JP2022102221A - Server device and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a server device which can provide useful information to a customer visiting a real store after purchasing a commodity, and a computer program.SOLUTION: A server device includes an information storage unit, a receiving unit, an information extraction unit, and an information providing unit. A store information storage unit stores identification information of a store, identification information of a commodity, and store commodity related information related to a commodity in a store, in association with each other. The receiving unit receives the store identification information and the commodity identification information obtained from an electronic shelf tag of a commodity disposed in a store, from a portable information terminal. The information extraction unit extracts store commodity related information associated with the store identification information and commodity identification information received by the receiving unit, from the information stored in the store information storage unit. The information providing unit provides the store commodity related information extracted by the extraction unit to the portable information terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a server device that provides product information to a mobile information device or the like.

Recently, EC (Electric Commerce) sites, so-called shopping sites, have become widespread, and products and services have come to be purchased through information devices capable of network communication such as personal computers, smartphones, and tablet terminals.

In particular, for smartphones and tablet terminals, dedicated application software is provided by businesses that sell products and services. By using the application software on a smartphone or tablet terminal, the user is provided with various conveniences from the business operator.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-191362

However, at present, most of the conveniences provided by businesses through EC sites and application software focus on the convenience of the process up to the purchase of a certain product.

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a server device and a computer program capable of providing useful information to a customer who visits a physical store.

The server device of the embodiment includes an information storage unit, a reception unit, an information extraction unit, and an information provision unit. The store information storage unit stores the store identification information, the product identification information, and the store product-related information related to the product in the store in association with each other, and the receiving unit obtains from the electronic shelf label of the product provided in the store. The store identification information and the product identification information are received from the mobile information device, and the information extraction unit associates the information stored in the store information storage unit with the store identification information and the product identification information received by the receiving unit. The store product-related information obtained is extracted, and the information providing unit provides the store product-related information extracted by the extraction unit to the mobile information device.

According to the present invention, useful information can be provided to a customer who visits a physical store.

The figure which shows the schematic structure of the information provision system. The figure which shows the structure of the portable information apparatus shown in FIG. The figure which shows the structure of the server apparatus shown in FIG. The figure which shows the structure of the electronic shelf label shown in FIG. The flowchart for demonstrating the processing of the mobile information apparatus shown in FIG. A flowchart for explaining the processing of the server device shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information providing system including a mobile information device and a server device according to an embodiment. This information providing system includes a mobile information device 100, a server device 200, an application providing server device 300, a store terminal 400, a payment system 500, an in-store communication device 600, and an electronic shelf label 700, and includes a mobile communication network NW1 and an Internet NW2. Each network of the intranet NW3 is used.

The mobile information device 100 is a terminal device owned (or possessed) by a user of the information providing service provided by the server device 200, and is a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a wearable computer (for example, a wristwatch-type smart watch). Can be considered.

The mobile information device 100 has a wireless communication function for wireless communication with the wireless base station BS of the mobile communication network NW1 and the access point AP of Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and a voice and data communication control function using the wireless communication function. , NFC (Near Field Communication), Bluetooth (registered trademark) and other short-range wireless communication functions, location information detection function, display function, video playback function, camera function for shooting still and moving images, sending and receiving e-mail It has functions and so on.

Further, the mobile information device 100 has a function of arbitrarily executing application software downloaded from the application providing server device 300 by the operation of the customer, and exhibits various functions by utilizing the application software.

In the following description, the mobile information device 100 is in a state where the application software (hereinafter referred to as a member application) for the member to use the information providing service is downloaded in advance and the service can be used. And.

This member application receives information about products and services sold by businesses from the server device 200 and displays (views) them, or has an EC (Electric Commerce) function in which users purchase the above products and services. Be prepared. Details will be described later.

The server device 200 is a computer that functions as the center of the information providing system, and is operated and managed by the above-mentioned business operator. Then, the server device 200 provides various information to the mobile information device 100 through the mobile communication network NW1 and the Internet NW2, manages and operates the EC (Electric Commerce) site, and passes through the member application and the EC site. It accepts orders, manages sales history, and manages member information.

Further, the server device 200 communicates with the store terminal 400 through the intranet NW3 to collect information, manage various information related to transactions, and manage and provide inventory information of each store. The store in the present embodiment is a so-called actual store that sells products and services to customers.

Intranet NW3 is a private network that operates stores and is used exclusively by the above-mentioned businesses. In the server device 200, instead of one device, a plurality of server devices may share the functions and cooperate to realize the entire functions described above. Details of the server device 200 will be described later.

The store terminal 400 is a terminal device installed in a store that sells products or provides services, and is a computer that functions as a terminal of a POS (Point Of Sales) system. Specifically, a plurality of store terminals 400 are provided in the same store, or are provided in a plurality of different stores, respectively, and the identification information (product code), selling price (transaction price), and selling time (transaction) of the sold product are provided. Data such as time), sales store (trading place), and member ID of the customer who traded are linked and transmitted to the server device 200 through the intranet NW3.

The payment system 500 is a system operated by a financial institution that makes payments such as a bank or a credit sales company, or a payment agency service company that makes payments on behalf of the customer. It is a computer system that makes payments, and supports both sales at stores and sales through member apps and EC sites.

