JP2006285550A - Information provision system - Google Patents

Abstract

Information is provided to a consumer who has purchased a product.
A register 200 reads barcode information represented by a barcode 500 printed on a product purchased by a consumer, and transmits the barcode information to a host computer 100 via the Internet 600. The host computer 100 retrieves access information corresponding to the barcode information from the access information DB 111 and transmits it to the register 200. The register 200 records this access information on the IC tag 400 attached to the product. When the user terminal 300 accesses the host computer 100 via the Internet 600 based on the access information read from the IC tag 400, the host computer 100 searches the provision information corresponding to the access information from the provision information DB 112, and the user Provide to the terminal 300.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information providing system, and more particularly to an information providing system that provides information to a product purchaser.

  In recent years, personal computers (personal computers) that can reproduce and enjoy digital data such as music, video, and software, and information terminals such as mobile phones are rapidly spreading. Digital data such as music and video and software can be used by a consumer by downloading it to an information terminal such as a personal computer or a mobile phone owned by the consumer.

  Conventionally, for such digital data such as music, video, and software, a consumer purchases a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) -ROM packed in a package at a retail store. For example, or as an appendix for magazines, etc., or as a demo version, which was distributed free of charge at bookstores, electronics stores, station premises, etc.

On the other hand, the invention of Patent Document 1 describes a technique for selling a product attached with a label having identification information recorded by a character string or the like and facilitating application for a prize using the Internet.
JP 2002-279991 A

  However, in the background art, digital data is written on a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or the like and provided to the consumer. There was a problem that it was expensive.

  In addition, once a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM with digital data written therein is packed in a package, if the contents of the digital data are inconvenient (for example, sales are prohibited or problems occur), the contents cannot be changed. Since this is possible, there has been a problem that labor and cost such as collecting and exchanging the package are required.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and makes it possible to provide useful information to a consumer who has purchased a product using an IC tag attached to the product. .

The information providing system according to claim 1 is installed in a predetermined store, a register that records predetermined access information on a non-contact information recording medium that is attached to a product purchased by a user, and is attached to the product An information providing system comprising a terminal that requests a host computer connected to a network to provide information based on access information recorded on a non-contact information recording medium, and a host computer that provides information to the terminal via the network The register includes writing means for writing access information for accessing a host computer that provides information to a contactless information recording medium attached to the product, and the terminal writes to the contactless information recording medium. Reading means for reading the read access information, and based on the access information read by the reading means, A request means for requesting a host computer via a network, a receiving means for receiving information provided from the host computer via the network, and an output means for outputting the information received by the receiving means. The computer comprises storage means for storing information to be provided to the terminal, and providing means for reading the information from the storage means in response to a request from the terminal and providing the read information to the terminal via the network. To do.
The information providing system according to claim 2 is a register that is installed in a predetermined store and releases protection for predetermined access information recorded on a non-contact information recording medium attached to a product purchased by a user; From a terminal that requests the host computer connected to the network to provide information based on the access information recorded on the contactless information recording medium attached to the product, and a host computer that provides information to the terminal via the network The register is provided with release means for canceling protection for access information recorded in a non-contact type information recording medium attached to the product and for accessing the host computer that provides the information. The terminal stores the access information that has been unprotected by the register in a contactless information storage. Reading means for reading from the medium, request means for requesting the host computer to provide information via the network based on the access information read by the reading means, and receiving the information provided from the host computer via the network The host computer includes a receiving means and an output means for outputting the information received by the receiving means, and the host computer reads the information from the storage means in response to a request from the terminal and the storage means for storing the information, and the read information Providing means for providing to a terminal via a network.
Further, the terminal can be a portable terminal owned by the user.
Further, the terminal is an in-store terminal installed in the store, further comprising a recording means for recording information on a non-contact type information recording medium affixed to the product, and the information recorded on the non-contact type recording medium is a predetermined information It can be read by a portable terminal.

