JP4738110B2 - Sales promotion system, sales promotion method and sales promotion program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technology for promoting sales using an electronic coupon, and more particularly, to a sales promotion system, a sales promotion method, and a sales promotion program that limit the number of redistribution of electronic coupons and prevent unlimited provision of coupon services. .

  In recent years, mobile terminals (terminals) such as mobile phones, PHS (Personal Handyphone system), PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) and the like have been widely used.

  On the other hand, such portable terminals are also used in cooperation with store services, and play an important role in cooperation with actual stores. One of the most commonly implemented links between mobile terminals and store services is a coupon service using electronic coupons.

  The coupon service using an electronic coupon is a service such as receiving a discount or receiving a free gift when an electronic coupon displayed on the screen of a mobile phone is presented. Coupon services using electronic coupons are used not only in retail stores but also in various businesses such as restaurants and rental stores.

  In recent years, portable terminals include a model capable of short-range wireless communication using infrared rays, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the like, and a model equipped with a non-contact IC card, and can exchange electronic data itself. If such a portable terminal is used, not only an electronic coupon is presented via a screen, but also authentication can be reliably performed, or data of the electronic coupon can be transmitted to another portable terminal.

  The technique which concerns on provision of the coupon service using the portable terminal mentioned above is disclosed by patent document 1, for example. The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 enables a coupon or a copy thereof to be distributed from a user to a user. First, when distributing an electronic coupon, the user who distributed the coupon in the electronic coupon The identifier is recorded on the electronic coupon as a history. And when the electronic coupon is utilized, a user is investigated from the identifier of the user recorded on the history, and an incentive is given to the electronic coupon user.

As a result of giving incentives to electronic coupon users, the effect of encouraging the distribution of electronic coupons and enhancing the advertising effect is expected.
JP 2003-187140 A

  However, when providing a coupon service using the system and method described in Patent Document 1, there is no limit to the number (number of times) of distributing coupon copies. In other words, coupon distribution can be permitted without limitation. For this reason, it was not possible to grasp how many copies of the coupon were distributed, and there was a problem that it was difficult to know how much service to provide to the customer could be prepared.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and aims to prevent unlimited provision of a coupon service associated with unlimited redistribution of electronic coupons while maintaining the sales promotion effect by redistribution of electronic coupons. And

The sales promotion system according to the present invention includes a coupon issue server that distributes an electronic coupon issued to a terminal connected via a public communication network, and the coupon issue server includes coupon ID information for identifying the electronic coupon. And an electronic coupon issuing means for issuing an electronic coupon separated from the redistribution permission count information and the redistribution count information and transmitting the issued coupon information related to the electronic coupon to a designated terminal, and the redistribution of the electronic coupon As a result of collating the user identification information of the terminal requesting the electronic identification with the user identification information of the terminal permitted to redistribute the electronic coupon included in the authentication database having the user identification information of the terminal permitted to redistribute the electronic coupon based a determining authentication means whether to allow redistribution of the electronic coupon, the authentication unit of the previous It is determined whether redistribution is permitted based on a result of comparing the redistribution permission number information and the redistribution number information with reference to the redistribution permission number information and the authentication database including the redistribution number information. Means .

In the sales promotion method according to the present invention, a coupon issue server provides a coupon ID granting step for giving coupon ID information for identifying the electronic coupon to coupon information of an electronic coupon issued by the coupon issuing server based on the acquired coupon information, issuing server, with the ticketing electronic coupon, a ticket coupon authentication information generation step of generating authentication information including the redistribution number of permitted information and redistribution count information, the coupon issuing server, is created by the coupon ID assignment step An electronic coupon distribution step of transmitting the issued coupon information separated from the redistribution permission number information and the redistribution number information to the designated terminal, and an authentication request included in the authentication request transmitted from the terminal by the coupon issue server Authentication required information extraction step for extracting necessary information and coupon issuer The user identification information collating step in which the user collates the user identification information included in the authentication necessary information with the user identification information stored in the authentication database, and the result that the coupon issuing server is confirmed in the user identification information collating step. An authentication result transmission step for transmitting the result of authentication based on the authentication request source terminal, an authentication type confirmation step for the coupon issuing server to confirm authentication type information included in the authentication required information, and an authentication type confirmation step. A redistribution permission / rejection determination step of determining whether to permit redistribution of an electronic coupon for which an authentication request has been made when it is confirmed that the request is an authentication request for redistribution of an electronic coupon .

The sales promotion program according to the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as a means for functioning as a means for distributing an electronic coupon issued to a terminal connected via a public communication network. And an electronic coupon issuing means for issuing an electronic coupon separated from the redistribution permission count information and the redistribution count information and transmitting the issued coupon information related to the electronic coupon to a designated terminal, and redistribution of the electronic coupon As a result of collating the user identification information of the terminal requesting the electronic identification with the user identification information of the terminal permitted to redistribute the electronic coupon included in the authentication database having the user identification information of the terminal permitted to redistribute the electronic coupon Authentication means for determining whether to permit redistribution of the electronic coupon based on The authentication means permits redistribution based on a result of comparing the redistribution permission count information and the redistribution count information with reference to the authentication database including the redistribution permission count information and the redistribution count information. The computer is caused to function as a coupon issue server including means for determining whether or not .

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the unlimited provision of the coupon service accompanying the redistribution of an unlimited electronic coupon can be prevented, maintaining the effect of the sales promotion expansion by redistribution of an electronic coupon.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a sales promotion system 1 that is an example of a sales promotion system according to the present invention. The coupon issuing server 2 in the sales promotion system 1 shown in FIG. 1 and the first portable terminal 3, the second portable terminal 4 and the POS (Point of Sale) terminal 5 which are examples of terminals execute processing. It is assumed that a program that realizes a function necessary for the above is installed in advance.

