JP4382565B2 - Information processing apparatus and information processing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a non-contact information medium that is attached to a product and stores management data of the product in a memory, and an information processing apparatus and an information processing system that allow the non-contact information medium to function as a warranty for a product to which the medium is attached. .

  Conventionally, a non-contact tag (non-contact information medium) with non-volatile memory and a non-contact data transmission means capable of non-contact data transmission is installed at a position that cannot be recognized from the outside of the product, and is necessary in advance when distributing the product. Has already been known to write genuine product management information in the non-volatile memory of contactless tags, and to determine whether the product is a genuine product or a counterfeit product by reading the memory information of the contactless tag through the product distribution channel. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

In addition, in the storage unit built in the product management tag (non-contact information medium) attached to the product, product data that can identify the external product and the shipping source is written, and a specific polarity is given to the polarity holding unit in advance. . The store reads the product data written in the storage unit, performs product management and product authentication, and erases the polarity held in the polarity holding unit when selling the product. It has already been known that shoplifting can be prevented by providing a polarity detecting means for issuing an alarm when the polarity given to the polarity holding unit is detected in the vicinity of the entrance / exit of the store by doing so (for example, , See Patent Document 2).
JP 2000-148950 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-074286

  By the way, many electrical appliances, ornaments such as watches and rings, or products such as bags and golf clubs are repaired free of charge if the product fails within a specified period after purchase. A warranty card that describes the product warranty policy guaranteed by the store is attached. At stores that sell products that are subject to such product warranty regulations, so-called products that are covered by warranty, the sales date is written on the paper warranty attached to the product when the product is sold to customers. We signed the store (seal) and handed it to the customer along with the product. In addition, when a customer comes to request a return or repair of a product subject to warranty, the store clerk visually checks the contents of the warranty card, such as that the sales date is within the warranty period or that the product is sold at the store. Whether or not the warranty requirements are satisfied.

  For this reason, at the time of sale of the guarantee target product, it takes time and effort for the store clerk to issue the guarantee, and there is a problem that the customer is kept waiting until the guarantee is issued. In addition, when receiving a return or repair request for a product covered by the warranty, the store clerk made a decision as to whether or not the warranty requirement was satisfied, which caused a heavy burden on the store clerk and could cause a misjudgment. . In addition, it was not possible to reliably prevent fraud such as falsifying the warranty date by extending the warranty period, bringing in counterfeit goods as a regular product, seeking returns, and deceiving the return amount. .

  The present invention has been made based on such circumstances. The purpose of the present invention is to allow a non-contact information medium attached to a product to function as a guarantee after the sale of the product. Information processing system and information processing apparatus capable of reducing the labor and time required for confirmation of the product and reliably preventing fraud such as falsification of warranty and bringing in counterfeit goods, and non-contact used in this An information medium is to be provided.

  The present invention is a non-contact information medium, for example, wireless, which is attached to a product, stores the management data of the product in a memory, and can read and write the product management data stored in the memory by non-contact communication with an external device. The tag includes product management data that includes at least data related to the product warranty period of the product to which the contactless information medium is attached, and the date of sale and the data of the store identification code are written to the memory when the product is sold. It is a non-contact information medium.

  The present invention is also an information processing apparatus, for example, a POS terminal, which reads data stored in the memory of the non-contact information medium and writes data to the memory by non-contact communication, and stores the current date. Based on the merchandise management data read from the memory of the storage means, the store identification code data, and the non-contact information medium, the sales data of the product to which the non-contact information medium is attached is processed. When the sales of the product for which the product sales data has been processed by the product sales data processing unit is confirmed, the date storage unit and the store code storage are stored for the non-contact information medium attached to the product. Sales data writing control means for controlling writing of the date and the data of the store identification code respectively stored in the means.

  The present invention also relates to an information processing apparatus, such as a POS terminal, for reading data stored in the memory of the non-contact information medium and writing data to the memory, for example, a POS terminal, the memory of the non-contact information medium Warranty requirement judging means for judging whether or not the product to which the non-contact information medium is attached satisfies the product warranty requirements based on the warranty period, the sales date and the store identification code included in the product management data read from And a notifying means for notifying the judgment result by the guarantee requirement judging means.

  Further, the present invention is attached to a product, stores management data of the product in a memory, and can read and write the product management data stored in the memory by non-contact communication with an external device. A non-contact information medium including at least data relating to a product warranty period of a product to which the non-contact information medium is attached, a date storage means for storing the current date, a store code storage means for storing data of a store identification code, Based on the product management data read from the memory of the non-contact information medium, the product sales data processing means for processing the sales data of the product to which the non-contact information medium is attached, and the product sales data is processed by the product sales data processing means. When the sales of the processed product is confirmed, the date storage means and the non-contact information medium attached to the product are stored. Read from a memory of a first information processing apparatus, for example, a POS terminal, which includes sales data writing control means for controlling writing of date and sales shop identification code data respectively stored in the shop code storage means. Warranty requirement judging means for judging whether or not the product to which the non-contact information medium is attached satisfies the product warranty requirements based on the warranty period, sale date and dealer identification code included in the product management data, and This is an information processing system comprising a second information processing apparatus, for example, a guarantee confirmation terminal, provided with a notifying means for notifying the judgment result by the guarantee requirement judging means.

