Sales promotion system, information processing device and program

Abstract

To reduce the number of steps required for sales promotion by discounts according to the sales situation and to widely publicize the discounts to customers in a store in a short time. [Solution] The sales promotion system includes a product information storage unit, a product registration processing unit, an inventory quantity update unit, and a discount notification unit. The product information storage unit stores product information, including the inventory quantity of the product, in association with identification information that can identify the product. The product registration processing unit registers products purchased by customers based on operations accepted by terminal devices used by customers moving around the sales floor. When the product registration processing unit accepts registration, the inventory quantity update unit reduces the inventory quantity of the product in the product information storage unit in accordance with the number accepted for registration by the product registration processing unit. The discount notification unit accepts input of discount information for selling the product identified by the identification information at a discount or at a discount, and notifies the customer of the entered discount information via the terminal device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a sales promotion system, an information processing device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, retail stores and mass retailers have used various methods to promote sales (sales promotion) through price cuts, discounts, etc. For example, typical methods include attaching stickers or displaying promotional POPs to products that are nearing their expiration date to inform customers that a price cut or discount will be applied.

[0003] However, the above-mentioned method is cumbersome because it requires the time and effort of attaching stickers to the target products and creating promotional POPs on an ad-hoc basis, and there is room for improvement in terms of immediacy. Furthermore, with the above-mentioned method, customers cannot find out about the discount information unless they go to the product display location.

[0004] A technology for promoting sales according to expiration dates using devices and systems is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1. This technology promotes sales by displaying discount rates and discounted prices on displays installed on product shelves.

[0005] However, with the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, customers can find out discount information only when they go to the product display shelf, meaning that they cannot find out discount information unless they go to the display shelf. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to reduce the number of steps required for sales promotion by discounts according to the sales situation, and to make it possible to widely disseminate the information to customers in the store in a short time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The sales promotion system of the embodiment includes a product information storage unit, a product registration processing unit, an inventory quantity update unit, and a discount notification unit. The product information storage unit stores product information, including the inventory quantity of the product, in association with identification information that can identify the product. The product registration processing unit registers products purchased by customers based on operations accepted by a terminal device used by the customers as they move around the sales floor. When the product registration processing unit accepts registration, the inventory quantity update unit reduces the inventory quantity of the product in the product information storage unit by the number accepted for registration by the product registration processing unit. The discount notification unit accepts input of discount information for selling the product identified by the identification information at a discount or at a discount, and notifies the customer of the entered discount information via the terminal device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a sales promotion system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server 10. As shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the storage unit 120 of the server 10. As shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a product master stored in the storage unit 120. As shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of transaction information stored in the storage unit 120. As shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of sales promotion information stored in the storage unit 120. As shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the control unit 110 of the server 10. As shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the customer terminal 40. As shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit 110. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the customer terminal 40. As shown in FIG. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the customer terminal 40. As shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit 110. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the customer terminal 40. As shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (First embodiment) A first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a sales promotion system according to the embodiment. The sales promotion system in this embodiment includes a server 10, a store clerk terminal 20, a reading device 30, a customer terminal 40, and a checkout device 50.

[0010] The sales clerk terminal 20 is a terminal device operated by a sales clerk, and is realized by, for example, a dedicated handheld terminal, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal device, or a general computer such as a PC. The sales clerk terminal 20 accepts an operation to input information related to product sales promotion (sales promotion information), and outputs the input sales promotion information to the server 10. The sales promotion information is, for example, information related to price discounts on products identified by identification information.

[0011] Customer terminal 40 is a terminal device used by customers moving around the sales floor, and is realized, for example, by a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet-type terminal device. Customer terminal 40 accepts operations for registering products purchased by customers (sales data registration). Customer terminal 40 also accepts operations for deleting registrations (sales data deletion) when customers return products from their shopping baskets to the sales floor. Customer terminal 40 may be used in a cart POS system. In this case, customer terminal 40 is attached, for example, to a cart, or so-called shopping cart, on which customers load their purchased products. In a cart POS system, customers who use a shopping cart to shop register the products they purchase (sales data registration). Customer terminal 40 may be configured as an integral part of the shopping cart, or may be detachably attached.

