JP2003115002A - Coupon system, method for managing coupon, medium, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that much cost is required for equipment such as a bar code reader in order to use the same coupon information by the same customer only once. SOLUTION: The coupon system is provided with an argument server 5 for issuing an argument determined on the basis of a prescribed rule, a coupon server 7 for issuing coupon information and a portable telephone terminal 3 for receiving the issued argument, sending the received argument to the server 7 and requesting coupon information to the server 7, which issues the coupon information to the terminal 3 on the basis of the sent argument.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coupon system, a coupon management method, a first device, a second device, a third device, a medium and a program for distributing and using coupons.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Coupon vouchers have been widely used for advertising in stores, sales promotion of products, and the like. For example, when a customer goes to a store and purchases food or goods such as clothes, a coupon may be obtained from the store. Then, at the time of the next shopping, if you give this coupon to the clerk of the store, the product will be discounted. Then, the clerk can know the usage status of the coupon ticket by totaling the coupon tickets given by the customer. As described above, the coupon ticket has been widely distributed as a conventional paper medium.

However, with the spread of the Internet, such coupon tickets are being digitized. For example, when a customer goes to a store and purchases a product, the customer accesses the home page of the store with a mobile phone terminal, downloads coupon information,
Display on the screen of the mobile phone terminal. That is, the image of the coupon ticket is displayed on the screen of the mobile phone terminal. Then, when paying for the product, the clerk of the shop is presented with the screen of the mobile phone terminal on which the image of the coupon ticket is displayed.

The store clerk confirms the image of the coupon ticket,
For example, a service is provided according to the service content of the coupon information, such as a discount on a product purchased by the customer.

The store can save the trouble of distributing the coupon ticket to the customer, and the customer can easily obtain and use the coupon information.
Advertising effects and sales promotion effects are far greater than those of coupons distributed as paper media.

However, the coupons distributed as paper media were not used by customers any more after they were given to the clerk. However, when the coupon ticket is digitized as described above, the coupon information can be downloaded any number of times via the Internet, so the same customer can use the same coupon ticket any number of times. There was a problem.

To solve this problem, barcode information is added to coupon information. That is, a bar code is also displayed on the image of the coupon ticket downloaded from the home page of the store and displayed on the screen of the mobile phone terminal.

When the customer presents the image of the coupon ticket with the bar code displayed on the screen of the mobile phone terminal to the store clerk, the store clerk reads the bar code with the bar code reader. Then, it is possible to check whether the same customer uses the same coupon information many times based on the read barcode value.

[0009]

However, when the bar code information is added to the coupon information in this way, the store is equipped with a bar code reader for reading the bar code information displayed on the screen of the mobile phone terminal. It is necessary to install it in advance. In addition, software such as a POS system must be purchased and installed in advance in a personal computer of the store.

That is, in the case of using the bar code-equipped coupon information in which the bar code information is added to the coupon information, a bar code reader, a POS system, or the like is required in the store, which causes a problem of cost increase.

Further, in the case of a coupon ticket with a bar code, there is a problem that it takes time and effort to perform an operation of reading with a bar code reader from a mobile phone terminal presented by the customer.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a coupon system, a coupon management method, and a first device that can set a limit on the number of times a customer can use coupon information without installing a special device in a store. , A second device, a third device, a medium, and a program.

Further, in consideration of the above problems, the present invention provides a coupon system in which a customer can limit the number of times coupon information can be used without performing a troublesome operation such as reading with a bar code reader, An object is to provide a coupon management method, a first device, a second device, a third device, a medium, and a program.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the first invention (corresponding to claim 1) includes a first device for issuing an argument determined according to a predetermined rule, A second device that issues coupon information; and a third device that receives the issued argument and sends the received argument to the second device to request the second device for the coupon information. The second device is a coupon system that issues the coupon information to the third device based on the argument sent in.

A second aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 2)
If the second device determines whether or not the sent-in argument is valid, and the result of the determination indicates that the sent-in argument is valid, then the second device If the coupon information is issued to three devices, and the determination result indicates that the argument that has been sent is not valid, the coupon information is not issued to the third device or the coupon is issued to the third device. It is a coupon system of the first present invention which issues information but prohibits its use.

The third invention (corresponding to claim 3)
The second device determines whether or not the coupon information corresponding to the sent-in argument has been used a predetermined number of times, and the determination result is that the coupon information corresponding to the sent-in argument is When it is indicated that the coupon information has not been used a predetermined number of times, the coupon information is issued to the third device, and the determination result is that the coupon information corresponding to the argument sent has been used a predetermined number of times. In the case of indicating that, the coupon system of the first aspect of the present invention does not issue the coupon information to the third device or issues the coupon information to the third device but prohibits its use.

A fourth invention (corresponding to claim 4)
Receives the argument issued by the first device that issues an argument determined based on a predetermined rule, sends the received argument, and adds the received argument to the argument sent from the third device that requests coupon information. The second device is provided with a coupon information issuing means for issuing the coupon information to the third device.

The fifth invention (corresponding to claim 5)
The coupon information issuing means determines whether or not the argument that has been sent is valid, and if the determination result indicates that the argument that has been sent is valid, then If the coupon information is issued to the third device and the determination result indicates that the argument that has been sent is not valid, the coupon information is not issued to the third device or the third device It is the 2nd apparatus of the 4th this invention which issues coupon information but prohibits its use.

A sixth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 6)
Is the rule for determining the argument, which is predetermined between the first device and the second device, and the coupon information issuing means uses the predetermined rule. And a second device of the fifth aspect of the present invention for performing the above determination.

The seventh invention (corresponding to claim 7)
The coupon information issuing means determines whether or not the coupon information corresponding to the argument sent in has been used a predetermined number of times, and the result of the determination is the coupon information corresponding to the argument sent in. Indicates that the coupon information has not been used a predetermined number of times, the coupon information is issued to the third device, and the determination result is that the coupon information corresponding to the sent argument is used a predetermined number of times. In the case of indicating the fact, it is the second device of the fourth aspect of the present invention which does not issue the coupon information to the third device or issues the coupon information to the third device but prohibits its use.

