JP2015106248A - Printer, control method of printer and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer for realizing a sales system capable of avoiding disadvantage of showrooming for all of a retail store, a sales company and a customer while allowing the customer to simply perform order operation at any time the customer desires, and further to provide a control method of the printer and a program.SOLUTION: A printer comprises: a storage section 111 for storing retail store information identifying a retail store; a reading section 112 for reading a commodity code C1 including a commodity order URL for ordering a commodity; a commodity order code generating section 113 for coding the commodity order URL and the retail store information and generating a commodity order code C2; and a printing section 114 for printing a printed matter including the commodity order code C2.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that prints printed matter for a customer to order a product via a network such as the Internet, a control method for the printing apparatus, and a program.

  In recent years, retail stores that sell home appliances and the like have become a challenge to prevent showrooming. Showrooming refers to purchasing products confirmed at a retail store at a price that is cheaper than the storefront by Internet shopping. In general, online shopping is less expensive than retail stores that have physical stores, so products can be provided at low cost. For this reason, if it compares only with a price, a retail store with a real store will become overwhelmingly disadvantageous. Moreover, if price competition intensifies, manufacturers that sell products may face severe pressure from retailers to lower prices, which may reduce profits. In addition, the customer also has the trouble of checking the lowest price on a price comparison site or the like before purchasing a product because of the consciousness of not wanting to lose. Furthermore, if no countermeasures are taken against showrooming, it is assumed that the number of retail stores having actual stores will decrease in the future for the reasons described above. When this happens, the customer loses the opportunity to see and touch the actual product, creating additional disadvantages.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 has been proposed as a countermeasure for such showrooming. Patent Document 1 has the following configuration. First, in the first embodiment, a customer inputs product application information and retailer specifying information for specifying a retailer that has displayed or explained a product to a terminal device, and the input result is a product sales company. Sent to the server device manufacturer. For example, the server device statistically processes retail store specific information on a yearly basis, and calculates a back margin to be paid to the retail store. In the second embodiment, product application information is input to a dedicated terminal installed in a retail store, and the product application information and retail store specifying information stored in advance in the dedicated terminal are transmitted to the server device. Is done. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the retailer specifying information is added to the product application information input by the customer by the relay device installed in the retail store and transmitted to the server device. As described above, in any of the embodiments, the patent document 1 has a configuration in which a back margin is included in the retail store where the product is displayed or explained based on the retail store specifying information transmitted when the product is ordered. . As a result, the retail store can make a profit without directly selling the product. As a result, the disadvantages of showrooming as described above can be avoided for all retail stores, sales companies, and customers.

JP 2004-86378 A

  However, in the first embodiment of Patent Document 1, the customer has to manually input the retailer specifying information when applying for a product, which is troublesome. In addition, since the retail store specifying information is not always input, there is a problem that the retail store cannot obtain an appropriate reward. Further, in the second and third embodiments, although it is possible to omit the trouble of inputting the retail store specific information, it is necessary to perform an order operation at the retail store. I cannot go back home and order slowly. That is, although it is necessary to perform an ordering operation at the retail store, it is not possible to take the product directly from the retail store, and the advantages of both Internet shopping and actual store sales are impaired.

  Further, in any embodiment of Patent Document 1, since the retail store receives a back margin every predetermined period such as a year unit, a margin for a product unit cannot be expected as in the past. In addition, since it is a direct sale by a sales company, the product price may fluctuate due to competition with other sales companies, but there is also a problem that the retailer cannot grasp the fluctuating price.

  In view of the above-described problems, the present invention enables a customer to easily perform an ordering operation when he / she likes, and a sales system capable of avoiding the disadvantage of showrooming for all of retail stores, sales companies, and customers. It is an object to provide a printing apparatus, a printing apparatus control method, and a program for realizing the above.

The printing apparatus of the present invention encodes a merchandise order address for ordering merchandise and retail store information for specifying a retail store, generates a merchandise order code, and a printed matter including the merchandise order code. And a printing unit for printing.
The above printing apparatus further includes a storage unit that stores retail store information and a reading unit that reads a product code including a product order address.

  The printing apparatus control method of the present invention includes a storage step of storing retail store information for specifying a retail store, a product code acquisition step of acquiring a product code including a product order address for ordering products, and a product order address. And a merchandise order code generating step for encoding the retail store information to generate a merchandise order code, and a printing step for printing a printed matter including the merchandise order code.

According to the present invention, a printed matter including a product order code can be printed by reading a product code including a product order address (obtaining a product code). In addition, the customer or retail store clerk can easily access the manufacturer regardless of location or time by simply reading the product order code printed on the printed matter (including the product order address and retail store information). You can place an order for a product. In addition, a manufacturer who has received an order gives an incentive such as a reward to a retail store specified by retail store information, thereby preventing a disadvantage caused by showrooming of a retail store where products are displayed and introduced.
The product code and the product order code may be a code image such as a two-dimensional code or a barcode, or may be a character string.
The product code may be affixed / printed on the product itself (product nameplate or the like), or may be printed on a product tag, an instruction manual, a catalog, or the like. Furthermore, the operation of the printing apparatus (reading of the product code and printing of the printed matter) may be performed by the customer himself or by a store clerk on behalf of the customer.
The printed matter may be an advertising medium such as a POP advertisement or a flyer, or may be a receipt, a coupon, a label, or the like.

  In the above printing apparatus, the product code includes a product price address indicating the price of the product, and the printing unit prints the price of the product indicated by the product price address on a printed matter.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to print not only the product order code but also the printed matter including the price of the product with a simple operation of simply reading the product code. This also allows the customer to place an order after confirming the price of the product.

