KR20010102590A - Customer management system and method using IC card and network - Google Patents

Abstract

A customer management system using an IC card and a communication network and a method thereof are disclosed. The customer management system using the IC card according to the present invention is provided with a unique store code from a server computer serving a customer management of a store, at least one store computer provided in each store, and the server computer based on the store code. It is provided with at least one card terminal provided in each store, which communicates with the server computer or the store computer, and generates the transaction history data of the customer through the customer card during the transaction of the customer. The server computer includes the card terminal or the store. When the customer's transaction history data is transmitted from the computer through the communication network, the store history table for each store is generated and stored from the transaction history data.When the store computer queries the information about the customer who visited his store, the store history table for each store Store information by extracting the required customer information from the store computer It provides a variety of customer information, which is directly linked to sales, on the server in place of the store, and helps the store to use it effectively. can see. In addition, the card terminal communicates with the server computer through the store computer connected to the serial port, the store owner and customers can obtain the desired information in real time.

Description

Customer management system and method using IC card and communication network {Customer management system and method using IC card and network}

The present invention relates to a customer management system and method using an IC card that effectively manages a transaction history with a customer generated at a store through a communication network, such as the Internet, in a server to effectively provide the store and customers with the necessary information. .

Customer management is essential to maximize sales effectiveness in stores. In order to secure first-time customers as regular customers, it is important to understand what customers want and to deliver valuable information to them. You also need to be able to accurately analyze the information about the customers who find your store so you can develop a more effective sales strategy.

The first technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is customer management using an IC card for efficiently providing visit information desired by a store owner and / or a customer by collecting transaction history data generated at each store using a computer communication network. To provide a system.

The second technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a customer management method performed in the customer management system.

A third technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a card terminal for communicating with a server computer via a customer card when a customer makes a transaction at a store in a customer management system.

A fourth technical object of the present invention is to provide a method of driving the card terminal.

1 is a view showing the overall configuration of a customer management system connected to a computer network for carrying out the present invention.

2 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a customer management method according to the present invention.

3 is a diagram showing an example of information recorded on the customer card 10 issued to a customer.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method of driving a card terminal to generate transaction history data in the card terminal illustrated in FIG. 1.

5A to 5F are diagrams showing data displayed on the LCD screen 11c for each operation state of the card terminal shown in FIG. 1.

6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a specialized form transmitted between a card terminal and a server computer or a store computer.

7A to F are diagrams showing specialized types transmitted from the card terminal and the server computer, respectively.

8 shows a new member registration screen displayed on a computer connected to the server when the user registers with the server.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a field structure of a customer table regarding personal data and visit data for each customer stored in the database 13e of the server.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the data format transmitted from the card terminal 11 of the store to the server computer 13.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the field structure of the store history table in which the server computer 13 stores information on store history for each store.

12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen used by a store owner to inquire information about a customer.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display example of store history data provided to a store owner from a server by the customer inquiry of FIG. 8.

14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen used by a store owner to obtain customer information.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display example of data provided from the server to the store owner's computer by the search of FIG.

FIG. 16 shows an example of displaying the inquired data on the screen when the customer inquires about the status of a store that the customer has visited.

FIG. 17 is an example in which data on the visit history and points for the store is displayed on the screen when "record view" is selected in FIG. 12.

In order to achieve the first task, the customer management system according to the present invention is given a unique store code from a server computer for servicing customer management of a store, at least one store computer provided in each store, and the server computer. The server computer is provided with at least one card terminal provided in each store to communicate with the server computer or the store computer based on the code, and to generate the transaction history data of the customer through the customer card during the transaction of the customer. When the customer's transaction history data is transmitted from the card terminal or the store computer through the communication network, the store history table for each store is generated and stored from the transaction history data, and the store computer queries the information about the customer who visited his store. Refer customer's visit history table to extract customer information Providing a computer store.

In order to achieve the second task, in a computer network system in which a server computer serving customer management of a store, at least one store computer provided in each store, and card terminals provided in each store are connected through a communication network, The method for managing customer information related to transaction at each store is to assign a unique store code to a card terminal provided at each store in a server computer, and to issue a customer card to the customer through the card terminal. In this case, the customer who holds the customer card conducts a transaction at the store where the card terminal is installed, the card terminal stores the data of the transaction in the customer card and also stores the data of the transaction in the storage means of the card terminal. Real time transmission to the store computer, the server computer through the communication network card terminal Or steps, and the server computer receives the transaction history data transmitted from the shop computer from a transaction history data transmitted from the card terminal or computer stores and storing the store by creating a history table for each store.

In order to achieve the third task, in a computer network system in which a server computer serving customer management of a store, at least one store computer provided in the store, and a card terminal provided in the store are connected through a communication network, the store computer manages the store. The card terminal according to the present invention for generating customer information related to a transactional activity in the system receives a unique store code from a server computer, based on the store code, and communicates with a server computer or a store computer according to a communication mode. A customer card is provided to the customer, including a customer information area for identifying personal information, a group area for defining authority for the use of the card, and a transaction history area for recording transaction details information generated when the customer uses the store. Issue the transaction history by entering information about the transaction history The transaction history data generated and recorded is recorded in the transaction history area of the customer card, and the transaction history data is transmitted to the server computer or the real time to the store computer through the communication network.

