JP7273779B2 - Server device and computer program - Google Patents

Description

The embodiment of the present invention relates to a server device that distributes information to portable information devices and the like.

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

In particular, for smartphones and tablet terminals, dedicated application software is provided by businesses that sell products and services. By using application software on smartphones and tablet terminals, users are provided with various conveniences by business operators.

JP 2014-191362 A

However, at present, most of the convenience provided by businesses through EC sites and application software focuses on the convenience related to the process of purchasing a certain product.

A problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a server device and a computer program capable of providing further convenience to the purchaser after purchasing the product.

A server device of an embodiment includes a related information storage unit, a transaction information storage unit, a notification information creation unit, and an information transmission unit. The related information storage unit stores related information in which the identification information of the first product, the identification information of the second product consumed in the operation of the first product, and the information of the replacement period of the second product are associated with each other. the transaction information storage unit stores information about the date on which the customer traded the first product ; The notification information is created by associating the identification information of the second product with the identification information of the second product, and the information transmitting unit transmits information about the exchange of the second product to the customer's information device.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, after purchasing goods, a purchaser can be provided with further convenience.

The figure which shows schematic structure of an information provision system. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the server device shown in FIG. 1; The figure which shows an example of the merchandise information data shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of consumables information data shown in FIG. 2; FIG. The figure which shows an example of the purchase history information data shown in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the goods review information data shown in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the replacement information data shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of push notification information data shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining replacement information creation processing by a control server; 4 is a flowchart for explaining push notification information creation processing by a control server; 4 is a flowchart for explaining push notification processing by a control server; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of a push notification on a portable information device;

A server device according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information providing system including a server device according to an embodiment. This information providing system includes a store terminal 100, a server device 200, a portable information device 300, an application providing server device 400, and a settlement system 500, and uses networks such as an intranet NW1, an Internet NW2, and a mobile communication network NW3.

The store terminal 100 is a terminal device installed in a store that sells products and provides services, and is a computer that functions as a terminal for a POS (Point Of Sales) system. Specifically, a plurality of store terminals 100 are provided in the same store or in a plurality of different stores, and each store terminal 100 is provided with identification information (product code) of the sold product, sales price (transaction price), sales time (transaction time), shop (place of transaction), member ID of the customer who made the transaction, etc. are linked and transmitted to the server device 200 via the intranet NW1.

The intranet NW1 is a private network for exclusive use by a business operator (hereinafter simply referred to as a business operator) who operates stores and sells products and provides services.

The server device 200 is a computer that functions as the core of the information providing system, and is operated and managed by, for example, the business operator. The server device 200 communicates with the store terminal 100 through the intranet NW1 to collect information, manage various information related to transactions, and manage and provide inventory information of each store.

The server device 200 also provides information to the portable information device 300 via the Internet NW2 and the mobile communication network NW3, manages and operates an EC (Electric Commerce) site, accepts orders, manages member information, and the like. conduct.

It should be noted that the server device 200 may not be a single device, but 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 mobile information device 300 is a terminal device owned (or possessed) by a customer of the business operator, and may be a smart phone, a tablet computer, or a wearable computer (for example, a wristwatch-type smart watch).

The portable information device 300 has wireless communication functions such as NFC (Near Field Communication) and Bluetooth (registered trademark) for wirelessly communicating with a wireless base station BS and a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) access point AP of the mobile communication network NW3. It has a short-range wireless communication function, a voice call function, a display function, a video playback function, a camera function for taking still and moving images, and an e-mail transmission/reception function.

Portable information device 300 also has a function of executing application software arbitrarily downloaded from application providing server device 400 by a customer's operation, and exhibits various functions by utilizing the application software.

In the following description, it is assumed that application software for the business operator to provide various conveniences to customers is pre-installed in the portable information device 300 and ready for use.

The application software provided by this business operator receives and displays information from the server device 200 by push notification, or communicates with the server device 200 according to the operation input by the user (customer) to obtain various information. It has a function to receive and display For example, it has a function of accessing an EC site according to an operation on a link (URL (Uniform Resource Locator)) included in the push notification.

The settlement system 500 is a system operated by a financial institution such as a bank or a credit company that performs settlement, or a settlement agency service company that acts as an agent for settlement. It is a computer system that performs the settlement of

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 interconnected by a control bus 250. FIG. In addition, a console terminal (not shown) is provided for an operator to give instructions to the server device 200 and perform maintenance and management.