[0012] The checkout device 50 is a device that allows customers to perform payment processing for products registered in sales data through their own operations. The checkout device 50 is equipped with, for example, a display unit that displays information, an operation unit that accepts operations, a currency deposit and withdrawal device that deposits and withdraws cash (banknotes and coins), and a card reader for cashless payments. The display unit is specifically a display device such as an LCD panel. The operation unit is a control device such as a touch panel overlaid on the LCD panel. Cashless payments are specifically credit card payments and electronic money payments.

[0013] The server 10 is an example of an information processing device in this embodiment, and is realized by a general computer such as a PC (Personal Computer). The server 10 is, for example, a so-called store computer, and manages in-store POS (Point Of Sales) terminal devices (not shown), a store clerk terminal 20, a customer terminal 40, an accounting device 50, and the like.

[0014] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server 10. The server 10 is configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, a display unit 104, an operation unit 105, a communication I / F (Interface) 106, a storage unit 120, etc.

[0015] The communication I / F 106 mediates communication with external devices (the store clerk terminal 20, the customer terminal 40, and the checkout device 50). In this embodiment, communication between the server 10 and the customer terminal 40 is wireless communication, but communication between the server 10 and the store clerk terminal 20 and the checkout device 50 may be wired or wireless.

[0016] The display unit 104 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, and displays information for the operator. The operation unit 105 is an operation device such as a keyboard or touch panel, and is used to receive operations from the operator.

[0017] The storage unit 120 stores programs and various files. The storage unit 120 may be any storage device, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The programs stored in the storage unit 120 are executed by the CPU 101.

[0018] The ROM 102 stores programs executed by the CPU 101. The RAM 103 is used to expand the programs executed by the CPU 101 and temporarily store various values. The CPU 101 functions as a control unit 110 by executing programs stored in the ROM 102 and the storage unit 120. The control unit 110 includes various functional units (see FIG. 7, described below).

[0019] 3 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the storage unit 120 of the server 10. The files stored in the storage unit 120 are, for example, a product master file 121 in which a product master is recorded, a transaction information file 122 in which transaction information is registered, and a sales promotion information file 123 in which sales promotion information is registered.

[0020] 4 is a diagram showing an example of a product master stored in the storage unit 120. The product master file 121 stores, for example, a department code, product name, unit price, inventory quantity, discount category, discount details, expiration date, image information, and the like, in association with a product ID.

[0021] Here, the product master file 121 is an example of a product information storage unit that stores product information including the number of products in stock, in association with identification information that can identify the product. The product ID is an example of identification information that can identify the product, and this product ID identifies the product at least within the store (i.e., it is uniquely determined (without duplication)). The number of products in stock is the number of products (quantity, remaining number) identified by the product ID. The number of products in stock is updated according to sales data registration. The unit price is the price of the product identified by the product ID.

[0022] The department code is an associated number that can identify the department to which the product belongs. Departments include, for example, fresh fish, meat, produce, and daily necessities. The product name is the name of the product identified by the product ID. The expiration date is the expiration date of the product identified by the product ID. The image information is an image that is added when displaying information about the product identified by the product ID.

[0023] The discount category is a category of discount details that are applied to the product identified by the product ID. Categories include, for example, "Discount", "Price reduction", and "None". The discount category "Discount" indicates that a discount such as a 10% discount is applied. The discount category "Price reduction" indicates that a discount such as a 50 yen discount is applied. The discount category "None" indicates that no discount is applied.

[0024] The discount details are an example of discount information in this embodiment, and indicate detailed information about the discount or discount applied to the product identified by the product ID. For example, if the discount details are "10% OFF," this means that 10% of the unit price will be discounted when paying for the product. Also, if the discount details are "50 yen off," this means that 50 yen will be discounted from the unit price when paying for the product.

[0025] Note that the product master file 121 shown in Fig. 4 is an example used to explain this embodiment, and is not limited to this example. For example, each item (field) included in the file shown in Fig. 4 may be stored in multiple files (tables).

