U.S. patent application number 14/257244 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-04 for method to raise accuracy of targeting the segmentation for sample distribution.
This patent application is currently assigned to Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation. Invention is credited to Kenichi INOUE, Akira TADA, Yohei TAKABE, Satoru WATANABE.
Application Number | 20140249907 14/257244 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34419846 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140249907 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
INOUE; Kenichi ; et
al. |
September 4, 2014 |
METHOD TO RAISE ACCURACY OF TARGETING THE SEGMENTATION FOR SAMPLE
DISTRIBUTION
Abstract
There is provided a center server and a store terminal to
enhance the targeting accuracy in providing services. The center
server gives a unique ID to a member application, sends it to a
particular mobile information terminal and manages it as
authentication information about a member who is the user of the
mobile information terminal. In response to purchases of a
particular article by the member, the store terminal inputs the ID
from the mobile information terminal and inputs purchase
information about the article the member purchases. The center
server then acquires attribute information about a member
identified by the ID. Then, by checking the purchase information,
the attribute information and service information set in
association with attribute information about the member and kinds
of articles and stored in particular storage means, information
about a service to be provided for the member is identified.
Inventors: |
INOUE; Kenichi; (Chiba-ken,
JP) ; TADA; Akira; (Kanagawa-Ken, JP) ;
TAKABE; Yohei; (Tokyo, JP) ; WATANABE; Satoru;
(Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions
Holdings Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
34419846 |
Appl. No.: |
14/257244 |
Filed: |
April 21, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11761661 |
Jun 12, 2007 |
8706765 |
|
|
14257244 |
|
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|
10959116 |
Oct 7, 2004 |
8321436 |
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11761661 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0224 20130101;
G06Q 30/0226 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101; G06F 21/6254 20130101;
G06F 2221/2129 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/14.25 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20060101
G06Q030/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 10, 2003 |
JP |
2003352405 |
Claims
1. A service provision system, comprising: a server comprising a
central processing unit (CPU) and a memory connected to the CPU for
managing information about members; and a terminal device connected
to the server via a network; the server comprising: a member
information management mechanism configured to manage
identification information and attribute information about the
members, wherein the attribute information includes points
accumulated from purchases of articles by the members; and a
service information management mechanism configured to manage
service information set in association with the attribute
information about the members and kinds of articles; and the
terminal device comprising: a purchase information input mechanism
configured to input purchase information about an article; and a
member identification information input mechanism configured to
input identification information about a member; wherein, in
response to purchases of a particular article by the member, the
terminal device inputs purchase information about the article and
identification information about the member with the purchase
information input mechanism and the member identification
information input mechanism to send the information to the server,
the server identifies the attribute information about the member
corresponding to the received identification information and
identifies the service information managed by the service
information management mechanism using the attribute information,
the purchase information, and a targeting definition table, the
targeting definition table comprises the purchase information and
the attribute information and if the purchase information
correlates with the attribute information and the identification
information correlates with the attribute information, then an
intersection point of the correlated purchase information and the
correlated attribute information provides sample information
including a target demographic to receive a sample, the server
returns the sample information determined using the targeting
definition table to the terminal device, the terminal device
outputs information indicating the sample to be provided to the
member based on the returned sample information, the terminal
device further comprises a purchase information management section
configured to calculate an amount of points based on the purchase
of the particular article, the terminal device sends the calculated
points to the server, and the server adds the points to the points
accumulated from purchases of articles by the member, the terminal
device sends the points accumulated from purchases of articles by
the member to a mobile information terminal for storage in a member
information management storage section, the server further
comprises a service information storage section that stores the
service information, and content of the service information is set
based on the attribute information of the member, wherein the
content of the service information includes information or digital
content that matches particular interests of the member provided in
the attribute information, the information or the digital content
is provided to the member according to the points accumulated from
purchases of articles by the member, and a questionnaire form is
sent to the mobile information terminal via infrared communication
from the terminal device.
2. The service provision system according to claim 1, wherein: the
service information management mechanism of the server manages the
information about the samples to be distributed to the member as
the service information and returns the sample information
identified using the identification information and the purchase
information, to the terminal device.
3. The service provision system according to claim 1, wherein: the
server further comprises: an application storage mechanism storing
an application program that manages the members; and an application
program sending control mechanism configured to give a unique ID to
the application program stored in the application storage mechanism
and sending the application program to a particular information
processor; and the terminal device inputs the unique ID of the
application program via the member identification information input
mechanism to send the unique ID to the server; and the member
information management mechanism of the server manages the unique
ID given to the application program by the application program
sending control mechanism as authentication information about a
member who is the user of the information processor, and, when
receiving the unique ID from the terminal device, performs
authentication using the unique ID.
4. The service provision system according to claim 3, wherein: the
service information management mechanism of the server manages data
files available in the application program as the service
information and returns a data file identified using the
identification information and the purchase information, to the
terminal device; and the terminal device returns the data file, the
service information returned from the server, to the information
processor.
5. The service provision system according to claim 1, wherein: the
terminal device further comprises a questionnaire storage mechanism
configured to store questionnaire forms created according to the
kinds of the service information to be provided for the members;
and the server sends information identifying the questionnaire form
to be distributed the member together with the service information,
to the terminal device.
6. The service provision system according to claim 1, wherein the
terminal device is a terminal of a POS (point-of-sales) system.
7. A service provision system comprising: a server comprising a
central processing unit (CPU) and a memory connected to the CPU for
managing information about members; a terminal device connected to
the server via a network; and a mobile information terminal; the
server comprising: a member information management mechanism
configured to manage identification information and attribute
information about the members, wherein the attribute information
includes points accumulated from purchases of articles by the
members; and a service information management mechanism configured
to manage service information set in association with the attribute
information about the members and kinds of articles; and the
terminal device comprising: a purchase information input mechanism
configured to input purchase information about an article; and a
member identification information input mechanism configured to
input identification information about a member; wherein, in
response to a purchases of a particular article by the member, the
terminal device inputs identification information about the member
via the member identification information input mechanism to send
the identification information to the server, the server identifies
the attribute information about the member corresponding to the
identification information and identifies, using a targeting
definition table, service information associated with the attribute
information among the service information managed by the service
information management mechanism and returns the service
information to the terminal device, wherein the targeting
definition table comprises the purchase information about the
article and the attribute information about the member and if the
purchase information correlates with the attribute information and
the identification information correlates with the attribute
information, then an intersection point of the correlated purchase
information and the correlated attribute information defines the
service information including one of predetermined samples and
predetermined digital content to be provided to the member, the
terminal device identifies a service to be provided for the member
using the purchase information inputted by the purchase information
input mechanism and the service information returned by the server,
the terminal device further comprises a purchase information
management section configured to calculate an amount of points
based on the purchase of the particular article, the terminal
device sends the calculated points to the server, and the server
adds the points to points accumulated from purchases of articles by
the member, the terminal device sends the points accumulated from
purchases of articles by the member to the mobile information
terminal for storage in a member information management storage
section, the server further comprises a service information storage
section that stores the service information, and content of the
service information is set based on the attribute information of
the member, wherein the content of the service information includes
the one of the predetermined samples and the predetermined digital
content that matches particular interests of the member provided in
the attribute information, the predetermined samples and the
predetermined digital content is provided to the member according
to the points accumulated from purchases of articles by the member,
and a questionnaire is sent to the mobile information terminal via
infrared communication from the terminal device.
8. The service provision system according to claim 7, wherein: the
service information management mechanism of the server manages
information about samples to be distributed to the members as the
service information; and the terminal device determines the
predetermined samples to be distributed to the member who has
purchased the particular article based on the sample information
returned from the server.
