WO2005122038A1

WO2005122038A1 - Franchisor advertising system and method with the variable discount rate

Info

Publication number: WO2005122038A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/001794
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gun-Yong Song
Original assignee: Gun-Yong Song
Priority date: 2004-06-14
Filing date: 2005-06-14
Publication date: 2005-12-22

Abstract

The present invention provides a franchise shop advertisement system using a variable discount rate, the system being connected to a Point of Sale (POS) system at a member franchise shop and to a usage rate analysis system or a financial payment system via an Internet, and discounting purchase prices of purchases, including a discount rate determination module for variably determining a discount rate, which will be applied to a purchase price input from the POS system, according to any one of a purchase price, purchase time and a purchased commodity; a number-of-uses management module for limiting the number of available uses of the advertisement system within a predetermined range; a usage information DB for storing the numbers of available uses and actual uses of the franchise shop; an advertisement display module for converting advertisement information, which is transmitted from the usage rate analysis system, into image and sound signals; and a display unit for outputting the advertisement information converted into the image and sound signals; wherein the advertisement display module increases or decreases an output frequency of the advertisement information in proportion to the number of uses. In accordance with the present invention, since purchasers can utilize randomly determined discount rates, they can have amusement as if they were winning lottery prizes when purchasing commodities, thus inducing them to visit franchise shops again and purchase commodities.

Description

Description FRANCHISOR ADVERTISING SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH THE VARIABLE DISCOUNT RATE Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to a franchise shop advertisement system and method using a variable discount rate and, more particularly, to a franchise shop advertisement system and method using a variable discount rate, which allow purchase prices to be discounted by applying the discount rate, which varies according to a purchase price or purchase time, when a purchaser buys a commodity, record the numbers of discount sales using the advertisement system, and provide an opportunities to display advertisements to franchise shops having larger numbers of actual uses, thus compensating the franchise shops for the use of advertisement systems. Background Art

[2] A technology, in which barcodes, containing information about commodities, are issued when purchasers buy the commodities, and the barcodes are read and cyber money or points are provided to the purchasers when the purchasers collect and present the barcodes, has been disclosed.

[3] The above conventional technology is advantageous in that purchasers are provided with points corresponding to the purchases of commodities and the points can be used to purchase commodities later. However, the conventional technology is disadvantageous in that the points must be accumulated above a predetermined limit, so that it takes a long time for a purchaser to use them. Furthermore, the conventional technology is disadvantageous in that no effect of promoting sales is achieved because vendors simply play roles of selling commodities, collecting barcodes and transferring the barcodes to a barcode issuer. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[4] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a franchise shop advertisement system and method using a variable discount rate, which apply the variable discount rate to purchasers and, therefore, create anticipation of increased discount rates, thereby inducing purchasers to buy commodities, and which limit the number of discount sales of a franchise shop and allow the franchise shop to display advertisements to renew the number of discount sales, thereby offsetting the usage fees of the advertisement systems against the costs of the display of advertisements and, therefore, creating a motive for sales.

[5] Another object of the present invention is to provide a franchise shop advertisement system and method using a variable discount rate, which increase the number of available uses for the advertisement system whenever a purchaser pays for a purchase using a credit card, thereby creating a motive for the use of card points.

[6] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a franchise shop advertisement system and method using a variable discount rate, which set available periods for the use of barcode coupons or receipts, thereby inducing purchasers to rapidly perform consumption. Advantageous Effects

[7] In accordance with the present invention, since purchasers can utilize randomly determined discount rates, they can have amusement as if they were winning lottery prizes when purchasing commodities, thus inducing them to visit franchise shops again and purchase commodities. Brief Description of the Drawings [8] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the connection between advertisement systems according to an embodiment of the present invention; [9] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating the components of each advertisement system; [10] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an advertisement method according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [11] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an advertisement method according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [12] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an advertisement method according to a third embodiment of the present invention; [13] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the construction of an embodiment of manager coupons used in the present invention; [14] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the construction of an embodiment of user coupons used in the present invention, and [15] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the construction of luck coins used in the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [16] In order to achieve the above-described objects, the present invention provides a franchise shop advertisement system using a variable discount rate, the system being connected to a POS system at a member franchise shop and to a usage rate analysis system or a financial payment system via an Internet, and discounting purchase prices of purchases, including a discount rate determination module for variably determining a discount rate, which will be applied to a purchase price input from the POS system, according to any one of a purchase price, purchase time and a purchased commodity; a number-of-uses management module for limiting the number of available uses of the advertisement system within a predetermined range; a usage information DB for storing the numbers of available uses and actual uses of the franchise shop; an advertisement display module for converting advertisement information, which is transmitted from the usage rate analysis system, into image and sound signals; and a display unit for outputting the advertisement information converted into the image and sound signals; wherein the advertisement display module increases or decreases an output frequency of the advertisement information in proportion to the number of uses.