In order to achieve the fourth task, in a computer network system in which a server computer serving customer management of a store, at least one store computer provided in the store, and a card terminal provided in the store are connected through a communication network, the store managed by the server computer. In the method of driving a card terminal according to the present invention for generating customer information related to a transactional activity in step (a) of receiving a unique store code from a server computer, according to whether a customer card of a customer visiting a store is carried out through a card terminal. Issuing a customer card, which includes a customer information area for identifying the customer's identity, a group area for defining the scope of use of the card, and a transaction history area for recording transaction history information issued when the customer uses the store ( In step b), when a transaction is made with a customer holding a customer card, data on the transaction history is generated. And (d) storing the transaction data stored in the customer card and the card terminal and transmitting the transaction history data stored in the card terminal to the server computer through a communication network.

Hereinafter, a customer management system using an IC card through a communication network according to the present invention and a method thereof will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view showing the overall configuration of a customer management system connected to a computer network for carrying out the present invention. The server computer 13 is a computer provided in a company that manages a customer management system, and the store computer 16 and the customer computer 17 are computers of a person who receives a service using a system operated by the server computer 13. Computers 16 and 17 that connect to the server computer 13 are connected via a communication network 15 such as the Internet.

The server computer 13 is provided with a program and a database for customer management. The store computer 16 and the customer computer 17 have Internet browsers (eg, Netscape, Internet Explorer) capable of displaying web content in the form of Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML). An internet browser allows each computer to access and display the contents of the customer care HTML template in the server computer 13. The HTML template of the server computer 13 has a main web (WWW) page to display to the user.

Each store includes a store computer 16 and a card terminal 11. In each store, a service registration application is first applied to the server computer 13 to receive a store code and use a service provided by the server. An example of the store code will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 (d). The card terminal 11 communicates with the server computer 13 through a communication network such as a modem 11a and a public telephone network (PSTN) 12 based on a unique store code given from the server computer 13 according to a communication mode. Can communicate. In addition, the card terminal 11 according to the communication mode, a communication network such as the store computer 16 and the Internet 15 connected through the serial port 11b based on a unique store code given from the server computer 13. It can communicate with the server computer 13 through. The card terminal 11 generates transaction history data of the customer through the customer card 10 during the transaction of the customer visiting the store, and generates the transaction history data through the modem 11a or the store computer 16. Transfer to the server computer 13 through. The transaction date and time included in the transaction history data is preferably used by a clock provided by the server computer 13.

When the card terminal 11 communicates with the server computer 13 via the modem 11a, the specific time after the end of the working time is usually set to the modem transmission time, and when this time is reached, the server computer 13 ), It is preferable to collectively transmit the internal history information stored in the card terminal 1 to the server computer 13 at the start of communication. Alternatively, if necessary, the card terminal 11 may transmit data from time to time to the server computer 13. Data that has been transferred to the server is deleted from the storage means of the card terminal (11). On the other hand, when the card terminal 11 communicates with the server computer 13 via the store computer 16 connected through the serial port 11b, the store terminal information is stored in real time through the store computer 16 and the Internet 15. Can be transferred to server computer. As described above, when the card terminal 11 communicates with the server computer through the store computer 16, the store computer 16 and the server computer 13 are preferably connected through an Internet dedicated line, an ADSL, or a high-speed Internet network.

When the server computer 13 receives 13b of the transaction history information of the customer from the card terminal 11 through a communication network such as a public telephone network 12 or the Internet 15, the shop visits each store from the transaction history data. A history table is generated 13c and stored in the database 13e. The web server 13d manages a database 13e in which generated store history tables are stored, and when the store computer 16 inquires information about customers who have visited their store, the store server refers to the store history table for each store. The customer information requested by the computer 16 is extracted and provided to the store computer 16. In addition, it transmits necessary information to the customer computer 17 or performs a function of returning the request information of the customer. At this time, if the card terminal 11 communicates with the server computer 13 through the modem 11a, and transmits the shop history information to the server computer 13 at a specific time when the business hours are over, the store owner or the customer Transaction history data made can be searched only after a certain time. On the other hand, when the card terminal 11 communicates with the server computer 13 through the store computer 16, the store computer 16 provides the real-time history information transmitted from the card terminal 11 through the Internet 15 in real time. Since the data is transmitted to the server computer 13, the point force data can be stored in the database 13e in real time. Therefore, the store owner or customer can query the transaction history data made on the day in real time.

In addition, the server computer 13 may send a specific message to the customer regularly or irregularly. For example, if the server is asked to send a celebration to the customer on the date of the birthday of his or her customer, the server will refer to the customer database and automatically send a predetermined information method (e.g., e-mail, mail, telephone) upon the birthday of the customer. Etc.) to transmit electricity. Alternatively, if a store has a special sale or event event, the store owner may send a message about it to each customer when the owner asks for promotion. On the other hand, even if there is no request from the store owner, it is possible to provide the customer with information about the visit history of each customer or other information deemed to be useful to the customer regularly or from time to time. The information transmission method is performed according to the customer's prioritization (see Fig. 8).

The database 13e of the server computer 13 stores personal data for each customer and customer tables relating to visit data on the history of the customer's transaction at the store. In addition, in the database 13e of the server computer 13, a store history table for the store history of each store is stored from data transmitted from the card terminal 11 of the store. Information on the visit history for each store stored in the visit history table is generated and managed for each store code, and is formed from customer history data transmitted from each store, and customer information to check the personal information of the customer, the visit Includes information about the city's transaction history and information about the customer's visit history.