  In the above printing apparatus, the product code includes a product image address indicating a product image, and the printing unit prints the product image indicated by the product image address on a printed matter.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to print not only a product order code and a price of a product but also a printed matter including an image of the product with a simple operation of simply reading the product code. This also allows the customer to place an order after confirming the product image.

  In the above printing apparatus, the storage unit stores format information of the printed material, and the printing unit prints the printed material according to the format information.

According to the present invention, since the format information is stored in advance, it is possible to easily print a printed matter with a good appearance.
The format information refers to information such as the product order code, the price of the product, the arrangement of each product image, the print size, the color, the decoration, and the background image of the advertising medium and its color. Further, as the format information, a retail store logo image, a retail store address or telephone number, advertisement information, coupon information, etc. may be stored and printed on a printed matter.

  In the above printing apparatus, the product code includes an exhibition start application address for applying for the display of the product, and the display start application unit for applying for the display of the product by notifying the store start application address of the retail store information. It is further provided with the feature.

According to the present invention, by reading the product code, it is possible not only to print a printed matter for ordering the product, but also to apply for the display start of the product to the manufacturer's display start application address. As described above, when the manufacturer receives the application for starting the exhibition in advance, the process of giving an incentive to the retail store can be smoothly performed.
In this example, it is preferable that the product code is read only by the store clerk at the start of the exhibition.

  The printing apparatus further includes an update information receiving unit that receives update information including a product order address, a product price address, and a product image address from a predetermined server, and the product order code generation unit receives the update information. The product order address included in the update information and the retail store information are encoded to generate an updated product order code, and the printing unit receives the updated product order code and the product price address included in the update information. A printed matter including the price of the updated product acquired from the above and the image of the updated product acquired from the product image address included in the update information is printed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to receive update information from a predetermined server (manufacturer server) and print a printed matter including various types of updated information. That is, when various addresses, product prices, or product images are updated, the updated printed matter is printed without any operation by the store clerk, so that the trouble of updating the printed matter can be reduced.

  In the above-described printing apparatus, the retail store information includes the address of the printing apparatus, and when a predetermined server updates information about a product for which an exhibition start application has been made, the printing apparatus that has made an application for the display start of the product The update information is transmitted to the address.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to automatically receive the update information along with the update of the product and print the updated printed matter simply by applying for display start (just reading the product code). That is, since no special operation is required to receive the update information, the labor of the store clerk can be further reduced.

  A program according to the present invention causes a computer to execute each step in the control method of the printing apparatus.

  By using a printing device with this program installed, customers can easily perform order operations whenever they like and avoid the disadvantage of showrooming for all retailers, sales companies, and customers. A possible sales system can be realized.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a printing system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows the information contained in a product code, (b) is a figure which shows the information contained in a product order code, (c) is a figure which shows an example of product order URL. (D) is a figure which shows the example by which the query was added to merchandise order URL. It is a figure which shows the example of printing of an advertising medium. It is a functional block diagram of a printing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an exhibition start application process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an update process. It is a system configuration figure of the sales system concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a system configuration figure of a retail store system concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the sales system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a customer order process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a shop front order process. It is a system configuration figure of a retail store system concerning the modification of a 2nd embodiment. It is a system configuration figure of the sales system concerning a 3rd embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the sales system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a payment proxy process. It is a system configuration figure of the sales system concerning the modification of a 3rd embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the first embodiment, a printing system SY1 in which a printing apparatus 1 installed in a retail store that displays and introduces electrical appliances and a maker server 2 (predetermined server) that is operated and managed by an electrical appliance manufacturer are connected via a network. Is illustrated.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a printing system SY1 according to the first embodiment. First, the outline of the first embodiment will be described. When the printing apparatus 1 installed in a retail store starts display of a product, the product code C1 (QR code (QR: registered trademark)) affixed to the product (product main body or price tag) or posted in the product catalog (Acquisition of product code C1), the manufacturer server 2 is applied for display start of the product. Further, the advertisement medium 50 (printed material) of the product is printed along with the reading of the product code C1.

  The advertising medium 50 is, for example, a POP advertisement or a flyer. On the advertising medium 50, a product order code C2 (QR code) for a customer or a store clerk to order a product is printed. Since the product order code C2 includes retail store information for specifying the retail store, when the customer or the store clerk orders the product based on the product order code C2, the maker server 2 places the order (product You can identify retailers that have contributed to sales. The manufacturer server 2 gives a reward (incentive) to the contribution of the retail store. In this way, the customer can place orders directly with the manufacturer (product sales company), and the manufacturer pays a predetermined bounty to the retail store where the product is displayed / introduced. It is possible to prevent the disadvantage of the retail store due to purchasing products confirmed at the retail store on the spot and purchasing the product at a price lower than the store by Internet shopping.

  On the other hand, the maker server 2 controls various URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) (product order URL, product price URL, product image URL, and exhibition start application URL, address) included in the product code C1. In addition, when the price, design, specification, etc. of the product is changed, the maker server 2 transmits update information to the printing apparatus 1 that has applied for display start. The update information includes product information necessary for printing the advertising medium 50, a product order URL, a product price URL, and a product image URL. The printing apparatus 1 prints the updated advertising medium 50 with the reception of the update information.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The printing apparatus 1 includes a communication interface (I / F) 11, a QR reader 12, a memory 13, a printing mechanism 14, and a control unit 15.

