Fuel oil sales system, sales system and method for determining discount amount

Abstract

To provide a method and system for reducing the time and effort required for a user to input information into a POS terminal and for quickly providing fuel oil at a discounted price suited to the user. [Solution] The sales method involves having the main server 20 acquire user identification information from the user terminal 10, identify discount information and credit card information based on the user database 31, and generate coded image information that integrally includes the discount information, user identification information, and credit card information. The POS terminal 40 acquires the image information from the user terminal 10, calculates the selling price of the fuel oil based on the standard unit price according to the type of fuel oil and the discount information, and performs payment using the credit card information and the selling price. The main server 20 links the selling price and sales date and time to the user identification information and records them in the user database 31.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel oil sales method, a discount amount determination method, a fuel oil sales system, and a discount amount determination system. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known from Patent Document 1 and the like that a POS terminal reads a user's membership card and provides a discount on fuel oil according to the membership. Currently, when fuel oil is sold at a service station with credit card payment, (1) the membership card is read into the POS terminal, (2) the discount card is read into the POS terminal, and (3) the credit card is read into the POS terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-11482 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above configuration, the user is forced to swipe the card into the POS terminal three times, which is inconvenient. The inventor also considered providing fuel oil at a discount amount set by the fuel oil sales company based on the user's purchase history, etc., in such a system. In this case, it is conceivable to perform a process in which the POS terminal reads member information, notifies the server of the fuel oil sales company, and the server of the fuel oil sales company determines a discount amount appropriate for the user and notifies the POS terminal. However, in such a configuration, it becomes difficult to provide fuel oil quickly due to the communication speed between the POS terminal and the server of the fuel oil sales company.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for reducing the time and effort required for users to input information into a POS terminal, and for quickly providing fuel oil at a discounted price tailored to the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, A method for selling fuel oil, comprising the steps of: selling fuel oil at a selling price according to a user at a service station equipped with a meter and a POS terminal; and acquiring a purchase history of the user, comprising: The sales method is carried out by using a sales system including a main server capable of communicating with the POS terminal and a user terminal having a display unit, and a recording unit, The main server has a memory that records computer-readable instructions and an information processing unit that executes the computer-readable instructions, The recording unit records a user database that is linked to user identification information that can identify at least the user and records a purchase history including at least the user's credit card information and a sales quantity and sales date of the fuel oil, and The sales method includes: causing the main server to acquire the user identification information from the user terminal; causing the main server to identify discount information and the credit card information specific to the user identification information based on the user database; causing the main server to generate coded image information integrally including the specified discount information, the user identification information, and the credit card information; causing the POS terminal to acquire the image information from the user terminal; causing the meter to identify the type and quantity of fuel oil provided to the user; causing the POS terminal to specify a sales price for the user based on a standard unit price according to the specified type of fuel oil and the discount information; causing the POS terminal to calculate a selling price of the fuel oil based on the type, the quantity and the selling price of the identified fuel oil; causing the POS terminal to make a payment using the credit card information and the selling price; There is provided a fuel oil sales method in which the main server links the selling price and the selling date and time to the user identification information and records them in the user database.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, A discount amount determination method for causing a discount amount determination system having a memory for recording computer readable instructions and an information processing device for executing the computer readable instructions to determine a discount amount for a unit price of fuel oil, comprising: The discount amount determination system has a recording unit including a purchase history database in which a cumulative purchase amount of fuel oil over at least a predetermined period and one or more store visit dates and times during the predetermined period are recorded in association with user identification information that can identify a user, A learning model recording unit in which a learning model that identifies a discount amount appropriate for the user when the purchase history is input is recorded, The discount amount determination method includes the steps of: inputting the purchase history into the learning model to output the discount amount of the fuel oil suitable for the user; A discount amount determination method is provided in which the discount amount output from the learning model is linked to the user identification information and recorded in the discount database.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, A fuel oil sales system that sells fuel oil at a selling price according to a user at a service station equipped with a meter and a POS terminal, and acquires a purchase history of the user, The sales system includes a main server capable of communicating with the POS terminal and a user terminal having a display unit, and a recording unit; The main server has a memory that records computer-readable instructions and an information processing unit that executes the computer-readable instructions, The recording unit records a user database that is linked to user identification information that can identify at least the user and records a purchase history including at least the user's credit card information and a sales quantity and sales date of the fuel oil, and The main server a user information acquisition unit that acquires the user identification information from the user terminal; a discount specifying unit for specifying discount information and credit card information specific to the user identification information based on the user database; a code generating unit that generates coded image information that integrally includes the specified discount information, the user identification information, and the credit card information; The POS terminal includes: a code acquisition unit that acquires the image information from the user terminal; a sales unit price specification unit that specifies the type and quantity of fuel oil provided to the user specified by the meter, and specifies a sales unit price for the user based on a standard unit price according to the specified type of fuel oil and the discount information; a sales price specification unit that calculates a sales price of the fuel oil based on the type, the quantity, and the sales unit price of the specified fuel oil; a payment execution unit that executes a payment using the credit card information and the selling price, A fuel oil sales system is provided in which the main server has a data storage unit that directly or indirectly acquires the user identification information, the selling price, and the selling date and time from the POS terminal, and links the user identification information to the selling price and the selling date and time and records them in the user database.

