Program for subscription and server device

Abstract

To provide a program for a subscription in a convenience store which can reduce a load for introducing a subscription in a convenience store, and can be utilized without forcing a user to go through too many steps, and a server device therefor.SOLUTION: A program for a subscription causes a computer to execute the steps of: accepting the registration of identification information on a card purchased by a user in a convenience store; determining whether the card is activated based on the registered identification information on the card; creating My page as the user's own dedicated subscription management page when the card is determined to be activated; and displaying a coupon image including identification information on a coupon utilizable in exchange for a designated product in the convenience store on the terminal of the user who has logged in to the My page in a first period from the creation of the My page.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a program and a server device for subscriptions. [Background technology]

[0002] A subscription is a system that allows users to use a designated product or service for a certain period of time by paying a fixed fee. In recent years, various network-based subscription systems have been proposed. For example, a known subscription service offered by convenience stores involves paying a fixed fee in advance and receiving coupons that can be used once per day to redeem a designated beverage for a certain period of time. This fixed fee is often set lower than if the designated beverage were purchased once per day for a certain period of time. Therefore, for users who regularly purchase the designated beverage, using a subscription effectively allows them to purchase the beverage at a lower price than usual. On the other hand, stores can expect a sales promotion effect, such as encouraging users to purchase other products when redeeming the designated beverage. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-181561 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Forcing users to go through a number of procedures to use a subscription service can easily lead to a decline in the number of users willing to use the service. For this reason, there is a demand for a subscription service at convenience stores that can be used without requiring users to go through a number of procedures. Furthermore, it is undesirable for the introduction of a subscription service to require major modifications to the convenience store's POS terminals, apps, and systems.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a program for subscriptions at convenience stores that can reduce the burden of introducing subscriptions at convenience stores and can be used without requiring users to go through many procedures, and a server device therefor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of a program for subscriptions causes a computer to accept registration of identification information of a card purchased by a user at a convenience store, determine whether the card is activated based on the registered identification information of the card, and if it is determined that the card is activated, create a My Page, which is a subscription management page dedicated to the user, and display a coupon image including identification information of a coupon that can be used in exchange for a designated product at the convenience store, on a terminal of the user who logs in to the My Page for a first period from the creation of the My Page. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a program for subscriptions at convenience stores and a server device therefor are provided that can reduce the burden of introducing subscriptions at convenience stores and can be used without requiring users to go through many procedures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an example system for subscription according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an example subscription card. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a server configuration. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of coupon data. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of coupon status data. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of sales management data. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a series of processes at a convenience store for activating a subscription card. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a series of processes in the server for activating a subscription card. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a series of processes in the server for user registration processing. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a login screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a registration form for My Page. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows an example coupon authentication form. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a series of processes performed by the server when a user receives a coupon. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the top screen of My Page. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a coupon screen. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a series of processes at a convenience store when a coupon is used. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a series of processes in the server when a coupon is used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an example subscription system according to an embodiment. A subscription is a mechanism that allows a specific product or service to be used for a fixed period of time by paying a fixed fee. In the embodiment, a subscription for a user who visits a convenience store 10 will be mainly described. The subscription in the embodiment provides a service in which a coupon that can be used once a day and can be redeemed for a specified beverage at the convenience store 10 is distributed to a user who visits the convenience store 10, purchases a subscription card 102, and registers as a user. The coupon can be used once a day for a fixed period of time at the convenience store 10.

[0010] The system 1 includes a POS (Point of Sales) terminal 101 installed in a convenience store 10, a user terminal 20, and a server 30. The POS terminal 101 and the server 30 can communicate with each other via a network NW. The user terminal 20 and the server 30 can also communicate with each other via the network NW.

[0011] A convenience store 10 is a small-scale store that sells a large number of products, such as food and daily necessities. A POS terminal 101 is installed at the storefront of the convenience store 10. The POS terminal 101 is configured to be able to perform a series of processes related to product payment, such as a function to read barcodes attached to products, a function to present the user with the product price recognized by reading the barcode, and a function to calculate change. As shown in FIG. 1, one system 1 may include multiple convenience stores 10. The subscription in the embodiment may be implemented only in convenience stores 10 located in a specific area.