  According to the present invention in which such measures are taken, the non-contact information medium attached to the product can function as a guarantee after the sale of the product, reducing labor and time required for issuing the guarantee and confirming the contents of the guarantee. In addition, it is possible to provide an information processing system and an information processing apparatus that can reliably prevent fraud such as falsification of a warranty card and bringing in counterfeit goods, and a non-contact information medium used therefor.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a POS (Point Of Sales) system of a store that handles electrical appliances.

  FIG. 1 is a system diagram of the present embodiment. A POS terminal 1 having a product sales data processing function and a store server 2 that controls product sales data processing in the POS terminal 1 are connected to a wired or wireless LAN. A POS system is constructed by connecting with a communication line such as (Local Area Network). The POS terminal 1 is a wireless that can read data stored in a non-volatile memory of a wireless tag, which is a non-contact information medium, and write data to the memory in a non-contact manner using wireless communication. A tag reader / writer 4 is connected. The tag communication antenna 5 of the wireless tag reader / writer 4 is embedded in a scanning table (not shown) on which products can be placed.

  The store server 2 is provided with a product master file 6 in which product specific information such as product name and unit price is set in advance corresponding to a product code for identifying each product. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a warranty flag F0 (for example, 0: non-guaranteed, 1: guaranteed) for identifying whether or not the product is subject to product warranty regulations, so-called guaranteed product. ) Is set for each product in the product master file 6.

  As shown in FIG. 3, each product 7 is provided with wireless tags 8A and 8B. The wireless tags 8A and 8B may be externally attached (pasted) to the product, or may be embedded (embedded). In some cases, the wireless tag 8C is attached to a paper warranty card 10 attached to a case 9 or the like for packing the product 7.

  Each of the wireless tags 8A, 8B, and 8C is a battery-less type having a built-in IC chip and an antenna including a non-volatile memory and a communication circuit and having no power source. The non-volatile memory is as shown in FIG. The area is divided into an ID area A1 and a user area A2. The user area A2 includes classification data for identifying the types of the wireless tags 8A, 8B, and 8C, a product code, a manufacturer code, a product number, a manufacturing number, a warranty period, a sales date, a store code, a warranty count, and a plurality of An item area for storing the product management data consisting of the warranty execution date, and a rewrite prohibition flag F1 provided corresponding to each item area and set to "1" when writing to the item area is prohibited Are divided into flag areas storing F12.

  In the ID area A1, a unique ID assigned and set by the manufacturer at the manufacturing stage of the wireless tags 8A, 8B, and 8C is fixedly stored. In addition, in the section area of the user area A2 and each item area of the product code, manufacturer code, product number, production number, and warranty period, which are part of the product management data, data corresponding to the product shipping stage is written. Then, the corresponding rewrite prohibition flags F1 to F6 are also set to “1”, and subsequent writing is prohibited. There are three types of classification data, “1”, “2”, and “3”, and the classification data “1” is a single non-collation type wireless tag attached externally or internally to the product. The classification data “2” is written to 8A and attached to the product by external attachment or built-in, and is written to a collation type radio tag 8B in which another radio tag 8C to be collated exists, 3 ″ is a wireless to be verified that stores the same product management data as the wireless tag 8B attached to the product 7 that is attached to the warranty card 10 attached to the case 9 or the like and packed in the case 9. It is written in the tag 8C.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the POS terminal 1. The POS terminal 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 constituting a control unit main body, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 in which fixed data such as a program is stored, and various works for temporarily storing variable data. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 in which a memory and the like are formed, a clock unit 14 that measures the current date and time, a communication interface 15 that manages data communication with the store server 2 through the communication line 3, and a mode switch 16 An I / O port 18 having an input port for inputting a signal and an output port for outputting a drive signal to the drawer 17, a keyboard controller 20 for controlling the keyboard 19, and a display controller 22 for controlling the operator display 21 , A display controller 24 for controlling the customer display 23, and a printer for controlling the receipt printing printer 25. The controller 26 and the wireless tag reader-writer 4 is configured by the wireless tag reader-writer interface 27 or the like connected. The CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, clock unit 14, communication interface 15, wireless tag reader / writer interface 27, I / O port 18, and controllers 20, 22, 24, 26 of each input / output device include an address bus, a data bus, etc. They are connected by a bus line 28.

  In the RAM 13, a current date memory 31, a store code memory 32, a guarantee tag memory 33 and a guaranteeable shop list memory 34 are formed. In the current date memory 31, the date measured by the clock unit 14 is stored as the current date (date storage means). Store code memory 32 stores a store code for specifying a store where the POS terminal 1 is operating (store code storage means). In the guarantee tag memory 33, guarantee tag data consisting of IDs of the wireless tags 8A, 8B, and 8C attached to the guarantee target products among the products purchased by the customer, the product codes, and the verification flag is stored for one customer. The collation flag is a flag for identifying whether the wireless tag in which the corresponding ID is set is the non-collation type radio tag 8A or the other (collation type or collation target) radio tags 8B and 8C. It is “0” for the type of wireless tag 8A, and “1” for the other wireless tags 8B and 8C. In the guaranteeable store list memory 34, only the store code of the store code memory 32 is stored when receiving a request for return or repair of only a product purchased at the own store, and even a product purchased at another store such as an affiliated store is stored. When receiving a request for return or repair, the store code of the corresponding other store is stored together with the store code of the own store.