  According to the information providing system of the present invention, various information can be provided to the user by using the IC tag attached to the product purchased by the consumer. Sales promotion can be performed, and the willingness to purchase the product can be increased.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of an information providing system according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the present embodiment is composed of a host computer 100, a register 200, and a user terminal 300, which are respectively connected via the Internet 600 so that various data can be transmitted and received. It has become.

  The host computer 100 includes a storage device 110, a control unit (not shown) that controls each unit, a communication control unit (not shown) that controls communication via the Internet 600, an input unit that inputs various data and commands, and a display that displays various data. It consists of parts.

  Further, the host computer 100 receives the barcode information transmitted from the register 200 via the Internet 600, and provides the access information corresponding to the barcode information to the register 200. Furthermore, the host computer 100 is also configured to provide the user terminal 300 with predetermined provision information (information provided to the user) corresponding to the access information transmitted from the user terminal 300.

  The register 200 reads the barcode information represented by the barcode 500 printed on the product, and transmits the read barcode information to the host computer 100 via the Internet 600.

  The register 200 receives access information corresponding to the barcode information transmitted to the host computer 100 from the host computer 100 via the Internet 600. The access information provided from the host computer 100 is stored in an IC chip (not shown) that constitutes the IC tag 400.

  The IC tag 400 includes a control unit that controls each unit and controls wireless communication, an IC chip (not shown) including a memory that stores various types of information, and an antenna (not shown) for wireless communication. Further, the IC tag 400 obtains necessary power through wireless communication with a reader / writer such as the register 200 that reads and writes data from and to the IC chip. Examples of methods for obtaining power include an electromagnetic induction method and a radio wave method. The IC tag 400 may be referred to as a “wireless IC tag”, “wireless tag”, “RFID (Radio Frequency ID) tag”, or “RF tag”.

  The user terminal 300 can read the access information from the IC tag 400 attached to the product, and accesses the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicated by the read access information via the Internet 600. It is possible to obtain information for sales promotion corresponding to the product.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the register 200. As shown in the figure, the register 200 includes a control unit 210 for controlling each unit, an input unit 211 for inputting various data and commands, a display unit 212 for displaying various data, and a memory for storing various data. Unit 213, barcode reading unit 214 for reading barcode information represented by a barcode printed on a product, and RFID for reading and writing data to an IC chip (not shown) of IC tag (RFID tag) 400 It comprises a read / write unit 215, a communication control unit 216 that controls communication via the Internet 600, a printing unit 217 that prints and issues receipts, and the like.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the user terminal 300. As shown in the figure, the user terminal 300 stores a control unit 310 for controlling each unit, an operation unit 311 for inputting various data and commands, a display unit 312 for displaying various data, and various data. A storage unit 313, an RFID read unit 314 that reads information stored in the IC chip of the IC tag 400, a communication control unit 315 that controls communication via the Internet 600, and the like.

  FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the access information database (DB) 111 stored in the storage device 110 of the host computer 100. In the access information DB 111, barcode information printed on the product, product name, price, and information indicating the presence or absence of an RFID tag (information indicating whether or not an IC tag (RFID tag) 400 is attached to the product) ) And access information (for example, information such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) where provision information is stored) are stored in association with each other for each product.

  In this example, the barcode information “49 □□□□□ 123104”, the product name “canned coffee”, the price “150”, the presence / absence of the RFID tag “1” (“1”) indicates that the IC tag 400 is attached to the product. The access information “URL # 1” is stored in association with each other. Also, barcode information “49 □□□□□ 123204”, product name “green tea”, price “160”, presence / absence of RFID tag “0” (“0” means that the IC tag 400 is not attached to the product. Are stored in association with each other. In this case, access information is not stored. Also, barcode information “49 □□□□□ 123304”, product name “beer”, price “230”, presence / absence of RFID tag “1”, and access information “URL # 2” are stored in association with each other. .

