisement distribution request extracted in step S86 (step S89), and ends this process.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since it is possible to quickly advertise a product that is considered as a closeout product in a store, it is possible to efficiently support sales of the closeout product. In addition, since advertisements that match the conditions set by the user (consumer) can be distributed, it is possible to increase the consumer's willingness to purchase and increase the rate of attracting customers.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, and the like are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in this embodiment, the tag reader 11 (11a, 11b) compares the freshness information with the current date and time. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the tag information read by the tag reader 11 is stored in the store computer. It is good also as a form which the store computer 13 compares with freshness information and the present date by processing 13.

  The program executed by each device of the above embodiment may be configured to be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like. The program may be provided by being recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD in an installable or executable format file. Good.

  Further, the program may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. Further, the program may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sales support system 10 In-store system 11 Tag reader 111 Tag reading part 112 Timekeeping part 113 Communication part 114 Control part 12 POS terminal 121 Control part 122 Bus 123 Communication part 124 I / O apparatus control part 125 Keyboard 126 Display part 127 Printer 128 Code Scanner 129 Storage Unit 13 Store Computer 131 Control Unit 132 Bus 133 Communication Unit 134 I / O Device Control Unit 135 Input Unit 136 Display Unit 137 Storage Unit 1371 Product Master Table 1372 Closed Goods Management Table 1373 Store Sales Table 20 Advertising Distribution Server 21 Control Unit 22 Bus 23 Communication Unit 24 I / O Device Control Unit 25 Input Unit 26 Display Unit 27 Storage Unit 271 Distribution Destination Management Table 272 Advertisement Management Table 30 User Terminal

JP 2002-83369 A

Claims (6)

A sales support system having an in-store device provided in each store and a distribution server connected to the in-store device,
The in-store device is
A reading means for reading a product code for identifying the product and freshness information representing the freshness of the product by date and time from an electronic tag attached to each product sold in the store;
A timing means for timing the current date and time;
An extraction means for comparing the date and time represented by the freshness information read by the reading means with the current date and time counted by the timekeeping means, and extracting the product code of the freshness information determined that the difference between the two dates and times is within a predetermined range; ,
Transmission means for transmitting product information relating to the product of the product code extracted by the extraction means to the distribution server;
With
The distribution server includes a distribution unit that distributes the product information transmitted from the transmission unit to a consumer terminal. The in-store device is
A closeout storage means for storing the product code extracted by the extraction means;
The product code from the reading unit provided at the position where the product corresponding to the product code extracted by the extraction unit is sold is compared with the product code stored in the part-off product storage unit, and a difference is detected. Difference detection means to
Difference notifying means for notifying the difference detected by the difference detecting means; and
The sales support system according to claim 1, further comprising: The in-store device is
Disposal determination that compares the expiration date or the expiration date represented by the freshness information read by the reading means with the current date and time measured by the timing means, and extracts the product code of the product that has passed the expiration date or the expiration date Means,
Waste product notification means for notifying the product corresponding to the product code extracted by the discard determination means as a waste product,
The sales support system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: The transmission means transmits store identification information capable of identifying its own store together with the product information to the distribution server,
The distribution server
For each delivery destination address that is a delivery destination to the consumer terminal, further comprising a delivery destination storage means for storing a notification area specifying a specific store or area in association with each other.
The delivery means, to the delivery destination address associated with the notification area corresponding to the store indicated by the store identification information or the area where the store exists, among the delivery destination addresses stored in the delivery destination storage means, The sales support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein product information is distributed. The transmission means transmits the product information including at least a product type of a product corresponding to the product code;
The delivery destination storage means associates and stores a specific product type for each delivery destination address,
The delivery unit delivers the product information to a delivery destination address corresponding to a product type included in the product information among delivery destination addresses stored in the delivery destination storage unit. Item 5. The sales support system according to any one of Items 1 to 4. A reading step for reading, from an electronic tag attached to each product sold in the store, a product code for identifying the product and freshness information representing the freshness of the product by date and time;
An extraction step, wherein the extraction means compares the date and time represented by the freshness information read in the reading step with the current date and time, and extracts the product code of the freshness information determined that the difference between the two dates and times is within a predetermined range;
A distribution step in which distribution means distributes product information about the product of the product code extracted in the extraction step to a consumer terminal;
The sales support method characterized by including.

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