  The communication interface 11 is an interface for communicating with the manufacturer server 2 via a network NW such as the Internet. The QR reader 12 is used to read the product code C1. The memory 13 is a non-volatile storage medium, and stores retail store information and format information in the present embodiment. The retail store information is information for specifying the retail store in which the printing apparatus 1 is installed, and is, for example, a retail store ID assigned to each retail store. The format information is a print format of the advertising medium 50, and indicates information such as the arrangement, print size, color, and decoration of the areas E1 to E6 as will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The printing mechanism 14 is a mechanism for performing printing based on the generated print data, and includes a print head and a paper transport mechanism. The control unit 15 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and controls each unit in the printing apparatus 1. For example, the product code C1 read by the QR reader 12 is decoded, the product order code C2 is generated, the print data for printing the advertising medium 50 is generated, and the drive control of the printing mechanism 14 is performed.

  Here, the information included in the product code C1 and the product order code C2 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3A, the product code C1 includes product information for specifying a product, an exhibition start application URL for requesting display of a product, a product order URL for ordering a product, and a product price indicating the price of the product. A URL and a product image URL indicating a product image are included. That is, the product code C1 is a QR code of these pieces of information, and is pasted / printed on the product or the product catalog before shipping.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, the product order code C2 includes retail store information for specifying a retail store, product information for specifying a product (such as a product name and model number), and a product order for ordering the product. URL is included. The printing apparatus 1 generates the product order code C2 as the product code C1 is read. Specifically, it is generated by adding the retail store information read from the memory 13 of the printing apparatus 1 to the product information extracted from the product code C1 and the product order URL, and then converting the information into a QR code.

  In the present embodiment, the retail store information is added to the product order URL as a query. That is, when the product code C1 includes a product order URL as shown in FIG. 3C, the retail store information is added as a query to the product order URL as shown in FIG. 3D. . As a result, it is not necessary to prepare a product order URL for each retail store, and the manufacturer's system can be constructed at low cost. Further, the customer simply reads the product order code C2 printed on the advertising medium 50 by the customer terminal owned by the customer and accesses the product order URL with a general Web browser, without requiring a dedicated application. The retailer information can be notified to the maker server 2. Although a detailed description is omitted, after the customer accesses the product order URL, the customer orders the product by inputting information such as name, address, and settlement method.

  Note that not only retail store information but also product information may be added as a query to the product order URL. A product order URL may be prepared for each product, and product information may not be included in the product code C1 and the product order code C2.

  Next, the print contents of the advertising medium 50 will be described with reference to FIG. The advertisement medium 50 includes a product information print area E1, a product price print area E2, a product image print area E3, a retail store information print area E4, a supplementary information print area E5, and a product order code print area E6. The arrangement and area size are defined by the format information.

  Product information for specifying a product is printed in the product information printing area E1. In the product price printing area E2, the price of the product and its update date are printed. In addition, the consumption tax amount, the tax-excluded price, the update time, etc. may be printed in the product price printing area E2.

  A product image is printed in the product image print region E3. In addition, the product name and product description may be printed as part of the image data. In the retail store information printing area E4, retail store information for specifying a retail store such as a retail store name is printed. In addition, the retail store information may include a retail store address, a telephone number, a homepage address, and the like.

  In the supplementary information printing area E5, supplementary information such as an ordering method and a message to the customer is printed. The supplementary information is stored in the memory 13 of the printing apparatus 1 as part of the format information. The product order code C2 is printed in the product order code printing area E6.

  Although not shown in FIG. 4, a retail store logo image, a retail store address or telephone number, advertisement information, and coupon information may be stored as format information and printed on the advertisement medium 50. In addition, a background image (background pattern, frame, etc.) and color of the advertising medium 50 may be stored as format information.

  Next, the functional configuration of the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The printing apparatus 1 includes a storage unit 111, a reading unit 112, a product order code generation unit 113, a printing unit 114, and an update information receiving unit 115 as main functional configurations.

  The storage unit 111 corresponds to the memory 13 and stores the retail store information and the format information of the advertising medium 50 in a nonvolatile manner. The reading unit 112 corresponds to the QR reader 12 and reads the product code C1. When the product code C1 is read by the reading unit 112, the product order code generation unit 113 encodes the product information and the product order URL included in the product code C1 and the retail store information stored in the storage unit 111. The product order code C2 is generated.

  In the example of FIG. 3D, when the product order code C2 is generated, the retail store information is added to the product order URL as a query. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this method, and the retail store information, product information, and product order are added. The URL may be converted into QR code as independent information. Further, the product order code C2 is not limited to a QR code, and any other type of code image such as a data matrix, another type of two-dimensional code such as PDF417, or a barcode may be used. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which produces | generates goods order code C2 as a character string, and a customer terminal side reads by OCR (Optical Character Reader).

  As the product order code C2 is generated, the printing unit 114 prints the advertising medium 50 including the product order code C2, product information, retail store information, product price, product image, and the like. The update information receiving unit 115 receives update information including product information, product order URL, product price URL, and product image URL from the maker server 2. When the product order code generation unit 113 receives the update information, the product order code generation unit 113 encodes the product information and the product order URL included in the update information and the retail store information stored in the storage unit 111 to update the product order. Code C2 is generated. Then, the printing unit 114 prints the updated product order code C2 and the advertising medium 50 including the product price URL and the product image after the update indicated by the product price URL and the product image URL included in the update information. The retail store can always present the latest information to the customer by replacing the old advertising medium 50 with the advertising medium 50 being printed.