9. The service provision system according to claim 7, wherein: the
server further comprises: an application storage mechanism storing
an application program that manages members; and an application
program sending control mechanism configured to give a unique ID to
the application program stored in the application storage mechanism
and sending the application program to a particular information
processor; and the terminal device inputs the ID of the application
program via the member identification information input mechanism
to send the ID to the server; and the member information management
mechanism of the server manages the ID given to the application
program by the application program sending control mechanism as
authentication information about a member who is the user of the
information processor, and, when receiving the ID from the terminal
device, performs authentication using the ID.
10. The service provision system according to claim 9, wherein: the
service information management mechanism of the server manages data
files available in the application program as the service
information; and the terminal device returns the data file, the
service information returned from the server, to the information
processor.
11. The service provision system according to claim 7, wherein: the
terminal device further comprises a questionnaire storage mechanism
configured to store questionnaires created according to the kinds
of the service information to be provided for the members; and the
server sends information identifying the questionnaire to be
distributed to the member together with the service information, to
the terminal device.
12. A service provision system according to claim 7, wherein the
terminal device is a terminal of a POS (point-of-sales) system.
13. A server comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a memory
connected to the CPU; a sending/receiving mechanism configured to
send/receive data to/from other information processors via a
network; an application storage mechanism configured to store an
application program that manages members; an application program
sending control mechanism configured to give a unique ID to the
application program stored in the application storage mechanism and
controlling the sending/receiving mechanism to send the application
program to a particular mobile information terminal of a member; a
member information management mechanism configured to manage the
unique ID given to the application program by the application
program sending control mechanism as authentication information
about the member who is the user of the mobile information
terminal; a service information management mechanism configured to
manage service information to be provided for particular members in
association with information about the members to be provided with
services; and a service information storage section that stores the
service information, and content of the service information is set
based on attribute information of the member, wherein the content
of the service information includes at least one of predetermined
samples and predetermined digital content that matches particular
interests of the member provided in the attribute information,
wherein, in response to a receipt of the unique ID of the
application program from the particular mobile information
terminal, the member information management mechanism performs
authentication using the unique ID, and the service information
management mechanism identifies the service information to be
provided for the member identified by the authenticated unique ID
using a targeting definition table, the member information
management mechanism manages identification information and the
attribute information about the members in association with each
other, the service information management mechanism manages the
service information set in association with the attribute
information about the members, the targeting definition table
comprises purchase information about an article purchased by the
member and the attribute information and if the purchase
information correlates with the attribute information and the
identification information correlates with the attribute
information, then an intersection point of the correlated purchase
information and the correlated attribute information identifies the
service information including a target demographic to receive at
least one of a predetermined sample and a predetermined digital
content, the server returns sample information determined using the
targeting definition table to a terminal device that is for output
information indicating the at least one of the predetermined sample
and the predetermined digital content to be provided to the member
based on the returned service information and input information
about the at least one of the predetermined sample and the
predetermined digital content when the at least one of the
predetermined sample and the predetermined digital content is
provided to the member, the attribute information includes points
accumulated from purchases of articles by the members; the member
information management mechanism receives an amount of points based
on the purchase of the article and adds the points to the points
accumulated from purchases of articles by the member, the at least
one of the predetermined sample and the predetermined digital
content is provided to the member according to the points
accumulated from purchases of articles by the member, and the
sending/receiving mechanism sends information identifying a
questionnaire to be distributed to the member together with the
service information, to the terminal device.
14. The server according to claim 13, wherein the service
information management mechanism manages information about the at
least one of the predetermined sample and the predetermined digital
content to be distributed to members who satisfy a predetermined
condition as the service information.
15. The server according to claim 13, wherein the service
information management mechanism manages data files available in
the application program as the service information.
16. A server comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a memory
connected to the CPU; a sending/receiving mechanism for
sending/receiving data to/from other information processors via a
network; a member information management mechanism for managing
identification information and attribute information about the
members, wherein the attribute information includes points
accumulated from purchases of articles by the members; and a
service information management mechanism for managing service
information set in association with the attribute information about
the members and kinds of articles; wherein the server is configured
to: receive identification information about a member, purchase
information about an article which the member has purchased from a
particular information processor with the sending/receiving
mechanism, and additional points associated with the purchase of
the article, identify attribute information about the member
corresponding to the received identification information and the
additional points associated with the purchase of the article,
identify a service to be provided for the member who has purchased
the article using the attribute information, the purchase
information, and a targeting definition table comprising the
purchase information about the article and the attribute
information about the member and if the purchase information
correlates with the attribute information and the identification
information correlates with the attribute information, then an
intersection point of the correlated purchase information and the
correlated attribute information defines the service information
including one of predetermined samples and predetermined digital
content to be provided to the member, and send information
identifying a questionnaire to be distributed to the member
together with the service information, to a terminal device.
17. The server according to claim 16, wherein the service
information management mechanism manages information about samples
to be distributed to the members who satisfy a predetermined
condition as the service information.
18. The server according to claim 16, wherein the service
information management mechanism manages data files available in an
application program as the service information.
19. A terminal device for inputting purchase information about an
article; the terminal device comprising: a central processing unit
(CPU); a memory connected to the CPU; a purchase information input
mechanism configured to input the purchase information; a member
identification information input mechanism configured to input
member identification information identifying a member who
purchases the article; a service information acquisition mechanism
configured to acquire service information associated with the
member identification information inputted by the member
identification information input mechanism; and a service
identifying mechanism configured to identify a service to be
provided for the member using the purchase information inputted by
the purchase information input mechanism and the service
information acquired by the service information acquisition
mechanism, wherein: the terminal device calculates points awarded
for the purchase of the article; the terminal device outputs
information indicating a sample or distributed content to be
distributed to the member based on returned sample information, the
sample or distributed content being identified by a targeting
definition table comprising the purchase information about the
article and attribute information about the member and if the
purchase information correlates with the attribute information and
the member identification information correlates with the attribute
information, then an intersection point of the correlated purchase
information and the correlated attribute information identifies the
sample or distributed content to be distributed to the member; the
attribute information includes the points awarded for the purchase
of the article, the terminal device inputs information about the
sample or distributed content when the sample or distributed
content is provided to the member, the terminal device sends the
calculated points to a server for addition to points accumulated
from purchases of articles by the member, the terminal device sends
the points accumulated from the purchases of articles by the member
to a mobile information terminal for storage in the mobile
information terminal, and when providing a particular service for
the member, the terminal device outputs a questionnaire form
corresponding to the service.
20. The terminal device according to claim 19, wherein: the service
information acquisition mechanism acquires information about the
samples and the distributed content to be distributed to the member
as the service information; and the service identifying mechanism
determines the sample or distributed content to be distributed to
the member who has purchased the article based on the acquired
sample information.
21. The terminal device according to claim 19, further comprising a
questionnaire storage mechanism configured to store the
questionnaire form created according to the service information to
be provided for the member.
22. A service provision method for providing a service for a member
using a computer, the method comprising the steps of: giving an ID
to an application program for management of members to send the
application program to a particular information processor of a
member; storing the ID in a predetermined storage mechanism;
managing the ID as authentication information about the member who
is a user of the information processor; in response to a purchase
of a particular article by the member, inputting the ID of the
application program from the information processor of the member
and inputting purchase information about the article purchased by
the member; authenticating the member with the inputted ID of the
application program; receiving an amount of points based on the
purchase of the particular article and adding the points to points
accumulated from purchases of articles by the member; identifying
attribute information about the member based on the authenticated
ID, wherein the attribute information includes the points
accumulated from the purchases of articles by the member; checking
the purchase information, the identified attribute information and
service information set in association with the attribute
information about the member and kinds of articles and stored in
the predetermined storage mechanism to identify service information
about a service to be provided for the member; communicating the
service information determined using a targeting definition table,
the attribute information about the member, and the purchase
information about the article, wherein the service information
indicates a sample or digital content to be provided to the member;
inputting information about the sample or digital content when the
sample or digital content is provided to the member; and when
providing a particular sample or digital content to the member,
communicating information identifying a questionnaire to be
distributed to the member together with the service information,
wherein the targeting definition table comprises the purchase
information and the attribute information and if the purchase
information correlates with the attribute information and the
authenticated ID correlates with the attribute information, then an
intersection point of the correlated purchase information and the
correlated attribute information provides the service information
including a target demographic to receive the sample or digital
content.
