JP7504966B2 - Information providing device and information providing program - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information providing device and an information providing program for causing a computer to function as the information providing device.

In recent years, information provision systems have been developed that, for example, attach a tablet-type information terminal to a shopping cart and display recommended products, coupons, in-store maps, etc. to consumers while they are shopping.

However, in conventional systems of this type, the information presented to consumers had to be managed on a store-by-store basis. This resulted in a problem of high costs for managing the information, placing a heavy burden on the stores.

JP 2007-206832 A

The problem that the embodiments of the present invention aim to solve is to provide an information providing device and an information providing program that can present information to consumers who are shopping around without placing a burden on the store in terms of managing the information.

In one embodiment, the information providing device includes an identification means, a detection means, a determination means, an output means , and a selection means . The identification means identifies a product to be purchased by a consumer at a store. The detection means detects presented information associated with the product identified by the identification means. The determination means determines whether the presented information detected by the detection means is information related to the store. The output means outputs data indicating the absence of information to an information terminal carried by the consumer when the presented information detected by the detection means is not information related to the store . When there is a plurality of pieces of presented information determined by the determination means to be information related to the store, the selection means selects one piece of presented information according to a determination requirement set for each piece of presented information.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an information providing system including an information providing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of a data record stored in the presentation information database. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a data structure of a data record stored in a provider database. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of a data record stored in a store database. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of a data record stored in a search word database. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of an information providing server. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of an information terminal. 4 is a flowchart showing main steps of information processing executed by a processor of the information terminal according to a control program. 4 is a flowchart showing main steps of information processing executed by a processor of the information providing server according to an information providing program. 4 is a flowchart showing main steps of information processing executed by a processor of the information providing server according to an information providing program.

Below, we will use drawings to explain an embodiment of an information providing device that can present information to consumers who are shopping around without placing a burden on the store in terms of managing the information.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an information provision system 10 including an information provision device as one embodiment. The information provision system 10 is composed of a store system 20 constructed in each store and an information provision server 30 shared by each store system 20. The information provision server 30 is a computer managed by a business entity that operates an information provision service, and functions as an information provision device. A store system 20 is constructed for each affiliated store that uses the information provision service from the information provision server 30. The information provision server 30 and each store system 20 are connected by a general-purpose network 40 such as the Internet. Note that Figure 1 shows the store system 20 of only one store. The basic configuration of the store systems of the other stores is the same, so a description of them will be omitted here.

The store system 20 includes at least a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal 21, a store server 22, a relay server 23, an access point 24, and an information terminal 25. The POS terminal 21, the store server 22, the relay server 23, and the access point 24 are each connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 26. The information terminal 25 has a wireless communication function, and is capable of wireless two-way data communication with the access point 24.

The POS terminal 21 has a registration function that registers and processes sales data of products purchased by consumers (shoppers) to calculate the price of a transaction, and a settlement function that processes the consumer's payment data for the price and settles the transaction. POS terminals 21 are of face-to-face, self-service, and semi-self-service types. In the face-to-face type, the clerk performs operations related to registration and operations related to settlement. In the self-service type, the consumer performs operations related to registration and operations related to settlement. In the semi-self-service type, the clerk performs operations related to registration and operations related to settlement. There is no particular limit to the number of POS terminals 21 installed in one store. Multiple POS terminals 21 may be connected to the LAN 26. In that case, only one type of POS terminal 21 may be connected, or two or more types of POS terminals 21 may be connected in a mixed manner.

The store server 22 is a computer that collects and analyzes information about one transaction processed by the POS terminal 21, known as transaction data, and manages the sales, inventory, etc. of the entire store. Here, the store server 22 and the POS terminal 21 constitute a POS system.

The store server 22 also includes a product database 27. The product database 27 stores data records for each product sold at the store. The data records are a collection of data such as product codes, product names, and prices. Product codes are unique codes for identifying individual products. Product codes include common product codes (source marking codes) such as the JAN (Japan Article Number) code standardized in the distribution industry, and store-specific product codes (in-store marking codes) that are set by stores. In general, common product codes are not set for fresh foods such as meat, fish, and vegetables, so store-specific product codes are used. When the store server 22 receives an inquiry about a product code from the POS terminal 21 or information terminal 25, it searches the product database 27 to find a data record that includes the product code, and responds with the data included in the data record to the POS terminal 21 or information terminal 25 that originated the inquiry.