  Note that the update information receiving unit 115 may receive product-accompanying information related to product specifications, inventory, etc. as part of the update information. In this case, the product accompanying information is printed in a predetermined area of the advertising medium 50 defined by the format information.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the display start application process executed when the retail store starts displaying products will be described. This figure shows the processing of the printing apparatus 1. When reading the product code C1 (S01), the printing apparatus 1 extracts product information, an exhibition start application URL, a product order URL, a product price URL, and a product image URL from the product code C1 (S02). In addition, retail store information is loaded from the memory 13 (S03). After that, the retail start information is notified to the display start application URL, and the display start application is made (S04). Here, retail store information and product information are added as queries to the exhibition start application URL. The retail store information includes the address of the printing apparatus 1. The manufacturer server 2 associates the address of the printing apparatus 1 with the product for which the exhibition start application has been made, and stores it in a storage area (not shown).

  Subsequently, the printing apparatus 1 accesses the product price URL to acquire the price (text data) of the product (S05), and also accesses the product image URL to acquire the image (graphic data) of the product (S06). . Then, a product order code C2 including retail store information, product information, and product order URL is generated (S07). Further, the format information is loaded from the memory 13 (S08), and in accordance with the format information, the generated product order code C2, the product information read from the product code C1, the price of the product and the product image acquired from each URL, Are printed (S09).

  In the above flow chart, the printing apparatus 1 accesses each URL and acquires the price of the product and the image of the product. However, the product server 2 receives the product information from the manufacturer server 2 in accordance with the notification to the exhibition start application URL (see S04). It may be configured to receive prices and product images. In this case, the product code C1 can omit the product price URL and the product image URL. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which receives not only the price of goods and the image of goods from the maker server 2, but product order URL. In this case, the product code C1 can further omit the product order URL. In addition, with the display start application by the printing apparatus 1, the product accompanying information related to the product specifications / inventory etc. may be received from the maker server 2, and the advertising medium 50 including the product accompanying information may be printed.

  Next, an update process executed when the price, specification, product image URL, etc. of the product are updated in the maker server 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the (A) column shows the process of the maker server 2 and the (B) column shows the process of the printing apparatus 1. The manufacturer server 2 loads the address of the printing apparatus 1 that has applied for display of the product to be updated from a storage area (not shown) (S11), and updates information (product information, product order URL) to the address of the printing apparatus 1 concerned. , The product price URL and the product image URL) are transmitted (S12). When receiving the update information from the manufacturer server 2 (S13), the printing apparatus 1 loads the retail store information from the memory 13 (S14). Then, the product price URL is accessed to obtain the price of the product (S15), and the product image URL is accessed to obtain the product image (S16). Further, an updated product order code C2 including retail store information, product information, and product order URL is generated (S17). Thereafter, the format information is loaded from the memory 13 (S18), and the updated advertising medium 50 including the product order code C2, the product information, the product price and the product image is printed according to the format information (S19).

  In the present embodiment, common format information is used for the advertising medium 50 printed at the time of the exhibition start application and the advertising medium 50 printed at the time of update. Therefore, the advertisement medium 50 printed after the update is also printed in the print format shown in FIG. Of course, different format information may be used at the time of exhibition start application and update.

  In the above flowchart, the product price URL and the product image URL are transmitted to the printing apparatus 1 as part of the update information (see S12), but the product price (text data) and the product image (graphic data) are displayed. The update information may be included and transmitted. In this case, S15 and S16 can be omitted.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the retailer side can print the advertising medium 50 including the product order code C2 simply by reading the product code C1 with the printing device 1. On the other hand, the customer can place an order for the product with respect to the maker server 2 regardless of the place or the time only by reading the product order code C2 printed on the advertising medium 50. In addition, the manufacturer server 2 that has received the order, based on the retail store information notified at the time of ordering, gives incentives such as rewards to the corresponding retail store, so that showrooming of the retail store that exhibited and introduced the product Can prevent disadvantages.

  In addition, as the printing device 1 reads the product code C1, an application for starting the exhibition is made to the manufacturer server 2, so that the manufacturer can grasp the retail store where the product is displayed, Transactions can be prevented. In addition, since the update information is received from the maker server 2 and the updated advertising medium 50 can be automatically printed with the application for starting the exhibition, the labor of updating the advertising medium 50 by the store clerk can be reduced.

  In the first embodiment, the customer reads the product order code C2 and places an order for the product. However, the store clerk at the retail store uses a dedicated terminal (such as a kiosk terminal) or a POS terminal to order the product order code C2. May be read and the product ordered on behalf of the customer.

  In the above embodiment, the advertisement medium 50 is exemplified as a printed matter on which the product order code C2 is printed. However, a printed matter such as a receipt, a coupon, or a label may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the merchandise is displayed and introduced by the retail store. However, the present embodiment is applied not only to the retail store but also when the product is introduced by an individual. Is possible.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a sales system SY2 including a retail store server 3 operated and managed by a retail store, a customer terminal 4 owned by a customer, and a manufacturer server 2 is illustrated. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Moreover, the modification applied about the component similar to 1st Embodiment is applied similarly about this embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a system configuration diagram of the sales system SY2 according to the second embodiment. First, the outline of the second embodiment will be described. The customer visits the retail store and confirms the actual product. Retail stores display and introduce products to customers. In addition, the retail store responds to a request for after-sales support from the customer who ordered the product (when there is an option order). On the other hand, the customer reads the product order code C2 printed on the advertising medium 50 by the customer terminal 4 and orders the product from the maker server 2. On the other hand, the manufacturer delivers the product to the customer. However, the manufacturer delivers the product to the retail store when there is a request for installation of the product by an option order or when the customer desires delivery to the retail store.