23. The service provision method according to claim 22, further
comprising the step of sending a data file available in the
application program to the information processor carried by the
member as a service to be provided for the member.
24. A service provision method for providing a service for a member
using a computer, the method comprising the steps of: in response
to purchases of a particular article by the member, inputting
identification information about the member and purchase
information about the article purchased by the member; searching a
predetermined storage mechanism in which identification information
and attribute information are stored in association with each
other, based on the inputted identification information, to
identify attribute information associated with the identification
information, wherein the attribute information includes points
accumulated from purchases of articles by the member; searching the
predetermined storage mechanism which stores service information
set in association with the attribute information and kinds of
articles, based on the identified attribute information, to
identify a service to be provided for the member who has purchased
the article, wherein the service information set comprises a
targeting definition table comprising the purchase information
about the article and the attribute information about the member
and if the purchase information correlates with the attribute
information and the identification information correlates with the
attribute information, then an intersection point of the correlated
purchase information and the correlated attribute information
defines the service information including one of predetermined
samples and predetermined digital content to be provided to the
member; providing the identified service information; and
communicating information identifying a questionnaire to be
distributed to the member together with the service
information.
25. A program for controlling a computer to manage provision of a
service for a member, the program being provided in a magnetic
disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and causing the
computer to: send/receive data to/from other information processors
via a network and receiving identification information about the
member and purchase information about an article which the member
has purchased, from a particular information processor; manage
identification information and attribute information about the
member, wherein the attribute information includes points
accumulated from purchases of articles by the member; manage
service information set in association with the attribute
information about the member and kinds of articles; identify the
attribute information about the member corresponding to the
received identification information and identifying a service to be
provided for the member who has purchased the article using the
attribute information and the purchase information; communicate
sample or digital content information determined using a targeting
definition table, the attribute information about the member, and
the purchase information about the article; output information
indicating a sample or digital content to be provided to the member
based on the communicated sample or digital content information;
communicating information identifying a questionnaire to be
distributed to the member together with the output information; and
input information about the sample or digital content when the
sample or digital content is provided to the member, wherein the
targeting definition table comprises the purchase information about
the article and the attribute information about the member and if
the purchase information correlates with the attribute information
and the identification information correlates with the attribute
information, then an intersection point of the correlated purchase
information and the correlated attribute information defines the
sample or digital content information.
26. The program according to claim 25, further comprising the step
of causing the computer to manage information about the samples or
digital content to be distributed to members who satisfy a
predetermined condition as the service information.
27. The program according to claim 25, further comprising the step
of causing the computer to manage data files available in the
application program as the service information.
28. A program for controlling a computer to manage information
about purchase of articles by members, the program being provided
in a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and
causing the computer to function as: a mechanism configured such
that, when a particular member purchases an article, inputting the
purchase information about the article and points awarded for the
purchase of the article; a mechanism configured to input member
identification information identifying the member who purchases the
article; a mechanism configured to acquire service information
associated with the inputted member identification information and
the inputted purchase information, from a predetermined server; a
mechanism configured to check the inputted purchase information and
the service information acquired from the server to identify a
service to be provided for the member using a targeting definition
table comprising the purchase information about the article and
attribute information about the member, wherein the attribute
information includes the points awarded for the purchase of the
article, and if the purchase information correlates with the
attribute information and the identification information correlates
with the attribute information, then an intersection point of the
correlated purchase information and the correlated attribute
information defines one of predetermined samples and predetermined
digital content to be distributed to the member; and a mechanism
configured to communicate the identified service and a
questionnaire to be distributed to the member.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/761,661, filed Jun. 12, 2007, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/959,116, filed
Oct. 7, 2004, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated
by reference herein in their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a system for managing information
about members and performing various services such as provision of
samples depending on the attributes of the members.
[0004] 2. Background Description
[0005] As an approach to stimulate consumers' appetite for purchase
of articles, such as cosmetics and health food, samples are
distributed. To enhance the effect of the approach, it is important
to identify (target) an appropriate group of potential purchasers
for an article art provide a sample of the article for the group.
Conventionally, as means for enhancing the accuracy of targeting
the group of potential purchasers, there has been adopted a method
of, based on the assumption that readers of particular magazines or
purchasers of other articles are overlapped with a group of
potential purchasers for a target article, providing a sample of
the article for those who have purchased such magazines or other
articles at stores. In this case, the result of distributing
samples may be managed by collecting information about the
distributed samples, for example, by reading bar-codes attached to
the samples provided for the purchasers of the magazines and the
like with the use of a terminal of a POS (point-of-sales)
system.
[0006] Furthermore, personal information may be registered with a
predetermined database, and services, such as provision of samples,
according to the attributes of each person may be performed, based
on attribute information (such as interests, preferences, age, sex,
and occupation) included in the personal information (Published
Unexamined Patent Application No. 2002-99700, for example). There
is also proposed a mechanism in which a member network is
constructed online, samples are distributed based on personal
information and attribute information about the members, and
questionnaires are distributed and collected via e-mail by
utilizing the network in order to grasp the utilization trend after
the samples are distributed (Published Unexamined Patent
Application No. 2002-41754, for example).
[0007] By managing personal attribute information in a database and
distributing samples in consideration of the attributes of each
person as in the prior-art techniques, the accuracy of targeting a
group of potential purchasers for a target article can be enhanced,
and thereby effectively stimulating the consumers' appetite for the
target article.
[0008] As described above, when attempting to stimulate consumers'
appetite for purchase of an article through services such as
provision of samples, it is important to realize suitable targeting
of a group of potential purchasers for the target article.
[0009] With the prior approach of providing samples for readers of
magazines and purchasers of other articles on the assumption that
the readers and purchasers are overlapped with a group of potential
purchasers for a target article, however, it is not possible to
grasp in detail the attributes of the purchasers of magazines and
other articles.
[0010] In addition, the overlap between the purchasers is presumed
only based on the past sales results of similar articles and the
like. Therefore, the accuracy of targeting is limited.
[0011] By comparison, with the prior-art technique in which the
target for which samples are to be provided is determined based on
attribute information included in personal information registered
with a database, the attributes of each of the registered persons
can be grasped in detail, thereby enabling targeting with a high
accuracy. In this technique, however, the personal information is
registered with the database, and therefore, consumers to be
registered are apt to be negative in the registration with the
database in fear that their registered personal information may be
stolen or leaked. In such cases, the object of stimulating
consumers' appetite for articles is not satisfied even though the
accuracy of targeting is high, since the number of persons to whom
samples are to be provided decreases.
[0012] In addition to the case of distributing samples, the same
problems as described above are also caused in providing various
services and information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The invention provides a system and a method capable of
registering personal information with a database while securing
anonymity of a person and providing services and information for
the person. The invention also is able to distribute samples based
on high-accuracy targeting, thereby contributing to promotion of
consumers' appetite for purchase of their desired articles.