  The mode switch 16 is a changeover switch for selectively selecting the business mode of the POS terminal 1, and the business mode includes “registration”, “inspection”, “settlement”, “setting”, “pause”, and the like. "Warranty confirmation" to be executed when confirming the contents of the warranty is set (switching means). Instead of setting the “guaranteed confirmation” mode by switching the mode switch 16, for example, by performing a predetermined key operation in the existing “pause” mode, the “guaranteed confirmation” mode is programmed to be executed. Also good.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the CPU 11 when the “registration” mode is selected. That is, the CPU 11 waits for the wireless tag reader / writer 4 to detect the wireless tags 8A to 8C attached to the product 7 or the case 9 as ST (step) 1 and storing the product management data.

  The wireless tag reader / writer 4 periodically transmits an interrogation wave from the antenna 5 embedded in the scanning table. The wireless tag that has received the interrogation wave generates an electric power by its internal circuit and transmits a response wave. When the wireless tag reader / writer 4 receives a response wave from the wireless tag with the antenna 5, the wireless tag reader / writer 4 establishes communication with the wireless tag of the response wave transmission source, and wirelessly transmits data such as an ID stored in the nonvolatile memory of the wireless tag. Read using communication. Then, the read memory data of the wireless tag is transmitted to the POS terminal 1.

  Therefore, when the memory data of the wireless tag is input via the wireless tag reader / writer interface 27, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the wireless tags 8A to 8C are detected from the data in the user area A2. Then, when it is confirmed that the data in the user area A2 is the data of the layout shown in FIG. 4, the wireless tag reader / writer 4 has detected any of the wireless tags 8A to 8C, so the CPU 11 proceeds to the process of ST2.

  In ST2, the division data stored in the user area A2 is examined. Here, if the classification data is “3”, the wireless tag detected by the wireless tag reader / writer 4 is the wireless tag 8C pasted on the warranty card 10 or the like as a verification target, so the CPU 11 determines the user area as ST3. A product code is acquired from the data of A2. Then, as ST4, guarantee tag data including the ID of the wireless tag 8C, the product code acquired in the process of ST3, and the collation flag = 1 is generated and stored in the guarantee tag memory 33. Thereafter, the process proceeds to ST10. The guarantee tag memory 33 is cleared in an initial state before registration of a product purchased by one customer is started.

  On the other hand, when the classification data is “1” or “2” in ST2, the wireless tag detected by the wireless tag reader / writer 4 is a wireless tag 8A or 8B attached to the product 7 as a non-collation type or a collation type. Therefore, the CPU 11 acquires a product code from the data of the user area A2 as ST5. Then, in ST6, product data (product name, unit price, warranty card flag, etc.) corresponding to this product code is called from the product master file 6, and based on the unit price of this product data, etc., the product with the wireless tags 8A, 8B is attached. Sales data is registered (product sales data processing means). Alternatively, a copy file of the product master file 6 may be downloaded in advance to the RAM 13 of the POS terminal 1, and the product data may be called from the copy file.

  Next, the CPU 11 checks the warranty card flag of the product data called as ST7 and determines whether or not the product is a warranty target product (product determination unit). If the warranty card flag is “0”, since the product is a product that is not subject to the product warranty regulations, the process proceeds to ST10.

  If the warranty card flag is set to “1” in ST7, since the product is a product to be guaranteed, the CPU 11 determines whether the wireless tag detected by the wireless tag reader / writer 4 in ST8 is a non-collation type wireless tag 8A. It is determined whether the wireless tag 8B is a collation type. Here, when the classification data stored in the user area A2 of the wireless tag is “1”, the wireless tag detected by the wireless tag reader / writer 4 is a non-collation type wireless tag 8A. As ST9, guarantee tag data including the ID of the wireless tag 8A, the product code acquired in the process of ST5, and the verification flag = 0 is generated and stored in the guarantee tag memory 33. Thereafter, the process proceeds to ST10.

  When the classification data stored in the user area A2 in ST8 is “2”, the wireless tag detected by the wireless tag reader / writer 4 is the collation type wireless tag 8B, so the CPU 11 performs the same process as ST4. In addition, guarantee tag data including the ID of the wireless tag 8B, the product code acquired in the process of ST5, and the verification flag = 1 is generated and stored in the guarantee tag memory 33. Thereafter, the process proceeds to ST10.

  In ST10, it is determined whether or not a closing key (for example, a deposit / cash key, a credit key, etc.) on the keyboard 19 has been operated. If the closing key is not operated, the process returns to ST1 and waits for detection of the next wireless tag.

  Therefore, in the “registration” mode, when a non-guaranteed product 7 such as MD or OA paper is placed on the scanning table, product management such as a product code stored in the wireless tag 8A attached to the product 7 Sales data of the product is registered based on the data. However, since these products are not subject to product warranty regulations (warranty flag = 0), warranty tag data is not stored.

  On the other hand, as a scanning table, a warranty target product 7 stipulated by a manufacturer or a sales agent that guarantees that a product is repaired free of charge when a product fails, such as an MD player, a printer, a television, etc. When placed, the sales data of the product is registered based on the product management data of the wireless tag 8A or 8B attached to the product 7, and the ID and product code of the wireless tag 8A or 8B are collated. Guarantee tag data including a flag (“0” for the wireless tag 8A and “1” for the wireless tag 8B) is stored in the warranty tag memory 33. In addition, since these guarantee target products 7 are usually placed on the scanning table in a state of being accommodated in the case 9, when the warranty card 10 is attached to the case 9, that is, the wireless tag attached to the product 7. Is the verification type wireless tag 8B, the warranty tag data including the ID of the verification target wireless tag 8C and the product code and the verification flag = 1 pasted on the warranty card 10 is also stored in the warranty tag memory 33. Stored.