The eighth invention (corresponding to claim 8)
When the third device uses the coupon information corresponding to the sent argument, the third device notifies the coupon information issuing means to use the coupon information corresponding to the argument, and the third device The issuing means holds information indicating the number of times of use of the coupon information corresponding to the argument sent in, updates the information indicating the number of times of use based on the notification, the coupon information issuing means, The second device of the seventh aspect of the present invention performs the determination by using the information indicating the number of times of use.

The ninth invention (corresponding to claim 9)
The coupon information issuing means issues the coupon information as a web page, and issues the coupon information means that the web page is provided to the third device in response to a request from the third device. Not issuing the coupon information means not providing the web page to the third device even when requested by the third device, and prohibiting the use of the coupon information means not using the third device. The web page is provided to the third device in response to a request from the third device, but the web page is such a web page that an instruction to use the coupon information cannot be given. It is any 2nd apparatus of this invention.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 10), the third device displays the issued coupon information on its own screen and uses the coupon information displayed. When the instruction is given, the second device according to any one of the fourth to ninth aspects of the present invention, which notifies the coupon information issuing means of the content that the coupon information corresponding to the sent argument is used.

In the eleventh aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 11), the third device displays the issued coupon information on its own screen and uses it for the displayed coupon information. When the instruction for is issued, the contents that the coupon information corresponding to the sent argument is used are transmitted to the e-mail address of the store which is the target of the use of the coupon information by an e-mail. It is any 2nd apparatus of this invention.

In the twelfth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 12), the timing at which the displayed coupon information is instructed to be used depends on whether the coupon information is used in the store. It is the second device of the tenth or eleventh aspect of the present invention, which is performed at a timing at which it is possible for the store clerk to confirm that the instruction has been given on the screen of the third device.

Further, in a thirteenth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 13), when a store clerk of the store confirms that the instruction is given, a service corresponding to the coupon information is provided from the store by the third device. It is a second device of the twelfth invention provided to a user of.

In the fourteenth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 14), the argument includes at least a numerical value, and the coupon information issuing means or the first device uses all or part of the argument. It is the 2nd apparatus in any one of the 4th-13th inventions which implements a prize.

In the fifteenth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 15), the coupon information issuing means issues the coupon information as a web page, and the web page is
The fourth to fourteenth books provided to the third device when a predetermined quiz for providing the coupon information is answered or when a password for browsing the web page is entered. It is the second device according to any one of the inventions.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 16), the coupon information issuing means is the second device according to any one of the fourth to fifteenth aspects of the present invention which also serves as the first device. .

The seventeenth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 17) is provided with an argument issuing means for issuing an argument determined based on a predetermined rule, and receives the argument thus issued to the second device. The second device issues the coupon information to the third device based on the argument sent from the third device which sends the received argument and requests the second device for the coupon information. It is the first device.

In the eighteenth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 18), the second device determines whether or not the argument sent in is valid, and the determination result is
In the case where the sent-in argument indicates that it is valid, the coupon information is issued to the third device, and the determination result indicates that the sent-in argument is not valid, A first aspect of the seventeenth invention, wherein the coupon information is not issued to the third device or the coupon information is issued to the third device but its use is prohibited.
It is a device.

In the nineteenth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 19), the second device determines whether or not the coupon information corresponding to the argument sent in has been used a predetermined number of times, and If the determination result indicates that the coupon information corresponding to the argument that has been sent has not been used a predetermined number of times, the coupon information is issued to the third device, and the determination result is sent. If the coupon information corresponding to the argument has been used a predetermined number of times, the coupon information is not issued to the third device or the coupon information is issued to the third device but its use is prohibited. This is the first device of the seventeenth invention.

The 20th aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 20) is the first apparatus according to any one of the 17th to 19th aspects of the present invention, wherein the argument issuing means also serves as the second apparatus.

The 21st aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 21) is that a first device that issues an argument determined based on a predetermined rule, a second device that issues coupon information, and a predetermined rule. The argument receiving means that receives the argument issued from the first device that issues the argument determined based on the above, and the argument that is received are sent to the second device that issues the coupon information, and the second device receives the argument. Coupon information request / use means for requesting coupon information, and the second device is a third device for issuing the coupon information to the request / use means based on the argument sent in.

Further, in a twenty-second aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 22), the second device determines whether or not the argument sent in is valid, and the determination result is
In the case where the sent-in argument indicates that it is valid, the coupon information is issued to the request use means, and the determination result indicates that the sent-in argument is not valid, No. 21 Not issuing the coupon information to the request use means or issuing the coupon information to the request use means but prohibiting its use 21st
Is a third device of the present invention.

In the twenty-third aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 23), the predetermined rule is a rule predetermined between the first device and the second device for determining the argument. And the second device utilizes the predetermined rule to
It is a third device according to the 22nd aspect of the present invention, which performs the determination.

Further, in a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 24), the second device determines whether or not the coupon information corresponding to the received argument has been used a predetermined number of times, and If the determination result indicates that the coupon information corresponding to the sent argument is not used a predetermined number of times, the coupon information is issued to the request use means, and the determination result is sent. If the coupon information corresponding to the argument has been used a predetermined number of times, the coupon information is not issued to the request use means or the coupon information is issued to the request use means but its use is prohibited. 21st
Is a third device of the present invention.

In the twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 25), when the request use means uses the coupon information corresponding to the argument sent, the request use means sets the argument sent to the second device to the argument. Notifying that the corresponding coupon information is used, the second device holds information indicating the number of times of use of the coupon information corresponding to the argument sent, and uses the coupon information based on the notification. The second device is a third device according to the twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, which updates the information indicating the number of times and uses the information indicating the number of times of use to make the determination.

In the twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 26), the second device issues the coupon information as a web page and issues the coupon information.
Providing the web page to the request use means in response to a request from the request use means, and not issuing the coupon information means requesting the web page even if requested by the third device. It means that it is not provided to the use means, and prohibiting the use of the coupon information,
The web page is provided to the request use means in response to a request from the request use means, and the web page is a web page from which an instruction to use the coupon information cannot be given. 22-25 is a third device of any of the inventions.

In the twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 27), the request use means displays the issued coupon information on its own screen and uses it for the displayed coupon information. The third device of any one of the twenty-first to twenty-sixth aspects of the present invention, which notifies the second device of the content that the coupon information corresponding to the sent argument is used, when the instruction is given.