[0014] The invention, in one embodiment, is realized as a service
provision system provided with a server and a terminal device
connected to the server via a network. The server constituting the
service provision system is provided with: member information
management mechanism (means) for managing identification
information and attribute information about members; and service
information management mechanism (means) for managing service
information set in association with the attribute information about
the members and kinds of articles. The terminal device is provided
with: purchase information input mechanism (means) for inputting
purchase information about an article; and member identification
information input mechanism (means) for inputting identification
information about a member. In response to purchases of a
particular article by the member, the terminal device inputs
purchase information about the article and identification
information about the member with the purchase information input
mechanism (means) and the member identification information input
mechanism (means) to send the information to the server. In
response, the server identifies the attribute information about the
member corresponding to the received identification using the
received identification information and the identification
information managed by the member information management mechanism
(means), identifies the service information managed by the service
information management mechanism (means) using the identified
attribute information and article information included in the
received purchase information and sends the service information to
the terminal device.
[0015] In this service provision system, when a member purchases a
particular article, the terminal device inputs identification
information about the member with the member identification
information input mechanism (means) to send it to the server. Then,
the server, using the member identification information managed by
the member information management mechanism (means), identifies
attribute information about the member corresponding to the
identification information, identifies service information
corresponding to the attribute information among the service
information managed by the service information management mechanism
(means) and sends it to the terminal device. In response, the
terminal device checks the purchase information about the article
inputted by the purchase information input mechanism (means)
against the service information returned from the sever to identify
a service to be provided for the member.
[0016] In this case, in the service provision system, information
about samples to be provided for the member can be acquired as
service information managed by the service information management
mechanism (means). In this case, the terminal device outputs
information indicating a sample to be distributed to the member who
has purchased the particular article based on the sample
information returned from the server.
[0017] The server can be configured to be further provided with:
application storage mechanism (means) storing an application
program for management of members; and application program sending
control mechanism (means) for giving a unique ID to the application
program stored in the application storage mechanism (means) and
sending the application program to a particular information
processor. In this case, the terminal device inputs the ID of the
application program via the member identification information input
mechanism (means) to send the ID to the server. Meanwhile, the
member information management mechanism (means) of the server
manages the ID given to the application program by the application
program sending control mechanism (means) as authentication
information about a member who is the user of the information
processor, and, when receiving the ID from the terminal device,
performs authentication using the ID.
[0018] Furthermore, the service information management mechanism
(means) of the server manages data files available in the
application program as the service information, and the terminal
device sends a data file, service information, which has been
returned from the server to the information processor which
acquired the ID.
[0019] In one embodiment, the terminal device in the service
provision system is configured to further comprise a questionnaire
storage mechanism (means) storing questionnaire forms created
according to the kinds of the service information to be provided
for the members. The server sends information identifying a
questionnaire form to be distributed to a particular member
together with the service information, to the terminal device, and
the terminal device distributes a questionnaire form identified by
the information to the member (his information processing
terminal).
[0020] Another aspect of the invention is realized as a server
configured as described below. That is, the server is provided
with: sending/receiving mechanism (means) for sending/receiving
data to/from other information processors via a network;
application storage mechanism (means) storing an application
program for management of members; application program sending
control mechanism (means) for giving a unique ID to the application
program stored in the application storage mechanism (means) and
controlling the sending/receiving mechanism (means) to send the
application program to a particular information processor; member
information management mechanism (means) for managing the ID given
to the application program by the application program sending
control mechanism (means) as authentication information about a
member who is the user of the information processor; and service
information management mechanism (means) for managing service
information to be provided for particular members in association
with information about the member to be provided with the services.
In response to a receipt of the ID of the application program from
a particular information processor, the member information
management mechanism (means) performs authentication using the In,
and the service information management mechanism (means) identifies
service information to be provided for a member identified by the
authenticated ID and sends it to the information processor which
sent the ID.
[0021] Another aspect of the invention is realized as a terminal
device for inputting purchase information about articles in a POS
system and the like. The terminal device is provided with: purchase
information input mechanism (means) for inputting purchase
information; and member identification information input mechanism
(means) for inputting member identification information identifying
a member who purchases the article; service information acquisition
mechanism (means) for acquiring service information associated with
the member identification information inputted by the member
identification information input mechanism (means), from a server;
and service identifying mechanism (means) for identifying a service
to be provided for the member by checking the purchase information
inputted by the purchase information input mechanism (means) and
the service information acquired by the service information
acquisition mechanism (means).
[0022] Furthermore, the invention is also realized as a service
provision method for providing a service for a member using a
computer as described below. That is, in the service provision
method, a unique ID is given to an application program for
management of members and sent to a particular information
processor; the ID is stored in a predetermined storage mechanism
(means); and the ID is managed as authentication information about
a member who is the user of the information processor. In response
to purchases of a particular article by the member, the ID of the
application program is inputted from the information processor
carried by the member and purchase information about the article
purchased by the member is inputted. Then, the member is
authenticated with the inputted ID, and the attribute information
about the member is identified based on the authenticated ID. Then,
by checking the purchase information, the identified attribute
information and service information set in association with the
attribute information about the member and the kinds of articles
and stored in a predetermined storage mechanism (means), service
information to be provided for the member is identified.
[0023] Furthermore, the invention is realized as a program for
controlling a computer to function as the server and the terminal
device described above or a program for causing a computer to
execute processing corresponding to each step of the service
provision method described above. The program can be provided by
distributing it in a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a
semiconductor memory or other recording media or delivering it via
a network.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 shows the entire configuration of the service
provision system according to the invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a typical example of the hardware configuration
of a mobile information terminal preferable for realizing the
mobile information terminal according to the invention;
[0026] FIG. 3 shows a typical example of the hardware configuration
of a computer for realizing the store terminal and the center
server according to the invention;
[0027] FIG. 4 shows the functional configuration of the mobile
information terminal according to the invention;
[0028] FIG. 5 shows the functional configuration of the store
terminal according to the invention;
[0029] FIG. 6 shows the functional configuration of the center
server according to the invention;
[0030] FIG. 7 shows an example of a targeting definition table used
according to the invention;
[0031] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an overall flow of information
processing to be performed in the system according to the invention
when a sample is provided for a member; and
[0032] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another example of information
processing to be performed in the system according to the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0033] According to the invention, an application program for
members with a unique ID attached thereto is downloaded to a mobile
information terminal (information processor) carried by a member
and the member is identified and authenticated with the ID of the
application program. Accordingly, it is possible to register
personal information about the member with a database and provide a
service and information while securing his anonymity and provide a
service or information for the particular person. Furthermore,
according to the invention, it is possible to distribute samples or
provide other services with high-accuracy targeting detailedly set
based on attributes of a member and the kinds of an article the
member has purchased, thereby considerably contributing to
promotion of consumers' appetite for purchase of articles.
[0034] The embodiments of the invention further realizes a system
for registering members while securing their anonymity to manage
personal information about the registered member' as well as
providing detailed services according to attributes of each member,
based on the information about the registered members personal
information. In this embodiment, description will be made on a case
where provision of samples is performed as a service for the
members, as an example.
[0035] FIG. 1 shows the entire configuration of a service provision
system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the
service provision system of this embodiment comprises a mobile
information terminal 100 carried by a registered member, a store
terminal 200 to be used for providing services for the registered
member, and a center server 300 for managing the personal
information about the registered member.
[0036] The mobile information terminal 100 is a mobile information
processor, such as a mobile telephone, a PDA (personal digital
assistant) and a notebook computer, which can be carried. In this
embodiment, the description below is based on the assumption that a
mobile telephone is used as the mobile information terminal
100.
[0037] The store terminal 200 is realized with a personal computer,
a workstation or other computers and installed in a store where
articles or services are provided. In this embodiment, description
will be made on the assumption that a terminal device (POS
terminal) of a POS (point-of-sales) system is used as the store
terminal 200.