The relay server 23 is connected to the LAN 26 and the network 40. The relay server 23 has a function of transmitting data received via the LAN 26 to the information providing server 3 via the network 40, and a function of transmitting data received via the network 40 to the information terminal 25, etc. via the LAN 26.

The access point 24 performs two-way data communication with the information terminal 25 located within the wireless communication area using a specified wireless communication method. The wireless communication area includes at least the sales floor in the store where products are displayed. If one access point 24 cannot cover the entire sales floor, it is preferable to place multiple access points 24 in a scattered manner so that the entire sales floor becomes a wireless communication area.

The information terminal 25 is, for example, a tablet-type wireless communication terminal. The information terminal 25 includes an input device for a product code and a display device for information. The user of the information terminal 25 is typically a consumer who is a shopper at the store. The information terminal 25 may be a type that is carried by the consumer, or a type that is attached to a shopping cart. When shopping around the sales floor, the consumer operates the input device to input the product code of the product to be purchased into the information terminal 25. In this way, information related to the product identified by the product code is displayed on the display device of the information terminal 25. Specifically, the product name, price, etc. that are associated with the product code and stored in the product database 27 are displayed. Presentation information provided by the information providing server 30 may also be displayed.

The information providing server 30 comprises a presented information database 31, a provider database 32, a store database 33, and a search word database 34. The presented information database 31 is for managing information presented to consumers while they are shopping around, that is, so-called presented information. The provider database 32 is for managing information related to providers who provide the presented information. The store database 33 is for managing information related to affiliated stores in which the store system 20 has been established. The search word database 34 is for managing information related to search words. Search words will be described later.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of data records 31R stored in the presented information database 31. The presented information database 31 stores data records 31R created for each piece of information presented to consumers during shopping trips. Data records 31R include data such as presented information ID, provider ID, presentation period, presented information, presented product information, search target flag, search words, offer information, bid price, bid decision index, and conversion rate.

The presented information ID is a unique code set for each presented information to identify the presented information individually. The provider ID is a unique code set for each provider to identify the provider of the presented information. The presented period is information about the period during which the presented information is presented to the consumer. This information may indicate the start and end dates of the period, or the number of days until the start and end dates.

The presented information is information presented to a consumer who is about to purchase a product, and is information about another product associated with the product that the consumer is about to purchase (hereinafter referred to as the product of intent to purchase). For example, it is an image introducing a product that will be used as an ingredient in a dish menu that uses the product of intent to purchase, or an image introducing a product that can be purchased in combination with the product of intent to purchase to receive a bonus such as a coupon. The image may be a still image or a moving image. The image may include an image of the product as well as text that describes the product. Alternatively, the presented information may be only text without including an image. Furthermore, if the information terminal 25 is equipped with a speaker, the presented information may include music along with the image or text.

The presented product information is information that can identify the product introduced by the presented information. In this embodiment, this presented product information is the name of the product. For example, if the presented information is an image introducing a product that is an ingredient of a cooking menu, the presented product information will be the name of the product that is the ingredient. For example, if the presented information is an image introducing a product for which a special benefit such as a coupon can be obtained, the presented product information will be the name of the product for which the special benefit can be obtained.

The search target flag is information that identifies whether the search word used when searching the presentation information database 31 is a common product code or a category code. A category code is a code that is uniquely assigned to products such as fresh foods that do not have a common product code assigned. In this embodiment, the search target flag is "0" if the search word is a common product code, and is "1" if it is a category code.

For data records 31R in which the search target flag indicates a common product code, the search word will be that common product code. For data records 31R in which the search target flag indicates a category code, the search word will be that category code.

Offer information is information that indicates the benefit (discount amount or points granted) that the provider of the presented information will grant to a consumer who purchases the product presented by the presented information. For example, if 20 service points are to be granted to a consumer who purchases the product presented by the presented information, the offer information will be "20 points granted." For example, if a 10 yen discount is to be given to a consumer who purchases the product presented by the presented information, the offer information will be "10 yen discount." Note that if no benefit is to be granted to the consumer, the offer information will be "none."

