JP2002189963A - Method for providing electronic coupon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a convenient and safe electronic coupon system. SOLUTION: This electronic coupon system for offering an electronic coupon to a user possessing a portable telephone 5 provided with a display device, has a coupon information storing part 23 for storing information on an electronic coupon, a barcode information processing part 14 for generating barcode information on the basis of at least information on the electronic coupon stored in the storing part 23, and the barcode information processing part 14 for transmitting the barcode information generated by the barcode information processing part to the portable telephone 5. With such a configuration, the electronic coupon can be presented in a dealer (store) by using the portable telephone, and the electronic coupon can also be read by the existing barcode system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a technology for providing an electronic coupon, and more particularly, to an electronic coupon system for providing an electronic coupon to a user's mobile communication device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, commercial transactions using coupons for discounting goods or services have been widely practiced.
Usually, this coupon is made of paper, and the name of the product to be discounted, the discount amount, the discount rate, and the like are printed on the coupon. A general consumer who intends to shop using a coupon, when purchasing the product, gives the product coupon to the store clerk, and the product is discounted by the discount amount presented in the coupon or discounted by the discount rate. Can be purchased at

On the other hand, with the recent development of the information and communication field,
A system that can receive a certain discount service using a mobile phone has been proposed. In this system, the content of the discount service transmitted from the system provider is displayed on a display screen of a mobile phone, and the user can receive the discount service when the user presents the display content to a salesclerk of a store such as a product. That is.

[0004]

As described above, conventionally,
Coupons have been used in commercial transactions, but have the following problems.

When using a coupon made of paper,
Retailers need to collect and summarize coupons collected from consumers, summarize and report to the product manufacturer, and request the total amount of discounts from coupons, which is not quick and requires labor. Cost me.

[0006] On the other hand, electronic coupons lack the evidentiality for discounting, and it is difficult for retailers to determine whether the contents of discount services presented by ordinary consumers are genuine. Another problem is that it is not possible to determine who used this discount service and how.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide good usability,
It is to provide a secure electronic coupon system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic coupon system for effectively utilizing information collected with the use of an electronic coupon.

Still another object is to provide a technique for making a discount amount associated with the use of an electronic coupon when purchasing a specific product or service available for a discount on another product or service.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for providing an electronic coupon to a user having a mobile communication device with a display device is provided at least in response to a request from the user. A preparing step of preparing barcode data based on electronic coupon data defined in advance; and a transmitting step of transmitting the barcode data prepared in the preparing step to the mobile communication device.

[0011] In the first aspect of the present invention, a barcode scanner transmitted to a user's mobile communication device in a transmitting step by a barcode scanner in a store and displayed on a display device of the mobile communication device. Reading the data and at least reading the barcode
Transmitting the data to a center server that processes the read barcode data.

Further, in the first aspect of the present invention, the method further includes a receiving step of receiving bar code data from a computer of a store, wherein the bar code data is transmitted to a user's mobile communication device in a transmitting step; The configuration may be such that the data is read from a display device of the mobile communication device by a barcode scanner installed in a store.

Further, in the first aspect of the present invention, the step of verifying the barcode data received in the receiving step, and if the verification is successful, one purchase corresponding to the barcode data And a step of determining a total discount amount for

[0014] In the first aspect of the present invention, a person who provides a product or a service for electronic coupons is
It may be configured to further include a step of requesting a total of at least a discount amount calculated using at least the barcode data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic coupon system for providing an electronic coupon to a user having a mobile communication device equipped with a display device (for example, the mobile phone 5 in the embodiment). An electronic coupon information storage device (for example, coupon information storage unit 23 in the embodiment) that stores information about electronic coupons, and a barcode that generates barcode information based at least on the electronic coupon information stored in the electronic coupon information storage device Generating means (for example, the barcode information processing unit 14 in the embodiment); and barcode information transmitting means (for example, a barcode information processing apparatus in the embodiment) for transmitting the barcode information generated by the barcode generating means to the mobile communication device. Code information processing unit 14). With such a configuration,
An electronic coupon can be presented at a store (store) using a mobile communication device, and the electronic coupon can be read by an existing barcode system.

In response to a request from a product or service provider (eg, a maker), for example, identification information of an electronic coupon target product or service, information of a discount amount, information of a discount target store, information of a discount period, Electronic coupon registration means (for example, coupon information processing unit 13 in the embodiment) for registering the information in the electronic coupon system.
May be further provided.

Further, the bar code generating means described above includes
Information relating to the electronic coupon (for example, identification information of an electronic coupon target product or service, a discount amount, identification information of a discount target store, and the like) and user identification information (for example, a user's member number or a serial number corresponding to the member number in the embodiment) (Number) may be used to generate barcode information. With such a configuration, it is possible to further obtain information of a user who has purchased a product or service using an electronic coupon.

Further, the barcode generating means described above may be configured to generate barcode information using at least information on a combination of goods or services to be electronically couponed. In addition, the barcode information may be generated using the identification information of the user. If barcode information corresponding to the electronic coupon is issued for each product or service to be electronically couponed and read at the store, it takes a lot of trouble and time to pay the price. Therefore, when purchasing a plurality of electronic coupon target products or services, barcode information is obtained by using information (for example, a discount amount) relating to a combination thereof and user identification information (for example, a serial number corresponding to a member number). Generate. Thus, the number of digits used in the barcode can be reduced.

Further, the barcode information generated by the barcode generation means may include image data for displaying a barcode on a display device of the mobile communication device. The barcode image information may be generated in the mobile communication device, but with such a configuration, the barcode is displayed on the display device of the mobile communication device without performing any special processing in the mobile communication device. Will be able to

Further, the above-described bar code generation means can provide the user identification information (eg, member number) and the identification information of the electronic coupon target product or service selected by the user (eg, JAN (Japan Article Numbe).
r) code) and at least information (for example, generated barcode information) on the combination of the electronic coupon target product or service selected by the user, and a barcode information issuance and recording device (for example, the barcode information DB 183 in the embodiment). ) May be stored. In addition, the barcode information issue recording device may store the discount amount or unit, the identification information of the store to which the discount is applied, the issue time or the expiration date information, and the like. In this way, it is possible to carry out a process of returning the discount amount to the user later, not at the store, but in some form.

Further, in a second aspect of the present invention, an electronic coupon for searching for information relating to an electronic coupon from an electronic coupon information storage device in response to an instruction from a user and outputting a search result to a mobile communication device of the user. Information search means (for example, coupon information processing unit 1 in the embodiment)
A configuration that further includes 3) may be used. With such a configuration, the user can acquire barcode information corresponding to a desired electronic coupon. Note that the user can select one or a plurality of products or services.

Further, in the second aspect of the present invention, the bar code information transmitted from the bar code information transmitting means to the user's mobile communication device and presented at the store by the display device of the user's mobile communication device. Receiving means (for example, the bar code according to the embodiment) which receives the bar code information read by the bar code reading device (for example, the bar code system 6 of the store) provided in the store and transmitted from the computer relating to the store. A configuration that further includes the information processing unit 14) may be used. With such a configuration, the barcode used in the store can be confirmed and inspected.

In the second aspect of the present invention, the bar code information transmitted from the bar code information transmitting means to the mobile communication device of the user and read from the display device of the mobile communication device by the bar code reading device. And identification information of the purchased product or service (for example, JAN code. POS)
(Point of Sales) All JAN codes included in one slip generated by the system or some of them may be installed) by a barcode reader that reads the barcode information. It may be configured to further include a receiving unit for receiving from a computer of the shop that has been set up. Thereby, it is possible to confirm whether the electronic coupon target product or service selected at the time of generation of the barcode information has actually been purchased, and thereby to determine the discount amount.

Further, in the second aspect of the present invention, the bar code information transmitted from the bar code information transmitting means to the mobile communication device of the user and read from the display device of the mobile communication device by the bar code reading device. And a receiving unit for receiving the identification information and the quantity of the purchased product or service from a computer in a store in which the barcode reader that reads the barcode information is installed. Electronic coupons can be set to be valid only once (one time) per person,
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which one user can use any number of times. In the latter case, the discount amount is determined using the quantity information. In some cases, it is necessary to confirm whether the number matches the quantity specified when the barcode information was generated.

In the second aspect of the present invention, the bar code information transmitted from the bar code information transmitting means to the mobile communication device of the user and read from the display device of the mobile communication device by the bar code reading device. Receiving means for receiving the identification information of the electronic coupon target product or service from the computer at the store where the barcode reading device that reads the barcode information is installed, and an acquisition request from the computer at the store And means for transmitting the identification information of the electronic coupon target product or service corresponding to the received barcode information to a computer at the store. As described above, a process for extracting only a portion related to barcode information from one slip in the POS system may be performed.

Means for receiving from the computer at the store the identification information and the quantity of the purchased product or service corresponding to the bar code information; and identifying the bar code information and the purchased product or service corresponding to the bar code information. In some cases, the information and the quantity may be further stored in a storage device.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the first barcode information received by the receiving means is compared with the second barcode information generated by the barcode generating means, and a comparison result is output. The configuration may further include a barcode comparison unit (for example, the barcode information processing unit 14 in the embodiment). This makes it possible to check whether the used barcode has been used improperly.

The bar code comparing means described above is
When the first bar code information and the second bar code information have the same identity, the time information of the first bar code information and the time information of the second bar code information are further compared. In some cases. With such a configuration, it is possible to further restrict the use of an electronic coupon that has not been used within a predetermined time.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, a user information storage device (for example, the user information storage unit 21 in the embodiment) for storing user identification information and attribute information in association with each other, and the received information is received by the receiving means. The electronic coupon object product and service identification information and the user identification information are extracted from the barcode information, and the user attribute information is extracted from the user information storage device by using the user identification information to obtain the electronic coupon object. Information collection processing means for deriving the association between the product or service and the attribute information (for example, the information collection processing unit 17 in the embodiment)
May be further provided. With such a configuration, it is possible to output information in which a product or service is associated with attribute information.

Further, in the second aspect of the present invention, identification information of a product or service targeted for an electronic coupon and identification information of a user are extracted from the barcode information received by the receiving means and stored in the usage information storage device. It further includes an information collection processing unit (for example, the information collection processing unit 17 in the embodiment), and the information collection processing unit identifies a user who has purchased a specific product or service based on information stored in the usage information storage device. The information may be extracted and a questionnaire request may be output to the user based on the identification information. As a result, since a questionnaire survey can be executed for a user who has purchased a specific product or the like in a limited manner, a more effective questionnaire survey can be performed.

In the second aspect of the present invention, the bar code information received from the computer at the store by the receiving means is bar code information within the validity period, whether or not the bar code information is for the store. It may be configured to further include a determination unit for determining at least one of the above. As a result, it is possible to limit the stores to which the electronic coupon is applied or to delimit the expiration date.