[0012] Here, in the embodiment, the convenience store 10 sells subscription cards 102 in addition to food, daily necessities, and the like. The subscription cards 102 are cards purchased by users who use subscriptions. The subscription cards 102 may be sold, for example, at the storefront of the convenience store 10, although this is not a limitation. Here, the subscription cards 102 are not sold as physical card media, but may be sold in a form that can be displayed on the user terminal 20 as digital cards. For example, when purchasing a subscription card, a user can display the subscription card as a digital card on the browser of the user terminal 20 by inputting a pre-specified URL (Universal Resource Locator) on the browser.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an example subscription card 102. The example subscription card 102 is a POSA (Point Of Sales Activation) (registered trademark) card on which a barcode 1021 and a barcode number 1022 are printed. The barcode 1021 is a barcode representing a barcode number as unique identification information assigned to each subscription card 102. The barcode number 1022 is the actual value of the barcode number. The subscription card 102 is not a card that allows a user to use a subscription by itself, but rather a card that allows a user to use a subscription after being activated through a payment process via the POS terminal 101. Here, the identification information of the subscription card 102 does not necessarily have to be the barcode 1021.

[0014] The user terminal 20 is a terminal owned by a user U who wishes to use the subscription. The user terminal 20 is not limited to a specific terminal as long as it has a communication function and a browser display function. On the other hand, since the user terminal 20 is expected to be used inside the convenience store 10, it is desirable that the user terminal 20 be a portable terminal such as a smartphone.

[0015] Server 30 is a computer that controls a series of processes related to subscriptions. Server 30 may be managed by the operating company of convenience store 10, or by a management company affiliated with the operating company of convenience store 10. Furthermore, the functions of server 30 do not necessarily have to be realized by a single computer. When the functions of server 30 are distributed and realized by multiple computers, a configuration may be adopted in which some functions are realized by a computer of the operating company of convenience store 10 and some functions are realized by a computer of the management company.

[0016] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server 30. The server 30 includes a processor 31, a memory 32, a display 33, an input device , a communication device , and a storage .

[0017] The processor 31 is a processing unit that controls various operations of the server 30. The processor 31 is, for example, a CPU, but is not limited to this. The processor 31 may be an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a GPU (Graphic Processing unit), etc. Furthermore, the processor 31 does not necessarily have to be configured with one CPU or the like, but may be configured with multiple CPUs or the like.

[0018] The memory 32 includes a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM). The ROM stores a startup program and the like for the computer that constitutes the server 30. The RAM is a main storage device used by the processor 31 and the like.

[0019] The display 33 displays various images. The various images include a management screen related to subscriptions, etc. The management screen related to subscriptions includes a sales management screen, etc.

[0020] The input device 34 is a device for inputting various types of information to the various servers 30, such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel. The content of the operation is input in response to an operation by an operator of the server 30 via the input device 34. The processor 31 executes various processes in response to the content of the operation.

[0021] The communication device 35 includes a communication device for communicating with the server 30 via the network NW. The communication device includes, for example, a communication device for communicating via an Internet line. The communication device may communicate by either wired communication or wireless communication.

[0022] The storage 36 is a storage such as a hard disk or a solid state drive. The storage 36 stores a program 361 used by the processor 31. The program 361 includes a program for causing the processor 31 to execute a series of processes related to the subscription.

[0023] The storage 36 also stores data used in subscription processing, such as user data 362, card data 363, sales management data 364, and usage count management data 365.

[0024] The user data 362 is management data for each user who uses the subscription. The user data 362 is created through user registration after the subscription card 102 is activated. The user data 362 includes, for example, an ID 3621, a password 3622, coupon data 3623, coupon image data 3624, and coupon status data 3625.

[0025] The ID 3621 is an ID for identifying a user. The ID 3621 can be set by the user. The user's email address may be used as the ID 3621. The password 3622 is a password set by the user. The ID 3621 and the password 3622 are used for user authentication when logging in to My Page, which will be described later.