  A sales promotion system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is redistributed from a coupon issue server 2 that issues an electronic coupon, a first portable terminal 3 that receives an electronic coupon distributed from the coupon issue server 2, and a first portable terminal 3. The second portable terminal 4 that receives the electronic coupon and the POS terminal 5 of the store where the electronic coupon can be used are connected via a public communication network 6 such as the Internet so that information can be exchanged. .

  The coupon issuing server 2 includes an electronic coupon issuing unit 11 that issues an electronic coupon and distributes it to the specified user of the first portable terminal 3, and an authentication unit 12 that determines whether the electronic coupon is redistributed or permitted.

  The electronic coupon issuing means 11 and the authenticating means 12 of the coupon issuing server 2 are realized by executing a program (hereinafter referred to as a coupon issuing server PG, which is not shown) that causes the computer to function as the coupon issuing server 2. Means. That is, the electronic coupon issuing means 11 and the authentication means 12 are realized by the cooperation of a computer (hardware) and a coupon issuing server PG (software).

  The electronic coupon issuing means 11 includes a coupon database (hereinafter abbreviated as coupon DB) 14 having coupon information of an electronic coupon, and a product or service (hereinafter simply referred to as a privilege target) that is a privilege target of the electronic coupon to be issued. Re-distributable users and users (hereinafter referred to as “qualified”) associated with the information of “Yes”) and the number of times that re-distribution is permitted (hereinafter referred to as “re-distribution permitted frequency information”). ) And a distributor database (hereinafter abbreviated as a distributor DB) 17 in which addresses of distribution destinations obtained in advance are recorded. . Connected to the authentication means 12 is an authentication database (hereinafter abbreviated as an authentication DB) 18 having information on permission / inhibition of redistribution or use of electronic coupons.

  The electronic coupon issuing means 11 of the coupon issuing server 2 is a means for issuing an electronic coupon based on the acquired coupon information (hereinafter referred to as a coupon issuing means), and a means for attaching an identifier, that is, a coupon ID, to the issued electronic coupon. (Hereinafter referred to as coupon ID giving means) and means for distributing the issued electronic coupon to a predetermined distribution destination (hereinafter referred to as electronic coupon distribution means).

  The authentication unit 12 determines a unit for creating an authentication DB 18 (hereinafter referred to as an authentication DB creation unit) used when determining whether to permit redistribution or use of an electronic coupon, and determines whether to permit redistribution or use of an electronic coupon. Means (hereinafter referred to as authentication means).

  In FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, a coupon issue server 2, a mobile terminal (first mobile terminal) 3 that receives a distributed electronic coupon, and a mobile terminal (second mobile terminal) that receives a redistributed electronic coupon. 4 and the POS terminal 5 both show the case of one, but the numbers of the coupon issuing server 2, the first portable terminal 3, the second portable terminal 4 and the POS terminal 5 are all illustrated. The number is not limited.

  For example, the coupon issue server 2 may be composed of two servers in which a server that functions as the electronic coupon issue means 11 and a server that functions as the authentication means 12 are combined. Of course, a plurality of units may be combined.

  The electronic coupon issuing means 11 can issue an electronic coupon using a coupon issuing means. The electronic coupon is issued by acquiring coupon information from the coupon DB 14 having coupon information of the electronic coupon that the coupon issuing means 11 wishes to issue and issuing an electronic coupon based on the acquired coupon information.

  Here, the coupon information is information including at least information on the benefit, information on the benefit content, and information on the validity period for receiving the benefit.

  Moreover, when issuing the electronic coupon, the electronic coupon issuing means 11 refers to the qualified person DB 15 using the coupon issuing means, and obtains the user identification information and redistribution permission number information of the qualified person in the electronic coupon to be issued. Extract.

  Here, the user identification information is information for uniquely identifying the users of the first portable terminal 3 and the second portable terminal 4. For example, a unique ID number (terminal ID) assigned to each of the first portable terminal 3 and the second portable terminal 4 possessed by a qualified person is applicable.

  Furthermore, the electronic coupon issue means 11 can create the issue coupon information which added the coupon ID information (henceforth coupon ID information) to the electronic coupon information using the coupon ID grant function. The coupon ID is given by the electronic coupon issuing means 11 determining a unique coupon ID and adding the determined coupon ID information to the coupon information of the electronic coupon issued.

  Moreover, if the electronic coupon issue means 11 produces issue coupon information, it will distribute the issue coupon information created using the electronic coupon distribution means as an electronic coupon. Electronic coupons are distributed using electronic mail, and a distribution destination is specified by referring to a distributor DB 17 and selecting an address to be a distribution destination.

  The authentication unit 12 updates the information in the authentication DB 18 having authentication information using the authentication DB creation function. Here, the authentication information is information of a user who is permitted to redistribute or use each distributed electronic coupon. That is, it is information obtained by collecting authentication information of privilege target units sent from the electronic coupon issuing means 11.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an electronic coupon issued by the electronic coupon issuing unit 11 based on the issued coupon information.

  As shown in FIG. 2, information included in the issued coupon information, that is, coupon ID, privilege object, privilege content (shown as privilege in FIG. 2), and expiration date are recorded in the electronic coupon. In the first portable terminal 3 and the second portable terminal 4 that have received the electronic coupon as shown in FIG. 2 by distribution or redistribution, the received electronic coupon can be displayed.