In the customer card 10, which reads and writes data through the card terminal 11 installed at each store at the time of a customer's transaction, the flag area indicating the version of the card, the identity area for confirming the identity of the customer, and the use range of the card. And a group area for deciding authority for the card, an expiration date area for determining the period of use of the card, and a transaction history area for recording transaction details information generated when the customer uses the store through the card terminal. The store owner inserts the customer card 10 into the card terminal 11 when the customer conducts a transaction at the store, and inputs information about the transaction history so that the transaction history is recorded in the transaction history area of the customer card 10. . An example of the information recorded on the customer card 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 (a).

Each customer card 10 is given a group code that defines the right to use the card. An independent mode that has the right to be used effectively only at the store that issued the card. It is preferable to include a local mode having the right to be used effectively in the local group or only at the same chain and a wide mode having the right to trade at all stores without restriction on the use right.

The customer card 10 issued to each customer can use any type of card capable of writing / reading data, and examples thereof include a memory card and an IC card (smart card). In this regard, the appropriate selection can be made.

2 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a customer management method according to the present invention. In a computer network system in which a server computer 13 serving customer management of a store, at least one store computer 16 provided in each store, and card terminals 11 provided in each store are connected through a communication network, a server computer. It relates to a method of managing customer information related to transaction behavior in each store through (13).

In each store, it is necessary to provide a card terminal 11 capable of data communication with the server computer 13 and the customer card 10 (21). The server computer 13 assigns a unique store code to the card terminal 11 provided in each store, and is used as a code for identifying each store.

If a customer wants to conduct a transaction by visiting a store (23), if the customer does not have an IC card (customer card) (24), a customer card is issued to the customer by the card terminal 11 (25). When issuing a card to a customer, the card terminal 11 receives and stores personal information about the customer and transmits it to the server computer 13.

If the customer has a customer card, the transaction act 26 is performed, and then the customer card 10 of the customer is inserted into the card terminal 11 and the transaction data is input. At this time, a transaction point is calculated according to the transaction amount (27). That is, when a transaction amount is input, points are granted according to a preset point grant ratio. The setting of the point granting ratio is provided from the server computer 13 to the card terminal 11 side and is automatically performed or may be set alone at the store. Here, a point is a cumulative score according to a customer's transaction performance, and when points are obtained at a predetermined score or more, the points are returned to the customer for a corresponding benefit (for example, a free gift or a free pass). The card terminal 11 generates data about the transaction history and stores it in the customer card 10, and also stores the transaction history data in the storage means of the card terminal 11 or transmits it to the store computer 16 (28). ).

The server computer 13 receives the transaction history data from the card terminal 11 or the store computer 16 (29), generates a store history table for each store from the transferred transaction history data, and stores it in a database. The store history table is updated for each customer (30). At this time, when the card terminal 11 communicates with the server computer 16 through the store computer 16 connected through the serial port 11b, the server computer 16 receives the transaction history data in real time and visits each store. The history table and the visit history table for each customer can be updated in real time.

When the store computer 16 queries the server computer 13 for information about the customer who visited his store, the server computer 13 extracts the customer information requested by the store computer 16 by referring to the store history table. If the customer with the customer card 10 inquires about the store visited through his computer 17 to the server computer 13, the server computer 13 visits the shop history. The visitor information of the customer requested by the customer is extracted and provided with reference to the table (31).

3 is a diagram showing an example of information recorded on the customer card 10 issued to a customer. 3 (a) shows a data field of a customer card. "Flag" (1 byte) indicating the version of the card, "Issuing store code" (20 bytes) of the issuing store that issued the card, "Validity period" (8 bytes) defining the card usage period, and the customer's "Resident Registration Number" (13 bytes), in which a social security number is recorded for identification, and "Store List" (27 bytes * n), which records transaction details generated when a customer uses the store. The customer card 10 confirms the identity of the user by the social security number of the customer.

FIG. 3 (b) shows the field structure of the “store list” of FIG. 3 (a), and can accommodate a maximum of n store data. For example, when looking at the transaction range that can be used when the memory requirement for the data of the customer card 10 is 256 bytes, first, as fixed data, the flag (1 byte), the issued store code (20 bytes), and the expiration date ( 8 bytes) and social security number (13 bytes) and total 42 bytes, and store list takes 27 bytes per store, so (256-42) / 27 = 7.9 stores, that is, up to 7 stores with this customer card. Trading is possible. Therefore, when the customer uses this card in the eighth store, the card terminal outputs an unusable error message. In this case, a method of issuing a card having a larger memory capacity to the customer or deleting one or more of the store data determined to be invalid and adding new store data may be considered.

Fig. 3 (c) shows the field structure of each "store data x" included in the "store list", and the "store code" (20 bytes) uniquely assigned to each store and the customer at the store according to the transaction performance. It includes a "point" (7 bytes) that records the score obtained. In the customer card 10, the final point data is accumulated by accumulating the points according to the transaction performance for each store that the customer has traded.

FIG. 3 (d) is a diagram for explaining the system of the “store code”, wherein the card terminal 11 installed in each store stores a store code uniquely assigned by the server computer 13 to the store, and the card It is recorded on the customer card at the time of issuance or transaction with the customer. "Store code" includes "flag", "business code", "chain store code", "group code" and "sequence number".