[0026] Coupon data 3623 is management data for coupons to be distributed to users. FIG. 4 shows an example of coupon data 3623. In one example, when My Page registration is completed, coupon data 3623 for the coupon receiving period, which is a first period, is created. For example, if the coupon receiving period is 30 days, coupon data 3623 for a total of 30 coupons is created, one coupon per day. In one example, coupon data 3623 includes, as elements, an exchange ticket number and a URL (Universal Resource Locator) for displaying the exchange ticket barcode. The exchange ticket number is a unique number assigned to each coupon as identification information. The exchange ticket number display URL is a URL for displaying a coupon image including the corresponding exchange ticket number on the user terminal 20. By specifying the exchange ticket number display URL, coupon image data for displaying the corresponding coupon image is downloaded to the user terminal 20.

[0027] The coupon image data 3624 is image data of a coupon corresponding to each exchange ticket number. The coupon image data 3624 is image data that includes at least coupon identification information. The coupon identification information is, for example, a barcode representing the exchange ticket number. Furthermore, a link is set in each coupon image data 3624. The URL of the link set in each coupon image data 3624 is the URL for displaying the exchange ticket number.

[0028] The coupon status data 3625 is data for managing the status of coupons for each user. FIG. 5 shows an example of the coupon status data 3625. The coupon status data 3625 includes elements for each exchange ticket number, such as a display period and a usage status. The display period is data indicating a second period during which a coupon with a corresponding exchange ticket number can be displayed on the user terminal 20. For example, if a coupon is used once per day, the display period is set to one day. That is, the coupon with the corresponding exchange ticket number can be displayed on the user terminal 20 from 00:00:00 to 23:59:59 on the date managed as the display period. The usage status is data indicating whether the corresponding exchange ticket number has been used. For example, the usage status can be either unused or used. Unused indicates that the coupon with the corresponding exchange ticket number has not been used. Used indicates that the coupon with the corresponding exchange ticket number has already been used.

[0029] Card data 363 is management data for registered subscription cards 102. Card data 363 is created for each issued subscription card 102. Card data 363 includes, for example, a barcode number, activation status data, and registration status data as elements. The barcode number is a unique number assigned to each subscription card 102. The activation status data is data indicating whether the subscription card 102 with the corresponding barcode number is activated. The activation status data can take two states, for example, valid and invalid. Valid indicates that the subscription card with the corresponding barcode number is activated. Invalid indicates that the subscription card with the corresponding barcode number is not activated. The registration status data is data indicating whether the barcode number has been registered on My Page. The registration status data can take two states, for example, registered and unregistered. Registered indicates that the corresponding barcode number has been registered. Unregistered indicates that the corresponding barcode number has not been registered.

[0030] Sales management data 364 is management data related to sales of subscription cards 102. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of sales management data 364. The example sales management data 364 includes elements such as unit price, sales quantity, and sales for each specified month. The specified month is, for example, January. The unit price is the unit price of the subscription card 102. The sales quantity is the total number of subscription cards 102 sold at all convenience stores 10 belonging to the system 1 in the corresponding month. The sales are the sales for the corresponding month. The sales are equal to the product of the unit price and the sales quantity for the corresponding month.

[0031] The usage count management data 365 is data on the total number of times coupons have been used by each user for each specified month.

[0032] Here, it is not necessary for all of the above-mentioned data to be stored in one storage 36. For example, data such as coupon data 3623 and coupon image data 3624 may be managed by a server other than server 30.

[0033] The following describes the operation of the system 1. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a series of processes at a convenience store for activating a subscription card 102. A user who wishes to use a subscription takes a subscription card, which is sold at the convenience store 10, for example, at the counter.

[0034] In step S1, a clerk at the convenience store 10 reads the barcode 1021 on the subscription card 102 using the barcode reader of the POS terminal 101.

[0035] In step S2, the POS terminal 101 transmits the information of the read barcode 1021 to the server 30. This causes the server 30 to perform processing to activate the subscription card 102. The processing of the server 30 will be described later. Here, the description will continue assuming that activation has been completed.

[0036] In step S3, the POS terminal 101 receives a notification of completion of activation from the server 30. In step S4, the clerk at the convenience store 10 presents the amount of the subscription card 102 to the user and processes the payment. This completes the activation of the subscription card 102. If the subscription card 102 is purchased, the sales quantity value in the sales management data is updated. Furthermore, the subscription card 102 may be activated after the payment is completed, rather than immediately after the barcode 1021 is read.