  Next, the processing procedure of the host computer 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the bar code information transmitted from the register 200 via the Internet 600 is received via a communication control unit (not shown) by a control unit (not shown) of the host computer 100. As a result, when it is determined that the barcode information transmitted from the register 200 via the Internet 600 has not been received via the communication control unit, the process of step S1 is repeatedly executed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the barcode information transmitted from the register 200 via the Internet 600 is received via the communication control unit, the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, the control unit searches the access information DB 111 for access information corresponding to the barcode information transmitted from the register 200 via the Internet 600. Then, access information corresponding to the barcode information is acquired from the access information DB 111 as a search result.

  For example, when the barcode information is “49 □□□□□ 123104”, the product name “canned coffee”, the price “150”, and the presence / absence of the RFID tag “1” from the access information DB 111 shown in FIG. Access information “URL # 1” is obtained as a search result.

  Next, in step S <b> 3, a control unit (not shown) of the host computer 100 controls a communication control unit (not shown) and transmits the access information just acquired to the register 200 via the Internet 600.

  Next, in step S4, a control unit (not shown) of the host computer 100 determines whether or not the user terminal 300 has accessed the URL represented by the access information.

  As a result, when it is determined that there is no access to the URL represented by the access information by the user terminal 300, the process of step S4 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is an access to the URL represented by the access information by the user terminal 300, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, the control unit controls the communication control unit to transmit the provision information stored in the URL accessed by the user terminal 300 to the user terminal via the Internet 600. This provision information corresponds to the barcode information transmitted from the register 200.

  Next, the processing procedure of the register 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S <b> 11, the barcode reading unit 214 reads barcode information represented by the barcode printed on the product under the control of the control unit 210 and supplies the barcode information to the control unit 210. The control unit 210 reads data indicating the price of the product corresponding to the barcode information from the storage unit 213 and supplies the data to the display unit 212. As a result, the price of the commodity whose barcode is read is displayed on the display unit 212.

  Next, in step S12, the control unit 210 controls the communication control unit 216, and transmits the barcode information supplied from the barcode reading unit 214 in step S1 to the host computer 100 via the Internet 600.

  Next, in step S <b> 13, the control unit 210 receives access information transmitted from the host computer 100 via the Internet 600. This access information is, for example, a URL or the like in which provision information related to the purchased product is stored.

  In step S14, the control unit 210 supplies access information transmitted from the host computer 100 via the Internet 600 to the RFID read / write unit 215, and the access information is attached to the product. To write to an IC chip (not shown) of the IC tag 400.

  Upon receiving this command, the RFID read / write unit 215 transmits the access information supplied from the control unit 210 to the IC tag 400. The IC chip (not shown) constituting the IC tag 400 receives the access information transmitted from the RFID read / write unit 215 via the antenna (not shown) constituting the IC tag, and the received access information constitutes the IC chip (not shown). Store in memory.

  Next, in step S <b> 15, the control unit 210 calculates the total price of each product price based on the product barcode information read by the barcode reading unit 214.

  Next, in step S16, it is determined whether or not the processing in steps S11 to S15 has been completed for all products purchased by the user. As a result, when it is determined that the processing has not been completed for all the products, the process returns to step S11, and the processes after step S11 are repeatedly executed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the processing has been completed for all products, the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, the control unit 210 adjusts the input of the amount paid by the user (the amount of deposit) and the calculation of the remaining amount (the amount of change) obtained by subtracting the total amount of the product from the amount. Processing is performed. At that time, the control unit 210 supplies the display unit 212 with data indicating the amount of the deposit and the amount of change as required, and displays the data.

  Next, in step S18, the control unit 210 supplies the printing unit 217 with data such as store name, date, time, product name, price, quantity, total amount, deposit amount, and change amount of each product. And issue a receipt printed with these data. Data indicating the store name is stored in advance in the storage unit 213, and the control unit 210 supplies data indicating the store name read from the storage unit 213 to the printing unit 217. The date and time are calculated from calendar information output from a calendar circuit (not shown) and supplied to the printing unit 217. The product name and price of each product are stored in advance in the storage unit 213 in association with the barcode information, and the control unit 210 determines the product name and price corresponding to the barcode information represented by the barcode of the product. The data is read from the storage unit 213 and supplied to the printing unit 217.