[0026] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of transaction information stored in the storage unit 120. The transaction information file 122 includes, for example, a transaction ID, a product ID, a product name, a product code, a terminal ID, a transaction status, and a transaction date. Of these, the product ID and product name are as described above. The product code is information that can identify a product, such as a JAN code. Note that the product ID may be the same as the product code.

[0027] The transaction ID is information that can identify a transaction. A new transaction ID is generated each time a transaction starts, and information on products registered in the sales data from the start of the transaction to the end of the transaction (i.e., payment completion) is managed using a single transaction ID. The terminal ID is information that can identify the customer terminal 40 that performed the transaction identified by the transaction ID.

[0028] The transaction status indicates the status of the transaction identified by the transaction ID, such as "in transaction," "settled," etc. The transaction date indicates the date on which the transaction identified by the transaction ID was made.

[0029] The status "Transaction in progress" indicates that sales data has been registered but payment has not yet been made. The status "Payment completed" indicates that sales data has been registered and payment has now been made. The status of all new records registered in the transaction information file 122 is "Transaction in progress." When payment is made at the checkout device 50, the checkout device 50 transmits information indicating payment completion to the server 10. Upon receiving this information, the control unit 110 of the server 10 updates the status from "Transaction in progress" to "Payment completed."

[0030] FIG. 5 shows transaction information between a customer terminal 40 with a terminal ID of "AAA" and a customer terminal 40 with a terminal ID of "BBB." At the time of illustration, the customer terminal 40 with the terminal ID of "AAA" is in the middle of a transaction with a transaction ID of "Aaaaa." In this transaction, sales data has been registered for a tomato with a product ID of "1001" and pork with a product ID of "3001." Furthermore, the customer terminal 40 with the terminal ID of "BBB" has completed (settled) a transaction with a transaction ID of "Bbbbb" and is in the middle of a transaction with a transaction ID of "Ccccc."

[0031] 6 is a diagram showing an example of sales promotion information stored in the storage unit 120. The sales promotion information file 123 includes, for example, product ID, department code, product name, unit price, inventory quantity, discount classification, discount details, image information, etc. These are the same as those in the product master file 121 described above.

[0032] In the sales promotion information file 123, information on each of the above items is registered as sales promotion information based on input operations to the sales clerk terminal 20. The inventory quantity is registered as the inventory quantity at the time of registration of the sales promotion information, and is updated thereafter in accordance with sales data registration, more specifically, in accordance with the number of items registered in the transaction information file 122.

[0033] 7 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control unit 110 of the server 10. The control unit 110 functions as a product registration processing unit 111, a discount processing unit 112, an automatic sales promotion processing unit 113, and the like.

[0034] The product registration processing unit 111 registers products purchased by customers based on operations received by customer terminals 40, which are terminal devices used by customers moving around the sales floor. In other words, the product registration processing unit 111 registers sales data. Specifically, when a customer moving around the sales floor operates customer terminal 40 to input product information when putting products into a cart or shopping basket, the product registration processing unit 111 records the input product information in transaction information file 122. In this way, sales data registration is performed.

[0035] More specifically, in this embodiment, the customer terminal 40 transmits the identification information (e.g., product ID) and quantity of the product to be purchased, and the product registration processing unit 111 refers to the product master file 121, obtains information on the product identified based on the received identification information (product ID), and registers this in the transaction information file 122.

[0036] The product registration processing unit 111 also functions as an example of an inventory update unit. That is, when the product registration processing unit 111 receives product registration from a customer, it reduces the inventory quantity of the product in the product master file 121 (product information storage unit) according to the number of sales data registrations received.

[0037] Furthermore, the product registration processing unit 111 deletes the registration of a product that a customer returns to the sales floor based on an operation received by the customer terminal 40. Specifically, when a customer moving around the sales floor removes a product from a cart or shopping basket and returns it to the sales floor, the customer operates the customer terminal 40 to enter product information indicating that the product is being returned, and the product registration processing unit 111 deletes the entered product information from the transaction information file 122. This deletes the sales data.