  If it is detected in ST10 that the closing key has been operated, the CPU 11 executes a product registration closing process as ST11, and determines the sales of the product for which the sales data has been registered. Next, the CPU 11 determines whether guarantee tag data is stored in the guarantee tag memory 33 as ST12. If the guarantee tag data is not stored, the guarantee target product does not exist among the products whose sales are confirmed, and the process proceeds to ST19.

  If the guarantee tag data is stored in the guarantee tag memory 33 in ST12, the guarantee tag data is sequentially read in the storing order, and the following processing is executed each time.

  First, in ST13, it is determined whether or not a collation error has occurred. That is, when the verification flag of the warranty tag data acquired from the warranty tag memory 33 is “1”, the wireless tag to which the ID of the warranty tag data is set is the verification type wireless tag 8B or the wireless tag 8C to be verified. In operation, the collation type wireless tag 8B always has a collation target radio tag 8C whose merchandise management data matches, and the radio tag reader / writer 4 reads the data almost simultaneously. A search is made as to whether other matching guarantee tag data is stored in the guarantee tag memory 33. As a result, if the corresponding guarantee tag data is not stored, the data of the wireless tag has not been read because, for example, the other wireless tag to be verified is broken, so the CPU 11 determines as ST14. Product name data corresponding to the product code of the warranty tag data read from the warranty tag memory 33 is acquired from the product master file 6 and displayed on the operator display 21 as a warranty error product. Thereafter, the process proceeds to ST15.

  If the corresponding guarantee tag data is stored in ST13, the data of the other wireless tag to be verified is also read, so the CPU 11 does not execute the process of ST14 but proceeds to the process of ST15.

  In ST15, the CPU 11 stores the date data stored in the current date memory 31 and the store code memory 32 for the wireless tag 8A, 8B or 8C in which the ID of the warranty tag data read from the warranty tag memory 33 is set. The store code data write command command is given to the wireless tag reader / writer 4 (sales data write control means). The wireless tag reader / writer 4 requests establishment of a line with the wireless tag 8A, 8B or 8C in which the ID is set. When the line is established, the wireless tag reader / writer 4 transmits date data and store code data as a radio wave. As a result, in the non-volatile memory of the wireless tag 8A, 8B or 8C in which the ID is set, the date data (sales date) and the store code data (sales date) are displayed in the sales date area and the store code area in the user area A2. Store identification code) is written. At this time, the wireless tag reader / writer 4 outputs a normal end response to the POS terminal 1.

  Therefore, the CPU 11 waits for a normal end response from the wireless tag reader / writer 4 in ST16. If a normal end response is received, the CPU 11 writes a rewrite prohibition flag write command command corresponding to the sales date area and the store code area to the wireless tag 8A, 8B or 8C in which the ID is set in ST17. Is given to the wireless tag reader / writer 4 (rewrite prohibition means). As a result, in the non-volatile memory of the wireless tag 8A, 8B or 8C in which the ID is set, the rewrite prohibition flags F7 and F8 are set in the flag areas respectively corresponding to the sales date area and the store code area in the user area A2. Each is set, and writing of data to the sales date area and the store code area is prohibited. Thereafter, the CPU 11 returns to ST12.

  If the normal end response cannot be received in ST16, for example, the wireless tag 8A, 8B or 8C in which the ID is set has moved out of the communication area of the antenna 5, and therefore the line cannot be established. Since a write error has occurred for the reason, the CPU 11 acquires the product name data corresponding to the product code of the warranty tag data read from the warranty tag memory 33 as ST18 from the product master file 6, and displays the operator 21 as a warranty error product. To display. Thereafter, the CPU 11 returns to ST12.

  As described above, the CPU 11 executes the processes of ST13 to ST18 each time the guarantee tag data is read from the guarantee tag memory 33. If the processing of ST13 to ST18 is executed for all the guarantee tag data, the CPU 11 proceeds to the processing of ST19.

  In ST19, the CPU 11 clears the guarantee tag memory 33. Thereafter, the CPU 11 controls the printer 25 in ST20 to issue a purchase receipt on which the details of the product for which the product sales data has been registered is printed, and ends this control procedure.