The communication unit 210a is a communication interface for communicating with the store terminal 100 installed in each store through the intranet NW1.
The communication unit 210b is a communication interface for performing communication through the Internet NW2, and communicates with the portable information device 300 and the payment system 500, for example.

The storage unit 220 is a storage device for storing a control program 220a (basic software (OS (Operating System)) and application software) and control data 220b of the control unit 240, which will be described later.

The database 230 is an example of a related information storage unit, and is a storage device having a relatively larger capacity than the storage unit 220. The database 230 stores member data and inventory information, and also stores product information data 230a and consumables information data. 230b, purchase history information data 230c, product review information data 230d, replacement information data 230e, push notification information data 230f, distribution information data 230g, and the like.

The above member data includes a member ID uniquely assigned to a customer who has registered as a member of the service provided by the business operator, the customer's name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, ID for logging in to the EC site, A password, identification information of a portable information device (for example, a mobile phone number, etc.) and the like are associated with each other.

The stock information is the number of stocks (or stock status) of each store associated with the name of the store. The inventory status indicates the level of inventory, and represents multiple levels in multiple levels such as normal, less, and less.

The product information data 230a is a database that records information about products and services handled (sold) by the business. For example, as shown in FIG. This is data in which information such as the product name, service life, and sales price (not shown) is associated with a product code such as .

The service life refers to the product life assumed by the manufacturer that manufactured the product, the recommended period of use until replacement (so-called replacement), and the period until replacement assumed by the business operator, as shown in Figure 3. In the example, the number of years and months indicated by the manufacturer are converted to days.

The consumables information data 230b includes consumables and replacement parts (second products related to the first product) that are used when operating the product handled (sold) by the business operator (example of the first product). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, as one entry, a product code such as a JAN code given to a product to be used, consumables and replacement parts This is data in which information such as a product code such as a given JAN code, the name of the product, the exchange period, and the selling price (not shown) are associated with each other.

In addition, the replacement period is the product life assumed by the manufacturer of consumables and replacement parts and the above-mentioned business operators, or the recommended usage period until replacement or replenishment of those products. In the example of FIG. 4, the number of years and the number of months indicated by the manufacturer are converted into days.

In addition, the product life and recommended period of use assumed by the above business operator may be (1) the product life and recommended period of use assumed by the above manufacturer, or (2) those assumed by the above manufacturer. It may be a period newly calculated by the business operator based on the life of the product, the recommended period of use, or the like.

Furthermore, in the above calculation, the control unit 240 may multiply the product life and recommended period of use assumed by the manufacturer by (A) a certain coefficient, or (B) the product (or the product's type) or a coefficient corresponding to the purchase time may be multiplied.

The purchase history information data 230c is an example of a transaction information storage unit, and is a database that records the history of transactions with customers. For example, as illustrated in FIG. transaction ID, which is identification information given for each sale), the date and time of the transaction, the member ID that identifies the customer who made the transaction, the product code of the traded product (example of the first product), the sales price, etc. This is data in which information such as the transaction amount and the pre-exchange product code are associated with each other.

Note that the pre-replacement product code is, for example, the product code of a product collected from a customer through a campaign such as a trade-in service (example of a second product that can be replaced from the first product), and is not a replacement product. If it is not possible to determine whether or not to buy a replacement, the column is left blank.

The product review information data 230d is a database in which information such as impressions of products (hereinafter referred to as product reviews) by users (members) of the EC site is recorded in the EC site provided by the business operator. As illustrated in FIG. 6, one entry includes a review ID for identifying a product review, the date and time when the product review was posted, the member ID of the poster, and the product (first Example of product 1) product code, evaluation level (for example, 5 levels from 1 to 5), text information of posted comments, review headline (not shown), poster's nickname, product code before replacement , purchase status, etc. are associated with each other.

Note that each review is displayed along with the description of each product on the EC site. That is, the review is displayed on the EC site together with the product name, model number, image, sales price, icon for adding the product to the shopping cart, and the like. Specifically, as product reviews based on the above information, the nickname of the poster, the number of stars corresponding to the evaluation level, headlines, posting date and time, comments, and the like are displayed.

Also, the pre-replacement product code in the product review information data 230d is a product code based on the name of the pre-replacement product (an example of a second product that can be replaced from the first product) arbitrarily input by the contributor. For example, based on the product information data 230a, the control unit 240 identifies the product code from the product name input by the contributor.

