Management device, terminal, management method, terminal processing method, and program

Abstract

The store utilizes the customer's purchase history to help them make purchases in-store. [Solution] The management device 101 comprises a product acquisition unit 121, a history acquisition unit 122, and a history transmission unit 123. The product acquisition unit 121 acquires customer identification information for identifying the customer and product identification information for the products the customer plans to purchase from a portable terminal 102 operated by the customer in the store. The history acquisition unit 122 acquires the purchase history of corresponding products that correspond to the products the customer plans to purchase, based on purchase history information showing the purchase history of products for each customer. The history transmission unit 123 transmits the purchase history of corresponding products to the terminal 102.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a management device, a terminal, a management method, a terminal processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] For customer's product purchase, various technologies for utilizing the history of the customer's product purchase have been proposed.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technology for using information on a product purchase list for which settlement has been completed in product purchase based on an e-commerce transaction by the same customer. In the technology described in Patent Document 1, a customer using a mobile terminal refers to the purchase history list and selects a detailed display button corresponding to the purchase history to be referred to in the current e-commerce transaction. In this case, the management server described in Patent Document 1 causes the mobile terminal 3 to display a detailed screen of the purchase history corresponding to the selected detailed display button.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 2 describes that when a purchaser selects a product at a store, product purchase information such as the previous purchase price, date, remaining quantity, etc. of the product to be purchased is obtained from a product purchase information management server for purchasers (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "management server") using the communication function of a mobile terminal. Patent Document 2 describes that the purchaser can make a more efficient purchase by making a multi-faceted judgment from this information.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, even if a customer's purchase history can be used to purchase goods through e-commerce, it is difficult to use that customer's purchase history to purchase goods in a physical store.

[0007] In the technology described in Patent Document 2, a mobile terminal acquires a history of product purchase information for all products purchased by the buyer. Even if the product purchase information is organized by date, store name, etc., as described in Patent Document 2, if there is a large amount of product purchase information, it may be difficult to find the previous purchase information for the product intended to be purchased when selecting a product in a store. In such cases, it is difficult to use the customer's purchase history to purchase products in a store.

[0008] One example of the object of the present invention is to provide a management device, terminal, management method, terminal processing method, and program that solve the problem of customers utilizing their purchase history to purchase goods at a store, in view of the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, A product acquisition means that acquires customer identification information for identifying the customer and product identification information for the products the customer intends to purchase from a portable terminal operated by the customer within the store, A history acquisition means that acquires the purchase history of corresponding products that correspond to the products to be purchased from the customer's purchase history, based on purchase history information showing the purchase history of products for each customer, The system includes a history transmission means for transmitting the purchase history of the corresponding product to the terminal, The history transmission means is, A determination means for determining whether the purchase history of the corresponding product meets predetermined display conditions, Includes a target output means that transmits the purchase history of the corresponding product determined to satisfy the display conditions to the terminal, The display conditions include at least one of the following: the price difference between the purchase price of the corresponding product and the current price of the product to be purchased is equal to or greater than a certain threshold; and the purchase history of the corresponding product is the most recent purchase history of the corresponding product. A management device is provided.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, A portable terminal operated by customers within a store, A first terminal acquisition means for acquiring customer identification information to identify the aforementioned customer, A second terminal acquisition means for acquiring product identification information about the products the customer intends to purchase, A terminal transmission means for transmitting the customer identification information and the product identification information to a management device, A history receiving means that receives from the management device the purchase history of corresponding products that correspond to the product to be purchased, from the customer's purchase history, The system includes a display control means that causes the purchase history of the corresponding product to satisfy predetermined display conditions, and displays the purchase history of the corresponding product on the display means. The display conditions include at least one of the following: the price difference between the purchase price of the corresponding product and the current price of the product to be purchased is equal to or greater than a certain threshold; and the purchase history of the corresponding product is the most recent purchase history of the corresponding product. A device will be provided.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, Computers From a portable terminal operated by the customer within the store, customer identification information to identify the customer and product identification information for the products the customer intends to purchase are obtained. Based on purchase history information showing the purchase history of each customer, the purchase history of corresponding products that correspond to the product to be purchased is obtained from the customer's purchase history. This includes transmitting the purchase history of the corresponding product to the terminal. Sending the purchase history of the aforementioned compatible product means The system determines whether the purchase history of the corresponding product meets the predetermined display conditions. including transmitting to the terminal the purchase history of the corresponding product determined to satisfy the display condition The display condition includes at least one of: the price difference between the purchase price of the corresponding product and the current price of the planned purchase product being equal to or greater than a reference value; and the purchase history of the corresponding product being the most recent purchase history of the corresponding product A management method is provided

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention A portable computer operated by a customer in a store acquires customer identification information for identifying the customer acquires product identification information about the product the customer plans to purchase transmits the customer identification information and the product identification information to a management device receives from the management device the purchase history of the corresponding product, which is the product corresponding to the product the customer plans to purchase, among the purchase history of the customer including causing a display means to display the purchase history of the corresponding product that satisfies a predetermined display condition The display condition includes at least one of: the price difference between the purchase price of the corresponding product and the current price of the planned purchase product being equal to or greater than a reference value; and the purchase history of the corresponding product being the most recent purchase history of the corresponding product A terminal processing method is provided

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention In a computer acquires, from a portable terminal operated by a customer in a store, customer identification information for identifying the customer and product identification information about the product the customer plans to purchase acquires, based on purchase history information indicating the purchase history of products for each customer, the purchase history of the corresponding product, which is the product corresponding to the product the customer plans to purchase, among the purchase history of the customer causes to execute transmitting the purchase history of the corresponding product to the terminal Transmitting the purchase history of the corresponding product Determine whether the purchase history of the corresponding product satisfies a predetermined display condition, including transmitting the purchase history of the corresponding product determined to satisfy the display condition to the terminal, where the display condition includes at least one of the following: the price difference between the purchase price of the corresponding product and the current price of the planned purchase product is equal to or greater than a reference value; the purchase history of the corresponding product is the most recent purchase history of the corresponding product. A program is provided.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, a portable computer operated by a customer in a store acquires customer identification information for identifying the customer, acquires product identification information about the product planned to be purchased by the customer, transmits the customer identification information and the product identification information to a management device, receives from the management device the purchase history of the corresponding product, which is the product corresponding to the product planned to be purchased, among the purchase history of the customer, causes a display means to display the purchase history of the corresponding product that satisfies a predetermined display condition among the purchase history of the corresponding product, where the display condition includes at least one of the following: the price difference between the purchase price of the corresponding product and the current price of the planned purchase product is equal to or greater than a reference value; the purchase history of the corresponding product is the most recent purchase history of the corresponding product. A program is provided.

Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, it becomes possible to utilize the purchase history of a customer in order for the customer to purchase a product in a store.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing an overview of a purchase history management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an overview of a functional configuration of a management device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3]This figure shows an overview of the functional configuration of a terminal according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart outlining the management process according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart outlining the terminal processing according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of a management device according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] This diagram shows an example of the structure of product information. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the configuration of one set of settings. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the structure of purchase history information. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of a history transmission unit according to one embodiment. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of a terminal according to one embodiment. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of the physical configuration of a control device according to one embodiment. [Figure 13] This figure shows an example of the physical configuration of a terminal according to one embodiment. [Figure 14] This flowchart shows an example of a purchase history management process according to one embodiment. [Figure 15] This flowchart shows an example of a purchase history management process according to one embodiment. [Figure 16] This flowchart shows an example of a purchase history management process according to one embodiment. [Figure 17] This figure shows an example of the first screen, which displays information about products to be purchased and the purchase history of corresponding products. [Figure 18] This figure shows an example of the second screen, which displays the purchase history of items purchased simultaneously. [Figure 19] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the display control unit according to Modification 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0018] (overview) Figure 1 shows an overview of a purchase history management system 100 according to one embodiment. The purchase history management system 100 comprises a management device 101 and a terminal 102. The management device 101 and the terminal 102 are connected to each other via a network N. The network N is a communication line configured as wired, wireless, or a combination thereof. As a result, the management device 101 and the terminal 102 send and receive information to each other via the communication network N.