  On the other hand, when the electronic coupon issuing means 11 acquires the coupon ID information, the user identification information of the qualified person and the redistribution permission number information in the coupon corresponding to the coupon ID, the acquired coupon ID information, the qualified person's A qualified person list 16 is created based on the user identification information and the redistribution permission number information.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the qualified person list 16 created by the electronic coupon issuing means 11.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the qualified person list 16 includes a coupon ID, a terminal ID (user identification information) of a redistributable person and a user corresponding to the coupon ID, and a redistributable person's redistribution. Records the number of permitted distributions. For this reason, the information recorded in the qualified person list 16 can be used as authentication information for authenticating a coupon redistributable person or a usable person for the benefit object, that is, authentication information for a benefit object unit. it can. Information recorded in the qualified person list 16 (authentication information for the privilege target unit) is sent from the electronic coupon issuing means 11 shown in FIG.

  The authentication unit 12 updates the information in the authentication DB 18 having authentication information using the authentication DB creation function. Here, the authentication information is information of a user who is permitted to redistribute or use each distributed electronic coupon. That is, it is information obtained by collecting authentication information of privilege target units sent from the electronic coupon issuing means 11.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the authentication DB 18 created by the authentication unit 12.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in addition to the information obtained by collecting a plurality of qualified person lists 16 shown in FIG. 3, the authentication DB 18 further includes information on the number of times the electronic coupon has been redistributed so far (hereinafter referred to as redistribution number information and Have). That is, the authentication DB 18 has authentication information in units of electronic coupons for all distributed electronic coupons.

  In addition, since the authentication DB 18 has the redistribution count information, the authentication unit 12 can compare the redistribution count and the redistribution permission count, so that the authentication unit 12 performs authentication at the time of use or redistribution. In addition, it is possible to perform authentication in consideration of the number of redistributions when performing authentication at the time of redistribution. That is, unlimited redistribution of electronic coupons can be prevented.

  In addition, when there is a request for redistribution or use of an electronic coupon, the authentication unit 12 shown in FIG. 1 performs authentication using an authentication function, and determines whether the electronic coupon is redistributed or used depending on the result of the authentication. decide.

  Next, the first mobile terminal 3 and the second mobile terminal 4 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the configuration of the first mobile terminal 3. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the second mobile terminal 4.

  First, according to FIG. 5, the first portable terminal 3 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 that performs arithmetic processing, a memory 22 that stores electronic information, a ROM (Read only Memory) 23, and a recording unit 24. A public network connection unit 25 for connecting to the public communication network 6, a short-range communication unit 26 for performing short-range communication using infrared rays or Bluetooth (registered trademark), for example, and displaying information to the user A display unit 27 and an input unit 28 for inputting information are provided.

  The recording unit 24 stores a coupon list 30 having issued coupon information of electronic coupons that have been distributed, and terminal ID information 31.

  The second portable terminal 4 in FIG. 6 is the same as the second portable terminal 4 except that the number of the terminal ID information 31 is different.

  On the other hand, in terms of functional aspects, the first portable terminal 3 is configured to issue electronic mail between means for transmitting / receiving an electronic mail (hereinafter referred to as electronic mail transmitting / receiving means) and another terminal at a short distance. A means for transmitting / receiving coupon information (hereinafter referred to as short-range communication means), a function for connecting to the coupon issuing server 2 via the public communication network 6 (hereinafter referred to as a Web access function), And means for requesting authentication at the time of distribution or use (hereinafter referred to as authentication request means).

  7 to 10 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the coupon list 30 stored in the recording unit 24.

  According to FIG. 7, in the coupon list 30, issued coupon information is recorded in a list form. That is, the coupon ID, the privilege target (target product), the privilege content (privilege), and the validity period are recorded. The contents of the coupon list 30 of the recording unit 24 are updated when an electronic coupon is distributed via the public network connection unit 25 or the short-range communication unit 26.

  When the first mobile terminal 3 receives the issued coupon information from the coupon issuing server 2 via the public network connection unit 25, the received portable coupon information is recorded in the current coupon list 30 and the contents of the coupon list 30 are recorded. Update. For example, in the 1st portable terminal 3 which stored the coupon list 30 shown in FIG. 7, when the issue coupon information shown in FIG. 7 is received from the coupon issue server 2, the issue coupon information (coupon shown in FIG. ID is CCCCC) and the coupon list 30 stored in the first portable terminal 3 is updated to the state shown in FIG.

  Moreover, the content of the coupon list 30 is updated even if an electronic coupon is used. For example, in the first mobile terminal 3 storing the coupon list 30 shown in FIG. 9, when using an electronic coupon (FIG. 7) whose coupon ID is CCCCC, the first mobile terminal 3 issues the issue coupon information shown in FIG. 2. When (coupon ID is CCCCC) is transmitted to the POS terminal 5 via the short-range communication unit 26, the coupon list 30 stored in the recording unit 24 of the first portable terminal 3 is updated to the state shown in FIG. The That is, the issued coupon information whose coupon ID is CCCCC is deleted from the coupon list 30 shown in FIG.

  Note that the issued coupon information of the coupon list 30 is not deleted unless an electronic coupon is used. That is, even if the electronic coupon is redistributed from the first mobile terminal 3, the issued coupon information of the electronic coupon redistributed from the coupon list 30 stored in the first mobile terminal 3 is not deleted.

  The authentication request function of the first portable terminal 3 is not a standard function such as an e-mail transmission / reception function, a short-range communication function, and a Web access function, but an authentication request program (hereinafter referred to as an authentication request PG). Realized by installing). The authentication request PG is provided by providing from the coupon distribution service provider when registering as a member of the coupon distribution service. The received authentication request PG is stored in the recording unit 24.

  Next, the operation of the functional means will be described. The authentication request means included in the first portable terminal 3 is not a standard means such as e-mail transmission / reception means, short-range communication means, and Web access means, but an authentication request program (hereinafter referred to as an authentication request PG) described later. Realized by installing). The authentication request PG is provided by providing from the coupon distribution service provider when registering as a member of the coupon distribution service. The received authentication request PG is stored in the recording unit 24.