[0038] The center server 300 is realized with a personal computer,
a workstation or other computers and installed in a predetermined
management center.
[0039] The mobile information terminal 100, the store terminal 200
and the center server 300 are connected via a wired or wireless
network. Any network line can be used based on services to be
provided or on the operation form, such as a public network
including the Internet and a dedicated line. Communication between
the mobile information terminal 100 and the store terminal 200 can
be performed via various communication means. In this embodiment,
infrared communication in compliance with IrDA (Infrared Data
Association) standard is used.
[0040] FIG. 2 shows a typical example of the hardware configuration
of a mobile telephone preferred for realizing the mobile
information terminal 100. The mobile telephone shown in FIG. 2
comprises a CPU (central processing unit) 11 which is operation
means, memory 12 which is storage means, a baseband LSI 13 for
performing signal processing, a wireless circuit 14 and an antenna
15 for performing wireless communication via a base station, an LCD
(liquid crystal display) 16 which is input/output means to be
controlled by the CPU 11, a keyboard 17, a microphone 18, a speaker
19, and a infrared port 20 for performing infrared communication
with the store terminal 200.
[0041] FIG. 2 only illustrates an example of the hardware
configuration of a mobile telephone realizing this embodiment, and
various other configurations are also possible only if this
embodiment can be applied thereto. For example, it is also possible
to mount a CCD image sensor.
[0042] FIG. 3 shows a typical example of the hardware configuration
of a computer preferable for realizing the store terminal 200 and
the center server 300. The computer shown in FIG. 3 comprises a CPU
(central processing unit) 21 which is operation means, a main
memory 23 connected to the CPU 21 via an M/B (mother board) chip
set 22 and a CPU bus, a video card 24 which is also connected to
the CPU 21 via the M/B chip set 22 and an AGP (accelerated graphics
port); a magnetic disk device (HDD) 25 connected to the M/B chip
set 22 via a PCI (peripheral component interconnect) bus, a network
interface 26, a infrared port 30 for performing infrared
communication with other equipment, and a Floppy.TM. disk drive 28
and a keyboard/mouse 29 connected to the M/B chip set 22 via a
bridge circuit 27 and a low-speed bus such as an ISA (industry
standard architecture) bus from the PCI bus.
[0043] FIG. 3 only illustrates an example of the hardware
configuration of a computer realizing this embodiment, and various
other configurations are possible only if this embodiment can be
applied thereto. For example, it is also possible to mount only a
video memory instead of providing a video card 24 so that image
data is processed by the CPU 21. It is also possible to provide
drives such as a CD-R (compact disc recordable) and a DVD-RAM
(digital versatile disc random access memory) via interfaces such
as an ATA (AT attachment) and a SCSI (small computer system
interface), as external storage devices. In the case where the
store terminal 200 is realized with) a POS terminal, there is
provided an input device such as bar code reader for inputting
purchase information. Since the center server 300 is connected to
other equipment via a regular network line as described above, the
infrared port 30 is not necessarily required for the configuration
of the center server 300. Furthermore, in the case where the mobile
information terminal 100 is realized with a notebook computer and
the like, the configuration will be such shown in FIG. 3.
[0044] In this embodiment, the user of the mobile information
terminal 100 is registered as a member, and the personal
information about the registered member is managed by the center
server 300. The member registration is performed by the mobile
information terminal 100 downloading an application program for
management of members (hereinafter referred to as a member
application) from the center server 300. An individually unique ID
(hereinafter referred to as an application ID) is given to the
member application. In the system of this embodiment, the
application ID is checked to identify the member each time a
service for members is provided. Therefore, the user of the mobile
information terminal 100 is not required to send personal
information (personal identification information) identifying the
user himself, such as the name and the address, to the center
server 300 or the store terminal 200 even when performing the
member registration or receiving a service. That is, the anonymity
of the member can be secured.
[0045] The member application can be in any form operative on the
mobile information terminal 100, and in this embodiment, it is
assumed to be realized with a Java.RTM. (U.S. Sun Microsystems,
Inc.) application which is available on a lot of information
terminals such as a mobile telephone. The member application
controls management of the personal information to be registered
with the center server 300, by the mobile information terminal 100,
and processing for sending and receiving information required for a
service, which will be described in detail later.
[0046] FIG. 4 shows the functional configuration of the mobile
information terminal 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the mobile
information terminal 100 comprises an input/output management
section 101, a communication management section 102, an application
management section 103, a member information management section 104
and a member information storage section 105 as member information
management means, a service information management section 106 and
a service information storage section 107 as service information
management means, and a questionnaire management section 108 and a
questionnaire storage section 109 as questionnaire management
means.
[0047] The service information may be various information prepared
for providing services for the members and include various data
files to be electronically handled, such as article information,
discount information and other sales information, and digital
contents using animations and voices. As for sample information,
which is to be described later, the sample itself which is to be
provided for members is not a data file. However, since the
information instructing which sample is to be provided for which
member is treated as a data file, and therefore, the sample can be
regarded as a form of service information.
[0048] In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the input/output
management section 101, the communication management section 102,
the application management section 103, the member information
management section 104, the service information management section
106 and the questionnaire management section 108 are virtual
functional blocks realized, for example, by the program-controlled
CPU 11 shown in FIG. 2. The member information storage section 105,
the service information storage section 107 and the questionnaire
storage section 109 are realized, for example, by the memory 12 in
FIG. 2.
[0049] The input/output management section 101 and the
communication management section 102 can utilize the functions
originally provided for the mobile telephone to perform an ordinary
telephone call or data communication. Meanwhile, the application
management section 103, the member information management section
104, the service information management section 106 and the
questionnaire management section 108 are functions to be realized
by the member application downloaded from the center server
300.
[0050] The input/output management section 101 manages input and
output such as display output by the LCD 16, input via the keyboard
17, voice input via the microphone 18 and voice output via the
speaker 19 in FIG. 2.
[0051] The communication management section 102 manages the
wireless circuit 14 in FIG. 2 to manage communication (telephone
calls and data communication) via the mobile telephone
communication network. It also manages the infrared port 20 to
manage infrared communication to be performed with the store
terminal 200. The application management section 103 performs
overall control of various functions realized by the member
application.
[0052] The member information storage section 105 stores the member
information about the registered member who is the user of the
mobile information terminal 100, and the member information
management section 104 executes processing such as registration,
update and deletion of the member information. In this embodiment,
the mobile information terminal 100 (or the user thereof) is
identified by the application ID given to the member application
which the mobile information terminal 100 has downloaded and uses,
as described above. Accordingly, the member information handled in
this case does not include persona information such as the name and
the address but includes information on personal attributes
(personal attribute information) such as interests, preferences,
age, sex and occupation. Specific contents of the personal
attribute information (that is, what should be used as the personal
attribute information) can be arbitrarily defined. It is not
necessary to set all the items of the member information as
essential registration items.
[0053] The member information (personal attribute information) is
inputted with the input means such as the keyboard 17 shown in FIG.
2. The inputted member information is stored in the member
information storage section 105 and is also sent to the center
server 300. The application ID is also stored in the member
information storage section 105 in addition to the member
information. In the case where points are added upon purchase of
articles and the like and services are provided according to the
accumulated points, point information is also stored in the member
information storage section 105.
[0054] The service information storage section 107 stores service
information sent from the store terminal 200 or the center server
300, and the service information management section 106 performs
registration, update and deletion of the service information. The
service information includes article information, digital contents
(such as animations and music), and the like.
