JP7175667B2 - Individual item management system, individual item management device and its program - Google Patents

Description

The embodiments of the present invention relate to an individual product management system, an individual product management device of this system, and a program for the individual product management device.

2. Description of the Related Art There is a registration device that registers and processes sales data of a product purchased by a customer by reading a code symbol such as a bar code or a two-dimensional data code attached to the product with a reader. This type of registration device is called an electronic cash register, a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal, or the like. This type of registration device has already been used to automatically discount the price of the product or issue a coupon based on the data of the code symbol read by the reader.

Recently, a technology has been developed in which an IC (Integrated Circuits) tag is attached to each individual product, and the data on the IC tag is read by a reader to manage the product on an individual product basis. there is

At present, however, services such as discounts and coupons are mainly provided in units of SKU (Stock Keeping Unit), which is the minimum unit of inventory management. For this reason, even if the products are managed as the same SKU, i.e., the products have the same product number or product code, for example, if the number of days elapsed from the date of manufacture exceeds a predetermined number of days, the price will be discounted. In such a case, conventionally, the store clerk has been forced to perform troublesome work such as attaching a discount sticker to each product to be discounted.

JP 2008-192052 A

The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is an individual product management system that can provide services in units of individual products without forcing complicated work on products to be serviced, and It is intended to provide an individual product management device for this system and a program for the individual product management device.

In one embodiment, an individual item management device includes search means, acquisition means, and control means. The search means searches the storage unit for storing information relating to services for purchasers who purchase the product in association with individual product codes for identifying individual products. The acquiring means acquires an individual product code of the product registered by the registration device for registering the product to be purchased. The control means outputs the information related to the service to the registration device when the information related to the service is stored in the storage unit in association with the individual product code acquired by the acquisition means as a result of the search by the search means. to control.

1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an individual item management system according to one embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of a manufactured product record stored in a manufactured product database in the same embodiment; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of an individual item record stored in an individual item database in the embodiment; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of a lot record stored in a lot database in the same embodiment; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of a sales product record stored in a sales product database in the same embodiment; 4 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of a service record stored in a service database in the same embodiment; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of a performance record stored in a performance database in the same embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a maker server in the same embodiment; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a management server in the same embodiment; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the POS terminal in the same embodiment; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of data stored in the memory of an IC tag attached to a product in the same embodiment; FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing main procedures of information processing executed by a processor of a POS terminal in the same embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing main procedures of information processing executed by a processor of a management server in the same embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing main procedures of information processing executed by a processor of a maker server in the same embodiment; FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of an individual product management system and an individual product management device that can provide services on an individual product basis without being forced to perform complicated work on products to be serviced will be described with reference to the drawings. to explain.

First, the overall configuration of an individual item management system 1 according to one embodiment will be described using the schematic diagram of FIG. Note that this embodiment is a case where the product is a food product with an expiration date. Also, this embodiment is a case where the type of service is a discount or a discount.

The individual product management system 1 includes a plurality of manufacturer systems 10 constructed for each manufacturer that manufactures products, a plurality of store systems 20 constructed for each store that sells products, a service management system 30, and a network 40. including.

A plurality of maker systems 10 each have a maker server 11 , a plurality of store systems 20 each have a store server 21 , and a service management system 30 has a management server 31 . The network 40 connects the maker server 11 of each maker, the store server 21 of each store, and the management server 31 so as to allow free two-way communication. Network 40 is a wide area network. The network 40 may be a public network, such as the Internet, or a private network, such as a WAN (Wide Area Network).

The maker server 11 includes a manufactured product database 12 , an individual product database 13 and a lot database 14 . The maker server 11 may include the manufactured product database 12, the individual product database 13 and the lot database 14 in an internal storage device, or the manufactured product database 12, the individual product database 13 and the lot database 14 in an external storage device. may be provided.

The manufactured product database 12 is a so-called manufactured product storage unit, which is an area for storing data related to products manufactured by the manufacturer. FIG. 2 shows a data record per product stored in the manufactured product database 12. As shown in FIG. Hereinafter, this data record will be referred to as manufactured goods record 12R. The manufactured product record 12R includes at least a product code and expiration date. A product code is a unique code assigned to a group of products in SKU units. The expiry date is the number of days from the manufacturing date set by the manufacturer to the expiry date for the product specified by the corresponding product code. The manufactured product database 12 of each manufacturer system 10 stores manufactured product records 12R for all products manufactured by the manufacturer.

The individual product database 13 is a so-called individual product storage unit, which is an area for storing data relating to individual products manufactured by the manufacturer. FIG. 3 shows a data record for each product stored in the product database 13. As shown in FIG. This data record is hereinafter referred to as an individual product record 13R. The individual item record 13R includes at least an individual item code, product code, and lot code. The individual item code is a unique code assigned to each individual item. A lot code is a code for identifying a lot when an individual product specified by the corresponding individual product code was manufactured. A lot code is also called a lot number or the like. In the individual product database 13 of each maker system 10, individual product records 13R are stored for individual products manufactured by the maker.

The lot database 14 is a so-called lot storage unit, which is an area for storing data related to a so-called lot, which is a unit in which products with the same product code are manufactured at one time by the manufacturer. FIG. 4 shows data records per lot stored in the lot database 14 . This data record is hereinafter referred to as lot record 14R. The lot record 14R includes at least lot code, product code, and date of manufacture. The date and time of manufacture is the date and time when the product specified by the corresponding product code was manufactured in units of lots specified by the corresponding lot code. Note that the manufacturing date and time may be just the date. A lot record 14R is stored in the lot database 14 of each manufacturer system 10 each time a product is manufactured by the manufacturer in units of lots.