Further, in the twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 28), the request use means displays the issued coupon information on its own screen and uses it for the displayed coupon information. When the instruction for performing is issued, the content that the coupon information corresponding to the sent argument is used is sent by email to the email address of the store that is the target of using the coupon information.
Is a third device of any of the present inventions.

In the twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 29), the timing at which the displayed coupon information is instructed to be used depends on whether or not the coupon information is used by the store. It is the third device according to the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, which is performed at a timing at which it is possible for the store clerk to confirm that the instruction is given on the screen of the request use means.

According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 30), when a store clerk of the store confirms that the instruction has been given, a service corresponding to the coupon information is sent from the store to the request use means. It is a third device of the 29th invention provided to a user of the.

In the 31st aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 31), the argument includes at least a numerical value, and the second device or the first device uses all or part of the argument to make a prize. It is the 3rd apparatus in any one of the 21st-30th invention which implements.

In the thirty-second aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 32), the second device issues the coupon information as a web page, and the web page is a predetermined quiz for providing the coupon information. If the answer is
Alternatively, it is the third device according to any one of the 21st to 31st aspects of the present invention, which is provided to the request use means when a password for browsing the web page is input.

In the 33rd aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 33), the first device issues an argument determined based on a predetermined rule, and the third device receives the issued argument, Sending the received argument to the second device,
It is a coupon management method of requesting the coupon information from the second device, and the second device issuing the coupon information to the third device based on the argument sent in.

In the thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 34), the second device determines whether or not the argument sent in is valid, and the result of the determination is
In the case where the sent-in argument indicates that it is valid, the coupon information is issued to the third device, and the determination result indicates that the sent-in argument is not valid, The 33rd coupon management method of the present invention, wherein the coupon information is not issued to the third device, or the coupon information is issued to the third device but its use is prohibited.

In the thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 35), the second device determines whether or not the coupon information corresponding to the sent-in argument has been used a predetermined number of times, and If the determination result indicates that the coupon information corresponding to the argument that has been sent has not been used a predetermined number of times, the coupon information is issued to the third device, and the determination result is sent. If the coupon information corresponding to the argument has been used a predetermined number of times, the coupon information is not issued to the third device or the coupon information is issued to the third device but its use is prohibited. This is the 33rd coupon management method of the present invention.

The 36th aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 36) is the above-mentioned 1st apparatus which issues an argument determined based on a predetermined rule of the 2nd apparatus of the 4th aspect of the present invention. All or one of coupon information issuing means for receiving an argument, sending the received argument, and issuing the coupon information to the third device based on the argument sent from the third device requesting the coupon information. The medium carries a program for causing a computer to function as a unit, and is a medium that can be processed by the computer.

The thirty-seventh aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 37) is the above-mentioned first issue of the second device of the fourth aspect of the present invention which issues an argument determined based on a predetermined rule. All or one of coupon information issuing means for receiving an argument, sending the received argument, and issuing the coupon information to the third device based on the argument sent from the third device requesting the coupon information. It is a program that causes a computer to function as a section.

[0051]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a coupon system of the present embodiment.

The coupon system of FIG. 1 has a store terminal 22 installed in the store 2, a mobile phone terminal 3 used by a user who has visited the store 2 for shopping, and an argument server 5 installed in the argument issuing company 4. It is composed of a coupon server 7 installed in the coupon issue management company 5.

The store 2 is a fast food store that sells burgers, donuts and the like. The argument issuing company 4 is a business entity that issues an argument for managing coupon information. Also, the coupon issue management company 6
It is a business entity that issues coupon information used in stores 2 and the like. The coupon information is a computerized coupon ticket, and is image data showing a normal coupon ticket. The coupon information may include data other than image data such as text information.

The shop terminal 22 is a personal computer that can be connected to the Internet 1 and collects coupon information used by users of the mobile phone terminals 3 and the like at the shop 2.

The mobile phone terminal 3 is a mobile phone terminal that can be connected to the Internet 1 for using the coupon information at the store 2 by displaying the coupon information on the screen by the user.

The argument server 5 is a server which issues an argument for managing coupon information to the mobile phone terminal 2 via the Internet 1.

When the argument is sent from the mobile phone terminal 3 and the coupon information is requested, the coupon server 7 receives the coupon information.
Based on the sent arguments, it is determined whether coupon information should be issued, and when it is determined that coupon information should be issued, coupon information is issued to the mobile phone terminal 3 via the Internet 1. It is a server.

The mobile phone terminal 3 is provided with a web browser 19, an electronic mail transmission / reception means 20, and a coupon request use means 21 shown in FIG. 2 in addition to a transmission circuit and a reception circuit for a telephone function. The web browser 19 is means for accessing a web page by WWW and browsing the web page via the Internet 1. The electronic mail transmitting / receiving means 20 is means for connecting to the Internet 1 and transmitting / receiving electronic mail. The coupon request using means 21 sends the coupon information to the coupon server 7
The coupon information downloaded from the coupon server 7 is displayed on the screen of the mobile phone terminal 3 and used. The coupon request using means 21
Can be realized as, for example, a Java program executed on a Java virtual machine installed in the mobile phone terminal 3, or the web browser 19 and the electronic mail transmitting / receiving means 20 can also have the function. .

FIG. 3 shows the argument server 5. The argument server 5 includes an electronic mail transmitting means 6, an electronic mail creating means 7, a web page providing means 8, an argument generating means 9, a management database 10 and a management means 11.

The electronic mail transmitting means 6 is the mobile phone terminal 3
Is a means for transmitting a URL for providing coupon information to an e-mail address as an e-mail. In addition, an argument for managing coupon information is described in a part of this URL.

The electronic mail creating means 7 is the mobile phone terminal 2
2 is a means for creating the contents of an electronic mail for notifying the URL of the web page providing the coupon information to 2.

The web page providing means 8 is a means for providing a home page containing a list of coupon information.

The argument generating means 9 is means for generating an argument in accordance with a rule previously agreed with the coupon issue management company 6.

The management database 10 is a database that stores information such as the URL of a web page for the coupon server 7 of the coupon issue management company 6 to provide coupon information.

