WO2008035659A1 - Accounting device, ic chip, terminal device, accounting method and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

It is an object to enable customers to feel real treatment with discount information. When a customer visits a shop, he or she connects his or her coupon card (5) with a coupon issuing terminal device (3) and coupon information is stored at the coupon card (5). When the customer brings an item for sale to a cash register (4), an accounting person inputs its item number of each item to the cash register (4). Further, the customer connects the coupon card (5) with the cash register (4) and the stored coupon information is transmitted to the cash register (4). The cash register (4) compares the item code of an accounting subject item with the item number included in the coupon information, and coupon subject items and their discount amounts of prices are displayed for every coupon item on a coupon screen. The customer then selects an item from the coupon information for which his or her coupon is used. Since a customer can select coupon information to be used, the customer can feel real treatment with discount information.

Description

 Specification

 Accounting apparatus, IC chip, terminal, accounting method, and information processing method

 Technical field

 The present invention relates to an accounting apparatus, an IC chip, a terminal, an accounting method, and an information processing method, and relates to, for example, one that stores discount information in an IC chip and uses this to discount the price of a product.

 Background art

 In retail stores such as supermarkets, discount coupons called coupons are issued to improve customer attraction.

 The coupon is printed on, for example, "30 yen discount on milk" and in a newspaper advertisement, and the customer cuts it, brings it to a retail store, and gives it to a treasurer at the time of accounting.

 The accountant collates the customer's purchased product with the coupon, and if the purchased product is discounted, it will account for the discounted rate. Cubon tickets received by the accountant's customer power are stored and managed later, and summarized later.

[0003] Since coupons printed on such paper media and the like require time and cost for storage and management and tabulation, in recent years electronic coupons for issuing coupons by electronic data have come to be used. .

 As the technology related to the electronic coupon, there is the following "electronic coupon management system". In this technology, a customer stores an electronic coupon on a portable terminal, reads it at an accounting terminal at the time of product purchase, and uses the electronic coupon. Discounts with electronic coupons are made by issuing electronic money to customers.

 Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-133931

 Disclosure of the invention

 Problem that invention tries to solve

However, in this prior art and other conventional examples using electronic coupons, since the store side mechanically performs the split bow I by the coubon, it is not clear that the customer performed the split bow I by the coupon. There was a problem that although the discount was given, the customer received less sense of value. [0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible for a customer to gain a feeling of use of discount information (electronic coupon).

 Means to solve the problem

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a product information receiving unit for receiving an input of product information on a product to be accounted for, and an IC chip connected to the IC chip according to the invention of claim 1. The discount information receiving means for receiving the discount information of the product, the product information for which the input has been received, and the received discount information are collated to identify the product to be discounted among the products to be accounted for. Specific display means for displaying the product, selection receiving means for receiving from the customer the selection of the product to be discounted among the displayed products, According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an accounting apparatus characterized in that it comprises accounting processing means for carrying out accounting processing of the received product information. In the invention according to claim 2, the IC chip is notified of the discount information used for the discount in the accounting process to make the IC chip set the split bow I information to be used, and the specific display means The accounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a product to be discounted is specified and displayed using discount information stored in the IC chip that is not set as used.

 In the invention according to claim 3, the accounting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the specific display means displays discount contents using the discount information.

 In the invention according to claim 4, the specific display means changes the display state of the product before and after the customer selects the displayed product. An accounting apparatus according to claim 3 is provided.

 In the invention according to claim 5, the electronic money payment function of the IC chip further comprises payment selection receiving means for receiving selection of payment by electronic money, and the specific display means is configured to select payment with the electronic money. The accounting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the product to be discounted is displayed to the customer when it is accepted.

In the invention according to claim 6, connection is made with the terminal device installed in the area to which the store belongs. Connection means, discount information storage means for receiving and storing discount information on products of the store from the connected terminal device, and discount information stored in the store by connecting to an accounting device installed in the store An IC chip is provided, comprising: discount information transmitting means for transmitting.

 In the invention according to claim 7, determination information for determining whether or not the discount information has been used is attached to the stored discount information, and the discount information used for the discount from the accounting apparatus is attached to the stored discount information. The apparatus is characterized by comprising: notification receiving means for receiving a notification; and used setting means for setting, as used information, the discrimination information of the discount information for which the notification has been received among the stored discount information. Provide the IC chip described in

 The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that it is stored in a mobile terminal connectable to a network, and the discount information storage means receives and stores discount information from a predetermined site via the network. An IC chip according to claim 6 or claim 7 is provided. In the invention according to claim 9, a terminal device installed in an area to which a store belongs, which is a discount information storage means for receiving and storing discount information of goods of the store from a predetermined server; A terminal comprising: connection receiving means for receiving a connection; and split bow I information transmitting means for transmitting the stored split bow I information to the connected IC chip.

In the invention according to claim 10, a computer comprising product information receiving means, discount information receiving means, specific display means, selection receiving means, and accounting processing means, wherein the product information receiving means A product information receiving step for receiving an input of product information related to a product to be accounted for, a discount information receiving step for connecting to an IC chip by the discount information receiving means and receiving discount information on the IC chip power product; A specific display step of collating the product information for which the input has been received with the received discount information, and for specifying and displaying a product to be discounted among the products for which the accounting is performed; A selection receiving step of receiving a selection of a product to be discounted among the displayed products by the selection receiving unit, and a product for which the selection has been received by the accounting processing unit In addition, the present invention provides an accounting process step of applying a discounted charge and performing accounting process using the product information for which the input has been received, and an accounting method characterized in that the system is configured. In the invention according to claim 11, in the IC chip including the connection means, the discount information storage means, and the discount information transmission means, the connection means connects with the terminal device installed in the area to which the store belongs. And a discount information storage step for receiving and storing discount information of goods of the store from the connected terminal device by the discount information storage means, and installed in the store by the discount information transmission means. The present invention provides an information processing method comprising: a step of transmitting a stored bow I information connected to the accounting device; and a step of transmitting I information.