The in-store communication device 600 is a wireless communication device for communicating with the electronic shelf label 700, performs wireless communication such as wireless LAN and Bluetooth, and displays on the electronic shelf label 700 designated from the server device 200 through the intranet NW3. Send data etc.

The electronic shelf tag 700 is a so-called ESL (Electronic Shelf Label), and is provided in association with each product in the store, for example, on a shelf for displaying products or an exhibition space. The electronic shelf label 700 displays various information such as a product name and a selling price in place of a display using a conventional print medium or the like, or together with the display, clearly indicates to a customer or the like by an electronic display. be.

Further, the electronic shelf label 700 has a function of performing short-range wireless communication by NFC, and by using this function, it is associated with a store ID indicating a store in which the electronic shelf label 700 is provided and the electronic shelf label 700. Information such as the product code of the product can be provided to the mobile information device 100.

Next, a schematic configuration of the mobile information device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 2.
The mobile information device 100 includes a position detection unit 101, a mobile communication unit 110, a WLAN communication unit 120, a short-range communication unit 130, a camera 140, a display unit 150, a voice signal processing unit 160, and an input unit 170. A storage unit 180 and a control unit 190 are provided, and these are connected to each other by a control bus 151. Further, the portable information device 100 includes a speaker 161 and a microphone 162.

The position detection unit 101 detects the position of the portable information device 100 based on a signal from an artificial satellite of a global satellite navigation system (GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite System) such as GPS (Global Positioning System).

The mobile communication unit 110 is a communication unit that communicates with the radio base station BS of the mobile communication network NW1 deployed by the communication carrier, and is, for example, 4G (4th Generation) / LTE (registered trademark) (Long-Term Evolution). It supports communication standards such as 5G (5th Generation) / NR (New Radio).

The WLAN communication unit 120 is a communication unit that wirelessly communicates with an access point AP corresponding to a wireless LAN standard such as IEEE 802.11, and corresponds to a communication standard such as IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ac, or IEEE 802.11ax.

The short-range communication unit 130 is a communication unit for performing short-range wireless communication such as NFC and Bluetooth. In particular, the NFC communication unit is provided with an ID tag that stores the device ID for identifying the communication unit (or the mobile information device 100), and communication can be performed by bringing it close to the device on the communication partner side.

More specifically, by holding (approaching) the mobile information device 100 over the other party's communication device (for example, the electronic shelf label 700), the short-range communication unit 130 (the relevant) responds to a request from the other party's communication device. The device ID and information stored in the ID tag of the mobile information device 100) are transmitted, and conversely, the other party's communication device stores information (the ID tag of the other party's communication device stores) in response to a request from the short-range communication unit 130. (Device ID and information) to be transmitted, and the short-range communication unit 130 receives this.

The camera 140 is a digital camera using an image pickup element such as CMOS (Complementary MOS), and image-processes the pixel signal obtained by the image pickup element to obtain still image data in a format such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group). And generate moving image data in formats such as H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC.

The display unit 150 is a display device such as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel or a liquid crystal panel, and displays information such as still images such as characters and photographs and moving images.

The voice signal processing unit 160 decodes the voice data given from the control unit 190, converts it into an analog voice signal, amplifies it as necessary, outputs a loudspeaker from the speaker 161 or outputs the voice input through the microphone 162. After converting to a digital signal, it is encoded into audio data and output to the control unit 190.

The input unit 170 is a man-machine interface that receives input from the user, and includes a key switch, a touch panel, and the like. The touch panel is mounted on the display surface of the display unit 150, for example, detects an operation on a software key displayed on the display unit 150, and outputs the coordinate information to the control unit 190. The control unit 190 determines from the coordinate information which software key the operation is for, and executes the corresponding processing or control.

The storage unit 180 stores the control program, control data, application software, and various data of the control unit 190, which will be described later.

The control unit 190 controls each unit of the portable information device 100 in an integrated manner, includes a memory that can be used as a processor and a working area, and stores the control program and control data stored in the storage unit 180 in the memory. It is read and executed by the above processor to execute various processes and realize various functions.

Specifically, the control unit 190 has a wireless communication function for wireless communication with the wireless base station BS and the access point AP of the mobile communication network NW1, a voice and data communication control function using the wireless communication function, NFC, Bluetooth, and the like. It realizes short-range wireless communication function, position information detection function, display function, video playback function, camera function for shooting still images and moving images, and e-mail transmission / reception function.

Further, the control unit 190 can use the above functions in combination and realize various information processing and functions by reading the application software installed in the storage unit 180 into the memory and executing the processor. Yes, for example, it is possible to execute a member application and display information provided by the server device 200.

That is, the control unit 190 functions as a shelf label information acquisition unit, a request unit, a server information acquisition unit, and a display control unit when the processor executes the application software.

Next, a schematic configuration of the server device 200 will be described with reference to FIG.
The server device 200 includes communication units 210a and 210b, a storage unit 220, a database 230, and a control unit 240, which are connected to each other by a control bus 250. In addition, a console terminal (not shown) for the operator to give an instruction to the server device 200 to perform maintenance and management is provided.

The communication unit 210a is a communication interface for communicating with the store terminal 400 and the in-store communication device 600 installed in each store through the intranet NW3.
The communication unit 210b is a communication interface for performing communication through the Internet NW2, and communicates with, for example, a mobile information device 100 or a payment system 500.

