JP2008197768A - Non-contact memory built-in device and its sales management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to check information written in a non-contact memory built in a product.
When a product is purchased, warranty information is written in a contactless manner in a wireless IC tag 24 built in an electronic device 20 as a product at a store. The customer (user) can confirm information related to the warranty period and the like by displaying the warranty information written in the wireless IC tag 24 on the display unit 21 of the electronic device 20. The number of days remaining may indicate that the warranty period will expire. In addition, a warning may be issued when the expiration date of the warranty period approaches.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a device incorporating a non-contact memory and a sales management system thereof.

  Various management systems using a small non-contact memory called a wireless IC tag have been proposed. A wireless IC tag can be read and written by radio waves by holding a tag reader / writer, and is non-contact type, so it has wider usage than conventional barcodes. As an example, Patent Document 1 describes that a conventional paper-based warranty is abolished by writing warranty information (including a warranty period) to a wireless IC tag attached to a product with a reader / writer.

JP 2005-310047 A

  However, even if a wireless IC tag is attached to a product, the user of the product cannot know the information recorded there. For example, the warranty information described above can be confirmed at a store or manufacturer when receiving a warranty, but there is no way for a general user who does not own a reader / writer to check the warranty period.

A non-contact memory built-in device according to the present invention includes a non-contact memory capable of writing information without contact from the outside, a display device, and a control device that reads the information written in the non-contact memory and displays the information on the display device. Is provided.
The information written in the contactless memory is, for example, warranty information including the warranty period of the device. The remaining number of days until the warranty period expires may be displayed on the display device. When the remaining number of days until the guarantee period expires is less than a predetermined number of days, a warning may be displayed on the display device.
Warranty information includes information related to the date of purchase of the device, calculates the usage period of the device from the purchase date and clock information stored in the device, and displays maintenance information corresponding to the usage period on the display device. It may be. The maintenance information may be information obtained through communication with a manufacturer.
In the non-contact memory, product information for specifying the device is written in a non-rewritable state in advance in the manufacturing stage of the device, and the warranty information is written in a different area from the product information. Also good.
The device may be set based on information read from the non-contact memory.
The information written in the non-contact memory may include customer information for purchasing the device.
A detection device that detects whether or not a device with built-in non-contact memory is properly used, and a setting device that sets the validity of information written in the non-contact memory according to the detection result of the detection device. And a setting device.
The sales management system according to the present invention is provided in a sales department that sells non-contact memory built-in devices, and a writing device that writes information in a non-contact memory in a non-contact manner and sales obtained when the non-contact memory built-in devices are sold. And a control device for controlling the writing device to write information to the contactless memory.
A customer information reading device that reads customer information of a customer who has purchased a non-contact memory built-in device may be further provided, and the customer information may be written in the non-contact memory.
A device information reading device that reads the device information of the non-contact memory built-in device recorded in the non-contact memory in a non-contact manner is further provided, and device information reading devices for a plurality of non-contact memory built-in devices sold simultaneously are provided. And a plurality of pieces of device information may be written in a non-contact memory of a predetermined non-contact memory built-in device.
Warranty information including the warranty period of the non-contact memory built-in device may be written in the non-contact memory.
The sales information may include sales date information for selling the non-contact memory built-in device.
Another sales management system according to the present invention is provided in a sales department that sells non-contact memory built-in devices, reads information from the non-contact memory in a non-contact manner, and writes information in the non-contact memory in a non-contact manner. Read the product information of the non-contact memory built-in device pre-written in the non-contact memory, store the information in the database as sold product information, and store the warranty information including the warranty period of the non-contact memory built-in device. And a control device for controlling the reader / writer to write to the contact memory.

  According to the present invention, the user can refer to information described in the non-contact memory built in the device.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a sales management system according to the present embodiment, and this system is an extension of a POS (Point Of Sales) system in a store 10 for electrical and electronic equipment. In the following description, an electric / electronic device is simply referred to as an electronic device, but may be referred to as a “product” in a description mainly of a manufacturer and a “product” in a description mainly of a store.

  The system of FIG. 1 includes a management server 11 provided in a store 10, a POS terminal 12 provided in the store 10, a tag reader / writer (hereinafter referred to as R / W) 13 connected to the POS terminal 12, a product As an electronic device 20, a management server 31 provided in each manufacturer 30 of the electronic device 20, and a computer 40 owned by the user of the device 20. The management server 11 may be provided in a management department that supervises a plurality of stores 10.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the electronic device 20. The electronic device 20 may be anything as long as it has the display unit 21, and there are a wide variety of applicable devices such as an electronic camera, a mobile phone, a television, and a personal computer. In addition to the display unit 21, these electronic devices 20 are provided with a CPU 22, a device operation unit 23 (a circuit for realizing the original operation of the device) and a wireless IC tag 24.