The bid price is the amount (sales promotion cost) that the provider of the information is willing to pay as an expense to the business entity operating the information provision service each time the information is provided to a consumer. The bid price is determined by the provider.

The bid decision index is a number determined by the bid price, offer information, and search range. Specifically, the bid decision index is the quotient obtained by adding the bid price and offer information and dividing the sum by the number of search targets. The number of search targets is the number of matching data records 31R found when searching the presented information database 31 based on a combination of the search target flag and search word. Incidentally, when adding the bid price and offer information, if the offer information is a discount amount, the discount amount is used. If the offer information is points to be awarded, the equivalent amount of the points, calculated by converting the points to a monetary value, is used.

The conversion rate is an indicator that shows the percentage of people who purchase the presented product based on the presented information.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of data record 32R stored in provider database 32. Provider database 32 stores data record 32R created for each provider. Data record 32R includes data such as provider ID, provider name, and cost.

The provider name is the name of the provider identified by the provider ID. A provider is typically the manufacturer of the product. A provider may also be a retail store. The cost is the amount that the provider keeps in stock to pay expenses (bid price) to the business entity.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of data record 33R stored in store database 33. Store database 33 stores data record 33R created for each affiliated store. Data record 33R includes data such as store ID, store name, and product information.

The store ID is a unique code set for each affiliated store to identify each affiliated store individually. The store name is the name of the store identified by the store ID. The product information is a list of product codes and product names of products sold at the store identified by the store ID. The product information may be a list that includes items other than product codes and product names. The product information is created based on the product database 27 managed by the store server 22 of the store. For example, the store server 22 creates the product information and transmits it to the information providing server 30 every time a data record in the product database 27 is changed. When the information providing server 30 receives the product information from the store server 22, it identifies the store ID and updates the product information associated with the store ID and stored in the store database 33 to the latest information received from the store server 22.

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of data record 34R stored in search word database 34. Search word database 34 stores data record 34R in which one or more pairs of data between a store ID and a store-specific product code are set for each search word, which is a category code. The store ID, which is one piece of paired data, is identification information for a store that sells a product identified by the category code of the corresponding search word. The store-specific product code, which is the other piece of paired data, is a product code set for that product by the store identified by the store ID.

Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the information providing server 30. The information providing server 30 comprises a processor 301, a main memory 302, an auxiliary storage device 303, a communication interface 304, a clock 305, and a system bus 306. The information providing server 30 connects the processor 301, the main memory 302, the auxiliary storage device 303, the communication interface 304, and the clock 305 to the system bus 306 directly or via a signal input/output circuit. Thus, the information providing server 30 constitutes a computer by the processor 301, the main memory 302, the auxiliary storage device 303, and the system bus 306 that connects them.

The processor 301 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 301 controls each part to realize various functions of the information providing server 30 according to the operating system and application programs.

Main memory 302 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. Main memory 302 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. In the nonvolatile memory area, main memory 302 stores an operating system and application programs. Main memory 302 may also store data required for processor 301 to execute processes for controlling each part in a nonvolatile or volatile memory area. Main memory 302 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by processor 301.

The auxiliary storage device 303 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a HDD (Hard Disc Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive) is used as the auxiliary storage device 303. The auxiliary storage device 303 stores data used by the processor 301 when performing various processes, and data generated by the processes in the processor 301. The auxiliary storage device 303 may also store the application programs described above.

The communication interface 304 is connected to the network 40 and performs data communication with an external device via the network 40 according to a specific communication protocol. In this embodiment, the external device corresponds to the relay server of the store system 20.

The clock 305 functions as a time information source for the information providing server. The processor 301 keeps track of the current date and time based on the time information kept by the clock 305.

Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the information terminal 25. The information terminal 25 comprises a processor 251, a main memory 252, an auxiliary storage device 253, a wireless unit 254, a touch panel 255, a code reader 256, a short-range wireless communication interface 257, and a system bus 258. The information terminal 25 connects the processor 251, the main memory 252, the auxiliary storage device 253, the wireless unit 254, the touch panel 255, the code reader 256, and the short-range wireless communication interface 257 to the system bus 258 directly or via a signal input/output circuit. Thus, the information terminal 25 constitutes a computer by the processor 251, the main memory 252, the auxiliary storage device 253, and the system bus 258 that connects them.

The processor 251 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 251 controls each part to realize various functions of the information terminal 25 according to the operating system and application programs.