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, A discount amount determination system having a memory for recording computer readable instructions and an information processing device for executing the computer readable instructions, the discount amount determining system determining a discount amount for the unit price of fuel oil; The discount amount determination system has a recording unit including a purchase history database in which a cumulative purchase amount of fuel oil over at least a predetermined period and one or more store visit dates and times during the predetermined period are recorded in association with user identification information that can identify a user, A learning model recording unit in which a learning model that identifies a discount amount appropriate for the user when the purchase history is input is recorded, The discount amount determination system includes: inputting the purchase history into the learning model to output the discount amount of the fuel oil suitable for the user; A discount amount determination system is provided which links the discount amount output from the learning model to the user identification information and records it in the discount database. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, there is provided a fuel oil sales method, a discount amount determination method, a fuel oil sales system, and a discount amount determination system which reduce the effort required for users to input information into a POS terminal and quickly provide fuel oil at a discount amount tailored to the user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a system configuration diagram of a sales system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a flow chart of a method for selling fuel oil. [Diagram 3] 2 is an example of a user database. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart of a discount amount determination method. [Diagram 5] 1 is an example of a provisional discount database. [Figure 6] 13 is an example of maximum discount information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] A method for selling fuel oil according to an embodiment of the present invention proposes to a user an appropriate discount based on the purchase history. The user receives this discount offer and obtains image code information such as a QR code (registered trademark) containing discount information, a user ID, and credit card information through an app or the like before visiting a service station. By presenting the code information to the POS terminal 40 when visiting the service station, the user can purchase fuel oil at the discounted unit price without presenting a credit card, membership card, discount coupon, or the like to the POS terminal 40. The method for selling fuel oil will be described in detail below with reference to the figures.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a fuel oil sales system 1 that executes a fuel oil sales method according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the sales system 1 includes a fuel oil sales system 2 and a service station system 4. Both the fuel oil sales system 2 and the service station system 4 are communicatively connected to a user terminal 10 equipped with a display unit 11. The user terminal 10 is a portable information device equipped with the display unit 11, such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

[0014] The fuel oil sales system 2 is managed and operated by a fuel oil sales company. Here, a fuel oil sales company is a company that sells fuel oil. Fuel oil sales companies include fuel wholesalers, companies that are entrusted with the sale of fuel oil by fuel wholesalers, agricultural cooperatives, general trading companies, etc. The fuel oil sales system 2 comprises a main server 20 and a recording unit 30. The main server 20 comprises a memory that records computer-readable instructions, and an information processing unit that executes the computer-readable instructions. The main server 20 executes a fuel oil sales method described below by the information processing unit executing the computer-readable instructions recorded in the memory.

[0015] The main server 20 includes a user information acquisition unit 21, a discount determination unit 22, a code generation unit 23, a data storage unit 24, a provisional discount determination unit 25, and a maximum discount determination unit 26. The recording unit 30 includes a user database 31, a discount database 32, a provisional discount database 33, a learning model recording unit 34, and a purchase history database 35. The main server 20 is connected to the recording unit 30 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0016] The service station system 4 is operated by a service station operator. The service station system 4 has a POS terminal 40, a measuring device 50, and a SS terminal 51. The POS terminal 40, the measuring device 50, and the SS terminal 51 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. The measuring device 50 measures the amount of fuel oil to be supplied and outputs the measured amount to the POS terminal 40. The POS terminal 40 is a device operated by a user, and accepts inputs of the type of oil, the purchase amount, the payment method, and the like from the user. The POS terminal 40 also has a code acquisition unit 41 that acquires code information, a sales unit price determination unit 42, a sales price determination unit 43, and a payment execution unit 44. The SS terminal 51 is an information processing device such as a personal computer that accepts operations from a salesperson at the service station.