[17] The number of available uses is a number of times that the discount rate, which is determined by the discount rate determination module, is applied to the purchase price paid by a purchaser and, accordingly, the purchase price is discounted.

[ 18] The number-of-uses management module reduces the number of available uses by one when the purchaser pays the purchase price in cash, and increases the number of available uses by a predetermined quantity when the purchaser pays the purchase price using a credit card.

[19] The system further includes a barcode reader for reading a barcode coupon, containing information about the purchase price, or a receipt for the purchased commodity; and a coin discharge unit for paying the purchaser an amount equivalent to the amount of the discount in coins; wherein the discount rate deteπnination module variably determines the discount rate according to information about the purchase price read from the barcode coupon or the receipt for the purchased commodity.

[20] The coins are normal currency that is currently circulated or special coins that are used only at the franchise shop; and a secret code unique to the franchise shop is recorded on the special coins.

[21] The barcode coupon includes information about an available period for use thereof at the franchise shop, so that the barcode cannot be used when the available period has expired.

[22] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a franchise shop advertisement method using an available discount rate, the method using a franchise shop advertisement system that is connected to a POS system at a member franchise shop and to a usage rate analysis system or a financial payment system via an Internet, and discounts purchase prices of purchasers, comprising the steps of specifying and storing the number of available uses of the advertisement system; variably determining a discount rate according to any one of a purchase price, purchase time and a purchased commodity when information about the purchase price paid by the purchaser is input through the POS system; reducing the number of available uses by one when the purchaser pays the purchase price, to which the discount rate is applied, in cash, and storing information about the number of actual uses of the franchise shop; increasing or decreasing the number or frequency of advertisements, which are output from the advertisement system, in proportion to the number of actual uses; and increasing the number of available uses of the franchise shop when the usage fees of the advertisement system are received by the payment system from the franchise shop.

[23] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a franchise shop advertisement method using an available discount rate, the method using a franchise shop advertisement system that is connected to a POS system at a member franchise shop and to a usage rate analysis system or a financial payment system via an Internet, and discounts purchase prices of purchasers, including the steps of specifying and storing the number of available uses of the advertisement system; variably determining a discount rate according to any one of a purchase price, purchase time and a purchased commodity when the purchase price paid by the purchaser is input through the POS system; increasing the number of available uses by a predetermined quantity when the purchaser pays the purchase price using a credit card and storing information about the number of actual uses of the franchise shop; and increasing or decreasing the number or frequency of advertisements, which are output from the advertisement system, in proportion to the number of actual uses.

[24] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a franchise shop advertisement method using an available discount rate, the method using a franchise shop advertisement system that is connected to a POS system at a member franchise shop and to a usage rate analysis system or a financial payment system via an Internet, and discounts purchase prices of purchasers, including the steps of specifying and storing the number of available uses of the advertisement system; issuing a barcode coupon, containing information about the purchase price, or a receipt for a purchased commodity when the information about the purchase price paid by the purchaser is input from the POS system; reducing the number of available uses of the franchised shop by one when the purchaser pays the purchase price in cash, and storing information about the number of actual uses of the franchise shop; variably determining a discount rate according to any one of a purchase price, purchase time and a purchased commodity when the barcode coupon or the receipt for the purchased commodity is recognized by the barcode reader; discharging coins corresponding to the discount amount in consideration of the discount rate of the purchase price; increasing or decreasing the number or frequency of advertisements, which are output from the advertisement system, in proportion to the number of actual uses; and increasing the number of available uses of the franchise shop when the usage fees of the advertisement system are received by the payment system from the franchise shop. [25] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a franchise shop advertisement method using an available discount rate, the method using a franchise shop advertisement system that is connected to a POS system at a member franchise shop and to a usage rate analysis system or a financial payment system via an Internet, and discounts purchase prices of purchasers, including the steps of specifying and storing the number of available uses of the advertisement system; issuing a barcode coupon, containing information about the purchase price, or a receipt for the purchased commodity when the information about the purchase price paid by the purchaser is input through the POS system; increasing the number of available uses by a predetermined quantity when the purchaser pays for the purchase using a credit card and storing information about the number of actual uses of the franchise shop; variably determining a discount rate according to any one of a purchase price, purchase time and a purchased commodity when the barcode coupon or the receipt for the purchased commodity is recognized by the barcode reader; discharging coins corresponding to the discount amount in consideration of the discount rate of the purchase price; and increasing or decreasing the number or frequency of advertisements, which are output from the advertisement system, in proportion to the number of actual uses.