  Although not specifically illustrated, the customer terminal 4 is realized by a tablet terminal such as a smartphone, a portable terminal, a notebook personal computer, and the like, and general information such as operation means, display means (display), storage means, and Web communication means A processing terminal function is provided. The storage means stores a QR code reading application (program) for reading a QR code and a Web browser (program for ordering goods).

  On the other hand, the retail store server 3 applies an exhibition start application to the manufacturer server 2 at the start of the display of the product. The manufacturer server 2 transmits update information to the retail store server 3 to which the application for starting the exhibition has been made, along with the update of the product price and the like. Further, when a product is ordered from the customer terminal 4, the completion of the order is notified to the retail store server 3 specified by the retail store information notified at that time. Further, when the customer order includes an optional order such as after-sales support, the manufacturer server 2 notifies the retail store server 3 to that effect.

  Next, a system configuration of the retail store system SY21 constructed in each retail store will be described with reference to FIG. The retail store system SY21 includes a retail store server 3, one or more POS terminals 60, one or more printing apparatuses 10, and a network 70 such as an in-store LAN connecting them. The retail store server 3 is connected to the manufacturer server 2 via a network NW such as the Internet. Although not particularly shown, the manufacturer server 2 is also connected to the customer terminal 4 via the network NW.

  In the present embodiment, each POS terminal 60 includes a QR reader 62 that reads the product order code C2. Further, the printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment can omit the communication interface 11 and the QR reader 12 for performing communication with the network NW, as compared with the printing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the communication interface 11 is provided in the retail store server 3, and the QR reader 62 of the POS terminal 60 is used instead of the QR reader 12. The QR reader 62 of the POS terminal 60 is used for display start application, printing of the advertising medium 50 at the start of display, and product ordering.

  Next, a functional configuration of the sales system SY2 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The customer terminal 4 includes a reading unit 141 and a product ordering unit 142 as main functional configurations. The reading unit 141 reads the product order code C2 printed on the advertising medium 50. The merchandise ordering unit 142 orders merchandise by notifying the retailer information and merchandise information to the merchandise order URL included in the merchandise order code C2. Here, the retail store information and the product information are added as a query to the product order URL.

  The manufacturer server 2 includes an order processing unit 121, an incentive provision unit 122, an order completion notification unit 123, an exhibition start application reception unit 124, an update information notification unit 125, and a latest price information notification unit 126 as main functional components. .

  The order processing unit 121 performs order processing for product orders from the customer terminal 4. However, the order processing unit 121 determines whether or not the ordered product is a product for which an exhibition start application has been made and the retail store information of the retail store server 3 to which the display start application has been made is notified. The order processing is performed only when both conditions are satisfied.

  The incentive assigning unit 122 assigns an incentive to the retail store specified by the retail store information notified when the product is ordered. Incentives refer to some kind of reward, cash, points, and other preferential services for retail stores of manufacturers. In this embodiment, a reward set in advance for each product is paid for each order. In addition, as a payment method, it is assumed that a deposit process is performed for the specified retail store account via a financial institution system (not shown).

  When the order completion notification unit 123 completes the order processing by the order processing unit 121, the order completion notification unit 123 notifies the retail store server 3 specified by the retail store information that the order has been completed. In addition, when the merchandise order from the customer terminal 4 includes an optional order to be placed by the retail store, the retail server 3 is notified of the content of the optional order together with the notification of the order completion.

  The exhibition start application receiving unit 124 receives an exhibition start application from the retail store server 3. The update information notification unit 125 notifies the retail server 3 to which the display start application has been made, of update information indicating an update of the product price, specifications, and the like. The latest price information notification unit 126 indicates the latest price of a product when an order for the product is made from the retail server 3 (when the storefront settlement information indicating settlement at the retail store is notified by the storefront order process). The latest price information is transmitted to the retail store server 3. Note that the latest price information notification by the latest price information notification unit 126 is preferably performed only for the product for which the display start application has been applied to the retail store server 3 to which the display start application has been applied.

  The POS terminal 60 includes a reading unit 161 and a settlement processing unit 162 as main functional configurations. The reading unit 161 corresponds to the QR reader 62, and reads the product code C1 at the start of the exhibition start and also reads the product order code C2 at the time of ordering the product (at the time of store order processing). The settlement processing unit 162 performs settlement processing based on the latest price information notified from the maker server 2. In addition, as a settlement processing method, cash settlement, credit card settlement, IC card settlement, settlement by point conversion, and the like can be considered.

  The printing apparatus 10 includes a storage unit 111, a product order code generation unit 113, and a printing unit 114 as main functional configurations. The storage unit 111 stores retail store information and format information of the advertising medium 50. When the product code C1 is read by the reading unit 161, the product order code generation unit 113 codes the product information and product order URL included in the product code C1 and the retail store information stored in the storage unit 111. The product order code C2 is generated. When the update information is acquired from the retail server 3, the updated product order code C2 is generated. The printing unit 114 prints the advertising medium 50 with the generation of the product order code C2.

  The retail store server 3 includes an option processing unit 131, an exhibition start application unit 132, a price update processing unit 133, a storefront settlement notification unit 134, a latest price information receiving unit 135, and a latest price information providing unit 136 as main functional components. ing. The option processing unit 131 performs predetermined option processing when an option order is notified from the maker server 2. As the option processing, for example, printing of a description in which option contents are described (print instruction to the printing apparatus 10), inputting of option contents to a retail store business list, calling of a sales clerk or a customer, and the like can be considered.