  The 1st portable terminal 3 receives the electronic coupon distributed from the coupon issue server 2 using the email transmission / reception function. That is, the issue coupon information transmitted from the coupon issue server 2 is received.

  In addition, when the first mobile terminal 3 redistributes or uses an electronic coupon, the first mobile terminal 3 requests authentication to the coupon issuing server 2 using an authentication request function and also requires information (hereinafter, authentication required information). Send). Communication with the coupon issue server 2 at the time of an authentication request is performed using a Web access function.

  FIG. 13 illustrates an outline of authentication required information transmitted when requesting authentication to the coupon issuing server 2 when redistributing an electronic coupon from the first portable terminal 3 to the second portable terminal 4. It is explanatory drawing to do.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the authentication necessary information is information including authentication type information indicating what authentication is performed, coupon ID information, and terminal ID information 31. The authentication necessary information is used when the authentication unit 12 performs authentication.

  Furthermore, the first portable terminal 3 uses the short-distance communication function to receive an electronic coupon that has been redistributed or used, as a second portable terminal 4 or a POS terminal that is a portable terminal other than the first portable terminal 3. 5 etc. can be transmitted.

  The POS terminal 5 receives the issued coupon information from the first portable terminal 3 or the second portable terminal 4, and performs a payment reflecting the privilege based on the issued coupon information.

  Next, the sales promotion method according to the present invention will be described.

  The sales promotion method according to the present invention can redistribute in addition to restricting users who can redistribute electronic coupons or restricting users who can redistribute electronic coupons when issuing electronic coupons. By limiting the number of sheets, it is possible to prevent unlimited provision of a coupon service associated with unlimited redistribution of electronic coupons while maintaining the effect of expanding sales promotion by redistributing electronic coupons.

  The sales promotion method according to the present invention is performed, for example, when the coupon issuing server 2, the first mobile terminal 3, and the second mobile terminal 4 in the sales promotion system 1 execute predetermined processing. Then, the processing content which the coupon issue server 2, the 1st portable terminal 3, and the 2nd portable terminal 4 in the sales promotion system 1 perform is demonstrated.

  The processing performed by the coupon issue server 2 requests an electronic coupon issue processing function for distributing an electronic coupon issued to the first portable terminal 3 connected via the public communication network 6 and redistribution of the electronic coupon. There is an authentication processing function for determining whether or not the electronic coupon is redistributed with respect to the first portable terminal 3. That is, the coupon issue server 2 implements a sales promotion method that includes an electronic coupon issue processing function and an authentication processing function.

  The sales promotion method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 is a processing flow diagram for explaining the processing steps of the electronic coupon issue processing function, and FIG. 15 is a processing flow diagram for explaining the processing steps of the authentication processing function.

  First, processing steps (steps S1 to S5) of the electronic coupon issue processing function shown in FIG. 14 will be described.

  In the electronic coupon issue processing function, first, an electronic coupon issuing step is performed in step S1. In the electronic coupon issuing step (step S1), the electronic coupon issuing means 11 acquires coupon information from the coupon DB 14, and issues an electronic coupon based on the acquired coupon information.

  In the coupon DB 14, information on the benefit content and information on the validity period for receiving the benefit are recorded for each benefit target, and the electronic coupon issuing means 11 is designated when the benefit target is specified at the time of coupon issue request. The coupon information for the privilege can be acquired from the coupon DB 14. When the electronic coupon issuing means 11 issues an electronic coupon requested to be issued, the electronic coupon issuing step is completed, and subsequently, a coupon ID giving step is performed in step S2.

  In the coupon ID giving step (step S2), the electronic coupon issuing means 11 gives a coupon ID to the electronic coupon issued in the electronic coupon issuing step. The electronic coupon issuing means 11 records a coupon ID that does not overlap with other coupons in the electronic coupon. That is, issue coupon information is created by adding coupon ID information to the electronic coupon information based on the electronic coupon issued in the electronic coupon issuing step. When the issued coupon information is created, the coupon ID giving step is completed, and subsequently, a ticket issuing coupon authentication information creating step is performed in step S3.

  In the ticket issuing coupon authentication information creating step (step S3), the electronic coupon issuing means 11 creates authentication information (authentication information for the privilege target unit) of the electronic coupon issued in the electronic coupon issuing step. The privilege target unit authentication information is information recorded in the qualified person list 16, and the creation of the privilege target unit authentication information is performed by creating the qualified person list 16. When the qualified person list 16 is created, the ticket issuing coupon authentication information creation step is completed, and subsequently, an authentication database update step is performed in step S4.

  In the authentication database updating step (step S4), the qualified person list 16 created in the ticketing coupon authentication information creating step by the authenticating means 12 is received from the electronic coupon issuing means 11, and the information of the qualified person list 16 is written in the authentication DB 18. In addition, the authentication DB 18 is updated. When the authentication DB 18 is updated, the authentication database update step is completed, and an electronic coupon distribution step is performed in step S5.

  In the electronic coupon distribution step (step S5), the electronic coupon issuing means 11 transmits the issued coupon information created in the coupon ID giving step to the first portable terminal 3 designated as the distribution destination. Electronic coupons are distributed using email. When the electronic coupon issuing means 11 distributes the electronic coupon, that is, transmits the issued coupon information, the electronic coupon distribution step is completed.

  Next, the authentication processing function (steps S11 to S19) shown in FIG. 15 will be described.