[26] The barcode coupon is either a manager coupon, containing manager information that allows a manager of the franchise shop to make environmental settings in the advertisement system, or a user coupon, containing information about any one of the purchase price, the purchase time and a commodity purchased by the purchaser.

[27] The usage rate analysis system analyzes actual numbers of uses of a plurality of franchise shops, and controls the advertisement systems so that the number or frequency of advertisements increases in proportion to the number of actual uses.

[28] The advertisements to be displayed on the advertisement system include cross advertisements that display information about respective franchise shops that provide discount service to purchasers using advertisement systems, or information about commodities to be sold, and external advertisements that display advertisements, which are requested by separate advertisers, regardless of use of the advertisement systems.

[29] The coins are normal currency that is currently circulated or special coins that are used only at the franchise shop, and a secret code unique to the franchise shop is recorded on the special coins.

[30] The barcode coupon includes information about an available period of use thereof at the franchise shop, so that the barcode cannot be used when the available period has expired. Mode for the Invention [31] The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings below.

[32] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the connection between franchise shop advertisement systems (hereinafter referred to as "advertisement systems") using variable discount rates, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, advertisement systems 100 installed in respective franchise shops are connected to the respective POS systems 200 of the franchise shops, and are connected to a usage rate analysis system 300 and a payment system 400 via the Internet 500.

[33] The POS systems 300 refer to Point Of Sale (POS) systems, which can immediately acquire sales-relevant data at the time when and in the place where commodities are sold. The POS systems 200 are systems in which the amount of inventory is adjusted and a series of sales-relevant measures, such as a credit inquiry, are taken at one time when barcodes attached to commodities are read. For this purpose, the POS systems 200 use Personal Computers (PCs) or special terminals, in which counters are combined with barcode readers, optical scanner card readers or the like.

[34] The usage rate analysis system 300 analyzes the numbers of uses of the advertisement systems 100 and determines the numbers or frequencies of advertisements that will be displayed at respective franchise shops.

[35] The payment system 400 refers to the system of a financial institution, such as a bank, a credit card issuer, etc., which includes a DataBase (DB) and a security system that are used for payment by purchasers or the payment of usage fees by franchise shops.

[36] Both the advertisement system 100 and the POS system 200 may be installed inside a franchise shop, or may be connected to each other via the Internet or any other communication means.

[37] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the components of each advertisement system 100. The advertisement system 100 is described with reference to FIG. 2.

[38] The advertisement system 100 includes a central processing unit 102, a communication unit 104, a barcode reader 106, a coin discharge unit 108, a display unit 110, a discount rate determination module 112, a number-of-uses management module 114, a usage information DB 116, an advertisement display module 118, an advertisement information DB 120, and a payment information management module 112.

[39] The central processing unit 102 controls the data transmission and reception and operation of the respective components of the advertisement system 100, and performs data conversion for communication with other systems via the Internet.

[40] The communication unit 104 provides an interface for the transmission and reception of data to and from the POS system 200, the usage rate analysis system 300, and the payment system 400. [41] The barcode reader 106 reads barcodes printed on barcode coupons issued by the advertisement system 100 and inputs information about purchases to the advertisement system 100. Each of the barcode coupons is issued in proportion to the purchase price paid by a purchaser, and a barcode on which a predetermined amount of money is indicated is printed on the barcode coupon. Meanwhile, since barcodes containing information about purchase prices have recently been printed on receipts issued by large stores, so that such a technique may be utilized for the present invention. That is, a method of directly reading the barcodes of receipts, which are issued by the stores, without issuing separate barcode coupons may be employed.