"Industry code" is a code assigned to each of the business of various stores, such as beauty salons, clothing stores, restaurants, taverns, hotels, opticians, etc., and "sequence number" is assigned to each store corresponding to each industry code Serial number (for example, A beauty salon 00001, B beauty salon 0002, ...). "Chain store code" is a serial number (e.g., main store 00001, Jongno store 00002, ...) which is assigned to each chain store when the store forms a chain store, for example, when there are several branches or chain stores.

The "group code" is for determining the use range of the customer card or the payment range of the card terminal, and is set to one of the independent mode, the local mode, and the wide mode. Here, the independent mode has the authority to be used effectively only at the store where the card is issued. Local mode has the authority to form a local group to a certain extent or to form a chain point and to use it effectively only in the local group or chain point. For example, in the case of fast food companies connected to chain stores, local groups may be established between stores that grant rights to use in the affiliated stores or form a range of identical stores, such as an apartment complex. Permission to use within the mall. In addition, the wide-area mode has the authority to conduct transactions at all affiliated shops subscribed to the server without restriction on the usage right.

At the time of issuance of the customer card 10, the "issuing store code" is recorded in the card, which refers to the store code recorded in the card terminal at the time of issue. The customer card is authorized for use according to the group code recorded in the store code of the issuing store. That is, if the group code recorded in the store code of the issuing store is "local mode", it means that the customer card user can use the card only in the store belonging to the local group as his card. Of course, when issuing a customer card, depending on the nature of the store or the range of transactions of the user, it is possible to set the use rights of the customer card different from the group code recorded on the terminal. Or at the time of card issuance, the card terminal can be connected to the server online to set the usage rights for the user and set the group code of the customer card accordingly.

On the other hand, the card terminal 11 can deal with the customer card within the set range according to the group code set in its "store code". If the group code of the card terminal is in the wide mode, all customer cards may be applied.However, if the card code of the card terminal is set to the independent mode, the customer card with the group code recorded in the independent mode that can be used only at the store (i.e. In this case, the transaction can only be performed for the customer card issued by the store. Alternatively, if the customer card is in local mode but the card terminal of the store is in independent mode, it can be used if the store belongs to a local group in local mode.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method of driving a card terminal to generate transaction history data in the card terminal illustrated in FIG. 1. In a computer network system in which a server computer 13 serving a customer management of a store, at least one store computer 16 provided in a store, and a card terminal 11 provided in a store are connected through a communication network, the server computer manages. The present invention relates to a method of driving a card terminal for generating customer information related to a transaction at a store.

5A to 5F are diagrams showing data displayed on the LCD screen 11c for each operation state of the card terminal shown in FIG. 1.

Now, the operation of the card terminal 11 shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

Each store installs a card terminal 11 capable of data communication with the server computer 13 and the customer card 10 in order to build a customer management service system (41). When the card terminal 11 is initially installed, the store owner sets the terminal password and stores the terminal password in the card terminal 11. With the terminal password, only authorized users can operate the card terminal when setting the main functions of the card terminal and managing the customer's points.

The card terminal 11 provided in each store downloads a unique store code used as a code that can be distinguished from other stores from the server computer 13 (42). The store owner sets the mode of the card terminal 11 to a mode in which the store code is downloaded from the server computer 13, so that a function key (1) assigned to the mode setting of the card terminal in the input means 11d of the card terminal 11 is used. Press Fn) and enter the terminal password. Then, the screen as shown in Fig. 5A is displayed on the LCD screen 11c of the card terminal 11, and in this state, the keys " 1 ", " 2 ", " 3 " and " 4 " It is assigned to the telephone number setting mode of the computer 13, the download mode of the store code, the store status information setting mode, and the data transmission mode setting to the server computer, respectively. The store owner inputs "2" in the input means 11d to download the store code and the current date and time from the server computer 13. When the download is completed from the server computer 13, the store code and the current date and time are displayed on the liquid crystal display 11c of the card terminal 11. On the other hand, when the store owner inputs "1", the card terminal 11 enters the mode of setting the telephone number of the server computer 13 when transmitting data to the server computer 13 through the modem 11a. In addition, if the store owner inputs "3", the store owner enters a mode for checking and setting the store status information described later with reference to FIG. 5D. If the store owner enters 4, data to the server computer 13 described below with reference to FIG. 5E is entered. This mode is to check and set the transmission mode.

When a customer visits a store (43) and wishes to conduct a transaction, the store owner determines whether the customer has a customer card (44), and in the case of a customer who does not have a customer card, according to a predetermined procedure depending on whether or not the customer is a new customer. The card terminal 11 issues a customer card to the customer (45). That is, the store owner inserts a new card into the card terminal 11 to issue a customer card, and then presses the function key Fn. Then, the liquid crystal display 11c becomes as shown in FIG. 5B. In this state, the keys " 1 " and " 2 " of the input means 11d are respectively assigned to the new card issuing mode and the card issuing mode. The store owner determines whether the customer is a new customer (51), enters "1" if the customer is a new customer, inputs the social security number of the customer to be stored in the identity area of the card inserted in the card terminal 11, and enters the new customer card. Issue (52). In addition, the store owner transmits the personal information of the customer to the server computer 13 using the store computer 16 or the card terminal 11. On the other hand, if the existing customer (lost customer card) in the screen state as shown in Figure 5b the store owner enters "2", then enter the resident registration number of the customer to be stored in the identity area of the card inserted in the card terminal 11 Then, data to be stored in the group area, transaction history area, expiration date area and flag area of the card inserted into the card terminal 11 from the server computer 13 is downloaded and the card is reissued (53).