 In the invention according to claim 12, a computer provided with discount information storage means, connection acceptance means, discount information transmitting means, and installed in an area to which the store belongs, the predetermined information being stored by the discount information storage means. A discount information storage step of receiving and storing discount information of the product of the store from the server; a connection accepting step of accepting connection of an IC chip by the connection accepting unit; and the discount information transmitting unit; A discount information transmission step of transmitting the stored discount information to an IC chip, and an information processing method characterized in that a power configuration is provided.

 Effect of the invention

 According to the present invention, since the customer selects use / disuse for each discount information at the time of accounting, it is possible to gain a feeling of use of the split bow I information.

 Brief description of the drawings

 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a coupon management system.

 FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the configuration of a coupon card.

 FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a mobile phone.

 FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a coupon screen.

 FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a hardware configuration of a coupon issue terminal.

 FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing a hardware configuration of a coupon server.

 FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a logical configuration of coupon information.

 [FIG. 8] A flowchart for explaining a procedure of transmitting coupon information to a coupon issuing terminal by the coupon server.

[FIG. 9] A flowchart for explaining the procedure for storing coupon information in a coupon card It is

 FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure for using coupon information.

 Explanation of sign

 [0009] 1 coupon management system

 2 coupon server

 3 coupon issue terminal

 4 Cash register

 5 coupon card

 BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(1) Outline of Embodiment

 When the customer visits the store (FIG. 1), the customer connects the coupon card 5 to the coupon issue terminal 3 provided near the entrance. The coupon card 5 is an IC card, and coupon information is wirelessly transmitted to the coupon issue terminal 3, the coupon card 5, and is stored in the coupon card 5. The coupon information includes information specifying the product code of the coupon information target product and the discount amount.

 [0011] When the customer brings the product into the cash register 4 by putting the product in the basket in the store, the accountant inputs the product code of each product into the cash register 4. Also, the customer connects the coupon card 5 to the cash register 4, stores it, and sends coupon information to the cash register 4.

 The cash register 4 collates the product code of the product relating to the accounting with the product code included in the coupon information, and specifies the coupon target product.

 Then, the cash register 4 displays the coupon target product and the discount amount on the coupon screen for each coupon target product. Then, the customer selects one of the displayed coupon information to use.

 Cash register 4 applies a discounted rate to coupon information selected by the customer, using it, and applies an undiscounted rate to other products for accounting.

Thus, in the present embodiment, in order to make the customer select coupon information to be used, The customer can have the feeling of being discounted by the coupon information.

(2) Details of the Embodiment

 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a coupon management system according to the present embodiment. The coupon management system 1 includes a coupon server 2 installed at the head office, a coupon issue terminal 3 installed at a store, and a cash register 4 , And a coupon card 5 (indicated as “card” in FIG. 1) carried by the customer.

 The coupon server 2 and the coupon issuing terminal 3 are connected by a network and can communicate with each other by using S.

 Further, the coupon card 5 is a noncontact IC card, and can perform short-distance wireless communication with the coupon issue terminal 3 and the cash register 4.

The coupon server 2 receives and stores the input of coupon information from the person in charge at the head office, and transmits this to the coupon issuing terminal 3.

 The coupon information is an electronic coupon, and functions as, for example, "ABC cheese is discounted by 50 yen" and the like, and information specifying the discount target product and discount information including information specifying the discount amount.

 The coupon issuing terminal 3 is installed at the entrance of the store, and receives and stores the coupon information from the coupon server 2.

 Then, the coupon issue terminal 3 transmits coupon information to the coupon card 5 when the customer holds the coupon card 5 over the coupon issue terminal 3 when visiting the store.

In the present embodiment, the coupon issuing terminal 3 is installed at the entrance of the store.

It can be installed in the area to which the store belongs, such as in a site outside the store, or in the complex if the store exists as a tenant in the complex.

 Also, in FIG. 1, a power S showing only one store can exist, and a plurality of such stores can exist, and the coupon issue terminal 3 is installed in each store.

A commodity display rack is installed in the store, and commodities relating to retail are displayed. In addition to the price list installed for each item, the item for which the item is coupon includes a discount of 50 yen for the item for which the item is eligible, etc. The cash register 4 is an accounting device that performs accounting of a product purchased by a customer. When the customer holds the coupon card 5, the cash register 4 reads the coupon information and collates (matches, matches) the goods purchased by the customer.

 Then, the cash register 4 displays the coupon target product among the products purchased by the customer, using the display device to display it for the customer.

 The display device is a touch panel, and the customer can select whether or not to use a coupon for the product by tapping on the product targeted for coupon individually to the cash register 4. Cash register 4 discounts the product according to this selection.

 [0020] Although not shown, the cash register 4 is connected to a sales management system such as a so-called POS system (Point of Sales System), and makes the sales management system purchase products purchased by customers and coupon information used. Send.

 Thus, in the present embodiment, the customer uses the coupon to purchase the product at a low price, in order to individually present the product that can be used for the coupon to the customer and to allow the customer to select the non-use of the coupon. You can get a feel for it.