  Upon receiving the command from the control unit 210, the printing unit 217 stores data such as store name, date, time, product name, price, number, total amount, deposit amount, and change amount for each product on a predetermined sheet. Print and issue a receipt.

  Next, in step S <b> 19, it is determined whether or not the control unit 210 has instructed the end of the process by turning off the power of the register 200 or the like. As a result, when it is determined that the end of the process is not instructed, the process returns to step S11, and the processes after step S11 are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the end of the process has been instructed, the present process ends.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of another embodiment of the information providing system of the present invention. In this embodiment, a password DB 113 and a provision information DB 112 are constructed in the storage device 110 of the host computer 100. The personal identification number DB 113 includes each barcode information and data indicating a personal identification number corresponding to each barcode information. The provided information DB 112 includes each barcode information and information to be provided to the user corresponding to each barcode information.

  The register 200 reads bar code information represented by a bar code attached to the product, and transmits the read bar code information to the host computer 100 via the Internet 600.

  When the host computer 100 receives the barcode information transmitted from the register 200 via the Internet 600, the host computer 100 searches the personal identification number DB 113 for the personal identification number corresponding to the barcode information, and uses the personal identification number obtained as a search result. The data is transmitted to the register 200 via the Internet 600.

  The register 200 transmits this dark place number to the IC tag 400 attached to the product. When the IC tag 400 receives the password transmitted from the register 200, the IC tag 400 releases the protection for the access information stored in the memory of the IC chip (not shown) based on the password.

  Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the IC tag 400 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S <b> 21, it is determined whether or not a password has been transmitted from the register 200 by the IC chip of the IC tag 400.

  As a result, when it is determined that the password has not been transmitted from the register 200, the process of step S21 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the password has been transmitted from the register 200, the process proceeds to step S22.

  In step S22, the personal identification number transmitted from the register 200 by the IC chip is compared with the personal identification number previously stored in the memory in the IC chip, and whether or not they match, that is, from the register 200. It is determined whether or not the transmitted password is correct.

  As a result, when it is determined that the personal identification number transmitted from the register 200 is not correct, the process returns to step S21, and the processes after step S21 are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the password transmitted from the register 200 is correct, the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S23, the IC chip cancels the protection set in advance for the access information so that the access information stored in the memory in advance cannot be transmitted. Next, in step S24, it is determined whether or not there is a request for reading access information from the user terminal 300.

  As a result, when it is determined that there is no access information read request from the user terminal 300, the process of step S24 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a request for reading access information from the user terminal 300, the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S25, the IC chip of the IC tag 400 transmits the access information stored in advance to the user terminal 300 via the antenna. Then, it returns to step S24 and the process after step S24 is repeatedly performed.

  As described above, when the correct personal identification number is supplied from the register 200, the IC tag 400 can cancel the protection for the stored access information and transmit the access information.

  The user reads the access information stored in the IC tag 400 whose protection has been canceled using the user terminal 300, and obtains the provision information stored in the host computer 100 based on the access information.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of still another embodiment of the information providing system of the present invention. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the in-store terminal 700 reads the access information from the IC tag 400 and acquires the provision information from the host computer 100 based on this access information.

  The in-store terminal 700 writes the provided information acquired from the host computer 100 to the IC chip of the IC tag 400. The user reads provided information stored in the IC tag 400 using the mobile phone 800 having a function of reading data stored in the IC tag 400 and stores it in a memory (not shown) of the mobile phone 800.

  When the provided information stored in the memory of the mobile phone 800 is video / audio data, the user reproduces the data, displays video on the display unit 810, and outputs audio from a speaker (not shown) for viewing. . If the provided information consists only of video data, the video data is displayed on the display unit 810. When the provided information consists only of audio data, the audio data is output from the speaker. In this way, the user can enjoy the provided information.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the access information DB 111 is constructed in the storage device 110 of the host computer 100, but may be constructed in the storage unit 213 of the register 200. In that case, the register 200 reads the access information corresponding to the barcode information represented by the barcode printed on the product from the access information DB 111 of the storage unit 213 and records it in the IC tag 400 of the product.