[42] In the meantime, specific available periods may be set for having barcode coupons or receipts read and getting discounts. That is, by setting the available period of a barcode coupon to one day, a purchaser is induced to use a barcode coupon on the same day that the barcode coupon is issued. Purchasers generally are good at keeping discount coupons issued as rewards for making purchases in shops or stores. However, there are cases where discount coupons are misplaced or lost, so that they are not used. Meanwhile, if the specific available periods are set as in the present invention, purchasers may try to use discount coupons at the stores rather than keep them, thereby inducing the purchasers to make additional purchases.

[43] The set available periods for using barcode coupons or receipts may be different depending upon the scales of stores, the characteristics of sold commodities, the classes of purchasers, etc.

[44] The coin discharge unit 108 includes a coin storage unit and a discharge outlet so as to pay discount amounts based on discount rates directly to purchasers in coins. By directly paying coins to the purchasers, the purchasers are induced to purchase simple items or miscellaneous commodities. Here, the coins refer to coins that are real currency. The payment of real coins to the purchasers has the advantage of increasing the satisfaction of purchasers. However, the purchasers may not use the received coins at the stores issuing the coins and, instead, may use the coins at other stores, in which case additional purchases at the stores issuing the coins are not induced.

[45] To overcome these disadvantages, it is preferred to use special coins that can only be used at current franchise shop issuing the coins. In the present invention, such coins are referred to as "luck coins." The luck coins are substantially similar in shape and size to real coins, and are manufactured such that information about predetermined amounts is engraved on the surfaces thereof. Furthermore, it is preferred that unique secret codes capable of preventing illegal use and forgery be engraved on the luck coins.

[46] The display unit 110 is a display device, such as a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) or a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), which displays the operational status of the ad- vertisement system 100 and a variety of advertisements composed of moving or still images. It is preferred that the display unit 110 be installed in a place where it can be readily exposed to purchasers who visit a franchise shop. The number of advertisements to be displayed may vary depending upon the status of use of the advertisement system 100 of the franchise shop. Purchasers visit a franchise shop and naturally view the advertisements of other franchise shops while purchasing desired commodities, thereby inducing the purchasers to make additional purchases.

[47] The discount rate determination module 112 generates a discount rate based on information about a purchase price, purchase time and commodities purchased by a purchaser, and applies the discount rate to the purchase price paid by the purchaser. For example, since different discount rates may be applicable even when the same commodity is purchased at the same store in the same time period, amusement, as in a lottery, can be provided to the purchaser, thereby inducing the purchaser to make an additional visit to the franchise shop.

[48] The number-of-uses management module 114 determines the number of available uses for the discounts of purchase prices through the advertisement system 100 at each franchise shop, and reduces the number of available uses by one whenever a purchaser purchases a commodity. That is, when the number of available uses is 100 at franchise shop A, 100 purchasers can receive discount service using the advertisement system 100 of franchise shop A. However, as long as the number of available uses is not renewed, no discount service will be provided thereafter.

[49] The usage information DB 116 stores information about the numbers of actual uses and available uses of each franchise shop.

[50] The advertisement display module 118 records advertisement information to be displayed on the display unit 110, converts the information into image and sound signals, and outputs the image and sound signals to purchasers.

[51] The advertisement information DB 120 stores information about advertisements to be displayed on the display unit 110.

[52] The payment information management module 122 accesses the payment system 400 and transmits data on payment information, to pay the usage fees so as to renew the number of available uses of the advertisement system 100.

[53] Since the barcode reader, the coin discharge unit 108 and the payment information management module 112 are used in conventional purchase systems, descriptions of the constructions thereof are omitted here.

[54] First embodiment

[55] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an advertisement method according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The advertisement method is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. For reference, the first embodiment is applied to the case where a purchaser pays the purchase price of a commodity in cash and subtracts a discount from the purchase price.

[56] The purchaser visits a franchise shop, at which the advertisement system 100 is installed, to purchase a commodity, selects the commodity, and requests that the shop calculate a purchase price. The POS system 200 installed at the franchise shop calculates the purchase price by reading a barcode that is attached to the commodity selected by the purchaser, at step S102.