FIG. 2 (a) is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the coupon card 5. The coupon card 5 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 10, a high frequency circuit 11, an antenna 15, and a ROM. (Read Only Memory) 12, RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) 14, and the like.

 These elements are formed on an IC chip. However, the antenna 15 is constituted by an antenna line extended around the outer periphery inside the coupon power card 5 or on an elliptic curve whose axis is the diagonal of the coupon card 5, and the end is connected to the IC chip There is.

The CPU 10 is a central processing unit that performs information processing in accordance with various programs stored in the ROM 12 and the EEPROM 14.

In addition, the CPU 10 receives the coupon issue terminal 3 through the antenna 15 and the high frequency circuit 11. It is possible to connect to the coupon issue terminal 3 and the cash register 4 by performing near field wireless communication with the cash register 4.

 More specifically, the coupon issue terminal 3 and the cash register 4 each include a wireless device called a reader / writer, and the CPU 10 communicates via the reader / writer.

The antenna 15 is an antenna for performing near-field wireless communication with an antenna built in the reader / writer.

 Further, the antenna 15 generates electric power for driving the coupon card 5 by radio waves from the reader / writer.

 The high frequency circuit 11 converts the high frequency transmitted from the reader / writer to the antenna 15 into a digital signal and outputs it to the CPU 10, or conversely converts the digital signal output from the CPU 10 into a high frequency to transmit the antenna 15. Send to the reader / writer from

The RAM 13 is a memory that can be written to and read from any time, which provides a working memory when the CPU 10 performs information processing.

 While the power is supplied to the coupon card 5, the RAM 13 is capable of holding the stored contents S, and the stored contents are lost when the supply of the power is stopped.

 The ROM 12 is a read only memory storing basic programs, parameters, data and the like for causing the coupon card 5 to function.

The EEPROM 14 is a ROM capable of reading, writing, and erasing information. The information stored in the EEPROM 14 is maintained even when the coupon card 5 is not supplied with power. The EEPROM 14 stores various programs and data.

 As a program, for example, there is a coupon processing program for processing coupons, and the CPU 10 executes this program to communicate information with the coupon issue terminal 3 and the cash register 4, and coupon information from the coupon issue terminal 3. It performs various functions such as the function of receiving and storing, and the function of transmitting stored coupon information to the cash register 4. The data includes member information, coupon information, and the like.

FIG. 2 (b) is a block diagram schematically showing a functional configuration of coupon card 5.

The coupon processing unit 22 is configured by the CPU 10 executing a coupon processing program. The storage unit 23 is formed in the EEPROM 14 and stores member information, coupon information, and the like.

 The terminal communication unit 21 is formed by using the antenna 15 and the like, receives various commands and information from the reader / writer 17 of the coupon issue terminal 3 and the reader / writer of the cash register 4 (not shown) and inputs it to the coupon processing unit 22 Do.

The coupon processing unit 22 is an information processing unit that executes an input command.

 The commands include a membership number read command, a chip area read command, a coupon write command, a coupon read command, and the like.

 When the membership number read command is input, the coupon processing unit 22 reads the membership number from the storage unit 23 and transmits it to the transmission source of the membership number read command.

 The coupon write command is accompanied by designation of coupon information and an area to which the coupon is to be written, and when the coupon write command is inputted, the coupon processing unit 22 designates the attached coupon information in the storage unit 23. Write to the area

 When the coupon read command is input, the coupon processing unit 22 transmits the coupon information stored in the storage unit 23 to the transmission source of the coupon read command.

In the above example, the coupon card 5 is described as a non-contact IC card with an integrated IC chip, but it is also possible to configure the coupon card 5 with a contact IC card. In this case, the coupon card 5 is provided with the contact terminal, while the reader / writer 17 side is also provided with the contact terminal. And when both contact terminals come into contact, the coupon card 5 and the coupon issue terminal 3, and the coupon card 5 and the cash register 4 communicate.

Further, in the above example, the IC chip can be incorporated in a coupon card 5 into a portable terminal such as a mobile phone.

 FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a mobile phone 7 incorporating an IC chip.

The telephone function unit 30 has a call mode for making a call and an application mode for providing various application functions, and can be switched by the user's operation. The telephone function unit 30 includes a CPU and a storage unit storing various application programs, and the CPU executes various application programs to execute various application programs. Application functions can be exhibited.

The coupon application unit 31 is formed by the CPU of the telephone function unit 30 executing an electronic money application program.

 The coupon server 2 establishes a coupon website for downloading coupon information on the network, and the coupon application unit 31 downloads coupon information from the coupon website and inputs it to the coupon function unit 33. Can do

Yes

 Further, the coupon application unit 31 can also display the member information and the coupon information stored in the coupon function unit 33 on the display.

The coupon function unit 33 includes an electronic money IC chip and an antenna having the same configuration as that embedded in the coupon card 5, and is connected to the coupon application unit 31 by the interface unit 32. There is.

 Similar to the coupon card 5, the coupon function unit 33 has the terminal communication unit 21, the coupon processing unit 22, and the storage by the CPU executing the knowing processing program stored in the EE PROM in the electronic money IC chip. Part 23 etc. are formed.

 The coupon processing unit 22 communicates with the coupon issue terminal 3 and the cash register 4 via the terminal communication unit 21, and exhibits the same function as the coupon card 5.

 The following describes the case where the customer uses the coupon with the coupon card 5, but the coupon can be used with the mobile phone 7 as well.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of the coupon screen 40 displayed on the display device of the cash register 4.

 The coupon screen 40 individually displays, among the items to be accounted for by the customer, powers that can be discounted by the coupon information of the coupon card 5, coupon icons 41a, 41b, 41 · · ·.