Further, in the second aspect of the present invention, the second determining means for determining whether the purchased product or service corresponding to the barcode information is included in the electronic coupon target product or service extracted from the barcode information is provided. Further, the configuration may be such as to have. When the electronic coupon is a combination of a plurality of products or services, the discount is applied only to the product or service selected at the time of generating the barcode information corresponding to the electronic coupon.

The means for storing in the storage device the discounted price of the purchased product or service determined to be included in the electronic coupon target product or service extracted from the barcode information by the second determining means described above. Further, the configuration may be such as to have. As a result, the discount amount can be returned to the user not only at the time of selling the store, but also in other situations. For example, even if the purchase quantity is different from the quantity of the product or service specified at the time of generating the barcode information corresponding to the electronic coupon, the configuration may be such that the discount amount for the purchase is stored in the storage device.

It is also possible to adopt a configuration further comprising means for notifying a communication carrier of a mobile communication device of information on a discount amount of each user within a predetermined period stored in a storage device. It is. In this way, the return of the discount amount to the user can be used, for example, as a discount on a call charge of a mobile phone (including PHS).

Further, a discount amount is acquired based on the identification information of the electronic coupon target product or service extracted from the barcode information received by the above-described receiving means, and at least an amount corresponding to the discount amount is obtained by the electronic coupon. It may be configured to further include a unit (for example, the payment processing unit 15 in the embodiment) for performing a process for billing the provider of the target product or service. With such a configuration, it is possible to charge the provider of the electronic coupon target product or service with a discount amount + a commission and the like. The discount amount (if the fee is also obtained from the store, minus the fee) is returned to the store, and the fee becomes the income of the provider of this service (hereinafter referred to as coupon service provider).

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic coupon providing method for providing an electronic coupon to a user having a mobile communication device equipped with a display device, wherein the electronic coupon information is stored in an electronic coupon information storage device. , A barcode generating step of generating barcode information based on at least information on the electronic coupon stored in the electronic coupon information storage device, and a barcode information generated by the barcode generating step. And transmitting a bar code information to the user.

The above-described modifications according to the second aspect of the present invention can be applied to the second aspect of the present invention.

Further, the electronic coupon system can be realized by a combination of a computer and a program for implementing the above-described electronic coupon providing method. In this case, the program is, for example, a floppy (registered trademark). -Stored in a storage medium or storage device such as a disk, a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, and a hard disk. The program may be transmitted via a network. The data being processed is temporarily stored in the memory of the computer.

[0039]

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electronic coupon system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a server 1 is a server of a coupon service provider, and a database 2 is a database which is connected to the server 1 and stores specific information in accordance with an instruction of the server 1, and reads and outputs the specific information. The terminal 3 is a terminal of a user (user), for example, a personal computer (PC) having a display, and a browser for displaying information transmitted from the server 1 via the communication network on the display is installed. . The terminal 3 also has a communication function for exchanging information with the server 1 via a communication network and input means such as a keyboard and a mouse. Terminal 4 is a manufacturer's terminal,
Like the user's terminal 3, it has a display and a browser, and also has a communication function and input means. Here, the maker in the present embodiment does not simply mean a product manufacturer that manufactures a product, but is a provider of products and services widely, and sells a product purchased from another product manufacturer. Includes merchandise distributors.

The mobile phone 5 is a user's mobile phone, and has image display means for receiving and displaying image information.
The image display means includes, for example, a liquid crystal display screen and an image processing circuit. The mobile phone 5 has a configuration capable of wireless communication with the base station 9 and is connected to a communication network 10 via a communication relay center 8 connected to the base station 9. The communication network 10 is a communication network including a public network, the Internet, and the like.

The barcode system 6 is provided at a store that provides goods and services. Here, the store is
Stores that provide services such as restaurants and movie theaters as well as stores that simply sell products are also included. The barcode system 6 is usually installed as a part of a POS system that manages product sales information, and is connected to a barcode scanner 7 and
It has means for processing barcode information read by the scanner 7, and is constituted by a computer. Usually, a POS-compatible register (cash register) is provided to collect data at the point of sale, and a personal computer-based register has recently been provided.

In the present embodiment, the program is modified so that the bar code system for reading the registration code of the product can read the code information for the electronic coupon system different from the product registration code. However, there is no need to improve the hardware except for special cases, but it is necessary to have at least a communication function for transmitting information to the server 1.

Here, the bar code is generally a code that is arranged by changing the thickness and interval of black lines and expressing data by a combination thereof. Usually used for so-called POS codes such as food and daily necessities,
It is used to indicate the type of business, product name, price, etc. In addition, many types of barcodes are used, from those determined for each country to specific types used in companies. In Japan, JAN specified by Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) is famous. In this JAN-UPC code system, it is usually composed of 8 or 13 digits, and the last digit is used as a parity code, so that the number of digits that can be actually used is 7 or 12 digits.

The bar code system 6 includes a read information processing section 61 and a coupon processing section 62. The read information processing section 61 has a function of processing information read by the barcode scanner 7. The coupon processing unit 62 transmits a function for calculating the amount charged to the user or the maker based on the information read by the read information processing unit 61, the user identification information included in the barcode information, and information about the coupon to the communication network 10. Has the function of transmitting to the server 1 via the.

The server 1 has a user registration processing unit 11, a maker registration processing unit 12, a coupon information processing unit 13, a barcode information processing unit 14, a payment processing unit 15, a use information processing unit 16, and an information collection processing unit 17. are doing. The database 2 has a user information storage unit 21, a maker information storage unit 22, a coupon information storage unit 23, a barcode information storage unit 24, a payment information storage unit 25, a use information storage unit 26, and a collected information storage unit 27. are doing.

The user registration processing section 11 has a function of executing user registration when the user desires to provide a service in the electronic coupon system according to the present embodiment. Registered user information is stored in database 2
Is stored in the user information storage unit 21 of the server. The maker registration processing unit 12 has a function of executing registration as a maker when the maker desires to issue an electronic coupon using the electronic coupon system according to the present embodiment. The registered manufacturer information is stored in the manufacturer information storage unit 22 of the database 2.

The coupon information processing section 13 has a function of executing a process for information relating to an electronic coupon issued based on a request from the maker registered by the maker registration processing section 12. Specifically, the contents of the coupon transmitted from the terminal 4 of the maker via the communication network 10, for example, information such as a product name, a discount rate, and a discount amount are stored in the coupon information storage unit 2.
3 and information on the coupon stored in the coupon information storage unit 23 based on the search condition information transmitted from the user's mobile phone 5 via the communication network 10 to extract information on a desired coupon. It has a function to do.

The barcode information processing unit 14 has a function of generating barcode information based on the user's identification information and coupon information in response to a barcode generation request transmitted from the user's mobile phone 5. . The generated barcode information is transmitted to the user's mobile phone 5 via the communication network 10, the communication relay center 8, and the base station 9, and is also stored in the barcode information storage unit 24 of the database 2. The present embodiment also has a function of compressing information represented by a number of about 20 digits into an 8-digit or 13-digit number. This compression processing can be realized, for example, by using the same technology as the compression processing in the G code. Here, the G code is a code composed of numbers published in a television program section of a newspaper or a program section of a magazine introducing television programs, and is an element for recording a television program on a video (recording date, recording channel). , Recording start time, recording end time) to simplify program recording reservation.

When the user executes the purchase of a product or the like using the electronic coupon by the electronic coupon system according to the present embodiment, the settlement processing unit 15 pays a commission for the discount executed according to the content of the coupon. In addition, it has a settlement function such as billing a maker that provides the product.
Information on the settlement executed in the settlement processing unit 15 is stored in the settlement information storage unit 25 of the database 2.

The use information processing unit 16 has a function of collecting information on how a registered user has used the electronic coupon system according to the present embodiment and storing the collected information in the use information storage unit 26.

The information collection processing unit 17 includes the usage information processing unit 1
6 has a function of selecting a specific user based on the usage information of the user collected in step 6 and executing a questionnaire or the like on the selected user to collect further information. The collected information is stored in the collected information storage unit 27 of the database 2.

Next, an outline of the processing flow of the entire electronic coupon system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Since each step will be described in detail later, only the main points will be described here so that the overall image of the processing flow is clear.

In order for the user to use this electronic coupon system, it is necessary to first execute user registration (step S1). Although not included in this flowchart, the manufacturer also needs to execute registration in order to use this electronic coupon system. Also, it is necessary to register an electronic coupon in advance. In the present embodiment, a description will be given mainly of a case where a manufacturer registers information of an electronic coupon, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a store can also be registered.

After the user registration is completed, whenever the user uses this electronic coupon system,
It is necessary to log in to the system (step S2).
In order to log in to the system, the user inputs the member number and password given by the system at the time of user registration using his / her own mobile phone 5 or terminal 3 and transmits it to the system.

After logging in to the system, the user can search for information on the electronic coupon using his or her mobile phone 5 or terminal 3 (step S3). here,
By searching for information on the electronic coupon, for example, information such as discounted products, types of discount services, available stores, and discount prices can be obtained.

As a result of the search for the electronic coupon information, if an electronic coupon that the user wants to use can be found, a product or service is purchased using the electronic coupon (step S4). The user goes to a store where the electronic coupon can be used and purchases goods or services.

When the user has purchased a product or service, various settlement processes are executed (step S5). The store collects the discounted amount from the user, and charges the manufacturer to the manufacturer via the coupon service provider for the discount. At that time, the coupon service provider bills the maker as a fee for using the system.

When a user purchases a product or service,
When an electronic coupon is used, information on the electronic coupon and identification information of the user who used the electronic coupon are stored in the communication network 10.
Is transmitted to the system side via. Based on the various information transmitted in this way, the system analyzes the information and executes market research and the like (step S6).

Next, user registration (FIG. 2: step S1) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows a user registration screen displayed on the display of the user terminal 3. This screen is displayed by selecting a user registration screen on a menu screen which is an initial screen of the electronic coupon system. The message "Please enter the following information" is displayed on the screen.
Items such as “name”, “age”, “address”, “family composition”, “hobby”, “mobile phone number”, “mail address”, and “credit card number” are set. Blank sections are provided beside these items, and the cursor is moved to these blank sections, and items for the items are input using a keyboard, a mouse, or the like.