As for the presence or absence of purchase, for example, when the control unit 240 determines that the product was purchased from the business operator based on the purchase history information data 230c, a flag indicating "yes" is set to indicate the credibility of the product review.

The replacement information data 230e is a database in which the control unit 240 aggregates information on product replacement based on the purchase history information data 230c and the product review information data 230d. As one entry, a replacement ID for identifying replacement information, the date and time included in the origin data of the information (purchase history information data 230c and product review information data 230d), and the product before replacement ( A pre-replacement product code indicating a second product that can be replaced by a first product), a post-replacement product code indicating a post-replacement product (example of the first product), and data on the origin of the information is associated with information such as identification information (transaction ID or review ID) of the base data indicating the .

The push notification information data 230f is a database in which push notifications scheduled to be distributed to members are listed and organized. For example, as illustrated in FIG. As one entry, a notification ID for identifying the entry (push notification), a scheduled transmission date and time indicating the scheduled time for distribution, a member ID indicating the distribution destination, and a distribution for identifying the content to be distributed by the push notification Data ID, access date and time indicating the date and time when the customer accessed the EC site using the link in the push notification, purchase indicating that the customer made a purchase on the EC site using the link in the push notification This is data in which information such as records is associated with each other.

The access date and time and the purchase record information are collected by the control unit 240 after the push notification, and added to the corresponding entry. In the purchase record, information corresponding to the transaction ID shown in FIG. 5 is collected by the control unit 240 and recorded.

The distribution information data 230g is content data distributed by push notification, and is identified with the distribution data ID shown in FIG. In addition, the above content includes information on consumables that we propose to purchase and information on products that we propose to replace, as well as detailed explanations of these products and information on the URL (link) of the site for accepting purchases information).

Note that the above URL is uniquely set for each entry in the push notification information data 230f, for example. By recognizing the access based on the push notification, the access by the member is grasped, and the date and time is recorded as the access date and time of the push notification information data 230f.

The control unit 240 controls and controls each unit of the server device 200, and includes a memory that can be used as a processor and a working area. , and executed by the processor to perform various functions.

Specifically, the control unit 240 functions at least as a communication control unit 240a, a payment control unit 240b, a purchase history record control unit 240c, a replacement information creation unit 240d, a notification information creation unit 240e, and a push notification control unit 240f. . In addition, the control unit 240 has a function of measuring the current time.

The communication control unit 240a controls communication with the outside. It has a communication control function for communicating with the portable information device 300 and the payment system 500 through the NW2.

The settlement control unit 240b exchanges transaction information with the store terminal 100, communicates with the settlement system 500 based on notifications from the store terminal 100, and settles transactions with customers.

The purchase history record control unit 240c creates purchase history information data 230c using information obtained from the store terminal 100 and the settlement system 500, based on transactions settled by the settlement control unit 240b.

The replacement information creating unit 240d aggregates information on product replacement based on the purchase history information data 230c and the product review information data 230d, and creates replacement information data 230e as illustrated in FIG.

Based on the consumables information data 230b, the purchase history information data 230c, and the replacement information data 230e, the notification information creation unit 240e provides the customer with information on consumables according to past transactions and products for which replacement is proposed. An entry for delivering this information by push notification is created and registered in the push notification information data 230f.

The push notification control unit 240f is an example of an information transmission unit, and performs push notification to the customer's portable information device 300 based on the push notification information data 230f and the distribution information data 230g.

Next, operation of the server device 200 will be described.
First, referring to FIG. 9, the process of generating replacement information data 230e illustrated in FIG. 7 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining this process, which is periodically executed by the replacement information creating section 240d.

Note that instead of executing this process periodically, the process may be executed each time the number of entries in the purchase history information data 230c or product review information data 230d increases by a predetermined number, or when other conditions are satisfied. may be executed.

First, in step S901, the replacement information creation unit 240d refers to the purchase history information data 230c (illustrated in FIG. 5), and among the entries newly added since the previous process (unprocessed entries), The entry with the code input is extracted, and the process proceeds to step S902.

In step S902, the replacement information creation unit 240d adds a new entry to the replacement information data 230e (illustrated in FIG. 7) based on the data of each entry extracted in step S901, and proceeds to step S903.