  The wireless IC tag 24 includes a non-volatile memory unit 24a made of an IC chip and an antenna unit 24b for transmitting and receiving information. The information written in the memory unit 24a is transmitted by radio waves from the antenna unit 24b, Information received from the unit 24b can be stored in the memory unit 24a. Reading and writing of information with respect to the wireless IC tag 24 is performed in a non-contact manner using the R / W 13. Among the wireless IC tags 24, what is called a passive type can operate by causing electromagnetic induction with radio waves transmitted from the antenna unit 13 a of the R / W 13, and thus has no built-in battery. In this system, it is desirable to use this passive type wireless IC tag 24.

  In the memory part 24a of the wireless IC tag 24, device-specific product information such as the manufacturer name, product name, product code, and serial number of the electronic device 20 is written at the manufacturing stage. Although such product information is not rewritable, the memory unit 24a has a storage area in which information can be written after product shipment. In the present embodiment, product warranty information and the like are written in this writable area.

  The R / W 13 includes an antenna unit 13a for transmitting and receiving information, and also includes a circuit unit that performs encoding / decoding of communication contents, a display unit, a control unit (all not shown), and the like. In particular, the R / W 13 of the present embodiment can read customer information (for example, barcode information) from the customer's membership card in addition to reading / writing information from / to the wireless IC tag 24.

  The management server 11 has a customer database, a product database, a manufacturer database, and the like, and can communicate with the management server 31 of the manufacturer 30 and the user computer 40 via the communication line network 50.

FIG. 3 shows a processing procedure of accounting software (program) incorporated in the POS terminal 12.
When a customer who visits the sales store 10 purchases the electronic device 20, the store clerk inputs his / her employee code at the POS terminal 12 and starts an accounting operation. As a result, the program shown in FIG. 3 is started, and the acquisition of customer information is first prompted. When the store clerk holds the R / W 13 over a predetermined portion of the membership card brought by the customer, the customer information is read.

  Next, when the R / W 13 is held over the purchased electronic device 20, the product information is read from the wireless IC tag 24 built in the electronic device 20. Based on this product information, the program searches the product database of the management server 11 for information related to the warranty period of the product and creates warranty information. The warranty information includes information regarding the sales date, the store name, and the warranty period. The sale date is obtained from a clock built in the POS terminal 12, and information stored in advance is used as the store name. The warranty period may be simple period information such as “1 year”, or may be period information calculated using the sales date as the starting date, such as “up to ** year ** month ** day”. The created guarantee information is written in the information recordable area of the memory unit 24a of the wireless IC tag 24 together with the customer information.

  It is desirable to take measures to prohibit rewriting (for example, set a rewrite prohibition flag) so that the written guarantee information cannot be tampered later.

  Here, a location suitable for reading and writing information (determined by the position of the wireless IC tag 24 in the electronic device and the packaging method) is clearly specified in the cosmetic box of the electronic device 20, and the R / W 13 is set there. By simply holding it over, the reading of the product information and the writing of warranty information and customer information are instantaneously performed. The read product information and the created warranty information are sent to the management server 11 via the POS terminal 12 as purchased product information and stored in the database.

Next, the program asks whether or not to perform user registration.
A person who purchased the electronic device 20 has a privilege such as obtaining various information from the manufacturer 30 by performing user registration of the product with the manufacturer 30 of the device. Conventionally, after a user purchases a product, the user fills in a predetermined item on a postcard bundled with the product and sends it, or uses his / her computer 40 to access the website of the manufacturer 30 and input necessary items to register the user. Is going. However, since both methods are time-consuming, many people do not register as a user.

  In the present embodiment, user registration can be easily completed at the store 10 at the time of product purchase. The sales clerk verbally asks the customer (user) whether or not to register the user, and answers “YES” to the question of the program only when the customer wishes to register. In this case, the program creates user registration information by combining the product information read from the wireless IC tag 24 and the customer information read from the membership card, and identifies the manufacturer 30 from the read product information, and automatically The user registration information is transmitted to the manufacturer 30 together with the guarantee information. When the management server 31 of the manufacturer 30 receives the user registration information sent from the store 10, the information is registered in the user registration database, and the user registration is completed. According to this method, the user does not need to perform any processing, and the store clerk can perform user registration with minimal operations.