[0019] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an overview of the functional configuration of a management device 101 according to one embodiment. The management device 101 includes a product acquisition unit 121, a history acquisition unit 122, and a history transmission unit 123.

[0020] The product acquisition unit 121 acquires customer identification information to identify the customer and product identification information about the products the customer intends to purchase from a portable terminal 102 operated by the customer within the store.

[0021] The history acquisition unit 122 acquires the purchase history of corresponding products that correspond to the product the customer plans to purchase, based on the purchase history information which shows the purchase history of each customer. The history transmission unit 123 transmits the purchase history of corresponding products to the terminal 102.

[0022] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a terminal 102 according to one embodiment. The terminal 102 is a portable terminal operated by customers within a store. The terminal 102 comprises a first terminal acquisition unit 151, a second terminal acquisition unit 152, a terminal transmission unit 153, a history reception unit 161, and a display control unit 162.

[0023] The first terminal acquisition unit 151 acquires customer identification information to identify the customer. The second terminal acquisition unit 152 acquires product identification information about the products the customer plans to purchase. The terminal transmission unit 153 transmits the customer identification information and product identification information to the management device 101.

[0024] The history receiving unit 161 receives the purchase history of corresponding products from the management device 101, which are products that correspond to the product the customer intends to purchase. The display control unit 162 displays the purchase history of the corresponding products on the display unit.

[0025] According to this purchase history management system 100, it becomes possible for customers to utilize their purchase history when purchasing products at a store. According to the management device 101, it becomes possible for customers to utilize their purchase history when purchasing products at a store. According to the terminal 102, it becomes possible for customers to utilize their purchase history when purchasing products at a store.

[0026] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the overview of the management process according to one embodiment.

[0027] The product acquisition unit 121 acquires customer identification information to identify the customer and product identification information about the products the customer intends to purchase from a portable terminal 102 operated by the customer within the store (step S304).

[0028] The history acquisition unit 122 acquires the purchase history of corresponding products that correspond to the product to be purchased, based on the purchase history information showing the purchase history of each customer (step S307). The history transmission unit 123 transmits the purchase history of corresponding products to the terminal 102 (step S308).

[0029] This management process makes it possible to use a customer's purchase history to help them make purchases at a store.

[0030] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the overview of terminal processing according to one embodiment.

[0031] The first terminal acquisition unit 151 acquires customer identification information to identify the customer (step S300). The second terminal acquisition unit 152 acquires product identification information about the products the customer plans to purchase (step S302). The terminal transmission unit 153 transmits the customer identification information and product identification information to the management device 101 (step S303).

[0032] The history receiving unit 161 receives the purchase history of corresponding products from the management device 101, which are products that correspond to the product the customer intends to purchase (step S309). The display control unit 162 displays the purchase history of the corresponding products on the display unit (step S311).

[0033] This terminal processing makes it possible to utilize a customer's purchase history when they purchase products at a store.

[0034] The following describes a detailed example of a purchase history management system 100 according to one embodiment.

[0035] (Detailed example) The purchase history management system 100 is a system for managing products sold at one or more stores. These stores may include, but are not limited to, supermarkets and convenience stores.

[0036] The purchase history management system 100 displays, for example, the purchase history of corresponding products, which are products that correspond to the product the customer intends to purchase, on the terminal 102. The product intended for purchase is the product that the customer intends to buy at the store.

[0037] The eligible products may be defined as appropriate. For example, an eligible product may be one or more products that are identical to the intended purchase in terms of product category, product name, or product ID (Identification). An eligible product may also be one that is identical to the intended purchase in terms of product category, product name, or size.

[0038] As described above, the purchase history management system 100 comprises a management device 101 and a terminal 102. The purchase history management system 100 may have one terminal 102 or multiple terminals 102.

[0039] (Example of functional configuration of the control device 101) Figure 6 shows an example of the functional configuration of the management device 101 according to this embodiment.

[0040] The management device 101 is a device for managing products sold in stores. The management device 101 includes a storage unit 111 for storing various types of information, a corresponding product setting unit 112, a period setting unit 113, a product acquisition unit 121, a history acquisition unit 122, a history transmission unit 123, and a settlement unit 124.

[0041] The memory unit 111 stores, for example, product information 111a, setting information 111b, purchase history information 111c, and so on.

[0042] Product information 111a is information about products sold in stores. Figure 7 shows an example of the structure of product information 111a. Product information 111a associates, for example, product ID, product category, product name, size, standard price, current price, and discount information.

[0043] Product IDs are pieces of information used to identify products sold in stores (product identification information).

[0044] The product category indicates the category to which a product identified using its associated product ID belongs. Product categories can be defined as appropriate, and examples include milk, rice, curry roux, carrots, bread, and jam.

[0045] The product name indicates the name of the product identified using its associated product ID. The size indicates the size of the product identified using its associated product ID.

[0046] The standard price indicates the typical selling price of the product identified using its associated product ID.

[0047] The current price shows the current selling price for the product identified using its associated product ID.

[0048] Discount information is information about discounts on products identified using their associated product ID. Discount information should ideally be set when the current price is discounted from the standard price. For example, discount information might indicate the percentage discount on the current price relative to the standard price, or the amount of the discount relative to the standard price.

[0049] The configuration information 111b is information that is set in advance to define the range of purchase history of corresponding products to be displayed on the terminal 102. The configuration information 111b may be set by store employees, customers, etc., or it may be set automatically by the management device 101 according to predetermined rules.

[0050] Figure 8 shows an example of the configuration of setting information 111b. Setting information 111b associates, for example, customer ID, corresponding product specification information, and display period.

[0051] The customer ID is information used to identify a customer (customer identification information). Since the configuration information 111b includes the customer ID, it is possible to associate the corresponding product regulations and display period for each customer. Note that the configuration information 111b does not necessarily have to include the customer ID; in this case, it is preferable that the corresponding product regulations and display period common to all customers be applied.

[0052] The corresponding product specification information is information used to define the range of products that correspond to the product to be purchased (corresponding products). In this embodiment, the corresponding product specification information defines the range of corresponding products using product attributes, for example. That is, the corresponding product specification information in this embodiment is the product attributes, such as product category or product name.

[0053] In this embodiment, a product whose corresponding product specification information is the same as that of the product to be purchased becomes the product corresponding to the product to be purchased (corresponding product).

[0054] The corresponding products, as determined based on the corresponding product specification information, will be explained using specific examples. For example, if the corresponding product specification information is a product category, then suppose there are products belonging to the "milk" product category with product names such as "○○ Milk," "△△ Milk," and "×× Milk."

[0055] In this case, for example, if the product category of the item you intend to purchase is "milk," then the corresponding product will be a product belonging to the same product category, "milk."

[0056] Let's also explain the case where the product information is the product name. If the product name of the item you plan to purchase is "○○ Milk," then the product with the same product name, "○○ Milk," will be the compatible product.

[0057] Furthermore, the product attributes indicated in the applicable product specification information are not limited to product category or product name; for example, they may be product ID, or a combination of either product category or product name and size. Also, the applicable product specification information is not limited to product attributes as long as it can define the scope of applicable products.

[0058] The display period is information that defines the time range of the purchase history to be displayed on terminal 102. For example, the display period can be set to 7 days, 3 days, etc. For example, if the display period is 7 days, the purchase history displayed on terminal 102 will be the purchase history within 7 days from the day the customer made a purchase at the store.