  When the reading unit 161 of the POS terminal 60 reads the product code C1 of the product and obtains the reading result, the display start application unit 132 makes a product display start application to the maker server 2. When the update information is notified from the manufacturer server 2, the price update processing unit 133 performs price update processing of the target product specified by the update information. Specifically, by sending update information to the printing apparatus 10, a print instruction for the update advertising medium 50 including the latest price of the target product is issued.

  When the merchandise order code C2 is read by the reading unit 161 of the POS terminal 60 and the read result is acquired, the over-the-counter settlement notification unit 134 adds the merchandise order URL included in the merchandise order code C2 to the merchandise order code C2. The retail store information included and store settlement information indicating settlement at the retail store are notified. The notification is performed by adding retail store information and store settlement information to the product order URL. The latest price information receiving unit 135 receives the latest price information, which is a response of the maker server 2 to the notification of the in-store settlement notification unit 134. The latest price information providing unit 136 provides the received latest price information to the POS terminal 60.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the customer order process performed based on the product order from the customer terminal 4 will be described. In the figure, the (A) column shows the processing of the customer terminal 4, the (B) column shows the processing of the manufacturer server 2, and the (C) column shows the processing of the retail store server 3. When the customer terminal 4 reads the product order code C2 printed on the advertising medium 50 by the QR code reading application (S21), the customer terminal 4 displays the product order URL contained therein (S22). Then, the merchandise order URL is accessed from the Web browser, and the merchandise is ordered by notifying the retail store information and merchandise information (S23). The manufacturer server 2 receives a product order from the customer terminal 4 and starts order processing (S24). Also, as part of the order processing, a manufacturing instruction to the product manufacturing department (S25) and an order completion / option order notification to the retail store server 3 (S26) are performed.

  As a manufacturing instruction to the product manufacturing department, the instruction content is transmitted to the server of the product manufacturing department via the network NW, or the instruction content is printed / printed to the printing device or display device connected to the manufacturer server 2. It may be displayed.

  Upon receiving the order completion / option order (S27), the retail store server 3 issues an option detail by the printing apparatus 10 as part of the option processing (S28). On the other hand, the manufacturer server 2 transmits an order completion mail (e-mail) to the customer terminal 4 with the completion of the order receiving process (S29). The customer terminal 4 receives the order completion mail (S30), and ends the series of processes related to the product order.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 12, a storefront order process performed based on a product order from the POS terminal 60 (retail store server 3) will be described. In the figure, the (A) column shows the processing of the retail store server 3, and the (B) column shows the processing of the manufacturer server 2. When the merchandise order code C2 printed on the advertising medium is read by the POS terminal 60, the retail store server 3 acquires the read result (S41), accesses the merchandise order URL, and stores the retail store information and the merchandise information. In addition, store settlement information indicating store settlement is notified (S42). The manufacturer server 2 receives a product order from the retail store server 3 and starts order processing (S43). In addition, the retailer server 3 specified by the retailer information is notified of the product confirmation result (whether the product is in stock, etc.) and the latest price information (S44). The retail store server 3 acquires these notifications (S45), and if there is no problem in the product confirmation result, provides the latest price information to the POS terminal 60 and instructs the settlement process (S46). On the other hand, the maker server 2 issues a manufacturing instruction to the product manufacturing department as part of the order receiving process (S47), and performs a billing process for charging the retail store with a price equivalent to the wholesale price of the product (S48). The billing process refers to notification of a billing amount to the retail store server 3, input of billing contents to an accounting system (accounting processing application) handled by the manufacturer, and the like.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the customer can easily access the manufacturer server 2 regardless of location or time by simply reading the product order code C2 printed on the advertising medium 50 by the customer terminal 4. It is possible to place orders for products. In addition, since the manufacturer server 2 that has received the order gives an incentive to the retail store specified by the retail store information, it is possible to prevent a disadvantage caused by showrooming of the retail store where the product is displayed and introduced. Furthermore, since the manufacturer directly receives the order, the production amount can be adjusted according to the shipment amount. In addition, it is not necessary for the retail store to have inventory, and the labor of inventory management can be saved.

  In the second embodiment, in addition to customer order processing using the customer terminal 4, storefront order processing at a retail store is possible. Therefore, customers who do not have the customer terminal 4 or customers who want to save time for order operations. Convenience is good for.

  In the second embodiment, the price update processing unit 133 instructs the printing apparatus 10 to print the advertising medium 50 including the latest price of the update target product, but the price update processing may be performed by another method. good. FIG. 13 is a system configuration diagram of a retail store system SY22 according to a modification of the second embodiment. The retail store system SY22 includes a retail store server 3, one or more POS terminals 60, one or more electronic price tags 80, and a network 70 such as a LAN connecting them. The electronic price tag 80 corresponds to each product, and displays a product name and a product price (consumption tax included or consumption tax-excluded price) on the display screen 81. In addition, the date and time when the price update processing was performed by the retail store server 3, product images, product accompanying information, product descriptions input to the retail store server 3, and the like may be displayed.

  As a price update process, the price update processing unit 133 according to this modification issues a display instruction of the latest price to the electronic price tag 80 corresponding to the product to be updated. That is, the electronic price tag 80 associated with the product to be updated is identified with reference to the database of the retail store server 3, and the latest price information is provided to the electronic price tag 80. Thus, by using the electronic price tag 80, the latest price of the product can always be presented to the customer without bothering the salesclerk of the retail store.