  Therefore, after placing the product to be purchased by the customer on the scanning table and registering the sales data of the product, if the lock key is operated, if there is a guaranteed product in the product, the wireless related to the product The sales date and the store code are written on the tag. That is, when the non-collation type wireless tag 8A is attached to the product 7, the sales date and the store code are written only in the wireless tag 8A. When the verification type wireless tag 8B is attached to the product 7 and the verification target wireless tag 8C is embedded in the warranty card 10 attached to the case 9 of the product 7, it is identical to both the wireless tags 8B and 8C. The sales date and store code of the store are written. Then, the corresponding rewrite prohibition flags F7 and F8 are set in the memory area in which the sales date and the store code of the wireless tags 8A, 8B, and 8C are written, and subsequent rewriting is prohibited.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the CPU 11 when the “guarantee confirmation” mode is selected. That is, the CPU 11 waits for the wireless tag reader / writer 4 to detect the wireless tags 8A to 8C storing the product management data as ST21, as in the case of selecting the “registration” mode. When the CPU 11 determines that any one of the wireless tags 8A to 8C is detected from the data in the user area of the wireless tag input via the wireless tag reader / writer interface 27, the CPU 11 collates from the classification data of the user area A2 as ST22. It is determined whether the target wireless tag 8C has been detected or whether a non-collation type or collation type wireless tag 8A or 8B has been detected. If the classification data is “3” and it is determined that the wireless tag 8C to be collated is detected, the product management data read from the user area of the wireless tag 8C as ST23 is stored in the RAM 13 together with the ID of the wireless tag 8C. In the second work area. Thereafter, the process returns to ST21 and waits for the wireless tag reader / writer 4 to detect the next wireless tags 8A to 8C.

  If the wireless tag detected in ST21 is the non-collation type wireless tag 8A or the collation type wireless tag 8B attached to the commodity 7, the CPU 11 obtains the commodity code from the data in the user area A2 as ST24. get. In ST25, the product master file 6 is searched with this product code to check the warranty card flag, and it is determined whether or not the product is a product to be guaranteed. If the warranty card flag is “0”, the product is a product that is not covered by the warranty, and therefore the CPU 11 displays a message indicating that the product is not covered by the warranty on the operator display 21 and the customer. Display on the display 23.

  If the warranty card flag is set to “1” in ST25, since the product is a product to be guaranteed, the CPU 11 reads the product management data read from the user area of the wireless tag 8A or 8B in ST27. It is stored in the first work area of the RAM 13 together with the ID of 8A or 8B. Next, in step ST28, the CPU 11 determines whether the wireless tag is a non-collation type radio tag 8A or a collation type radio tag 8B (collation target presence / absence judging means). Here, when the classification data of the user area A2 is “1”, the wireless tag detected by the wireless tag reader / writer 4 is the non-collation type wireless tag 8A, and therefore the CPU 11 executes non-collation confirmation processing. On the other hand, when the classification data is “2”, the wireless tag detected by the wireless tag reader / writer 4 is the wireless tag 8B of the verification type, so the CPU 11 executes the verification check process.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart specifically showing the procedure of the non-collation confirmation process. That is, when the CPU 11 enters the non-verification confirmation process, first, as ST31, the sales date and the warranty period are acquired from the product management data stored in the first work area, and the date after the warranty period from the sales date is obtained. Calculated as the warranty expiration date. Then, the CPU 11 checks whether the current date stored in the date memory 31 as ST32 has passed the warranty expiration date (guarantee requirement determination means).

  If the current date has not passed the warranty expiration date, the CPU 11 then obtains a dealer code from the merchandise management data stored in the first work area as ST33 and guarantees with this dealer code. The possible store list memory 34 is searched. Then, in ST35, it is checked whether or not the store code is stored in the guarantable store list memory 34 (guarantee requirement determining means).

  Note that it may be checked first whether the store code is stored in the guarantyable store list memory 34, and later whether the current date has passed the warranty expiration date.

  Thus, when it is confirmed that the current date has not passed the warranty expiration date and that the store code is stored in the store list memory 34 that can be guaranteed, the sales date and the store code stored in the wireless tag 8A are confirmed. Since the data satisfies the warranty requirements of the product, the CPU 11 displays on the operator display 21 a first warranty confirmation screen 40 (see FIG. 10) that prompts the store clerk to confirm the actual thing, although the warranty requirements are satisfied as ST35. (Notification means).

  Thereafter, when the CPU 11 detects an operation instructing that the store clerk confirms the screen as ST36, for example, an input of a deposit / cash key, the ID stored in the first work memory is set as ST37. The wireless tag reader / writer 4 is given a command to write the date data stored in the current date memory 31 to the wireless tag 8A. In ST38, the guaranteed number is acquired from the product management data stored in the first work memory, and a data write command command obtained by adding “1” to the guaranteed number is given to the wireless tag reader / writer 4 (guaranteed execution processing). means). Thereby, date data (guarantee implementation date) is written in the unused guarantee execution date area in the user area A2 in the nonvolatile memory of the wireless tag 8A. In addition, the guaranteed number of times area data is increased and updated by “1”.

  Thereafter, the CPU 11 erases the first guarantee confirmation screen 40 displayed on the operator display 21 as ST39, and ends this control procedure.

  If the current date has passed the warranty expiration date in the process of ST32, and if the store code has not been stored in the guarantable store list memory 34 in the process of ST34, the CPU 11 An error screen of a message telling the store clerk that the application is not applicable is displayed on the operator display 21 (notification means). For example, if the current date has passed the warranty expiration date, “warranty has expired” or the like is displayed. If the store code is not stored in the store list memory 34 that can be guaranteed, “purchase at our store” is displayed. It is not a product ". Thereafter, when the CPU 11 detects an operation instructing that the store clerk confirms the screen, the CPU 11 deletes the error screen and ends the control procedure.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart specifically showing the procedure of the verification check process. That is, when entering the verification check process, the CPU 11 first determines whether or not the merchandise management data of the wireless tag 8C to be verified is stored in the second work memory as ST41. If it is stored, the process proceeds to ST45. On the other hand, when it is not stored, it waits to detect the wireless tag 8C to be verified as ST42 and ST43. If the wireless tag 8C to be verified is detected, the CPU 11 stores the product management data read from the user area A2 of the wireless tag 8C in the second work memory as ST44. Thereafter, the process proceeds to ST45.