  In the authentication required information extracting step (step S11), the authentication unit 12 uses the authentication required information included in the authentication request transmitted from the first mobile terminal 3 or the second mobile terminal 4 as coupon ID information and user identification information. Terminal ID information 31 is extracted. When the authentication unit 12 extracts the coupon ID information and the terminal ID information 31, the authentication necessary information extraction step is completed, and the process proceeds to step S12. And a terminal ID collation step is made.

  In the terminal ID collation step (step S12), the authentication unit 12 collates terminal ID information used as an example of user identification information. That is, in the terminal ID collation step, the authentication unit 12 collates the terminal ID extracted in the authentication necessary information extraction step and the terminal ID recorded in the authentication DB 18 for the electronic coupon that is the target of the authentication request.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal IDs of redistributable users and available users are recorded for each coupon ID in the authentication DB 18. Therefore, the authentication means 12 can uniquely identify the electronic coupon that is the subject of the authentication request based on the coupon ID information extracted in the authentication required information extraction step. Moreover, if an electronic coupon can be specified uniquely, it can be determined by collating terminal ID whether it is the portable terminal 3 and 4 of the redistributable person and user of the specified electronic coupon.

  In the authentication confirmation type confirmation step (step S13), the authentication means 12 confirms whether the authentication means 12 authenticates whether redistribution is possible or not, and first, the authentication means 12 redistributes. Authenticate whether or not The type of authentication confirmed by the authentication unit 12 can be confirmed by referring to the authentication type information included in the authentication necessary information.

  If the authentication type is redistribution authentication (YES in step S13), the authentication type confirmation step is completed, and the redistributable person terminal ID confirmation step is performed.

  In the redistributable person terminal ID confirmation step (step S14), is the terminal ID extracted in the authentication required information extracting step recorded as the redistributable person terminal ID in the authentication DB 18 based on the result of the collation in the terminal ID collation step S12? Judge whether. When the terminal ID extracted in the authentication required information extraction step is recorded as a redistributable person terminal ID in the authentication DB 18 (YES in step S14), a redistribution permission / inhibition determination step is performed.

  In the redistribution permission / rejection determination step, first, in step S15, the authentication means 12 has redistributed up to the present time to the upper limit number of times that the authentication request source mobile terminals 3 and 4 can redistribute (hereinafter referred to as redistribution permission number) Compare the magnitude with the number of times n. The size comparison between the redistribution permission count m and the current redistribution count n is made by the authentication means 12 referring to the authentication DB 18 in which the redistribution permission count m and the current redistribution count n are recorded.

  When the authentication unit 12 compares the redistribution permission count m and the current redistribution count n with reference to the authentication DB 18, the process proceeds to step S16, which is a redistribution permission / rejection determination step, and the redistribution permission count m. And the relationship of the number of redistributions n up to now.

  When the redistribution permission count m is larger than the redistribution count n so far (in the case of YES at step S16), the redistribution permission determination step is completed, and the redistribution count update step is performed at step S17.

  In the redistribution count update step (step S17), the authentication unit 12 adds 1 to the redistribution count n in the authentication DB 18 and updates the redistribution count information. When the authentication unit 12 updates the redistribution count information in the authentication DB 18, the redistribution count update step is completed. Then, an authentication result permission transmission step (authentication result transmission step) is performed.

  In the authentication result permission transmission step (step S18), the authentication means 12 transmits a result indicating that redistribution or use is permitted to the portable terminals 3 and 4 that are authentication request sources. When the authentication unit 12 transmits a result indicating that redistribution or use is permitted to the mobile terminals 3 and 4 that are authentication request sources, the authentication result permission transmission step is completed.

  On the other hand, in the authentication confirmation type confirmation step, when the authentication type is user authentication (NO in step S13), the user confirmation step (step S13B) for continuously performing the authentication process for the electronic coupon user is performed. If it is determined that the user is a coupon user, the authentication type confirmation step is completed. In step S14B, a user terminal ID confirmation step is performed.

  In the user terminal ID confirmation step (step S14B), the terminal ID extracted in the authentication required information extraction step is recorded as the user terminal ID in the authentication DB 18 based on the result of collation in the terminal ID collation step (step S12). Determine if you are. When the terminal ID extracted in the authentication necessary information extraction step is recorded as the user terminal ID in the authentication DB 18 (YES in step S14B), an authentication result permission transmission step (step S18) is performed.

  In the authentication result permission transmission step, as in the case of redistribution permission / inhibition determination, the authentication unit 12 transmits a result indicating that the use is permitted to the mobile terminals 3 and 4 that are the request for the use authentication. When the authentication unit 12 transmits a result indicating that the use is permitted to the mobile terminals 3 and 4 that are the authentication request source, the authentication result permission transmission step is completed.

  On the other hand, in the redistributable person terminal ID confirmation step (step S13) or the usable person terminal ID confirmation step (step S14B), the terminal ID extracted in the authentication necessary information extraction step is redistributable person or usable person in the authentication DB 18. Is not recorded (in the case of NO in step S14 or step S14B), the redistributable person terminal ID confirmation step or the user terminal ID confirmation step ends, and the process proceeds from step S14 or step S14B to step S19. Then, an authentication result non-permission step (authentication result transmission step) is performed. If NO is determined in the user confirmation step (step S13B), the process similarly proceeds to step S19. Then, an authentication result non-permission step (authentication result transmission step) is performed.

  In the authentication result non-permission transmission step (step S19), the authentication unit 12 transmits a result indicating that redistribution or use is not permitted to the mobile terminals 3 and 4 that are authentication request sources. When the authentication means 12 transmits a result indicating that redistribution or use is not permitted to the mobile terminals 3 and 4 that are authentication request sources, the authentication result non-permission transmission step is completed. Further, when the redistribution permission count m is smaller than the current redistribution count n in step S16 (NO in step S16), the authentication result non-permission transmission step is also performed.