[0059] The display period is associated with the corresponding product regulations information and can therefore be set for each corresponding product regulations information. However, the display period does not necessarily have to be associated with the corresponding product regulations information; in this case, it is preferable to apply a common display period to all products.

[0060] Purchase history information 111c is information that shows a customer's purchase history for products sold in the store. In other words, purchase history information 111c shows the purchase history of products for each customer.

[0061] Figure 9 shows an example of the configuration of purchase history information 111c. Purchase history information 111c associates, for example, the customer ID, the purchase date, product information, and the number of items purchased.

[0062] The purchase date is information indicating when a customer, identified using the associated customer ID, purchased an item at a store. The purchase date may include, for example, the date. It may also include the time of purchase.

[0063] The product information included in purchase history information 111c is product information relating to products purchased by a customer identified using the associated customer ID at the associated purchase time. This product information may include items similar to those in product information 111a described above (i.e., product ID, product category, product name, size, standard price, current price, discount information). However, the standard price included in purchase history information 111c is the standard price at the time the customer made a purchase in the past. Also, the current price included in purchase history information 111c is the current price at the time the customer made a purchase in the past, i.e., the price applied at the time the customer made the purchase in the past (purchase price).

[0064] Furthermore, the product information included in the purchase history information 111c may include items different from those in the product information 111a, for example, it may be a part of the items that make up the product information 111a.

[0065] The purchase quantity is information indicating the number of units of a product identified using the associated product information that a customer, identified using the associated customer ID, purchased at the associated purchase time.

[0066] Refer to Figure 6 again. The corresponding product setting unit 112 sets the corresponding product specification information in the setting information 111b. The corresponding product setting unit 112 may also set the corresponding product specification information in the setting information 111b according to predetermined rules as an initial setting when registering a customer with the management device 101, for example.

[0067] For example, the corresponding product setting unit 112 may set the corresponding product specification information specified by the customer via the terminal 102 in the setting information 111b for that customer. In this case, the customer may specify any corresponding product specification information, or may select corresponding product specification information from a plurality of pre-prepared corresponding product specification information. This allows for the setting of corresponding product specification information according to the customer's preferences.

[0068] The period setting unit 113 determines the display period based on the frequency with which customers purchase products that fall within the range defined by the corresponding product specification information. The corresponding product setting unit 112, for example, refers to the purchase history information 111c to determine the purchase frequency (e.g., average purchase cycle) of products that fall within the range defined by the corresponding product specification information for each customer. Then, the period setting unit 113 associates the determined display period with the corresponding corresponding product specification information and sets it in the setting information 111b for the corresponding customer. This allows the display period to be set automatically.

[0069] The period setting unit 113 may, for example, set the display period in the setting information 111b according to predetermined rules as an initial setting. Alternatively, the period setting unit 113 may set the display period specified by the customer via the terminal 102 in the setting information 111b for that customer. In these examples, the period setting unit 113 may set a common display period for the corresponding product specification information, or it may set different display periods for each corresponding product specification information according to predetermined rules or customer specifications.

[0070] The product acquisition unit 121 acquires a customer ID to identify the customer and a product ID for the product the customer intends to purchase from the terminal 102 operated by the customer.

[0071] The product acquisition unit 121 acquires a customer ID, for example, based on a login operation on the customer's terminal 102. The product acquisition unit 121 also acquires a product ID, for example, contained in a barcode or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag read by the terminal 102.

[0072] The product acquisition unit 121 acquires product information for items to be purchased based on the acquired product ID. The product information for items to be purchased is product information 111a for the items to be purchased. Specifically, for example, the product acquisition unit 121 acquires the product information 111a associated with the acquired product ID as product information for items to be purchased and transmits this product information to the terminal 102.

[0073] The history acquisition unit 122 acquires the purchase history of corresponding products that correspond to the product to be purchased, from the purchase history of the target customer, based on the purchase history information 111c. The history acquisition unit 122 may further acquire the purchase history of simultaneously purchased products based on the purchase history information 111c. Simultaneously purchased products are products that were purchased at the same time as the corresponding product, from the purchase history of the target customer.

[0074] The history transmission unit 123 transmits the purchase history of the corresponding product, acquired by the history acquisition unit 122, to the customer's terminal 102 for display on the terminal 102. The history transmission unit 123 may also transmit the purchase history of simultaneously purchased products, acquired by the history acquisition unit 122, to the terminal 102.

[0075] The purchase history should ideally include at least one of the following: purchase date, product name, purchase price, quantity purchased, and discount information.

[0076] Figure 10 shows an example of the functional configuration of the history transmission unit 123 according to this embodiment. The history transmission unit 123 includes a discrimination unit 131 and a target output unit 132.

[0077] The discrimination unit 131 determines whether the purchase history of the corresponding product acquired by the history acquisition unit 122 satisfies predetermined display conditions.

[0078] The display conditions are predetermined conditions for determining the purchase history of the corresponding products to be displayed on terminal 102. For example, the display condition is that the corresponding product was purchased within a predetermined display period. In this case, the discrimination unit 131, for example, obtains the setting information 111b and determines the purchase history of the corresponding products to be displayed based on the display period associated with the corresponding product definition information that defines the range to which the planned purchase product belongs.

[0079] The display conditions may also include, for example, that the price difference between the purchase price of the corresponding product and the current price of the product to be purchased is equal to or greater than a certain threshold, or that the purchase history of the corresponding product is the most recent purchase history of the corresponding product. The display conditions only need to include at least one condition, and may include at least one of the display conditions exemplified here.

[0080] The target output unit 132 transmits to the terminal 102 the purchase history of the corresponding product that the discrimination unit 131 has determined to satisfy the display conditions. The target output unit 132 may also transmit to the terminal 102 the purchase history of products purchased simultaneously with the corresponding product that the discrimination unit 131 has determined to satisfy the display conditions, from among the simultaneously purchased products acquired by the history acquisition unit 122.

[0081] Refer to Figure 6 again. When a customer gives a payment instruction via the terminal 102, the settlement unit 124 executes the settlement process based on the product identification information of the product to be purchased. Specifically, for example, the settlement unit 124 refers to the product information 111a and uses the current price associated with the product identification information of the product to be purchased to perform the settlement process for the product to be purchased.

[0082] Furthermore, settlement processing is not limited to the management device 101, but may also be performed by other devices (for example, settlement devices installed in stores, other servers connected to network N).

[0083] (Example of a functional configuration for terminal 102) Terminal 102 is a terminal used by customers to register products they intend to purchase at the store. As described above, the terminal is a portable device operated by the customer within the store, such as a smartphone or tablet. Terminal 102 may be lent to the customer at the store, placed in a shopping cart, or owned by the customer. It is preferable that the terminal has a predetermined application software pre-installed.

[0084] Figure 11 shows an example of the functional configuration of terminal 102 according to this embodiment. Terminal 102 includes a corresponding product designation unit 141, a period designation unit 142, a first terminal acquisition unit 151, a second terminal acquisition unit 152, a terminal transmission unit 153, a product information receiving unit 154, a history receiving unit 161, a display control unit 162, a display unit 163, a selection acceptance unit 164, a deletion acceptance unit 165, and a settlement acceptance unit 166.

[0085] The corresponding product designation unit 141, for example, in accordance with customer input, receives customer designation regarding corresponding product specification information and transmits the received corresponding product specification information along with the customer's customer ID to the management device 101. This allows the corresponding product setting unit 112 to set the corresponding product specification information specified by the customer in the setting information 111b.

[0086] The period specification unit 142, for example, in accordance with customer input, receives a customer's specification regarding the display period associated with the corresponding product specification information, and transmits the received display period, along with the corresponding product specification information and the customer's customer ID, to the management device 101. This allows the period setting unit 113 to set the display period specified by the customer in the setting information 111b.