Returning to FIG.
The store server 21 connects a plurality of POS terminals 23 via a LAN (Local Area Network) 22, and centrally manages the registration processing of purchased products, the settlement processing, and the like executed by each POS terminal 23. FIG. The shop server 21 has a sale product database 24 . The store server 21 may have the sales product database 24 in an internal storage device, or may have the sales product database 24 in an external storage device.

The sale product database 24 is an area for storing data on products sold at the store, a so-called sale product storage unit. FIG. 5 shows a data record per product stored in the sales product database 24. As shown in FIG. Hereinafter, this data record will be referred to as sales product record 24R. The sale product record 24R includes at least a product code, product name, price, and manufacturer code. The product name and price are the name set for the product specified by the corresponding product code and the selling price per product. A maker code is a unique code assigned to each maker to identify the maker that manufactured the product identified by the corresponding product code. The maker server 11 stores a maker code set for the maker system 10 to which the maker server 11 belongs in a storage unit. The sales product database 24 of each store system 20 stores sales product records 24R for all products sold at the store.

Returning to FIG.
The management server 31 has a service database 32 and a performance database 33 . The management server 31 may have the service database 32 and the performance database 33 in an internal storage device, or may have the service database 32 and the performance database 33 in an external storage device.

The service database 32 is a so-called service storage unit, which is an area for storing data relating to discount services for individual products manufactured by a manufacturer. FIG. 6 shows a data record per product stored in the service database 32. As shown in FIG. This data record is hereinafter referred to as service record 32R. The service record 32R includes at least manufacturer code, product code, service conditions, and service information. The service conditions represent conditions for establishing a service set by the maker specified by the corresponding maker code for each product specified by the corresponding product code in units of individual products. For example, when implementing a service of discounting the price of individual products that have passed a certain period of time from the date of manufacture among the products managed with the same product code, the service condition is the number of days representing the certain period of time. For example, in the case of providing a service of discounting the price of an individual product whose remaining number of days until the expiration date is a predetermined number of days or less, the service condition is the predetermined number of days. The service information is information on services provided when corresponding service conditions are satisfied. For example, in the case of a service that discounts the price, the service information is the discount amount or discount rate.

When at least one maker offers a service such as a discount or a discount on an individual item basis, a service record 32R including service conditions and service information is stored in the service database 32. FIG. After that, when canceling the service, the corresponding service record 32R is deleted from the service database 32. FIG.

The record database 33 is a so-called record storage unit for storing data representing the results of the service performed at the store under the service conditions set in the service database 32 . FIG. 7 shows a data record for one performance stored in the performance database 33. As shown in FIG. Hereinafter, this data record will be referred to as performance record 33R. The performance record 33R includes at least a maker code, a store code, performance information, and an execution date. The store code is a unique code set for each store to identify the store where the store system 20 is built. The store server 21 stores a store code set for the store system 20 to which the store server 21 belongs in a storage unit. The performance information is information indicating the results of services manufactured by the manufacturer identified by the corresponding manufacturer code and performed at the store identified by the corresponding store code. For example, in the case of a service that discounts the price of a product, the performance information is the discount amount. The execution date is the date on which the service was executed.

Next, the main hardware configurations of the maker server 11, management server 31 and POS terminal 23 will be described with reference to block diagrams of FIGS. 8 to 10. FIG.
FIG. 8 shows the main circuit configuration of the maker server 11. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the maker server 11 includes a processor 111, a main memory 112, an auxiliary storage device 113, a clock 114, a communication interface 115, an equipment interface 116 and a system transmission path 117. The system transmission line 117 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines and the like. A system transmission line 117 connects the processor 111 and other units directly or via a signal input/output circuit, and transmits data signals exchanged between them. A computer of the maker server 11 is configured by connecting the processor 111 , the main memory 112 and the auxiliary storage device 113 via a system transmission path 117 .

The processor 111 corresponds to the core part of the computer. The processor 111 controls each part to realize various functions as the maker server 11 according to an operating system or an application program. The processor 111 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

The main memory 112 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. Main memory 112 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 112 stores an operating system or application programs in a non-volatile memory area. The main memory 112 may store data necessary for the processor 111 to execute processing for controlling each unit in a non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 112 uses a volatile memory area as a work area in which data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 111 . The non-volatile memory area is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory). A volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

The auxiliary storage device 113 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disc Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like can be the auxiliary storage device 113 . The auxiliary storage device 113 stores data used when the processor 111 performs various types of processing, data created by processing in the processor 111, and the like. Auxiliary storage device 113 may store the above application programs. The auxiliary storage device 113 may store at least one of the manufactured product database 12, the individual product database 13, and the lot database 14 described above.

A clock 114 measures the time. The processor 111 processes the time measured by the clock 114 as the current time.

Communication interface 115 is connected to network 40 . The communication interface 115 performs data communication with other servers such as the store server 21 or the management server 31 via the network 40 according to a preset communication protocol.

The device interface 116 detachably connects an electronic device 5 such as a personal computer or a tablet terminal. When the electronic device 5 is connected, the device interface 116 performs data communication with the electronic device 5 using a communication protocol. The connection between the device interface 116 and the electronic device 5 may be wired or wireless.

FIG. 9 shows a main circuit configuration of the management server 31. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the management server 31 has a processor 311 , a main memory 312 , an auxiliary storage device 313 , a clock 314 , a communication interface 315 and a system transmission line 316 . The system transmission line 316 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, and the like. A system transmission line 316 connects the processor 311 and other units directly or via a signal input/output circuit, and transmits data signals exchanged between them. A computer of the management server 31 is configured by connecting the processor 311 , the main memory 312 and the auxiliary storage device 313 via a system transmission line 316 .