The storage unit 220 stores the control program 220a and the control data 220b of the control unit 240, which will be described later.

The database 230 is a storage device having a relatively larger capacity than the storage unit 220, and is an example of the information storage unit, such as shelf label information data 230a, member information data 230b, and CI (check-in) history information data. It stores 230c, product introduction information data 230d, inventory information data 230e, store information data 230f, campaign information data 230g, coupon information data 230h, and the like.

The shelf label information data 230a includes identification data for identifying the electronic shelf label 700 (hereinafter referred to as a shelf label ID), a product code of the associated product, and a shelf label display to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 700. It is the data associated with the data.

The shelf label display data includes the product name, product code, product list price (manufacturer's suggested retail price), selling price, discount rate, value and ratio of points given to members at the time of purchase, and review evaluation on the EC site ( The degree is displayed by the number of stars), the number of review evaluations, the code display data for displaying the visualized product code and store ID (for example, barcode), and the like.

The member information data 230b is used to log in to the customer's name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, and EC site in the member ID uniquely assigned to the customer (user) who has registered as a member in the service provided by the business operator. It is associated with an ID, a password, identification information of a mobile information device (for example, a mobile phone number, etc.), a product code of a favorite product, and the like.

The CI history information data 230c is data that aggregates the history of the mobile information device 100 checking in to the store, and is data associated with a member ID, a check-in date and time, a shelf label ID, and the like. Note that check-in means that the user of the mobile information device 100 is in the store, that is, the mobile information device 100 is in the store. As a specific check-in confirmation method, the mobile information device 100 that operates the member application acquires the store ID from the electronic shelf label 700 and notifies the server device 200. Details will be described later.

The product introduction information data 230d is the product introduction information used for display by the member application, and is the same as the information displayed on the EC site. Specifically, the product introduction information includes information related to purchase such as the list price, selling price, discount rate, value and ratio of points to be given, and details of product features and specifications in the product name and product code. Includes information such as review ratings (displaying the degree by the number of stars) on the EC site, the number of review ratings, and comments sent to review ratings.

The information stored as the product introduction information data 230d is as described above, but as will be described later, the information actually displayed by the member application is the store where the check-in was performed in addition to this information. It is possible to display the stock information and the information of the exhibition / sales place in the above.

The inventory information data 230e is data indicating the inventory of each product for each store, and the product name and product code include the store name, store ID, and inventory information at each store (inventory quantity or inventory status (inventory, inventory). It is inventory information associated with (slightly backordered, manufacturer's inventory) labels, flags, etc.).

The store information data 230f is data indicating the exhibition / sales place (building floor number or area number in the building) of each product for each store, and includes the store name, store ID, floor number, and the product name and product code. It is the arrangement information associated with the area number and the like.

The campaign information data 230g is display data for introducing the campaign being implemented (or planned) at each store, and introduces the campaign name, campaign identification code, campaign period, and campaign in the store name and store ID. This is the information associated with the text and image data to be used.

The coupon information data 230h is the code information of the coupon given when the check-in is performed. By using this code information at the time of payment at the store, preferential treatment such as discounting a predetermined ratio or amount and giving additional points can be received.

The control unit 240 controls each unit of the server device 200 in an integrated manner, includes a memory that can be used as a processor or a working area, and stores the control program 220a and the control data 220b stored in the storage unit 220 in the above memory. It is read into the above processor and executed by the above-mentioned processor to execute various processes and realize various functions.

Specifically, the control unit 240 performs communication control for controlling the communication unit 210a and the communication unit 210b and various information processing, and at least the shelf tag update unit 240a, the request reception unit 240b, the authentication processing unit 240c, and the information aggregation. It functions as a unit 240d, an information extraction unit 240e, and an information providing unit 240f.

The shelf label update unit 240a controls to send shelf label display data to the electronic shelf label 700 based on the shelf label information data 230a of the database 230 to update the contents displayed on the electronic shelf label 700. .. This control can be executed periodically or at any time according to the instruction of the system administrator.

The request receiving unit 240b is an example of a receiving unit, and performs reception control for receiving a request from the mobile information device 100 and information accompanying the request through the member application. The request includes, for example, an authentication request and an information provision request.

The authentication processing unit 240c performs authentication processing for an authentication request through an EC site or a member application based on the member information data 230b of the database 230.

The information aggregation unit 240d aggregates the history of check-ins made through the member application, and the information extraction unit 240e that controls to record or update the result as CI history information data 230c in the database 230 is the database 230. Information for extracting product introduction information data 230d, inventory information data 230e, store information data 230f, campaign information data 230g, coupon information data 230h, etc. and displaying them on the member application executed by the mobile information device 100 ( Hereinafter, control is performed to generate (referred to as application display information).

The information providing unit 240f performs transmission control to provide the application display information generated by the information extracting unit 240e to the mobile information device 100 in which the member application is executed, in response to a request from the mobile information device 100 or the like.

Next, the schematic configuration of the electronic shelf label 700 will be described with reference to FIG.
The electronic shelf label 700 includes a wireless communication unit 710, a short-range communication unit 720, a display unit 730, a storage unit 740, and a control unit 750.