  On the other hand, if the customer does not wish to register as a user, the user answers “NO” to the above question. In this case, product information and warranty information are transmitted to the manufacturer 30, and customer information is not transmitted. However, since the manufacturer 30 can obtain product information and warranty information from the store 10 regardless of whether or not the user is registered, the manufacturer 30 can grasp when any product is sold and can be used for future sales prediction. As well as the expiration date of the warranty period for each product.

  A user who has purchased the electronic device 20 can refer to the guarantee information written in the wireless IC tag 24 on the electronic device 20. For example, if the electronic device 20 is an electronic camera, the warranty information may be displayed on a liquid crystal monitor for image display.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a procedure for displaying guarantee information. For example, when a specific button of the electronic device 20 is operated or “reference warranty” is specified in the menu setting, the CPU 22 reads the warranty information from the memory unit 24 a of the wireless IC tag 24. As described above, the warranty information includes the store name, the sales date (date and time), and the warranty period. The CPU 22 grasps the expiration date of the warranty period from these information, and also obtains information on the clock built in the electronic device 20. By taking this into account, calculate how many days the warranty period will expire. Then, such information, that is, the store name, the purchase date, the warranty period, the warranty period expiration date, and the remaining days until the expiration date are displayed on the display unit 21. If the warranty period has expired, a message such as “The warranty period has expired” is displayed.

  By storing the warranty information in the electronic device 20 in this manner, it is not necessary to store a conventional paper-based warranty card, and it is not possible to perform free repair due to loss of the warranty card. In addition, since the user can check the warranty information by displaying it at any time, it is possible to easily check whether the warranty is within the warranty period when the repair is necessary.

  A warning may be issued when the remaining number of days until the expiration date of the warranty period decreases. For example, the number of days remaining can be calculated each time the electronic device 20 is turned on, and a warning can be displayed or a voice warning can be given when the number of days is below a predetermined number of days.

  Here, as described above, the warranty information is also transmitted from the dealer 10 to the manufacturer 30, and therefore, at the service center of each manufacturer 30, the warranty information read from the wireless IC tag 24 of the product brought in by the customer, It is desirable to collate with the warranty information (sent from the store 10) of the same product stored in the database, and to determine that the warranty period is in effect only when both match. This verification of the guarantee information can be realized by incorporating a dedicated program into the service center terminal. According to this, even if the user falsifies the warranty information of the wireless IC tag 24 by any method, the service cannot be received illegally.

  Alternatively, the manufacturer 30 may set the starting date of the warranty period. For example, at the time of product purchase, the management server 11 of the store 10 informs the management server 31 of the manufacturer 30 that the product has been purchased, and the manufacturer 31 that has received it recognizes that date as the start date of the warranty period. The date may be written in the wireless IC tag 24 of the electronic device 20 as a sales date.

  In many cases, free repairs within the warranty period are subject to conditions. Conditions include, for example, “not disassembling the device”, “not using nonstandard batteries”, and the like. Therefore, when disassembly of the device or use of nonstandard battery is detected, and any of them is detected, it is determined that the device is not being used properly, and repair is charged even during the warranty period. You may do it.

  When the warranty information is written in the wireless IC tag 24 at the store 10, information related to the setting of the electronic device 20 may be written at the same time. For example, in a device capable of setting a language, the accounting program automatically determines the nationality of the customer based on the customer information read from the membership card and writes the language used in that country. Alternatively, the language may be a selectable program, and the store clerk may select and write the language desired by the customer. When the electronic device 20 is powered on later, the CPU 22 of the electronic device 20 reads the language written on the wireless IC tag 24 and automatically sets the language.

  Further, when the electronic device 20 is used for the first time, the CPU 22 may read the sales date / time (purchase date / time) included in the warranty information and set the internal clock to that date / time. Although the user starts using the electronic device 20 later than the purchase date and time, if the initial setting of the clock is the purchase date and time, the user only needs to make a minimum time correction.

  When a plurality of devices are purchased at once, the warranty information for all purchased devices may be written in the wireless IC tag 24 of one electronic device. As an example, when a single-lens reflex electronic camera, an interchangeable lens, and an external flash device are purchased at the same time, the warranty information of the three types of devices may be collectively written into the wireless IC tag 24 of the single-lens reflex electronic camera. That is, since the interchangeable lens and the flash device do not have a display unit that can display the warranty information, the interchangeable lens and the flash device are stored in the camera instead, and the warranty period of these devices is confirmed by the camera.