[0055] The questionnaire storage section 109 stores an answer form
for questionnaire on a sample (hereinafter referred to as a
questionnaire form) sent from the store terminal 200, and the
questionnaire management section 108 performs input to and update
and deletion of the questionnaire form.
[0056] The answer into the questionnaire form is inputted with the
input means such as the keyboard 17 shown in FIG. 2, and the
inputted answer is stored in the questionnaire storage section 109
and sent to the center server 300.
[0057] FIG. 5 shows the functional configuration of the store
terminal 200. As shown in FIG. 5, the store terminal 200 comprises
a communication management section 201, an overall control section
202, a purchase information management section 203, a purchase
information input section 204, a service information management
section 205 and a service information storage section 206 as
service information management means, a sample distribution
management section 207 and a sample information storage section 208
as sample information management means, and a questionnaire
management section 209 and a questionnaire storage section 210 as
questionnaire management means.
[0058] In the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the communication
management section 201, the overall control section 202, the
service information management section 205, the sample distribution
management section 207 and the questionnaire management section 209
are virtual functional blocks realized, for example, with the
program-controlled CPU 21 shown in FIG. 3. The purchase information
management section 203, the service information storage section
206, the sample information storage section 208 and the
questionnaire storage section 210 are realized, for example, with
the main memory 23 and the magnetic disk device 25 shown in FIG. 3.
The purchase information input section 204 is realized with the CPU
11 shown in FIG. 2 and input means such as a bar-code reader and a
keyboard.
[0059] The communication management section 201, the purchase
information management section 203 and the purchase information
input section 204 can utilize the functions originally provided for
the POS terminal in order to perform the ordinary purchase
information collection job of the POS terminal. The communication
management section 201 manages communication with the center server
300 via the network interface 26 in FIG. 3 and controls the
infrared port 30 to manage infrared communication to be performed
with the mobile information terminal 100. The overall control
section 202 performs overall control of the various functions of
the store terminal 200.
[0060] The purchase information input section 204 inputs purchase
information attached to an article by reading a bar code or
performing input to a keyboard. The purchase information management
section 203 calculates the amount and the points to be added based
on the purchase information inputted by the purchase information
input section 204, and sends the purchase information to the center
server 300. The service information storage section 206 stores
information to be provided for the members as services (service
information), and the service information management section 205
performs registration, update, deletion and sending/receiving of
the service information. The service information is sent from the
center server 300 and stored in the service information storage
section 206, and then sent to the mobile information terminal 100
of the member is to be provided with the service information via
infrared communication.
[0061] The sample information storage section 208 stores
information about samples distributed to the members (the kinds,
the quantity of stock and the like of the samples), and the sample
distribution management section 207 performs registration, update
and deletion of the sample information. It also determines whether
to delivery a sample or not, which sample to be delivered and the
like in response to access from a particular mobile information
terminal 100. The sample information is sent from the center server
300 and stored in the sample information storage section 208.
[0062] The questionnaire storage section 210 stores a questionnaire
form for each sample sent from the center server 300, and the
questionnaire management section 209 performs registration, update,
deletion and sending/receiving of the questionnaire form. The
questionnaire form is sent from the center server 300 and stored in
the questionnaire storage section 210, and then sent to the mobile
information terminal 100 of the member to whom the sample has been
delivered, via infrared communication. The questionnaire management
section 209 can also receive an answer to the questionnaire, sent
from the mobile information terminal 100, and once store it in the
questionnaire storage section 210 to relay and send it to the
center server 300.
[0063] FIG. 6 shows the functional configuration of the center
server 300. As shown in FIG. 6, the center server 300 comprises a
communication management section 301, an overall control section
302, a member information management section 303 and a member
information storage section 304 as member information management
means, a service information management section 305 and a service
information storage section 306 as service information management
means, a sample distribution management section 307 and a sample
information storage section 308 as sample information management
means, and a questionnaire management section 309 and a
questionnaire storage section 310 and an application storage
section 311 as questionnaire management means.
[0064] In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the communication
management section 301, the overall control section 302, the member
information management section 303, the service information
management section 305, the sample distribution management section
307 and the questionnaire management section 309 are virtual
functional blocks realized, for example, by the program-controlled
CPU 21 shown in FIG. 3. The member information storage section 304,
the service information storage section 306, the sample information
storage section 308, the questionnaire storage section 310 and the
application storage section 311 are realized, for example, by the
main memory 23 or the magnetic disk device 25 in FIG. 3.
[0065] The communication management section 301 manages
communication to be performed with the store terminal 200 and the
mobile information terminal 100, via the network interface 26 in
FIG. 3. The overall control section 302 performs overall control of
the various functions of the center server 300.
[0066] The member information storage section 304 stores the member
information about each registered member and the application ID of
the member application downloaded by the mobile information
terminal 100 of each registered member in association with each
other. The member information management section 303 utilizes the
application ID to perform member authentication and registration,
update and deletion of the member information. The application ID
to be acquired is that given to the member application downloaded
to the mobile information terminal 100 (or which is given when the
member application is downloaded). The member information sent from
the mobile information terminal 100 when the member application is
downloaded, for example, is received and acquired. It is assumed
that the member information can be updated in response to sending
from the mobile information terminal 100.
[0067] The service information storage section 306 stores service
information to be provided for the members, and the service
information management section 305 performs registration, update
and deletion of the service information and information editing
suitable for each member. The contents of the service information
are set according to the personal attributes of each member, based
on the member information stored in the member information storage
section 304 for each member. The contents may be information on
articles which will interest the members with particular interests,
or digital contents such as animations for the case where such
digital contents are provided according to the points accumulated
by the members.
[0068] The sample information storage section 308 stores
information about samples to be distributed to the members, and the
sample distribution management section 307 performs registration,
update and deletion of the sample information. There is stored a
targeting definition table defining which sample to be provided to
which members with which attributes, in the sample information
storage section 308. The sample distribution management section 307
can also use the targeting definition table to determine whether to
distribute samples to particular members, which sample to be
distribute and the like, on behalf of the sample distribution
management section 207 of the store terminal 200.
[0069] FIG. 7 shows an example of the targeting definition table.
In the targeting definition table shown in FIG. 7, in the case of
distributing samples by attaching them to magazines and other
articles, the attributes assumed for purchases of the magazines and
articles to which the sample is attached and the attributes of the
members in the member information are set as the classification
items. This makes it possible to define in detail which samples are
to be provided for which members with which attributes who have
purchased which articles.
[0070] In the illustrated example, the items (sex, age and
occupation) of the attribute information about the member are
vertically set, and the items of purchased articles are
horizontally set. The position at which any selected two items
cross each other (that is, members with the selected attribute who
purchased the selected item) can be considered as a target. In the
illustrated example, the members with the attributes of {sex:
female; age group: 20 to 24, or 25 to 29; occupation: office
worker} who purchased the article A or the article B (the areas
shown in gray) are targeted, and it is defined that a sample of a
new brand lipstick should be distributed to the members. Similarly,
the members with the attributes {sex: female; age group: 20 to 24;
occupation: housewife} who purchased the article C or the article D
(the areas marked with diagonal lines) are targeted, and it is
defined that a sample of detergent produced from new natural
material should be distributed to the members.
[0071] In the case where a sample is simply attached to an article
as has been done conventionally, the sample is provided for a
consumer who has purchased a particular article irrespective of the
consumer's attributes, and thereby the targeting accuracy is
limited. The same goes for the case where the target to be provided
with a sample is identified only based on the attributes of
registered members. The areas surrounded by bold lines in FIG. 7
show an example of a target selected by such a prior-art
approach.