The main memory 252 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 252 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 252 stores an operating system and application programs in the non-volatile memory area. The main memory 252 may also store data required for the processor 251 to execute processes for controlling each part in the non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 252 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 251.

The auxiliary storage device 253 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM, HDD, or SSD is used as the auxiliary storage device 253. The auxiliary storage device 253 stores data used by the processor 251 when performing various processes, and data generated by the processes in the processor 251. The auxiliary storage device 253 may also store the application programs described above.

The wireless unit 254 wirelessly transmits and receives data to and from the access point 24 in accordance with a specified wireless communication protocol.

The touch panel 255 is a device that combines the input device and display device of the information terminal 25. The code reader 256 is a device for optically reading barcodes attached to products. Products are affixed with a common product code, which is a product code unique to that product, or a barcode that is a store-specific product code. The short-range wireless communication interface 257 performs contactless short-range wireless communication with other devices equipped with a short-range wireless communication interface of the same specifications. Incidentally, in this embodiment, the POS terminal 21 is equipped with a short-range wireless communication interface of the same specifications. Therefore, by bringing the information terminal 25 close to the POS terminal 21, information processed by the information terminal 25 can be transmitted to the POS terminal 21 by short-range wireless communication.

An information terminal 25 configured in this manner stores in the auxiliary storage device 253 a unique terminal ID that identifies the information terminal 25 and a store ID that identifies the store in which the information terminal 25 is used.

Figure 8 is a flow chart showing the main steps of information processing executed by the processor 251 of the information terminal 25 according to a control program stored in the main memory 252 or the auxiliary storage device 253. Figures 9 and 10 are flow charts showing the main steps of information processing executed by the processor 301 of the information providing server 30 according to an information providing program stored in the main memory 302 or the auxiliary storage device 303. The operation of the information providing system 10 will be explained below using Figures 8 to 10. Note that the operation explained below is an example, and the steps are not particularly limited as long as similar results can be obtained.

When a consumer visits an affiliated store, he or she carries the information terminal 25 with them while shopping. Alternatively, the consumer may push a shopping cart to which the information terminal 25 is attached while shopping. When the consumer finds an item that he or she wishes to purchase, the barcode attached to the item is read by the code reader 256 of the information terminal 25. The consumer places the item, whose barcode has been read, in the shopping cart or shopping basket.

As shown in FIG. 8, the processor 251 of the information terminal 25 sets the screen of the touch panel 255 to a standby screen in Act 1. The contents of the standby screen are not particularly limited. For example, it may be a screen that introduces to the consumer how to use the information terminal 25.

The processor 251, which has displayed the standby screen, waits for the input of a product code in Act 2. In this standby state, when a product code is input via the code reader 256 (Act 2, YES), the processor 251 generates a product code inquiry command in Act 3. The processor 251 then controls the wireless unit 254 to wirelessly transmit the inquiry command. The inquiry command includes the product code input in the processing of Act 2 and the terminal ID stored in the auxiliary storage device 253. The product code may be a common product code or a store-specific product code.

The inquiry command wirelessly transmitted from the information terminal 25 is received by the access point 24 and given to the store server 22 via the LAN 26. The store server 22 searches the product database 27 for the product code included in the inquiry command. The store server 22 then detects a data record including the product code in the product database 27, and creates a response command including at least the product code, product name, price, etc. of this data record. The store server 22 controls the response command to be sent to the information terminal 25 specified by the terminal ID included in the inquiry command. With this control, the response command is wirelessly transmitted from the access point 24 to the information terminal 25.

The processor 251 of the information terminal 25 that sent the inquiry command waits for a response command in Act 4. If the response command is received within a predetermined time (Act 4, YES), the processor 251 stores the product information, such as the product code, product name, and price, included in the response command in the temporary registration memory in Act 5. The temporary registration memory is formed in a part of the volatile area of the main memory 252. The processor 251 displays the product name and price of the product information on the touch panel 255 in Act 6. If the response command is not received within the predetermined time (Act 4, NO), the processor 251 displays, for example, a communication error message on the touch panel 255 and does not execute the processes from Act 5 onwards.