The processor 311 corresponds to the core part of the computer. The processor 311 controls each unit to implement various functions of the management server 31 according to an operating system or application program. Processor 311 is, for example, a CPU.

The main memory 312 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. Main memory 312 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. Main memory 312 stores an operating system or application programs in a non-volatile memory area. The main memory 312 may store data necessary for the processor 311 to control each part in a non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 312 uses a volatile memory area as a work area in which data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 311 . The non-volatile memory area is, for example, ROM. A volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM.

The auxiliary storage device 313 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM, HDD, SSD, or the like can be the auxiliary storage device 313 . The auxiliary storage device 313 stores data used when the processor 311 performs various types of processing, data created by processing in the processor 311, and the like. Auxiliary storage device 313 may store the above application programs. The auxiliary storage device 313 may store at least one of the service database 32 and the performance database 33 described above.

A clock 314 measures the time. The processor 311 processes the time measured by the clock 314 as the current time.

Communication interface 315 is connected to network 40 . The communication interface 315 performs data communication with other servers such as the manufacturer server 11 or the store server 21 via the network 40 according to a preset communication protocol.

FIG. 10 shows the main circuit configuration of the POS terminal 23. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the POS terminal 23 includes a processor 231, a main memory 232, an auxiliary storage device 233, a clock 234, a communication interface 235, an automatic change dispenser 236, a keyboard 237, a display 238, a scanner 239, a printer 240, a tag reader 241 and A system transmission line 242 is provided. The system transmission line 242 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines and the like. The system transmission line 242 connects the processor 231 and other units directly or via a signal input/output circuit, and transmits data signals exchanged between them. A computer of the POS terminal 23 is configured by connecting the processor 231 , the main memory 232 and the auxiliary storage device 233 via a system transmission line 242 .

The processor 231 corresponds to the central portion of the computer. The processor 231 controls each part to realize various functions of the POS terminal 23 according to the operating system or application program. The processor 231 is, for example, a CPU.

The main memory 232 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. Main memory 232 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. Main memory 232 stores an operating system or application programs in a non-volatile memory area. The main memory 232 may store data necessary for the processor 231 to control each part in a non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 232 uses a volatile memory area as a work area in which data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 231 . The non-volatile memory area is, for example, ROM. A volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM.

The auxiliary storage device 233 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM, HDD, SSD, or the like can be the auxiliary storage device 233 . The auxiliary storage device 233 stores data used when the processor 231 performs various types of processing, data created by processing in the processor 231, and the like. Auxiliary storage device 233 may store the above application programs.

A clock 234 measures the time. The processor 231 processes the time measured by the clock 234 as the current time.

A communication interface 235 is connected to the LAN 22 . The communication interface 235 performs data communication according to a preset communication protocol with the store server 21 or the like connected via the LAN 22 .

Automatic change dispenser 236 includes a coin unit and a bill unit. The coin unit sorts the coins inserted into the coin slot one by one, identifies the denominations, and stores the coins in the safe according to the denominations. The coin unit takes out coins of the corresponding denomination from the safe based on the change data, for example, and pays them out to the coin outlet. The banknote unit sorts banknotes inserted into the banknote slot one by one, identifies the denominations, and stores the banknotes in the safe according to the denominations. The banknote unit takes out banknotes of the corresponding denomination from the cashbox based on the change data, for example, and dispenses the banknotes to the banknote outlet. The POS terminal 23 may connect a drawer for storing cash or the like to the system transmission line 242 instead of the automatic change dispenser 236 . Alternatively, the POS terminal 23 may connect the cash drawer to the system transmission line 242 together with the automatic change dispenser 236 .

The keyboard 237 is a dedicated input device provided with various function keys such as a multiplication key, a subtotal key, and a closing key, in addition to numeric keys for entering numerical values such as points and monetary amounts. Any key of a general-purpose keyboard may be assigned with a function required by the POS terminal 23 . The closing key is used by the operator to declare the closing of the registration of transactions related to product sales. For example, the cash total key, credit total key, etc. correspond to the closing key.

The display 238 is a display device for displaying the product name, sales amount, total amount, amount of change, and the like. There are two types of displays 238 , one for a salesclerk who operates the POS terminal 23 and one for shoppers. Note that a touch panel that serves both as an input device and a display device may be applied instead of the keyboard 237 and the display 238 .

A scanner 239 reads the code symbols. A code symbol is, for example, a bar code. A code symbol may be, for example, a two-dimensional data code. The scanner may be of a type that reads code symbols by scanning laser light, or of a type that reads code symbols from an image captured by an imaging device.

The printer 240 prints receipt data representing transaction details on receipt paper. The receipt paper on which the receipt data is printed is discharged from the receipt issuing port, cut by a cutter, and issued as a paper receipt. The data printed on the receipt paper by the printer 240 is not limited to receipt data. The printer 240 can also print coupon data on receipt paper, for example.

The tag reader 241 has an antenna, and performs short-range wireless communication between the antenna and the IC tag to read data stored in the memory of the IC tag without contact. When a plurality of IC tags exist near the antenna at the same time, the tag reader 241 can intercept the data of each IC tag collectively. IC tags are also called wireless tags, RF tags, electronic tags, RFIDs, and the like.

