JP2024082307A - Store usage support device, store usage support method, and store usage support program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a store use support apparatus, a store use support method, and a store use support program capable of supporting the use of a store appropriately.SOLUTION: A store use support apparatus installed in a store includes: a detection unit which detects visit of a user on the basis of an active action via a user terminal; a distribution unit which distributes, when the visit of the user is detected based on the active action via the user terminal, information on winning a sample in the store to the user terminal; and a control unit which controls after-the-fact distribution of content and provision of a privilege via the user terminal to the user who has received the sample based on the winning information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

This disclosure relates to a store usage support device, a store usage support method, and a store usage support program.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a reward management system and reward management method in which a reward is given to a user who has viewed the sales promotion information in a system that distributes sales promotion information, in response to the user using a store that corresponds to the sales promotion information.

JP 2016-191978 A

However, in Patent Document 1, the process from viewing sales promotion information to using participating stores and receiving user benefits is complicated, and there is room for improvement in terms of providing support for store usage that is favorable for both service providers and service recipients.

Therefore, one of the objectives of this disclosure is to provide a store usage support device, a store usage support method, and a store usage support program that enable optimal store usage support.

A store usage support device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that it is installed in a store and has a detection unit that detects a user's visit to the store based on an active action via a user terminal, a distribution unit that distributes winning information about a free sample at the store to the user terminal when the user's visit is detected based on the active action via the user terminal, and a control unit that controls subsequent content distribution and bonus granting via the user terminal to the user who receives the free sample based on the winning information.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a store usage support device, a store usage support method, and a store usage support program that enable optimal store usage support.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a store utilization support device. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a drugstore. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of store visit detection using NFC touch. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an internal configuration of a store usage support server. FIG. FIG. 11 is a first diagram showing the store utilization support process. FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing the store utilization support process. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a user terminal and a store usage support server. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a user terminal and a store usage support server.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a store usage support device 1. The "store usage support device" may be read as a "store usage support system" (the two may be synonymous). The store usage support method and the store usage support program are realized by causing a computer (CPU: Central Processing Unit) included in the store usage support device 1 to execute various processing steps. In this specification, a drugstore (group) operated by a franchise chain is given as an example of a "store". The number and types of "stores" are flexible, and various design changes are possible (for example, they may be supermarkets, electronics retailers, discount stores, convenience stores, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 1, the store usage support device 1 has a user terminal 10 and a store usage support server 20. The user terminal 10 and the store usage support server 20 are connected to each other via a network 30 so that they can communicate with each other. In FIG. 1, the user terminal 10 and the store usage support server 20 are simplified and drawn as a single configuration, but this is for convenience of drawing. In reality, the user terminal 10 and the store usage support server 20 have a more complicated configuration than that depicted in FIG. 1, both in terms of hardware configuration and software configuration. Details will be described later, but for example, the store usage support server 20 may be configured to include multiple servers, databases, etc. The store usage support server 20 may include each store server (having each store account) that is in charge of a single store, a headquarters server (having a headquarters account) that is in charge of a group of drugstores that are multiple stores that are chained, and an agency server (having an agency account) that undertakes the jurisdiction of the drugstore (group) on behalf of the drugstore. In addition to the store usage support server 20, a server that manages each of the multiple sales booths (e.g., medicines, cosmetics, supplements, food, beverages, health equipment, etc.) included in the drugstore may be provided so as to be able to communicate with the user terminal 10 and the store usage support server 20 via the network 30.

The store usage support device (store usage support system) 1 may be understood as a configuration including a user terminal 10, a store usage support server 20, and a store (drug store) (for example, an NFC tag 3 described later), or as a configuration including only the store usage support server 20 and a store (drug store) (for example, an NFC tag 3 described later) without including a user terminal 10. In other words, the user terminal 10 is not a required component of the store usage support device 1.