[0087] The first terminal acquisition unit 151 acquires the customer ID of a customer, for example, based on the customer's login operation. The first terminal acquisition unit 151 transmits the acquired customer ID to the management device 101.

[0088] The second terminal acquisition unit 152 consists of, for example, a camera and an RFID tag reader. When the second terminal acquisition unit 152 detects a barcode, RFID tag, etc., attached to the product to be purchased, it reads the information contained therein and obtains the product ID for the product to be purchased.

[0089] The terminal transmission unit 153 transmits the customer ID acquired by the first terminal acquisition unit 151 and the product ID acquired by the second terminal acquisition unit 152 to the management device 101.

[0090] The product information receiving unit 154 obtains product information 111a (product information to be purchased) about the product to be purchased from the management device 101. The product information receiving unit 154 may store the obtained product information to be purchased.

[0091] The history receiving unit 161 receives from the management device 101 the purchase history of corresponding products, which are products that correspond to the product the customer intends to purchase, from the customer's purchase history. The history receiving unit 161 may also receive from the management device 101 the purchase history of simultaneously purchased products, which are products that were purchased together with the corresponding product, from the customer's purchase history.

[0092] The display control unit 162 causes the display unit 163, which consists of a display or the like, to display various kinds of information.

[0093] For example, the display control unit 162 displays the purchase history of the corresponding product received by the history receiving unit 161 on the display unit 163.

[0094] Alternatively, for example, the display control unit 162 may display the planned purchase information on the display unit 163. In this case, the display control unit 162 may display the planned purchase information held by the product information receiving unit 154 on the display unit 163. The display control unit 162 may also display the purchase history of the corresponding products and the planned purchase information on the display unit 163 simultaneously.

[0095] The selection reception unit 164 accepts a selection to view the purchase history of simultaneously purchased items based on input from the customer, for example, when the customer wants to refer to the details of the purchase history of the corresponding product displayed on the display unit 163.

[0096] In detail, for example, the selection reception unit 164 accepts a selection from the purchase history of the corresponding product displayed on the display unit 163. The selection reception unit 164 requests the management device 101 for the purchase history of the simultaneously purchased product, which is a product purchased together with the selected corresponding product.

[0097] When the selection receiving unit 164 receives the selection, the history receiving unit 161 should receive the purchase history of the simultaneously purchased items from the management device 101. The display control unit 162 should then display the purchase history of the simultaneously purchased items received by the history receiving unit 161 on the display unit 163.

[0098] The deletion reception unit 165 accepts selections to delete planned purchase items based on input from the customer, for example, when the customer decides to cancel the purchase of a planned purchase item.

[0099] In detail, for example, the deletion reception unit 165 accepts the selection of one of the planned purchase items displayed on the display unit 163. Upon receiving the selection of a planned purchase item, the deletion reception unit 165 performs processing to delete the selected planned purchase item.

[0100] The payment reception unit 166 receives payment instructions from the customer, for example, based on customer input. The payment instructions are instructions to pay for the items to be purchased.

[0101] In detail, for example, the settlement reception unit 166 transmits a settlement request to the management device 101, which includes the product ID contained in the planned purchase product information held by the product information receiving unit 154. As a result, the management device 101 performs the settlement process for the planned purchase product.

[0102] Up to this point, we have mainly described the functional configuration examples of the purchase history management system 100 according to this embodiment. From here, we will describe the physical configuration examples of the purchase history management system 100.

[0103] (Example of the physical configuration of the control device 101) The management device 101 is, for example, a general-purpose computer.

[0104] Figure 12 shows an example of the physical configuration of the management device 101. The management device 101 includes, for example, a bus 1010, a processor 1020, a memory 1030, a storage device 1040, a network interface 1050, an input interface 1060, and an output interface 1070.

[0105] Bus 1010 is a data transmission path for the processor 1020, memory 1030, storage device 1040, network interface 1050, input interface 1060, and output interface 1070 to send and receive data to and from each other. However, the method of connecting the processor 1020 and other components to each other is not limited to bus connection.

[0106] The 1020 processor is a processor implemented in components such as the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0107] Memory 1030 is a main memory device implemented using RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.

[0108] The storage device 1040 is an auxiliary storage device implemented as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), memory card, or ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage device 1040 stores program modules for implementing each function of the management device 101. The processor 1020 reads these program modules into memory 1030 and executes them, thereby realizing the functions corresponding to those program modules.

[0109] The network interface 1050 is an interface for connecting to network N. The input interface 1060 is an interface for the user to input information, and consists of, for example, a touch panel, keyboard, or mouse. The output interface 1070 is a display for presenting information to the user, and consists of, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel. The input interface 1060 and the output interface 1070 may constitute a touch panel.

[0110] (Example of the physical configuration of terminal 102) Terminal 102 is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet device.

[0111] Figure 13 shows an example of the physical configuration of terminal 102. Terminal 102 has, for example, a bus 1010, a processor 1020, memory 1030, a storage device 1040, a network interface 1050, an input interface 1060, and an output interface 1070, similar to the management device 101. Terminal 102 also has a camera 1080 connected to the bus 1010. The camera 1080 takes pictures of subjects such as barcodes. In addition to the camera 1080, or instead of the camera 1080, terminal 102 may also have an RFID tag reader.

[0112] So far, we have described an example of the physical configuration of the purchase history management system 100 according to this embodiment. From here, we will describe an example of the operation of the purchase history management system 100.

[0113] (Operation of Purchase History Management System 100) Figures 14-16 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the purchase history management process according to this embodiment. The purchase history management process is a process executed by the purchase history management system 100. The purchase history management process includes management processing executed by the management device 101 and terminal processing executed by the terminal 102.

[0114] The purchase history management system 100 is started, for example, when a customer visits the store, by launching a predetermined application software installed on the terminal 102. As a prerequisite for the operation of the purchase history management system 100 shown in Figures 14-16b, configuration information 111b is set in advance.

[0115] The first terminal acquisition unit 151 acquires the customer ID of a customer based on, for example, the customer's input (step S300). The customer ID acquired here may be used for login processing to the management device 101 (not shown).

[0116] The second terminal acquisition unit 152 determines whether or not it has detected a product ID included in the product barcode (step S301). For example, when a customer takes a picture of the product barcode attached to the product they intend to purchase with a camera, the second terminal acquisition unit 152 detects the product ID of the product they intend to purchase. If the product ID is stored in an RFID tag attached to the product they intend to purchase, for example, when the customer holds an RFID tag reader over the RFID tag, the second terminal acquisition unit 152 detects the product ID of the product they intend to purchase.

[0117] If it is determined that no product ID has been detected (step S301; No), the second terminal acquisition unit 152 repeatedly executes step S102 and waits until a product ID is detected.

[0118] If it is determined that a product ID has been detected (step S301; Yes), the second terminal acquisition unit 152 acquires the detected product ID, i.e., the product ID of the product to be purchased (step S302).

[0119] The terminal transmission unit 153 transmits the customer ID and the product ID of the product to be purchased to the management device 101 (step S303). The customer ID transmitted in step S303 is the customer ID obtained in step S300. The product ID transmitted in step S303 is the product ID obtained in step S302.

[0120] The product acquisition unit 121 acquires the customer ID and the product ID of the product to be purchased, which were transmitted in step S303 (step S304).

[0121] The product acquisition unit 121 acquires information about the product to be purchased based on the product information 111a and the product ID of the product to be purchased acquired in step S304 (step S305). The product acquisition unit 121 transmits the information about the product to be purchased acquired in step S305 to the terminal 102 (step S306).

[0122] The history acquisition unit 122 acquires the purchase history of the corresponding product from the purchase history of the customer identified using the customer ID acquired in step S304, based on the purchase history information 111c, the setting information 111b, and the product ID of the product to be purchased acquired in step S304 (step S307).