An IC tag is attached to each product sold at the store. As shown in FIG. 11, a tag ID, an individual product code, a product code and a manufacturer code are stored in the memory of the IC tag attached to the product. A tag ID is a unique code set for each IC tag. The individual item code, product code, and manufacturer code are information related to the product to which the IC tag is attached.

The IC tag is attached by the manufacturer before the product is shipped. A maker has a device for writing an individual product code, a product code, and a maker code on an IC tag in which a unique tag ID is stored in advance, and affixing the IC tag to each product one by one. The individual item code is a unique code generated based on the tag ID read from the IC tag, for example. The product code and manufacturer code are codes determined by the product to which the IC tag is attached.

The maker attaches IC tags having a common product code and a common manufacturer code and different individual product codes to each of a plurality of products with the same SKU manufactured in units of lots. Based on the information at this time, in the manufacturer system 10, an individual product record 13R is registered in the individual product database 13, and a lot record 14R is registered in the lot database . Registration of the individual item record 13R and the lot record 14R is performed via the maker server 11 by an electronic device such as a personal computer or a tablet terminal connected to the device interface 116 of the maker server 11. FIG.

It should be noted that the process of attaching the IC tag to the product is not limited to the process described above. An IC tag storing an individual product code, a product code, and a maker code related to the product is attached to each product manufactured in lot units, and the individual product database 13 and the lot database 14 are updated. If it is

Next, main operations of the individual item management system 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 12 to 14. FIG. FIG. 12 shows main procedures of information processing executed by the processor 231 of the POS terminal 23 according to a predetermined program. FIG. 13 shows main procedures of information processing executed by the processor 311 of the management server 31 according to a predetermined program. FIG. 14 shows main procedures of information processing executed by the processor 111 of the maker server 11 according to a predetermined program. It should be noted that the contents of the processes shown in the drawings and described below are examples. The processing procedure and processing contents are not particularly limited as long as similar results can be obtained.

The processor 231 of the POS terminal 23 waits for the tag ID to be read as Act1 in FIG. When the tag reader 241 reads the tag ID of the IC tag attached to one product purchased by the customer who is the purchaser, the processor 231 determines YES in Act1 and proceeds to Act2. The processor 231 acquires the tag data stored in the memory of the IC tag together with the tag ID as Act2. The tag data includes an individual product code, product code and manufacturer code.

The processor 231 detects the product code from the tag data as Act3. Then, the processor 231 requests the store server 21 to search the sale product database 24 with the product code as Act 4 . In response to this request, the store server 21 searches the sales product database 24 and reads out the sales product record 24R containing the product code. Acquire the read sale product record 24R.

In Act 6, the processor 231 detects the individual product code and the manufacturer code from the tag data. The processor 231 then controls the communication interface 235 to transmit the first inquiry command to the management server 31 as Act7. This control causes the communication interface 235 to transmit the first inquiry command. The first inquiry command includes the individual product code and manufacturer code read from the IC tag. The first inquiry command also includes a terminal code. A terminal code is a unique code set for each POS terminal 23 to identify the POS terminal 23 . The terminal code is stored in main memory 232 . The first inquiry command is transmitted to the store server 21 via the LAN 22 and further transmitted to the management server 31 via the network 40 . At this time, the store code is added to the first inquiry command in the store server 21 .

The processor 311 of the management server 31 waits for the first inquiry command as Act21 in FIG. Upon receiving the first inquiry command via communication interface 315, processor 311 obtains the manufacturer code from the first inquiry command as Act22. Then, the processor 311 controls the communication interface 315 to transmit the second inquiry command to the maker server 11 of the maker identified by the maker code in Act23. This control causes the communication interface 315 to transmit the second inquiry command. The second inquiry command includes the individual item code, manufacturer code, store code, and terminal code included in the first inquiry command. The second inquiry command is transmitted to each manufacturer server 11 via network 40 .

The processor 111 of each maker server 11 waits for the second inquiry command as Act 41 in FIG. When the second inquiry command is received via the communication interface 115, the processor 111, as Act 42, determines that the manufacturer code included in the second inquiry command is the manufacturer code preset in the main memory 112 of the manufacturer server 11. Check if they match. Here, if the manufacturer codes do not match, the processor 111 determines NO in Act 42 and terminates the process. At this time, the processor 111 discards the second inquiry command.

If the manufacturer codes match in Act42, the processor 111 determines YES, and proceeds to Act43. The processor 111 acquires the individual product code from the second inquiry command in Act43. Then, in Act 44, the processor 111 searches the individual product database 13 with the relevant individual product code. An individual product record 13R including the individual product code is stored in the individual product database 13 of the maker to which the maker code is set. The processor 231 reads the individual product record 13R including the individual product code from the individual product database 13 in Act45.

The processor 111 detects the product code from the individual product record 13R as Act46. The processor 111 then searches the manufactured commodity database 12 as Act 47 . A manufactured product record 12R including the product code is stored in the manufactured product database 12 of the maker. The processor 111 reads the manufactured product record 12R including the product code from the manufactured product database 12 in Act48. In Act 49, the processor 111 detects the expiration date in days from the manufactured product record 12R.

The processor 111 also detects the lot code from the individual product record 13R as Act50. The processor 111 then searches the lot database 14 as Act 51 . A lot record 14R containing the lot code is stored in the lot database 14 of the manufacturer. The processor 111 reads the lot record 14R including the lot code from the lot database 14 as Act52. The processor 111 detects the manufacturing date and time from the lot record 14R in Act53.