 The coupon icon 41a, 41b, 41c '· · · displays, for example, the product name, discount amount, and expiration date, such as "Chinese cabbage 30 yen discount deadline end of September", and affirms the contents of usable coupon information That ability S can.

[0034] The display device is a touch panel, and the customer confirms the contents of the coupon information. , You can touch the coupon icon 41a, 41b, 41c '· · · and select the coupon information to use. In addition, coupon information that has not been used will be available at the next time if it is within the expiration date.

 The coupon icon changes the display color when the customer selects it, changes its shape, etc. The display state changes before and after the selection, and the ability to realize that the customer selected the coupon information according to his own intention S You

In FIG. 4, the coupon icon 41a is displayed after selection, and the coupon icons 41b and 41c are displayed before selection.

 Also, the cash register 4 may be configured to emit a sound effect each time the customer selects the coupon icon.

 Further, on the coupon screen 40, a subtotal of goods, foreign taxes, discount total by coupon information, and payment amount are displayed.

 These displays are updated with the latest information each time the customer selects a coupon icon.

 In the present embodiment, the display device is configured with a touch panel, and the customer touches the coupon icon to select coupon information S, and the method is not limited to this. The customer presses a button, a keyboard or the like. It may be configured to select coupon information accordingly.

 FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the coupon issue terminal 3.

 The coupon issue terminal 3 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a communication control unit 54, a storage unit 57, an input unit 55, an output unit 56, a reader / writer 17 and the like connected by a bus line.

The CPU 51 performs information processing in accordance with a predetermined program, and also performs control of the entire coupon issue terminal 3 and the like.

 In the present embodiment, for coupon server 2, coupon information is received from coupon server 2 and stored in storage unit 57, and for coupon card 5, member information is read from coupon card 5, or Write coupon information on coupon card 5

The ROM 52 is a basic program or parameter for operating the coupon issue terminal 3 It is a read only memory that stores data etc.

 The RAM 53 is a memory that can be written and read out as needed to provide a working memory of the CPU 51 and load and store programs and data stored in the storage unit 57.

 The communication control unit 54 is a connection device that connects the coupon issue terminal 3 to the coupon server 2 via the network.

 The storage unit 57 comprises, for example, a node disk or other storage medium, and a drive device for driving these, and comprises a program storage unit 58 storing various programs, a data storage unit 59 storing data, etc. There is.

The program storage unit 58 includes an OS which is a basic program for causing the coupon issue terminal 3 to function, and coupon information received from the coupon server 2 and stored in the data storage unit 59. A program for causing the CPU 51 to exhibit the function of updating the function, the function of communicating with the coupon card 5 and writing the coupon information on the coupon card 5 is stored.

 The data storage unit 59 stores coupon information received from the coupon server 2, a communication history with the coupon power card 5, and the like. The communication history includes, for example, the membership number of the coupon card 5, the coupon ID of the written coupon information, the communication date and time, etc. The communication history stored in the data storage unit 59 is, for example, batch processing about once a day. The coupon issue terminal 3 transmits the coupon server 2 to the coupon server 2.

The input unit 55 includes a button, a keyboard, and the like for the person in charge to set the coupon issue terminal 3, and the output unit 56 is a display device for the person in charge to confirm the operation of the coupon issue terminal 3. And so on.

 The reader / writer 17 wirelessly connects the coupon card 5 when the customer holds the coupon card 5 or the like, and mediates communication between the CPU 51 and the coupon card 5.

The hardware configuration of the cash register 4 is basically the same as that of the coupon issuance terminal 3 shown in FIG.

The configuration of the cash register 4 will be described below with reference to FIG. The CPU 51 performs information processing in accordance with a predetermined program, and controls the entire cash register 4 and the like.

 In the present embodiment, the accounting clerk can accept the input of the product code etc. purchased by the customer, read the coupon information from the coupon card 5 and compare the both, or the customer strength S coupon information is selected. Account for discounted rates.

 The functions of the ROM 52 and the RAM 53 are the same as those of the coupon issue terminal 3.

The communication control unit 54 is a connection device that connects the cash register 4 to the sales management system via the network.

 An accounting history including accounting contents and usage of coupon information is transmitted from the cash register 4 to the sales management system via the communication control unit 54.

The storage unit 57 is composed of, for example, a node disk or other storage medium, and a drive device for driving these, and a program storage unit 58 storing various programs, a data storage unit 59 storing data, etc. It is configured.

The program storage unit 58 stores an OS which is a basic program for causing the cash register 4 to function, a program for causing the CPU 51 to exhibit a function of performing accounting processing, and the like.

 The data storage unit 59 stores product information (product code, product name, price, etc.) by the product information database, and also stores accounting history each time the accounting process is performed. The product has a bar code attached, and the cash register 4 reads the product and compares it with the product information to identify the product that the customer wants to purchase.

The input unit 55 is provided with a bar code reader for the accountant to input goods related to the accounting into the cash register 4, a keyboard for inputting various information, and the like. The output unit 56 includes a display for displaying the details of the contents of the account and the coupon screen, and an audio output device for emitting a sound.

 The display device also has a function as an input unit 55 that transmits information identifying the coupon icon touched by the customer to the CPU 51! /.

The reader / writer 17 wirelessly connects the coupon card 5 when the customer holds the coupon card 5 or the like, and mediates communication between the CPU 51 and the coupon card 5. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the coupon server 2.

 The coupon server 2 is configured by connecting a CPU 65, a ROM 66, a RAM 68, a communication control unit 67, a storage unit 69, and the like via a bus line!