When a transaction (46) is made with a customer holding a customer card, the store owner inserts the customer card (10) into the card terminal (11) to input the transaction data into the customer card (10), and points the transaction. Calculate (47). When the owner inserts the customer card 10 into the card terminal 11, the screen shown in Fig. 5C is displayed on the LCD screen 11c of the card terminal 11. In this state, the keys " 1 ", " 2 " and " 3 " of the input terminal 11d are assigned to the point addition, subtraction and change modes, respectively. For example, when a customer purchases an item, if the customer enters "1" to add points and then inputs a transaction amount, points are added according to the transaction amount. That is, when a store owner inputs a transaction amount, points are added according to a preset point grant ratio. The setting of the point granting ratio is provided from the server computer 13 to the card terminal 11 side and is automatically performed or may be set alone at the store. To set the point grant ratio alone in the store, the store owner inputs "3" in the screen state of FIG. 5A. Then, the LCD screen 11c of the card terminal 11 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 5D. In this state, the keys " 1 ", " 2 ", " 3 " and " 4 " of the input terminal 11d are respectively assigned to the point grant ratio, the store code check, the date check and the transfer mode check. The store owner may input the point granting ratio to be set after inputting "1", and the store owner may set the point granting ratio alone at the store. In the screen state as shown in FIG. 5D, when the owner enters "2", the store code can be checked and corrected. If the owner enters "3", the owner can correct the current date and time. Enter the button to confirm the current transmission mode. On the other hand, when the customer uses the accumulated points, the store owner can correct the customer's points by inputting "2" or "3" in the screen state of Figure 3c. If the store owner inputs 2 in the screen state of FIG. 3C, the store owner may correct only the points of the customer accumulated in his shop. In addition, when the store owner inputs "3" in the screen state of FIG. 3C, the store owner may change the points of all stores belonging to the chain store or local group to which the store is affiliated. In this case, the store owner can correct the points of other stores as well as the points accumulated at the store, and if the store owner inputs "3", it is preferable that the card terminal 11 input the password to the store owner. In addition, although not displayed on the screen of FIG. 3C, the store owner may format the customer card inserted into the card terminal 11 by inputting “4” in the screen state of FIG. 3C. As such, even when the customer card is formatted, all data recorded on the customer card is erased, so it is desirable to have the store owner enter a password.

The card terminal 11 generates data about the transaction history and stores the data in the storage means of the customer card 10 and the card terminal 11 (48).

The card terminal 11 transmits the transaction history data stored in its storage means to the server computer 16 or the store computer 16 through the communication network in accordance with the transmission mode set in the card terminal 11 (49). That is, when the transmission mode is set to the automatic transmission mode, the card terminal 11 stores the transaction history data in the storage means, and when the reservation time arrives, the card terminal 11 collectively transmits the transaction data to the server computer 13 or the store computer 16 ( 42). On the other hand, if the transfer mode is set to the immediate transfer mode, the card terminal 11 transmits the transaction history data to the server computer 13 or the store computer 16 as soon as it is generated (44). Here, when the store owner transmits data using the public telephone network 12 and the modem 11a, which are burdened with high line charges, the data is transferred to the server computer at the same time after the work is completed. It is preferable to set to the automatic transmission mode. However, when transmitting data using the store computer 16 connected to the Internet 15, which has a relatively low line charge burden, it is desirable to set the data transfer to an immediate transfer mode in which transaction data is transmitted immediately. Meanwhile, the transmission mode of the card terminal 11 may be set in the screen state as shown in FIG. 5A. That is, when the store owner inputs "4" in the screen state as shown in FIG. 5A, the screen shown in FIG. 5E is displayed on the LCD screen 11c of the card terminal 11. In this state, the keys " 1 " and " 2 " of the input means 11d are respectively assigned to set the automatic transfer mode and the immediate transfer mode. That is, if the store owner sets the transmission mode of the card terminal 11 to the automatic transmission mode, in the screen state as shown in Fig. 5E, " 1 " In addition, in order to set the transmission mode of the card terminal 11 to the immediate transmission mode, the store owner may input "2" in the screen state as shown in Fig. 5E.

On the other hand, if the card terminal 11 is connected to the store computer 16 via the serial port 11b, all of the procedures performed above may be performed through the store computer 16 as well as the card terminal 11b. That is, data required for driving the card terminal 11 can be input using the input means of the store computer 16. In addition, when the card 10 is inserted into the card terminal 11, the store computer 16 displays the card information recorded on the customer card 10 and a list of the history of the store so far so that the customer management of the store owner is further performed. It can be done easily.

6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data (full text) form transmitted between a card terminal and a server computer or a store computer. Fig. 6 (a) shows the structure of the telegram transmitted between the card terminal and the server computer or the store computer. The full text transmitted between the card terminal and the server computer or store computer is "header" (25 bytes), field separators "FS" (1 byte each) to separate fields, and "FID" indicating the type of transmission data transmitted to each field. "S (1 byte each)," transmission data "," EXT "(1 byte) to indicate the end of a message, and" LRC "(1 byte) for error verification do. Here, each field divided by the field separator "FS" may include one or more "transmission data", the size and content of the data in the "transmission data" area varies depending on the type of the preamble, and FIG. It will be described later with reference to.