[0072] In contrast, in this embodiment, the target to be provided
with a sample is defined in detail based on the attributes of
members and the purchased articles as described above, thereby
enhancing the targeting accuracy. The questionnaire storage section
310 stores a questionnaire form for each sample, and the
questionnaire management section 309 performs registration, update,
deletion and sending/receiving of the questionnaire form and the
answer(s) to the questionnaire.
[0073] The application storage section 311 stores a member
application. The member application is read by the overall control
section 302 which functions as application program sending control
means in response to a download request from the mobile information
terminal 100 and sent to the mobile information terminal 100. A
unique application ID is given by the overall control section 302
then. The application ID is stored in the member information
storage section 304 as described above and used as authentication
information about the mobile information terminal 100 (or the user
thereof).
[0074] A service provision method according to this embodiment will
be now described for the case where samples suitable for individual
members are provided as a service for the members. As
preprocessing, it is determined, in response to a request by a
company selling a particular article, to provide a particular
sample for members with particular attributes, and a targeting
definition table as shown in FIG. 7 and information such as the
number of samples to be distributed are stored in the sample
information storage section 308 of the center server 300. In the
case where the sample distribution results are investigated, a
questionnaire on the sample is prepared, and then the questionnaire
form is delivered to the store terminal 200 and stored in the
questionnaire storage section 210. Identification information
identifying the questionnaire form and the sample are associated
with each other, and the association information is stored in the
questionnaire storage section 310 of the center server 300. The
samples to the distributed are then prepared at each store
[0075] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a overall flow of information
processing to be performed in the system of this embodiment when a
sample is provided for a member. Referring to FIG. 8, a consumer
who is a member activates a member application on his mobile
information terminal 100 when purchasing a desired article at a
store (step 801). The application management section 103 then sends
an application ID to the store terminal 200 through infrared
communication via the communication management section 102 (step
802). The application ID sent from the mobile information terminal
100 is received at the communication management section 201 of the
store terminal 200. That is, the communication management section
201 and the infrared port 30 shown in FIG. 3 function as means for
inputting the application ID, information identifying the
member.
[0076] A salesperson operates the purchase information input
section 204 (such as reading of the bar code) of the store terminal
200, a POS terminal, to input purchase information about the
purchased article (step 803). The purchase information is sent to
the center server 300 together with the application ID received at
step 802, via the communication management section 201 (step
804).
[0077] Separately from the processing according to this embodiment,
the purchase information inputted at step 803 is utilized by the
purchase information management section 203 for performing ordinary
POS-system processing (amount calculation, point calculation,
acquisition of information on sales results and the like).
[0078] When the center server 300 receives the application ID and
the purchase information about the article from the store terminal
200 via the communication management section 301, the member
information management section 303 uses the application ID to
authenticate the member and reads the member information (personal
attribute information) about the authenticated member from the
member information storage section 304 (step 805). The sample
distribution management section 307 then checks the member
information read at step 805 against the targeting definition table
to see if there is any sample to be provided for the member. If
there is any sample to be provided, the kind of the sample is
identified (step 806).
[0079] Furthermore, the questionnaire management section 309 checks
to see if there is a questionnaire for the sample identified at
step 806. If there is a questionnaire, the questionnaire management
section 309 reads identification information identifying the
questionnaire form from the questionnaire storage section 310 (step
807). The overall control section 302 then sends the information
identifying the sample and the information identifying the
questionnaire form to the store terminal 200 via the communication
management section 301 (step 808).
[0080] When the store terminal 200 receives the information sent
from the center server 300 via the communication management section
201, the overall control section 202 displays information (the
identification information or the name) indicating the sample to be
provided based on the received information (step 809). The
salesperson refers to the display to hand an appropriate sample to
the consumer who is the member. When handing the sample, the
salesperson inputs individual information about the sample (for
example, reads the bar code attached to the sample) (step 810). By
collecting such inputted individual sample information, the sample
distribution results can be managed.
[0081] When the store terminal 200 receives information identifying
a questionnaire together with the information identifying a sample,
the questionnaire management section 209 reads the questionnaire
form indicated by the identification information, that is, a
questionnaire form corresponding to the sample to be provided, from
the questionnaire storage section 210 and sends it to the mobile
information terminal 100 through infrared communication via the
communication management section 201 (step 811). This questionnaire
form is received by the communication management section 102 of the
mobile information terminal 100 and stored, in the questionnaire
storage section 109 by the questionnaire management section
108.
[0082] The member can display the received questionnaire form with
the display means (the LCD 16 in FIG. 2) of the mobile information
terminal 100, input the answer and then returns it to the store
terminal 200 or the center server 300. When the answer is returned
to the store terminal 200, it is once stored in the questionnaire
storage section 210 of the store terminal 200, and then transferred
to the center server 300. In order to return the answer to the
store terminal 200, the infrared communication used for sending the
application ID and receiving the questionnaire form can be used. In
order to return it directly to the center server 300, data
communication via a mobile telephone communication network can be
utilized. Even when the mobile information terminal 100 is any
information processor other than a mobile telephone, it is also
possible to configure the processor so that it can send the
questionnaire answer directly to the center server 300 via various
communication forms available thereto. By performing questionnaire
for a sample, collecting answers to the questionnaire, and
compiling and analyzing the answers as described above, it is
possible to obtain the consumers' reactions on and impressions of
the sample and thereby reflect them to the sales strategy for the
article.
[0083] In the operation example shown in FIG. 8, the application ID
and the purchase information about the article are inputted at the
store terminal 200 and sent to the center server 300, and then a
sample to be provided for the member is determined at the center
server 300. However, according to this embodiment, it is also
possible for the store terminal 200 to acquire necessary
information from the center server 300 and determine a sample to be
provided for the member. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the overall
flow of information processing to be performed in a system of this
embodiment in such a case.
[0084] In FIG. 9, the operations of activating a member application
at the mobile information terminal 100 (step 901) and sending the
application ID to the store terminal 200 (step 902) are similar to
those performed at the steps 801 and 802 in FIG. 8. The store
terminal 200 sends the application ID received at step 902 to the
center server 300 (step 903), via the communication management
section 201 (step 903).
[0085] When the center server 300 receives the application ID and
the purchase information about the article from the store terminal
200 via the communication management section 301, the member
information management section 303 uses the application ID to
authenticate the member and reads the member information (personal
attribute information) about the authenticated member from the
member information storage section 304 (step 904). The sample
distribution management section 307 then checks the member
information read at step 904 against the targeting definition
table, extracts a column in the targeting definition table
corresponding to the attributes of the member (step 905) and sends
the information of the extracted column to the store terminal 200
via the communication management section 301 (step 906). This
information becomes a table defining which sample is to be provided
according to articles purchased by the member identified by the
application ID inputted at step 902. The sent information is stored
in the sample information storage section 202 by the sample
distribution management section 207 at the store terminal 200.
[0086] At the store terminal 200, the salesperson operates the
purchase information input section 204 to input the purchase
information about the purchased article (step 907) This purchase
information is utilized for the ordinary POS-system processing and
is checked by the sample distribution management section 207
against the column information in the targeting definition table
stored in the sample distribution management section 207. Based on
the checking, the sample distribution management section 207
identifies a sample to be provided for the member who is identified
by the application ID inputted at step 902 and who has purchased an
article indicated by the purchase information of step 907 (step
908). The overall control section 202 displays information
indicating the sample to be provided on the display (step 909). The
salesperson refers to the display to hand an appropriate sample to
the consumer who is the member. When handing the sample, the
salesperson inputs individual information about the sample in order
to manage the sample distribution results (step 910).
[0087] The questionnaire management section 209 checks to see if
there is a questionnaire for the sample identified at step 908. If
there is a questionnaire, the questionnaire management section 209
reads a questionnaire form therefor from the questionnaire storage
section 210, and sends it to the mobile information terminal 100
through infrared communication via the communication management
section 201 (step 911). Collection and utilization of the
questionnaire answers is as described above.