  In ST45, the CPU 11 compares the product management data stored in the first work memory with the product management data stored in the second work memory (collation processing means). As a result, when both the product management data match in ST46, since the wireless tag 8C to be collated actually exists for the collation type wireless tag 8B, the CPU 11 is the same as ST31 to ST39 in the non-collation confirmation processing. To process.

  That is, the current date of the product management data read from the wireless tag 8B as ST47 to ST50 does not pass the warranty expiration date (guarantee requirement judging means), and the store code is stored in the store list memory 34 that can be guaranteed. When confirming this (guarantee requirement determining means), the CPU 11 displays a second warranty confirmation screen 50 (see FIG. 11) for the store clerk indicating that the warranty requirement has been satisfied and the actual product has been confirmed as ST51. Display on the device 21 (notification means).

  Thereafter, when the CPU 11 detects, for example, an input of a deposit / cash key as ST52, it stores the ID stored in the first work memory as ST53 in the wireless tag 8B and the second work memory. The wireless tag reader / writer 4 is given a command for writing date data stored in the current date memory 31 to the wireless tag 8C in which the set ID is set. In ST54, the guaranteed number is acquired from the product management data stored in the first work memory, and a data write command command obtained by adding “1” to the guaranteed number is given to the RFID tag reader / writer 4 (guaranteed execution processing). means). Thereby, date data (guarantee implementation date) is written in the unused guarantee execution date area in the user area A2 in the nonvolatile memories of the wireless tags 8B and 8C. In addition, the guaranteed number of times area data is increased and updated by “1”.

  Thereafter, the CPU 11 erases the second guarantee confirmation screen 50 displayed on the operator display 21 as ST55, and ends this control procedure.

  If the merchandise management data does not match in the process of ST46, if the current date has passed the warranty expiration date in the process of ST48, or the store code where the dealer code can be guaranteed in the process of ST50 Similarly to the case where the information is not stored in the memory 34, a message that informs the store clerk that the warranty is not applicable, for example, an error screen such as “Product does not match warranty” is displayed on the operator display 21 (notification means). . Thereafter, when the CPU 11 detects a deposit / cash key operation, for example, the CPU 11 deletes the error screen and ends this control procedure.

  Therefore, in the “Warranty Confirmation” mode, when a product for which a return or repair request has been received from a customer is placed on the scanning table, it is automatically determined whether or not the product is a product with a product warranty. In the case of a non-regulated product that is not subject to warranty, a message to that effect is displayed on the operator display 21.

  Further, in the case of a warranty target product for which product warranty provisions are defined, a verification check process or a non-verification check process is executed depending on whether the wireless tag attached to the product is a verification type or a non-verification type. That is, if the non-verification type wireless tag 8A is attached to the warranty target product, the sales date is calculated based on the warranty period, the sales date, and the store code warranty information stored in the wireless tag 8A. Is automatically checked for warranty requirements such as whether or not the product is within the warranty period and whether it is a product sold at its own store or affiliated store, and the result is notified.

  On the other hand, when the product is a guarantee target product to which the verification type wireless tag 8B is attached, it is automatically determined whether the product management data stored in the wireless tag 8B and the verification target wireless tag 8C match. Will be judged. Only when they match, the above-mentioned guarantee requirement is automatically checked and the result is notified.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the wireless tags 8A and 8B of the non-contact information medium attached to each product 7 can function as a guarantee after the product is sold. In this case, since the sales date and the store code are automatically written on the wireless tags 8A and 8B attached to the product at the time when the sale of the product is confirmed, it takes time and effort for the store clerk to issue the warranty card. In addition, the burden on the store clerk can be reduced, and problems that make customers wait can be prevented.

  In addition, when a product return or repair request is received, it is automatically determined and notified whether the product is a warranty target product and if it is a warranty target product, the warranty requirements are satisfied. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the labor of the store clerk in terms of confirming the warranty card, and to prevent the store clerk from making a mistake. In this case, since the sales date and the store code written in the wireless tags 8A and 8B are subjected to a rewrite prohibition process, the reliability as a guarantee is very high.

  Also, when the clerk confirms the warranty details and the warranty procedure is completed, the warranty date and the total number of warranty times are written in the wireless tags 8A and 8B. Also has the advantage of being easily manageable.

  In addition, for a product to which a paper warranty card 10 is attached, since the coincidence between the wireless tag 8B attached to the product and the wireless tag 8C attached to the warranty card is automatically determined, for example, the warranty card 10 It is possible to reliably discriminate fraud in which the warranty card 10 is a genuine product and the product requiring return is a counterfeit product, and this kind of fraud can be eliminated.

The present invention is not limited to the one embodiment.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the POS terminal 1 that processes product sales data based on the product management data of the wireless tags 8A and 8B attached to the product 7 performs a warranty issuing function and a warranty content confirmation function. As described above, the guarantee content confirmation function may be removed from the POS terminal 1 and performed by a dedicated terminal.