Specifically, a new replacement ID is issued (generated), and associated with the new replacement ID. , and transaction ID into the date and time, pre-replacement product code, post-replacement product code, and basic data of the replacement information data 230e, respectively, to complete a new entry.

In step S903, the replacement information creation unit 240d refers to the product review information data 230d (illustrated in FIG. 6), and among the entries newly added since the previous process (unprocessed entries), the product code before replacement is The input entry is extracted, and the process proceeds to step S904.

In step S904, the replacement information creating unit 240d adds a new entry to the replacement information data 230e (illustrated in FIG. 7) based on the data of each entry extracted in step S903, and ends the process.

Specifically, a new replacement ID is issued (generated), and associated with the new replacement ID. , and review ID in the replacement information data 230e.

Server device 200 (replacement information creation unit 240d) periodically executes the above-described processing to associate products before and after replacement based on purchase history information data 230c and product review information data 230d. Replacement information data 230e is generated.

Next, referring to FIG. 10, the process of generating the push notification information data 230f illustrated in FIG. 8 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining this process, which is periodically executed by the notification information creating section 240e.

Note that instead of executing this process periodically, the process may be executed each time the number of entries in the purchase history information data 230c or the replacement information data 230e increases by a predetermined number, or when other conditions are satisfied. may be executed.

First, in step S1001, the notification information creating unit 240e refers to the purchase history information data 230c (illustrated in FIG. 5), selects an entry to be processed, and proceeds to step S1002.

Note that the entry to be processed may be an entry newly added since the previous process, or may be an entry that matches the conditions specified by the operator. Examples of the above conditions include the period during which transactions were made, products of a specific type (category), customers with high (or low) purchase frequency, customers with high (or low) access frequency to EC sites, and the like. Information for determining these conditions is stored in the database 230, and based on the information, the notification information creating section 240e selects entries from the purchase history information data 230c.

In step S1002, the notification information creation unit 240e refers to the consumables information data 230b (illustrated in FIG. 4), searches for the consumables code associated with the product code included in the entry selected in step S1001, and searches for the consumables code in step S1003. transition to That is, here, consumables (or replacement parts) used in the product with the product code of the entry selected in step S1001 are searched.

In step S1003, the notification information creating unit 240e determines whether or not there is an associated consumable as a result of the search in step S1002. Here, if there is the associated consumable item, the process moves to step S1004, and if there is no associated consumable item, the process moves to step S1006. Note that if there are a plurality of associated consumables, steps S1004 and S1005 are performed for each consumable.

In step S1004, the notification information creating unit 240e calculates the estimated exchange period at the present time (current date and time) based on the transaction date and time included in the entry selected in step S1001 and the estimated exchange period included in the entry detected in step S1002. is approaching (for example, 80% of the standard replacement period has passed). That is, it is determined whether or not the time to replace the consumables is approaching. Here, if the replacement period is approaching, the process proceeds to step S1005, and if the replacement period is not approaching, the process proceeds to step S1006.

In step S1005, the notification information creating unit 240e creates push notification data for notifying that the time to replace consumables is approaching, and registers it as a new notification entry in the push notification information data 230f (illustrated in FIG. 8). do.

Specifically, a new notification ID is issued (created), and associated with the new notification ID, the scheduled transmission date and time indicating the scheduled time of delivery, the member ID indicating the delivery destination, and the delivery by the push notification A distribution data ID for identifying content (distribution information data) is registered.

When it is time to replace a plurality of consumables, a new notification entry may be created for each consumable, or a single new notification entry may be created for each consumable. good.

The notification information creating unit 240e also creates distribution information data as content to be distributed. This distribution information data is information about the consumables to be notified. In addition to the product description, the sales price, link information for accessing the EC site where the above consumables can be purchased (purchase the above consumables on the EC site) (a link containing the URL of the page to be used), the method of exchanging consumables (or a link containing a URL for accessing the manual), the stock status of the consumables at physical stores registered in advance by customers (so-called favorite stores) (or the number of stock) and the name of the physical store, and if necessary, include information such as discount coupons. The distribution information data is stored in the distribution information data 230g in association with the distribution data ID.

In step S1005, the notification information creation unit 240e further refers to the purchase history information data 230c to determine whether or not the customer has already purchased the corresponding consumables, or to send a push notification to the customer. It is determined whether or not the notification has already been made, or whether or not a similar push notification for the customer has already been created in the push notification information data 230f. A notification entry may not be created (creation may be canceled) in order to stop distribution of the information received.