[0017] Prior to starting the sales method of this embodiment, a fuel oil sales company distributes to users an application for receiving a discount on fuel oil using this sales method. The user uses this sales method through a user terminal 10. When using the application, the user selects a service station at which the user wishes to use the sales method and inputs a credit card number. The application then transmits to the main server 20 identification information of the user terminal 10, such as a telephone number, the service station selected by the user, and the credit card number. When the main server 20 acquires this information, it assigns to the user a user ID (user identification information) that can be distinguished from other users, and registers the identification information of the user terminal 10, the service station used by the user, and the credit card number in the user database 31 in association with the user ID. The main server 20 also transmits this information to the user terminal 10.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for selling fuel oil. 2, when a user visits a specific service station, the user first operates the app to display code information for receiving a discount at the service station. When the user performs this operation, the app transmits a user ID together with a code generation request to the main server 20 (step S01).

[0019] When the user information acquisition unit 21 of the main server 20 acquires the user ID together with the code generation request (step S02), it refers to the discount database 32 and identifies discount information for the user ID (step S03).

[0020] Fig. 3 is an example of the user database 31. As shown in Fig. 3, the discount specification unit 22 of the user database 31 records, in association with a user ID, the service station used, the credit card number, the discount amount, the most recent visit date, the cumulative purchase amount for the year or month, and the identification information of the user terminal 10. In this example, the discount database 32 and the user database 31 are integrated, and the discount amount for the user is recorded in the user database 31 in association with the user ID.

[0021] Here, it is assumed that the main server 20 has received a code generation request from user ID: AAAA0. The main server 20 searches the user database 31 for a user ID that matches user ID: AAAA0, and identifies the discount amount of 5 yen and the credit card number: 123456789.

[0022] The code generation unit 23 of the main server 20 then generates code information such as a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode as image information that integrally includes the specified discount information, the user ID, and the credit card information (step S04). The code generation unit 23 may generate the code information by itself, or may be configured to instruct another server to generate code information and receive the generated code information. The main server 20 transmits the generated code information to the user terminal 10 (step S05). When the user terminal 10 receives the generated code information (step S06), it stores it in the user terminal 10.

[0023] A user visits a service station to receive fuel oil. At this time, the user first operates the app to display the code information stored on the display unit 11 of the user terminal 10, and has the POS terminal 40 read it (step S07). The code acquisition unit 41 of the POS terminal 40 reads the code information from the user terminal 10 (step S08). That is, the POS terminal 40 acquires the user ID, credit card information, and discount information from the user terminal 10 via the code information.

[0024] After presenting the code information, the user operates the meter 50 to supply the fuel oil to the vehicle. After the supply of the fuel oil is completed, the meter 50 identifies the type and quantity of the fuel oil provided to the user (step S09). Furthermore, the sales price determination unit 42 of the POS terminal 40 determines the sales price for the user based on the standard unit price according to the identified type of fuel oil and the discount information acquired from the code information (step S10). The standard unit price is recorded in advance in the POS terminal 40 by a salesperson at the service station. Furthermore, the sales price determination unit 43 of the POS terminal 40 calculates the sales price of the fuel oil based on the identified type, quantity and sales price of the fuel oil (step S11).

[0025] The settlement execution unit 44 of the POS terminal 40 performs settlement using the calculated selling price and the credit card information obtained from the code information (step S12). That is, the settlement execution unit 44 transmits billing data including the credit card information and the selling price to the settlement server. When the credit card company receives such billing data, it totals the billing amount for that month once a month and deducts the total billing amount from the user's account registered with the credit card.

[0026] Furthermore, the POS terminal 40 transmits the selling price, the selling date and time, and the user ID acquired from the code information to the main server 20 (step S13). The data storage unit 24 of the main server 20 links the selling price and the selling date and time acquired from the POS terminal 40 to the user ID and records them in the user database 31 (step S14). Note that the POS terminal 40 may be configured to transmit data such as the type of oil and quantity together with the user ID in addition to the selling price and selling date and time to the main server 20, and the main server 20 may also register the type of oil and quantity in the user database 31 by linking them to the user ID.