In the information input at the time of user registration, although the distinction between the two is not always clear, information for identifying the user such as “name” and “address” and “age”, “family composition”, “ Attribute information of the user such as "hobby". Among these pieces of information, the “mobile phone number” is an essential input item because the electronic coupon system according to the present embodiment assumes the use of a mobile phone. The "e-mail address" is used when the user and the coupon service provider make various contacts in operating the electronic coupon system, and under certain conditions after using the electronic coupon system. It is also used when conducting questionnaire surveys. The "credit card number" is used to perform a process of deducting a predetermined fee from a credit card of an unauthorized user when the electronic coupon system is illegally used, and for electronic commerce (EC) performed through the electronic coupon system. And the necessary input items. Here, it is necessary to obtain the consent of the user at the time of user registration regarding the deduction of the fee when the electronic coupon system is illegally used.

When the user inputs these necessary information and clicks a button labeled “Registration” provided at the bottom of the screen, the input information is transmitted to the server 1 via the communication network 10.
Sent to. The server 1 has its user registration processing unit 11
In, the input information transmitted from the user terminal 3 is received and stored in the user information storage unit 21. In this way, when the necessary information is input, the user is assigned a member number and a password. Specifically, the user registration processing unit 11 refers to the registration information of another user stored in the user information storage unit 21, generates a membership number and a password, and transmits the generated membership number and password to the user terminal 3 via the communication network 10. I do. The member number is, for example, a continuous number. The user terminal 3 receives the membership number and the password, and displays the membership number and the password on the screen of the display by the browser. In this way, the member number and the password are transmitted to the user. This password is generated and assigned on the system side, but may be set and input on the user side. When the user logs in to the system (FIG. 2: step S2), it is necessary to input these membership numbers and passwords.

On the other hand, when a button "Cancel" provided at the bottom of the screen in FIG. 3 is clicked, the input information is cleared.

The registration of the manufacturer is started by displaying a registration screen on the screen of the terminal 4 of the manufacturer. In the case of a manufacturer registration, in addition to the manufacturer's "manufacturer name", "contact information", "e-mail address of the person in charge", "product name", "discount rate", "discount amount", "sales" Enter information about the contents of the coupon, such as "net". Manufacturer's terminal 4
Are transmitted to the server 1 via the communication network 10. The maker registration processing unit 12 of the server 1 extracts maker identification information from the input information received from the maker terminal 4 and stores it in the maker information storage unit 22 of the database 2. Further, the coupon information processing unit 13 of the server 1 extracts information regarding the electronic coupon from the input information transmitted from the terminal 4 of the maker, and stores the information in the coupon information storage unit 23 of the database 2. When the registration of the manufacturer is completed, the manufacturer registration processing unit 12 transmits the member number and the password as the manufacturer to the terminal 4 of the manufacturer via the communication network 10. When a maker logs in to the electronic coupon system after registration to set a new electronic coupon or the like, it is required to input the member number and password.

For registration of a manufacturer's electronic coupon, a fine discount amount can be set for each date and time, region, and user attribute (cluster). For example, an electronic coupon that can be used only by female college students can be registered. In this case, in the search for the electronic coupon, only the user having the attribute of being a female college student is provided with the information of the electronic coupon, and is not provided to other users.

Also, as a store, a fine discount amount can be set for each attribute of date and time, region, and user. For example, it is possible to discount only when it rains.

Next, retrieval of electronic coupon information (FIG. 2: step S3) will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate screen display examples of the user's mobile phone 5 in two types of search methods.

In FIG. 4, a screen display example D1 shows an initial screen of a search. In this screen display example D1, a message "Please select from the items below" is displayed.
Items include “Store name”, “Region”, “Manufacturer name”,
"Other" is mentioned. These items are selected by operating the number buttons of the mobile phone 5. The image information relating to the screen display example D1 is generated in the coupon information processing unit 13 of the server 1 and transmitted to the user's mobile phone 5 via the communication network 10, the communication relay center 8, and the base station 9. Also, when the user selects an item,
This selection information is transmitted from the mobile phone 5 to the server 1 via the base station 9, the communication relay center 8, and the communication network 10. In the server 1, the coupon information processing unit 13 receives the selection information, generates screen information relating to screen display examples D <b> 2 to D <b> 5 described later, and transmits the screen information to the mobile phone 5. Hereinafter, the screen display shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is realized by the same information exchange.

Screen display example D2 is displayed when "shop name" is selected from these items. Here, when the shop name portion is further scrolled, a plurality of shop names are displayed. Then, the display of the desired store name is inverted by button operation, and the store name is selected by pressing a button for confirming.

The image display example D3 is displayed when "region" is selected in the image display example D1. Here, the region is selected by the same operation as in the screen display example D2. Image display example D4 is displayed when "manufacturer name" is selected in image display example D1. Here, the maker name is selected by the same operation as in the screen display example D2. Image display example D5
Is displayed when "others" is selected in the image display example D1. Here, the genre of the product is selected by the same operation as in the screen display example D2.

In FIG. 5, a screen display example D6 shows an initial screen of the search. In this screen display example D6, a message "Select an area where this service can be used. Please select from the following" is displayed, and the area is to be selected first. An area is selected by operating a button of the mobile phone 5.

The screen display example D7 further includes “store name”,
Items such as "manufacturer name" and "other" are to be selected. If you select "Store Name" from these fields,
The screen display shown in the screen display example D8 is executed. Also,
When "manufacturer name" is selected, a screen display example D9 is executed, and when "other" is selected, a screen display shown in a screen display example D10 is executed.

Information transmitted from the server 1 when a user searches for an electronic coupon does not need to be common to all users. The transmission information can be changed based on the attribute information (cluster) of the user registered by the user registration processing unit 11. For example, when the user's address is Tokyo, the information is acquired and only the information of the electronic coupon that can be used near Tokyo is transmitted. The search for the electronic coupon can be executed not only by the user's mobile phone 5 but also by the terminal 3.

Next, the purchase of a discounted product and a discount service (FIG. 2: step S4) will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. The user performs a search for electronic coupon information (FIG. 2: step S3), and if he finds an electronic coupon he or she wants to use, he or she will go to a store that can actually use the electronic coupon. At the store, the merchandise and service are actually confirmed, and when the user decides to purchase a specific merchandise or service, the user logs in to the electronic coupon system according to the present embodiment using his / her mobile phone 5. When logging in, enter the member number and password as described above. Information on the entered member number and password is stored in the base station 9 and the communication relay center 8.
And transmitted to the server 1 via the communication network 10. The user registration processing unit 11 authenticates the transmitted member number and password based on the user information stored in the user information storage unit 21. As a result of the authentication, if the user is a genuine user, login of the system is permitted, and if the user is unauthorized, login of the system is rejected.

After logging in to the system, an electronic coupon is selected (step S401). The electronic coupon selection information is transmitted to the coupon information processing unit 13 of the server 1. The coupon information processing unit 13 uses screen data (for example, Compact HTM) for displaying the contents of the electronic coupon on the screen of the user's mobile phone 5 based on the selection information.
L (Hyper Text Markup Language), XHTM, or W
ML information) to the mobile phone 5. The mobile phone 5 receives the screen data and displays the contents of the electronic coupon on the screen (step S402). FIG. 7 shows a screen display example at this time. In FIG. 7, "XYZ mart" is used as the store name where the electronic coupon can be used, and "A" is used as the product name.
BC Cola 500ml ”, discount price“ 20 yen discount ”
Is displayed.

Referring back to FIG. 6, the user presents the image displayed on the mobile phone 5 to the clerk at the store and obtains approval for use of the electronic coupon (step S4).
03).

When permission of the use of the electronic coupon can be obtained from the clerk of the store, the user operates the mobile phone 5.
Is used to request the server 1 to transmit a barcode. The server 1 receives the request in the barcode information processing unit 14 and generates a barcode. The barcode information processing unit 14 reads information of the electronic coupon to be used from the coupon information storage unit 23 and reads identification information of the user from the user information storage unit 21. Then, the barcode information processing unit 14 generates barcode image information based on the read electronic coupon information and the user identification information. Specifically, the barcode includes information on a store, a product name, a member number of the user, and information on the date and time when the barcode was generated and processed.
This bar code indicates an 8-digit or 13-digit number. As described above, information of about 20 digits is compressed to 8 or 13 digits by a compression technique used for a G code or the like. The barcode information processing unit 14 transmits the generated barcode image information to the communication network 10, the communication relay center 8, the base station 9.
To the mobile phone 5 via the.

The user's mobile phone 5 receives the barcode image information from the server 1 and displays the screen (step S404). FIG. 8 shows a screen display example. As shown in FIG. 8, the barcode is displayed in the longitudinal direction of the mobile phone 5. The direction of this display is arbitrary. A 13-digit number is also displayed along with the barcode. This 13-digit number is represented by a bar code. Specifically, the barcodes are arranged by changing the thickness and interval of the black lines of the barcode, and are represented by a combination thereof.

The store clerk reads the bar code displayed on the screen of the user's mobile phone 5 with the bar code scanner 7 provided in the store (step S40).
5). Specifically, the barcode scanner 7 is brought close to the screen of the mobile phone 5, and the barcode is read by detecting reflection of light emitted from the barcode scanner 7. Information read by the barcode scanner 7 is processed by the read information processing unit 61 in the barcode system 6 and transmitted to the server 1 via the communication network 10.

The server 1 uses the read information in the information processing unit 16.
And the like, store the data in a storage device, and analyze the read information. In this analysis, first, the store information, product name, user member number,
The information about the date and time when the barcode was generated is extracted. By this analysis, the barcode information storage unit 24 determines whether the barcode information is the same as the barcode information generated in the past in the barcode information processing unit 14 of the server 1.
Is confirmed based on the barcode information stored in. As a result of the confirmation, when the barcode information is the same as the barcode information generated in the past, the barcode information is determined to be genuine barcode information, and the information to that effect is transmitted via the communication network 10 to the barcode / Send to system 6. In this case,
In the barcode system 6, a settlement process according to the contents of the electronic coupon is executed. As a result of the confirmation, if the barcode information is not the same as the barcode information generated in the past, or by comparing the generation time information of both barcode information, the barcode information that has passed a certain time or more since the generation is generated. If it is found that there is, information is transmitted to the bar code system 6 of the store via the communication network 10. In this case, the electronic coupon presented by the user cannot be used. With such a configuration, it is possible to confirm at the store whether the electronic coupon has been fraudulently created or duplicated.

Further, depending on the contents of the electronic coupon, it is possible to set that the electronic coupon that has been used once cannot be used, or that the same user cannot use a different electronic coupon more than a certain number of times. In this case, by checking the barcode information transmitted from the barcode system 6 of the store in the server 1, it is possible to confirm whether or not the use satisfies the setting.

In the bar code system 6 of the store, the coupon processing unit 62 executes a discount process on the amount of money charged by the store to the user based on the information read by the bar code scanner 7. For example, in a case where the electronic coupon specifies that a product of 200 yen is to be discounted by 20 yen, a process of subtracting 20 yen from 200 yen and charging 180 yen to the user is executed.