The wireless communication unit 710 is a communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the in-store communication device 600, and receives the shelf label display data addressed to the electronic shelf label 700 from the server device 200 through the in-store communication device 600.

As mentioned above, the shelf label display data includes the product name, product code, product list price (manufacturer's suggested retail price), selling price, discount rate, value and ratio of points given to members at the time of purchase, and on the EC site. It includes the number of review evaluations (displaying the degree by the number of stars), the number of review evaluations, and the code display data for displaying the visualized product code and store ID (for example, barcode).

The short-range communication unit 720 is a communication unit for performing short-range wireless communication by NFC. Specifically, as a device ID for identifying the electronic shelf label 700, an ID tag storing the shelf label ID is provided, and communication can be performed by bringing the device ID close to the device on the communication partner side.

More specifically, when the mobile information device 100 is held over (close to) the electronic shelf tag 700, the short-range communication unit 720 responds to a request from the short-range communication unit 130 of the mobile information device 100. , Information such as a device ID (shelf tag ID) stored in the ID tag is transmitted to the mobile information device 100.

Here, as the information to be transmitted to a nearby device (for example, the mobile information device 100), in addition to the device ID (shelf tag ID), a store ID indicating a store provided with the electronic shelf label 700 and the electronic device are used. There is information such as the product code of the product associated with the shelf tag 700.

The display unit 730 is a display device such as an organic EL panel, a liquid crystal panel, or an electronic paper, and based on the above-mentioned shelf label display data, the product name, product code, product list price (manufacturer's suggested retail price), selling price, Discount rate, value and percentage of points given to members at the time of purchase, number of review evaluations (displaying the degree by the number of stars) and review evaluations on the EC site, visualized product code and store ID (for example, Bar code) etc. are displayed.

The storage unit 740 stores the control program and control data of the control unit 750, which will be described later, and the shelf label display data.
The control unit 750 controls each unit of the electronic shelf label 700 in an integrated manner, includes a memory that can be used as a processor and a working area, and stores the control program and control data stored in the storage unit 740 in the memory. Read and execute by the above processor. Specifically, reception control and display control of the above-mentioned shelf label display data are performed.

Next, the operation of the mobile information device 100 will be described. In the following description, in particular, the operation when the member application is executed will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation performed by the control unit 190 that executes the member application, and is a process of acquiring information from the server device 200 and displaying it among the functions exhibited by the member application. Is mainly explained.

When the member application is executed on the mobile information device 100, the control unit 190 executes a login process for starting the use of the member application in step S501, and the server is executed through the mobile communication unit 110 and the WLAN communication unit 120. Authentication is requested from the device 200, and when the authentication is completed, the process proceeds to step S502.

Specifically, a login screen prompting the user to enter the member ID and password is displayed on the display unit 150, and when the user inputs the member ID and password through the input unit 170, authentication request for these information is performed. Is transmitted to the server device 200 to request authentication.

When the server device 200 confirms that the combination of the entered member ID and password is correct, a protected communication link is established between the mobile information device 100 and the server device 200, and the mobile information device 100 logs in through the member application. It becomes possible to receive services for members (for example, point inquiry, purchase history, display of favorite product list, etc.).

In step S502, the control unit 190 starts the operation of the member application in the normal mode, receives the display data sent from the server device 200, displays the initial content immediately after login on the display unit 150, and proceeds to step S503. ..

In the normal mode, the server device 200 provides information substantially equivalent to that of the EC site. That is, in the normal mode, for example, when the user performs an operation for browsing the information of a certain product, the product introduction information (product name, product code, list price, selling price) displayed on the conventional EC site is displayed. , Discount rate, information related to purchase such as the value and ratio of points given, details of product features and specifications, review evaluation on the EC site (displaying the degree by the number of stars), review evaluation Information such as comments) is acquired from the server device 200 and displayed.

In step S503, the control unit 190 determines whether or not a check-in request has been generated by the user through the input unit 170. Here, if the check-in request does not occur, the process proceeds to step S503 again and waits for the check-in request to occur while continuing the normal mode. On the other hand, if the check-in request occurs, step S504. Move to.

The check-in request is a request for shifting from the normal mode to the store mode. The store mode is a mode that can be used when the user actually visits the store, and in addition to the information provided in the above-mentioned normal mode, information related to the store being visited and the visitor This is a mode for acquiring and displaying useful information provided only by the server device 200.

Further, as an example of the check-in request operation, the check-in request is performed through the software key included in the display image of the member application displayed on the display unit 150. More specifically, the control unit 190 displays on the display unit 150 a touch icon instructing reading by NFC and a reading icon instructing optical reading of the code (hereinafter referred to as scanning) as software keys. Then, the user's operation on these icons is accepted through the input unit 170, and the control unit 190 detects this.

In step S504, the control unit 190 determines whether the check-in request operation performed in step S503 is NFC (touch icon) or scan (read icon). Here, in the case of NFC (in the case of an operation for a touch icon), the process proceeds to step S505, while in the case of scanning (in the case of an operation for a read icon), the process proceeds to step S507.

In step S505, the control unit 190 activates the short-range communication unit 130 and proceeds to step S506. As a result, the short-range communication unit 130 functions as an NFC reader, performs short-range wireless communication according to a predetermined sequence, and attempts to receive from the electronic shelf label 700.