Fig. 6 (b) shows the field structure of "header" in Fig. 6 (a). The "Header" field is "STX (text start code)" (1 byte) indicating the start of data, "store code" (20 bytes) of the store that sends or receives the text, and "text type" indicating the type of text to be transmitted. And a "response code" (4 bytes) indicating the normal transmission / reception status of the full text. Here, in the "professional kind", the card terminal 11 requests the store code to the server computer 13, the full text of the server computer 13, and the card terminal 11 visits the server computer 13. There is a full text for transmitting the history, a full text request for the customer transaction information when the card terminal 11 reissues the customer card, and a full text for the response from the server computer 13.

7A to F are diagrams showing the types of texts transmitted from the card terminal and the server computer, the size of each field constituting the text, the FID of the transmission data, and the contents of the transmission data transmitted to each field.

FIG. 7A is a full text of the card terminal 11 requesting a store code from the server computer 13. Referring to FIG. 7A, since the card terminal 11 has not yet been assigned a store code, the "store code" area of the "header" is in a blank state. In addition, the data "D" indicating that the full text requesting the download is transmitted to the "specialty type" area, and the "response code" area is left blank. In this case, the "transmission data" area transmits "terminal device number", for example, DB00010001, and also transmits "FID" data "A" which indicates that the data transmitted in this field is data for "terminal device number". .

7B is a full text of the server computer 13 providing the store code to the card terminal 11. Referring to FIG. 7B, the store code corresponding to the “terminal device number” is transmitted to the “store code” area of the “header”. In addition, the data "R" indicating the full text of the response to the download request is transmitted to the "specialty type" area. The "response code" area transmits "0000" when a normal response is made, otherwise, for example, an incorrect "terminal device number" is received and transmits data other than "0000" when there is no store code to assign. "Current date", for example, 20000224101010 (10: 10: 10: 10, February 24, 2000) is transmitted to the "Transmission data" area, and "FID" which indicates that the data transmitted in this field is for the "current date and time". Send data "B" together.

7C and 7D are full-text transfer points for the card terminal 11 to transmit the point force to the server computer 13, FIG. 7C shows the first point force (see FIG. 10), and FIG. 7D shows two points. Each of the spot stresses after the second (see FIG. 10) is shown. Referring to Fig. 7C, data " C " indicating that the dot power transmission message is transmitted to the " specialty type " area. Further, in the "response code" area, the data "0001" indicating that the store code and the number of points of visit history among the points of history transmission message are transmitted is transmitted. Then, the corresponding data is transmitted to the "store code" and the "power point number" transmitted to the "transmission data" area, respectively, and their "FID" data "C" and "D" are transmitted together. Referring to FIG. 7D, the full texts of FIG. 7D are transmitted in response to the number of visiting points, and the "response code" area of each full text is sequentially increased from "0002" in response to the number of visiting points, and the "response" of the last message Code " field transmits " FINA " indicating that the last dot history data. In addition, the "resistance registration number", "validity period", "visit date", "visit time", "money", "type", "division", "point" transmitted to the "transmission data" area, respectively. And "FID" data "E", "F", "G", "H", "I", "J", "K", and "L" for them.

7E and 7F show the full text of requesting customer transaction information to the server computer 13 when the card terminal 11 reissues the customer card and the full text of the server computer 13 corresponding thereto. Referring to Fig. 7E, data " D " representing the download request message is transmitted to the " specialty type " area, and the " response code " area is blank. Then, the "resident registration number" of the customer is transmitted to the "transmission data" area, and the "FID" data "M" for the "resident registration number" is also transmitted. Referring to FIG. 7F, the data "R" indicating the response message for the download request is transmitted to the "specialty type" area, and the "response code" area shows the transaction information of the customer corresponding to the professional's social security number shown in FIG. 7E. If not, send "0000". Also, if there is a lot of data to be transmitted, the full text as shown in FIG. 7F is transmitted corresponding to the number of data to be transmitted, and the "response code" area of each full text is sequentially increased from "0002" corresponding to the number of response data, and the last full text. The "Response Code" area transmits "FINA" indicating that it is the last transmission data. Further, data corresponding to "store code" and "point score" transmitted to the "transmission data" area is transmitted, and "FID" data "N" and "O" for them are also transmitted.

8 is a screen for registering a new member displayed on a computer connected to a server when a user registers with a server. The server may include a customer's ID, name, social security number, date of birth, address, telephone number, e-mail, and information transmission method. Displays a new member registration screen on the user computer for receiving customer information such as a customer.

In particular, the customer may specify and input the priority of the "information transmission method" as a means for receiving information provided from the server computer 13 to the customer. Information transmission methods include telephone, fax, mobile phone, e-mail, and mail. The priority is selected according to the desired transmission method. For example, if E-mail is selected as the first selection and mail is selected as the second selection, if there is a message sent from the server computer to the customer, it is automatically sent to the E-mail. If e-mail cannot be sent for any reason, it will be sent by mail. The server may provide information in various ways desired by the customer by using the information providing means desired by the customer selected above. For example, the information may be provided to the customer by using an information transmission method such as a Unified Messaging System (UMS), Instant Messasing System (IMS), or Short Messaging System (SMS). . As a result, the customer can easily be provided with information provided from the server anytime, anywhere.

The new registration of a member can be done through the store computer 16 while the customer visits the store and issuing a card. Alternatively, the member can register the customer in advance by accessing the server from the customer computer 17 and then receive the card at the store. have. In addition, when issuing a new customer card in the card terminal 11, it is possible to input data through the input means of the card terminal. When the customer enters all the relevant information, the customer information is stored in the database of the server (see the customer table in Fig. 9).