[57] The POS system 200 inputs information about the purchase price through the communication unit 104 of the advertisement system 100 at step S 104. In addition, it is preferred to input information about the purchase time together with the type and quantity of the purchased commodity.

[58] When the information about the purchase price is input, the discount rate determination module 112 determines a discount rate that is determined based on information about a purchase price, purchase time and commodity purchased, etc., at step S106. It is preferred that the discount rate be determined within a range of 20% of a purchase price.

[59] The central processing unit 102 transmits information about the purchase price, to which the determined discount rate has been applied, to the POS system 200 at step S108. The POS system 200 receives the purchase price, to which the discount rate has been applied, from the purchaser.

[60] The number-of-uses management module 114 reduces the number of available uses of the franchise shop by one whenever a purchaser receives a discount on a purchase price using the advertisement system 100, records the number of actual uses and stores the number of actual uses, along with the number of available uses, in the usage information DB 116, at step SI 10.

[61] The number-of-uses management module 114 compares the number of actual uses and the number of available uses for each franchise shop, and determines whether the number of actual uses is equal to or larger than the number of available uses, at step S112.

[62] If the available uses of the advertisement system 100 at the franchise shop have been completely consumed, the number-of-uses management module 114 displays a message indicating that the available uses have been consumed on the display unit 110, at step SI 14.

[63] When the available uses have been completely consumed, no purchaser can receive discount service when purchasing commodities, which increases the prices of commodities in the franchise shop. Thus, the owner of the franchise shop renews the number of available uses at step SI 16.

[64] To renew the number of available uses, usage fees that are calculated based on the amount of money for each available use and the number of desired available uses are paid to the usage rate analysis system 300 at step SI 18.

[65] For example, if the amount of money for each available use is 10 won and the number of desired available uses is 5,000, usage fees of 50,000 won should be paid.

[66] When the usage fees have been paid, the usage rate analysis system 300 notifies the advertisement system 100 of the payment of the usage fees, and the number-of-uses management module 114 records the renewed number of available uses and stores it in the usage information DB 116, at step S120.

[67] The usage rate analysis system 300 receives the numbers of uses of the advertisement systems 100 at respective franchise shops and creates cumulative data. By comparing the numbers of uses of the franchise shops with each other, the usage rate analysis system 300 selects the advertisement system 100 of the franchise shop having the highest number of uses.

[68] In the case where, of three franchise shops, A, B and C, franchise shop A has the highest number of uses, the advertisements of franchise shops B and C are allowed to be displayed on the display unit 110 of franchise shop A. The number of advertisements that can be displayed on the advertisement system 100 is determined based on the number of uses of the advertisement system 100. For example, if franchise shop A has a high usage rate and a number of advertisements of 2, and franchise shops B and C each have a number of advertisements of 1, the advertisement of franchise shop A is displayed at the franchise shops B and C, and the advertisements of franchise shops B and C are displayed at franchise shop A. That is, the number of franchise shops displaying one's own advertisement, and the number of advertisements of other franchise shops to be displayed on one's own advertisement system are determined depending on usage rates.

[69] Accordingly, if no opportunity to display an advertisement is given because the numbers of uses of the other franchise shops are low even though the one's own number of uses or the usage rate is large, the franchise shop whose number of uses is large will be given no opportunity to advertise the through advertisements.

[70] This may be a cause of dissatisfaction of franchise shops that have frequently used the advertisement systems 100. In this case, the franchise shops may display advertisements, which are requested by separate advertisers, instead of the advertisements of other franchise shops. Advertisements, which are displayed based on the numbers of uses in a reciprocal fashion, are defined as cross advertisements, and advertisements other than those of franchise shops are defined as external advertisements.

[71] The external advertisements do not require close relationships between target advertisements and franchise shops that display the advertisements. In contrast, in the case of the cross advertisements, it is preferred to determine franchise shops that can have the effect of increasing sales through mutual advertisements. For this purpose, franchise shops adjacent to each other are preferentially selected as targets for cross advertisements. When the ranks of usage rates are determined, the adjacent franchise shops are compared with each other.