Next, the user pays for the goods or services (step S406). The dealer will issue a receipt, but at a discounted rate.

Next, the purchase of a discounted product and a discount service (FIG. 2: step S4) will be described with reference to FIG.
Although there is a portion that overlaps with the content described in FIG. 6, the description will be made in order to clarify the roles of the store, the user, and the coupon service provider.

After logging in to the system, the user selects an electronic coupon (step S411). The electronic coupon selection information is stored in the coupon information processing unit 13 of the server 1.
Sent to. The coupon information processing unit 13 transmits screen data for displaying the contents of the electronic coupon on the screen of the mobile phone 5 of the user based on the selection information to the mobile phone 5 (step S412). The mobile phone 5
Upon receiving the screen data, the contents of the electronic coupon are displayed on the screen (step S413).

Next, the user presents the image displayed on the mobile phone 5 to the clerk of the store and, after obtaining approval for the use of the electronic coupon, transmits the bar code using the mobile phone 5 to the server. 1 (step S414). The server 1 receives the request in the barcode information processing unit 14 and generates a barcode (Step S415).
The barcode information processing unit 14 reads the information of the electronic coupon to be used from the coupon information storage unit 23, and stores the identification information of the user in the user information storage unit 2.
Read from 1. Then, the barcode information processing unit 14
Generates barcode image information based on the read electronic coupon information and the user identification information. The barcode information processing unit 14 transmits the generated barcode image information to the mobile phone 5 via the communication network 10, the communication relay center 8, and the base station 9 (step S416).

The user's mobile phone 5 receives the barcode image information from the server 1 and displays the screen (step S417).

The store clerk reads the bar code displayed on the screen of the user's mobile phone 5 with the bar code scanner 7 provided in the store (step S41).
8). Information read by the barcode scanner 7 is processed by the read information processing unit 61 and transmitted to the server 1 via the communication network 10. The server 1 receives the read information in the use information processing unit 16 or the like, and analyzes the read information (step S420). After that, a settlement process is executed (step S424). This payment processing will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

On the other hand, in the bar code system 6 of the store, the coupon processing unit 62 executes a discount process based on the information read by the bar code scanner 7, and presents the price after the discount to the user ( Step S41
9). When the price has been paid by the user (step S
At 421), the store passes the product to the user in exchange for it (step S423), and the purchase of the product using the electronic coupon ends.

Next, the settlement process (FIG. 2: step S5) will be described with reference to FIG. When the user purchases a product or service using the electronic coupon, the barcode information displayed on the display of the user's mobile phone 5 by the barcode scanner 7 of the barcode system 6 provided at the store is displayed. The read barcode is transmitted to the server 1 via the communication network 10. In the server 1, the barcode information processing unit 14 analyzes the information related to the barcode and acquires the information related to the discount. Then, the payment processing unit 15 of the server 1 acquires the discount information. Through this series of operations, the discount amount is charged to the coupon service provider from the store (step S501).

The settlement processing unit 15 transmits the discount amount and the information to charge a fee to the terminal 4 of the maker via the communication network 10 (step S502). The maker pays the requested amount to the coupon service provider using electronic money or the like (step S503). Then, the coupon service provider pays the discount amount to the store by electronic money or the like (step S504). It is not limited to electronic money, and it is also possible to pay money by other means such as account transfer or cash.

Next, the information collecting process (FIG. 2: step 6) will be described with reference to FIG. This information collecting process collects various types of information based on the use status of the electronic coupon by the electronic coupon system according to the present embodiment.

When a user purchases a product or service using an electronic coupon, the bar code displayed on the display of the user's mobile phone 5 by the bar code scanner 7 of the bar code system 6 provided at the store. Is read, and information on the barcode is transmitted to the server 1 via the communication network 10. In this way, the usage information is transmitted from the store to the server 1 of the coupon service provider every time the electronic coupon is used (step S601). The server 1 analyzes the information related to the barcode in the barcode information processing unit 14 and acquires the information related to the electronic coupon and the identification information of the user (Step S602). The acquired information is used by the usage information storage unit 26 by the usage information processing unit 16.
Is stored in

The information collection processing section 17 analyzes the information on the electronic coupon and the identification information of the user stored in the use information storage section 26, and direct mail (DM)
Confirm that an electronic coupon has been used for a specific product that is determined to be transmitted. When an electronic coupon is used for a specific product determined to transmit direct mail, the electronic coupon is stored in a direct mail destination list (for example, a direct mail DB (not shown)) stored in the collected information storage unit 27. The identification information of the user is additionally updated (step S603). Specifically, a member number is added. Thereafter, when sending a direct mail, the user address is searched from the user information storage unit 21 of the database 2 based on the member number.

In addition, when a market research has been requested in advance by a maker or the like, the information collection processing unit 17 executes a market research based on the usage information stored in the usage information storage unit 26, and as a result, Is transmitted to the terminal 4 of the manufacturer via the communication network 10 (step S604). For example, in order to analyze a person who has used the electronic coupon for the product of the maker, a search is performed using the product of the maker as a key from the information of the electronic coupon stored in the use information storage unit 26, and the identification information of the user is extracted. I do. Then, based on the extracted user identification information, the attribute information of the user is extracted from the user information stored in the user information storage unit 21. By doing so, it is possible to acquire the attribute information of the user who purchased the product. The result is stored in the collected information storage unit 27.

When the manufacturer requests the coupon / service provider to conduct a questionnaire to a specific user (step S605), the coupon / service provider conducts a questionnaire in the information collection processing unit 17 of the server 1. (Step S606). The questionnaire is performed based on the information stored in the collected information storage unit 27, and is performed, for example, by e-mail or the like to a user who has purchased products of a manufacturer. The coupon service provider totals the results of the questionnaire and reports the results of the questionnaire to the maker that requested (step S607).
When the user answers the questionnaire, discount coupons may be further accumulated. The information of the discount coupon is stored in the user registration storage unit 21 and can be used in addition to a normal product coupon.

The collection of such information will be further examined. Table 1 shows the results of analysis of various market researches.

[Table 1]

As shown in Table 1, group interviews, online questionnaires, online panel surveys,
In other market research such as a product inclusion questionnaire, it is impossible to classify clusters in order to collect information that a manufacturer wants to acquire, or it is not possible to investigate purchase experience. In the electronic coupon system, in particular, it is possible to specify even a purchased item, so that a survey on two combinations of a user cluster and a purchased item cluster can be performed.

In particular, the electronic coupon system according to the present embodiment is not an independent means for conducting market research alone, but is an extremely effective means from the viewpoint of sales promotion in the first place. Can be achieved.

In the above-described electronic coupon system, the user may not be required to pay an enrollment fee and a usage fee. To that extent, the coupon service provider will get a commission from the manufacturer. Manufacturers and distributors can expect a very fast sales promotion effect, and can obtain market research results, that is, marketing data at low cost. The retailer can carry out discount sales without touching the product master, and the discount amount is in principle the burden of the manufacturer, so the burden is small. Also,
Since the store is displayed on the electronic coupon, the effect of attracting customers can be expected. For coupon service providers, in addition to obtaining commissions from manufacturers based on the use of electronic coupons, survey fees based on market research, advertising revenue if a system homepage is established and an advertising area is established, advertising revenue, questionnaire fee Etc. can be obtained.

Based on the results of the market research, it is also possible to distribute samples to users who have purchased the product.
Further, it is also possible to investigate the association between the store and the attribute information of the user based on the information of the store where the purchase was made, instead of the product purchased using the electronic coupon, simply through the electronic coupon system.

In the above-described example, a mobile phone is taken as an example of a mobile communication device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and PHS (Pers
onal Handy phone System) terminals and small portable terminals. In particular, the PHS terminal can detect the position of the PHS terminal because the wireless area of the base station with which it communicates is small.
By utilizing this property, when searching for an electronic coupon, the area information may be automatically input based on the position information without inputting the area. This allows
User input can be simplified. If the location information can be detected by a device other than the PHS terminal, the same configuration can be naturally used.

In the above example, the user registration is executed by the user terminal 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the user registration can be executed by the user's mobile phone 5.

In the above example, the manufacturer registration is
Although executed by the terminal 4 of the manufacturer via the communication network 10, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to submit a document describing predetermined necessary information to the system provider.

In the above-described example, the barcode information is generated as image information in the server 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be converted into image information. In this case, it is necessary to provide a predetermined program for converting image information into the mobile communication device side.
It is possible to greatly reduce the amount of communication between them.

In the above-described example, an example has been described in which the barcode information includes the information on the contents of the electronic coupon and the identification information of the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Is also possible. Thereby, it is possible to confirm whether at least the content of the electronic coupon presented by the user is authentic.

[Embodiment 2] Embodiment 2 is different from Embodiment 1 in that bar code information for each electronic coupon target product or service is displayed on a display device of a mobile phone and read by a bar code scanner. Instead, the barcode information is displayed on the display device of the mobile phone only once when the price of the product or service is settled, and is read by the barcode scanner. As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of steps and time required for payment settlement. Also, at a store that sells electronic coupon target products or services, the discount processing is not performed, and the usage status of the electronic coupon is summarized and the discount amount is returned to the user later. As a result, even if the barcode information is illegally acquired and used, there is no gain for the unauthorized user and there is no need to take measures against unauthorized use.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. For example, in a network 100 such as the Internet, for example, one or a plurality of user terminals 120 used by a user member and having a Web (Web) browser function, and a mobile phone carrier executes processing such as billing of a call charge. Telecommunications carrier business server 13
0, which is used by, for example, a maker member (general name of persons who use the coupon service as in the first embodiment) and
b. One or more manufacturer terminals 140 having a browser function
And one or more mobile phones 110 each including a display device capable of displaying character information and image information, and a server 150 that performs main processing in the present embodiment are connected or connectable. I have.

The user terminal 120 and the maker terminal 140
For example, it may be a personal computer or a portable terminal. The mobile phone 110 may be a PHS phone instead of a mobile phone, and may be a mobile terminal in some cases.

The server 150 includes, for example, a public network 160
Used in a store (also called a store) via
One or more dealer systems 170 including an OS system
Connect. The store system 170 includes a barcode attached to a product or the like and the mobile phone 1 in the present embodiment.
A bar code scanner 172 for reading a bar code displayed on the display device 10 is connected. Although not shown, a register and the like are also connected. The store system 170 processes the bar code information read by the bar code scanner 172 and stores the read information processing unit 178 in the sales slip DB 174 as sales slip information, and the sales slip transmitting the sales slip information to the server 150. Information transmission unit 1
79 are included. The store system 170 manages a sales slip DB 174 and a product master DB 176.