The managing means 11 is an electronic mail transmitting means 6,
It is a means for managing the electronic mail creating means 7, the web page providing means 8, the argument generating means 9, the management database 10, and the like.

FIG. 4 shows the coupon server 7. The coupon server 7 includes an argument receiving unit 13, an argument generation rule 14, a coupon use history database 15, and a judging unit 1.
6, a totaling means 17, and a management means 18.

The web page providing means 12 is means for providing the requested web page when a URL is sent from the mobile phone terminal 3 or the shop terminal 22 and the like, and the requested web page is provided. It is a means for providing a usage history of coupon information.

The argument receiving means 13 is a means for analyzing the URL output from the web page providing means 12 and extracting an argument.

The argument generation rule 14 is a rule for the argument issuing company 4 and the coupon issue management company 6 to generate an argument negotiated in advance.

The coupon usage history database 15 is a database for storing the usage history of coupon information.
For each argument, it is a database that stores information regarding whether or not the coupon information corresponding to the argument is used.

The judging means 16 judges whether or not the argument sent from the mobile phone terminal 3 is a valid argument by using the argument generation rule 14, and by using the coupon use history database 15. , Is a means for determining whether the coupon information corresponding to the argument sent from the mobile phone terminal 3 has been used or not.

The totaling means 17 is a means for creating data to be provided to the shop terminal 22 etc. by totaling the use / non-use of the coupon information stored in the coupon use history database 15.

The managing means 18 is the web page providing means 1
2, a means for managing data exchange and operation timing among the argument receiving means 13, the judging means 16, and the totalizing means 17.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 5 shows the exchange among the argument server 5, the mobile phone terminal 3, and the coupon server 7 in the coupon system of this embodiment.

Web page providing means 8 of the argument server 5
Provides the mobile phone terminal 3 with a home page listing a list of coupon information.

The list of coupon information is, for example, the name of a store 2 where the coupon information can be used, the location of the store 2, the service contents of the coupon information that can be used, and the like. Further, it is assumed that the user of the mobile phone terminal 2 wants to eat hamburger and donuts for lunch.

In such a case, the user of the mobile phone terminal 2 firstly receives the web page providing means 12 of the argument server 5.
Access the homepage provided by. Then, the coupon information of the store 2 is selected from the list of coupon information displayed on the screen of the mobile phone terminal 2. The mobile phone terminal 2
The web page providing means 8 is notified that the coupon information of the store 2 has been selected. Then, when the web page providing means 8 is notified from the mobile phone terminal 3, the managing means 1
1 is notified that the mobile phone terminal 3 has selected the coupon information of the store 2.

The management means 11 is the web page providing means 8
When notified from, the management database 10 is searched to read the URL of the home page that provides the selected coupon information of the store 2, and the argument generation means 9 further receives the argument for the selected coupon information of the store 2. Instruct to generate. The argument generating means 9 holds a rule which is agreed with the store 2 in advance and determines the argument. The argument generation means 9, when instructed by the management means 11, generates an argument according to this rule and outputs it to the management means 11.

The management means 11 combines the read URL and the argument generated by the argument generation means 9 to generate a URL for acquiring the coupon information of the store 2, and generates the generated U
The RL is notified to the electronic mail creating means 7.

The e-mail creating means 7 creates an e-mail including the URL notified from the managing means 11 in its content and outputs it to the e-mail transmitting means 6. The e-mail sending means 6 sends the e-mail received from the e-mail creating means 7 to the e-mail address of the mobile phone terminal 3 as indicated by the e-mail sending 34.

On the other hand, the electronic mail transmitting / receiving means 20 of the mobile phone terminal 3 receives the electronic mail 23 by the operation of the user and displays it on the screen of the mobile phone terminal 3. FIG. 6 shows the electronic mail 23 displayed on the screen of the mobile phone terminal 3 in this way.

In the electronic mail 23, the location of the store 2, the telephone number, the price of the product, the information about the store 2, and the description of the coupon information selected by the user of the mobile phone terminal 3 are described. Separately, the URL 24 of the web page providing the coupon information is described. URL24
, Includes the argument created by the argument server 5 as a part thereof.

It is assumed that the user goes to the store 2 and orders hamburgers and donuts at the store 2. Then, it informs the clerk of the store 2 that he wants to use the coupon information. Upon receipt of this, the clerk of the store 2 tells the user to present the coupon information.

In such a case, the user operates the mobile phone terminal 3 and clicks the URL 24 of the electronic mail 23.

Then, the coupon request using means 21 of the mobile phone terminal 2 transmits the URL 24 to the Internet 1 as shown in the coupon information request 35 of FIG. 5, thereby providing the coupon server 7 with coupon information. Request a page. This request is transmitted from the web browser 19 to the coupon server 7 via the Internet 1.

When the URL 24 is received, the web page providing means 12 of the coupon server 7 first receives the URL 24.
When receiving the URL 24, the argument receiving means 13 for outputting the argument 25 to the argument receiving means 13 and the management means 18 analyzes the URL 24, extracts the argument 25 which is a part of the URL 24, and outputs the extracted argument 25 to the management means 18. Output.

The management means 18 outputs the argument 25 and the URL 24 to the determination means 16 and instructs the determination means 16 to determine whether or not the web page designated by the URL 24 should be provided.

In response to this, the judging means 16 first judges whether or not the argument 25 is valid. That is, the determination means 16 identifies the store 2 from the part other than the argument 25 of the URL 24, and searches the argument generation rule 14 for a rule for generating an argument corresponding to the coupon information of the store 2 and reads it. Next, the judging means 16 examines whether the argument 25 can be generated by applying the read rule.

As such a rule, a rule in which a multiple of a prime number such as 7 or 13 is used as an argument can be used. In this case, it may be determined whether the argument 25 is a multiple of a prime number such as 7 or 13. When the read rule is a rule in which the argument is a multiple of 7, the determining means 25 determines that the argument 25 is a valid argument when the remainder is 0 and the remainder is a remainder. If is not 0, it is determined to be an invalid argument. In this way, the determination means 16 first determines whether or not the argument 25 is valid.