[0038] More specifically, in this embodiment, the customer terminal 40 transmits the identification information (e.g., product ID) and quantity of the product to be returned, and the product registration processing unit 111 refers to the transaction information file 122 and deletes the corresponding record.

[0039] Furthermore, when the product registration processing unit 111 receives a sales data deletion from a customer, it increases the number of products in stock in the product master file 121 according to the received number, as an example of a stock quantity update unit.

[0040] The discount processing unit 112 and the automatic sales promotion processing unit 113 cooperate to function as an example of a discount notification unit.

[0041] In detail, the discount processing unit 112 accepts input of discount information for selling a product identified by a product ID (identification information) at a discount or discount price, for example, via the store clerk terminal 20, and updates the discount category and discount details of the product in question in the product master file 121.

[0042] Furthermore, if the inventory quantity of the corresponding product in the product master file 121 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (1 in this embodiment), the discount processing unit 112 registers the promotion information of the corresponding product in the promotion information file 123. The predetermined value in this embodiment is 1. In this embodiment, the discount processing unit 112 registers the promotion information of the corresponding product in the promotion information file 123 if the inventory quantity of the corresponding product in the product master file 121 is equal to or greater than 1.

[0043] Furthermore, when the inventory quantity of the corresponding product in the product master file 121 becomes zero, the discount processing unit 112 deletes the sales promotion information of the corresponding product from the sales promotion information file 123.

[0044] When the promotion information file 123 is updated, the automatic sales promotion processing unit 113 reads out discount information and the like and notifies the customer via the customer terminal 40. The notification is performed, for example, by displaying a promotion screen (see FIGS. 10, 11, and 13, described below) on the display unit of the customer terminal 40, or by providing a voice guide of the promotion information via a speaker of the customer terminal 40.

[0045] Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of customer terminal 40. Like server 10 shown in Fig. 2, customer terminal 40 also includes CPU 401, ROM 402, RAM 403, display unit 404, operation unit 405, communication I / F 406, storage unit 420, etc. Like server 10, customer terminal 40 also includes CPU 401, which executes programs stored in ROM 402 and storage unit 420, thereby realizing a control unit that functions as various functional units.

[0046] The display unit 404 is a display device such as an LCD panel, and displays information for the operator (mainly the customer). The operation unit 405 is an operation device such as a touch panel that is overlaid on the display unit 404, and is used to receive operations from the operator (mainly the customer). The communication I / F 406 mediates wireless communication with external devices (the server 10, the store clerk terminal 20, and the checkout device 50).

[0047] The customer terminal 40 also includes an imaging unit 407. The imaging unit 407 is an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor, and is used to capture an image of the exterior of a commodity. The image data captured and output by the imaging unit 407 is used to acquire information (code symbols and feature amounts) that can identify the commodity.

[0048] More specifically, for example, if the image data output by the imaging unit 407 includes a code symbol such as a barcode or two-dimensional code, the control unit of the customer terminal 40 obtains product identification information (e.g., a product ID) by decoding the code symbol. When the control unit of the customer terminal 40 obtains the product identification information based on the image data output by the imaging unit 407, the control unit transmits the obtained identification information to the server 10. Upon receiving this, the server 10 registers the sales data using the product registration processing unit 111.

[0049] The control unit of customer terminal 40 transmits the product identification information to server 10, as well as the number of products (purchase quantity). If operation unit 405 does not accept an input operation for the number of products identified by image capture by image capture unit 407, the control unit of customer terminal 40 determines that the number of products purchased is one. If the number of products identified by certain identification information is one, the customer does not need to input the purchase quantity, but if the customer is buying multiple products of the same product, the customer may input the number of products instead of capturing multiple images of the same product.

[0050] Furthermore, product identification for sales data registration may be performed by object recognition processing. In this case, for example, customer terminal 40 transmits image data captured by imaging unit 407 to server 10. Upon receiving this, the control unit of server 10 identifies the product by object recognition processing. Here, object recognition processing is a process of extracting surface features of the product from the image data, calculating the similarity (a numerical value representing the degree of similarity) between these features and reference values ​​of the features of each product stored in a database in advance, and selecting products with high similarity as candidates.