[0123] In detail, for example, the history acquisition unit 122 extracts the purchase history associated with the customer ID acquired in step S304 based on the purchase history information 111c. The history acquisition unit 122 identifies the corresponding product specification information associated with the customer ID acquired in step S304 based on the setting information 111b. The history acquisition unit 122 acquires the purchase history of products that belong to the range defined by the identified corresponding product specification information from the purchase history associated with the customer ID. As a result of this processing, the history acquisition unit 122 can acquire the purchase history of corresponding products from the customer's purchase history.

[0124] The history transmission unit 125 transmits the purchase history of the corresponding product acquired in step S307 to the terminal 102 (step S308). In this embodiment, the purchase history of the corresponding product that satisfies the display conditions from the purchase history of the corresponding product acquired in step S307 is transmitted to the terminal 102.

[0125] In detail, for example, the discrimination unit 131 determines whether each of the purchase history entries for the corresponding product obtained in step S307 satisfies the display conditions.

[0126] For example, if the display conditions include that the corresponding product was purchased within a predetermined display period, the discrimination unit 131 refers to the setting information 111b. Based on the setting information 111b, the discrimination unit 131 then identifies the display period for each of the corresponding product specification information associated with the customer ID obtained in step S304.

[0127] The discrimination unit 131 determines, for each purchase history of a corresponding product obtained in step S307, whether the purchase date falls within the display period specified in the corresponding product definition information that defines the range to which the corresponding product belongs. The discrimination unit 131 determines that the purchase history of the corresponding product satisfies the display conditions if the purchase date falls within the display period. The discrimination unit 131 determines that the purchase history of the corresponding product does not satisfy the display conditions if the purchase date falls outside the display period.

[0128] The target output unit 132 transmits the purchase history of the corresponding product acquired in step S307 to the terminal 102 based on the determination result of the discrimination unit 131. More specifically, the target output unit 132 transmits to the terminal 102 the purchase history of the corresponding product that the discrimination unit 131 has determined to satisfy the display conditions from among the purchase history of the corresponding product acquired in step S307.

[0129] The product information receiving unit 154 receives the planned purchase product information transmitted in step S308 from the management device 101 (step S309). The product information receiving unit 154 may store the planned purchase product information received in step S309.

[0130] The history receiving unit 161 receives the purchase history of the corresponding product transmitted in step S308 from the management device 101 (step S310). The history receiving unit 161 may store the purchase history of the corresponding product received in step S310.

[0131] The display control unit 162 displays the planned purchase information and the purchase history of the corresponding products received in steps S309 and S310, respectively, on the display unit 163 (step S311).

[0132] Figure 17 shows an example of the first screen, which displays information about products to be purchased and the purchase history of corresponding products.

[0133] The first screen illustrated in Figure 17 shows an example where the planned purchase items include "XX Milk (1 liter)", "XX Rice (5 kilograms)", "XX Curry", and "Carrots (3-pack)". The first screen illustrated in Figure 17 also includes the price, quantity, and delete button associated with each of the planned purchase items.

[0134] The price displayed here indicates the current price of the associated product to be purchased. The quantity indicates the number of the associated product to be purchased. The delete button is used to remove the associated product to be purchased from the product information receiving unit 154 and from the first screen.

[0135] In the first screen illustrated in Figure 17, the purchase history of the corresponding products for "XX Milk (1 liter)" and "XX Curry" from the planned purchase items is displayed. This indicates that the purchase history of the corresponding products for "XX Milk (1 liter)" and "XX Curry" was received in step S310.

[0136] The purchase history for the corresponding product "XX Milk (1 liter)" is displayed in an expanded format. The purchase history for the corresponding product "XX Curry" is hidden, but can be expanded and displayed in the same way as the purchase history for "XX Milk (1 liter)" by clicking the upward-pointing triangle icon displayed next to "Purchase History".

[0137] The purchase history for the corresponding product "○○ Milk (1 liter)" shown in Figure 17 is an example that includes the purchase history of products belonging to the same product category as the intended purchase item, "Milk." Furthermore, the purchase history for the corresponding product shown in Figure 17 includes the date of purchase, the product name, the purchase price, and the quantity purchased. In addition, each entry in the purchase history for a corresponding product is associated with a detail button that allows users to view the purchase history of other items purchased simultaneously.

[0138] The first screen, illustrated in Figure 17, includes a payment button in the lower right corner for the customer to initiate payment.

[0139] The configuration of the first screen is not limited to the example shown in Figure 17 and may be modified in various ways. For example, the purchase history of the product to be purchased and the purchase history of the corresponding product may be displayed on separate screens. Also, for example, the first screen may include the average purchase price of the corresponding product, the average price of the corresponding product over a specified period, etc. Furthermore, for example, the purchase history of the corresponding product included in the first screen may include only the purchase history of the corresponding product purchased last time at the store, or only the number of corresponding products purchased within the display period. Furthermore, for example, the purchase history of the corresponding product included in the first screen may include whether or not there was a discount when the corresponding product was purchased last time at the store, or the price difference between the previous purchase price and the current price. Furthermore, for example, the list of products to be purchased, as illustrated in Figure 17, may be created by terminal 102 or by management device 101.

[0140] Refer to Figure 15. The selection reception unit 164 determines whether or not it has accepted the purchase history selection displayed in step S311 (step S321).

[0141] In more detail, for example, when one of the detail buttons included on the first screen is pressed, the selection reception unit 164 determines that it has received a selection of the purchase history corresponding to the pressed detail button.

[0142] If the selection of purchase history is confirmed (step S321; Yes), the selection acceptance unit 164 requests the details of the purchase history from the management device 101 (step S322). This request includes, for example, the purchase history of the selected corresponding product (e.g., date, product ID) and the customer ID.

[0143] When the history acquisition unit 122 receives the request sent in step S322, it acquires the purchase history of the simultaneously purchased items (step S323).

[0144] In detail, for example, the history acquisition unit 122 acquires the purchase history of simultaneously purchased items based on the purchase history and customer ID of the corresponding items included in the request sent in step S322, and the purchase history information 111c.

[0145] The history transmission unit 123 transmits the purchase history of the simultaneously purchased items acquired in step S323 to the terminal 102 (step S324).

[0146] The history receiving unit 161 receives the purchase history of the simultaneously purchased items transmitted in step S324 (step S325).

[0147] The display control unit 162 displays the purchase history of the simultaneously purchased items acquired in step S325 on the display unit 163 (step S326). Figure 18 shows an example of a second screen, which is a screen for displaying the purchase history of simultaneously purchased items. The display control unit 162 continues to display the purchase history of the simultaneously purchased items on the display unit 163 until, for example, the back button included in the second screen illustrated in Figure 18 is pressed.

[0148] After step S325, or if it is determined that the selection of the purchase history has not been accepted (step S321; No), the deletion acceptance unit 165 determines whether or not it has accepted the deletion of the planned purchase item included in the purchase history displayed in step S311 (step S327).

[0149] In detail, for example, when one of the delete buttons on the first screen is pressed, the delete reception unit 165 determines that it has received a selection to delete the planned purchase item corresponding to the pressed delete button.

[0150] If it determines that the deletion request has been accepted (step S327; Yes), the deletion acceptance unit 165 deletes the selected item to be purchased (step S328).

[0151] In detail, for example, the deletion reception unit 165 deletes the purchase information for the selected purchase item from the purchase information held by the product information receiving unit 154. Then, the deletion reception unit 165 notifies the display control unit 162 that the selected purchase item has been deleted. Upon receiving this notification, the display control unit 162 redisplays the purchase information held by the product information receiving unit 154 on the display unit 163. As a result, the purchase history of the selected purchase item is deleted from the first screen.