[0037] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a series of processes in the server 30 for activating the subscription card 102. The processes by the server 30 in Figure 8 are mainly performed by the processor 31. Other processes of the server 30 are similar.

[0038] In step S101, the server 30 receives the read information of the barcode 1021 from the POS terminal 101.

[0039] In step S102, the server 30 determines whether the subscription card 102 for which the read information was sent may be activated, for example by referring to the card data 363. In one example, if the corresponding barcode number is registered as card data 363 and the status of the activation status data for the corresponding barcode number is invalid, it is determined that the subscription card 102 for which the read information was sent may be activated. If it is determined in step S102 that the subscription card 102 for which the read information was sent may be activated, the process proceeds to step S103. If it is not determined in step S102 that the subscription card 102 for which the read information was sent may be activated, the process proceeds to step S105.

[0040] In step S103, the server 30 updates the status of the activation status data of the corresponding barcode number to "valid." Then, in step S104, the server 30 sends an activation completion notification to the POS terminal 101 that sent the read information. This completes the process of activating the subscription card 102 in the server 30.

[0041] In step S105, the server 30 transmits an activation failure notification to the POS terminal 101 that transmitted the read information. This ends the process of activating the subscription card 102 in the server 30. For example, if read information is transmitted for an unregistered barcode number or an already activated barcode number, an activation failure notification is transmitted.

[0042] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a series of processes in the server 30 for user registration processing. After the subscription card 102 is activated, the user operates the user terminal 20 to access a dedicated site for using the subscription. The URL of this dedicated site may be written, for example, on the subscription card 102 or on an advertisement or exhibit installed as a point-of-purchase (POP) advertising in a store. The URL may be written in the form of a two-dimensional code representing the URL. In this case, the user operates the user terminal 20 to read the two-dimensional code to access the dedicated site. This starts the processing in FIG. 9.

[0043] In step S201, the server 30 causes the user terminal 20 to display a login screen for a dedicated site.

[0044] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a login screen displayed on the display 200 of the user terminal 20. The example of the login screen includes an email address input field 201, a password input field 202, and a login start button 203 for user authentication. The example of the login screen also includes an email address input field 204, a mobile phone number input field 205, and a registration start button 206 for user registration. If the user terminal 20 is a smartphone, input into these input fields and operation of the buttons can be performed using a touch panel.

[0045] The email address input field 201 is an input field for the email address that serves as the user ID that was registered when the user registered. The password input field 202 is an input field for the password that was registered when registering for My Page. The login start button 203 is a button for starting login. When the login start button 203 is selected, user authentication for logging in to a dedicated site begins. Here, in one example, the user's email address is treated as the ID. However, it goes without saying that a character string or the like that is uniquely set by the user may also be treated as the ID.

[0046] The email address input field 204 is a field for inputting an email address for My Page registration. The mobile phone number input field 205 is a field for inputting a mobile phone number for My Page registration. The registration start button 206 is a button for starting My Page registration. My Page registration starts when the registration start button 206 is selected. My Page is a web page created for each user for managing subscriptions. As will be explained in detail later, users can receive coupons from My Page.

[0047] In step S202, server 30 determines whether or not to start My Page registration. When start registration button 206 is selected with the necessary information entered in email address input field 204 and mobile phone number input field 205 on the login screen, it is determined that My Page registration is to be started. If it is determined in step S202 that My Page registration is to be started, the process proceeds to step S203. If it is determined in step S202 that My Page registration is not to be started, the process proceeds to step S204.

[0048] In step S203, the server 30 performs the process of registering My Page. After the process of registering My Page is completed, the process returns to step S202. An example of the process of registering My Page will be described below.

[0049] When the user selects the registration start button 206, the server 30 sends the user an email informing them of the actual registration. This email contains the URL of the registration form for My Page. The user can access the registration form for My Page by specifying this URL. Furthermore, when the user selects the registration start button 206, the server 30 references the user's mobile phone number and sends a short message. This short message contains an authentication number.

[0050] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a My Page registration form. The example of the My Page registration form includes an email address display field 211 for displaying the email address entered by the user. The example of the My Page registration form also includes a password input field 212, a password re-entry field 213, an authentication number input field 214, and a register button 215. The password input field 212 is an input field for a password determined by the user. The password re-entry field 213 is an input field for a password used to confirm that the password determined by the user has been entered correctly. The authentication number input field is an input field for the authentication number written in the short message. The register button 215 is a button for starting actual registration.