After completing the processing of Act 6, the processor 251 creates a request command for the presented information in Act 7. Then, the processor 251 controls the wireless unit 254 to wirelessly transmit this request command. The request command includes the product code input in the processing of Act 2, and the store ID and terminal ID stored in the auxiliary storage device 253.

The request command wirelessly transmitted from the information terminal 25 is received by the access point 24 and provided to the relay server 23 via the LAN 26. The relay server 23 transmits the request command to the information providing server 30 via the network 40.

As shown in FIG. 9, the processor 301 of the information providing server 30 waits for a request command in Act 21. Then, when the processor 301 receives a request command via the communication interface 304 (Act 21, YES), the processor 301 determines whether the product code included in the request command is a common product code or a store-specific product code in Act 22. Whether or not the product code is a common product code can be determined, for example, by the first two digits. If the result of this determination is that the product code is a common product code (Act 22, YES), the processor 301 proceeds to the processing of Act 26.

On the other hand, if the requested product code is a store-specific product code (Act 22, NO), the processor 301 searches the search word database 34 using the store ID and the store-specific product code included in the request command (Act 23). The processor 301 then determines whether or not there is a data record 34R containing paired data of the store ID and the store-specific product code (Act 24). If the result of this determination is that a data record 34R containing the corresponding paired data can be detected (Act 24, YES), the processor 301 acquires the search word from the data record 34R (Act 25). The processor 301 then proceeds to the processing of Act 26. Note that if the data record 34R containing the corresponding paired data cannot be detected (Act 24, NO), the processor 301 proceeds to the processing of Act 37 in FIG. 10.

In Act 26, the processor 301 searches the presentation information database 31. Specifically, if the product code included in the request command is a common product code, the processor 301 sets the product code as a search word. The processor 301 then searches for data records 31R with a search target flag of "0" using this search word. On the other hand, if the product code included in the request command is a store-specific product code, the processor 301 searches for data records 31R with a search target flag of "1" using the search word acquired in the processing of Act 25.

After searching the presentation information database 31, the processor 301 determines whether or not there is a data record 31R with a matching search word (Act 27). If the processor 301 detects a data record 31R with a matching search word (Act 27, YES), the processor 301 acquires presented product information from the data record 31R (Act 28). If two or more data records 31R with a matching search word are detected, the processor 301 acquires presented product information from each data record 31R. The processor 301 then proceeds to the process of Act 29 in FIG. 10. If the processor 301 cannot detect any data record with a matching search word (Act 27, NO), the processor 301 proceeds to the process of Act 37 in FIG. 10.

In Act 29, the processor 301 searches the store database 33 for the store ID included in the request command. Then, in Act 30, the processor 301 obtains handling product information from the data record 33R that includes the store ID.

In Act 31, the processor 301, having acquired the handling product information, refers to the handling product information and determines whether the product identified by the product name in the presented product information acquired in the processing of Act 28 is handled in the store identified by the store ID. At this time, if two or more pieces of presented product information are acquired in Act 28, the processor 301 performs the same determination for each piece of presented product information. If the result of this determination is that at least one type of product is determined to be handled in the store identified by the store ID (Act 31, YES), the processor 301 proceeds to the processing of Act 32. Note that if no corresponding product is present (Act 31, NO), the processor 301 proceeds to the processing of Act 37.

In Act 32, the processor 301 checks whether there are two or more types of products that are determined to be handled in the store identified by the store ID. If there is only one type (Act 32, NO), the processor 301 proceeds to the processing of Act 34. On the other hand, if there are two or more types (Act 32, YES), the processor 301 selects one piece of presented information from the presented information related to the multiple types of products based on a predetermined judgment condition (Act 33).

The parameter serving as the first judgment criterion is the bid decision index. That is, the processor 301 compares the bid decision indexes of the corresponding data records 31R. Then, the processor 301 selects the presented information of the data record 31R with the largest bid decision index. Here, if there are multiple data records with the largest bid decision index, the parameter serving as the next judgment criterion is the bid price. That is, the processor 301 compares the bid prices of the corresponding data records 31R. Then, the processor 301 selects the presented information of the data record 31R with the largest bid price. Here, the parameter serving as a further judgment criterion when the bid prices are also the same is the conversion rate. That is, the processor 301 compares the conversion rates of the corresponding data records 31R. Then, the processor 301 selects the presented information of the data record 31R with the smallest conversion rate.