When it is determined that the argument 25 is not valid, the management means 18 is notified not to issue the coupon information. On the other hand, when it is determined that the argument 25 is valid, the determining unit 16 further determines whether the coupon information corresponding to the argument 25 has already been used. That is, the determination means 16 searches the coupon use history database 15 using the argument 25 as a key, and returns the argument 25.
Acquire information on whether or not the coupon information corresponding to is used. Then, when the acquired information indicates that the coupon information corresponding to the argument 25 is already used, the determination means 25 notifies the management means 18 not to issue the coupon information. On the other hand, if the acquired information indicates that the coupon information corresponding to the argument 25 has never been used, the determination means 25 notifies the management means 18 of the argument 2
Notify to issue coupon information corresponding to item 5.

When the determination means 16 notifies the management means 18 not to issue the coupon information, the coupon information cannot be used in place of the web page on which the coupon information is posted in the web page providing means 12. Ask them to publish a web page explaining this. Also,
When the management means 18 is notified by the determination means 16 to issue coupon information, the web page providing means 1
Instruct to issue a web page with coupon information on 2.

When the management means 18 instructs to issue a web page explaining that coupon information cannot be used, the web page providing means 12 of the coupon server 7 explains that the coupon information cannot be used. The web page is transmitted to the mobile phone terminal 3 as a response to the coupon information request 35 shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the management means 18 issues an instruction to issue a web page on which coupon information is posted, the web page providing means 12 of the coupon server 7 causes the mobile phone terminal to operate as shown in the coupon information transmission 36 of FIG. As a response to the coupon information request 35, the web page on which the coupon information is posted is transmitted to 3.

On the other hand, the web browser 1 of the mobile phone terminal 3
9 receives the web page transmitted from the coupon server 7, and displays it on the screen of the mobile phone terminal 3.
When this web page explains that the coupon information cannot be used, the description is displayed on the screen of the mobile phone terminal 3. In this case, the mobile phone terminal 3
Because I have not received the coupon information, the mobile phone terminal 3
Users cannot use coupon information.

On the other hand, when the web page received by the mobile phone terminal 3 is a web page on which coupon information is posted, an image of the coupon information is displayed on the screen of the mobile phone terminal 3.

FIG. 7A shows a screen 26 when the web page on which the coupon information is posted is displayed on the screen of the mobile phone terminal 3. A coupon image 27, which is an image of coupon information, and a button 28 are displayed on the screen 26.

Since the clerk of the store 2 is instructed to present the coupon information, the user of the mobile phone terminal 3 presents the screen 26 displayed on the mobile phone terminal 3 to the clerk of the store 2. Then, the mobile phone terminal 3 is operated to select the button 28.

Upon confirming that the button 28 has been clicked, the store clerk of the shop 2 recognizes that the coupon information has been used and carries a service corresponding to the service content of the coupon information, such as a free drink service. It is provided to the user of the telephone terminal 3.

On the other hand, when the button 28 is clicked, the coupon request using means 21 notifies the coupon server 7 that the coupon information has been used at the timing, as shown in the usage notice 37 of FIG. . Usage notice 37
Notifies the coupon server 7 that the coupon information has been used from the web browser 19 via the Internet 1.

When the web page providing means 12 of the coupon server 7 is notified by the mobile phone terminal 3 that the coupon information has been used, the web page providing means 12 notifies the management means 18 of the URL 24 of the web page on which the button 28 is clicked. At the same time, the management means 18 is notified that the coupon information has been used. In addition, the web page providing means 12 uses the UR
L24 is simultaneously notified to the argument receiving means 13. The argument receiving means 13 analyzes the notified URL 24 and returns the argument 2
5 is taken out and the argument 25 is notified to the management means 18.

The management means 18 registers in the coupon usage history database 15 that the coupon information corresponding to the argument 25 has been used. Coupon usage history database 1
Every time 5 uses the coupon information corresponding to a certain argument, the information that the coupon information corresponding to the argument is used is registered. Therefore, as described above, the determination means 16
Can make the electronic information corresponding to the argument usable only once.

When the coupon use history database 15 is updated in this manner, the management means 18 instructs the web page providing means 12 to send a web page having the content notifying that the use of the coupon information has been completed. . In response to this, the web page providing means 12 transmits the instructed web page to the mobile phone terminal 3. The web page received by the mobile phone terminal 3 is displayed on the screen. FIG. 7B shows the screen 29 thus displayed.

The totaling means 17 totalizes the coupon use history database 15 thus updated for each store 2. That is, how much the coupon information is used in the store 2 is calculated. The rule as to what argument is assigned to each store 2 is preliminarily agreed between the argument issuing company 4 and the coupon issue management company 6. Therefore, if this rule is used, the coupon usage history database 15
It is possible to easily specify which store 2 the argument stored in is associated with the coupon information. In this way, the aggregation unit 17 utilizes these rules to aggregate the coupon use history database 15 for each store 2 and create a web page for each store 2. And
The tallying means 17 outputs the created web page to the web page providing means 12.

On the other hand, the clerk of the store 2 may browse the web page created by the counting means 17 from the store terminal 22 if he or she wants to know the usage status of the coupon information of the store 2. The salesclerk of the store 2 displays the web page created by the counting unit 17 on the screen of the terminal 22 for the store so that the coupon information is used, the coupon information is used during a specific day or a specific period. It is possible to obtain information such as the number of coupons used, the time of the month, the time, and the coupon information used. In this way, the salesclerk of the store 2 can obtain the usage record of the coupon information by browsing the web page created by the counting unit 17.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the store 2
Even if special equipment such as a bar code reader or a POS system is not installed, the coupon information can be used only once.

In the present embodiment, the coupon information is described as being usable only once, but not limited to this, the coupon information can be used up to a predetermined number of times, but the coupon information is used more than the predetermined number of times. You can choose not to do it. In this case, coupon usage history database 1
Information regarding the number of times the coupon information is used is also stored in 5, and the determination unit 16 uses the information regarding the number of times the coupon use history database 15 is used to determine whether the coupon information has been used a predetermined number of times. Up to the number of times, it shall be judged whether it has not been used. Then, if it is not used up to a predetermined number of times, the same operation as when the coupon information of the above embodiment is not used is performed, and if specified a predetermined number of times, the coupon information of the above embodiment is The same operation as used shall be performed. By doing so, it becomes possible to set a use restriction on the coupon information.