  Furthermore, the electronic device 20 can display an appropriate service message on the display unit based on the purchase date written in the wireless IC tag 24. For example, when the number of days elapsed from the purchase date reaches a predetermined number of days, information on maintenance (for example, information on necessity of overhaul and replacement of parts) may be displayed. If the electronic device 20 has a communication function, the CPU 22 automatically accesses the management server 31 of the manufacturer 30 to obtain and display maintenance information when the number of days elapsed from the purchase date reaches a predetermined number of days. Is also possible.

  Although not related to the purchase date, the electronic device 20 can detect its own state and exchange information with the manufacturer 30 by using the communication function. For example, when an error occurs in the electronic device 20, it is conceivable that the CPU 22 automatically sends the error code to the manufacturer 30 and obtains and displays an appropriate coping method from the manufacturer 30. For example, when the electronic device 20 is an electronic camera, the CPU 22 manages the number of releases, so the release number is periodically sent from the electronic camera to the manufacturer 30, and maintenance information is obtained from the manufacturer 30 and displayed. May be. Furthermore, the electronic device 20 can obtain the latest firmware from the manufacturer and automatically update it.

The block diagram of the sales management system in one Embodiment. The block diagram of the electronic device as goods. The flowchart which shows the process sequence example of the accounting program in merchandise sales. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for displaying information on a wireless IC tag in an electronic device.

Explanation of symbols

10 Dealer 11 Management Server 12 POS Terminal 13 Tag Reader / Writer (R / W)
20 Electronic equipment 22 CPU
24 Wireless IC tag 30 Manufacturer 40 User computer 50 Communication network

Claims (16)

  Non-contact memory capable of non-contact writing of information from the outside, a display device, and a control device that reads information displayed in the non-contact memory and displays the information on the display device Device with built-in memory.   2. The non-contact memory built-in device according to claim 1, wherein the information written in the non-contact memory is warranty information including a warranty period of the device.   The non-contact memory built-in device according to claim 2, wherein the control device displays a remaining number of days until the guarantee period expires on the display device.   4. The non-contact memory built-in device according to claim 2, wherein the control device displays a warning on the display device when a remaining number of days until the guarantee period expires is less than a predetermined number of days.   The warranty information includes information related to the date of purchase of the device, calculates a usage period of the device from the purchase date and timekeeping information of the built-in clock, and displays maintenance information corresponding to the usage period on the display device. The non-contact memory built-in device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The built-in non-contact memory according to claim 5, further comprising a communication device for communicating with a manufacturer of the device, wherein the maintenance information to be displayed is information obtained by communication with the manufacturer. machine.   In the non-contact memory, product information for specifying the device is written in a non-rewritable state in advance in the manufacturing stage of the device, and the warranty information is written in a different area from the product information. The non-contact memory built-in device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   2. The non-contact memory built-in device according to claim 1, wherein the device is set based on information read from the non-contact memory.   The device with a built-in non-contact memory according to claim 1, wherein the information written in the non-contact memory includes customer information for purchasing the device. A detection device for detecting whether or not the non-contact memory built-in device is properly used;
2. The non-contact memory built-in device according to claim 1, further comprising a setting device that sets the validity of the information written in the non-contact memory according to a detection result of the detection device. Established in the sales department that sells non-contact memory built-in devices,
A writing device for writing information in the contactless memory in a contactless manner;
A control device for controlling the writing device to write sales information obtained when selling the non-contact memory built-in device to the non-contact memory;
A sales management system comprising: Further comprising a customer information reading device for reading customer information of a customer who has purchased the non-contact memory built-in device,
The sales management system according to claim 11, wherein the control device controls the writing device to write the customer information in the contactless memory. A device information reading device that reads the device information of the non-contact memory built-in device recorded in the non-contact memory in a non-contact manner;
The control device reads the device information of the plurality of non-contact memory built-in devices sold simultaneously through the device information reading device, and reads the plurality of device information of the predetermined non-contact memory built-in device. 12. The sales management system according to claim 11, wherein the writing device is controlled to write to a memory.   12. The sales management system according to claim 11, wherein the control device controls the writing device to write guarantee information including a guarantee period of the non-contact memory built-in device to the non-contact memory.   12. The sales management system according to claim 11, wherein the sales information includes sales date information for selling the non-contact memory built-in device.   A reader / writer that is provided in a sales department that sells devices with built-in non-contact memory, reads information from the non-contact memory in a non-contact manner, and writes information in the non-contact memory in a non-contact manner, and is written in the non-contact memory in advance. The product information of the non-contact memory built-in device is read, the product information is stored in the database as sold product information, and the warranty information including the warranty period of the non-contact memory built-in device is written to the non-contact memory. A sales management system comprising a control device for controlling a reader / writer.

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