  FIG. 16 illustrates an example of an authentication result (display screen) displayed on the display unit 27 of the mobile terminal 3 or 4 as the authentication request source when redistribution or use is not permitted, that is, when authentication is rejected. It is explanatory drawing.

  When the authentication result transmission step of step S19 shown in FIG. 15 is executed, the authentication request source mobile terminals 3 and 4 having received the result indicating that the redistribution or use transmitted from the authentication means 12 is not permitted The result of not permitting redistribution or use as shown in FIG. 16 can be displayed on the display unit 27 of the terminals 3 and 4.

  In this embodiment, the number of redistribution of the electronic coupon is limited, but an embodiment in which the number of redistribution is not limited is also possible. In the embodiment in which the number of redistributions is not limited, the authentication type confirmation step (step S13), the redistribution permission / rejection determination step (steps S15 and S16) and the redistribution number update step (step S17) are omitted from the authentication processing function. Is done.

  Next, processing contents performed by the first mobile terminal 3 and the second mobile terminal 4 will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a process flow diagram illustrating the processing steps of the authentication request processing function performed by the first mobile terminal 3 or the second mobile terminal 4.

  When the CPU 21 receives a request to redistribute or use the electronic coupon input from the input unit 28 of the first mobile terminal 3 or the second mobile terminal 4, the authentication request processing step Processing is started in response to an instruction from the request PG.

  In the authentication required information extraction step (step S21), the CPU 21 extracts authentication required information. Among the authentication necessary information, coupon ID information of an electronic coupon to be authenticated is read and extracted from the coupon list 30 stored in the recording unit 24. Further, the terminal ID information 31 is read and extracted from the terminal ID information 31 stored in the recording unit 24. Furthermore, authentication type information is also extracted. When the authentication required information is extracted, the authentication required information extraction step is completed, and then the authentication required information transmission step is performed in step S22.

  In the authentication required information transmission step (step S22), the CPU 21 sends the authentication required information extracted in the authentication required information extraction step to the public network connection unit 25. When the public network connection unit 25 receives the authentication required information, the public network connection unit 25 connects to the public communication network 6 and the authentication required received to the coupon issue server 2 connected via the public communication network 6 is required. Send information. The authentication necessary information transmitted in the authentication necessary information transmitting step is shown in FIGS. 13, 18 and 19, for example.

  Here, FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the outline of the authentication required information transmitted when the second portable terminal 4 requests the coupon issuing server 2 for authentication.

  The authentication required information shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 is substantially the same as the authentication required information shown in FIG. 13 except that the terminal ID or the authentication type information and the terminal ID are different. That is, in the authentication required information transmission step, the authentication required information transmitted from the coupon issuing server 2 is used at the time of authentication. Although not shown, the first portable terminal 3 may transmit a usage authentication request as shown in FIG.

  In step S22, when the authentication necessary information is transmitted to the coupon issuing server 2, the authentication necessary information transmitting step is completed, and the reception of the authentication result is waited. That is, in step S23, it is determined whether or not the result of authentication from the coupon issuing server 2 has been received. If the result of authentication in step S23 is not received (NO in step S23), step S23 is periodically repeated. If the authentication result is received in step S23 (YES in step S23), an authentication result reception step is performed in step S24.

  In the authentication result receiving step (step S24), the public network connection unit 25 receives the authentication result transmitted from the coupon issuing server 2 connected via the public communication network 6. When the authentication result transmitted from the coupon issue server 2 is received, the authentication result receiving step is completed. And it progresses to step S25 and an authentication result judgment step is made.

  In the authentication result determination step (step S25), the CPU 21 determines the authentication result received in the authentication result reception step. If the received authentication result is a result indicating that redistribution or use of the electronic coupon is permitted (YES in step S25), the authentication result determination step is completed, and subsequently, the issued coupon information transmission step in step S26. Is made.

  In the issued coupon information transmission step (step S26), the electronic coupon permitted to be redistributed or used, that is, the issued coupon information is transmitted to the transmission partner. The issued coupon information is transmitted by the near field communication unit 26 performing near field communication using infrared rays or the like.

  Further, the transmission partner of the issued coupon information in the issued coupon information transmitting step differs depending on whether the electronic coupon is redistributed or used. When redistributing an electronic coupon, the 2nd portable terminal 4 becomes a transmission partner of issue coupon information, and when using an electronic coupon, the POS terminal 5 becomes a transmission partner of issue coupon information. When the issued coupon information is transmitted to the transmission partner (second portable terminal 4 or POS terminal 5), the issued coupon information transmission step is completed.

  When the issued coupon information transmission step is completed, the process proceeds to step S27, and it is determined whether or not the request is an authentication request for use of the electronic coupon. And when it is the authentication request | requirement with respect to utilization of an electronic coupon (in the case of YES at step S27), it progresses to step S28 and then a coupon list update step is made by step S27.

  In the coupon list update step (step S28), the electronic coupon transmitted by the CPU 21 in the issued coupon information transmission step, that is, the issued coupon information related to the used electronic coupon is deleted from the coupon list 30 stored in the recording unit 24. When the issued coupon information regarding the used electronic coupon is deleted from the coupon list 30, the coupon list update step is completed.

  Also, in step S24 shown in FIG. 17, if the received authentication result is a result indicating that redistribution or use of the electronic coupon is not permitted (NO in step S25), the authentication result determination step is completed, Proceed to S29. Then, an unauthorized result display step is performed.

  In the non-permission result display step (step S29), the CPU 21 displays on the display unit 27 a result indicating that redistribution or use of the electronic coupon is not permitted. When the non-permission result display step is performed, for example, a display screen as shown in FIG. 16 is displayed on the display unit 27. When the result indicating that redistribution or use of the electronic coupon is not permitted is displayed on the display unit 27, the disapproval result display step is completed.