In step S506, the control unit 190 waits until the short-range communication unit 130 receives the shelf label ID from the electronic shelf label 700, and when the short-range communication unit 130 receives the shelf label ID, the store ID, and the product code. This is received from the short-range communication unit 130, and the process proceeds to step S509. If the shelf label ID cannot be received from the short-range communication unit 130 within the predetermined time, an error is displayed and a redo is requested (or the process proceeds to step S503).

In step S507, the control unit 190 activates the camera 140 and proceeds to step S508. As a result, the camera 140 starts the process of repeatedly performing imaging at a predetermined cycle, and sequentially outputs the captured image data to the control unit 190.

In step S508, the control unit 190 performs image analysis (scan processing) on the image data sequentially sent from the camera 140, and attempts to optically detect a code display such as a barcode. Eventually, when the code display is detected, the code display is decoded to obtain the product code and the store ID, and the process proceeds to step S509. If the code display cannot be detected within the predetermined time, an error display is performed and a redo is requested (or the process proceeds to step S503).

In step S509, the control unit 190 transmits the product code and the store ID obtained by the process of step S506 or step S508 to the server device 200 through the mobile communication unit 110 and the WLAN communication unit 120 to make a check-in request and to request the product. The application display information regarding the product corresponding to the code is requested, and the process proceeds to step S510.

As described above, since the check-in request to the server device 200 is started by the mobile information device 100 acquiring the product code and the store ID from the electronic shelf label 700, the product code and the store ID are acquired from the electronic shelf label 700. The operation for doing so means, for the control unit 190, substantially the same request (operation) as making a check-in request.

In step S510, the control unit 190 receives the application display information related to the product associated with the product code from the server device 200 through the mobile communication unit 110 and the WLAN communication unit 120, and proceeds to step S511.

In addition, this application display information includes product introduction information provided in normal mode (product name, product code, list price, selling price, discount rate, information related to purchase such as the value and ratio of points given, and product. In addition to the details of the features and specifications of the product, the review evaluation on the EC site (the degree is displayed by the number of stars), the information such as the comments received in the review evaluation), as information related to the store you are visiting, Additional information such as inventory information and exhibition / sales location information at the store where the user is currently visiting, campaign information introducing the campaign being implemented (or planned) at the store currently visiting, coupon code information, etc. Is included.

Since the control unit 190 was able to acquire the application display information in step S511, thereafter, the member application is operated in the store mode, and the process proceeds to step S512.

In the store mode, the control unit 190 identifies, for example, a product for which browsing is requested based on the above operation when an operation for browsing information of a certain product is performed by the user, and the control unit 190 of the product. A request including the product code and the store ID obtained in the process of the flow (step S506 or step S508) is transmitted to the server device 200.

As a result, in addition to the product introduction information provided in the normal mode, information related to the store visiting the store (for example, information related to the product in the store) is acquired from the server device 200 and displayed. That is, once the store mode is entered, a request including the store ID is transmitted thereafter, so that the desired product can be visited without NFC communication or optical reading on the shelf label for each product to be viewed. You can get information related to the store you are in.

In step S512, the control unit 190 performs a check-in display (check-in icon display) indicating that the member application has shifted to the store mode, displays the application display information received in step S510, and performs step S503. Transition.

The check-in display indicates the state in which the mobile information device 100 has checked in, in other words, the state in which the mobile information device 100 has shifted to the store mode. By checking the check-in display, the user can grasp the operation mode of the application. can do.

Next, the operation of the server device 200 will be described. In the following description, in particular, the operation of the application corresponding processing for the mobile information device 100 that has executed the member application will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation performed by the control unit 240, which is performed for each mobile information device 100 that has executed the member application, and is a process until the application display information is provided to the mobile information device 100. The explanation is centered.

When the request receiving unit 240b receives the authentication request from the mobile information device 100 that has executed the member application, the control unit 240 performs the authentication process by the authentication processing unit 240c in step S601, and proceeds to step S602.

Specifically, the authentication processing unit 240c confirms whether the combination of the member ID and the password included in the authentication request is correct based on the member information data 230b of the database 230 as the authentication process, and is correct. If it is, the mobile information device 100 is notified that the authentication is completed. Then, the authentication processing unit 240c establishes a protected communication link with the mobile information device 100, and the mobile information device 100 is in a state of being logged in through the member application.

In step S602, the control unit 240 transmits the display data prepared in advance to the mobile information device 100 in order to display the initial content immediately after login on the member application of the mobile information device 100 for which login has been completed, and in step S603. Transition.

In step S603, the control unit 240 recognizes that the mobile information device 100 just logged in is in the normal mode, and transmits display data of general contents in response to a request for information browsing from the mobile information device 100. Then, the process proceeds to step S604.

For example, when there is a request from the mobile information device 100 to browse a product, the product introduction information (product name, product code, list price, selling price) displayed on the conventional EC site is supported as a normal mode. , Discount rate, information related to purchase such as the value and ratio of points given, details of product features and specifications, review evaluation on the EC site (displaying the degree by the number of stars), review evaluation Information such as comments) is provided.

In step S604, the control unit 240 determines whether or not a check-in request has been received from the mobile information device 100. The check-in request includes the product code and the store ID as described in step S509 of FIG. Here, if the check-in request is received, the process proceeds to step S605, while if the check-in request is not received, the process proceeds to step S606.