[0110] The server 150 is provided with ordinary HTML and XHT.
Web compatible with ML, compact HTML, WML, etc.
It has a server function, and has a member information management unit 15
1, electronic coupon information management section 152, electronic coupon search processing section 153, barcode generation processing section 154, sales slip information reception processing section 159, discount processing section 155, usage information processing section 156, information collection processing section 157, and A billing / payment processing unit 158 is included. The server 150 also stores a member DB 180 that stores information on members such as user members and maker members, a store DB 181 that stores information on stores participating in the coupon service, and stores information on electronic coupon target products or services. Product DB182
And a barcode information DB 183 that stores barcode information and the like generated by the barcode generation processing unit 154;
An electronic coupon information DB 184 for storing information of electronic coupons registered by the maker;
Information DB18 that stores sales slip information received from
5 and an information collection DB 18 for storing information such as questionnaire responses collected by the information collection processing unit 157.
And 6.

The member information management section 151
The member information registration process performed by the user, the maker, or the store (dealer) is performed using the maker terminal 140 or the maker terminal 140, and the registered member information is managed. Electronic coupon information management unit 1
52 registers the information of the electronic coupon inputted by the maker in the electronic coupon information DB 184, and carries out a change or the like according to the instruction. The electronic coupon search processing unit 153 performs a process of searching for a desired electronic coupon according to an instruction from the user terminal 120 or the mobile phone 110. The barcode generation processing unit 154 generates barcode information corresponding to a desired electronic coupon in accordance with an instruction from the mobile phone 110, and stores the barcode information in the barcode information DB 183.

The sales slip reception processing section 159 receives sales slip information from the sales slip information transmitting section 179 of the store system 170 and stores it in the usage information DB 185. The discount processing unit 155 performs a process for determining a discount amount to be returned to the user from the sales slip information. The usage information processing unit 156 includes a usage information DB 185, a member information DB 180,
The information in the store DB 181 is analyzed to generate information for manufacturers and information for stores. Information collection processing unit 15
7 transmits a questionnaire survey request to a user who has purchased a specific product or service, for example, based on a request from a maker or the like, and performs processing for analyzing the questionnaire survey result. The billing / payment processing unit 158 is a discount processing unit 1
Based on the discount amount calculated by 55, the billing statement,
A process for generating payment details for a store, a maker, a communication carrier, a user, and the like is performed.

Next, the overall business flow will be outlined with reference to FIG. First, a user, a maker, and a store (store) participating in the coupon service perform a member registration with the server 150 (step S1001). Then, the maker or store (store) registers electronic coupon information specifying the discount target product or service and the discount amount in the server 150 (step S1003).
The user searches for an electronic coupon target product or service using, for example, the mobile phone 110 (step S100).
5) When one or more desired electronic coupon target goods or services are found, the user selects one or more electronic coupon target goods or services and specifies the quantity (step S1007). Then, the server 150 generates barcode information including the identification information of the combination of the electronic coupon target product or service and the user identification information. Then, the generated barcode information is transmitted to the user's mobile phone 110 (step S1008). The barcode information will be described later in detail.

The user presents the mobile phone 110 displaying the barcode on the display device to the salesclerk of the store, and performs a procedure for purchasing a product or the like (step S1009). On the other hand, the clerk at the store causes the barcode of the purchased product or service to be read by the barcode scanner 172 and also reads the barcode displayed on the display device of the mobile phone 110. The store system 170 configures sales slip information using the read barcode information and the information of the product master DB 176, and registers the sales slip information in the sales slip information DB 174 (step S1011). Part of the sales slip information is printed, for example, by a register and issued as a receipt. For example, once a day, the store system 170 transmits the sales slip information stored in the sales slip DB 174 to the server 150 via the public network 160 (step S1013). The server 150 receives the sales slip information from the store system 170 and uses the usage information D
Registered in B185 (step S1015).

The server 150 stores the usage information DB 185
A process for determining a discount amount to be provided to the user is performed using the sales slip information stored in (step S1017). For example, the discount amount is collected for one month, for example, and is used to reduce the call charge of the mobile phone 110. Further, the server 150 uses the information of the usage information DB 185, the member DB 180, and the store DB 181 to store the discount details by store, the area code distribution of the electronic coupon user by store, the sales quantity of the product by combined use of the discount, and the product by product. A usage information analysis process such as a discount record and store-specific electronic coupon / cluster analysis is performed (step S1019). In addition, the server 150, according to the instructions of the manufacturer or the store,
A direct mail or a questionnaire request is transmitted to a user or the like who has purchased a specific product or service, and an information collection process for totalizing the questionnaire response results is performed (step S1021). Furthermore, the total discount amount + for the manufacturer or dealer who discounted using this coupon service
Prepare a billing statement for the commission, and provide the carrier who participated in the coupon service the total discount + commission (0
) Is performed (step S1023).

By performing such a process, it is possible to issue one or a plurality of electronic coupon target products or barcodes as electronic coupons for services to the mobile phone 110, and at the store, it is possible to issue products or the like. 1 at the time of purchase
Scanning the bar code again can end the discount procedure. Further, since the discount is not carried out at the store, the burden on the store is reduced. In addition, do not discount when purchasing products, etc.
Since a method of returning the discount amount to the user later is adopted, it is not necessary to give great consideration to unauthorized use. In addition, since the discount amount is returned to the user by reducing the call charge of the mobile phone, the number of steps for returning the discount amount to the user is reduced, and the reduction can be surely returned.

[0117] Steps S1017 to S1023 in FIG. 13 can be performed in a different order.

Next, referring to FIG. 14, step S1 of FIG.
001 will be described in detail. Here, the user terminal 1
The following describes a user member registration process using the No. 20, but the flow of the process is the same even for a maker or a store. The user operates the user terminal 120 to access the member registration page of the server 150 (step S1101).
In response to this access, the member information management unit 151 of the server 150 transmits the member type selection screen information (including, for example, an HTML file and an image file when referencing) to the user terminal 120 (step S1103).
Here, screen information for selecting which of a general user, a maker, and a store is registered is transmitted. The user terminal 120 receives the member type selection screen information from the server 150 and displays it on the display device (step S110).
5). The user selects the member type by looking at the display device, and causes the user terminal 120 to transmit the member type selection information to the server 150 (step S1107).

The member information management unit 151 of the server 150
Member type selection information is received from the user terminal 120 (step S1109), and information on the member information input screen corresponding to the member type is transmitted to the user terminal 120 (step S1109).
1111). Here, since the user has given an instruction, the information on the member information input screen for general user registration is transmitted. The user terminal 120 receives the information on the member information input screen from the server 150 and displays the information on the display device (step S1113). For example, in the case of general users, addresses, names,
Gender, date of birth, occupation, marriage status, family composition, mobile phone carrier used, mobile phone type, mobile phone email address, regular email address, January disposable income, hobbies (sports, music ( Requests for performance / appreciation), fashion, art / design, cars / motorcycles, travel, shopping, beauty / health, cooking, computers / games, etc., new product publicity (eg non-durable consumer goods (confectionery / snack, food, beverages) , Beauty / barber products (shampoo / soap, etc.),
Stationery, clothing, cosmetics, etc.), durable consumer goods (home appliances, PC /
Peripheral equipment, CD / video, miscellaneous goods / accessories / clothes /
Lingerie, games / toys, sporting goods, cars / car supplies, books, etc.), contact information about this coupon service (eg, real media (TV, radio, newspaper, flyer, mail direct mail, information magazine / town magazine) , Posters, advertisements, etc. in the city), media on the Internet (eg, websites, communities (bulletin boards / chat, etc.), e-mail magazines, direct mail on the Internet, mobile phone sites, mobile phone mails))
Frequently used stores (convenience stores, supermarkets, mini supermarkets,
Enter information such as home centers, discount stores, large stores, specialty chain stores, specialty stores, department stores, etc.). Some information may be selected using radio buttons or the like. In some cases, items that must be input are specified, and other inputs are optional.

In the case of registration of a manufacturer, an address, a company name, a business type, a product to be handled, and the like are registered. In the case of registration of a store (store), an address, a company name, a business type, and the like are registered.

The user inputs the member information according to the member information input screen displayed on the display device, and
To the server 150 (step S1115).
The member information management unit 151 of the server 150
The member information is received from the storage device 20 and stored in the storage device (step S1117). Then, the information of the input content confirmation screen is generated and transmitted to the user terminal 120 (step S1).
119). The user terminal 120 receives the information of the confirmation screen from the server 150 and displays it on the display device (Step S)
1121). The user confirms the content by looking at the confirmation screen of the display device, and clicks the OK button when registering. On the other hand, if you want to cancel registration,
Click the button, and click the Modify button to modify the content. Thus, in accordance with the user's instruction, the user terminal 120 transmits a confirmation input (OK, cancel, correction) to the server 150 (Step S112)
3).

The member information management unit 151 of the server 150
A confirmation input is received from the user terminal 120 (step S1).
125), execute processing in accordance with the contents of the confirmation input. If cancellation is instructed, the process ends. When the correction is instructed, the member information input screen information in which the received member information is embedded in the input field is generated, and the user terminal 1
20. On the other hand, if OK is instructed, the member ID and the password are issued, and the member ID and the password are transmitted to the user terminal 120 (step S112).
7). There is also a method of designating the member ID and the password or the member ID and the password by the user. In addition,
The password can be changed. The user terminal 120 receives the member ID and the password from the server 150 and displays them on the display device (Step S112)
9). The user records the information of the member ID and the password, and uses the information when a login is required, such as when issuing an electronic coupon. On the other hand, the member information management unit 151 of the server 150 registers the member information, the member ID, and the password in the member DB 180 (Step S1131). This allows the user to use the coupon service. The information such as gender, age, address, and hobby included in the member information is used to determine the type of available electronic coupons and to analyze the purchase mode after using the electronic coupons.

Next, a process in which a manufacturer registers electronic coupon information in the server 150 will be described with reference to FIGS. The maker staff operates the maker terminal 140 to access the electronic coupon information registration page of the server 150 (step S1141). On the other hand, the electronic coupon information management unit 152 of the server 150 transmits an input request for the member ID and the password to the maker terminal 140 (Step S1143). The maker terminal 140
When receiving the input request of the member ID and the password from the server 150, the input screen of the member ID and the password is displayed on the display device (step S1145). In response, the staff of the manufacturer inputs the member ID and the password, and causes the manufacturer terminal 140 to transmit the information of the member ID and the password to the server 150 (step S114).
7). Electronic coupon information management unit 152 of server 150
Upon receiving the member ID and the password from the maker terminal 140, the authentication server refers to the member DB 180 and performs an authentication process (step S1149). If the authentication has failed, the maker terminal 140 is notified that the authentication has failed.