After detecting the expiration date and date of manufacture in this manner, the processor 111 controls the communication interface 115 to transmit the first response command to the management server 31 . This control causes the communication interface 115 to transmit the first response command. The first response command includes the product code detected in the process of Act46, the number of expiration dates detected in the process of Act49, and the date and time of manufacture detected in the process of Act53. The first response command also includes the individual product code, manufacturer code, store code, and terminal code included in the second inquiry command. The first response command is transmitted to management server 31 via network 40 .

This completes the processing of the processor 111 when the second inquiry command with the matching manufacturer code is received. Note that the processing of Act46 to Act49 and the processing of Act50 to Act53 may be interchanged.

Returning to the description of FIG.
In Act23, the processor 311 of the management server 31 that has controlled transmission of the second inquiry command waits for the first response command in Act24. When the processor 311 receives the first response command via the communication interface 115, it determines YES in Act24 and proceeds to Act25. The processor 311 detects the manufacturer code and product code from the first response command in Act25. Then, the processor 311 searches the service database 32 with the maker code and product code as Act26.

When the maker identified by the maker code concerned provides a discount service for each product identified by the product code concerned, the service database 32 stores a service record containing the maker code and the product code. 32R is stored. If the manufacturer does not offer a discount service for each individual item, the service database 32 does not store the service record 32R containing the manufacturer code and product code.

In Act 27, the processor 311 checks whether or not the service database 32 stores a service record 32R with a matching manufacturer code and product code. When the corresponding service record 32R is not stored in the service database 32, the processor 311 determines NO in Act27 and proceeds to Act30. The processing of Act30 will be described later.

The processor 311 determines YES in Act 27 when the corresponding service record 32R is stored in the service database 32 and proceeds to Act 28 . As Act 28, the processor 311 reads the service record 32R from the service database 32 and acquires the service conditions. Then, in Act 29, the processor 311 confirms whether or not the service condition is satisfied.

For example, if the service condition is the number of days of the service that ``the price of the product after a certain period of time has passed since the date of manufacture will be discounted'', the processor 311 determines the date of manufacture included in the first response command. Calculate the number of days elapsed until the date and time clocked by . Then, the processor 311 confirms whether or not the number of elapsed days is greater than the number of days set in the service conditions, and determines that the service conditions are satisfied when it is greater.

For example, if the service condition is the number of remaining days of the service, which is to "discount the price of the product for which the number of days remaining until the expiration date is a predetermined number of days or less", the processor 311 The expiry date is calculated from the manufacturing date and expiry date. Next, the processor 311 calculates the remaining number of days from the time clocked by the clock 114 to the expiration date. Then, the processor 311 confirms whether or not this remaining number of days is smaller than the number of remaining days set in the service condition, and determines that the service condition is satisfied if it is smaller.

If the processor 311 determines in Act 29 that the service condition is not satisfied, it determines NO and proceeds to Act 30 . As described above, the processor 311 advances to Act30 even if the corresponding service record 32R is not stored in the service database 32 in Act27.

In Act 30, the processor 311 controls the communication interface 315 so as to transmit a no-service response command to the POS terminal 23, which is the source of the first inquiry command. This control causes the communication interface 315 to send a no service response command. The no-service response command includes the terminal code and store code included in the first response command. The no-service response command is received by store server 21 via network 40 . Upon receiving the response command, the store server 21 confirms whether or not the store code included in the response command matches the store code stored in the storage unit. And if they do not match, the response command is discarded. On the other hand, when the store codes match, a response command is transmitted from the store server 21 to the POS terminal 23 via the LAN 22 .

On the other hand, when the processor 311 determines in Act 29 that the service condition is satisfied, the processor 311 determines YES, and proceeds to Act 31 . The processor 311 acquires service information from the service record 32R as Act31. Then, in Act 31, the processor 311 controls the communication interface 315 so as to transmit a service-present response command to the POS terminal 23, which is the transmission source of the first inquiry command. By this control, the communication interface 315 transmits a service presence response command. The service-present response command includes the service information acquired in the process of Act30. The response command indicating that there is a service also includes the manufacturer code, store code, and terminal code included in the first response command. The service-present response command is received by the shop server 21 via the network 40 . Upon receiving the response command, the store server 21 confirms whether or not the store code included in the response command matches the store code stored in the storage unit. And if they do not match, the response command is discarded. On the other hand, when the store codes match, a response command is transmitted from the store server 21 to the POS terminal 23 via the LAN 22 .

Returning to the description of FIG.
In Act7, the processor 231 that has controlled transmission of the first inquiry command waits for a response command in Act8. Upon receiving a response command including the terminal code set in the POS terminal 23 from the management server 31 via the communication interface 235, the processor 231 determines YES in Act8 and proceeds to Act9. In Act 9, the processor 231 confirms whether the response command is a response command with service or a response command without service.

When the processor 231 receives a response command indicating no service in Act9, the processor 231 determines NO, and proceeds to Act13. The processor 231 executes product registration processing as Act13. That is, the processor 231 generates product sales data based on the product code, product name, price, etc. of the sales product record obtained in the processing of Act 5, and registers the data in the transaction list area formed in the main memory 232.

On the other hand, the processor 231 determines YES when receiving a service presence response command in Act9, and proceeds to Act10. The processor 231 notifies the service information as Act10. In other words, if the service information is a discount amount, the processor 231 displays on the display 238 that the product with the product name included in the sales product record read out in the processing of Act 5 is discounted at that discount amount. Notify by doing to. As an example of the display in this case, a display such as "Product XXX will be discounted by ZZ yen as a manufacturer's privilege" can be considered. If the service information is a discount rate, the processor 231 informs by displaying on the display 238 that the product is discounted at that discount rate. As an example of the display in this case, a display such as "The product XXX will be discounted by ZZ% due to the manufacturer's privilege" can be considered.