[0051] The user enters a password of their own choosing in the password input field 212 and password re-input field 213, and further enters an authentication number in the authentication number input field 214, and then selects the registration button 215. At this time, the server 30 determines whether the passwords entered in the password input field 212 and password re-input field 213 match, and whether the authentication number entered in the authentication number input field 214 matches the transmitted authentication number. If they do not match, the server 30 notifies the user of this. On the other hand, if they match, the server 30 registers the email address entered by the user as ID 3621 and the password entered by the user as password 3622. Thereafter, the server 30 notifies the user of a message urging the user to log in to My Page and continue registration. This completes the My Page registration process. After the user performs a confirmation operation, the screen returns to the login screen.

[0052] Here, in the example My Page registration process, an authentication number using a mobile phone number is entered. This is for security reasons and is not essential. The My Page registration process only requires that the information required to log in to My Page is entered. For example, the information required to log in may be information other than a password.

[0053] Furthermore, the period during which My Page registration is possible may be limited. If there is a limit to the period during which My Page registration is possible, My Page registration processing will not start outside of the period.

[0054] Returning to the description of FIG. 9, if it is determined in step S202 that My Page registration is not to be started, then in step S204, the server 30 determines whether the user is attempting to log in to My Page. When the login start button 203 is selected with the necessary information entered in the email address input field 201 and the password input field 202 on the login screen, it is determined that the user is attempting to log in to My Page. If it is determined in step S204 that the user is attempting to log in to My Page, the process proceeds to step S205. If it is determined in step S204 that the user is not attempting to log in to My Page, the process returns to step S201.

[0055] In step S205, the server 30 compares the input ID and password with the registered ID 3621 and password 3622, and determines whether or not the authentication is successful. If it is determined in step S205 that the authentication is not successful, the server 30 notifies the user that the input ID or password is incorrect. Thereafter, the process returns to step S201. If it is determined in step S205 that the authentication is successful, the process proceeds to step S206.

[0056] In step S206, the server 30 displays a coupon authentication form on the user terminal 20 and waits for the user to input a barcode number. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the coupon authentication form. The example coupon authentication form includes a barcode number input field 221 and an input completion button 222. The barcode number input field 221 is an input field for the barcode number 1022 printed on the subscription card 102 purchased by the user. The input completion button 222 is a button for starting coupon authentication. The user inputs the barcode number in the barcode number input field 221 and then selects the input completion button 222. This causes the process to proceed to step S207.

[0057] In step S207, server 30 refers to card data 363 and determines whether the input barcode number is valid. In one example, if the corresponding barcode number is registered as card data 363, the status of the activation status data for the corresponding barcode number is valid, and the status of the registration status data for the corresponding barcode number is unregistered, the input barcode number is determined to be valid. If it is determined in step S207 that the input barcode number is valid, the process proceeds to step S208. If it is determined in step S207 that the input barcode number is not valid, the process proceeds to step S209.

[0058] In step S208, the server 30 creates coupon data 3623, coupon image data 3624, and coupon status data 3625 for the corresponding user. Then, the server 30 sends a registration completion email to the registered email address. The user registration process then ends. The registration completion email may include a statement that registration has been completed, the URL of a login screen, a coupon receiving period, and the like. On the other hand, if it is determined that the input barcode number is not valid, in step S209, the server 30 notifies the user that the input barcode number is invalid. The user registration process then ends. Here, after the user is notified that the input barcode number is invalid, the user may be allowed to input the barcode number again. Furthermore, the coupon data 3623, coupon image data 3624, and coupon status data 3625 created by inputting the barcode number may be deleted after the coupon receiving period has elapsed. In this case, coupon data 3623, coupon image data 3624, and coupon status data 3625 linked to a different barcode number may be created by registering a different barcode number on the same My Page.

[0059] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a series of processes in the server 30 when a user receives a coupon.

[0060] In step S301, the server 30 waits for a user to log in on the login screen shown in Fig. 10. If it is determined that the authentication is successful, the process proceeds to step S302.