 The CPU 65 is a central processing unit that performs various types of information processing in accordance with a predetermined program. In the present embodiment, for example, the user of the head office receives an input of coupon information and stores it, transmits the stored coupon information to the coupon issuing terminal 3, and the coupon issuing terminal 3 to the coupon card 5 In addition, the CPU 65 operates a coupon website, receives access from the mobile phone 7, and transmits coupon information to the mobile phone 7. Do.

The ROM 66 is a read only memory, and stores basic programs and parameters for operating the coupon server 2.

 The RAM 68 is a readable and writable memory, and provides a working memory of the CPU 65, and loads and stores programs and data stored in the storage unit 69. The communication control unit 67 communicates with the coupon issue terminal 3 to transmit coupon information to the coupon issue terminal 3 or accepts access from the mobile phone 7.

 Further, the communication control unit 67 is connected to a terminal installed at the head office so that a person in charge at the head office can add coupon information, delete and edit coupon information from the terminal.

The storage unit 69 is configured using, for example, a large-capacity storage device such as a node disk, and includes a program storage unit 70 storing various programs, a data storage unit 71 storing data, and the like. .

 The program storage unit 70 transmits to the coupon issue terminal 3 an OS which is a basic program for causing the coupon server 2 to function, a tool for a person in charge of the headquarters to operate the coupon information, and coupon information. Programs for managing the coupon website and programs for managing coupon websites are stored.

In the data storage unit 71, a store data base storing coupon information for managing stores, a coupon information database storing coupon information, and the like are formed. The store information includes connection information for connecting to the coupon issue terminal 3 of the store, the store The CPU 65 connects to the coupon issuing terminal 3 according to the connection information, and transmits coupon information.

FIG. 7 (a) is a diagram showing a logical configuration of the coupon information stored in the coupon information database by the coupon issue terminal 3. The coupon information is received from the coupon server 2 and stored, and similar coupon information is stored in the storage unit 69 of the coupon server 2.

 The coupon information includes items such as “use flag”, “coupon ID”, “department code”, “product code”, “discount amount” and the like.

 The “usage flag” is attached to the coupon information and is discrimination information for judging whether or not the coupon information has been used, “0” indicates unused and “1” indicates used. The default is set to '0'.

[0052] "Coupon" is identification information uniquely assigned to each coupon, and is used to manage coupon information.

 “Department code” is a code that identifies each sales department at the store, for example, the liquor department and the meat department.

 "Product Code" is a code indicating a specific product, and the product code uniquely identifies the product.

 The “discount amount” is an amount to be discounted from the price of the product. The “discount amount” may be the amount itself, or, for example, “1”, “2”, or other information specifying the discount amount, and “1” is the cash register 4 side. It is 10 yen discount, "2" is judged to be 20 yen discount, etc. and it's good.

 As described above, the coupon target product is specified by the “product code”, and the discounted amount is specified by the “discount amount”.

 In addition, since coupon information has a "department code", it is possible to discount 50 yen discount on alcohol and so on, and discount by department. In this case, for example, the product code may be left blank.

With regard to the expiration date of coupon information, the coupon information may be provided with an “expiration date” item, and the coupon information may be configured to manage the expiration date, or The expiration date may be associated with the pong ID and stored in the cash register 4 so that the expiration date can be specified from the coupon ID.

FIG. 7 (b) is a diagram showing a logical configuration of coupon information stored in the storage unit 23 of the coupon card 5.

 The respective items are the same as the coupon information stored in the coupon issue terminal 3 For the “use flag”, the used coupon information is set to “1”.

A procedure of using coupon information in coupon management system 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

 FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of the coupon server 2 transmitting coupon information to the coupon issuing terminal 3.

 First, the coupon server 2 starts coupon information transmission processing by receiving a coupon information transmission instruction or the like by the operation of a person in charge at the head office.

 The coupon information transmission processing may be configured to be performed by batch processing at a fixed time, for example.

 When the transmission process is started, the coupon server 2 selects one store from the store database and connects it to the coupon issue terminal 3 installed in the store.

Next, the coupon server 2 transmits the coupon information stored in the coupon information database, which has not expired, to the coupon issuing terminal 3 (step 5).

 Then, the coupon issue terminal 3 receives the coupon information from the coupon server 2 (step 10).

 When the coupon issue terminal 3 receives the coupon information from the coupon server 2, the coupon issue terminal 3 stores this in the data storage unit 59 (step 15).

 At this time, the coupon issuing terminal 3 deletes the coupon information stored previously and stores the coupon information received from the coupon server 2 to update the coupon information stored in the data storage unit 59. Update to

This is an example. For example, the coupon issuing terminal 3 deletes coupon information that has passed a predetermined date set in advance, and stores coupon information transmitted from the coupon server 2 in the vacant area. It can also be configured. Alternatively, the coupon ID of the coupon information currently stored in the coupon issuing terminal 3 is transmitted to the carbon server 2, and the coupon server 2 is configured to transmit the difference to the coupon issuing terminal 3 using this. You can also In this case, the coupon issue terminal 3 deletes the coupon information whose expiration date has passed and stores the difference to update the coupon information stored in the data storage unit 59 to the latest one.

 Coupon server 2 performs the above transmission process on all stores stored in the store database. Thus, the latest coupon information is distributed to the coupon issue terminal 3 of each store.

 As described above, the coupon issuing terminal 3 is provided with discount information storage means for receiving and storing discount information (coupon information) of products in the store from a predetermined server (coupon server 2).