Processor 231 executes the service as Act11. That is, when the service information is the discount amount, the processor 231 calculates the discounted price by discounting the price included in the sales product record read in the process of Act5 by the discount amount. If the service information is a discount rate, the processor 231 calculates the discounted price after discounting the same price by the discount rate.

The processor 231 controls the communication interface 235 to transmit the service execution result to the management server 31 in Act12. By this control, the communication interface 235 transmits notification data of service execution results. This notification data includes the manufacturer code included in the response command indicating that there is service, the date and time kept by the clock 234, that is, the execution date, and performance information. If the service information is a discount amount, the performance information will be the discount amount. If the service information is a discount rate, the discount amount is calculated from the price and the discount rate.

The notification data is transmitted to the store server 21 via the LAN 22 and further transmitted to the management server 31 via the network 40 . At this time, the shop server 21 adds the shop code to the notification data.

Returning to the description of FIG.
The processor 311 that has controlled the transmission of the service presence response command in Act 32 waits for service execution result notification data in Act 33 . Upon receiving the service execution result notification data via the communication interface 315, the processor 311 determines YES in Act33, and proceeds to Act34. As Act 34, the processor 311 generates a performance record 33R using the manufacturer code, store code, performance information, and execution date data included in the notification data. The processor 311 then updates the performance database 33 so that the performance record 33R is added to the performance database 33 .

With this, the processor 311 ends the process started in response to receiving the first inquiry command.

Returning to the description of FIG.
When the processor 231 finishes transmitting the service execution result notification data in Act12, the processor 231 proceeds to Act13. The processor 231 executes the product registration process described above as Act13. However, at this time, the processor 231 generates product sales data based on the discounted price or the discounted price calculated in the processing of Act11, and registers the data in the transaction list area.

After completing the process of Act 13, the processor 231 ends the process for the fact that the tag ID of the IC tag attached to one product has been read by the tag reader 241. FIG. After that, in the POS terminal 23, when the tag reader 241 reads the tag ID of the IC tag attached to another product, the processor 231 repeats the processing from Act1 onwards. As a result, in the management server 31 and the manufacturer server 11, the same processing as the processing described with reference to FIG. 13 or 14 is executed again.

Also, when the close key is input at the POS terminal 23, the processor 231 executes settlement processing based on the product sales data registered in the transaction list area. Since this payment processing is a well-known processing performed in a normal POS terminal, detailed description thereof will be omitted here. It should be noted that the printer 240 is normally operated by the payment processing to print a receipt. Therefore, if a discount service is executed on an individual item basis in one transaction, the processor 231 of the POS terminal 23 prints on the receipt a message indicating that the discount is on an individual item basis together with the discount amount. may be controlled so that

Here, the individual product management system 1 constitutes an individual product management device by the service management system 30 and the manufacturer system 10 of each manufacturer. In addition, the individual item management system 1 constitutes a registration device with the POS terminal 23 incorporated in the store system 20 of each store.

Specifically, the POS terminal 23 constitutes reading means for reading the individual product code from the product to be purchased by the processor 231 cooperating with the tag reader 241 to execute the processes of Act 1, Act 2 and Act 6 in FIG. . Also, the POS terminal 23 constitutes output means for outputting the individual product code read by the reading means to the individual product management apparatus by the processor 231 cooperating with the communication interface 235 to execute the processing of Act 7 in FIG. do. Further, the POS terminal 23 constitutes execution means for executing a service based on the service-related information output from the individual-item management apparatus by the processor 231 executing the process of Act 11 in FIG.

On the other hand, the service management system 30 and the manufacturer system 10 use the individual product database 13, the lot database 14, and the service database 32 to associate individual product codes that identify individual products, and provide services to purchasers who purchase the product. and a storage unit that stores information relating to Specifically, the individual product database 13 functions as a first storage unit that stores a lot code that identifies the lot in which the product was manufactured in association with the individual product code. The lot database 14 and the service database 32 function as a second storage unit that stores information on services in association with lot codes. More specifically, the lot database 14 stores, in association with the lot code, the product code identifying the type of product manufactured in units of the lot identified by the lot code and the manufacturing date of the product. The service database 32 functions as a fourth storage unit that stores information related to services in association with product codes.

14, and the processor 311 of the management server 31 executes the process of Act26 in FIG. A search means for searching the storage unit is configured.

13, and the processor 111 of the manufacturer server 11 executes the processes of Act41 to Act43 in FIG. , constitutes acquisition means for acquiring the individual product code of the product registered at the POS terminal 23 for registering the product to be purchased.

14, and the processor 311 of the management server 31 executes the processes of Act24 to Act32 in FIG. , constitute the control means. That is, when the storage unit stores information related to a service associated with the individual product code acquired by the acquisition means as a result of the search by the search means, the individual product management device sends the information related to the service to the POS terminal 23. and output.

More specifically, the individual product management device stores, in the second storage unit, the lot code stored in the first storage unit in association with the individual product code acquired by the acquisition unit as a result of the search performed by the search unit. When the information is stored, it controls to output the information related to the service to the POS terminal 23 .

More specifically, the individual product management device stores the lot code stored in the first storage unit in association with the individual product code acquired by the acquisition unit as a result of the search by the search unit, and stores the lot code in the third storage unit. If the date of manufacture satisfies the service provision condition, and the product code associated with the lot code and stored in the third storage unit, the fourth storage unit stores information related to the service. In this case, control is performed so that information related to the service is output to the POS terminal 23 .