[0061] In step S302, the server 30 causes the user terminal 20 to display the top screen of My Page.

[0062] 14 is a diagram showing an example of the top screen of My Page. The example of the top screen of My Page includes a coupon reception button 231 and a logout button 232. The coupon reception button 231 is a button for receiving a coupon. When the coupon reception button 231 is selected, a coupon image is displayed.

[0063] Now, returning to the explanation of Fig. 13, in step S303 after the top screen of My Page is displayed, server 30 determines whether or not to display a coupon image, i.e., whether or not coupon reception button 231 has been selected. If it is determined in step S303 that the coupon image is to be displayed, the process proceeds to step S304. If it is determined in step S303 that the coupon image is not to be displayed, the process proceeds to step S305.

[0064] In step S304, the server 30 compares the current date and time with the coupon status data 3625, and identifies the coupon data 3623 for the corresponding display period. The server 30 then acquires coupon image data 3624 based on the exchange ticket number of the corresponding coupon data 3623, and displays a coupon screen including the acquired coupon image data on the user terminal 20. After that, the process proceeds to step S305.

[0065] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example coupon screen. The coupon screen includes a barcode 241 representing, for example, a coupon ticket number as a coupon image. Furthermore, the coupon screen may include a display 242 indicating the usage period of the corresponding coupon. FIG. 15 is an example of a display in which the coupon usage period is one day. A user can use a subscription by presenting the coupon screen shown in FIG. 15 at the storefront of convenience store 10. Note that the coupon screen may be configured to return to the My Page top screen by a swipe operation or the like. Of course, the coupon screen may also be provided with a logout button or the like, and configured to return when that button is selected.

[0066] In step S305, the server 30 determines whether to log the user out. If the logout button 232 is selected by the user or the display period for the next coupon image has arrived, it is determined that the user should be logged out. If it is determined in step S305 that there is no need to log the user out, the process proceeds to step S306. If it is determined in step S305 that the user should be logged out, the process of receiving the coupon ends after the logout process.

[0067] In step S306, server 30 determines whether or not the coupon screen is currently being displayed. If it is determined in step S306 that the coupon screen is currently being displayed, the process returns to step S304. If it is determined in step S306 that the coupon screen is not currently being displayed, the process returns to step S302.

[0068] 16 is a flowchart showing a series of processes at a convenience store when using a coupon. A user who wants to use a coupon presents the coupon screen shown in FIG.

[0069] In step S401, a store clerk at the convenience store 10 uses the barcode reader of the POS terminal 101 to read the barcode 241 as a coupon image displayed on the coupon screen.

[0070] In step S402, the POS terminal 101 transmits the information of the read barcode 241 to the server 30. This causes the server 30 to perform a process of determining whether the presented coupon is valid or not. The process of the server 30 will be described later. Here, the description will continue assuming that the presented coupon is valid.

[0071] In step S403, the POS terminal 101 receives a notification that the exchange is valid from the server 30. In step S404, the clerk at the convenience store 10 hands over the designated product to the user. Here, the designated product may be exchanged for a product more expensive than the designated product by paying the difference in price.

[0072] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a series of processes in the server 30 when a coupon is used.

[0073] In step S501, the server 30 receives the read information of the barcode 241 from the POS terminal 101.

[0074] In step S502, the server 30 determines whether the coupon for which the read information was transmitted is valid, for example, by referring to the coupon status data 3625. In one example, if the exchange slip number indicated by the corresponding barcode number is registered as the coupon status data 3625, the current date and time is within the display period of the corresponding exchange slip number, and the status of the usage status data for the corresponding exchange slip number is unused, the coupon for which the read information was transmitted is determined to be valid. If it is determined in step S502 that the coupon for which the read information was transmitted is valid, the process proceeds to step S503. If it is determined in step S502 that the coupon for which the read information was transmitted is not valid, the process proceeds to step S505. Here, in step S502, the server 30 may also perform a process of updating the value of the usage count management data 365.

[0075] In step S503, the server 30 updates the status of the usage data for the corresponding exchange ticket number to "used." Then, in step S504, the server 30 sends a redemption validity notification to the POS terminal 101 that sent the read information. This ends the processing in the server 30. Here, the limit on the number of times a coupon can be used does not have to be one. If the limit on the number of times a coupon can be used is two or more, the server 30 updates the status of the usage data for the corresponding exchange ticket number to "used" when the coupon has been used the specified number of times.