[0152] After step S328, or if it is determined that the deletion of the planned purchase item has not been accepted (step S327; No), the settlement acceptance unit 166 determines whether or not the settlement instruction has been accepted (step S331).

[0153] In detail, for example, the payment reception unit 166 determines that a payment instruction has been received when the payment button included in the first screen is pressed.

[0154] If it is determined that no payment instruction has been received (step S331; No), the second terminal acquisition unit 152 determines whether or not it has detected a product ID that includes the product barcode, similar to step S301 (step S332).

[0155] If it determines that a product ID has been detected (step S332; Yes), the second terminal acquisition unit 152 executes step S302 again. This allows the user to add the product to be purchased.

[0156] If it is determined that no product ID has been detected (step S332; No), the selection reception unit 164 determines whether or not it has accepted the selection of the purchase history displayed in step S311 (step S321). As a result, the processes in steps S321 to S331 are repeatedly executed until the product to be purchased is added.

[0157] If the payment instruction is determined to have been received (Step S331; Yes), the payment reception unit 166 transmits a payment request to the management device 101, including the product ID and quantity included in the planned purchase product information held by the product information receiving unit 154 (Step S333).

[0158] When the settlement unit 124 receives the settlement request sent in step S333, it calculates the purchase amount based on the product ID and quantity included in the settlement request and the product information 111a (step S334). For example, the settlement unit 124 calculates a subtotal for each product ID by multiplying the current price of the product identified using the product ID by its quantity, and then calculates the purchase amount by adding up the calculated subtotals.

[0159] The settlement unit 124 transmits settlement information to the terminal 102 (step S335). The settlement information includes product information 111a (e.g., product name, current price) and quantity of the planned purchase items that are the subject of the calculation of the purchase amount, and the purchase amount obtained in step S334.

[0160] When the payment reception unit 166 receives the payment information transmitted in step S335, the display control unit 162 displays the received payment information on the display unit 163 (step S336). This allows the customer to confirm the payment information displayed in step S336.

[0161] When the settlement reception unit 166 receives an instruction to make a payment, it requests the management device 101 to make a payment based on the settlement information (step S338). This request may include payment methods such as payment by a pre-registered credit card or withdrawal from a bank account.

[0162] When the settlement unit 124 receives the request sent in step S337, it performs the payment process according to the request (step S338) and terminates the purchase history management process. The settlement of the planned purchase items is performed by executing the processes in steps S333 to S338.

[0163] (Effects / Actions) As described above, according to this embodiment, the management device 101 comprises a product acquisition unit 121, a history acquisition unit 122, and a history transmission unit 123. The product acquisition unit 121 acquires customer identification information for identifying the customer and product identification information for the products the customer plans to purchase from a portable terminal 102 operated by the customer in the store. The history acquisition unit 122 acquires the purchase history of corresponding products that correspond to the products the customer plans to purchase, based on purchase history information showing the purchase history of each customer. The history transmission unit 123 transmits the purchase history of corresponding products to the terminal 102.

[0164] This allows customers to refer to their purchase history for corresponding products to determine whether or not they will actually purchase the product they intend to buy. Therefore, it becomes possible to utilize a customer's purchase history when they make a purchase in a store.

[0165] According to this embodiment, the history transmission unit 123 includes a discrimination unit 131 and a target output unit 132. The discrimination unit 131 determines whether the purchase history of the corresponding product satisfies predetermined display conditions. The target output unit 132 transmits the purchase history of the corresponding product that has been determined to satisfy the display conditions to the terminal 102.

[0166] This allows customers to filter their purchase history of corresponding products, which is used to help them decide whether or not to actually purchase the product they intend to buy, using display conditions. As a result, customers can more easily refer to their purchase history of corresponding products than when a large number of purchase histories are displayed. Consequently, it becomes possible to utilize a customer's purchase history when they make a purchase in a store.

[0167] According to this embodiment, the display conditions include at least one of the following: the price difference between the purchase price of the corresponding product and the current price of the product to be purchased is equal to or greater than a standard value; the corresponding product was purchased within a predetermined display period; and the purchase history of the corresponding product is the most recent purchase history of the said corresponding product.

[0168] This allows customers to filter their purchase history of corresponding products, which is used to help them decide whether or not to actually purchase the product they intend to buy, using display conditions. As a result, customers can more easily refer to their purchase history of corresponding products than when a large number of purchase histories are displayed. Consequently, it becomes possible to utilize a customer's purchase history when they make a purchase in a store.

[0169] According to this embodiment, the discrimination unit 131 acquires setting information that associates corresponding product definition information for defining the range of products corresponding to the product to be purchased with the display target period.

[0170] This allows the purchase history of corresponding products, which is referenced to determine whether or not a customer will actually purchase a planned item, to be filtered using the display period specified for each corresponding product. Generally, the purchase intervals differ depending on the product that falls within the scope specified in the corresponding product information, so the purchase history of corresponding products can be appropriately filtered using the display period specified for each corresponding product information. Consequently, it becomes possible to utilize a customer's purchase history when they make a purchase at a store.

[0171] According to this embodiment, the management device 101 further includes a period setting unit 113. The period setting unit 113 determines the display target period based on the frequency with which the customer purchases products that fall within the range defined by the corresponding product specification information, and sets the determined display target period in the setting information 111b for the customer in association with the corresponding product specification information.

[0172] This allows for setting a display period for each customer, associated with the product specifications information. Generally, the frequency at which customers purchase products within the scope defined in the product specifications information can vary. By using a display period that is appropriate for each customer, the purchase history of the corresponding products can be appropriately filtered. Consequently, it becomes possible to utilize a customer's purchase history when they make a purchase in a store.

[0173] According to this embodiment, the history transmission unit 123 transmits the purchase history of the simultaneously purchased items, which are items purchased together with the corresponding product, to the terminal 102.

[0174] This allows customers to refer to their purchase history of other items they plan to buy when actually purchasing the items they intend to purchase. Therefore, it reduces the likelihood of forgetting to buy other items that should be purchased along with the intended items. Consequently, it becomes possible to utilize a customer's purchase history when they make a purchase in-store.

[0175] According to this embodiment, the purchase history includes at least one of the purchase date, purchase price, quantity purchased, and discount information for the corresponding product.

[0176] This allows customers to refer to at least one piece of information regarding the purchase date, price, quantity, and discounts of the corresponding product to the product they intend to purchase, in order to decide whether or not to actually buy the product they intend to purchase. Thus, it becomes possible to utilize a customer's purchase history when they make a purchase in a store.

[0177] According to this embodiment, the management device 101 further comprises a settlement unit 124. The settlement unit 124 performs settlement processing based on product identification information for the products to be purchased.

[0178] This allows customers to easily complete their purchase using the information they entered to retrieve their purchase history for the corresponding products. Therefore, it becomes possible to reduce the effort involved in purchasing products for customers.

[0179] According to this embodiment, terminal 102 is a portable terminal operated by customers within a store. Terminal 102 comprises a first terminal acquisition unit 151, a second terminal acquisition unit 152, a terminal transmission unit 153, a history reception unit 161, and a display control unit 162.

[0180] The first terminal acquisition unit 151 acquires customer identification information to identify the customer. The second terminal acquisition unit 152 acquires product identification information about the products the customer plans to purchase. The terminal transmission unit 153 transmits the customer identification information and product identification information to the management device 101. The history reception unit 161 receives the purchase history of corresponding products from the management device 101, which correspond to the products the customer plans to purchase. The display control unit 162 displays the purchase history of corresponding products on the display unit 163.

[0181] This allows customers to refer to their purchase history for corresponding products to determine whether or not they will actually purchase the product they intend to buy. Therefore, it becomes possible to utilize a customer's purchase history when they make a purchase in a store.