[72] If a plurality of advertisement systems 100 is in a single franchise shop, the numbers of uses and the usage rates of respective advertisement systems 100 are separately calculated. Accordingly, there may be an advertisement system 100 on which five advertisements are displayed, and an advertisement system 100 on which one advertisement is displayed.

[73] As the number of advertisements to be displayed increases, each franchise shop receives compensation for displaying the advertisements, thereby directly acquiring economical profits. Also, since each franchise shop is given more opportunities to advertise its own shop, it can acquire the effect of increasing sales through improved recognition.

[74] Second embodiment

[75] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an advertisement method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This advertisement method is described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. For reference, the second embodiment is applied to the case where a purchaser pays the purchase price for a commodity in cash, receives a barcode coupon and receives a discount in coins.

[76] As in the first embodiment, a purchaser visits a franchise shop equipped with the advertisement system 100 to buy a commodity, selects the commodity and requests that the franchise shop calculates the price of the commodity. The POS system 200 installed at the franchise shop reads a barcode that is attached to the commodity selected by the purchaser, and calculates the price of the commodity at step S202. The POS system 200 receives information about the calculated purchase price through the communication unit 104 of the advertisement system 100 S204.

[77] The POS system 200 issues a barcode coupon or a receipt containing information about the purchase price and commodity at step S206.

[78] When a purchaser causes the barcode coupon or the receipt to be recognized by the barcode reader 106, information about the purchase is extracted from the coupon or the receipt at step S208. At this time, information about an available period recorded on the barcode coupon or the receipt is extracted together with the above information. In the case of a barcode coupon or receipt whose available period has expired, a message indicating that it is unavailable, along with a notice indicating that the available period has expired, is displayed.

[79] The discount rate determination module 112 has determined a discount rate according to a purchase price, purchase time and purchased product, etc. at step S210. [80] Once the discount rate has been determined, the discount obtained by applying the discount rate to the purchase price is calculated, and the discount is paid in coins to the purchaser through the coin discharge unit 108, at step S212. The discount is paid to the purchaser in coins or luck coins. Since the coins or luck coils are inconvenient to carry, the purchaser may wish to use them immediately. Therefore, by placing small commodities or a coin vending machine around the advertisement system 100, the purchaser may be induced to use the coins, thereby inducing additional purchases. In particular, the luck coins are not normal coins and, thus, cannot be used for other purposes or at other shops but are only available for use at the current shop. Accordingly, the purchaser might not carry the heavy luck coins home, but, instead, the purchaser might immediately use them in the vending machine installed in the shop or for purchasing small commodities.

[81] It is preferred to allow the purchaser to use normal coins along with the luck coins when the purchaser purchases a commodity with the luck coins. For example, when the luck coins paid out are worth 1,000 won and a commodity that the purchase desires to buy is 1,200 won, the purchaser is allowed to pay 1,000 won in luck coins and the remaining 200 won in actual currency. Through this method, the maximal use of the luck coins can be promoted, and the purchaser's convenience can be increased.

[82] The number-of-uses management module 118 reduces the number of available uses of the advertisement system 100, records information about the number of uses and stores it in the usage information DB 116.

[83] Since the later steps are the same as those of the first embodiment, descriptions thereof are omitted here.

[84] Third embodiment

[85] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an advertisement method according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The advertisement method is described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5. For reference, this method is applied to the case where a purchaser pays the purchase price using a credit card.

[86] When a purchaser calculates a purchase price and presents a credit card to pay the purchase price, the POS system 200 receives card information through the communication unit 104 at step S302.

[87] When the credit card payment information is input, the number-of-uses management module 114 renews the number of available uses of a concerned franchise shop. When payment is made using a credit card, the number of available uses of the shop is automatically renewed according to the accumulated percentage for each card issuer, at step S304. That is, cyber money is calculated based on the actual usage rate of the card, and the number of available uses is increased in proportion to the cyber money. [88] Next, the purchase price, to which the discount rate determined by the discount rate determination module 112 is applied, is paid with the credit card at step S306.

[89] When the purchase price is paid, the number-of-uses management module 114 calculates the number of actual uses and stores it in the usage information DB 116. Since methods of paying the purchase price, calculating the number of actual uses and storing it are the same as those of the first and second embodiments, redundant descriptions thereof are omitted here.