The user terminal 10 is, for example, a mobile terminal (mobile communication terminal) such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. In other words, the user terminal 10 in this specification is a communication device that can perform various communications with the store usage support server 20. The user terminal 10 may communicate with a network (such as the Internet) via, for example, wired and/or wireless (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE), ^5th Generation New Radio (5G NR), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.). The communication method of the user terminal 10 has a degree of freedom, and various design changes are possible, and may be acoustic communication, visible light communication, etc. The user terminal 10 executes a browser and various other applications by user operation.

In this embodiment, the user terminal 10 is used to purchase various products and services at the store (drugstore), receive content delivery and benefits related to the purchasing activities, and provide and collect other information. In this sense, the user terminal 10 can be read as a "store user's terminal." A "store usage application" for improving the user's convenience at the store (drugstore) is downloaded (installed) onto the user terminal 10.

The store usage support server 20 may be any communication device capable of performing various communications with the user terminal 10, and may be interpreted as a device, circuit, etc. The store usage support server 20 controls and executes various processes for providing suitable services to users (store users) via communications with the user terminal 10.

Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of a drugstore (store) 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the drug store 2 has an NFC (Near Field Communication) tag 3 installed near the entrance, a medicine booth 4, a cosmetics booth 5, a supplements booth 6, a food booth 7, a beverage booth 8, and a health equipment booth 9. Note that the sales booths installed in the drug store 2 are not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 2 (there is a degree of freedom in the number and type), and various design changes are possible. Although FIG. 2 shows the drug store 2 as consisting of one floor, the drug store 2 may also be consisting of two or more floors (two or more stories).

The NFC tag 3 is installed in the drugstore (store) 2 and functions as a "detection unit" that detects the user's visit to the drugstore (store) 2 based on an active action via the user terminal 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when a user who visits the drugstore 2 brings his/her user terminal 10 close to the NFC tag 3 to perform near-field wireless communication (NFC communication), radio waves are sent from the user terminal 10 to the NFC tag 3, and radio waves are returned from the NFC tag 3 to the user terminal 10, and the result is sent from the user terminal 10 to the store usage support server 20. At that time, information about the store user who is the owner of the user terminal 10 (for example, identification information of the user terminal 10, information such as the user's age, sex, occupation, etc., purchase history information of the user at the store, etc.) may be sent from the user terminal 10 to the store usage support server 20. In this way, the NFC tag 3 (detection unit) is composed of a near-field wireless communication unit, and detects the user's visit to the drugstore (store) 2 based on an active action via the user terminal 10 by near-field wireless communication with the user terminal 10. This "detection process" can be executed by simply bringing the user terminal 10 close to the NFC tag 3 and performing short-distance wireless communication, regardless of whether the user terminal 10 has registered (installed, downloaded) the store-used application or whether the store-used application is running (even if it is not registered or running). In other words, bringing the user terminal 10 close to the NFC tag 3 and performing short-distance wireless communication can be used as a path to install the store-used application or start the app, so the store-used application can be started without any hassle and the detection process can also be executed. Furthermore, the NFC tags 3 are associated with information about the store in which the tag is installed (the store is registered in the NFC tag itself), and by simply touching the user terminal to the NFC tag, it is possible to capture "who," "when," and "which store" the user visited based on the ID.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the store usage support server 20.

As shown in FIG. 4, the store usage support server 20 has an application download guidance unit 21, a distribution unit 22, and a control unit 23.

When a visit of a user to the drugstore (shop) 2 is detected based on an active action via the user terminal 10 (when short-range wireless communication between the user terminal 10 and the NFC tag 3 is detected), the application download guidance unit 21 guides the user terminal 10 to download the store-used application if the store-used application has not been downloaded to the user terminal 10. Not all user terminals 10 that have performed a store entry touch (active action of holding the user terminal 10 over the NFC tag 3) have necessarily downloaded the store-used application. Therefore, it is preferable to guide the user terminal 10 to download the store-used application by, for example, displaying a download screen for the store-used application on the display of the user terminal 10 or displaying a store for the store-used application.