  When the electronic coupon issuing means 11 and the authentication means 12 perform the processing steps of the electronic coupon issuing processing function and the authentication processing function, the first portable terminal 3 and the second portable terminal 4 that are authentication request transmission sources are unlimited. Thus, the electronic coupon cannot be redistributed, and unlimited redistribution of the coupon can be prevented.

  In addition, the first portable terminal 3 and the second portable terminal 4 can be authenticated by the authentication means 12 by performing the processing step of the authentication request processing function when redistributing or using the electronic coupon, The electronic coupon can be redistributed or used according to the authentication result. That is, the amount of electronic coupons that can be redistributed or used by the first mobile terminal 3 and the second mobile terminal 4 is limited within a certain range, and unlimited redistribution of coupons can be prevented.

  As described above, according to the sales promotion system 1, the coupon issuing server 2 authenticates the portable terminals 3 and 4 that have been requested to authenticate at the time of redistribution or use of the electronic coupon and determines whether the electronic coupon is redistributed or used. Since it judges, the unlimited provision of the coupon service accompanying the redistribution of an unlimited electronic coupon can be prevented, maintaining the effect of the sales promotion expansion by redistribution of an electronic coupon.

  Moreover, since the portable terminals 3 and 4 used by the sales promotion system 1 are comprised so that the coupon issue server 2 may be authenticated at the time of redistribution of an electronic coupon, redistribution of an electronic coupon is restricted within a certain range. be able to. That is, it is possible to prevent unlimited provision of a coupon service associated with unlimited redistribution of electronic coupons.

  Furthermore, by performing the processing steps of the electronic coupon issue processing function, the authentication processing function, and the authentication request processing function, the redistribution of the electronic coupon can be limited within a certain range. While maintaining the effect, it is possible to prevent unlimited provision of a coupon service associated with unlimited redistribution of electronic coupons.

  In this embodiment, the case has been described in which the function for carrying out the invention is recorded (installed) in advance in the apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same function may be downloaded from the network to the apparatus. Those having these functions stored in a recording medium may be installed in the apparatus. The form of the recording medium may be any form. Further, the function may be realized in cooperation with an OS (Operating System) or the like.

  Further, in the sales promotion system 1 shown in FIG. 1, both the first portable terminal 3 that can redistribute an electronic coupon and the number of times of redistribution are limited, but only the first portable terminal 3 that can be redistributed is limited. An embodiment in which the number of redistributions is not limited is also possible.

  When only the first portable terminal 3 that can redistribute the electronic coupon is limited and the number of redistributions is not limited, the qualified person list 16 shown in FIG. 2 is changed to a qualified person list 16A shown in FIG. The authentication DB 18 shown in FIG. 3 may be the authentication DB 18A shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the electronic coupon shown in FIG. 2 has been described on the assumption that text data is handled as an electronic coupon, but data other than text data may be handled as an electronic coupon.

  For example, in addition to text data, multimedia data such as images, moving images, and sounds may be used as an electronic coupon. When multimedia data is used as an electronic coupon, it is preferable to embed data as a digital watermark in these multimedia data in order to transmit information related to coupon IDs and coupon services.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the user identification information of the qualified person possessed by the qualified person DB 15 has been described as the user identification information of the redistributable person and the user, but it is not necessarily the user identification information of the redistributable person. It is not necessary to have user identification information of a user. For example, if the user is not limited, the user identification information of the user may not be included. If the user is not restricted, the authentication required when using the electronic coupon is not required.

  Further, in the present embodiment, it has been described that an electronic coupon is distributed to the first portable terminal 3 using an e-mail when the electronic coupon is issued, but the electronic coupon is distributed to the first portable terminal 3 by another method. May be.

  For example, a method of providing a multimedia kiosk capable of short-range communication with the first portable terminal 3 using infrared rays or the like, and distributing an electronic coupon to the first portable terminal 3 that has performed short-range communication with the multimedia kiosk. May be adopted.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when redistributing or using an authenticated electronic coupon, short-range communication using, for example, infrared light is performed, and the first mobile terminal 3 to the second mobile terminal 4 or POS is performed. Although it has been described that the electronic coupon is transmitted to the terminal 5, the electronic coupon may be transmitted from the first portable terminal 3 to the second portable terminal 4 or the POS terminal 5 using an electronic mail.

  In the sales promotion system 1 that transmits an electronic coupon from the first portable terminal 3 to the POS terminal 5 using an electronic mail, a gateway for receiving the electronic mail is provided in the store where the POS terminal 5 is located, and the POS terminal 5 and a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like.