Fig. 9 shows the field structure of the customer table regarding the personal data for each customer (data input from the customer from the input screen of Fig. 8) stored in the server database 13e of the server and the store data (history of the customer's transaction at the store). It is a figure which shows. A record is generated with the fields shown in FIG. 9 for each store code of the store visited by the customer, and the transaction history with the store such as the number of visits, the number of points, the last visit date, and the transaction amount of the store is stored. Alternatively, a personal table for recording all of the personal data of the customers may be separately formed, and the transaction table may be stored in the visit table related to the visit data by using the ID or social security number of the customer as a keyword.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the data format when the point history data is transmitted from the card terminal 11 of the store to the server computer 13 or to the store computer 16. The card terminal 11 may transmit transaction details data to the server computer 13 online or at a specific time for each transaction. Since the group code recorded in the card terminal 11 itself enables the confirmation of the transaction right with the customer card, each transaction with the customer can be performed off-line independently of the server. Therefore, when data is transmitted using the public telephone network 12 and the modem 11a, which are expensive in line usage fees, it is common to transfer all the transaction data of the day to the server computer after the work is completed. would. However, when data is transmitted using the store computer 16 connected to the Internet 15, which has a relatively low line charge burden, the data is generally transmitted in real time whenever a transaction is made with a customer.

The data transmitted from the card terminal 11 to the server computer 13 includes a " store code " assigned to the store (card terminal) and " number of history points " regarding the number of history data to be transmitted to the server. Next, the number n of historical data corresponding to the "number of visit history" is transmitted to the server, each of which is a store code, a customer's social security number, a card expiration date, a visit date, a visit time, a transaction amount, a type, and a division. , Points and the like. Here, "type" is a code for distinguishing whether a transaction with a customer card is a new issue, a card reissue or a transaction related to sales. "Division" is a code for distinguishing whether to add, subtract, or change the point calculation. Points refer to the point scores that will be used in the final point calculation in relation to the "class" or "class" in the transaction. For example, when a customer purchases an item, the customer is set to an addition mode that adds points corresponding to the purchase price while being a transaction related to the purchase. In addition, when an individual store presents a free gift or a free pass to a customer, the store is set to a subtraction mode in which points corresponding to the free gift or free pass are subtracted. Further, when there is a gratuitous event in chain point or local group units, the change mode is set in which point points of all chain points or local groups are subtracted by a predetermined subtraction point ratio. Here, the data of each field shown in FIG. 10 is data corresponding to the "transmission data" area shown in FIG. 4 (a).

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the field structure of the store history table in which the server computer 13 stores information on the store history for each store from the data transmitted from the card terminal 11 of the store. Each store history table is generated and managed for each store code, and forms a table from data of FIG. 6 transmitted from each store.

In the visit history table, the customer ID and social security number to check the personal information of the customer, the visit date, visit time and amount for the information of the visit, the type, classification and final point, information on the customer's point management, and the validity of the card It includes information about the period, the number of visits related to the customer's visit history, and the last visit date. Each record recorded in the history table is generated based on the historical data (data of 1 to n in FIG. 6) transmitted from the card terminal of the store. The calculation of the final point is determined according to the point value of the historical data based on the "type" and "division" information in the last point value for that store of the customer previously. For example, when the data newly transmitted from the card terminal is a transaction related to the purchase and the mode corresponding to the purchase amount is added, the final point is calculated by adding the newly transmitted points from the previous last point.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a screen provided by a server used by a shop owner to inquire information about a customer who has visited his shop on his shop computer 16. The store owner can search the history of the visitor based on the customer's ID or name, or based on the age, occupation, gender, interests, and the number of visits.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display example of store history data provided to a store owner from a server by the customer inquiry of FIG. 12. Visit history data includes information on name, address, occupation, gender, birthday, points, and the like. The server extracts the data matching the search conditions from the data stored in the database according to the owner's customer inquiry request, and displays the data on the owner's computer screen according to the appropriate format. The displayed information can be printed on a printer or saved to a file on disk.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a screen provided from a server used by a store owner to obtain customer information under various search conditions. As a condition of information retrieval, the retrieval condition can be given by sales period, number of visits, sales amount, and points, and can also be searched based on the last visit date or by visit day, transaction type, and transaction segment. By providing a variety of search conditions, the store owner can more effectively analyze the customer's purchasing propensity, and based on such analysis can establish a more effective sales strategy.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of display of data provided from a server to a store owner's computer when a search period of FIG. 14 is given, for example, when a sales period is set to "February 1, 2000 to February 10, 2000"; to be. Information about the ID, name, date of birth, address, gender, occupation, e-mail, etc., for the visited customers during the sales period is provided.

FIG. 16 shows an example of displaying the data inquired by the server on the screen when the customer has inquired the status of a store that has been visited. The customer card holder (customer) issued at the store can also look up information on the history of his or her store from the server.The information provided includes the store name, the representative's name, telephone number, address, E-mail of the store is included, and the details can be checked by clicking the "view record" icon for the visit record.

FIG. 17 is an example in which data on the visit history and points for the store is displayed on the screen when "record view" is selected in FIG. It includes information about the date of visit, the amount of payment, the type of transaction, the type of transaction, the number of visits, the points, etc. that the customer visited the store.