Further, in step S1005, the control function of the control unit 240 other than the notification information creating unit 240e executes the processing for stopping the distribution of unnecessary information or redundant information described above, and the notification information creating unit 240e Alternatively, the creation of the notification entry may be stopped. That is, the control unit 240 may be provided with, as a new control function, a stop control unit that causes the notification information creation unit 240e to stop creating a notification entry.

Alternatively, instead of this, for example, in step S1005, the notification information creating unit 240e creates a notification entry (without judging duplication) as described above, and performs the above determination in push notification processing (FIG. 11), which will be described later. may be performed by the push notification control unit 240f to stop the distribution of unnecessary or redundant information (stop the push notification). In other words, the push notification control unit 240f may function as a cancellation control unit that cancels push notifications for already purchased consumables.

In step S1006, the notification information creation unit 240e refers to the product information data 230a (illustrated in FIG. 3), searches for the service life of the product with the product code included in the entry selected in step S1001, and proceeds to step S1007.

In step S1007, the notification information creation unit 240e compares the transaction date and time included in the entry selected in step S1001 with the current time. ), that is, whether it is the so-called “at the time of replacement purchase”. Here, if it is time to replace, the process proceeds to step S1008, and if it is not yet time to replace, the process ends.

In step S1008, the notification information creation unit 240e refers to the replacement information data 230e (illustrated in FIG. 7) and searches whether the product code included in the entry selected in step S1001 is recorded as the pre-replacement product code. , the process proceeds to step S1009. That is, here, the replacement information data 230e is searched for information on the history of replacement of the product with the product code of the entry selected in step S1001.

In step S1009, the notification information creation unit 240e determines whether or not there is a history of replacement of the product with the product code of the entry selected in step S1001 as a result of the search in step S1008. Here, if there is no replacement history, the process moves to step S1010, and if there is a replacement history, the process moves to step S1011.

In step S1010, the notification information creating unit 240e creates push notification data for notifying that the replacement recommendation time is approaching, registers it as a new notification entry in the push notification information data 230f, and ends the process. do.

Specifically, a new notification ID is issued (created), and associated with the new notification ID, the scheduled transmission date and time indicating the scheduled time of delivery, the member ID indicating the delivery destination, and the delivery by the push notification A distribution data ID for identifying content (distribution information data) is registered.

The notification information creating unit 240e also creates distribution information data as content to be distributed. This distribution information data is information (including identification information of these recommended products) such as top-selling products and bargain products in the same category as the product with the product code of the entry selected in step S1001. In addition to the explanation, sales price, link information for accessing the EC site where each product can be purchased (URL of the page to purchase the product within the EC site), actual stores registered in advance by customers (so-called favorite stores) Include information such as the stock status (or number of stocks) of each product, the name of the physical store, and discount coupons if necessary. The distribution information data is stored in the distribution information data 230g in association with the distribution data ID.

In step S1011, similarly to step S1010, the notification information creating unit 240e creates push notification data for notifying that the replacement recommendation time is approaching, and registers it as a new notification entry in the push notification information data 230f. .

Further, in step S1011, the notification information creation unit 240e generates information on the product actually replaced from the product with the product code of the entry selected in step S1001 based on the replacement information data 230e, and adds the information about the product to the push notification data. and terminate the process. In other words, compared to step S1010, information about products actually replaced by other customers is added to the distribution information data.

More specifically, the notification information creation unit 240e refers to the replacement information data 230e, detects the post-replacement product code associated with the product code of the entry selected in step S1001, and generates the post-replacement product code. Information on the product (replacement product) corresponding to the code, information introducing the fact that another customer is replacing the product, and the stock status of the replacement product at physical stores (so-called favorite stores) registered in advance by the customer ( or number of stock) information is added.

In steps S1010 and S1011, the notification information creating unit 240e further refers to the purchase history information data 230c to determine whether or not the customer has already purchased products in the same category, and to perform push notification to the customer. , or whether a similar push notification addressed to the customer has already been created in the push notification information data 230f. Notification entries may not be created (cancelled) to stop the distribution of information or duplicate information.

