JP7514981B2 - Information processing system and program - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing system and a program.

Conventionally, there have been customer servers that store customer information about customers who have become members. Then, in an information processing device such as a POS (Point of Sales) terminal connected to the customer server, customer specific information (e.g., customer code or customer number) is input, and the customer server is searched based on the customer specific information to obtain the required customer information.

Recently, with the increase in services for customers, some stores are equipped with multiple customer servers. For example, first customer information for customers who visit the store is stored in a first customer server for the store, and second customer information for customers who shop at an online supermarket is stored in a second customer server for the online supermarket.

However, even if an attempt is made to access the second customer server from an information processing device installed in a store to check second customer information (e.g., customer rank in an online supermarket) by inputting customer specific information for the online supermarket, the information processing device is only connected to the first customer server and cannot access the second customer server, so the second customer information cannot be obtained.

An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system and a program capable of acquiring customer information from any one of a plurality of customer servers.

An information processing system according to an embodiment includes a first customer server that stores first customer identifying information, a second customer server that stores second customer identifying information, and an information processing device capable of communicating with the first customer server and the second customer server. The information processing device includes an input unit that inputs customer identifying information that identifies a customer, a judgment means that judges whether the customer identifying information input from the input unit is the first customer identifying information or the second customer identifying information, and a customer information acquisition means that , when the judgment means judges that the customer identifying information is the first customer identifying information, acquires customer information of the customer identified by the first customer identifying information from the first customer server, and, when the judgment means judges that the customer identifying information is the second customer identifying information , acquires customer information of the customer identified by the second customer identifying information from the second customer server.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a customer management system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the POS terminal. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the first customer server. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the second customer server. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a part of the customer DB of the first customer server. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a part of the customer DB of the second customer server. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the POS terminal. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of control processing of the POS terminal.

The following describes the embodiments in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, a POS terminal is described as an example of an information processing device. In the embodiments, a customer code that identifies a customer is described as an example of customer identification information. The customer code is composed of a multi-digit number. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a customer management system including a POS terminal 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the customer management system comprises one or more POS terminals 1 in a store, a first customer server 3 and a second customer server 4 that store customer information by customer code, which is customer identification information that identifies a customer, and a store server 5 that manages sales within the store. The POS terminal 1, the first customer server 3, the second customer server 4, and the store server 5 are connected to each other by a communication line L1 such as a LAN (Local Area Network), and can communicate with each other.

The POS terminal 1 performs sales registration processing and settlement processing for products sold in the store (products purchased by customers). The sales registration processing refers to the process of acquiring product information such as the product name and price of the product based on the product code, which is product identification information that identifies the input product, and displaying the information on the display unit (the operator display unit 17 and the customer display unit 18 in Figure 2) and storing the information in the product information unit 132 (see Figure 2). The settlement processing refers to the process of displaying the total amount related to the transaction based on the product information for which the sales registration processing has been performed, and issuing a receipt on which the product information and settlement information (such as the deposit and change received from the customer) are printed. The transaction processing includes the sales registration processing and the settlement processing. The transaction information includes the product information and the settlement information.

The first customer server 3 is installed in the store. The first customer server 3 stores customer information for each customer who shops at the store. The customer information stored by the first customer server 3 includes, for example, the customer's name, address, points held, attributes, purchase history at the store, email address, customer rank of the store, etc.

When a customer code is entered into the POS terminal 1, the POS terminal 1 inquires of the first customer server 3 about customer information if the customer code is 16 digits as described below. When the first customer server 3 receives an inquiry about customer information, it identifies the customer based on the received customer code and transmits the customer information stored in association with the customer code to the POS terminal 1 that made the inquiry. The POS terminal 1 stores the received customer information and executes processing related to the customer information, such as awarding points to the customer.

The second customer server 4 is a server different from the first customer server 3, and is installed, for example, in a store or a headquarters that manages multiple stores. In the embodiment, the second customer server 4 is installed in a store. The second customer server 4 stores, for example, customer information for customers who shop at the online supermarket for each customer. The customer information stored by the second customer server 4 includes, for example, the customer's name, address, points held, attributes, purchase history at the online supermarket, email address, online supermarket customer rank, etc. Note that an online supermarket is a system in which a customer orders products from an online supermarket server (not shown) via the Internet from a customer terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer) or tablet terminal at home, without visiting a store, and the ordered products are delivered from the store to their home.