The invention can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of computer-readable recording media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, and may also be implemented in the form of a carrier wave (for example, transmission over the Internet). Include. The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

As described above, according to the customer management system and method using the IC card according to the present invention, a variety of information of the customer, which is a factor directly related to sales, is managed in a server instead of the store, and the store effectively manages the information. It helps you to use it, and you can easily see the situation of the stores you used from the customer's point of view. In addition, when the card terminal communicates with the server computer through the store computer connected to the serial port, the store owner and customers can obtain the desired information in real time.

Claims (10)

A server computer serving customer management of the store; At least one store computer provided in each store; And Each store receives a unique store code from the server computer and communicates with the server computer or the store computer based on the store code, and generates transaction history data of the customer through the customer card during the transaction of the customer. At least one card terminal provided, The server computer When the transaction history data of the customer is transmitted from the card terminal or the store computer through a communication network, the store history table for each store is generated and stored from the transaction history data, and the information on the customer who visited his store in the store computer. Inquiring about the customer management system, characterized in that the customer information requested by the store computer to provide a store computer by referring to the store history table for each store. According to claim 1, The specialized data transmitted between the card terminal and the server computer is a professional start code indicating the start of the specialty, the store code assigned to the store, the special type indicating the type of the transmitted specialty and the normal transmission of the specialty And a header including a response code indicating a reception status, a transmission data to be transmitted, a termination code indicating the end of a preamble, and an error retrieval code for error retrieval. The method of claim 1, wherein the server computer A customer table relating to personal data for each customer and visiting data on the history of the customer's transaction at the store; And In order to store the information on the store history of each store from the data transmitted from the card terminal of the store, it is generated and managed for each store code, and is formed from the customer history data transmitted from each store, and the personal information of the customer And a database for storing in real time a history table including customer information for confirmation, information on transaction history at the time of visit and information related to the visit history of the customer. The method of claim 1, wherein the customer management system includes a means for receiving information of a customer such as a fax, a mobile phone, an e-mail or a telephone, an integrated messaging system (UMS), an instant messaging system (IMS) or a short messaging system ( Selecting the priority of information providing methods such as SMS), and the customer management system characterized in that to provide information in real time according to the selected priority. In a computer network system in which a server computer serving customer management of a store, at least one store computer provided in each store, and card terminals provided in each store are connected through a communication network, transactions at each store through the server computer. In the method of managing customer information related to behavior, Assigning a unique store code to a card terminal provided in each store in the server computer; Issuing a customer card through the card terminal to a customer; A customer holding a customer card performing a transaction at a store where a card terminal is installed; The card terminal stores the data on the transaction history in the customer card and further stores the data on the transaction history in the storage means of the card terminal or transmitting in real time to the store computer; The server computer receiving transaction details data from a card terminal or a store computer through a communication network; And The server computer comprises the step of generating and storing the store history table for each store from the transaction history data transmitted from the card terminal or the store computer. The method of claim 5, The server computer comprises the step of providing in real time to the store computer and / or the customer computer with reference to the store history table the customer information requested from the store computer and / or customer computer and / or information of the store visited Customer care method. In a computer network system in which a server computer serving customer management of a store, at least one store computer provided in a store, and a card terminal provided in the store are connected through a communication network, a customer who is involved in a transaction activity at a store managed by the server computer. In the card terminal for generating information, Receive a unique store code from the server computer based on the store code, and communicate with the server computer or the store computer according to the communication mode, The customer card includes a customer information area for confirming personal information of the customer, a group area for defining the authority of the scope of use of the card, and a transaction history area for recording transaction history information generated when the customer uses the store. Issued to During the transaction of the customer, the transaction history data is generated by inputting information on the transaction history, and the transaction history data generated is recorded in the transaction history area of the customer card, and the transaction history data is transmitted to the server computer through the communication network or the store. Card terminal, characterized in that the transmission in real time to a computer. In a computer network system in which a server computer serving customer management of a store, at least one store computer provided in a store, and a card terminal provided in a store are connected through a communication network, a customer who is involved in a transaction activity at a store managed by the server computer. In the card terminal driving method for generating information, (a) receiving a unique store code from the server computer; (b) a customer information area for confirming the identity of the customer through the card terminal, a group area for determining the authority of the use range of the card and whether the customer uses the store according to whether or not the customer card is held by the customer who visited the store; Issuing a customer card including a transaction history area for recording issued transaction history information; (c) if a transaction is made with a customer who has a customer card, generating data about the transaction history and storing the data on the customer card and the card terminal; And (d) transmitting the transaction history data stored in the card terminal to the server computer through a communication network. The method of claim 8, wherein step (b) (b1) determining whether a customer's customer card is held; (b2) if the customer has a customer card, proceed to step (c); if the customer does not have a customer card, determining whether the customer is a new customer or an existing customer; (b3) If the new customer, the identity information of the customer is recorded in the customer information area, the authority for the use range of the card is determined, the customer card recorded in the group area is issued to the customer, and the process proceeds to step (c). step; And (b4) If the customer is an existing customer, the customer's identity information is recorded in the customer information area, and the customer's identity information is downloaded from the server computer using the customer's transaction history information and data on the authority of the card usage range. And issuing a customer card recorded in the details area and the group area to the customer, and proceeding to step (c). The card terminal of claim 8, wherein when a transaction is performed with a customer who has a customer card, the card terminal generates data on the transaction history, stores the data in the customer card, and transmits the data to the store computer in real time. Driving method.