Further, in the present embodiment, it has been described that the mobile phone terminal 3 transmits the usage notice 37 when the coupon information is used, but at the same time, FIG.
The electronic mail 30 as shown in may be transmitted to the electronic mail address of the store 2. Information such as coupon type 31, coupon use date / time 32, store name 32, etc. is described in the email 30, and accordingly, the content described in the email 30 is displayed on the store terminal 22 installed in the store 2. Since the coupon information can be aggregated on the shop 2 side by totaling, the usage record of the coupon information can be created independently on the shop 2 side. Further, by storing a database of the sender's electronic mail address of the electronic mail 30 on the shop 2 side, it becomes possible for the shop 2 to create its own customer list.

Further, in the present embodiment, the counting means 17
By totaling the usage of coupon information stored in the coupon usage history database 15,
Although it has been described that the data to be provided to the shop terminal 22 is created, the present invention is not limited to this. When the store 2 is one of a plurality of chain stores, the store terminal 22 is not installed in the store 2, but the store terminal 22 is installed in the head office store that manages each chain store, and the aggregation means 17 Data to be provided to the shop terminal 22 or the like installed in the head office may be created by aggregating whether or not the coupon information stored in the coupon usage history database 15 is used. The data aggregated by the aggregation means 17 can be browsed by inputting a pre-registered password from a terminal installed in a place other than the store 2 or a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone terminal. Good.

The coupon server 7 according to the present embodiment is used.
Prompts the mobile phone terminal 3 to enter a password before sending the coupon information as the coupon information transmission 36, and sends the web page on which the coupon information is posted as the coupon information transmission 36 only when the valid password is input. It doesn't matter. By doing so, it becomes possible to make the coupon information available only to pre-registered members. As described above, the coupon system of this embodiment is also useful for a closed campaign.

Further, before the coupon server 7 of the present embodiment transmits the coupon information as the coupon information transmission 36, the web page in which the quiz is posted is provided on the mobile phone terminal 3, and the answer of this quiz is input. Only when the coupon information is transmitted, the web page on which the coupon information is posted may be transmitted as the coupon information transmission 36. Similarly, a web page on which coupon information is posted may be transmitted as coupon information transmission 36 only when a questionnaire is implemented and the questionnaire is answered.

Further, in the present embodiment, the judging means 16
When it is determined that the coupon information should not be issued, the server 7 for coupons has been described as not issuing the web page on which the coupon information is posted, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the coupon information may be issued. It is also possible to prohibit the use of the coupon information. That is,
When the determination means 16 determines that the web page on which the coupon information is posted should not be issued, the coupon server 7 determines that the button 28 of FIG. 7A cannot be clicked on the web. You may publish the page. In this way, the user of the mobile phone terminal 3 cannot click the button 28, so that the use notification 37 is not sent.

Furthermore, it is also possible to carry out a prize using the arguments of this embodiment. For example, each time the usage notice 37 is sent, the coupon server 7 can perform a lottery with the argument included in the usage notice 37, and can notify the winner by e-mail that the prize content has been won.

The argument server 5 of the present embodiment is an example of the first device of the present invention, and the coupon server 7 of the present embodiment is an example of the second device of the present invention. The mobile phone terminal 3 of the embodiment is an example of the third device of the present invention, and the web page providing unit 12, the managing unit 18, and the
Argument receiving means 13, determination means 16, argument generation rule 1
4. The coupon use history database 15 is an example of the coupon information issuing means of the present invention, and the electronic mail transmitting means 6, the electronic mail creating means 7, the managing means 11, of the present embodiment.
The argument generating means 9 is an example of the argument issuing means of the present invention, the coupon request using means 21 and the electronic mail transmitting / receiving means 20 of the present embodiment are examples of the argument receiving means of the present invention, and the coupon of the present embodiment. The information request use means 21 and the web browser 19 are examples of the coupon information request use means of the present invention.

The present invention is a function of all or part of means (or device, element, circuit, section, etc.) of the above-described coupon system, first device, second device, or third device of the present invention. Is a program that causes a computer to execute, and is a program that operates in cooperation with the computer.

The present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute all or some of the steps (or steps, operations, actions, etc.) of the above-described coupon management method of the present invention, and cooperates with the computer. It is a program that operates by doing.

The present invention is a medium carrying a program for causing a computer to execute all or some of the steps of all or some of the steps of the coupon management method of the present invention described above, which is readable by the computer and The read program is a medium that cooperates with the computer to execute the operation.

The present invention is intended to cause a computer to execute all or some of the functions of all or some of the means of the above-described coupon system, first apparatus, second apparatus, or third apparatus of the present invention. A medium carrying a program, readable by a computer, and
The read program is a medium that executes the function in cooperation with the computer.

[0119] Note that some means (or devices, elements, circuits, sections, etc.) of the present invention, and some steps (or steps, operations, actions, etc.) of the present invention mean a plurality of these means. Or means a number of means or steps within a step or one of the means or steps
It means some functions or some operations.

Further, a computer-readable recording medium in which the program of the present invention is recorded is also included in the present invention.

Further, one usage form of the program of the present invention may be a mode in which the program is recorded in a computer-readable recording medium and operates in cooperation with the computer.

Further, one usage form of the program of the present invention may be a mode in which the program is transmitted through a transmission medium, read by a computer, and operates in cooperation with the computer.

Further, the data structure of the present invention includes a database, a data format, a data table, a data list, a type of data and the like.

The recording medium includes a ROM and the like, and the transmission medium includes a transmission medium such as the Internet,
Light, radio waves, sound waves, etc. are included.

The computer of the present invention described above is
The hardware is not limited to pure hardware such as a CPU, and may include firmware, an OS, and peripheral devices.

As described above, the configuration of the present invention may be realized by software or hardware.

[0127]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a coupon system and a coupon can be set for limiting the number of times a customer can use coupon information without installing a special device in a store. Management method, first device,
The second device, the third device, the medium, and the program can be provided.