On the other hand, when the authentication is successful, the electronic coupon information management unit 152 transmits information on the electronic coupon information input screen to the maker terminal 140 (step S115).
1). The maker terminal 140 receives the information on the electronic coupon information input screen from the server 150 and displays it on the display device (step S1153). For example, a screen as shown in FIG. 16 is displayed. Here, information such as the name of the target product or service of the electronic coupon, the JAN code of the target product or service of the electronic coupon, the discount amount, the discount period, the discount area, the designated store, and the designated cluster are input. Regarding the JAN code, the electronic coupon information management unit 152 of the server 150 may search and find the product DB 182 from the product name or service name. Conversely, a JAN code may be input to obtain the target product name or service name by searching the product DB 182. The discount area need not be specified if there is no particular request. Here, the configuration is such that it can be specified for each preset range, but it is also possible to use a configuration in which it can be specified specifically. The same applies to designated stores and designated clusters.

The maker's staff inputs information according to the electronic coupon information input screen, and causes the maker terminal 140 to transmit the input electronic coupon information to the server 150 (step S1155). Upon receiving the electronic coupon information from the maker terminal 140, the electronic coupon information management unit 152 of the server 150 stores the electronic coupon information in the storage device (Step S1157). Then, it generates confirmation screen information for confirming the input contents and transmits it to the maker terminal 140 (step S1159). The maker terminal 140 is connected to the server 15
From 0, the information of the input content confirmation screen is received and displayed on the display device (step S1161). The maker staff
Check the input contents and cancel in case of cancellation.
The user clicks the button, clicks the correction button to make corrections, and clicks the OK button if OK. Then, the maker terminal 140 transmits a confirmation input indicating an OK, cancel, or correction instruction to the server 150 (step S1163).

Electronic coupon information management section 1 of server 150
52 receives the confirmation input from the maker terminal 140 (step S1165), and confirms the content. If it is canceled, the process is terminated, and if it is corrected, an electronic coupon information input screen in which the received electronic coupon information is embedded is generated and transmitted to the maker terminal 140,
Have the manufacturer staff make the correction. If the confirmation input indicates OK, the electronic coupon information received in step S1157 is registered in the electronic coupon information DB 184 (step S1167).

The electronic coupon information registered in this way is to be searched by a user who matches the condition (cluster) specified in the electronic coupon information thereafter.

Next, the processing of steps S1005 to S1008 in FIG. 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the user operates the mobile phone 110 to access the server 150 (FIG. 17: Step S120)
1). On the other hand, the server 150 transmits the input screen information of the member ID and the password (for example, a compact HTML or XHML or WML file or an image file if necessary) to the mobile phone 110 (step S).
1203). The mobile phone 110 receives the member ID and password input screen information from the server 150 and displays the information on the display device (step S1205). The user inputs the member ID and password in response to the
10 to the server 150 (step S120).
7).

The server 150 receives the member ID and the password from the mobile phone 110 and performs an authentication process by referring to the member DB 180 (step S1209). If the authentication has failed, a notification indicating that the authentication has failed is transmitted to the mobile phone 110. On the other hand, if the authentication is successful, the telephone company in use is notified to the server 150, so it is checked whether the telephone company is registered in the member DB 180 (step S1211). It should be noted that the telephone number may also be notified, in which case it is checked whether the telephone number is the same as the telephone number registered in the member DB 180. If it is not the same as the registered telephone company, the server 150 sends a notification requesting the telephone company 110 to change the registration of the telephone company. The mobile phone 110 receives the notification requesting the telephone company registration change from the server 150 and displays the notification on the display device (step S1213). This is to reduce the discount by discounting the call charge.

On the other hand, if the telephone company is a registered telephone company, server 150 transmits main menu screen information to portable telephone 110 (step S1214). On the other hand, the mobile phone 110 receives the main menu screen information from the server 150 and displays it on the display device (step S1215). FIG. 18 shows an example of the main menu screen. In this example, a scene in which a person named Chika Suzuki logs in is shown. In FIG. 18, electronic coupon search (1. coupon search) and point display up to the present (2.
Points to date), processing to recommend to friends (3. recommend to friends), display of member information (4. Club Baki), and termination (5. termination) can be selected as menus. The search includes a menu for searching for an electronic coupon target product or service from a store (search from a store), a menu for searching for an electronic coupon target product or service from a product type (search for a product), and an electronic coupon from a store location. The menu includes a menu for searching for a target product or service (search from a place) and a menu for searching from items registered as favorites (from favorites). Favorites can be registered when searching for products.

Here, it is assumed that search processing is performed.
The user operates the mobile phone 110 to operate the server 150.
Exchange with the electronic coupon search processing unit 153 of
An electronic coupon target item or service to receive a discount in this shopping is selected, and its quantity is designated (steps S1217 and S1219). That is, the server 1
The electronic coupon search processing unit 153 of the mobile phone 1
10 receives the search condition, and receives the electronic coupon information DB1
The electronic coupon information matching the search condition is transmitted to the mobile phone 110. And the server 150
Accepts selection information of a product or service and its quantity information from the mobile phone 110.

FIG. 19 shows a screen flow in this search processing.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. When “Search from store” in FIG. 18 is selected, screen information as shown in FIG. 19A-1 is transmitted from the electronic coupon search processing unit 153 to the mobile phone 110, and the display device of the mobile phone 110 is displayed. Will be displayed. In this example, options such as a convenience store, a supermarket, a mini supermarket, a home center, a discount, and a large SC (shopping center) are shown. When the user selects “convenience store” in (a-1), (a-2)
Is transmitted from the electronic coupon search processing unit 153 to the mobile phone 110 and displayed on the display device of the mobile phone 110. In this example, AAA, BBB, CC
Options such as C, DDD, EEE, FFF, GGG are shown. When the user selects “FFF” in (a-2), screen information as in (a-3) is transmitted from the electronic coupon search processing unit 153 to the mobile phone 110 and displayed on the display device of the mobile phone 110. .

Here, options such as the initials of the store name, a line, ka line, sa line, ta line, na line, ha line, ma line or ya line, la line or wa line are shown. When "Sa line" is selected in (a-3) and "Shibuya store" is selected on the next page, screen information as in (a-4) is displayed from the electronic coupon search processing unit 153 to the mobile phone 110. And displayed on the display device of the mobile phone 110. In this example, the genre of the product is indicated. That is, options such as full display, beverages, confectionery, bento, household goods and the like are shown. (A-
When the user selects “confectionery” in 4), (a-
5) Such screen information is transmitted from the electronic coupon search processing unit 153 to the mobile phone 110 and displayed on the display device of the mobile phone 110. In this example, A potato chips thin, B chocolate and the like are shown as options.

If "A potato chips lighter" is selected in (a-5), screen information as in (a-6) is transmitted from the electronic coupon search processing unit 153 to the mobile phone 110, and the display on the mobile phone 110 is displayed. Displayed on the device.
Here, the discount amount of “A potato chips lighter” is 2
0 yen is indicated, the quantity input, other choices ("A potato chips lighter" is not selected), total output (to generate barcode information for the selected product), and the like are shown as options. The bottom line is the total discount amount, which indicates 0 yen since no product is currently selected.

When "input quantity" is selected in (a-6), screen information as in (a-7) is transmitted from the electronic coupon search processing unit 153 to the mobile phone 110 and displayed on the display device of the mobile phone 110. Is done. Here, it is a screen for designating the quantity. In this example, when the F key is pressed, the designation of the quantity is transmitted to the server 150, and the selection and the quantity of “A potato chips lightly” are determined. (A-
In 7), other products are also selected (others are also selected), total output (barcode information on the selected products is generated),
An option to return to the previous menu (to the previous menu) is also shown. Note that (a-8) will be described later.

When "Search by product" in FIG. 18 is selected, screen information as shown in FIG. 20B-1 is transmitted from the electronic coupon search processing unit 153 to the mobile phone 110, and Displayed on the display device. Here, product genres such as display, beverage, and confectionery are all shown as options. When "confectionery" is selected in (b-1), screen information as in (b-2) is transmitted from the electronic coupon search processing unit 153 to the mobile phone 110 and displayed on the display device of the mobile phone 110. In (b-2),
A potato chips, B chocolate, etc. are shown as options. When "A potato chips" is selected in (b-2), screen information as in (b-3) is transmitted from the electronic coupon search processing unit 153 to the mobile phone 110 and displayed on the display device of the mobile phone 110. Is done. (B-3) is almost the same as (a-2), and after that, (a-
2) Same as after.

When "Search by location" in FIG. 18 is selected, screen information as shown in FIG. 21C-1 is transmitted from the electronic coupon search processing unit 153 to the mobile phone 110, and Displayed on the display device. Here, options such as Shibuya Ward, Shinjuku Ward, and Setagaya Ward are shown as the area list. In some cases, the carrier can acquire the position information of the mobile phone 110. In such a case, the screen of (c-1) may be omitted or a further narrowed down area may be indicated as an option. When "Shibuya-ku" is selected in FIG. 21 (c-1), screen information as shown in (c-2) is transmitted from the electronic coupon search processing unit 153 to the mobile phone 110 and displayed on the display device of the mobile phone 110. Is displayed. Note that (c-2) is the same as (b-3), and the following search processing (a-3) is performed.

Returning to the description of FIG. 17, when the user inputs a list request instruction for a selected product or the like (for example, “a total output” of (a-7))
Selection of. Or, when the F key is pressed with the quantity specified in (a-7). ), The mobile phone 110 transmits a list request instruction for the selected product or the like to the server 150 (step S1221). On the other hand, the electronic coupon search processing unit 153 of the server 150 receives the list request instruction of the selected product or the like from the mobile phone 110 (step S122).
3) Generate list information of selected products and the like, and
10 (step S1225). Mobile phone 1
10 receives the list information of the selected product or the like and displays it on the display device (step S1227). For example, FIG.
A screen like -8) is displayed. That is, the designated store name (convenience store FFF Shibuya store in this example),
A potato chips 2 pieces 40 yen, A drink 1 piece 20 yen and B drink 2 pieces 40 yen, which are the selected product, quantity and discount amount,
A total number of 5 pieces and a total discount amount of 100 yen are shown.
Also, options for modifying or deleting any of the lists (“correction deletion No input”), options for instructing generation of barcode information (“total output”), and the like are shown. Since the size of the display device of the mobile phone 110 is limited, for example, when “1. A potato chips 20” cannot be displayed in the horizontal direction of the display device, “1. A potato chips 20” is displayed. And "1. Light Sushi 20" may be displayed alternately.