Also, the processor 311 of the management server 31 cooperates with the performance database 33 to execute the processes of Act 33 and Act 34 in FIG. A collecting means for collecting information indicating the results of the service provided.

According to the individual product management system 1 configured in this way, it is possible to provide discounts, discounts, and other services on a per-item basis rather than on an SKU-by-SKU basis. Specifically, even if the same product code is set, the service can be provided in units of lots with different manufacturing dates. More specifically, among the products managed with the same product code, a service that discounts or discounts the price of individual products that have passed a certain period of time from the date of manufacture, or a service that provides a discount or a discount if the number of days remaining until the expiration date is less than a specified number of days A service of discounting or discounting the price of an individual item can be provided. At that time, there is no need to perform complicated work such as attaching a discount sticker to the product to which the service is provided. Therefore, it is possible to provide a service on an individual product basis under the initiative of the manufacturer without imposing a burden on the store.

Further, according to the individual product management system 1, the management server 31 collects information indicating the results of services executed by the POS terminals 23 of each store, and stores the information in the performance database 33 as a performance record 33R. The performance record 33R includes at least a maker code, a store code, performance information, and an execution date. Therefore, for example, by aggregating performance information within a predetermined period by store code for each manufacturer code, it is possible to know the total amount of discounts generated within that period for each store by the service provided by each manufacturer for each item. . Based on this information, each manufacturer can accurately compensate each store for the loss caused by the discount.

The embodiments of the individual product management system and the individual product management device capable of providing services on an individual product basis without being forced to perform complicated operations for products to be serviced have been described above. Such embodiments are not limited to this.

In the above embodiment, an IC tag is attached to each product, and the IC tag stores the tag ID, individual product code, product code, and manufacturer code. As another embodiment, a two-dimensional data code representing an individual product code, a product code, and a manufacturer code may be given to each product, and the scanner 239 may read this two-dimensional data code, thereby configuring the reading means. .

In the above embodiment, the service record 32R stored in the service database 32 has been described as a record containing the maker code, product code, service conditions, and service information. As another embodiment, the product code included in the service record 32R may be replaced with the lot code and manufacturing date and time included in the lot record 14R. Alternatively, the lot code and date of manufacture may be added while leaving the product code. In this case, the processor 111 of the maker server 11, in Act54 of FIG. A first response command containing the code, manufacturer code, store code and terminal code is sent to the management server 31 . The processor 311 of the management server 31 detects the manufacturer code and lot code from the first response command and searches the service database 32 in Act25 to Act32 of FIG. Then, when the service record 32R with the matching manufacturer code and lot code is detected, the processor 311 checks the service conditions of the service record 32R, and transmits the service information to the POS terminal 23 when the conditions are met. Even with such a configuration, the individual product management system 1 can provide services such as discounts on a lot-by-lot basis. In such an embodiment, the service database 32 functions alone as a second storage unit.

Also, as another embodiment, the product code included in the service record 32R may be replaced with the individual product code. That is, service information may be set for each individual product. In this case, when the processor 311 of the management server 31 receives the first inquiry command in Act21 of FIG. 13, in Act26, it searches the service database 32 with the individual product code included in the first inquiry command. When the service record 32R containing the individual product code is detected, the processor 311 confirms the service conditions of the service record 32R, and transmits the service information to the POS terminal 23 when the service conditions are met. Even if such a configuration is adopted, the individual product management system 1 can provide services on an individual product basis. In such an embodiment, the service database 32 functions alone as a storage unit.

In the above embodiment, the type of service is a discount or a discount. The type of service is not limited to this. For example, it may be a service that issues a coupon when a service condition is satisfied for each individual item. Alternatively, it may be a service that prints a two-dimensional data code for applying to an Internet site on a receipt when the service conditions are met.

In the above embodiment, in Act 29 of FIG. 13, if the service condition is the number of days that have passed since the date of manufacture, it is checked whether the number of days that have passed since the date of manufacture is greater than the number of days set in the service condition. It was determined that the service conditions were met. Regarding this point, it may be determined whether or not the number of elapsed days is equal to or more than the number of days set in the service conditions, and if the number of days is equal to or more, it may be determined that the service conditions are satisfied. Similarly, if the service conditions indicate the number of days remaining until the expiration date, check whether the remaining days are less than or equal to the number of days set in the service conditions. You may judge that it is established.

In the above embodiment, the POS terminal 23 was exemplified as the registration device. A registration device is not limited to the POS terminal 23 . In short, the registration device only needs to have reading means, output means, and execution means. That is, the payment function may not be provided. Therefore, for example, it may be a terminal that is attached to a shopping card so that when a customer puts an item to be purchased into the cart, the IC tag data attached to the item is read.

In the above-described embodiment, the maker that manufactures the product and the store that sells the product are described separately. In this regard, the present embodiment can be applied even when the manufacturer and the store are common, such as a grocery store that sells products cooked in the store.

In the above embodiment, the service management system 30 includes the management server 31, the service database 32, and the performance database 33, and the manufacturer system 10 of each manufacturer includes the manufacturer server 11, the manufactured product database 12, the individual product database 13, and the lot database 14, respectively. The case of providing is exemplified. In another embodiment, the management server 31, the service database 32, the performance database 33, the maker server 11 of each maker, the manufactured product database 12, the individual product database 13, and the lot database 14 are provided on cloud computing. may In this case, the maker server 11 and the management server 31 can be configured by one server computer. In addition, the manufactured product database 12, the individual product database 13, the lot database 14, the service database 32, and the performance database 33 can also be reduced in number by appropriately combining data.