If the entered customer code is eight digits, as described below, the POS terminal 1 inquires of the second customer server 4 about customer information. When the second customer server 4 receives an inquiry about customer information, it identifies the customer based on the received customer code and transmits the customer information stored in association with the customer code to the POS terminal 1 that made the inquiry. The POS terminal 1 stores the received customer information and checks, for example, the customer's rank in an online supermarket.

The store server 5 receives product information and payment information related to sold products from the multiple POS terminals 1 connected to it. The store server 5 collects product information and payment information from the POS terminals 1 and manages the store's sales, etc.

Next, the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the POS terminal 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, and a memory section 14. The CPU 11 is the main controller. The ROM 12 stores various programs. The RAM 13 expands programs and various data. The memory section 14 stores various programs. The CPU 11, the ROM 12, the RAM 13, and the memory section 14 are connected to each other via a bus 15. The CPU 11, the ROM 12, and the RAM 13 constitute the control section 100. That is, the control section 100 executes control processing related to the POS terminal 1, which will be described later, by the CPU 11 operating according to the control programs stored in the ROM 12 and the memory section 14 and expanded in the RAM 13.

RAM 13 includes a customer code section 131, a product information section 132, and a customer information section 133. The customer code section 131 stores a customer code that identifies a customer input from the customer code input section 22. The product information section 132 stores product information of the product obtained from a product master (not shown) based on a product code that identifies the product obtained corresponding to the symbol read by the symbol reading section 21. The customer information section 133 stores customer information obtained from the customer server based on the input customer code.

The memory unit 14 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as a HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 14 includes a control program unit 141 and a customer code response unit 142. The control program unit 141 stores a control program for controlling the POS terminal 1. The customer code response unit 142 stores the system of customer specific information in association with whether the code system determination unit is the first customer specific information or the second customer specific information.

The customer code response unit 142 stores a 16-digit (first system) customer code in association with the first customer server 3 as the contact point for inquiries. The customer code response unit 142 stores an 8-digit (second system) customer code in association with the second customer server 4 as the contact point for inquiries. Note that in the embodiment, two systems, the first system and the second system, are used, but three or more systems of customer codes may be used. In this case, the customer code response unit 142 stores the customer server to contact for inquiries for three or more systems.

The control unit 100 is also connected to the operator display unit 17, customer display unit 18, operation unit 19, printing unit 20, symbol reading unit 21, and customer code input unit 22 via the bus 15 and controller 16. The operator display unit 17 displays information to the operator. The customer display unit 18 displays information to the customer. The operation unit 19 is a keyboard equipped with keys such as a numeric keypad, department keys, and a closing key. The printing unit 20 issues a receipt on which product information and payment information of the product for which payment has been processed are printed. The symbol reading unit 21 optically reads or images the symbolized information and inputs the code information. The product code is obtained based on the input code information. The customer code input unit 22 (input unit) obtains and inputs a customer code stored in, for example, an inserted credit card for credit payment or electronic money in which monetary value is stored. In addition, when a customer code stored in a mobile terminal (not shown) is displayed as a symbol such as a barcode, the customer code included in the symbol read by the symbol reading unit 21 may be obtained and input. In this case, the symbol reading unit 21 is the input unit.

The control unit 100 is also connected to the communication unit 23 via the bus 15. The communication unit 23 is connected to other POS terminals 1, the first customer server 3, the second customer server 4, and the store server 5 via the communication line L1 so as to be able to communicate with them.

Next, the hardware configuration of the first customer server 3 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the first customer server 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the first customer server 3 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a memory unit 34, and the like. The CPU 31 is the main controller. The ROM 32 stores various programs. The RAM 33 expands programs and various data. The memory unit 34 stores various programs. The CPU 31, the ROM 32, the RAM 33, and the memory unit 34 are connected to each other via a bus 35. The CPU 31, the ROM 32, and the RAM 33 constitute the control unit 300. That is, the control unit 300 executes control processing related to the first customer server 3 by the CPU 31 operating in accordance with the control programs stored in the ROM 32 and the memory unit 34 and expanded in the RAM 33.