[0027] The main server 20 may directly acquire the user's purchase history, such as the selling price and the sale date and time linked to the user ID, from the POS terminal 40. Alternatively, the POS terminal 40 may transmit the purchase history to the SS terminal, and the SS terminal may send the compiled data to the main server 20. Alternatively, the POS terminal 40 may transmit the purchase history to the server of the credit card credit company, and the credit card credit company's server may send the compiled data to the main server 20. In this way, the data accumulation unit 24 of the main server 20 may directly or indirectly acquire the user ID, the selling price, and the sale date and time from the POS terminal 40, and record the selling price and the sale date and time in the user database 31 by linking them to the user ID.

[0028] Thus, according to the fuel oil sales method of this embodiment, the user terminal 10 acquires the code information, and by simply having the POS terminal 40 read this information, payment can be made by credit card with a discount amount appropriate to the user, improving user convenience. In addition, the user does not need to have the POS terminal 40 read a membership card, a discount card, and then a credit card. In addition, even if the user comes to the store forgetting any one of the membership card, credit card, or discount card, the discount can still be received. In other words, the burden on the user in receiving a discount on fuel oil is greatly reduced. In addition, it is also beneficial for the fuel oil sales company to be able to acquire the user's purchase information while reducing the user's burden in this way. In addition, since the POS terminal 40 obtains discount information from the user terminal 10, the POS terminal 40 does not need to refer to discount information recorded in the discount database 32 and the user database 31 on the network, and the processing speed at the time of settlement is high.

[0029] The main server 20 may be configured to periodically update the discount information for the user based on the purchase history of the user thus accumulated. Next, a method for determining such a discount amount will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the main server 20 has a learning model recording unit 34. This learning model recording unit 34 records a learning model that outputs a discount amount appropriate for a user when a purchase history is input. A learning model is a program obtained by machine learning. Furthermore, a purchase history database 35 is recorded in the recording unit 30. This purchase history database 35 records the cumulative purchase amount of fuel oil over at least a predetermined period of time and one or more store visit dates and times during the predetermined period, linked to a user ID. The purchase history database 35 is a part of the user database 31.

[0030] This learning model can be obtained by inputting training data such as the type of oil, quantity, cumulative purchase amount, frequency of visits, number of days since the last visit, time of visit, purchase frequency and quantity of other services and products such as engine oil and car washes, as well as the amount of discounts implemented in the past and the visit situation as a result of the discounts.

[0031] For example, each time a new purchase history is added for a certain user ID and the purchase history is updated in step S14, the main server 20 may input the updated purchase history for this user ID into the learning model, and register the discount amount output from the learning model as discount information in the user database 31 or the discount database 32 for this user ID. Alternatively, the discount amount may be determined based on the purchase history accumulated in the user database 31 once a month, once every few months, or once a year, and registered in the user database 31 or the discount database 32.

[0032] In addition, a service station may be operated by a company that has been entrusted with the business of selling fuel by a fuel wholesaler. In this case, as will be described below, the discount information set by the fuel wholesaler may be approved by the operator of the service station.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a flowchart of the discount amount determination method. As shown in Fig. 4, the provisional discount determination unit 25 (see Fig. 1) of the main server 20 first determines provisional discount information corresponding to a user based on the purchase history in the user database 31 (step S21). Furthermore, the provisional discount determination unit 25 records the provisional discount information in the provisional discount database 33 in association with the user ID (step S22).

[0034] Furthermore, the maximum discount specification unit 26 (see FIG. 1) of the main server 20 acquires maximum discount information, which is the discount amount allowed by the service station, from the SS terminal 51 (see FIG. 1) of the service station (step S23). Furthermore, the main server 20 compares the provisional discount information linked to the user ID for a certain service station with the maximum discount information acquired from the SS terminal 51 of that service station (step S24). If the provisional discount information is a discount amount that exceeds the maximum discount information, the main server 20 links the maximum discount information to the user ID and records it in the discount database 32 (user database 31 in this example) (step S25). If the provisional discount information is a discount amount that is lower than the maximum discount information, the main server 20 links the provisional discount information to the user ID and records it in the discount database 32 (step S26).