In step S605, the control unit 240 recognizes that the user of the mobile information device 100 is actually visiting the store from the product code and the store ID sent in the check-in request, and at the same time, the electronic shelf label 700. The product associated with is specified, the member information data 230b and the CI history information data 230c are modified, and the process proceeds to step S607.

More specifically, the information aggregation unit 240d associates the store visit date and time with the member ID with the store ID included in the check-in request, additionally records it in the database 230 as CI history information data 230c, and checks the above. The product with the product code included in the in-request is additionally recorded in the member information data 230b as a favorite product in the list.

The CI history information data 230c aggregated in this way can be utilized for analysis of member trends. For example, the information totaling unit 240d may be used by the user of the electronic shelf label 700 for each store when a preset time has elapsed or when the number of data in the CI history information data 230c exceeds the preset number. A large number of products may be aggregated, or even more detailed aggregation may be performed by dividing by time zone or day of day.

Further, the user can register the product associated with the electronic shelf label 700 as a favorite product by a simple operation of reading the electronic shelf label 700 with the mobile information device 100. The products registered as favorite products are displayed as a favorite product list on the member application or the EC site, and are easily accessible.

In step S606, the control unit 240 determines whether or not the information request for the product including the store ID has been received from the mobile information device 100. It should be noted that this information request includes at least the product code. Here, if the information request including the store ID is received, the process proceeds to step S607, while if the information request including the store ID is not received, the process proceeds to step S603 and the mobile information device 100 Continue to respond as a normal mode to the request from.

In step S607, the control unit 240 extracts the product introduction information of the product for which information provision is requested from the product introduction information data 230d, and proceeds to step S608. Specifically, the information extraction unit 240e introduces the product code sent in the check-in request of step S604 or the product introduction information about the product corresponding to the product code included in the information request received in step S606. Extracted from information data 230d.

In step S608, the control unit 240 extracts inventory information about the product for which information provision is requested, and proceeds to step S609. Specifically, the store ID sent together by the information extraction unit 240e with respect to the product code sent in the check-in request in step S604 or the product corresponding to the product code included in the information request received in step S606. The inventory information (stock quantity and inventory status) in the store corresponding to the above is extracted from the inventory information data 230e.

In step S609, the control unit 240 extracts information on the exhibition / sales place in the store for the product for which information provision is requested, and proceeds to step S610. Specifically, the store ID sent together by the information extraction unit 240e with respect to the product code sent in the check-in request in step S604 or the product corresponding to the product code included in the information request received in step S606. The arrangement information indicating the display / sales place of the product in the store corresponding to the above is extracted from the store information data 230f.

In step S610, the control unit 240 extracts information on the campaign being executed (or planned) at the store corresponding to the store ID, and proceeds to step S611. Specifically, the information extraction unit 240e extracts campaign information from the campaign information data 230g, which introduces the campaign being implemented (or planned) for the store corresponding to the store ID. If the campaign information has already been notified to the mobile information device 100, this step may be skipped.

In step S611, the control unit 240 extracts the coupon information given to the member or the like who checked in with the member application, and proceeds to step S612. Specifically, the information extraction unit 240e extracts the code information of the coupon given to the member or the like who checked in with the member application from the coupon information data 230h. If the coupon code information has already been notified to the mobile information device 100, this step may be skipped.

In step S612, the control unit 240 generates application display information based on the information extracted in steps S607 to S611, transmits it to the mobile information device 100, and proceeds to step S604.

Specifically, first, the information extraction unit 240e generates application display information including the inventory information extracted in step S608 and the arrangement information extracted in step S609 in the product introduction information extracted in step S607. Then, if necessary, the campaign information extracted in step S610 and the coupon code information extracted in step S611 are added to the application display information. The information providing unit 240f transmits the application display information generated in this way to the mobile information device 100.

As described above, in the information providing system having the above configuration, the mobile information device 100 operated by the member application acquires the product code and the store ID from the electronic shelf label 700 and sends them to the server device 200, whereas the server In addition to the normal product introduction information provided in the normal mode, the device 200 also provides the mobile information device 100 with information related to the store visited by the user of the mobile information device 100.

Therefore, according to the information providing system having the above configuration, the information in the store can be provided to the user (customer) who has visited the store, and the user does not have to search for a clerk or wait for the clerk's response. It is very convenient.

Further, once the mobile information device 100 acquires the store ID from the electronic shelf tag 700, the mobile information device 100 subsequently operates in the store mode, transmits the store ID in addition to the product code, and requests the provision of information, and the server device 200. In addition to the usual product introduction information, the portable information device 100 also provides information related to the product in the store.

Therefore, according to the information providing system having the above configuration, if the mobile information device 100 checks in and shifts to the store mode, the server device 200 is subsequently used to browse information such as favorite products on the member application. Since the information related to the products in the store can be obtained in addition to the information, the user can obtain the inventory information without having to move to the display / sales place of the favorite product and read the electronic shelf label 700 again. be able to.