  An example of the information processing system in this case is shown in FIG. The POS terminal 1, which is the first information processing apparatus, is equivalent to the POS terminal 1 according to the above-described embodiment in which a portion related to the “guarantee confirmation” mode is omitted. The warranty confirmation terminal 61 as the second information processing apparatus is a personal computer, for example, and is connected to the same wireless tag reader / writer 62 as the wireless tag reader / writer 4 connected to the POS terminal 1. The antenna 63 of the wireless tag reader / writer 62 is embedded in the scanning table. The scanning table may be the same as or different from the scanning table in which the antenna 5 of the wireless tag reader / writer 4 is embedded.

  The warranty confirmation terminal 61 includes at least an input unit such as a keyboard and a display unit, and an application program related to the above-described “warranty confirmation” mode. When the application program is activated and a product for which a return or repair request has been placed is placed on the scanning table in which the antenna 63 is embedded, the control of the procedure shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 is executed. Even in such a configuration, it is possible to achieve the same operational effects as the one embodiment.

  Further, the warranty issuing function may be removed from the POS terminal 1 and performed by a dedicated terminal. The main part of the information processing system in this case is shown in FIG. The POS terminal 1 omits the memory areas 31 to 34 of the RAM 13 from the POS terminal 1 of the above embodiment, and performs the processes of ST2 to ST4, ST7 to ST9 and ST12 to ST19 in the control procedure when the “registration” mode is selected. It is equivalent to omitting. Note that the guarantee content confirmation function may be performed by the POS terminal 1 or the warranty confirmation terminal 61.

  The warranty issuance terminal 71 which is the first information processing apparatus is, for example, a personal computer, and includes each of the memory areas 31 to 34 in its built-in RAM and each of the control procedures ST6, ST11 and ST20 when the “registration” mode is selected. An application program that executes a control procedure that omits processing is implemented. That is, when the wireless tag detected by the wireless tag reader / writer 4 is a non-collation type or collation type wireless tag 8A or 8B, the product code read from the wireless tag is notified to the POS terminal 1, and ST7, The process of 8, 9, or 4 is executed. If the wireless tag detected by the wireless tag reader / writer 4 is the wireless tag 8C to be verified, the processes of ST3 and ST4 are executed. After that, when the POS terminal 1 is notified of the input of the closing key, the processing of ST12 to ST19 is executed, and the sales date and time are sent to the wireless tags 8A and 8B attached to the guaranteed product and the wireless tag 8C to be verified. Write dealer code and prohibit rewriting. Even in such a configuration, it is possible to achieve the same operational effects as the one embodiment.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the wireless tag 8C to be collated is attached to the paper warranty card 10. However, the mounting location of the wireless tag 8C is not limited to the warranty card 10, for example, a receipt. Also good. Further, it may be directly attached to the case 9.

  In the above embodiment, the date of guarantee and the number of guarantees are written in the wireless tags 8A to 8C at the time of guaranteeing the product. However, the warranty history can be managed by writing only one of them.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a rewrite prohibition flag area is provided corresponding to each item area that can be placed in the user area A2 of the wireless tags 8A to 8C, and rewriting to the corresponding item area is performed by setting the rewrite prohibition flag. However, the method of prohibiting rewriting is not limited to this. For example, rewriting may be prohibited by physically disconnecting the fuse corresponding to the item area with power supply power so that the item area cannot be energized.
In addition, it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention, such as using a medium other than the wireless tag as the non-contact information medium.

The system block diagram in one embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the data structure of the goods master file in the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the attachment state of the wireless tag in the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a memory layout of a wireless tag in the embodiment. The block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the POS terminal in the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the principal part of the control procedure at the time of "registration" mode selection which CPU of the same POS terminal performs. The flowchart which shows the principal part of the control procedure at the time of "guarantee confirmation" mode selection which CPU of the same POS terminal performs. The flowchart which shows the non-collation confirmation process of FIG. 7 concretely. The flowchart which shows the collation confirmation process of FIG. 7 concretely. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the guarantee confirmation screen displayed in the non-collation confirmation process of FIG. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the guarantee confirmation screen displayed in the collation confirmation process of FIG. The system block diagram in other embodiment of this invention. The principal part block diagram in another embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... POS terminal, 2 ... Store server, 4,62 ... Wireless tag reader / writer, 6 ... Product master file, 8A, 8B, 8C ... Wireless tag, 11 ... CPU, 31 ... Current date memory, 32 ... Store code memory, 33 ... guarantee tag memory, 34 ... guarantee list store memory.

Claims (10)