Further, according to the present invention, a coupon system, a coupon management method, and a first coupon management method which can set a limit on the number of times a customer can use coupon information without performing a troublesome operation such as reading with a bar code reader. The device, the second device, the third device, the medium, and the program can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a coupon system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a mobile phone terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an argument server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a coupon server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing configurations of an argument server, a mobile phone terminal, and a coupon server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electronic mail according to the embodiment of the present invention.

7A is a diagram showing a screen on which coupon information is displayed according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a screen for notifying the completion of use of the coupon information according to the embodiment of the present invention; The figure which shows the content of the email transmitted from a mobile telephone terminal, when the use of the coupon information in embodiment of this invention is completed.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Internet 2 stores 3 mobile phone terminals 4 argument issuing company Server for 5 arguments 6 coupon issue management company 7 Coupon server 8 Web page providing means 9 argument generation means 10 Management database 11 Management means 12 Web page providing means 13 argument receiving means 14 argument generation rules 15 Coupon usage history database 16 Judgment means 17 means of counting 18 Management means 19 Web browser 20 E-mail sending and receiving means 21 Coupon request use method 22 store terminals 23 Email 25 arguments 26 screens 27 coupon images 28 buttons 29 screens 30 emails 31 Coupon type 32 coupon use date and time 33 Store name 24 URL 34 Send e-mail 35 Request coupon information 36 Send coupon information 37 Usage notice

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Shinichiro Nagata             19-1 Hamakazecho Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture (72) Inventor Shinji Wakura             450-152 Satsukidai 2-chome, Ikoma City, Nara Prefecture (72) Inventor Wataru Doseki             950-72 Nishi 2-chome, Nakayama-cho, Nara, Nara Prefecture

Claims (37)