[0035] A specific example of a method for determining a discount amount will be described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 is an example of the provisional discount database 33, and Fig. 6 is an example of maximum discount information. As shown in Fig. 5, the provisional discount determination unit 25 has determined that the SS (service station) used for user ID: AAAA0 is Shinagawa, and the provisional discount amount is 5 yen. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 6, the maximum discount amount for Shinagawa service station is set to 4 yen. Therefore, the main server 20 compares the provisional discount amount for user ID: AAAA0 with the maximum discount amount, determines the discount amount to be the maximum discount amount of 4 yen, and records the discount amount for user ID: AAAA0 as 4 yen in the user database 31. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 5, the service station used by user ID: AAAA1 is Shimbashi, and the provisional discount amount is specified as 4 yen. As shown in Fig. 6, the maximum discount amount at Shimbashi service station is set to 5 yen. Therefore, main server 20 records the discount amount for user ID: AAAA1 as 4 yen in user database 31.

[0036] In this way, according to the present embodiment, the discount amount for the user can be set while taking into consideration the circumstances of the service station, i.e., the discount amount can be set in a way that is convenient for the user, the fuel wholesaler, and the service station.

[0037] In the above description, an example has been described in which discount information is recorded in the user database 31, and the main server 20 reads out the discount information from the user database 31 when generating code information, but the present invention is not limited to this. Only purchase history may be recorded in the user database 31, and the main server 20 may read out the purchase history from the user database 31 whenever necessary, and calculate discount information based on the purchase history. The discount information can be calculated by a method using Figures 4 to 6.

[0038] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by the description of the embodiment. The embodiment is merely an example, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications of the embodiment are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims. The technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1. Sales System 2. Fuel oil sales system 4 Service Station System 10 User terminal 11 Display section 20 Main Server 21 User information acquisition unit 22 Discount Specific Section 23 Code Generation 24 Data Storage Section 25 Provisional discount specific section 26 Maximum discount specific section 30 Recording Section 31 User Database 32 Discount Database 33 Provisional Discount Database 34 Learning Model Recording Section 35 Purchase History Database 40 POS terminals 41 Code Acquisition Department 42 Sales unit price specification department 43 Selling Price Specification Department 44 Payment Execution Department 50 Measuring instrument 51 SS terminal

Claims

1. A fuel oil sales system that determines a discount amount for the unit price of fuel oil, The fuel oil sales system includes: discount information based on a purchase history including at least a cumulative amount of fuel oil purchased by the user over a predetermined period and one or more store visit dates and times during the predetermined period, the discount information being linked to user identification information that can identify the user; discount information permitted by the service station; Executing a process to determine an appropriate discount amount for the user based on the Fuel oil sales system.

2. Provisional discount information, which is discount information based on a purchase history including at least a cumulative purchase amount of fuel oil over a predetermined period of time of a user and one or more store visit dates and times during the predetermined period, and which is discount information linked to user identification information that can identify the user; maximum discount information that is discount information permitted by the service station; Comparing the provisional discount information with the maximum discount information; executes a process of determining the maximum discount information as a discount amount suitable for the user when the provisional discount information is a discount amount greater than the maximum discount information, and determining the provisional discount information as a discount amount suitable for the user when the provisional discount information is a discount amount less than the maximum discount information; The fuel oil sales system according to claim 1.

3. A fuel oil sales system as described in claim 2, having a learning model recording unit in which a learning model that outputs the provisional discount information by inputting the purchase history is recorded.

4. The provisional discount information is The fuel oil sales system according to claim 2 , which is periodically updated based on the purchase history.

5. A sales system including the fuel oil sales system of claims 1 to 4 and a user terminal equipped with a display unit, generating coded image information integrally including the discount amount appropriate for the user and the user identification information, and displaying the coded image information on the display unit; Sales system.

6. A method for determining a discount amount for a unit price of fuel oil, comprising the steps of: The discount amount determination method includes: discount information based on a purchase history including at least a cumulative amount of fuel oil purchased by the user over a predetermined period and one or more store visit dates and times during the predetermined period, the discount information being linked to user identification information that can identify the user; discount information permitted by the service station; The fuel oil sales system determines a discount amount appropriate for the user based on the How discount amount is determined.

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