In an information processing apparatus that performs reading of data stored in a memory of a non-contact information medium and writing of data to the memory by non-contact communication,
Date storage means for storing the current date;
Store code storage means for storing a store identification code;
The data read from the memory of the non-contact information medium is the classification data for identifying the target to which the non-contact information medium is attached, the product code for identifying the product, the sale date of the product, the store identification code, and the guarantee When it is composed of product management data including a period, the data of the non-contact information medium attached to the product is read from the classification data, or the data of the non-contact information medium attached to the warranty of the product is read Medium determination means for determining whether or not
A first storage unit that stores the product management data of data determined to be read from a non-contact information medium attached to the product;
A second storage unit for storing the product management data of data determined to be read from a non-contact information medium attached to the warranty;
Comparison means for comparing the product management data stored in the first storage unit and the product management data stored in the second storage unit to determine whether there is matching product management data;
When matching product management data is stored in the first storage unit and the second storage unit, a warranty period, a sales date and a store identification code included in the matching product management data, and the date Based on the current date stored by the storage means and the store identification code stored by the store code storage means, the product identified by the product code included in the product management data satisfies the product warranty requirements. Guarantee requirement judging means for judging whether or not,
Informing means for informing the judgment result by the guarantee requirement judging means,
An information processing apparatus comprising: The non-contact information medium storing the matching merchandise management data stored in the first storage unit on the condition that the warranty requirement determining unit determines that the product warranty requirement is satisfied, and the first A guarantee execution processing means for writing the date stored in the date storage means as a warranty execution date in both of the non-contact information medium storing the matching product management data stored in the storage unit of 2;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: The classification data of the non-contact information medium attached to the product can identify whether there is another non-contact information medium to be verified,
For each product management data stored in the first storage unit, a determination is made as to whether or not there is another non-contact information medium to be verified from the classification data stored in the non-contact information medium together with the product management data. For the existing merchandise management data, when the merchandise management data matching the second storage unit is stored by executing the comparing means, the warranty requirement determining means is further executed, and the merchandise management data not present 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guarantee requirement determining unit is executed without executing the comparing unit . Mode switching means for switching between the product sales mode and the warranty confirmation mode;
When it is determined that the product management data is read from the non-contact information medium attached to the product by the medium determination unit when the product sales mode is selected, the product sales are performed based on the product code included in the product management data. Product sales data processing means for processing data;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: When the sales of the product whose product sales data has been processed by the product sales data processing means is confirmed, the contactless information medium attached to the product and the contactless information medium attached to the warranty card of the product Sales data write control means for controlling data writing of the date and the store identification code stored in the date storage means and the store code storage means,
Information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, further provided with the. Rewrite prohibiting means for prohibiting rewriting of the date written in the non-contact information medium by the sales data writing control means and the data of the store identification code;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising: The product code attached to the product and identifying the product, and the product management data including the sale date of the product, the store identification code, and the warranty period are stored in the memory together with the classification data for identifying that the product is attached. A first non-contact information medium;
Classification data that is attached to the warranty card of the product and identifies that the data that matches the product management data stored in the memory of the first non-contact information medium attached to the product is attached to the warranty card And a second non-contact information medium stored in the memory,
Date storage means for storing the current date, store code storage means for storing the store identification code, reading of data stored in the memory of the first and second non-contact information media, and writing of data to the memory Communication means for performing non-contact communication, whether the data of the first non-contact information medium is read from the classification data among the data read from the memory of the non-contact information medium, or the data of the second non-contact information medium Medium determination means for determining whether the data of the first non-contact information medium has been read by the medium determination means, based on the product code included in the product management data in the data When the sales of the product for which the product sales data is processed by the product sales data processing means for processing the product sales data and the product sales data processing means are determined, The date storage for the first non-contact information medium and the second non-contact storage medium storing product management data matching the product management data stored in the first non-contact information storage medium A first information processing apparatus provided with sales data writing control means for controlling data writing of the date and the shop identification code respectively stored in the means and the store code storage means;
Date storage means for storing the current date, store code storage means for storing the store identification code, reading of data stored in the memory of the first and second non-contact information media, and writing of data to the memory Communication means for performing non-contact communication, whether the data of the first non-contact information medium is read from the classification data among the data read from the memory of the non-contact information medium, or the data of the second non-contact information medium Medium determining means for determining whether the product has been read, a first storage unit for storing the product management data of data determined to have been read from the first non-contact information medium, and reading from the second non-contact information medium A second storage unit that stores the product management data of the data determined to have been received, the product management data stored in the first storage unit, and the product management stored in the second storage unit Comparison means for comparing the data management data to determine whether there is matching product management data, and when the matching product management data is stored in the first storage unit and the second storage unit, the matching is made Based on the warranty period, sales date and store identification code included in the product management data, the current date stored by the date storage unit and the store identification code stored by the store code storage unit, A second requirement is provided with guarantee requirement judging means for judging whether or not the product identified by the product code included in the merchandise management data satisfies the product warranty requirement, and a notifying means for notifying the judgment result by the guarantee requirement judging means. Information processing apparatus,
An information processing system comprising:   The first information processing apparatus includes: a rewrite prohibiting unit that prohibits rewriting of the date written in the first and second non-contact information media by the sales data writing control unit and the data of the store identification code; The information processing system according to claim 7, further comprising: The second information processing apparatus stores the matching product management data stored in the first storage unit on the condition that the warranty requirement determining unit determines that the requirement for product warranty is satisfied. Stored in the date storage means in both the first non-contact information medium and the second non-contact information medium storing the matching product management data stored in the second storage unit. 8. The information processing system according to claim 7, further comprising a guarantee execution processing means for writing a date as a guarantee execution date. The classification data of the first non-contact information medium attached to the product can identify whether there is another non-contact information medium to be verified,
The second information processing apparatus, for each product management data stored in the first storage unit, in addition to the classification data stored in the first non-contact information medium together with the product management data, It is determined whether or not a non-contact information medium exists, and for the existing merchandise management data, the guarantee is further performed when merchandise management data matching the second storage unit is stored by executing the comparison means. 8. The information processing system according to claim 7, wherein said requirement determining means is executed, and said guarantee requirement determining means is executed without executing said comparing means for non-existing product management data.

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