 FIG. 9 is a flowchart for describing a procedure for causing the coupon issuing terminal 3 to store coupon information in the coupon card 5.

 First, the customer enters the store, and brings his / her coupon card 5 to the reader / writer 17 of the coupon issue terminal 3 or places the coupon card 5 in close proximity.

 When coupon card 5 is close to reader / writer 17, coupon issue terminal 3 detects this and wirelessly transmits power to coupon card 5 to activate CPU 10 of coupon card 5. When coupon card 5 drives CPU 10 The coupon card 5 and the coupon issuing terminal 3 are connected wirelessly, and the CPU 10 of the coupon card 5 and the CPU 51 of the coupon issuing terminal 3 start communication. Then, as described below, the CPU 10 and the CPU 51 cooperate to perform information processing. Thus, the IC chip of the coupon card 5 is provided with connection means for connecting to the terminal device (coupon issue terminal 3) installed in the area to which the store belongs, and the coupon issue terminal 3 is an IC chip. And a connection accepting means for accepting the connection of

When the coupon issue terminal 3 and the coupon card 5 start communication, the coupon issue terminal 3 transmits a membership number read command from the reader / writer 17 to the coupon card 5 to request a membership number (step 30).

In coupon card 5, terminal communication unit 21 receives a member number reading command, and the coupon Input to processing unit 22.

 The coupon processing unit 22 executes a member number reading command when it is input, and stores the storage unit.

The member number is read from S.23 and output to the terminal communication unit 21. And, the terminal communication unit 21

, And transmits the membership number to the coupon issue terminal 3 (step 35).

Coupon issuance terminal 3 receives the membership number from coupon card 5 and stores it in RAM 53

This identifies coupon card 5.

 Next, the coupon issue terminal 3 transmits a coupon read command to the coupon card 5 to request coupon information stored in the coupon card 5 (step 40).

In coupon card 5, terminal communication unit 21 receives a coupon read command and inputs it to coupon processing unit 22.

 The coupon processing unit 22 executes this coupon reading command, stores it in the storage unit 23 via the terminal communication unit 21, and transmits coupon information to the coupon issuing terminal 3 (step 45).

 The coupon issue terminal 3 receives the coupon information from the coupon card 5, and the coupon issue terminal 3 records the information in the RAM 53. The use flag of the coupon information stored in the RAM 53 checks whether the use flag is unused or has already been used. , Identify used coupon information.

 Then, the coupon issue terminal 3 transmits the coupon information by designating an area where the used coupon information is stored and transmitting a coupon write command (step 50).

 In coupon card 5, terminal communication unit 21 receives coupon information according to a coupon write command, and inputs it to coupon processing unit 22.

 The coupon processing unit 22 executes a coupon write command and overwrites and stores coupon information in the designated area of the storage unit 23 (step 55).

Thus, the IC chip of the coupon card 5 receives the discount information (coupon information) of the product of the store from the connected terminal device (coupon issue terminal 3), and stores the discount information storage unit The coupon issue terminal 3 is provided with a discount information transmission means for transmitting the discount information received and stored from the coupon server 2 to the connected IC chip. There is.

 When the coupon information is successfully written, the coupon issue terminal 3 puts its writing history in the RAM 5 d.

 The coupon issue terminal 3 and the coupon card 5 transmit the coupon information stored in the coupon issue terminal 3 to the coupon card 5, or all the areas for storing the coupon information in the storage unit 23 are all Repeat steps 50 and 55 until used.

 In the former case, for example, “Coupon writing is completed.” Or the like is displayed on the display device of the coupon issue terminal 3 or an effect sound is emitted to write the coupon information. Inform the customer that it has finished.

 In the latter case, for example, the display device of the coupon issue terminal 3 displays “The memory is full. Create a vacant area using a coupon.” Or emit a sound effect. And notify the customer that there is no space in the area for writing coupon information.

 As described above, the coupon card 5 can replace the used coupon information with new coupon information while storing unused coupon information.

 After writing the coupon information to the coupon card 5, the coupon issue terminal 3 writes the member information and the writing history stored in the RAM 53 in the data storage unit 59 as log data.

The order of priority of coupon information written into coupon card 5 by coupon issuance terminal 3 is instructed in advance from coupon server 2 to coupon issuance terminal 3, and the order is written according to this order. This is an example and may be configured to write in another order.

 In addition, when the coupon issue terminal 3 writes the coupon information to the coupon card 5, the same coupon information may be duplicated and stored in the coupon card 5. Alternatively, the coupon information may not be duplicated. It is also possible to configure the card 5 to store and / or delete unused coupon information and to write coupon information.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining the procedure for using the coupon information stored in the coupon card 5.

The customer puts the goods to be purchased into shopping carts, etc., and a table attached to cash register 4 Put it on

 The accountant scans the bar code attached to the product with the bar code reader and inputs the product information into the cash register 4.

 The cash register 4 receives the input of the product information, and specifies the product from the product code included in the barcode (step 60).

 Then, the cash register 4 stores the product code in the RAM 53, and sequentially displays the product name, the price, etc. on the display device!

[0074] When the accountant scans all the products, he / she informs cash register 4 that the input of all the product information has been completed, for example, by pressing the total button provided for cash register 4.

 As described above, the cash register 4 includes commodity information accepting means for accepting the entry of commodity information (commodity code) related to a commodity to be billed.

Next, the customer places the coupon card 5 on the reader / writer of the cash register 4 or the like to make it approach.

 When the coupon card 5 is brought close to the reader / writer, the cash register 4 supplies power thereto to activate the CPU 10 of the coupon card 5.