[0088] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is
possible that management of members and determination of a service
to be provided for a member are all performed by the center server
300 and only input of necessary information (application ID and
purchase information) and output of a service to be provided for a
member are performed by the store terminal 200 (in the case of FIG.
8), and it is also possible that determination of a service to be
provided for a member is shared and executed by the center server
300 and the store terminal 200 (in the case of FIG. 9).
[0089] In the embodiment described above, explanation has been made
on the case where samples suitable for individual members are
distributed as a service for the members, it is also possible to
provide other various services using the system for member
registration, management and authentication, which secures
anonymity of members, according to this embodiment. For example,
digital contents such as animations and music can be provided
according to the attributes of members, and article information
(advertisement and other information for sales promotion) and
discount information can be notified.
[0090] In this case, as preprocessing for providing a service, it
is determined that a predetermined service (digital contents or
information) is to be provided for members with particular
attributes, and a target definition table as shown in FIG. 7 and
information such as a service provision period are stored in the
service information storage section 306 of the center server 300
for the sample. According to procedures similar to those shown in
FIGS. 8 and 9, a service defined in the targeting definition table
is provided for a member who has purchased a particular article
based on the attributes of the member and the kind of the purchased
article.
[0091] It has been described that, in the case of providing a
sample, the information about the sample to be provided is
displayed on the display on the store terminal 200 (refer to steps
809 and 909). In the case of providing digital contents or
particular information, however, reproduction of digital contents
or display output of information may be performed on the mobile
information terminal 100 by providing the member application
downloaded to the mobile information terminal 100 with functions of
reproducing digital contents or displaying information.
[0092] In these services other than a sample, it is also possible
to perform questionnaire to obtain consumers' reactions and
impressions. The questionnaire can be performed in a way similar to
those in FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0093] It is common that a POS system provides a service of adding
points according to the purchase amount or the number of purchases
by members and providing a giveaway or discounting according to the
accumulated points. The points can be managed with the use of this
embodiment.
[0094] In this case, though calculation and management of the
points can be performed by the ordinary POS-terminal functions of
the store terminal 200, the points may be stored in the member
information storage section 304 of the center server 300 and
managed as attribute information about members. It makes it
possible to, when providing a sample or a service for a member, set
a sample or a service to be provided according to the points.
[0095] After authentication with the application ID, the point
information about the authenticated member can be sent to the
mobile information terminal 100 via the store terminal 200 or
directly from the center server 300. The member can display the
point information received from the store terminal 200 or the
center server 300 with the application management section 103 of
the mobile information terminal 100 to check the current point.
[0096] Furthermore, by indicating the points with digital contents
using a different image or a character according to the point,
checking of the point information with the mobile information
terminal 100 can be facilitated.
[0097] Furthermore, with the use of the member management system
according to this embodiment, it is possible to deliver information
to the mobile information terminal 100 not via the store terminal
200 but directly. In this case, the member application to be
downloaded from the center server 300 is provided with a function
of accessing the center server 300 to request sending of
information. The application ID is directly sent to the center
server 300 from the mobile information terminal 100 on which the
member application operates to request authentication, and then
information is received from the center server 300.
[0098] By enabling an activation condition, such as the time to
access, to be set for the access function of the member
application, the member application of the mobile information
terminal 100 can be automatically activated and access the center
server 300 to acquire information if the condition desired by the
member such as a preset time is satisfied.
[0099] In this information delivery method, it is also possible to
set information to be delivered according to the attributes of
members managed by the center server 300. As for the information to
be delivered and the attributes of the members to whom the
information should be delivered, a correspondence table such as the
targeting definition table shown in FIG. 7 is created and stored in
the service information storage section 306.
[0100] The center server 300 accepts access from the mobile
information terminal 100; the member information management section
303, after authenticating a member with the application ID, reads
the member information (personal attribute information) of the
identified member from the member information storage section 304;
and the service information management section 305 reads
information corresponding to the member information from the
service information storage section 306 and returns it to the
mobile information terminal 100.
[0101] The information delivery method as described above, in which
the mobile information terminal 100 accesses the center server 300
to acquire information unlike a push-type information delivery from
a server via e-mail, can be said to be a pull-type information
delivery. According to this method, information is not sent
one-sidedly from a server but is acquired by a member at his
desired time. Furthermore, since information is received via a
function provided by a member application, it is not required to
disclose an e-mail address to the center server 300 and the
information can be acquired while anonymity is secured.
[0102] These days, in the push-type information delivery method via
e-mail, the rate of arrival of provided information at destination
users has significantly decreased with increase in the number of
users who set refusal of receiving e-mails sent from addresses such
as " . . . co jp" and " . . . com". In contrast, according to the
above-described pull-type information delivery method using this
embodiment, information can be acquired at the user's convenience
and anonymity can be secured when acquiring the information, so
that feelings of resistance toward acquisition of information is
reduced and information can be effectively delivered.
[0103] In this embodiment described above, explanation has been
made on a case where a POS terminal is used as the store terminal
200, as an example. This is because, when providing a sample as a
service, it is effective to send and receive information at the
payment and then provide the service. However, the operation of
sending an application ID to the store terminal 200 from the mobile
information terminal 100 for authentication and the operation of
acquiring various service information at the mobile information
terminal 100 are not necessarily required to be performed at the
payment. Accordingly, by installing a store terminal 200 (such as a
kiosk terminal) configured separately from the POS terminal in the
store, a member can communicate with the store terminal 200 from
his mobile information terminal 100 in order to be authenticated
prior to purchase of an article or to acquire service information
to be provided according to points separately from purchasing an
article.
[0104] On a shopping street or in a shopping mall, it is also
possible to install a store terminal 200 outside a store so that a
member can be authenticated via the store terminal 200 and enjoy a
service such as provision of a sample when purchasing an article at
any store on the shopping street.
[0105] It is also possible to install only an input/output device
of a store terminal 200 at a suitable place, instead of installing
a store terminal 200 such as a kiosk terminal inside or outside a
store, so that a member himself can input his application ID to
acquire a questionnaire form or service information. That is, an
input/output device with an infrared port is installed at a
predetermined place, and input and output of information with the
input/output device is controlled by a store terminal 200 realized
by a POS terminal and the like. As described later, in the case
where an application ID is inputted via a bar code, it is also
possible to install a bar code reader at a particular place so that
input into the bar code reader is received by the communication
management section 201 of a store terminal 200.
[0106] When only input is performed with an external device as in
this case, a questionnaire form or service information is sent via
data communication means such as a mobile telephone communication
network or a wireless LAN (local area network) according to the
kind of the mobile information terminal 100.
[0107] In this embodiment described above, communication means
between the mobile information terminal 100 and the store terminal
200 is infrared communication. However, it goes without saying that
information can be sent and received via other various means. For
example, it is possible to input information into a store terminal
200 by displaying a bar code indicating an application ID or a
coupon image indicating the points accumulated by a member on
display means (the LCD 16 in FIG. 2) of a mobile information
terminal 100 and causing it to be read by a bar code reader or an
image sensor provided for the store terminal 200. It is also
possible to send and receive data via data communication using a
wireless communication technique such as Bluetooth (trademark owned
by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. of United States). By using Bluetooth, it is
also possible that, when a member carrying a mobile information
terminal 100 enters a store (or coming up at a predetermined
distance from a store terminal 200), an application ID is sent to
the store terminal 200 from the mobile information terminal 100 in
order to be authenticated.
[0108] While the invention has been described in terms of preferred
embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and
scope of the appended claims.
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