[0182] According to this embodiment, the display control unit 162 further displays product information of the product to be purchased on the display unit 163.

[0183] This allows customers to refer to their purchase history for corresponding products and product information for the product they intend to purchase in order to decide whether or not to actually buy the product they intend to buy. Therefore, it becomes possible to utilize a customer's purchase history when they make a purchase in a store.

[0184] According to this embodiment, the display control unit 162 simultaneously displays the purchase history of the corresponding product and the product information of the product to be purchased on the display unit 163.

[0185] This allows customers to simultaneously refer to their purchase history for corresponding products and the product information for the product they intend to purchase, in order to decide whether or not to actually buy the product they intend to purchase. Therefore, it becomes possible to utilize a customer's purchase history when they make a purchase in a store.

[0186] According to this embodiment, the terminal 102 further includes a selection reception unit 164. The selection reception unit 164 accepts the selection of a corresponding product included in the purchase history. The history reception unit 161 further receives the purchase history of simultaneously purchased products, which are products purchased together with the corresponding product, from the management device 101. The display control unit 162 displays the received purchase history of simultaneously purchased products on the display unit 163.

[0187] This allows customers to refer to their purchase history of other items they plan to buy when actually purchasing the items they intend to purchase. Therefore, it reduces the likelihood of forgetting to buy other items that should be purchased along with the intended items. Consequently, it becomes possible to utilize a customer's purchase history when they make a purchase in-store.

[0188] (Variation 1) In this embodiment, an example was described in which the management device 101 determines whether the purchase history of the corresponding product satisfies the display conditions and transmits the purchase history of the corresponding product that satisfies the display conditions to the terminal 102.

[0189] However, the management device 101 may transmit the purchase history of the corresponding product to the terminal 102 regardless of whether the display conditions are met. The terminal 102 may then determine whether the purchase history of the corresponding product meets the display conditions and display the purchase history of the corresponding product that meets the display conditions. Modification 1 will explain such a modification.

[0190] In this modified example, the history transmission unit 125 does not need to include the discrimination unit 131 and the target output unit 132. That is, for example, the history transmission unit 125 transmits the purchase history of all corresponding products acquired by the history acquisition unit 122 to the terminal 102. As a result, the product information receiving unit 154 receives all of the purchase history of corresponding products from the management device 101.

[0191] In this modified example, the display control unit 162 includes a discrimination unit 131 and a target output unit 132. Figure 19 shows an example of the functional configuration of the display control unit 162 according to this modified example.

[0192] The discrimination unit 131 in this modified example determines whether the purchase history of the corresponding product received by the product information receiving unit 154 satisfies predetermined display conditions. The target output unit 132 in this modified example displays the purchase history of the corresponding product that the discrimination unit 131 determined to satisfy the display conditions on the display unit 163.

[0193] According to this modified example, the display control unit 162 includes a discrimination unit 131 and a target output unit 132. The discrimination unit 131, as in the embodiment, determines whether the purchase history of the corresponding product satisfies predetermined display conditions. The target output unit 132 displays the purchase history of the corresponding product that has been determined to satisfy the display conditions on the display unit 163.

[0194] This allows, similar to the embodiment, to narrow down the purchase history of corresponding products that is referenced to determine whether or not to actually purchase the intended product, using display conditions. Therefore, customers can more easily refer to the purchase history of corresponding products than when a large number of purchase histories of corresponding products are displayed. Consequently, it becomes possible to utilize a customer's purchase history when purchasing products in a store.

[0195] (Modification 2) Terminal 102 may include a storage unit for storing setting information 111b and a period setting unit 113 (not shown). In this case, the management device 101 may not store the setting information 111b and may, if necessary, obtain the setting information 111b of customers using terminal 102 from terminal 102. Also, the management device 101 does not need to include the period setting unit 113.

[0196] According to this modified version, terminal 102 includes a period setting unit 113. Similar to the embodiment, the period setting unit 113 determines the display target period based on the frequency with which the customer purchases products that fall within the range defined by the corresponding product specification information, and sets the determined display target period in the setting information 111b for the customer in association with the corresponding product specification information.

[0197] This allows for setting a display period for each customer, associated with the corresponding product specifications. Therefore, similar to the embodiment, it becomes possible to utilize a customer's purchase history when they purchase products at a store.

[0198] The embodiments and variations of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, but these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations can also be adopted.

[0199] Furthermore, while the flowcharts used in the above description show multiple steps (processes) in sequence, the execution order of the steps performed in each embodiment is not limited to the order in which they are described. In each embodiment, the order of the illustrated steps can be changed to the extent that it does not impede the content. Also, the above embodiments and modifications can be combined to the extent that their content is not contradictory.

[0200] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows, but are not limited to the following:

[0201] 1. A product acquisition means that acquires customer identification information for identifying the customer and product identification information for the products the customer intends to purchase from a portable terminal operated by the customer within the store. A history acquisition means that acquires the purchase history of corresponding products that correspond to the products to be purchased from the customer's purchase history, based on purchase history information showing the purchase history of products for each customer, The system includes a history transmission means for transmitting the purchase history of the corresponding product to the terminal. Management device. 2. The history transmission means is: A determination means for determining whether the purchase history of the corresponding product meets predetermined display conditions, Includes a target output means that transmits the purchase history of the corresponding product, which has been determined to meet the aforementioned display conditions, to the terminal. The control device described in 1. 3. The display conditions include at least one of the following: the price difference between the purchase price of the corresponding product and the current price of the product to be purchased is equal to or greater than a certain threshold; the corresponding product was purchased within a predetermined display period; and the purchase history of the corresponding product is the most recent purchase history of the corresponding product. The control device described in 2. 4. The determination means acquires setting information that associates corresponding product definition information for defining the range of products corresponding to the product to be purchased with the display target period. The control device described in 3. 5. The system further comprises a period setting means for determining the display period based on the frequency with which the customer purchases products that fall within the scope defined by the corresponding product regulations information, and setting the determined display period in the setting information for the customer in association with the corresponding product regulations information. The control device described in 4. 6. The history transmission means transmits the purchase history of the simultaneously purchased items, which are items purchased together with the corresponding product, to the terminal. A control device as described in any one of items 1 through 5. 7. The purchase history includes at least one of the following: the purchase date, purchase price, quantity purchased, and discount information for the corresponding product. A control device as described in any one of items 1 through 6. 8. Further comprising a settlement means that performs settlement processing based on product identification information for the aforementioned planned purchase items. A control device as described in any one of items 1 through 7. 9. A portable terminal operated by customers within a store, A first terminal acquisition means for acquiring customer identification information to identify the aforementioned customer, A second terminal acquisition means for acquiring product identification information about the products the customer intends to purchase, A terminal transmission means for transmitting the customer identification information and the product identification information to a management device, A history receiving means that receives from the management device the purchase history of corresponding products that correspond to the product to be purchased, from the customer's purchase history, The system includes a display control means for displaying the purchase history of the corresponding product on a display means. Terminal. 10. The display control means further displays product information of the product to be purchased on the display means. The device described in 9. 11. The display control means simultaneously displays the purchase history of the corresponding product and the product information of the product to be purchased on the display means. The device described in 10. 12. The system further includes a selection acceptance mechanism for accepting the selection of corresponding products included in the purchase history, The history receiving means further receives the purchase history of the simultaneously purchased items, which are items purchased together with the corresponding item, from the management device. The display control means causes the purchase history of the received simultaneously purchased items to be displayed on the display means. A device listed in any one of items 9 through 11. 13. The display control means is A determination means for determining whether the purchase history of the corresponding product meets predetermined display conditions, Includes a target output means that causes the purchase history of the corresponding product, which has been determined to satisfy the aforementioned display conditions, to be displayed on the display means. A control device as described in any one of items 9 through 12. 14. The display conditions include at least one of the following: the price difference between the purchase price of the corresponding product and the current price of the product to be purchased is equal to or greater than a certain threshold; the corresponding product was purchased within a predetermined display period; and the purchase history of the corresponding product is the most recent purchase history of the corresponding product. The control device described in 13. 15. The determination means acquires setting information that associates corresponding product definition information for defining the range of products corresponding to the product to be purchased with the display target period. The control device described in 14. 16. The system further comprises a period setting means that determines the display period based on the frequency with which the customer purchases products that fall within the scope defined by the corresponding product regulations information, and sets the determined display period in the setting information for the customer in association with the corresponding product regulations information. The control device described in 15. 17. A control device described in any one of items 1 through 8, The terminal is provided as described in any one of items 9 to 16. Purchase history management system. 18. A computer, From a portable terminal operated by the customer within the store, customer identification information to identify the customer and product identification information for the products the customer intends to purchase are obtained. Based on purchase history information showing the purchase history of each customer, the purchase history of corresponding products that correspond to the product to be purchased is obtained from the customer's purchase history. The purchase history of the aforementioned compatible product is sent to the terminal. Management method. 19. Portable computers operated by customers within a store, Obtain customer identification information to identify the aforementioned customer, We obtain product identification information for the products that the customer intends to purchase. The customer identification information and the product identification information are transmitted to the management device. The management device receives the purchase history of corresponding products that correspond to the product to be purchased from the customer's purchase history. The purchase history of the corresponding product is displayed on the display device. Terminal processing method. 20. To the computer, From a portable terminal operated by the customer within the store, customer identification information to identify the customer and product identification information for the products the customer intends to purchase are obtained. Based on purchase history information showing the purchase history of each customer, the purchase history of corresponding products that correspond to the product to be purchased is obtained from the customer's purchase history. A program for causing the terminal to send the purchase history of the corresponding product. 21. On a portable computer operated by a customer within the store, Obtain customer identification information to identify the aforementioned customer, We obtain product identification information for the products that the customer intends to purchase. The customer identification information and the product identification information are transmitted to the management device. The management device receives the purchase history of corresponding products that correspond to the product to be purchased from the customer's purchase history. A program for causing the purchase history of the corresponding product to be displayed on a display device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0202] 100 Purchase History Management System 101 Management device 102 terminals 111 Storage section 111a Product information 111b Configuration information 111c Purchase History Information 112 Compatible Product Settings Section 113 Period setting section 121 Product Acquisition Department 122 History Acquisition Section 123 History transmission section 124 Settlement Department 125 History transmission section 131 Discrimination part 132 Target Output Section 141 Designated Compatible Products Section 142 Period-Specific Section 151 First Terminal Acquisition Unit 152 Second Terminal Acquisition Section 153 Terminal transmission unit 154 Product Information Receiving Unit 161 History Reception Unit 162 Display Control Unit 163 Display section 164 Selection Reception Section 165 Deletion Request Department 166 Settlement Reception Department