In addition, the information provided includes inventory information and placement information of products, as well as code information of campaigns and coupons being implemented (or planned) at the store. Therefore, by checking in using the member app, the user can reduce the possibility of overlooking useful information at the store visited, which promotes the user's use of the member app, while the business operator. Very efficient information can be provided to users. In addition, since the utilization of such a member application is realized by visiting the store, it also contributes to attracting users.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment as it is, and at the implementation stage, the components can be modified and embodied within a range that does not deviate from the gist thereof. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the above embodiments. Further, for example, a configuration in which some components are deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment can be considered. Further, the components described in different embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

For example, in the above embodiment, when the mobile information device 100 in the store mode requests the server device 200 to provide product information, the store ID acquired from the electronic shelf label 700 is included in the request. , Information related to products in stores is also acquired for the server device 200.

Instead of this, for example, the control unit 240 of the server device 200 recognizes that the mobile information device 100 that has requested the provision of information including the store ID is visiting the store, and after this recognition, the mobile information device is described above. In response to the information provision request from 100, in addition to the product introduction information, information related to the store visiting the store and information related to the product at the store visiting the store are added to provide information. May be good.

Further, in the above embodiment, the mobile information device 100 acquires the product code and the store ID from the electronic shelf label 700 and transmits the product code and the store ID to the server device 200 to request information provision, but the present invention is not limited to this. ..

Instead of this, for example, the shelf label information data 230a of the server device 200 is provided with the shelf label ID of the electronic shelf label 700, the product code of the product associated with the electronic shelf label 700, and the electronic shelf label 700. The store ID of the store is associated with the shelf label display data to be displayed.

Then, the mobile information device 100 acquires the shelf label ID from the electronic shelf label 700 and transmits it to the server device 200 to request information provision, whereas the control unit 240 of the server device 200 receives the received shelf label. The store ID and the product code are extracted based on the ID and the shelf label information data 230a.

Then, based on the extracted store ID and product code, the control unit 240 of the server device 200 responds from the product introduction information data 230d, the inventory information data 230e, the store information data 230f, the campaign information data 230g, and the coupon information data 230h. You may try to extract the information to be done.

Further, various methods can be considered for determining whether or not the mobile information device 100 is present in the store. For example, in the mobile information device 100 that executes the member application, the control unit 190 determines whether or not the user is in the store based on the detection result of the position detection unit 101, and if it is determined that the device is in the store. It may be operated in the store mode (switched in the case of the normal mode).

Specifically, the store ID and the location information of the store are stored in association with each other in the storage unit (180 or 220) of the mobile information device 100 or the server device 200, and based on the detection result of the position detection unit 101, the store ID and the location information of the store are stored in association with each other. The control unit (190 or 240) determines whether or not the mobile information device 100 is in the store.

According to this, the server device 200 sets the mobile information device 100 as the store mode even before the mobile information device 100 reads the electronic shelf label 700 by obtaining the determination result of the control unit (190 or 240). It becomes possible to handle.

Further, the mobile information device 100 that has performed the operation of reading the electronic shelf label 700 may be provided with benefits and services other than the provision of information and the granting of coupons to the user. For example, the checked-in mobile information device 100 (store mode mobile information device 100) may be able to use the wireless LAN access point in the store for a certain period of time free of charge or at a discounted price.

Further, in the above embodiment, the electronic shelf label 700 assigns the store ID indicating the store in which the electronic shelf label 700 is installed and the product code of the product associated with the electronic shelf label 700 to the mobile information device 100. Although it has been described as being transmitted, it may be an electronic shelf label 700 that does not transmit the above product code.

The mobile information device 100 may read the store ID from such an electronic shelf label 700, make a check-in request that does not necessarily require product introduction information, check in, and operate in the store mode. Even for the mobile information device 100 that has shifted to the store mode in this way, the server device 200 provides campaign information, coupon code information, and the like, so that the mobile information device 100 is useful at the store visited. You can get information.

Further, for example, the shelf label ID may be generated based on the store ID and the product code. That is, the mobile information device 100 acquires the store ID and the product code by receiving the shelf label ID from the electronic shelf label 700 by short-range wireless communication.
In addition, it goes without saying that various modifications can be made in the same manner without departing from the gist of the present invention.

100 ... portable information device, 101 ... position detection unit, 110 ... mobile communication unit, 120 ... WLAN communication unit, 130 ... short-range communication unit, 140 ... camera, 150 ... display unit, 151 ... control bus, 160 ... voice signal processing Unit, 161 ... Speaker, 162 ... Microphone, 170 ... Input unit, 180 ... Storage unit, 190 ... Control unit, 200 ... Server device, 210a ... Communication unit, 210b ... Communication unit, 220 ... Storage unit, 220a ... Control program, 220b ... Control data, 230 ... Database, 230a ... Shelf tag information data, 230b ... Member information data, 230c ... CI history information data, 230d ... Product introduction information data, 230e ... Inventory information data, 230f ... Store information data, 230g ... Campaign information data, 230h ... Coupon information data, 240 ... Control unit, 240a ... Shelf tag update unit, 240b ... Request reception unit, 240c ... Authentication processing unit, 240d ... Information aggregation unit, 240e ... Information extraction unit, 240f ... Information provision Department, 250 ... Control bus, 300 ... Application providing server device, 400 ... Store terminal, 500 ... Payment system, 600 ... In-store communication device, 700 ... Electronic shelf label, 710 ... Wireless communication unit, 720 ... Short-range communication unit, 730 ... Display unit, 740 ... Storage unit, 750 ... Control unit, NW1 ... Mobile communication network, NW2 ... Internet, NW3 ... Intranet.