In the above embodiment, the operations of the management server 31, the manufacturer server 11, and the POS terminal 23 are described assuming that the programs are stored in advance in the main memory or the auxiliary storage device. The program may be appropriately installed in the auxiliary storage device, for example, according to the user's operation. In this case, the program can be installed by recording it on a removable recording medium or by communicating via a network. The recording medium may be of any form, such as a CD-ROM, memory card, etc., as long as it can store the program and is readable by the device.

Additionally, while several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.
The invention described in the original claims of the present application is added below.
[1] Searching means for searching a storage unit that stores information relating to services for purchasers who purchase the product in association with the individual product code that identifies each product, and a registration device for registering the product to be purchased. an acquisition means for acquiring the individual product code of the product registered in the above; and as a result of a search by the search means, information related to the service associated with the individual product code acquired by the acquisition means is stored in the storage unit. and control means for controlling, if stored, information related to the service to be output to the registration device.
[2] The search means includes: a first storage unit that stores a lot code that identifies a lot in which the product was manufactured in association with an individual product code that identifies the product; means for retrieving a second storage unit that stores information related to the service in association, and the control means is associated with the individual product code acquired by the acquisition means as a result of the search by the retrieval means. If the second storage unit stores information related to the service for the lot code stored in the first storage unit, control is performed to output the information related to the service to the registration device. The individual item management device described in Supplementary Note [1].
[3] The search means includes: a first storage unit that stores a lot code that identifies a lot in which the product was manufactured in association with an individual product code that identifies the product; , a third storage unit that stores a product code that identifies the type of product manufactured in units of the lot identified by the lot code and the manufacturing date of the product; a fourth storage unit that stores such information, and the control unit stores the information in the first storage unit in association with the individual product code acquired by the acquisition unit as a result of the search by the search unit. When the date of manufacture stored in the third storage unit satisfies the service provision conditions for the lot code stored, and is stored in the third storage unit in association with the lot code The individual product management according to appendix [1], wherein, when information related to the service is stored in the fourth storage unit with respect to the product code in question, the information related to the service is controlled to be output to the registration device. Device.
[4] The individual according to any one of appendices [1] to [3], further comprising collecting means for collecting information indicating a result of the service executed by the registration device based on the information related to the service. Product management device.
[5] The individual product management device according to any one of appendices [1] to [4], reading means for reading the individual product code from the product to be purchased, and reading the individual product code read by the reading means. and an individual product registration device comprising: output means for outputting to the individual product management device; and execution means for executing the service based on the information relating to the service output from the individual product management device. management system.
[6] Retrieval means for associating a computer of an individual product management device with an individual product code that identifies each product, and searching a storage unit that stores information related to services for a purchaser who purchases the product, purchase target an acquisition means for acquiring the individual product code of the product registered by a registration device for registering the product, and associating the result of the search by the search means with the individual product code acquired by the acquisition means in the storage unit a program for functioning as a control means for controlling to output the information related to the service to the registration device when the information related to the service is stored.

1 Individual product management system 10 Manufacturer system 11 Manufacturer server 12 Manufactured product database 13 Individual product database 14 Lot database 20 Store system 21 Store server 22 LAN 23 POS terminal 24 Sales product database 30 Service management system 31 Management server 32 Service database 33 Performance database 40 Network.

Claims (6)

A first storage unit that stores a lot code that identifies a lot in which the product was manufactured in association with an individual product code that identifies an individual product; a search means for searching a second storage unit for storing information relating to services to persons;
acquisition means for acquiring the individual product code of the product registered by a registration device for registering the product to be purchased;
information related to the service in the second storage unit for the lot code stored in the first storage unit in association with the individual product code acquired by the acquisition unit as a result of the search by the search unit; is stored, control means for controlling to output information related to the service to the registration device;
An individual item management device comprising A first storage unit that stores a lot code that identifies a lot in which the product was manufactured in association with an individual product code that identifies an individual product , and a lot that is associated with the lot code and identified by the lot code A third storage unit that stores a product code that identifies the type of product manufactured in units of and the date of manufacture of the product, and a service to the purchaser who purchases the product in association with the product code a search means for searching a fourth storage unit for storing information;
acquisition means for acquiring the individual product code of the product registered by a registration device for registering the product to be purchased;
As a result of the search by the search means, the date of manufacture stored in the third storage unit is associated with the lot code stored in the first storage unit in association with the individual product code acquired by the acquisition unit. satisfies the service provision conditions, and the information relating to the service is stored in the fourth storage unit for the product code associated with the lot code and stored in the third storage unit a control means for controlling to output information related to the service to the registration device;
An individual item management device comprising collecting means for collecting information indicating a result of the service executed by the registration device based on the information related to the service;
The individual item management device according to claim 1, further comprising: collecting means for collecting information indicating a result of the service executed by the registration device based on the information related to the service;
The individual item management device according to claim 2, further comprising: an individual item management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4;
reading means for reading the individual product code from the product to be purchased;
output means for outputting the individual product code read by the reading means to the individual product management device;
execution means for executing a service based on the information relating to the service output from the individual product management device;
a registration device comprising
Individual item management system with The computer of the individual item management device,
A first storage unit that stores a lot code that identifies a lot in which the product was manufactured in association with an individual product code that identifies an individual product; search means for searching a second storage unit that stores information related to services to persons;
acquisition means for acquiring the individual product code of the product registered by a registration device for registering the product to be purchased;
information related to the service in the second storage unit for the lot code stored in the first storage unit in association with the individual product code acquired by the acquisition unit as a result of the search by the search unit; is stored, control means for controlling to output information related to the service to the registration device;
A program to function as

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