The memory unit 34 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as a HDD or flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 34 includes a control program unit 341 and a customer DB (database) 342. The control program unit 341 stores a control program for controlling the first customer server 3. The customer DB 342 will be described later with reference to FIG. 5.

The control unit 300 is also connected to a display unit 37 and an operation unit 38 via a bus 35 and a controller 36. The display unit 37 displays information. The operation unit 38 is a keyboard equipped with various keys.

The control unit 300 is also connected to the communication unit 39 via the bus 35. The communication unit 39 is connected to each POS terminal 1, the second customer server 4, and the store server 5 via the communication line L1 so as to be able to communicate with them.

Next, the hardware configuration of the second customer server 4 will be described. The second customer server 4 has the same hardware configuration as the first customer server 3. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the second customer server 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the second customer server 4 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a memory unit 44, and the like. The CPU 41 is the main controller. The ROM 42 stores various programs. The RAM 43 expands programs and various data. The memory unit 44 stores various programs. The CPU 41, the ROM 42, the RAM 43, and the memory unit 44 are connected to each other via a bus 45. The CPU 41, the ROM 42, and the RAM 43 constitute the control unit 400. That is, the control unit 400 executes control processing related to the second customer server 4 by the CPU 41 operating according to the control program stored in the ROM 42 or the memory unit 44 and expanded in the RAM 43.

The memory unit 44 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as a HDD or flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 44 includes a control program unit 441 and a customer DB (database) 442. The control program unit 441 stores a control program for controlling the second customer server 4. The customer DB 442 will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.

The control unit 400 is also connected to a display unit 47 and an operation unit 48 via a bus 45 and a controller 46. The display unit 47 displays information. The operation unit 48 is a keyboard equipped with various keys.

The control unit 400 is also connected to the communication unit 49 via the bus 45. The communication unit 49 is connected to each POS terminal 1, the first customer server 3, and the store server 5 via the communication line L1 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

Next, customer DB 342 will be described. Figure 5 is a diagram showing customer DB 342. As shown in Figure 5, customer DB 342 stores customer information of customers who shop at the store. Customer DB 342 has a customer code section 3421 and a customer information section 3422. Customer code section 3421 stores a 16-digit (first system) customer code (first customer identification information) for each customer. Customer information section 3422 stores customer information for each customer in association with each customer code stored in customer code section 3421.

Next, customer DB 442 will be described. Figure 6 is a diagram showing customer DB 442. As shown in Figure 6, customer DB 442 stores customer information of customers who shop at the online supermarket. Customer DB 442 has a customer code section 4421 and a customer information section 4422. The customer code section 4421 stores an 8-digit (second system) customer code (second customer identification information) for each customer. The customer information section 4422 stores customer information for each customer in association with each customer code stored in the customer code section 4421.

Note that the first customer specific information being 16 digits and the second customer specific information being 8 digits is merely an example, and the first customer specific information and the second customer specific information may have different numbers of digits.

From here, the functional configuration of the POS terminal 1 will be explained. Figure 7 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the POS terminal 1. As shown in Figure 7, the control unit 100 of the POS terminal 1 functions as a code input determination unit 101, a code system determination unit 102, and a customer information acquisition unit 103.

The code input determination unit 101 determines whether a customer code read by the customer code input unit 22, which is an input unit, has been input.
The code system determination unit 102 determines, based on the number of digits of the input customer code (customer identifying information), whether the input customer code is first customer identifying information in a first system (16 digits) or second customer identifying information in a second system (8 digits) that is different from the first customer identifying information.

When the code system determination unit 102 determines that the information is the first customer specific information, the customer information acquisition unit 103 acquires customer information of the customer identified by the first customer specific information from a first customer server 3 among the multiple customer servers that corresponds to the first customer specific information, and when the code system determination unit 102 determines that the information is the second customer specific information, the customer information acquisition unit 103 acquires customer information of the customer identified by the second customer specific information from a second customer server 4 among the multiple customer servers that corresponds to the second customer specific information different from the first customer server 3.