[Claims] 1. A first device which issues an argument determined based on a predetermined rule, a second device which issues coupon information, receives the issued argument, and receives the argument and the second device. And a third device for requesting the coupon information from the second device, wherein the second device issues the coupon information to the third device based on the argument sent in. . 2. The second device determines whether or not the argument that has been sent is valid, and the result of the determination indicates that the argument that has been sent is valid. , Issuing the coupon information to the third device, and the determination result indicates that the argument sent is not valid, does not issue the coupon information to the third device or the third device The coupon system according to claim 1, wherein the coupon information is issued to the user but the use thereof is prohibited. 3. The second device determines whether or not the coupon information corresponding to the argument sent in has been used a predetermined number of times, and the result of the determination is the result corresponding to the argument sent in. When the coupon information indicates that the coupon information has not been used a predetermined number of times, the coupon information is issued to the third device, and the determination result is that the coupon information corresponding to the argument that has been sent is the predetermined number of times. The coupon system according to claim 1, wherein, when indicating that the coupon information has been used, the coupon information is not issued to the third device or the coupon information is issued to the third device but its use is prohibited. 4. The first device that issues an argument determined based on a predetermined rule receives the argument that is issued, sends the received argument, and is sent from a third device that requests coupon information. A second device comprising a coupon information issuing means for issuing the coupon information to the third device based on the argument. 5. The coupon information issuing means determines whether or not the argument that has been sent is valid, and the result of the determination indicates that the argument that has been sent is valid. In this case, if the coupon information is issued to the third device, and the determination result indicates that the argument that has been sent is not valid, the coupon information is not issued to the third device or the third device The second aspect according to claim 4, wherein the coupon information is issued to a device but its use is prohibited.
apparatus. 6. The predetermined rule is a rule for determining the argument, which is predetermined between the first device and the second device, and the coupon information issuing means is the predetermined rule. The second device according to claim 5, wherein the determination is performed by using. 7. The coupon information issuing means determines whether or not the coupon information corresponding to the sent-in argument has been used a predetermined number of times, and the determination result corresponds to the sent-in argument. If the coupon information indicates that the coupon information has not been used a predetermined number of times, the coupon information is issued to the third device, the determination result is that the coupon information corresponding to the argument that has been sent is predetermined. The second device according to claim 4, wherein, when it indicates that the coupon has been used a number of times, the coupon information is not issued to the third device or the coupon information is issued to the third device but the use is prohibited. 8. The third device, when using the coupon information corresponding to the argument sent in, notifies that the coupon information corresponding to the argument sent to the coupon information issuing means is used, The coupon information issuing means holds information indicating the number of times of use of the coupon information corresponding to the sent argument, updates the information indicating the number of times of use based on the notification, and issues the coupon information. The second device according to claim 7, wherein the means uses the information indicating the number of times of use to make the determination. 9. The coupon information issuing means issues the coupon information as a web page, and issuing the coupon information means that the web page is sent to the third device in response to a request from the third device. Providing, and not issuing the coupon information is not providing the web page to the third device even when requested by the third device, and prohibiting the use of the coupon information is The web page is provided to the third device in response to a request from the third device, and the web page is a web page from which an instruction to use the coupon information cannot be given. The 2nd apparatus in any one of 5-8. 10. The third device displays the issued coupon information on its own screen, and responds to the sent-in argument when an instruction for use is given to the displayed coupon information. The second according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the coupon information issuing means is notified of the content that the coupon information has been used.
apparatus. 11. The third device displays the issued coupon information on its own screen, and when the displayed coupon information is instructed to be used, the third device responds to the sent argument. The second device according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the content that said coupon information has been used is transmitted to an electronic mail address of a store which is a target of use of the coupon information by electronic mail. 12. The timing at which the displayed coupon information is instructed to be used is determined by the clerk of the store, which is the target of using the coupon information, on the screen of the third device. The second device according to claim 10 or 11, which is performed at a timing at which it can be confirmed. 13. The second device according to claim 12, wherein when a salesclerk of the store confirms that the instruction has been given, a service corresponding to the coupon information is provided from the store to a user of the third device. . 14. The argument includes at least a numerical value, and the coupon information issuing means or the first device uses all or a part of the argument to carry out a prize. Second device. 15. The coupon information issuing means issues the coupon information as a web page, and the web page displays the web page when a predetermined quiz for providing the coupon information is answered. The second device according to any one of claims 4 to 14, which is provided to the third device when a password for browsing is input. 16. The second device according to claim 4, wherein the coupon information issuing means also serves as the first device. 17. An argument issuing means for issuing an argument determined on the basis of a predetermined rule is provided, receives the issued argument, sends the received argument to a second device, and sends the argument to the second device. The first device which issues the coupon information to the third device, based on the argument sent from the third device requesting the coupon information. 18. The second device determines whether or not the argument that has been sent is valid, and the result of the determination indicates that the argument that has been sent is valid. , Issuing the coupon information to the third device, and the determination result indicates that the argument sent is not valid, does not issue the coupon information to the third device or the third device 18. The first device according to claim 17, wherein the coupon information is issued to the user but the use thereof is prohibited. 19. The second device determines whether or not the coupon information corresponding to the sent-in argument has been used a predetermined number of times, and the determination result corresponds to the sent-in argument. When the coupon information indicates that the coupon information has not been used a predetermined number of times, the coupon information is issued to the third device, and the determination result is that the coupon information corresponding to the argument that has been sent is the predetermined number of times. 18. The first device according to claim 17, wherein when it is used, the coupon information is not issued to the third device or the coupon information is issued to the third device but its use is prohibited. 20. The first device according to claim 17, wherein the argument issuing means also serves as the second device. 21. From a first device that issues an argument determined based on a predetermined rule, a second device that issues coupon information, and a first device that issues an argument determined based on a predetermined rule An argument receiving means for receiving the issued argument, and a coupon information request using means for sending the received argument to a second device for issuing coupon information and requesting the coupon information to the second device, The said 2nd apparatus is the 3rd apparatus which issues the said coupon information to the said request | requirement use means based on the said argument sent in. 22. The second device determines whether or not the argument that has been sent is valid, and the result of the determination indicates that the argument that has been sent is valid. , If the coupon information is issued to the request use means, and the determination result shows that the argument sent is not valid, the coupon information is not issued to the request use means or the request use means 22. The coupon information is issued to but prohibited from being used.
The third device described. 23. The predetermined rule is a rule predetermined between the first device and the second device for determining the argument, and the second device sets the predetermined rule. 23. The third device according to claim 22, wherein the third device is used to make the determination. 24. The second device determines whether or not the coupon information corresponding to the argument sent in has been used a predetermined number of times, and the result of the determination is the result corresponding to the argument sent in. If the coupon information indicates that the coupon information has not been used a predetermined number of times, the coupon information is issued to the request use means, the determination result is that the coupon information corresponding to the argument sent is a predetermined number of times. 22. The third device according to claim 21, wherein, when it indicates that the coupon information has been used, the coupon information is not issued to the request use means or the coupon information is issued to the request use means but the use is prohibited. 25. The request use means, when using the coupon information corresponding to the argument sent in, notifies that the coupon information corresponding to the argument sent to the second device is used, The second device holds information indicating the number of times of use of the coupon information corresponding to the argument sent in, updates the information indicating the number of times of use based on the notification, and the second device, By using the information indicating the number of times it has been used,
The third device according to claim 24, wherein the determination is performed. 26. The second device issues the coupon information as a web page, and issuing the coupon information means providing the web page to the request use means in response to a request from the request use means. Not issuing the coupon information means not providing the web page to the request use unit even when requested by the third device, and prohibiting the use of the coupon information means that the request is made. 23. The web page is provided to the request use means in response to a request from the use means, and the web page is a web page from which an instruction to use the coupon information cannot be given. The third device according to any one of to 25. 27. The request use means displays the issued coupon information on its own screen, and responds to the sent argument when an instruction for use is given to the displayed coupon information. The third device according to any one of claims 21 to 26, which notifies the second device of the content that the coupon information is used. 28. The request use means displays the issued coupon information on its own screen, and when the displayed coupon information is instructed to be used, corresponds to the sent argument. The third content according to any one of claims 21 to 27, wherein the content that said coupon information has been used is transmitted by email to the email address of the store that is the target of the use of that coupon information.
apparatus. 29. Regarding the timing at which an instruction for use is given to the displayed coupon information, a clerk of the store that is the target of using the coupon information gives the instruction on the screen of the request use means. 29. The third device according to claim 27 or 28, which is performed at a timing at which it can be confirmed. 30. The third device according to claim 29, wherein a service corresponding to the coupon information is provided from the store to a user of the request use means when the store clerk of the store confirms that the instruction has been given. . 31. The argument according to claim 21, wherein the argument includes at least a numerical value, and the second device or the first device implements a prize using all or part of the argument. Third device. 32. The second device issues the coupon information as a web page, and the web page browses the web page when a predetermined quiz for providing the coupon information is answered. The third device according to any one of claims 21 to 31, which is provided to the request use means when a password for performing the operation is input. 33. The first device issues an argument determined based on a predetermined rule, the third device receives the issued argument, sends the received argument to the second device, and A coupon management method of requesting the coupon information from a second device, wherein the second device issues the coupon information to the third device based on the argument sent in. 34. The second device determines whether or not the argument that has been sent is valid, and the result of the determination indicates that the argument that has been sent is valid. , Issuing the coupon information to the third device, and the determination result indicates that the argument sent is not valid, does not issue the coupon information to the third device or the third device 34. The coupon management method according to claim 33, wherein the coupon information is issued to a user but the use thereof is prohibited. 35. The second device determines whether or not the coupon information corresponding to the argument sent in has been used a predetermined number of times, and the result of the determination is the value corresponding to the argument sent in. When the coupon information indicates that the coupon information has not been used a predetermined number of times, the coupon information is issued to the third device, and the determination result is that the coupon information corresponding to the argument that has been sent is the predetermined number of times. 34. The coupon management method according to claim 33, wherein if the coupon information is used, the coupon information is not issued to the third device or the coupon information is issued to the third device but its use is prohibited. 36. The second device according to claim 4, which receives the argument issued by the first device which issues an argument determined based on a predetermined rule, sends the received argument, and outputs coupon information. A medium carrying a program for causing a computer to function as all or part of coupon information issuing means for issuing the coupon information to the third device based on the argument sent from the requesting third device. A medium that can be processed by a computer. 37. The coupon information is received by receiving the argument issued by the first device of the second device of claim 4, which issues an argument determined based on a predetermined rule, and sending the received argument. A program for causing a computer to function as all or part of coupon information issuing means for issuing the coupon information to the third device based on the argument sent from the requesting third device.