  In addition, as another modification of the price update processing unit 133, a product price list in which the prices of a plurality of products are shown instead of printing the advertising medium 50 in units of products or updating the display of the electronic price tag 80. The table may be updated (printed / displayed). Alternatively, only the product price printing area E2 of the advertising medium 50 may be printed as a label, and the clerk may paste the printed update label on the advertising medium 50.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment described above, an order for a product is made directly from the customer terminal 4 to the maker server 2, but in the present embodiment, an order for the product is made via the payment proxy server 9. Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on differences from the second embodiment. Also in the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The modification applied to the same components as those in the first and second embodiments is also applied to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 14 is a system configuration diagram of a sales system SY3 according to the third embodiment. The sales system SY3 includes a retail store server 3, a customer terminal 4, a manufacturer server 2, and a payment agent server 9 that performs a payment process on behalf of the manufacturer. First, an outline of the third embodiment will be described. The customer reads the product order code C2 printed on the advertising medium 50 through the customer terminal 4 and accesses the settlement proxy server 9 to place an order for the product. Prior to ordering a product, the customer registers as a user in the settlement proxy server 9, registers personal information and a password for login, and obtains a user ID.

  When the payment proxy server 9 receives an order for a product from the customer terminal 4, it notifies the manufacturer server 2 of the order contents. In response to the notification of the order contents, the maker server 2 notifies the settlement proxy server 9 of the latest price information indicating the latest price of the product. The payment proxy server 9 performs a payment process with the customer terminal 4 based on the notified latest price information. In addition, the exchange between the customer and the retail store and between the manufacturer and the retail store is the same as in the second embodiment. Although not specifically illustrated, it is assumed that the customer terminal 4 of the present embodiment is installed with a payment agent application for placing a product order via the payment agent server 9.

  Next, a functional configuration of the sales system SY3 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this figure, the functional configuration of the printing apparatus 10 is the same as that in FIG.

  The customer terminal 4 includes a reading unit 141 and a product ordering unit 142 as main functional configurations. The product ordering unit 142 according to the present embodiment accesses the payment proxy server 9 and places a product order using a payment proxy application.

  The payment proxy server 9 includes an authentication unit 191, a manufacturer server identification unit 192, a personal information storage unit 193, a manufacturer notification unit 194, a latest price information reception unit 195, a payment processing unit 196, and a payment processing unit 197 as main functional configurations. I have.

  The authentication unit 191 authenticates the customer with respect to the product order from the customer terminal 4. The manufacturer server specifying unit 192 specifies the manufacturer server 2 of the manufacturer that handles the product ordered by the customer terminal 4 from the plurality of manufacturer servers 2 operated and managed by each manufacturer. The specifying method is performed with reference to a manufacturer table (not shown) in which a product order URL or product information is associated with a manufacturer. The personal information storage unit 193 stores personal information including the customer's name, address, and settlement method in association with the user ID.

  The manufacturer notification unit 194 notifies the specified manufacturer server 2 of the product order URL, the product information, and the retail store information when a product order is received from the customer terminal 4. At this time, the product information and the retail store information are added as a query to the product order URL. Note that when the merchandise table in which the merchandise information and the merchandise order URL are associated is stored in the settlement agent server 9, the notification of the merchandise order URL can be omitted.

  The latest price information receiving unit 195 receives the latest price information indicating the latest price of the product as a response to the notification of the product information and the retail store information. The settlement processing unit 196 performs settlement processing with the customer terminal 4 by a method such as credit card settlement according to the received latest price information. The deposit processing unit 197 performs deposit processing according to the payment amount of credit card settlement for the manufacturer's account.

  The maker server 2 includes an order processing unit 121, a latest price information notification unit 128, an incentive provision unit 122, an order completion notification unit 123, an exhibition start application reception unit 124, and an update information notification unit 125 as main functional components. . When the merchandise information and the retail store information are notified from the settlement proxy server 9, the latest price information notification unit 128 notifies the settlement proxy server 9 of the latest price information. Other functions of the manufacturer server 2 are the same as those in the second embodiment. Further, the functional configuration of the retail store server 3 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 16, a description will be given of a payment proxy process that is a product order via the payment proxy server 9. In the same figure, the (A) column shows the processing of the customer terminal 4, the (B) column shows the processing of the settlement proxy server 9, and the (C) column shows the processing of the manufacturer server 2. First, the customer terminal 4 activates a payment agent application (S51), and reads the product order code C2 printed on the advertising medium 50 (S52). Then, the customer terminal 4 (settlement agency application) notifies the settlement agency server 9 of the product order URL, retail store information, product information, and user ID (S53). The settlement proxy server 9 performs user authentication based on the notified user ID and login password (S54), and when it is determined that the authentication is OK, loads the stored customer personal information (S55). . Further, the manufacturer server 2 is specified from the product order URL (S56), and the retailer information, the product information, and the customer personal information are notified to the specified manufacturer server 2 (S57).

  The maker server 2 receives the product order from the settlement proxy server 9 and performs order processing (S58). Further, the settlement agent server 9 that has notified the product order is notified of the product price, lineup, and shipping date and time (S59). The settlement proxy server 9 receives these and notifies the customer terminal 4 (S60), and the customer terminal 4 displays them on the display (S61). When the customer performs an order final confirmation operation (order determination operation) (S62), the settlement proxy server 9 notifies the order determination to the maker server 2 (S63), and performs settlement processing such as credit card settlement (S64). ). Further, the maker server 2 receives the order determination (S65), and then executes the processes after S24 in FIG.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, since the payment processing is performed by the payment proxy server 9, the customer registers personal information and a payment method for each product order (manufacturer selling the product). There is no need to register them, which is convenient. If the payment agent who operates and manages the payment agent server 9 receives the payment fee from the manufacturer, the payment agent server 9 will be profitable, and all of the customers, retail stores, manufacturers, and payment agents will You can enjoy the benefits.