The customer information acquisition unit 103 inquires of the customer server determined based on the system determined by the code system determination unit 102 about the customer information of the customer identified by the customer code. If the code system determination unit 102 determines that the customer code is a 16-digit customer code (first customer identification information), the customer information acquisition unit 103 inquires of the first customer server 3 about customer information based on the information stored in the customer code response unit 142. The customer information acquisition unit 103 receives (acquires) customer information associated with the first customer identification information from the first customer server 3 that made the inquiry.

When the code system determination unit 102 determines that the customer code (second customer identification information) is an 8-digit customer code, the customer information acquisition unit 103 queries the second customer server 4 for customer information based on the information stored in the customer code response unit 142. The customer information acquisition unit 103 receives (acquires) customer information associated with the second customer identification information from the second customer server 4 that made the query.

Next, the control process of the POS terminal 1 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the control process of the POS terminal 1. As shown in FIG. 8, the code input determination unit 101 of the POS terminal 1 determines whether a customer code has been input from the customer code input unit 22 (S11). If the code input determination unit 101 determines that a customer code has been input from the customer code input unit 22 (Yes in S11), the control unit 100 stores the input customer code in the customer code unit 131.

Next, the code system determination unit 102 determines whether the input customer code is first customer specific information or second customer specific information based on the number of digits of the customer code stored in the customer code unit 131 (S12).

If the code system determination unit 102 determines that the information is the first customer specific information (Yes in S12), the customer information acquisition unit 103 searches for information stored in the customer code correspondence unit 142 based on the first customer specific information, and queries the first customer server 3 for customer information on the customer identified by the first customer specific information (S13). The customer information acquisition unit 103 then receives (acquires) customer information associated with the first customer specific information from the first customer server 3 (S16). The control unit 100 then stores the received customer information in the customer information unit 133 (S17). The control unit 100 then returns to S11.

On the other hand, in S12, if the code system determination unit 102 determines that the customer code is not the first customer specific information (No in S12), the code system determination unit 102 determines whether the input customer code is the second customer specific information or the second customer specific information based on the number of digits of the customer code stored in the customer code unit 131 (S14). If the code system determination unit 102 determines that the input customer code is the second customer specific information (Yes in S14), the customer information acquisition unit 103 searches for information stored in the customer code correspondence unit 142 based on the second customer specific information and queries the second customer server 4 about the customer information of the customer identified by the second customer specific information (S15). Then, the customer information acquisition unit 103 receives (acquires) customer information associated with the second customer specific information from the second customer server 4 (S16). Then, the control unit 100 stores the received customer information in the customer information unit 133 (S17). Then, the control unit 100 returns to S11.

If the code system determination unit 102 determines that the input customer code is not the second customer specific information (No in S14), the control unit 100 determines that the input customer code is neither the first customer specific information nor the second customer specific information (for example, the number of digits is neither 16 nor 8), and executes error processing (S18). The control unit 100 then returns to S11.

On the other hand, in S11, if the code input determination unit 101 determines that a customer code has not been input from the customer code input unit 22 (No in S11), the control unit 100 determines whether a product code based on the symbol read by the symbol reading unit 21 has been input (S21). If it determines that a product code has been input (Yes in S21), the control unit 100 executes a sales registration process based on the product code (S22). The control unit 100 then returns to S11.

Also, if it is determined that the input was not a product code (No in S21), the control unit 100 determines whether a closing key (not shown) arranged on the operation unit 19 has been operated (S23). The closing key is operated when completing a transaction with a customer. If it is determined that the closing key has been operated (Yes in S23), the control unit 100 executes a payment process based on the product information stored in the product information unit 132 (S24). The control unit 100 then returns to S11. However, if it is determined that the closing key has not been operated (No in S23), the control unit 100 returns to S11.

According to this embodiment, when a customer code is input, it is determined whether it is first customer specific information of the first system or second customer specific information of the second system based on the system of the customer code. If it is first customer specific information, customer information associated with the first customer specific information is obtained from the first customer server 3. If it is second customer specific information, customer information associated with the second customer specific information is obtained from the second customer server 4. Therefore, customer information can be obtained from any of the multiple customer servers.

Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This new embodiment can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This embodiment falls within the scope and gist of the invention, and is included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

For example, in the embodiment, it is determined whether the customer code is the first customer specific information of the first system or the second customer specific information of the second system based on the difference in the number of digits of the input customer code. However, this is not limited to the above, and the number of digits of the customer code of the first customer specific information and the second customer specific information may be different or the same, and for example, the code system determination unit 102 may focus on a specific digit of the customer code and determine whether it is the first customer specific information of the first system or the second customer specific information of the second system based on that digit. For example, if the most significant two digits of the customer code are "10", the code system determination unit 102 may determine that it is the first customer specific information of the first system, and if the most significant two digits of the customer code are "20", the code system determination unit 102 may determine that it is the second customer specific information of the second system.

In the embodiment, the POS terminal 1 has been described as an example of an information processing device. However, the information processing device may be any device that is communicatively connected to the first customer server 3 and the second customer server 4, and may be, for example, a customer information terminal that is installed in a store and provides information to customers.

In the embodiment, a customer code consisting of a multi-digit number is used as the customer code. However, the customer code (i.e., the first customer specific information and the second customer specific information) may be, for example, alphabets or symbols, or may be a mixture of all or a combination of numbers, alphabets, symbols, etc.

In the embodiment, the customer code is input by the customer code input unit 22 reading the card information, or by the symbol reading unit 21 reading the symbol displayed on the mobile terminal. However, this is not limited to the above, and for example, the customer code stored in the mobile terminal may be input using short-range wireless communication or infrared rays.

The programs executed by the POS terminal 1 of the embodiment are provided in the form of installable or executable files recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

The program executed by the POS terminal 1 of the embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading it via the network. The program executed by the POS terminal 1 of the embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

The program executed by the POS terminal 1 of the embodiment may also be configured to be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like.

1 POS terminal 3 First customer server 4 Second customer server 11 CPU
21 Symbol reading unit 22 Customer code input unit 31 CPU
41 CPU
100 Control unit 101 Code input determination unit 102 Code system determination unit 103 Customer information acquisition unit 131 Customer code unit 133 Customer information unit 142 Customer code response unit 300 Control unit 400 Control unit

JP 2015-108892 A

Claims (6)

a first customer server that stores first customer specific information;
a second customer server that stores second customer specific information;
an information processing device capable of communicating with the first customer server and the second customer server ;
Equipped with
The information processing device includes:
an input unit for inputting customer identification information for identifying a customer;
a determination means for determining whether the customer identifying information inputted from the input unit is the first customer identifying information or the second customer identifying information;
a customer information acquiring means for acquiring customer information of the customer identified by the first customer identifying information from the first customer server when the determination means determines that the customer identifying information is the first customer identifying information, and acquiring customer information of the customer identified by the second customer identifying information from the second customer server when the determination means determines that the customer identifying information is the second customer identifying information ;
An information processing system comprising: the determination means determines whether the input customer identifying information is the first customer identifying information or the second customer identifying information based on the number of digits of the input customer identifying information.
The information processing system according to claim 1 . the determination means determines whether the input customer identifying information is the first customer identifying information or the second customer identifying information based on information indicated by a specific digit of the input customer identifying information.
The information processing system according to claim 1 . a customer identifying information corresponding unit that associates and stores a system of the customer identifying information with whether the information is the first customer identifying information or the second customer identifying information determined by the determining means ;
The information processing system according to claim 1 , further comprising: The information processing device is a sales data processing device that executes a sales registration process for a product to be sold.
5. An information processing system according to claim 1. a first customer server storing first customer specific information, a second customer server storing second customer specific information, and an information processing device having an input unit for inputting customer specific information for identifying a customer and capable of communicating with the first customer server and the second customer server,
a determination means for determining whether the customer identifying information inputted from the input unit is the first customer identifying information or the second customer identifying information;
a customer information acquiring means for acquiring customer information of the customer identified by the first customer identifying information from the first customer server when the determination means determines that the customer identifying information is the first customer identifying information, and acquiring customer information of the customer identified by the second customer identifying information from the second customer server when the determination means determines that the customer identifying information is the second customer identifying information ;
A program to make it function as such.

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