Claims

1. A product acquisition means that acquires customer identification information for identifying the customer and product identification information for the products the customer intends to purchase from a portable terminal operated by the customer within the store, A history acquisition means that acquires the purchase history of corresponding products that correspond to the products to be purchased from the customer's purchase history, based on purchase history information showing the purchase history of products for each customer, The system includes a history transmission means for transmitting the purchase history of the corresponding product to the terminal, The history transmission means is, A determination means for determining whether the purchase history of the corresponding product meets predetermined display conditions, Includes a target output means that transmits the purchase history of the corresponding product determined to satisfy the display conditions to the terminal, The display conditions include at least one of the following: the price difference between the purchase price of the corresponding product and the current price of the product to be purchased is equal to or greater than a certain threshold; and the purchase history of the corresponding product is the most recent purchase history of the corresponding product. Management device.

2. The product acquisition means acquires product information of the product to be purchased based on the acquired product identification information, and transmits the acquired product information of the product to be purchased to the terminal. The terminal according to claim 1.

3. A portable terminal operated by customers within a store, A first terminal acquisition means for acquiring customer identification information to identify the aforementioned customer, A second terminal acquisition means for acquiring product identification information about the products the customer intends to purchase, A terminal transmission means for transmitting the customer identification information and the product identification information to a management device, A history receiving means that receives from the management device the purchase history of corresponding products that correspond to the product to be purchased, from the customer's purchase history, The system includes a display control means that causes the purchase history of the corresponding product to satisfy predetermined display conditions, and displays the purchase history of the corresponding product on the display means. The display conditions include at least one of the following: the price difference between the purchase price of the corresponding product and the current price of the product to be purchased is equal to or greater than a certain threshold; and the purchase history of the corresponding product is the most recent purchase history of the corresponding product. Terminal.

4. The display control means simultaneously displays the purchase history of the corresponding product and the product information of the product to be purchased on the display means. The terminal according to claim 3.

5. Computers From a portable terminal operated by the customer within the store, customer identification information to identify the customer and product identification information for the products the customer intends to purchase are obtained. Based on purchase history information showing the purchase history of each customer, the purchase history of corresponding products that correspond to the product to be purchased is obtained from the customer's purchase history. This includes transmitting the purchase history of the corresponding product to the terminal. Sending the purchase history of the aforementioned compatible product means The system determines whether the purchase history of the corresponding product meets the predetermined display conditions. This includes transmitting the purchase history of the corresponding product that has been determined to meet the display conditions to the terminal, The display conditions include at least one of the following: the price difference between the purchase price of the corresponding product and the current price of the product to be purchased is equal to or greater than a certain threshold; and the purchase history of the corresponding product is the most recent purchase history of the corresponding product. Management method.

6. Portable computers operated by customers within the store, Obtain customer identification information to identify the aforementioned customer, We obtain product identification information for the products that the customer intends to purchase. The customer identification information and the product identification information are transmitted to the management device. The management device receives the purchase history of corresponding products that correspond to the product to be purchased from the customer's purchase history. This includes displaying the purchase history of the corresponding product on a display means, provided that the purchase history of the corresponding product satisfies predetermined display conditions. The display conditions include at least one of the following: the price difference between the purchase price of the corresponding product and the current price of the product to be purchased is equal to or greater than a certain threshold; and the purchase history of the corresponding product is the most recent purchase history of the corresponding product. Terminal processing method.

7. On the computer, From a portable terminal operated by the customer within the store, customer identification information to identify the customer and product identification information for the products the customer intends to purchase are obtained. Based on purchase history information showing the purchase history of each customer, the purchase history of corresponding products that correspond to the product to be purchased is obtained from the customer's purchase history. The system will then execute the process of sending the purchase history of the corresponding product to the terminal. Sending the purchase history of the aforementioned compatible product means The system determines whether the purchase history of the corresponding product meets the predetermined display conditions. This includes transmitting the purchase history of the corresponding product that has been determined to meet the display conditions to the terminal, A program in which the display conditions include at least one of the following: the price difference between the purchase price of the corresponding product and the current price of the product to be purchased is greater than or equal to a threshold value; and the purchase history of the corresponding product is the most recent purchase history of the corresponding product.

8. On a portable computer operated by a customer within the store, Obtain customer identification information to identify the aforementioned customer, We obtain product identification information for the products that the customer intends to purchase. The customer identification information and the product identification information are transmitted to the management device. The management device receives the purchase history of corresponding products that correspond to the product to be purchased from the customer's purchase history. The system is configured to display the purchase history of the corresponding product on the display means if the purchase history of the corresponding product satisfies predetermined display conditions. A program in which the display conditions include at least one of the following: the price difference between the purchase price of the corresponding product and the current price of the product to be purchased is greater than or equal to a threshold value; and the purchase history of the corresponding product is the most recent purchase history of the corresponding product.

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