 Then, the CPU 10 of the coupon card 5 and the CPU 51 of the cash register 4 are connected via the non-sen communication, and the CPU 10 and the CPU 51 cooperate to perform information processing.

First, the cash register 4 transmits a coupon read command to the coupon card 5 and requests for coupon information (step 65).

 In the coupon card 5, the terminal communication unit 21 receives the coupon read command and inputs it to the coupon processing unit 22.

 The coupon processing unit 22 executes this coupon read command to read out coupon information from the storage unit 23 and transmits the coupon information to the cash register 4 through the terminal communication unit 21 (step 70).

As described above, the IC chip of the coupon card 5 is provided with discount information transmission means for transmitting discount information (coupon information) stored in the storage unit 23 by connecting to the accounting device (cash register 4) installed in the store. ing. The cash register 4 receives coupon information from the coupon card 5 and writes it in the RAM 53. As described above, the cash register 4 is connected to the IC chip embedded in the coupon card 5 and a discount of the product from the IC chip It has a discount information receiving means to receive information (coupon information).

 Next, the cash register 4 stores the product information stored in the RAM 53 (the product code of the product for which the input has been received in step 60 and the coupon information sent in step 70, the use flag is Match the unused item's product code) (step 75).

 If there is a matching product code by collation, the cash register 4 determines that the product is a carbon target product and the coupon information is usable coupon information.

 If the coupon information of the product code is duplicated, the cash register 4 may be configured to be used redundantly, or only one of them may be used.

 Next, the cash register 4 generates coupon screen data by, for example, creating a coupon icon from the coupon ID of the coupon information determined to be usable, and displays the coupon screen 40 on the display device.

 The coupon icon is composed of product name, discount amount, expiration date, etc. When creating the coupon icon, the product name is specified by searching the product code in the product information database, and the discount amount Is specified from the coupon information Expiration date, if you manage the expiration date in the coupon information coupon information power specified

, When managing with cash register 4, use this.

Thus, the discount contents (coupon icon) are displayed using the discount information (coupon information), and the cash register 4 stores discount information (coupon information) stored in the IC chip of the coupon card 5. Identify and display the items to be discounted using items that are not set to used (unused items).

Once cash register 4 generates coupon screen data, it is displayed on the display device And present the coupons available to the customer to this account (step 80). As described above, the cash register 4 collates the product information (product code) received at step 60 with the discount information (coupon information) received from the coupon card 5, and selects one of the products to be discounted. It has a specific display means for specifying the target product and displaying it on the display device.

 Then, the customer selects, for example, by touching one of the displayed coupon icons (step 85).

 At this time, the accountant indicated that "the displayed coupons can be used by the customer.

. Please touch the one you want to use. You can also call out to customers. As described above, the cash register 4 includes selection receiving means for receiving the selection of the product to be discounted among the products displayed on the display device.

Then, after the customer completes the selection of the coupon icon, the account clerk presses the selection completion button of the cash register 4 or the like, and the selection of the coupon icon in the cash register 4 is completed. Make them aware of

 In this way, the customer judges whether or not to use the coupon, and by performing the physical action of touching according to this judgment, the customer feels that the coupon can be discounted and the discount is achieved. The feeling will be impressive.

As described above, when the selection of the coupon icon is completed and the coupon information to be used is determined, the cash register 4 applies the selected coupon information to the discount of the product (step 90).

 This process is performed by subtracting the discount amount specified by the coupon information from the price of the coupon target product.

 In this flowchart, the coupon information is applied in real time every time the power coupon icon to which the coupon information is applied is selected after the selection of the coupon icon is completed, and the discount displayed on the coupon screen 40 is displayed. The amount may be updated in real time.

[0085] Cash Register 4 applies the selected coupon information to product discounts, and then uses discounted prices for products using Coubon information, and discounts for other products. Calculate the total price with Shine Re, and perform accounting (step 95).

 In this accounting process, the total price of the product is subtracted from the price offered by the customer (entered by the accountant) to calculate change, and the accounting history is stored in the data storage unit 59 or the like.

 Thus, the cash register 4 is provided with an accounting processing means that applies a discounted rate to the product for which selection has been received on the coupon screen 40 and performs accounting using the product information for which the input has been received. .

The cash register 4 performs accounting processing, and notifies the coupon card 5 of the coupon information used in the present accounting (step 100).

 More specifically, this notification is made by, for example, the cash register 4 inputting a use flag setting command including the coupon ID of the used coupon information to the coupon processing unit 22 through the terminal communication unit 21. It will be.

The coupon processing unit 22 executes the use flag setting command, and sets the use flag of the coupon information specified by the use flag setting command to used, thereby using the used coupon information used flag. Update (step 105).

 As described above, the cash register 4 notifies the IC chip of the coupon card 5 of the discount information (coupon information) used for the discount in the accounting process, and causes the IC chip to set the discount information as used.

 Also, as described above, the IC chip of the coupon card 5 receives notification of the discount information (coupon) used for the discount, and a part of the discount information (coupon information) stored in the storage unit 23. And a used setting means for setting the discrimination information (usage flag) of the discount information (coupon information) that has received the notification as used.

 As described above, the customer can receive discount service using the coupon information issued by the coupon issue terminal 3.

When using a mobile phone 7 instead of the coupon card 5, the mobile phone 7 may be held over the coupon issue terminal 3 to receive coupon information from the coupon issue terminal 3, or a mobile phone 7 may be used. You may access the Coupons website from http://www.coupon.com to receive coupon information over the network. Then, when using coupon information stored in the mobile phone 7, the mobile phone 7 is brought close to the reader / writer of the cash register 4, and coupon information is used in the same manner as the coupon card 5.