Claims (15)

An information storage unit that stores the store identification information, the product identification information, and the store product-related information related to the product in the store in association with each other.
A receiving unit that receives the identification information of the store and the identification information of the product obtained from the electronic shelf label of the product provided in the store from the mobile information device.
An information extraction unit that extracts the store product-related information associated with the store identification information received by the reception unit and the product identification information from the information stored in the information storage unit.
A server device including an information providing unit that provides the store product-related information extracted by the information extracting unit to the mobile information device. When the portable information device requests information about a product after the receiving unit receives the store identification information, the information extracting unit is based on the store identification information received before the request. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the store product-related information associated with the requested product is extracted from the information stored in the information storage unit. The server device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information storage unit stores information related to inventory of the product in the store as the store product-related information. An information storage unit that stores the store identification information in association with the store-related information related to the store.
A receiving unit that receives the identification information of the store obtained from the electronic shelf label provided in the store from the mobile information device, and
An information extraction unit that extracts the store-related information associated with the store identification information received by the reception unit from the information stored in the information storage unit.
A server device including an information providing unit that provides the store-related information extracted by the information extracting unit to the mobile information device. The fourth aspect of claim 4 is characterized in that the information storage unit stores at least one of information related to a campaign at the store and information on coupons that can be used at the store as information related to the store. The described server device. A shelf label information storage unit that stores the identification information of the electronic shelf label of the product provided in the store, the identification information of the store, and the identification information of the product in association with each other.
An information storage unit that stores the store identification information, the product identification information, and the store product-related information related to the product in the store in association with each other.
A receiving unit that receives the identification information of the electronic shelf label obtained from the electronic shelf label from the mobile information device, and
From the information stored in the shelf label information storage unit, the store identification information and the product identification information associated with the electronic shelf label identification information received by the receiving unit are extracted, and the extracted store identification information is extracted. The information extraction unit that extracts the store product-related information associated with the product identification information from the information stored in the information storage unit, and the information extraction unit.
A server device including an information providing unit that provides the store product-related information extracted by the information extracting unit to the mobile information device. A shelf label information storage unit that stores the identification information of the electronic shelf label provided in the store in association with the identification information of the store.
An information storage unit that stores the store identification information and the store-related information related to the store in association with each other.
A receiving unit that receives the identification information of the electronic shelf label obtained from the electronic shelf label from the mobile information device, and
From the information stored in the shelf label information storage unit, the store identification information associated with the electronic shelf label identification information received by the receiving unit was extracted and associated with the extracted store identification information. An information extraction unit that extracts store-related information from the information stored in the information storage unit, and an information extraction unit.
A server device including an information providing unit that provides the store-related information extracted by the information extracting unit to the mobile information device. Computer,
A shelf label information acquisition unit that acquires the identification information of the store and the identification information of the product from the electronic shelf label of the product provided in the store, and
A request unit that requests information provision by transmitting the store identification information and the product identification information acquired by the shelf label information acquisition unit to the server device.
A server information acquisition unit that acquires store product-related information related to the product in the store from the server device, and a server information acquisition unit.
A display control unit that displays including the store product-related items acquired by this server information acquisition unit, and a display control unit.
A computer program characterized by its ability to function. The request unit is characterized in that after the shelf tag information acquisition unit acquires store identification information, the acquired store identification information and product identification information are transmitted to a server device to request information provision. The computer program according to claim 8. The computer program according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the server information acquisition unit acquires information related to inventory of the product in the store as the store product-related information. Computer,
The shelf label information acquisition unit that acquires the identification information of the store from the electronic shelf label provided in the store, and
A request unit that requests information provision by transmitting the store identification information acquired by the shelf label information acquisition unit to the server device, and a request unit.
A server information acquisition unit that acquires information related to the store from the server device, and
A display control unit that displays information including information related to the store acquired by this server information acquisition unit, and a display control unit.
A computer program characterized by its ability to function. The computer program according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the shelf label information acquisition unit acquires the identification information by performing short-range wireless communication with the electronic shelf label. The computer program according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the shelf label information acquisition unit optically reads a code displayed on the electronic shelf label to acquire the identification information. Computer,
The shelf label information acquisition unit that acquires identification information from the electronic shelf labels of products installed in stores,
A request unit that requests information provision by transmitting the identification information acquired by the shelf label information acquisition unit to the server device, and a request unit.
A server information acquisition unit that acquires store product-related information related to the product in the store associated with the identification information from the server device.
A display control unit that displays information including the store product-related information acquired by this server information acquisition unit, and a display control unit.
A computer program characterized by its ability to function. Computer,
A shelf label information acquisition unit that acquires identification information from electronic shelf labels installed in stores,
A request unit that requests information provision by transmitting the identification information acquired by the shelf label information acquisition unit to the server device, and a request unit.
A server information acquisition unit that acquires store-related information related to the store associated with the identification information from the server device, and a server information acquisition unit.
A display control unit that displays including the store-related information acquired by this server information acquisition unit, and a display control unit.
A computer program characterized by its ability to function.

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