  In addition, since the order of the product is performed using the payment agent application, the ordering operation can be easily performed as compared with the case where the Web browser is used. Further, the user's needs and preferences include a first order method for ordering products directly from the maker server 2 using a Web browser and a second order method for ordering products via the settlement agent server 9 using a payment agent application. Since it can be selected according to the situation, it is more convenient.

  In the above embodiment, the incentive provision unit 122 and the order completion notification unit 123 are functions of the maker server 2, but they may be functions of the payment proxy server 9. FIG. 17 is a system configuration diagram of a sales system SY4 according to a modification of the third embodiment. As shown in the figure, the payment agent server 9 according to the modified example notifies the maker server 2 of an order for a product, and incentives the retailer upon completion of the payment process. Is granted. Further, upon completion of the order of the product (order determination or settlement processing completion), the retail server 3 is notified of the order completion / optional order.

  Thus, according to the modification of 3rd Embodiment, since the payment agency server 9 is a structure which provides an incentive with respect to a retail store, the provision process of the incentive by the maker server 2 becomes unnecessary, and a maker's merit Is big.

  In the third embodiment, the first order method for directly placing an order for the product to the maker server 2 using the Web browser and the second order for placing the order for the product via the settlement agent server 9 using the payment agent application. The method can be selected by the user, but a system configuration that can implement only the second method may be adopted (a system configuration that can implement only the first method is as shown in the second embodiment). In this case, the storage of the product order URL can be omitted in the product code C1 and the product order code C2.

  As described above, the three embodiments and the modified examples have been described. However, the respective units of the printing apparatus 1, the manufacturer server 2, the retail store server 3, the customer terminal 4, or the settlement proxy server 9 described in the embodiments and modified examples are provided as programs. Is possible. Further, the program can be provided by being stored in a recording medium (not shown). That is, a program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the printing apparatus 1, the manufacturer server 2, the retail store server 3, the customer terminal 4, or the payment proxy server 9 of each embodiment, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded are also included in the present invention. Is included in the scope of rights.

  In each of the above embodiments, the printing system SY1 or the sales system SY2, SY3 related to the order of the electrical appliance is illustrated. However, in addition to the electrical appliance, other products such as cosmetics, furniture, miscellaneous goods, clothing, and foods can be used. Also, the present invention is applicable. In the second embodiment, for example, the retail store system SY22 in which the retail store server 3 and the printing apparatus 10 or the POS terminal 60 are connected via the network 70 is illustrated. However, the printing apparatus 10 or the POS terminal 60 is made intelligent, The function of the retail store server 3 may be added. That is, the printing apparatus 10 and the POS terminal 60 may function as the retail store server 3. Other modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  1: Printing device 2: Manufacturer server 3: Retail store server 4: Customer terminal 9: Payment agency server 10: Printing device 50: Advertising medium 60: POS terminal 80: Electronic price tag 111: Storage unit 112: Reading unit 113: Product order Code generation unit 114: printing unit 115: update information reception unit 121: order processing unit 122: incentive granting unit 123: order completion notification unit 124: exhibition start application reception unit 125: update information notification unit 126: latest price information notification unit 128 : Latest price information notification unit 131: Option processing unit 132: Exhibition start application unit 133: Price update processing unit 134: Over-the-counter payment notification unit 135: Latest price information receiving unit 136: Latest price information providing unit 141: Reading unit 142: Product Order part 161: Reading part 162: Settlement processing part 191 Authentication unit 192: Manufacturer server specifying unit 193: Personal information storage unit 194: Manufacturer notification unit 195: Latest price information receiving unit 196: Payment processing unit 197: Payment processing unit C1: Product code C2: Product order code SY1: Printing system SY2 , SY3, SY4: Sales system SY21, SY22: Retail store system

Claims (10)

A product order code generation unit that generates a product order code by encoding a product order address and a retail store information for identifying a retail store for ordering the product;
And a printing unit that prints a printed matter including the product order code. A storage unit for storing the retail store information;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reading unit that reads a product code including the product order address. The product code includes a product price address indicating the price of the product,
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing unit prints the price of the product indicated by the product price address on the printed matter. The product code includes a product image address indicating an image of the product,
The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the printing unit prints an image of the product indicated by the product image address on the printed matter. The storage unit stores format information of the printed matter,
The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the printing unit prints the printed matter according to the format information. The product code includes an exhibition start application address for applying to start display of the product,
The printing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an exhibition start application unit configured to notify the retail start information to the display start application address and to apply for display start of the product. An update information receiving unit that receives update information including the product order address, the product price address, and the product image address from a predetermined server;
The product order code generation unit, when receiving the update information, encodes the product order address included in the update information and the retail store information, and generates the updated product order code,
The printing unit updates the product order code after update, the price of the product after update acquired from the product price address included in the update information, and the update acquired from the product image address included in the update information. The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a printed matter including an image of the subsequent product is printed. The retail store information includes an address of a printing device,
The predetermined server transmits the update information to an address of a printing apparatus that has applied for display start of the product when the information about the product for which the display start application has been applied has been updated. The printing apparatus according to claim 7. A storage step for storing retail store information identifying the retail store;
A product code acquisition step for acquiring a product code including a product order address for ordering the product;
A product order code generating step for generating a product order code by encoding the product order address and the retail store information;
And a printing step of printing a printed material including the product order code.   The program for making a computer perform each step in the control method of the printing apparatus of Claim 9.

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