 In recent years, it has also been actively practiced to provide an IC chip with an electronic money function. This is to substitute money by making the IC chip store monetary amount information called value and increase / decrease it.

 In general, the IC chip can incorporate a plurality of software, and can incorporate an electronic money function and the coupon function described in the present embodiment into the coupon card 5 or the mobile phone 7.

Therefore, the cash register 4 may be provided with a function of increasing or decreasing the value stored in the coupon card 5 so that the payment by the value can be made.

 In this case, if payment by customer strength value is desired, the account clerk presses the electronic money payment button of cash register 4 or the like, and causes cash register 4 to make a payment by the credit.

In such a system, use of coupon information can be associated with payment by value, and coupon information can be made available when a customer pays by electronic money. In this case, the customer can use a credit card, etc. The cash register 4 does not display the coupon screen 40 when making a payment by means other than electronic money, and displays the coupon screen 40 on the display device when the customer makes a payment with electronic money.

 In this example, the cash register 4 is provided with a payment selection accepting means for accepting selection of payment with electronic money by the electronic money payment function of the IC chip of the coupon card 5, and accepts payment selection with the electronic money. The product to be discounted to the customer is reduced.

 According to the present embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.

 (1) The customer can obtain the latest coupon information simply by holding the coupon card 5 over the coupon issue terminal 3.

(2) The customer selects whether or not to use the coupon information when using the coupon information The ability to make decisions, such as whether to use the coupon information this time or next time, will increase.

 (3) Since the customer selects which coupon information to use when using the coupon information, the customer can feel a sense of discount by the coupon.

Claims

The scope of the claims  [1] product information receiving means for receiving input of product information regarding a product to be accounted for,  A discount information receiving unit connected to the IC chip and receiving discount information of the product from the IC chip;  The product information for which the input has been received is compared with the received discount information, and a specific display means for specifying and displaying a product to be discounted among the products to be accounted for, and a discount among the displayed products. Selection acceptance means for accepting the selection of the product to be  Accounting processing means for applying a discounted rate to the product for which the selection has been received and performing accounting using the product information for which the input has been received;  An accounting device characterized by comprising.  [2] The split bow I information used for the split bow I in the accounting process is notified to the IC chip, and the discounted information is set to be used in the IC chip,  The said specific display means specifies and displays the goods which are object of discount using what is not set as used among the discount information which the said IC chip memorize | stores. Accounting device. [3] The accounting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the specific display means displays the split bow I information and the split bow I contents. [4] The specification display means changes the display state of the goods before and after the customer selects the goods displayed, according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3. Accounting equipment.  [5] A payment selection acceptance means for receiving selection of payment with electronic money by the electronic money payment function of the IC chip, comprising:  The said specific display means displays the goods which are discount object to the said customer, when the payment selection by the said electronic money is received, The said specific display means is any one of Claim 1 to 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. The accounting device according to the claim. [6] Connection means for connecting to a terminal device installed in the area to which the store belongs, Discount to receive and store discount information of products of the store from the connected terminal device Information storage means,  Discount information transmitting means for transmitting the stored discount information by connecting to an accounting device installed in the store;  An IC chip characterized by comprising. [7] Discrimination information to discriminate whether or not the discount information has been used is attached to the stored discount information, and  A notification receiving means for receiving a notification of discount information used for a discount from the accounting apparatus, and a used setting means for setting the discrimination information of the discount information for which the notification is received among the stored discount information as used;  The IC chip according to claim 6, comprising: [8] stored in a mobile terminal that can connect to the network,  8. The IC chip according to claim 6, wherein said split bow I information storage means receives and stores split bow I information from a predetermined site via said network. [9] A terminal device installed in the area to which the store belongs,  Discount information storage means for receiving and storing discount information of products of the store from a predetermined server;  Connection accepting means for accepting connection of the IC chip;  A terminal comprising: discount information transmitting means for transmitting the stored discount information to the connected IC chip.  [10] A computer comprising: product information receiving means, discount information receiving means, specific display means, selection receiving means, and accounting processing means  A product information receiving step for receiving an input of product information on a product to be accounted for by the product information receiving means;  A discount information receiving step of connecting to the IC chip by the discount information receiving means and receiving the discount information of the IC chip power and the product; The specification display means collates the product information for which the input has been received with the received discount information, and specifies and displays a product to be discounted among the products to be accounted for. A selection receiving step of receiving from the customer a selection of a product to be discounted among the displayed products by the selection receiving means;  An accounting process step of applying a discounted charge to the item for which the selection has been received by the accounting means, and performing an accounting process using the item information for which the input is received, and an accounting method comprising: . [11] In an IC chip provided with connection means, discount information storage means, and discount information transmission means,  Connection to a terminal device installed in the area to which the store belongs by the connection unit The discount information storage unit receives and stores information on a product of the store from the connected terminal device Bow I information storage step,  Split bow I information transmission step of transmitting the split bow I information stored in the store connected to the accounting device installed in the store by the discount information transmitting means;  Power An information processing method characterized in that it is configured.  [12] A computer provided with discount information storage means, connection acceptance means, discount information transmission means, and installed in an area to which the store belongs,  A discount information storage step of receiving and storing discount information of products of the store from a predetermined server by the discount information storage means;  A connection accepting step of accepting a connection of an IC chip by the connection accepting unit; a split bow I information transmitting step of transmitting the stored discount information to the connected IC chip by the discount information transmitting unit;  Power An information processing method characterized in that it is configured.