When one piece of presentation information has been selected from the multiple pieces of presentation information through the processing of Act 33, the processor 301 proceeds to the processing of Act 34.

In Act 34, the processor 301 creates transmission data for the presented information. The transmission data includes destination information. The destination information is the store ID and terminal ID included in the request command. If only one type of product is determined to be available, the presented information is related to that product. If multiple types of product are available, the presented information is the presented information selected in Act 33.

The processor 301 controls the communication interface 304 to transmit the transmission data of the presentation information in Act 35. With this control, the transmission data is transmitted via the network 40 to the relay server 23 of the store identified by the store ID included in the destination information, and is further wirelessly transmitted via the access point 24 to the information terminal 25 identified by the terminal ID included in the destination information.

In addition, in Act 36, the processor 301 searches the provider database 32 for the provider ID of the data record 31R that includes the transmitted presentation information. The processor 301 then updates the cost data of the data record 32R that includes the provider ID. Specifically, the processor 301 reduces the bid price of the data record 31R that includes the transmitted presentation information from this cost data.

On the other hand, in Act 37, the processor 301 creates transmission data indicating that there is no information. This transmission data also includes destination information similar to that of the transmission data of the presented information. The processor 301 controls the communication interface 304 to transmit the transmission data without information in Act 38. With this control, the transmission data is transmitted via the network 40 to the relay server 23 of the store identified by the store ID included in the destination information, and is further wirelessly transmitted via the access point 24 to the information terminal 25 identified by the terminal ID included in the destination information. However, at this time, the processor 301 does not update the provider database 32. With this, the processor 301 ends the information processing when a request command is received in Act 21.

The computer having the processor 301 as a main component realizes the identification means by executing the processes of Acts 21 to 22 in FIG. 9. The computer also realizes the determination means by executing the processes of Acts 23 to 25 in FIG. 9. The computer also realizes the detection means by executing the processes of Acts 26 to 28 in FIG. 9. The computer also realizes the determination means by executing the processes of Acts 29 to 31 in FIG. 10. The computer also realizes the selection means by executing the processes of Acts 32 to 33 in FIG. 10. The computer also realizes the output means by executing the processes of Acts 34 to 35 in FIG. 10. The computer also realizes the charging means by executing the process of Act 36 in FIG. 10.

Returning to the explanation of FIG.
The processor 251 of the information terminal 25 that transmitted the request command for the presented information in Act 7 waits for data from the information providing server 30 in Act 8. Then, when the processor 251 receives data from the information providing server 30 via the wireless unit 254 (Act 8, YES), the processor 251 checks whether the data includes the presented information in Act 9. When the processor 251 receives data including the presented information (Act 9, YES), the processor 251 displays the presented information on the touch panel 255 in Act 10. At this time, the processor 251 displays the presented information on the same screen as the product name and price displayed in the processing of Act 6.

On the other hand, if data containing no information is received (Act 9, NO), the processor 251 displays a message indicating that no information is presented on the touch panel 255 in Act 11. In this case, the processor 251 also displays the message on the same screen as the product name and price displayed in the processing of Act 6.

Therefore, when a consumer uses the code reader 256 of the information terminal 25 to read the barcode attached to the product he or she wishes to purchase, the consumer will be able to visually confirm the presented information associated with the product and provided by the information providing server 30, along with the product's price, etc. Alternatively, the consumer will be able to visually confirm that there is no presented information associated with the product.

Now, each time the consumer finds a product that he or she wishes to purchase while shopping around, the consumer has the barcode attached to that product read by the code reader 256 of the information terminal 25. Then, when the consumer has finished shopping around, he or she goes to the cashier where the POS terminal 21 is installed and touches the cashier button that is displayed in part of the screen area of the touch panel 255.

That is, when the processor 251 finishes the processing of Act 10 or Act 11, it checks whether the next product code has been input in Act 12. If no product code has been input (Act 12, NO), the processor 251 checks whether the checkout button has been touched in Act 13. If the checkout button has not been touched (Act 13, NO), the processor 301 returns to Act 12 and checks again whether a product code has been input. Here, the processor 251 waits for the product code to be read or the checkout button to be touched by the processing of Act 12 and Act 13.