Further, in steps S1010 and S1011, the control functions of the control units 240 other than the notification information creation unit 240e perform processing for stopping the distribution of unnecessary information or redundant information described above. Alternatively, the creation of the notification entry may be stopped. That is, the control unit 240 may be provided with, as a new control function, a stop control unit that causes the notification information creation unit 240e to stop creating a notification entry.

Alternatively, instead of this, for example, in steps S1010 and S1011, the notification information creating unit 240e creates a notification entry as described above (without judging duplication), and performs the above determination in a push notification process (to be described later). FIG. 11) may be performed by the push notification control unit 240f to stop the delivery of unnecessary or redundant information (stop the push notification). In other words, the push notification control unit 240f may function as a cancellation control unit that cancels push notifications for replacement products that have already been purchased.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the process of performing push notification (information transmission) will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining this process, which is periodically executed by the push notification control section 240f.

Note that instead of executing this process periodically, the process may be executed each time the number of entries in the push notification information data 230f increases by a predetermined number, or may be executed when other conditions are met. good.

First, in step S1101, the push notification control unit 240f detects the current time, and proceeds to step S1102.
In step S1102, the push notification control unit 240f refers to the push notification information data 230f (illustrated in FIG. 8), and the notification entry (and/or A notification entry for which a predetermined time has passed) is detected, and the process proceeds to step S1103.

The push notification control unit 240f sends a push notification to the customer based on the notification entry detected in step S1102, and ends the process. Specifically, the push notification control unit 240f cooperates with the communication control unit 240a to perform a push notification addressed to the portable information device 300. FIG.

The destination portable information device 300 is identified by the mobile phone number associated with the member ID included in the notification entry detected in step S1102, based on the member data in database 230. FIG.

Application software for receiving a push notification is executed in portable information device 300, and its location on the network is specified to server device 200 by its function.

Further, push notification control unit 240f reads information to be distributed from distribution information data 230g based on the distribution data ID included in the notification entry detected in step S1102, configures content, and transmits the content to portable information device 300. (push notification).

The mobile information device 300 that has received the push notification displays, for example, a display P indicating that the push notification has been received on the standby screen, as shown in FIG. 12, and the customer recognizes this. Then, when the customer performs an operation to open the push notification, the mobile information device 300 sends an opening notification to the server device 200 . On the other hand, in the server device 200 that has received the email receipt, the control unit 240 records the time when the email receipt was received in the access date and time column of the push notification information data 230f.

As described above, the server device 200 configured as described above transmits, based on the customer's past product purchases, information about products with a limited period, such as consumables, to the customer's portable information device 300 by push notification. I am trying to

Therefore, according to the server device 200 configured as described above, after the customer purchases the product, the customer can receive information about the product with a limited period, such as consumables, without having to manage the product by himself/herself. You can recognize the timing.

In addition, the customer can enjoy the original performance of the product by replacing the consumables. In addition, business operators who have sold products can expect an increase in sales and an improved image associated with the provision of services through the push notification, and an increase in sales due to the replacement of consumables and the like.

Further, the server device 200 configured as described above collects information on product replacement based on the replacement history, product reviews, etc., and based on this information, proposes replacement to the customer who purchased the product. I'm trying

Therefore, according to the server device 200 configured as described above, the information based on the replacement trend of others is provided by push notification, so that the customer does not have to manage the replacement timing of the product by himself or herself. You can save the effort to consider about and consider replacement.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying constituent elements without departing from the scope of the present invention at the implementation stage. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. Further, for example, a configuration in which some components are deleted from all the components shown in the embodiments is also conceivable. Furthermore, components described in different embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

For example, printer ink and consumables such as filters for air purifiers and room air conditioners are expected to be purchased on a regular basis. You may make it notify periodically.

In addition, information on hot-selling products according to the season and time is stored in the database 230, and the season and time are stored separately from the purchase time of the main unit (ie, printer, air purifier, room air conditioner main unit, etc.). The control unit 240 may perform push notification depending on the timing.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the push notification has been described as an example, but the notification is not limited to this, and may be a fetch notification. That is, in the push notification, the application software installed in the portable information device 300 waits for the push notification from the server device 200, and when the push notification is received, the information received by the push notification is displayed on the standby screen, for example.

On the other hand, when the fetch notification is performed, for example, when the customer operates the portable information device 300 to start the installed application software, the application software requests the server device 200 to send the server device 200 a request. The device 200 responds and distributes information prepared in advance (the push notification information data 230f and the distribution information data 230g). Although the fetch notification is less real-time than the push notification, the same effect as the above embodiment can be expected.