[90] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the construction of an embodiment of manager coupons used in the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the construction of an embodiment of user coupons used in the present invention.

[91] A manager coupon is used to renew or input information about a system, points, charges and sales. To change the data in the advertisement system 100, barcodes for performing respective functions are recognized without the insertion of a separate password or secret number.

[92] A user coupon is issued for a predetermined purchase price. For example, when a coupon is issued for every 5,000 won, three coupons may be issued to the purchaser who purchases a commodity for 15,000 won, or otherwise, a coupon note corresponding to three coupons may be issued.

[93] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the construction of an embodiment of luck coins used in the present invention. With reference to FIG. 8, the secret codes of luck coins are described.

[94] Luck coins may be manufactured using material such as metal or plastic. Besides, they may be manufactured using various materials and in various shapes. The amounts of money and secret codes set for particular luck coins are engraved on the luck coins. The secret codes function to prevent illegal use through forgery and set the available periods thereof. Each shop has various types of secret codes, and is provided with luck coins respectively engraved with secret codes. However, the luck coins paid and used during the same period are all engraved with the same secret code.

[95] If luck coins were issued long ago and there is any risk that they might be forged or altered, all the luck coins paid or used at the shop are recalled and replaced with new luck coins that are engraved with different secret codes. Thereafter, the luck coins engraved with old codes are not available for use any longer. If old coins cannot be used when a user brings old luck coins kept at home to the shop after the replacement, the user may experience dissatisfaction. Accordingly, the shop may induce users to consume luck coins in advance in such a way as to publicly provide notification of replacement time for a predetermined period.

[96] If 100 luck coins have actually been issued by a shop but the number of currently collected luck coins is 120, this implies that there has been illegal use based on forgery. Accordingly, the luck coins are replaced with luck coins engraved with new secret codes. That is, the luck coins are replaced with new coins when an information update period for preventing illegal use has elapsed or the number of luck coins has increased due to forgery or alteration. [97] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but the rights of the present invention extend over a range in which those skilled in the art can readily make modifications.

Claims

[1] A franchise shop advertisement system using a variable discount rate, the system being connected to a Point of Sale (POS) system at a member franchise shop and to a usage rate analysis system or a financial payment system via an Internet, and discounting purchase prices of purchases, comprising: a discount rate determination module for variably determining a discount rate, which will be applied to a purchase price input from the POS system, according to any one of a purchase price, purchase time and a purchased commodity; a number-of-uses management module for limiting the number of available uses of the advertisement system within a predetermined range; a usage information DB for storing the numbers of available uses and actual uses of the franchise shop; an advertisement display module for converting advertisement information, which is transmitted from the usage rate analysis system, into image and sound signals; and a display unit for outputting the advertisement information converted into the image and sound signals; wherein the advertisement display module increases or decreases an output frequency of the advertisement information in proportion to the number of uses.

[2] The system according to claim 1, wherein the number of available uses is a number of times that the discount rate, which is determined by the discount rate determination module, is applied to the purchase price paid by a purchaser and, accordingly, the purchase price is discounted.

[3] The system according to claim 2, wherein the number-of-uses management module reduces the number of available uses by one when the purchaser pays the purchase price in cash; and increases the number of available uses by a predetermined quantity when the purchaser pays the purchase price using a credit card.

[4] The system according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising: a barcode reader for reading a barcode coupon, containing information about the purchase price, or a receipt for the purchased commodity; and a coin discharge unit for paying the purchaser an amount equivalent to the amount of the discount in coins; wherein the discount rate determination module variably determines the discount rate according to information about the purchase price read from the barcode coupon or the receipt for the purchased commodity.

[5] The system according to claim 4, wherein the coins are normal currency that is currently circulated or special coins that are used only at the franchise shop; and a secret code unique to the franchise shop is recorded on the special coins.

[6] The system according to claim 4, wherein the barcode coupon includes information about an available period for use thereof at the franchise shop, so that the barcode cannot be used when the available period has expired.