In this standby state, if the product code is read (Act 12, YES), the processor 251 returns to the processing of Act 3. The processor 251 then repeats the same processing as described above.

In contrast, when it is detected that the checkout button has been touched (Act 13, YES), the processor 251 determines whether short-range wireless communication is possible via the short-range wireless communication interface 257 in Act 14. In this embodiment, when a POS terminal 21 is present near the information terminal 25, short-range wireless communication is possible. When a POS terminal 21 is not present near the information terminal 25, short-range wireless communication is not possible. When short-range wireless communication is not possible (Act 14, NO), the processor 251 returns to the standby state of Act 12 and Act 13.

If short-range wireless communication is possible (Act 14, YES), the processor 251 uses the short-range wireless communication to transmit the product information stored in the temporary registration memory to the POS terminal 21 in Act 15. After transmitting the product information, the processor 251 clears the temporary registration memory in Act 16. This completes the information processing performed by the processor 251 after the first product code is input in Act 2.

Incidentally, the POS terminal 21, which receives product information using short-range wireless communication, registers sales data for the product purchased by the consumer based on that product information, and calculates the price of the transaction. Then, when the consumer's payment data for that price is entered into the POS terminal 21, the POS terminal 21 executes settlement processing such as issuing a receipt and paying change.

In this way, according to the information providing system 10 of this embodiment, when a consumer uses the information terminal 25 in a store to read the barcode of a product that the consumer wishes to purchase, information on another product associated with the product can be presented to the consumer before the payment for the product is made. The information presented at this time is useful to both the consumer and the information provider. Moreover, since the information is about products handled in the store, it is also useful information for the store, leading to sales promotion.
In addition, the information presented to the consumer is extracted by the information providing server 30 managed by the business entity that operates the information providing service, and output to the information terminal 25. Therefore, the management of the presented information does not impose any burden on the store. Thus, it is possible to realize an information providing system 10 that can present useful information that leads to sales promotion to consumers who are shopping around, without imposing a burden on the store in terms of information management.

When information on other products associated with the product identified by the barcode read by the consumer is provided by different providers, the information providing server 30 selects one of the presented information based on a predetermined judgment criteria and outputs it to the information terminal 25. The judgment criteria are parameters that can be adjusted by the provider. Therefore, the provider can implement cost-effective sales promotion by appropriately adjusting the parameters that are the judgment criteria.

Moreover, one of the parameters that is a judgment requirement is the bid price. The bid price is the amount charged to the provider of the presented information output to the information terminal 25. Therefore, the provider can carry out effective advertising by appropriately adjusting the bid price in consideration of cost-effectiveness.

The barcode read by the information terminal 25 may be not only a common product code barcode, but also a store-specific product code barcode. Therefore, it is possible to provide sales promotion information to consumers who are planning to purchase fresh foods, which are assigned different codes depending on the store.

Other embodiments will be described below.
In the above embodiment, the information providing server 30 includes the presented information database 31, the provider database 32, the store database 33, and the search word database 34. In another embodiment, all or at least one of these databases 31 to 34 are included in a database server connected to the information providing server 30 via a network. The information providing server 30 is configured to access the database server and obtain necessary information from the databases 31 to 34. In another embodiment, the handling product information stored in the store database 33 is stored in a distributed manner in the store server 22 of each store. The processor 301 of the information providing server 30 does not search for handling product information in the store database 33, but searches for handling product information stored in the store server 22 of the corresponding store to determine whether the information is related to the store. With this configuration, the store database 33 can be omitted from the information providing server 30.

In the above embodiment, the processor 251 of the information terminal 25 includes the store ID in the request command. In another embodiment, the relay server 23 attaches the store ID to the request command received from the information terminal 25 and transmits it to the information providing server 30. This eliminates the need for the information terminal 25 to store the store ID.

In the above embodiment, the presented product information is the name of the product. The presented product information is not limited to the name of the product. For example, a common product code may be used as the presented product information. However, store-specific product codes are different for each store even for products in the same category, and therefore cannot be used as presented product information.