[0051] The object recognition process is a process of identifying an object based on its external appearance characteristics using a technique called generic object recognition. Generic object recognition is explained in the following document: Keiji Yanai, "Current Status and Future of General Object Recognition", Transactions of the Information Processing Society of Japan, Vol. 48, No. SIG16 [Retrieved August 10, 2010], Internet<URL: http: / / mm.cs.uec.ac.jp / IPSJ-TCVIM-Yanai.pdf > Jamie Shotton et al., "Semantic Texton Forests for Image Categorization and Segmentation," [Retrieved August 10, 2010], Internet <url: http: citeseerx.ist.psu.edu viewdoc download?doi="10.1.1.145.3036&rep=rep1&type=pdf">

[0052] The clerk terminal 20 has substantially the same configuration as the customer terminal 40. That is, the clerk terminal 20 has a CPU, ROM, RAM, a display unit, an operation unit, a communication I / F, an imaging unit, a memory unit, etc. In the clerk terminal 20, the CPU executes programs stored in the ROM and memory unit, thereby realizing a control unit and functioning as various functional units.

[0053] If the image data output by the imaging unit includes a code symbol such as a barcode or two-dimensional code, the control unit of the clerk terminal 20 decodes the code symbol to obtain product identification information (e.g., product ID). When the control unit of the clerk terminal 20 obtains the product identification information based on the image data output by the imaging unit, the control unit accepts input of information regarding a price discount for the product identified by the obtained identification information via the operation unit. The information regarding the price discount is, for example, a discount rate such as a 10% discount or a discount amount such as a 10 yen discount.

[0054] When the input of the information regarding the price discount is accepted, the control unit of the store clerk terminal 20 transmits the identification information and the information regarding the price discount together to the server 10. Upon receiving this, the server 10 registers the information regarding the price discount in the sales promotion information file 123 by the price discount processing unit 112.

[0055] The identification of the product related to the sales promotion information registration may be performed by object recognition processing. In this case, for example, the store clerk terminal 20 transmits data of an image captured by an imaging unit to the server 10. The control unit of the server 10 receives this data and identifies the product by object recognition processing.

[0056] The transaction device 50 has a configuration similar to that of the customer terminal 40 and the clerk terminal 20. That is, the transaction device 50 has a CPU, ROM, RAM, a display unit, an operation unit, a communication I / F, an imaging unit, a memory unit, etc. In the transaction device 50, the CPU executes programs stored in the ROM and memory unit, thereby realizing a control unit that functions as various functional units.

[0057] Here, data linkage between customer terminal 40 and checkout device 50 during payment can be achieved using code symbols such as two-dimensional codes or barcodes. Specifically, first, customer terminal 40 accepts an operation indicating that sales data registration has been completed and that payment will be initiated, and transmits this information to server 10. Upon receiving this information, server 10 displays a two-dimensional code including the terminal ID of customer terminal 40 on display 404 of customer terminal 40. Next, checkout device 50 uses an imaging unit to capture an image of the two-dimensional code displayed by customer terminal 40 and decodes it. This allows checkout device 50 to determine the terminal ID that will be used to make the payment.

[0058] Once the terminal ID for the payment is determined, the checkout device 50 extracts the product code from the record in the transaction information file 122 that contains that terminal ID to determine the product code of the product to be paid for. Next, the checkout device 50 extracts the record in the product master file 121 that contains the product code of the product to be paid for, and obtains product information for the product to be paid for. The checkout device 50 then performs the payment process based on the product information for the product to be paid for.

[0059] 9 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit 110 of the server 10. The control unit 110 waits to receive information from the salesperson terminal 20 (No in step S1), and upon receiving information about a discount from the salesperson terminal 20 (Yes in step S1), calculates the inventory quantity of the product related to the information received in step S1 (step S2). Next, the control unit 110 updates the product master file 121 (step S3). The update of the product master file 121 in step S3 specifically involves setting the discount category and discount details.