In the above-described embodiment, the notification information creation unit 240e stores, as distribution information data, the inventory status (or the number of inventory) of products (consumables, replacement recommended products, replacement products) at physical stores registered in advance by customers. Although described as including, it is not limited to this.

For example, the notification information creation unit 240e detects from the database 230 the stock status (or the number of stocks) of the consumables in the physical store that has the stock and the name of the physical store, and includes this information in the distribution information data. good too.

Further, for example, the database 230 stores store information that associates the location information of the actual store with the name of the actual store, the notification information creation unit 240e acquires the location information from the portable information device 300, and based on this location information, The nearest store to portable information device 300 may be detected, and the stock status (or stock quantity) at the nearest store may be included in the distribution information data.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of the portable information device 300, a portable information device equipped with a wireless communication function such as a smart phone, a tablet computer, or a wearable computer has been described as an example, but the present invention is limited to this. nothing. For example, it may be a laptop personal computer, a desktop personal computer, or an information device connected to a wired network.
In addition, it goes without saying that various modifications can be made in the same way without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100... Store terminal, 200... Server apparatus, 210a... Communication part, 210b... Communication part, 220... Storage part, 220a... Control program, 220b... Control data, 230... Database, 230a... Product information data, 230b... Consumables information Data 230c... Purchase history information data 230d... Product review information data 230e... Replacement information data 230f... Push notification information data 230g... Delivery information data 240... Control unit 240a... Communication control unit 240b... Settlement Control unit 240c Purchase history record control unit 240d Replacement information creation unit 240e Notification information creation unit 240f Push notification control unit 250 Control bus 300 Portable information device 400 Application providing server device , 500... Settlement system, NW1... Intranet, NW2... Internet, NW3... Mobile communication network.

Claims (9)

Related information storage for storing related information in which identification information of a first product, identification information of a second product consumed in operation of the first product, and information on a replacement period of the second product are associated with each other. Department and
a transaction information storage unit that stores information about the date on which the first product was traded with the customer;
a notification information creation unit that creates notification information in which the identification information of the customer is associated with the identification information of the second product based on the exchange period and the date on which the first product was traded;
and an information transmitting unit configured to transmit information regarding the exchange of the second product to the customer's information device based on the notification information. The second product further includes a product that can be replaced with the first product,
The related information further includes information on the useful life of the first product,
2. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the notification information creation unit creates the notification information based on the useful life and the date on which the first product was traded. Furthermore, if the customer has already purchased the second product, the notification information creation unit stops creating the notification information, or the information transmission unit transmits information about the second product. 3. The server device according to claim 1, further comprising a stop control unit for stopping the processing. When the related information storage unit does not store related information about the first product, the notification information creation unit adds the identification information of the second product to the identification information of the customer who traded the first product. 2. The server device according to claim 1, wherein notification information associated with the identification information of the recommended product is created instead of the notification information. Furthermore, comprising an inventory information storage unit that stores information about the inventory of the second product in the physical store,
3. The information transmission unit transmits information about the inventory of the second product to the information device of the customer based on the notification information and the information stored in the inventory information storage unit. The server device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . 6. The information transmission unit transmits information about the stock of the second product in the physical store pre-registered by the customer to the customer's information device based on the notification information. The server device described in . Furthermore, a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information of the information device of the customer;
a store information storage unit that stores the location information of the actual store and the name of the actual store in association with each other;
a store detection unit that detects a physical store nearest to the customer's information device based on the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit and the information stored by the store information storage unit;
6. The server according to claim 5 , wherein the information transmission unit transmits information about the inventory of the second product at the nearest physical store to the customer's information device based on the notification information. Device. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a purchase replacement information creation unit that creates related information stored in the related information storage unit based on information on replacement from the first product to the second product. Server equipment as described. the computer,
Related information storage for storing related information in which identification information of a first product, identification information of a second product consumed in operation of the first product, and information on a replacement period of the second product are associated with each other. Department and
a transaction information storage unit that stores information about the date on which the first product was traded with the customer;
a notification information creation unit that creates notification information in which the identification information of the customer is associated with the identification information of the second product based on the exchange period and the date on which the first product was traded;
A computer program characterized by causing the customer's information device to function as an information transmission unit that transmits information about the exchange of the second product based on the notification information.

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