The information providing server 30 is generally transferred with the information providing program and other programs stored in the main memory 302 or the auxiliary storage device 303. However, this is not limiting, and the program may be transferred without being stored in the main memory 302 or the auxiliary storage device 303. In this case, the information providing program and other programs transferred separately from the information providing server 30 are written to a writable storage device provided in the information providing server 30 in response to an operation by a user or other user. The information providing program and other programs can be transferred by recording them on a removable recording medium or by communication via a network. The recording medium may be in any form, such as a CD-ROM or memory card, as long as it can store the program and is readable by the device. The functions obtained by installing or downloading the program may be realized in cooperation with an OS (operating system) or other program in the device.

Although several other embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.
The invention as originally claimed in the present application is set forth below.
[1] An information providing device comprising: an identification means for identifying a product to be purchased by a consumer at a store; a detection means for detecting presented information associated with the product identified by the identification means; a determination means for determining whether the presented information detected by the detection means is information related to the store; and an output means for outputting the presented information determined by the determination means to be information related to the store to an information terminal carried by the consumer.
[2] The information providing device described in Appendix [1] further includes a selection means for selecting one piece of presentation information based on judgment requirements set for each piece of presentation information when there are multiple pieces of presentation information determined by the judgment means to be information related to the store, and the output means outputs the presentation information selected by the selection means.
[3] The information providing device described in appendix [1] or [2] further includes a determination means for determining a search word to search a database in which a plurality of pieces of presented information are stored in correspondence with related search words, based on the product identified by the identification means and information on the store selling the product, and the detection means searches the database with the search word determined by the determination means to detect the presented information related to the search word.
[4] The information providing device described in Appendix [3], wherein the identification means identifies a product from a product code set for each product, and the determination means determines a search word from the product code if the product code is a product code common to all stores, and determines a search word from the product code and information about the store if the product code is a product code exclusive to the store.
[5] The information providing device described in Appendix [3], wherein the database includes identification information for identifying the provider of the presentation information for each of the presentation information, and further comprises a charging means for charging expenses to the provider of the presentation information output to the information terminal by the output means.
[6] An information provision program for enabling a computer to realize the following functions: identifying a product that a consumer will purchase at a store before payment; detecting presented information associated with the identified product; determining whether the detected presented information is information related to the store; and outputting the presented information determined to be information related to the store to an information terminal carried by the consumer.

10...information providing system, 20...store system, 21...POS terminal, 22...store server, 23...relay server, 24...access point, 25...information terminal, 26...LAN, 27...product database, 30...information providing server, 31...presentation information database, 32...provider database, 33...store database, 34...search word database, 40...network, 251, 301...processor, 252, 302...main memory, 253, 303...auxiliary storage device, 254...wireless unit, 255...touch panel, 256...code reader, 257...near-field wireless communication interface, 304...communication interface, 305...clock.

Claims (5)

A means for identifying products to be purchased by a consumer at a store;
a detection means for detecting presentation information associated with the product identified by the identification means;
a determination means for determining whether the presented information detected by the detection means is information related to the store;
an output means for outputting data indicating that there is no information to an information terminal carried by the consumer when the detected presented information is not information related to the store ;
a selection means for selecting one piece of presented information according to a determination condition set for each piece of presented information when there is a plurality of pieces of presented information determined by the determination means to be information related to the store;
An information providing device comprising: a selection means for selecting one piece of presented information according to a determination condition set for each piece of presented information when there is a plurality of pieces of presented information determined by the determination means to be information related to the store;
a second output means for outputting the presentation information selected by the selection means to an information terminal carried by the consumer;
The information providing device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a determination means for determining a search word for searching a database storing a plurality of pieces of presented information in association with each of the pieces of presented information and associated search words, based on information on the product identified by the identification means and information on a store selling the product;
Further comprising:
3. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the detection means searches the database with the search word determined by the determination means to detect the presented information related to the search word. The identification means identifies a product from a product code set for each product,
the determining means determines a search word from the product code if the product code is a product code common to all stores, and determines a search word from the product code and information of the store if the product code is a product code exclusive to the store;
4. The information providing device according to claim 3 . On the computer,
Ability to identify products consumers will purchase in-store before making payment;
A function of detecting presentation information associated with the identified product;
a function of determining whether the detected presented information is information related to the store;
a function of outputting data indicating the absence of information to an information terminal carried by the consumer when the presented information cannot be detected; and
a function of selecting one piece of presented information based on a determination criterion set for each piece of presented information when there is a plurality of pieces of presented information determined to be information related to the store;
An information program to help achieve this.