The user checks the list of the selected products and the like, and if the selection of all the electronic coupon target products or services to be purchased and the designation of the quantity have been completed,
A barcode generation instruction is issued. For example, when “total output” in (a-8) is selected, the mobile phone 110 transmits a barcode generation instruction to the server 150 (step S1231). Then, the barcode generation processing unit 154 of the server 150 performs a barcode information generation process (Step S1233). Details of the barcode information generation processing will be described later. Barcode generation processing unit 154
Transmits the generated barcode information to the mobile phone 110 (step S1235). The mobile phone 110 receives the barcode information from the server 150 and displays it on the display device (step S1237).

FIG. 2 shows a display example of the displayed bar code information.
It is shown in FIG. At the top, an 8-digit barcode image is shown in the horizontal direction of the screen. Also, a designated store name (FFF Shibuya store), expiration date (01/02/20 AM 3:00), total discount points (5 points), total discount amount (100 yen), product name list (A potato chips, A drink) , B drinks). At the store, the barcode is read by the barcode scanner 172. Note that, if only the barcode image is actually displayed, the following processing is possible.

Next, details of step S1233 in FIG. 17 will be described with reference to FIG. Barcode generation processing unit 154
Calculates the total discount amount based on the discount amount of the selected merchandise and the designated quantity (step S1241). Since the discount unit price of the selected product or the like is stored in the electronic coupon information DB 184, the discount unit price is obtained and calculated. Then, a code for the designated store corresponding to the total discount amount is generated (step S1243).

In this embodiment, an eight-digit code is generated. The first digit is "0" indicating that the local rule is adopted. The second and third digits are division codes, which are not used by each store. That is, the generated code is configured by using the division code not used in the designated store.
The fourth to seventh digits include a two-digit code representing the total discount amount and a serial number corresponding to the two-digit code. The unit of the discount amount can be set at 1 yen, 10 yen, or 100 yen. For example, in the case of a code of 99xx (xx is a serial number), 99 yen, 990 yen, 9 yen
Represents any of 900 yen. It does not matter which one is represented because it is registered in the barcode information DB 183. Since the serial number is only from 00 to 99, if the number becomes insufficient, the division code of the second and third digits is changed. Since the correspondence between the serial number and the member ID is also registered in the barcode information DB 183, the member who actually performed shopping using the electronic coupon (barcode) can be specified. Barcode generation processing unit 154
Refers to the barcode information DB 183 and acquires a serial number that can be used this time. The eighth digit is parity. The barcode information DB 183 may be configured to associate necessary information with the fourth to seventh digits as serial numbers.

Next, the member ID, the generated code, the total discount amount (or the unit of the discount amount), and the JAN of the selected product etc.
The code (for example, acquired from the product DB 182), the designated store, the expiration date, and the like are registered in the barcode information DB 183 (step S1245). By registering such information, when the bar code information of the electronic coupon is later received from the store system 170, the member, the store, the discount target product, and the like used can be grasped. FIG. 24 shows an example of data stored in the barcode information DB 183. As described above, the information stored here is the barcode, the member ID, the JAN code of the selected electronic coupon target product or service, the discount amount, the code of the designated store, and the expiration date.

The fourth to seventh digits of the code are composed of a total discount amount and a serial number, and the total discount amount is based on the identification information of the combination of the electronic coupon target product or service selected by the user and the identification information of the user. Can also be seen as In step S1245, the JAN code is registered in the barcode information DB 183, so that the electronic coupon target product or service selected by the user can be specified. Because it can be specified.

The bar code generation processing section 154 acquires bar code information corresponding to the code generated in step S1243 (step S1247). For example, barcode image information registered in the barcode information DB 183 or the store DB 181 is obtained. A configuration in which image data is generated rather than acquired may be used. At this time, it is necessary to refer to the model information of the mobile phone 110 registered in the member DB 180 to acquire or generate barcode image data that can be displayed on a display device of the model.

Thus, barcode information is generated. Although not shown in FIG. 23, processing for generating display screen information as shown in FIG. 22 based on information obtained / calculated / generated in the processing flow of FIG. 23 is also performed.

Next, steps S1009 to S1 of FIG.
015 will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 25, the process starts from step S1237, which is the last step in FIG. The clerk at the store stores the barcode displayed on the display device of the user's mobile phone 110 with the barcode scanner 172 of the store system 170.
(Step S1303). In the same manner as usual, the clerk at the store causes the barcode scanner 172 to read the barcode attached to the product or the like.
Then, the clerk of the store and the user transfer the price, the product, and the like, and complete the settlement (step S130).
5). Step S1305 is shown by a dotted block because it is merely a human procedure. Then, the read information processing unit 178 is connected to the barcode scanner 172.
Then, sales slip information is generated using the read barcode information of the product or the like read by the above and the read barcode information as the electronic coupon, and registered in the sales slip DB 174 (step S1307). In addition, a receipt is printed from the printer provided in the register (step S1309), and is passed to the user. This receipt will serve as a reference to confirm that the discount will be made later.

FIG. 26 shows an example of a receipt. In this example, a convenience store FFF Shibuya store (store number 0819), sales date and time (01/02/19 PM 5:24), purchased product name, quantity, unit price and total amount (1. product name A potato chips, quantity 2, unit price 108, Total 216, 2. Trade name B cheese,
2. Quantity 1, unit price 198, total 198, 3. Brand name A drink (500ml), quantity 1, unit price 88, total 88, Product name D noodle, quantity 1, unit price 148, total 148,
5. Brand name B beverage (500ml), quantity 2, unit price 13
8, a total of 276), bar code information of the read electronic coupon (chokin bar code 0422534 (10
0). However, 100 yen is not discounted at the store), subtotal (926), consumption tax (46), total (972), cash received (1000), change (28), and slip number (No. 24525) are described ing.

As the sales slip information, in addition to the information shown in FIG. 26, a JAN code corresponding to each product name is stored. In the actual processing, the product master D is read from the bar code information (JAN code) read by the read information processing unit 178.
With reference to B176, information such as a product name and a unit price is acquired, and the sales slip and the receipt print data are configured. It is necessary to register the barcode information corresponding to the electronic coupon in the product master DB 176.
For example, when the code “0242534” is read, it must be recognized that this is an electronic coupon code in the present coupon service. That is, all patterns that may be used in the store are stored in the product master DB 176.
To prevent errors during reading.

Next, the sales slip information transmitting section 179 extracts sales slip information including the read barcode information corresponding to the electronic coupon from the sales slip DB 174 (step S131).
1), and transmits the extracted sales slip information to the server 150 (step S1313). The sales slip information transmission unit 179 may transmit the sales slip information to the server 150 as soon as the sales slip information is newly stored in the sales slip DB 174. The generated sales slip information is transmitted to the server 150 collectively. The sales slip information reception processing unit 159 of the server 150
When the sales slip information is received from the sales slip information transmitting unit 179 of the store system 170, the sales slip information is stored in the usage information DB 185 (step S1315).

In this way, the sales slip information including the read barcode information of the electronic coupon used by the user is returned to the server 150 that issued the sales slip information.

As shown in FIG. 26, the sales slip information also includes information on products other than the electronic coupon target product or service. Therefore, some stores hesitate to send all sales slip information to the server 150 due to privacy or trade secret problems. Therefore, in such a case, processing as shown in FIG. 27 is performed. That is,
The sales slip information transmitting unit 179 of the store system 170
The barcode information of the electronic coupon is extracted from the sales slip with reference to the sales slip DB 174 (step S132).
1). Then, it transmits the read barcode information of the electronic coupon and a code (identification information of the product, here, JAN code) of the target product of the electronic coupon to the server 150 (step S1323). On the other hand, the sales slip information reception processing unit 159 of the server 150
Receives the barcode information of the electronic coupon and the code request of the target product of the electronic coupon (step S132)
5) With reference to the barcode information DB 183, a JAN code corresponding to the read barcode information of the electronic coupon is extracted (step S1327). Then, the JAN code set is transmitted to the store system 170 in association with the read barcode information of the electronic coupon (step S1329).

The sales slip information transmitting unit 179 of the store system 170 receives the pair of the read barcode information and the JAN code of the electronic coupon from the server 150 (step S1).
331) It is determined whether or not the received JAN code is present in the sales slip including the read barcode information of the electronic coupon, and if so, the quantity is acquired (step S1333). Then, a pair (set) of a JAN code and a quantity corresponding to the read barcode information of the electronic coupon
Is transmitted to the server 150 (step S1335). 1
One sales slip may include a plurality of JAN codes. Therefore, a pair (set) of JAN code and quantity
In some cases.

On the other hand, the sales slip reception processing section 159 of the server 150 receives the pair of the JAN code and the quantity corresponding to the read barcode information of the electronic coupon from the store system 170 and registers the pair in the usage information DB 185 as sales slip information. (Step S1337).

As described above, since only the identification information and the quantity of the product or service related to the read barcode information of the electronic coupon can be obtained, the problem of privacy and trade secret is released.

Next, the details of step S1017 in FIG. 13 will be described with reference to FIG. The processing in FIG.
This is processing for one sales slip, and the processing of FIG. 28 is repeatedly performed for a plurality of sales slips.
The discount processing unit 155 of the server 150
The read barcode information of the electronic coupon is acquired from the sales slip information stored in 85 (step S1401). The barcode information DB 183 is searched using the read barcode information of the electronic coupon (step S140).
3) Acquire the corresponding data. Then, it is determined whether the read barcode information of the electronic coupon is used in the store designated at the time of generating the barcode information (step S).
1405). That is, it is determined whether the store code included in the sales slip information matches the store code stored in the barcode information DB 183. If they do not match, the processing for the sales slip is stopped (step S
1413), information indicating that the sales slip is invalid in the usage information DB 185 is registered (step S1415).

On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the read barcode information of the electronic coupon has been used in the store designated at the time of generating the barcode information, it is determined whether or not the sales slip has been generated within the expiration date (step). S1407). The issue date and time included in the sales slip information is the barcode information DB 18
No. 3 is checked to see if it is within the expiration date. If not within the expiration date, step S141
Move to 3. If it is confirmed that it is within the validity period, it is confirmed whether the sales slip information includes identification information (JAN code) of the product or service selected at the time of generating the barcode (step S1409). This is because the product or service selected at the time of generating the barcode may not be actually purchased. In the present embodiment, since the discount processing unit 155 of the server 150 confirms whether or not the product or service selected at the time of generating the barcode has actually been purchased, the confirmation burden on the store is reduced. If the sales slip information does not include at least one product or service selected at the time of generating the barcode, a discount cannot be made, so that step S141 is performed.
Move to 3.