  In each embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the personal identification number DB 113 may be constructed in the storage unit 213 of the register 200. In that case, the register 200 reads out the password corresponding to the barcode information represented by the barcode printed on the product from the password DB 113 and is recorded in advance on the IC tag 400 of the product using the password. Remove protection for access information.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the user terminal 300 can be a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone held by the user. However, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. The terminal 700 is installed, and the store terminal 700 accesses the host computer 100 via the Internet 600 based on the access information read from the product IC tag 400, acquires the provided information, and uses the provided information as the product IC tag 400. Can also be recorded. In that case, the user can download and use the provided information recorded on the IC tag 400 of the product using the mobile terminal.

  Further, the configuration and operation of the above-described embodiment are examples, and it goes without saying that they can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  As an application example of the present invention, for example, the present invention can be applied not only when providing information for sales promotion of a specific product but also when providing various information to a user.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of one Embodiment of the information provision system of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a register | resistor. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a user terminal. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an access information database (DB). It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence of a host computer. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence of a register. It is a figure which shows the structural example of other embodiment of the information provision system of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence of an IC tag. It is a figure which shows the structural example of other embodiment of the information provision system of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 Host computer 110 Storage device 111 Access information DB
112 Provided information DB
113 PIN number DB
200 Register 210, 310 Control unit 211 Input unit 212, 312, 810 Display unit 213, 313 Storage unit 214 Bar code reading unit 215, 314 RFID read / write unit 216, 315 Communication control unit 217 Printing unit 300 User terminal 311 Operation unit
400 IC tag 500 Bar code 600 Internet 700 In-store terminal 800 Mobile phone

Claims (4)

A register that is installed at a predetermined store and records predetermined access information on a non-contact type information recording medium attached to a product purchased by a user, and is recorded on the non-contact type information recording medium attached to the product. An information providing system comprising: a terminal that requests a host computer connected to a network based on the access information to provide information; and the host computer that provides the information to the terminal via the network,
The register is
Writing means for writing the access information for accessing the host computer that provides the information to the contactless information recording medium attached to the product;
The terminal
Reading means for reading the access information written on the non-contact type information recording medium;
Requesting means for requesting the host computer to provide the information via the network based on the access information read by the reading means;
Receiving means for receiving the information provided from the host computer via the network;
Output means for outputting the information received by the receiving means,
The host computer
Storage means for storing the information to be provided to the terminal;
An information providing system comprising: providing means for reading the information from the storage means in response to a request from the terminal and providing the read information to the terminal via the network. A register that is installed at a predetermined store and releases protection against predetermined access information recorded on a non-contact type information recording medium attached to a product purchased by a user, and the non-contact type information attached to the product An information providing system comprising: a terminal that requests provision of information to a host computer connected to a network based on the access information recorded on a recording medium; and the host computer that provides the information to the terminal via the network Because
The register is
Release means for releasing protection of the access information recorded in the non-contact type information recording medium attached to the product for accessing the host computer that provides the information;
The terminal
Reading means for reading the access information, which has been unprotected by the register, from the non-contact information recording medium;
Requesting means for requesting the host computer to provide the information via the network based on the access information read by the reading means;
Receiving means for receiving the information provided from the host computer via the network;
Output means for outputting the information received by the receiving means,
The host computer
Storage means for storing the information;
An information providing system comprising: providing means for reading the information from the storage means in response to a request from the terminal and providing the read information to the terminal via the network. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal is a portable terminal held by a user. The terminal is an in-store terminal installed in the store, further comprising a recording means for recording the information on the non-contact information recording medium affixed to the product;
The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the information recorded on the non-contact type recording medium is read by a predetermined portable terminal.

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