[0060] Next, if the inventory quantity is 1 or more (Yes in step S4), the control unit 110 registers the promotion information in the promotion information file 123 (step S5) and transmits the promotion information to the customer terminal 40 (step S6). The customer terminal 40 that has received the promotion information displays the promotion information on the display unit 404.

[0061] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen 610 displayed on the customer terminal 40. The customer terminal 40 displays the received sales promotion information on the display unit 404 as a sales promotion screen 610 as shown in Fig. 10. The sales promotion screen 610 displays information on each item, such as product name 611, price 612, and discount information 613. When this display is in a list format as shown in Fig. 10, the display on the display unit 404 may be transitioned to a screen 620 (see Fig. 11) showing detailed product information by accepting an operation to select an arbitrary row using the operation unit 405.

[0062] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen 620 displayed on the customer terminal 40. On this screen 620, for example, an image 621 showing the product and its display location, a product name 622, a quantity in stock 623, a unit price before discount 624, a price after discount 625, etc. are displayed.

[0063] If the inventory quantity is 0 in step S4 (No in step S4), the control unit 110 does not register sales information or promote sales to the customer terminal 40, and ends this process.

[0064] 12 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit 110 of the server 10. When the control unit 110 receives information related to sales data registration from the customer terminal 40 (Yes in step S11), it calculates the inventory quantity of the product related to the information received in step S11 (step S12).

[0065] Next, if the inventory quantity is 1 or more (Yes in step S13), the control unit 110 updates the information in the sales promotion information file 123 (step S14). Specifically, the update of the sales promotion information file 123 in step S14 is an update of the inventory quantity. The control unit 110 then transmits the updated sales promotion information to the customer terminal 40 (step S15).

[0066] Furthermore, if the inventory quantity is 0 in step S13 (No in step S13), the control unit 110 deletes the sales promotion information for the corresponding product (i.e., the product related to the information received in step S11) from the sales promotion information file 123 (step S16).Then, the control unit 110 proceeds to step S15.

[0067] According to the sales promotion system of the first embodiment, for example, when there are products that are nearing their expiration date and you want to sell them off and want to promote sales by discounting them, you can widely inform customers in the store in a short amount of time with less effort than before.

[0068] For example, a sales clerk uses the sales clerk terminal 20 to obtain product identification information by reading a barcode or the like, and inputs information about a discount to be applied to the product. The sales clerk terminal 20 then transmits the input information to the server 10. The server 10 updates the sales promotion information file 123 and the product master file 121 based on the information received from the sales clerk terminal 20. Furthermore, the server 10 transmits information about the discount to the customer terminal 40 based on the updated contents of the sales promotion information file 123 and the product master file 121. Upon receiving this information, the customer terminal 40 displays a sales promotion screen.

[0069] As described above, this embodiment reduces the amount of work required for sales promotions based on discounts according to sales conditions, and can quickly and widely publicize the discounts to customers in the store. This embodiment allows shoppers to instantly obtain discount information, which can be expected to have a significant sales promotion effect. It also increases the likelihood that customers will increase the number of items they purchase for items that are already in their shopping carts (for which sales data has already been registered).

[0070] In this embodiment, the server 10 is an example of an information processing device, and the customer terminal 40 and the clerk terminal 20 receive information to be displayed on the display unit from the server 10 and transmit operations accepted by the operation unit to the server 10. However, this is not the only possible implementation, and the information processing device may be the customer terminal 40, for example. More specifically, if the capacity of the memory unit 420 of the customer terminal 40 and the processing power of the CPU 401 approach those of the current server 10, the customer terminal 40 may be equipped with the various functional units and data that are described as being equipped in the server 10 in this embodiment.

[0071] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the various functional units (product registration processing unit 111, discount processing unit 112, automatic sales promotion processing unit 113) of the sales promotion system are all provided in the same device (server 10). However, this is not the only possible implementation, and the various functional units of the sales promotion system may be shared among a plurality of devices, for example, the product registration processing unit 111 may be provided in the customer terminal 40, and the discount processing unit 112 and automatic sales promotion processing unit 113 may be provided in the server 10.