Schematic explaining the structure of the sales promotion system which concerns on this invention. Explanatory drawing showing an example of the electronic coupon which the electronic coupon issuing means of the sales promotion system which concerns on this invention issues based on issue coupon information. Explanatory drawing explaining an example of the qualified person list which the electronic coupon issuing means of the sales promotion system which concerns on this invention produces. Explanatory drawing explaining an example of authentication DB which the authentication means of the sales promotion system which concerns on this invention produces. The lineblock diagram of the 1st portable terminal used with the sales promotion system concerning the present invention. The block diagram of the 2nd portable terminal used with the sales promotion system which concerns on this invention. Explanatory drawing explaining an example of the coupon list stored in the recording part of the portable terminal used with the sales promotion system which concerns on this invention. Explanatory drawing explaining the coupon list after receiving the electronic coupon shown in FIG. 2, when the coupon list shown in FIG. 7 is stored in the recording part of the portable terminal used with the sales promotion system which concerns on this invention. Explanatory drawing explaining an example of the coupon list stored in the recording part of the portable terminal used with the sales promotion system which concerns on this invention. Explanatory drawing explaining the coupon list after using the electronic coupon shown in FIG. 2, when the coupon list shown in FIG. 9 is stored in the recording part of the portable terminal used with the sales promotion system which concerns on this invention. Explanatory drawing explaining an example of the qualified person list which the electronic coupon issuing means of the sales promotion system which concerns on this invention produces. Explanatory drawing explaining an example of authentication DB which the authentication means of the sales promotion system which concerns on this invention produces. Explanatory drawing explaining the outline | summary of the authentication required information transmitted when requesting | requiring authentication with respect to a coupon issue server in the case of redistributing an electronic coupon from the 1st portable terminal used with the sales promotion system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the sales promotion method concerning the present invention, and a processing flow figure explaining a processing step of an electronic coupon issue processing function which a coupon issue server performs. It is a figure explaining the sales promotion method concerning the present invention, and a processing flow figure explaining a processing step of an authentication processing function which a coupon issue server performs. Explanatory drawing explaining an example of the authentication result in the case of not permitting redistribution or utilization displayed on the display part of the portable terminal used with the sales promotion system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the sales promotion method concerning the present invention, and a processing flow figure explaining a processing step of an authentication demand processing function which a 1st portable terminal or a 2nd portable terminal performs. Explanatory drawing explaining the outline | summary of the authentication required information transmitted at the time of redistribution of an electronic coupon with respect to a coupon issue server from the 2nd portable terminal in the sales promotion system which concerns on this invention. Explanatory drawing explaining the outline | summary of the authentication required information transmitted at the time of utilization of an electronic coupon with respect to a coupon issue server from the 2nd portable terminal in the sales promotion system which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sales promotion system 2 Coupon issue server 3 1st portable terminal 4 2nd portable terminal 5 POS terminal 11 Electronic coupon issue means 12 Authentication means 31 Terminal ID information

Claims (5)

A coupon issuing server for distributing electronic coupons issued to terminals connected via a public communication network;
The coupon issuing server, see contains the coupon ID information for identifying the electronic coupon, and were issued electronic coupons separated from the redistribution number of permitted information and redistribution count information specifying the issued coupon information relating to the electronic coupon An electronic coupon issuing means for transmitting to the terminal;
User identification information of a terminal that is permitted to redistribute the electronic coupon included in an authentication database having user identification information of a terminal that requests redistribution of the electronic coupon and user identification information of a terminal that is permitted to redistribute the electronic coupon and a determining authentication means whether to allow redistribution of the electronic coupon on the basis of the comparison result that the door,
Whether the authentication means permits redistribution based on a result of comparing the redistribution permission count information and the redistribution count information with reference to the authentication database including the redistribution permission count information and the redistribution count information. A sales promotion system comprising means for determining A coupon ID granting step in which a coupon issue server gives coupon ID information for identifying the electronic coupon to coupon information of an electronic coupon that has issued an electronic coupon based on the acquired coupon information;
Coupon issue server, with the ticketing and electronic coupon, and ticketing coupon authentication information creating step of creating authentication information including the redistribution number of permitted information and the re-distribution count information,
An electronic coupon distribution step in which a coupon issue server transmits the issued coupon information created in the coupon ID grant step and separated from the redistribution permission number information and the redistribution number information to a designated terminal;
An authentication required information extraction step in which the coupon issue server extracts authentication required information included in the authentication request transmitted from the terminal;
A coupon issuing server for collating user identification information included in the authentication-required information with user identification information stored in an authentication database; and
An authentication result transmission step in which the coupon issue server transmits an authentication result based on the result confirmed in the user identification information matching step to the terminal of the authentication request source;
An authentication type confirmation step in which the coupon issue server confirms the authentication type information included in the authentication required information;
A redistribution permission determination step for determining whether to permit redistribution of an electronic coupon for which an authentication request has been made when it is confirmed in the authentication type confirmation step that the authentication request is for redistribution of the electronic coupon. A sales promotion method characterized by that. An authentication required information transmission step in which the coupon issue server extracts authentication required information used for authentication and transmits the extracted authentication required information to the coupon issue server;
An authentication result determining step for receiving a result transmitted from the coupon issuing server based on the authentication required information transmitted in the authentication required transmitting step by the terminal, and determining the received result;
Issuing that the terminal sends the issued coupon information of the electronic coupon requested for authentication to the other terminal that is the transmission partner for the terminal, when the result determined in the authentication result determining step is a result of permission The sales promotion method according to claim 2, further comprising a coupon information transmission step. Claims the terminal, wherein when the authentication result judgment result judged in step is then not result indicating permission, characterized in that it comprises a non-permission result display step of displaying a result to the effect that does not allow 3. The sales promotion method according to 3 . A program that causes a computer to function as a means for functioning as a means for distributing an electronic coupon issued to a terminal connected via a public communication network,
An electronic coupon issuance including coupon ID information for identifying an electronic coupon and issuing an electronic coupon separated from the redistribution permission count information and the redistribution count information and transmitting the issued coupon information related to the electronic coupon to a designated terminal Means,
User identification information of a terminal that is permitted to redistribute the electronic coupon included in an authentication database having user identification information of a terminal that requests redistribution of the electronic coupon and user identification information of a terminal that is permitted to redistribute the electronic coupon And authentication means for determining whether to permit redistribution of the electronic coupon based on the result of checking
Whether the authentication means permits redistribution based on a result of comparing the redistribution permission count information and the redistribution count information with reference to the authentication database including the redistribution permission count information and the redistribution count information. A sales promotion program that causes a computer to function as a coupon issue server that includes means for determining whether or not.

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