On the other hand, when at least one selected product or service is included in the sales slip information, the identification information (J) of the selected product or service included in the sales slip information is included.
The total discount is calculated based on the AN code) and the quantity. That is, from the JAN code to the electronic coupon information DB
184 is retrieved to obtain information on the discount unit price of the product or the like, and the total discount amount is calculated based on the quantity included in the sales slip information. In the present embodiment, the quantity does not have to be the same as the quantity specified when the barcode information was generated. However, when the purchase quantity exceeds the designated quantity when the barcode information is generated, only the designated quantity may be discounted. In addition, the calculated total discount amount is obtained by reading the barcode information D1 in the read barcode information of the electronic coupon.
By searching 83, the used member ID is specified and registered in the member DB 180 corresponding to the member ID (step S1411).

In this manner, the discount amount is determined by processing sales slip information in server 150 using barcode information DB 183 and electronic coupon information DB 184. According to the present embodiment, discounts can be received if the type of purchased product or service is the same as the type of product or service specified at the time of generating the barcode.

Next, referring to FIG. 29, step S1 of FIG.
019 to S1023 will be described. The use information processing unit 156 performs a use information analysis process for the store (step S1451). For example, the usage information DB 185
Is searched by a store code, and a discount amount statement for each store is created. Also, since the member ID is specified from the read barcode information of the electronic coupon, the member ID is identified using the member ID.
B180 may be searched, and the area code of the store-specific discount user may be totaled using the member information (attribute information). Further, there is a case where the sales quantity of the discount combined use for each product is totaled. These analysis results are stored in, for example, the server 15.
0 is provided for each store, and provided to the store there. It can also be provided on printed paper.

[0161] The billing / payment processing section 158 performs a payment statement preparation process for the dealer (step S14).
53). The store calculates the total discount amount by the electronic coupon handled by the store within a certain period, and when paying a commission corresponding to the total discount amount, performs the calculation and includes it in the payment statement. In some cases, the payment statement can be browsed, for example, on a Web page dedicated to each store in the server 150.

The usage information processing unit 156 performs a usage information analysis process for the maker (step S1455).
For example, the actual discount amount for each product is totaled, and a discount use cluster analysis for each store (or for each chain store) (for each region, age, gender, etc.) is performed. These analysis results are provided, for example, on a Web page dedicated to each maker of the server 150, and provided to the maker there. It can also be provided on printed paper.

Further, the billing / payment processing unit 158 performs a billing process for a maker (step S145).
7). In order to charge the manufacturer for the total discount amount and fee, calculate the total discount amount of the electronic coupon used by the manufacturer and create an invoice with the total discount amount plus a prescribed percentage of commission, for example I do. In some cases, the invoice can be browsed on a Web page dedicated to each manufacturer.

[0164] The billing / payment processing section 158 performs a usage statement creation process for the user (step S1449).
The discount amount corresponds to the member ID for each slip.
0, the information can be browsed, for example, on each user's dedicated Web page. For example, a Web page as shown in FIG. 30 is provided. That is,
Date and time of use of the electronic coupon, name of store used, barcode information, total specified quantity, total discount amount by specified quantity, actual purchase quantity (of Hit), actual corresponding to actual purchase quantity Is displayed for each use of the electronic coupon. The total quantity and the total discount of the goods etc. purchased by the electronic coupon are also shown. Further, in the present embodiment, since the total discount is deducted from the telephone charge of the mobile phone, which month (here, February) the telephone charge is reduced. Further, the billing / payment processing unit 15
8 calculates a total discount amount for each predetermined period, and also stores the information in, for example, the member DB 180.

The billing / payment processing section 158 carries out a payment statement preparation process for the telecommunications carrier (step S146).
1). In the present embodiment, the call charge of the mobile phone of each user is reduced by the total discount amount within a predetermined period. Therefore, the member DB 180 is searched to collect a pair of a telephone number (subscription number) and a payment amount for each communication carrier, and create a payment statement. This payment statement is transmitted from the server 150 to the communication service server 130 via the network 100, for example. It should be noted that a configuration in which the information is transmitted to a communication carrier by a recording medium such as a magnetic tape may be employed. It should be noted that reducing the telephone charge of the mobile phone is merely an example, and the present invention can be applied to discounts of other postpaid charges. Further, instead of discounting, a configuration in which cash vouchers or the like equivalent to the total discount amount may be distributed.

The processing up to this point in FIG. 29 can be performed in an arbitrary order without performing the above-described processing. The above processing is normally performed, but the processing described below is performed in response to a request from a store or a manufacturer.

The information collection processing unit 157 extracts a direct mail or a questionnaire subject meeting the conditions included in the request according to the request from the store or the maker (step S1463). For example, the use information DB 185 is searched to specify a person who has purchased a specific product or service. Furthermore, a person who has purchased a specific product or service and belongs to a predetermined cluster may be extracted. In some cases, the user may simply search the member DB 180 to extract users belonging to a predetermined cluster. next,
The information collection processing unit 157 transmits the direct mail or the survey request mail to the person to be surveyed (step S1465). Member DB 180
Use your mobile phone email address or regular email address registered in. If the questionnaire request mail includes a link to the questionnaire Web page of the server 150, the user can easily answer the questionnaire, and the counting work can be automatically performed. The answer to the questionnaire by the user is stored in the information collection DB 186, for example.

[0168] The information collection processing unit 157 counts and analyzes the responses to the questionnaire from the user, and provides the result on a dedicated Web page of the store or the manufacturer of the request source (step S1467). If there is an instruction from the dealer or the manufacturer, the counting and analysis method is also followed.

The second embodiment of the present invention has been described above.
The present invention is not limited to this. For example, FIG.
In the second, the mobile phone 110 is connected to one network 100,
The configuration in which the user terminal 120, the carrier business server 130, the maker terminal 140, the server 150, and the like are connected is shown, but they are connected through various communication lines such as a dedicated line, a public line network, and the Internet. In some cases. The configuration in which the server 150 and the store system 170 are also connected via the public line network 160 has been described.

Further, the server 150 and the store system 17
0 is composed of one or more computers. Further, the method of dividing the functional blocks in the server 150 and the store system 170 is provided for convenience of explanation.
It is also possible to split the actual program module in another way. Regarding the database as well, the manner of holding the information is arbitrary and does not have to be divided as shown in FIG. 16, FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG.
The screen examples shown in FIG. 21, FIG. 22, and FIG. 30 are examples, and may have other configurations with similar contents. The screen flows in FIGS. 19 to 21 are also examples, and a configuration in which a product or service is selected in another flow may be used.

As described above, the maker is not limited to the manufacturer but may be a store. The retailer can promptly register the electronic coupon information at different times / hours when the number of customers is small, so as to prompt the customer to visit.

The above-described electronic coupon system can be realized by a combination of a program for implementing the above functions and a computer. In this case, the program is, for example, a floppy disk or a CD-ROM.
It is stored in a storage medium or storage device such as a ROM, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, and a hard disk. The program may be transmitted via a network. The data being processed is temporarily stored in the memory of the computer.

[0173]

According to the present invention, an electronic coupon system which is easy to use and safe can be provided.

Further, it is possible to provide an electronic coupon system for effectively utilizing information collected with the use of the electronic coupon.

Further, it is possible to provide a technique for making a discount amount associated with the use of an electronic coupon when purchasing a specific product or service available for discounting other products or services.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electronic coupon according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
It is a system outline figure of a system.

FIG. 2 is an electronic coupon according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
It is a flowchart which shows the processing flow of a system.

FIG. 3 is an electronic coupon according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
It is a figure showing a user registration screen in a system.

FIG. 4 is an electronic coupon according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
It is a figure showing a search screen in a system.

FIG. 5 is an electronic coupon according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure showing a search screen in a system.

FIG. 6 is an electronic coupon according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
It is a flowchart which shows the processing flow of a system.

FIG. 7 is an electronic coupon according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure showing a display screen of a mobile phone of a system.

FIG. 8 is an electronic coupon according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
It is a figure showing a display screen of a mobile phone of a system.

FIG. 9 is an electronic coupon according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
It is a flowchart which shows the processing flow of a system.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of the electronic coupon system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of the electronic coupon system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a system schematic diagram of an electronic coupon system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a business flow according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a processing flow of member registration in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a flow of electronic coupon information registration processing in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic coupon information registration screen according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a flow from electronic coupon search to generation in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a main menu screen at the time of an electronic coupon search according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a screen flow (part 1) at the time of searching for an electronic coupon in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a screen flow (No. 2) when searching for an electronic coupon in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a screen flow (part 3) at the time of searching for an electronic coupon in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of barcode information display on the display device of the mobile phone according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a flow of a barcode information generation process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a data storage example of a barcode information DB according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a flow of processing of reading barcode information and transmitting a sales slip in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a receipt according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a flow of processing for transmitting sales slip information in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a flow of a discount process in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a flow of usage information analysis, information collection, and billing / payment processing in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a display example of usage specification information according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 server 2 database 3 user terminal 4
Manufacturer's terminal 5 User's mobile phone 6 Barcode system of retailer 7 Barcode scanner 10 Communication network 100 Network 110 Mobile phone 12
0 User terminal 130 Telecommunications carrier business server 140 Maker terminal 159 Server 160 Public line network 170 Reseller system 172 Barcode scanner

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04Q 7/38 H04B 7/26 109M (72) Inventor Daikaichi Yamato 1-88 Ushitora 1-chome Ushitora, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka No. Within Hitachi Maxell Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Chika Suzuki 1-88 Ushitora, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka F-term within Hitachi Maxell Co., Ltd. 5B072 BB00 CC01 CC24 5K067 AA34 BB04 BB21 DD51 EE02 EE10 EE16 FF02 FF23

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A method for providing an electronic coupon to a user having a mobile communication device with a display device, wherein the bar code is based on at least predefined electronic coupon data in response to a request from the user. A preparing step of preparing data; and the barcode prepared in the preparing step
A transmitting step of transmitting data to the mobile communication device; and an electronic coupon providing method. 2. A bar code scanner in a store for reading bar code data transmitted to a user's mobile communication device in the transmitting step and displayed on a display device of the mobile communication device; Transmitting the read barcode data to a center server that processes the read barcode data. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving bar code data from a store computer, wherein the bar code data is transmitted to a user's mobile communication device in the transmitting step and a display device of the mobile communication device. 2. The electronic coupon providing method according to claim 1, wherein the electronic coupon is read by a bar code scanner installed in the store. Verifying the bar code data received in the receiving step; and if the verification is successful, subtracting a total discount for a purchase corresponding to the bar code data. The electronic coupon providing method according to claim 3, further comprising: determining. 5. The electronic coupon according to claim 3, further comprising a step of requesting a person who provides the electronic coupon target product or service at least a total of at least a discount amount calculated using the barcode data. Delivery method.