[0072] (Variation) A modified example of the above embodiment will be described. In this description, parts that differ from those described in the above embodiment will be described in detail. Furthermore, parts that are the same as those described in the above embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted. Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the customer terminal 40.

[0073] In this modified example, when information regarding a discount on a product is registered in the sales promotion information file 123, a confirmation screen 630 shown in Fig. 13 is displayed on the customer terminal 40 that has already registered the product in sales data. This confirmation screen 630 includes a message 631 that asks the operator (customer), for example, "A limited-time sale has started for product A that you put in your cart. Would you like to apply the discount?", and operators such as a "Yes" button 632 and a "No" button 633 that allow the operator to indicate their intention.

[0074] The customer terminals 40 on which the confirmation screen is to be displayed are narrowed down as follows: First, the control unit 110 (automatic sales promotion processing unit 113) extracts, from the transaction information file 122, the terminal IDs included in records in which the product ID of the product being promoted is that of the product and the transaction status is "in transaction." Then, the automatic sales promotion processing unit 113 displays the confirmation screen on customer terminals 40 other than the customer terminal 40 corresponding to the extracted terminal ID.

[0075] According to this modification, even if a customer has already registered the sales data for the promotional item at the price before the discount, the discount can be reflected if the customer has not yet made payment. This allows for more thorough service to be provided to customers.

[0076] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described. In this description, parts that differ from those described in the above embodiment will be described in detail. Furthermore, parts that are the same as those described in the above embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted.

[0077] In this embodiment, the scope of notification of promotional information is narrowed. That is, when notifying discount information, the automatic promotion processing unit 113 excludes customer terminals 40 that have registered products associated with the discount information by the product registration processing unit 111 from the scope of notification.

[0078] For example, when fresh food is the target of a sales promotion, it is thought that a response such as that of this embodiment may be desirable. Specifically, when the sales promotion information is notified, a situation may occur in which an item that was in the shopping basket is returned to the sales floor (sales data deletion) and a new discounted item is placed in the shopping basket (sales data registration). However, for products that require temperature control, such as fish and meat, or products that are sensitive to impact, such as fruit, the situation in which products in the shopping basket are rearranged as described above is undesirable.

[0079] Therefore, in this embodiment, the automatic sales promotion processing unit 113 first extracts the terminal IDs included in records whose product IDs are those of the products targeted for sales promotion and whose transaction statuses are "in transaction" from the transaction information file 122. Then, the automatic sales promotion processing unit 113 notifies the customer terminals 40 other than the customer terminal 40 corresponding to the extracted terminal IDs of the sales promotion information.

[0080] According to this embodiment, the start of the discount is not notified to customers who have already registered the sales data of the promotion target product at the price before the discount, so the occurrence of the undesirable situation described above can be prevented. Also, according to this embodiment, the promotion information can be disseminated only to customers who have not yet purchased the promotion target product.

[0081] (Variation) A modified example of the above embodiment will be described. In this description, the parts that differ from the parts described in the above embodiment will be described in detail. Furthermore, the same reference numerals will be used for the parts that are the same as those described in the above embodiment, and detailed description will be omitted.

[0082] In this modified example, the scope of promotional information notification is narrowed to a specific department. Specifically, when notifying promotional information for a product registered in the promotional information file 123, the automatic promotion processing unit 113 first determines whether the product being promoted belongs to a specific department. If the product being promoted belongs to a specific department, the automatic promotion processing unit 113 extracts from the transaction information file 122 the terminal ID included in a record whose product ID is that of the product being promoted and whose transaction status is "in transaction." The automatic promotion processing unit 113 then notifies promotional information to customer terminals 40 other than the customer terminal 40 corresponding to the extracted terminal ID.

[0083] According to this modification, the sales promotion information can be further narrowed down to the customer terminals 40 of customers who are considered to be suitable recipients of the information.

[0084] The sales promotion system and information processing device of the above embodiments are equipped with a control device such as a CPU, a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM, an external storage device such as an HDD or CD drive, a display device such as a display device, and input devices such as a keyboard or a mouse, and have a hardware configuration that utilizes a normal computer.