[7] A franchise shop advertisement method using an available discount rate, the method using a franchise shop advertisement system that is connected to a POS system at a member franchise shop and to a usage rate analysis system or a financial payment system via an Internet, and discounts purchase prices of purchasers, comprising the steps of: specifying and storing the number of available uses of the advertisement system; variably determining a discount rate according to any one of a purchase price, purchase time and a purchased commodity when information about the purchase price paid by the purchaser is input through the POS system; reducing the number of available uses by one when the purchaser pays the purchase price, to which the discount rate is applied, in cash, and storing information about the number of actual uses of the franchise shop; increasing or decreasing the number or frequency of advertisements, which are output from the advertisement system, in proportion to the number of actual uses; and increasing the number of available uses of the franchise shop when the usage fees of the advertisement system are received by the payment system from the franchise shop.

[8] A franchise shop advertisement method using an available discount rate, the method using a franchise shop advertisement system that is connected to a POS system at a member franchise shop and to a usage rate analysis system or a financial payment system via an Internet, and discounts purchase prices of purchasers, comprising the steps of: specifying and storing the number of available uses of the advertisement system; variably determining a discount rate according to any one of a purchase price, purchase time and a purchased commodity when the purchase price paid by the purchaser is input through the POS system; increasing the number of available uses by a predetermined quantity when the purchaser pays the purchase price using a credit card and storing information about the number of actual uses of the franchise shop; and increasing or decreasing the number or frequency of advertisements, which are output from the advertisement system, in proportion to the number of actual uses.

[9] A franchise shop advertisement method using an available discount rate, the method using a franchise shop advertisement system that is connected to a POS system at a member franchise shop and to a usage rate analysis system or a financial payment system via an Internet, and discounts purchase prices of purchasers, comprising the steps of: specifying and storing the number of available uses of the advertisement system; issuing a barcode coupon, containing information about the purchase price, or a receipt for a purchased commodity when the information about the purchase price paid by the purchaser is input from the POS system; reducing the number of available uses of the franchised shop by one when the purchaser pays the purchase price in cash, and storing information about the number of actual uses of the franchise shop; variably determining a discount rate according to any one of a purchase price, purchase time and a purchased commodity when the barcode coupon or the receipt for the purchased commodity is recognized by the barcode reader; discharging coins corresponding to the discount amount in consideration of the discount rate of the purchase price; increasing or decreasing the number or frequency of advertisements, which are output from the advertisement system, in proportion to the number of actual uses; and increasing the number of available uses of the franchise shop when the usage fees of the advertisement system are received by the payment system from the franchise shop.

[10] A franchise shop advertisement method using an available discount rate, the method using a franchise shop advertisement system that is connected to a POS system at a member franchise shop and to a usage rate analysis system or a financial payment system via an Internet, and discounts purchase prices of purchasers, comprising the steps of: specifying and storing the number of available uses of the advertisement system; issuing a barcode coupon, containing information about the purchase price, or a receipt for the purchased commodity when the information about the purchase price paid by the purchaser is input through the POS system; increasing the number of available uses by a predetermined quantity when the purchaser pays for the purchase using a credit card and storing information about the number of actual uses of the franchise shop; variably determining a discount rate according to any one of a purchase price, purchase time and a purchased commodity when the barcode coupon or the receipt for the purchased commodity is recognized by the barcode reader; discharging coins corresponding to the discount amount in consideration of the discount rate of the purchase price; and increasing or decreasing the number or frequency of advertisements, which are output from the advertisement system, in proportion to the number of actual uses.

[11] The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the barcode coupon is either a manager coupon, containing manager information that allows a manager of the franchise shop to make environmental settings in the advertisement system, or a user coupon, containing information about any one of the purchase price, the purchase time and a commodity purchased by the purchaser.

[12] The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the usage rate analysis system analyzes actual numbers of uses of a plurality of franchise shops, and controls the advertisement systems so that the number or frequency of advertisements increases in proportion to the number of actual uses.

[13] The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the advertisements to be displayed on the advertisement system include cross advertisements that display information about respective franchise shops that provide discount service to purchasers using advertisement systems, or information about commodities to be sold, and external advertisements that display advertisements, which are requested by separate advertisers, regardless of use of the advertisement systems.

[14] The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein: the coins are normal currency that is currently circulated or special coins that are used only at the franchise shop; and a secret code unique to the franchise shop is recorded on the special coins.

[15] The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the barcode coupon includes information about an available period of use thereof at the franchise shop, so that the barcode cannot be used when the available period has expired.