[0076] In step S505, the server 30 transmits an exchange invalidation notice to the POS terminal 101 that transmitted the read information. This ends the processing in the server 30. For example, if the read information transmitted is about a coupon with an exchange slip number that is not registered, a coupon that is outside the displayed period, or a coupon that has already been used, the exchange invalidation notice is transmitted. If an exchange invalidation notice is transmitted, the clerk at the convenience store 10 will not exchange the product.

[0077] As described above, according to the embodiment, a user can use a subscription by purchasing a subscription card 102. Furthermore, user registration to receive coupons requires only input of an ID, password, and the identification information written on the subscription card 102. This allows a user to use a subscription through a very simple procedure.

[0078] In addition, in the embodiment, a My Page, which is a dedicated site for each user who purchases a subscription card 102, is created. The user then receives a coupon from the My Page. Here, the coupon image displayed on the My Page is updated to a coupon image with different identification information for each display period. This can prevent the user from presenting a coupon with an incorrect usage period at the convenience store 10. Furthermore, when the coupon image is updated, the user is forcibly logged out of the My Page. This process can also prevent the user from presenting a coupon with an incorrect usage period at the convenience store 10.

[0079] Furthermore, in the embodiment, subscriptions are processed substantially solely through management by the server 30. The server 30 also manages sales related to the subscription cards 102. For example, if the issuance of the subscription cards 102 and the management of the server 30 are carried out by a management company affiliated with the operating company of the convenience store 10, the burden of introducing the system on the convenience store 10 and the operating company is minimal. In other words, introducing a subscription at the convenience store 10 does not require modification of the POS terminal 101 and its management system, or modification or development of the app. Therefore, the convenience store 10 can provide subscription-related services within operations that are substantially the same as its regular operations.

[0080] Here, each process according to the above-described embodiment can be stored as a program that can be executed by the processor 31 of the server 30, which is a computer. Alternatively, the program can be stored in a storage medium of an external storage device such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or semiconductor memory and distributed. The processor 31 can then load the program stored in the storage medium of the external storage device, and its operation can be controlled by the loaded program, thereby executing the above-described process.

[0081] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combinations, in which case the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combining selected elements from the disclosed elements. For example, if the problem can be solved and the desired effect can be obtained even if some elements are deleted from all elements shown in the embodiments, the configuration from which these elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1 System, 10 Convenience store, 20 User terminal, 30 Server, 31 Processor, 32 Memory, 33 Display, 34 Input device, 35 Communication device, 36 Storage, 101 POS terminal, 102 Subscription card.

Claims

1. Accepting registration of identification information of a card purchased by a user at a convenience store; determining whether the card is activated based on the registered identification information of the card; If it is determined that the card is activated, creating a My Page, which is a subscription management page dedicated to the user; displaying, for a first period from the creation of the My Page, on a terminal of the user who has logged in to the My Page, a coupon image including identification information of a coupon that can be used in exchange for a designated product at the convenience store; A program for subscription that runs on a computer.

2. A program for subscription as described in claim 1, further causing the computer to update the coupon image displayed on the user's terminal to a coupon image with different identification information every second period which is shorter than the first period.

3. 3. The program for subscriptions described in claim 2, further causing the computer to log out the user from the My Page if the second period has elapsed while the user is logged in to the My Page.

4. determining whether the coupon image has been used based on read information of the coupon image obtained by reading the coupon image when exchanging the coupon for the designated product at the convenience store; allowing the redemption if the coupon image is unused and disallowing the redemption if the coupon image has been used; The program according to claim 1, further causing the computer to execute the steps of:

5. Accepting registration of identification information of a card purchased by a user at a convenience store; determining whether the card is activated based on the registered identification information of the card; If it is determined that the card is activated, a My Page is created, which is a subscription management page dedicated to the user; A server device for subscriptions, comprising a processor that displays coupon images including identification information of coupons that can be used in exchange for designated products at the convenience store on a terminal of a user who logs in to the My Page for a first period from the creation of the My Page.

Images