[0085] The programs executed by the sales promotion system and information processing device of the above embodiments are provided as files in an installable or executable format recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0086] The sales promotion system and the program executed by the information processing device of the above embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network.The sales promotion system and the program executed by the information processing device of the above embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0087] The program of the above embodiment may be provided in a state where it is pre-installed in a ROM or the like.

[0088] The program executed by the sales promotion system and information processing device of the above embodiment has a modular configuration including the above-mentioned units (product registration processing unit 111, discount processing unit 112, and automatic sales promotion processing unit 113). The CPU (processor) loads the above-mentioned units into the main storage device by reading and executing the program from the storage device. As a result, the product registration processing unit 111, discount processing unit 112, and automatic sales promotion processing unit 113 are generated on the main storage device.

[0089] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 10...server (an example of an information processing device), 101...CPU, 102...ROM, 103...RAM, 104...Display section, 105...Operation section, 106...Communication I / F, 110...control unit, 111...Product registration processing unit (stock quantity update unit), 112...Discount processing unit (part of discount notification unit), 113...Automatic sales promotion processing unit (part of the discount notification unit), 120...Storage section, 121...product master file (product information storage unit), 122...Transaction information file, 123...Sales promotion information file, 20... clerk terminal, 30...reading device, 40 ... Customer terminal (another example of information processing device), 401...CPU, 402...ROM, 403...RAM, 404...display unit, 405...operation unit, 406...communication I / F, 407...imaging unit, 420...Storage section, 50...Accounting equipment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0091] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-185377< / url:>

Claims

1. A product information storage unit that stores product information relating to a product identified by an identification information that can identify a product, A product registration processing unit registers the products purchased by a customer based on the operations received by a terminal device used by the customer as they move around the sales floor. Input of discount information for selling the product identified by the aforementioned identification information at a discount or price. A value discount notification unit receives the input value discount information and notifies the terminal device of the value discount information, Includes, The discount notification unit is a sales promotion system that differentiates the content of the notification sent to the terminal device depending on whether or not the product associated with the discount information has been registered in the product registration processing unit.

2. The product information storage unit stores the product information, including the number of products in stock identified by the identification information, in association with the identification information. The product registration processing unit further includes an inventory update unit that, upon receiving registration, reduces the inventory count of the product in the product information storage unit according to the number of items registered by the product registration processing unit. The sales promotion system according to claim 1, wherein the value discount notification unit notifies the terminal device of the stock quantity of the product associated with the value discount information, along with the value discount information, if the product is not registered in the product registration processing unit.

3. The sales promotion system according to Claim 1, wherein the value discount notification unit notifies the terminal device, for which the product associated with the value discount information has been registered in the product registration processing unit, that a discount or reduction has been made on the registered product.

4. The sales promotion system according to claim 3, wherein the value discount notification unit causes the terminal device, for which a product associated with the value discount information has been registered in the product registration processing unit, to display a screen including text that notifies the terminal device that a discount or price reduction has been started for the product, and an operator that confirms whether or not to apply the discount or price reduction to the product.

5. A product information storage unit that stores product information relating to a product identified by the identification information is accessible in association with the identification information that can identify the product. A product registration processing unit registers the products purchased by a customer based on the operations received by a terminal device used by the customer as they move around the sales floor. A discount notification unit receives input of discount information for selling the product identified by the aforementioned identification information at a reduced price or discount, and notifies the terminal device of the input discount information. Equipped with, The value discount notification unit is an information processing device that differs the content of the notification to the terminal device depending on whether or not the product associated with the value discount information has been registered in the product registration processing unit.

6. A computer of an information processing device that can access a product information storage unit that stores product information relating to a product identified by the identification information, associated with an identification information that can identify a product, A product registration processing means that registers the products purchased by a customer based on the operations received by a terminal device used by a customer moving around the sales floor, A discount notification means that receives input of discount information for selling the product identified by the aforementioned identification information at a discount or price, and notifies the terminal device of the input discount information. To make it function as, The value discount notification means is a program that varies the content of the notification to the terminal device depending on whether the product associated with the value discount information has already been registered by the product registration processing means.

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