When a store entry touch (active action of holding the user terminal 10 over the NFC tag 3) is performed, it is determined whether or not the user is a DL user of the store-used application. If the user is a DL user of the store-used application, for example, after a tap via a PUSH notification or an AppClip or other lead, the store-used application is launched. This is expected to encourage dormant users of the store-used application to reuse and to make launching the store-used application a habit. If the user is a non-DL user of the store-used application, the user is guided to the DL store of the store-used application. This is expected to encourage new downloads of the store-used application. In addition, by triggering an event (content distribution, bonus granting) when the store-used application is launched and issuing the event separately for each ID, it is possible to capture "who," "when," and "to which store" the user visited based on the ID.

When the distribution unit 22 detects a user's visit based on an active action via the user terminal 10 (when a store entry touch of holding the user terminal 10 over the NFC tag 3 is detected), the distribution unit 22 distributes winning information for a free sample at the drugstore (shop) 2 to the user terminal 10. For example, the distribution unit 22 distributes winning information for a free sample to the user terminal 10, for example, a free sample of a lotion made by a certain manufacturer that is installed or being prepared for installation in the cosmetics booth 5 and/or a compact version of a vitamin supplement made by a certain manufacturer that is installed or being prepared for installation in the supplements booth 6. A "free sample" refers to a sample item offered for trial of a certain product, and may be interpreted as a "product sample" or the like.

When the distribution unit 22 detects a user's visit to the store based on an active action via the user terminal 10 (when a store entry touch of holding the user terminal 10 over the NFC tag 3 is detected), it distributes a pre-survey via the user terminal 10, and when a response to the pre-survey is obtained, it can distribute to the user terminal 10 information about the winning of a free sample at the drugstore (shop) 2.

For example, a message such as "Free gift! Simply answer the two questionnaires below to receive a free sample of XXX at the register!" is displayed on the display of the user terminal 10 to encourage the user to answer the questionnaire. Then, when the questionnaire is answered via the user terminal 10, a message such as "We will give you a free sample of XXX! Show this screen and receive it at the register!" is displayed on the display of the user terminal 10. For example, if the sample is a lotion, the content of the questionnaire may be about the user's pre-image of the lotion or skin concerns, etc., and if the sample is a vitamin supplement, the content may be about the user's pre-image of the vitamin supplement or concerns about physical condition or health check results, etc. In addition, this pre-questionnaire may be either a free-answer format or a multiple-choice format (multiple answers allowed). In addition, the pre-questionnaire may be omitted, and information about the winning of the sample may be delivered to the user terminal 10 immediately after NFC touch (entry touch) is detected.

The distribution unit 22 may distribute to the user terminal 10 information on the number of free samples remaining at the drug store (store) 2 along with information on winning the free sample at the drug store (store) 2. For example, in addition to the message "We're giving away a free free sample of XXX! Show this screen and collect it at the register!" on the winning screen and/or the message "Free gift! Simply answer the two surveys below to receive your free sample of XXX at the register!" on the questionnaire screen, a message such as "Only △△△ free samples remaining at the □□□ store!" may be additionally displayed. This can have the effect of encouraging users to answer the surveys and thus to collect free samples.

When the number of free samples remaining at the drug store (store) 2 is less than a predetermined number, the distribution unit 22 may distribute to the user terminal 10 information on the number of free samples remaining at other drug stores (stores) together with winning information on free samples at other drug stores (stores). For example, in addition to the winning screen message "We're giving away a free free sample of ○○○! Show this screen and collect it at the register!" and/or the questionnaire screen message "Free gift! Just answer the two questionnaires below and you can receive a free sample of ○○○ at the register!", a message such as "There are only △△△ free samples left at the □□□ store! There are only ▲▲▲ free samples left at the ■■■ store, so you can collect them at the ■■■ store!" may be additionally displayed. This can promote users' responses to the questionnaires and thus their receipt of free samples, as well as encouraging users to visit other drug stores in the same chain.

The headquarters, which has jurisdiction over multiple drug stores (stores) 2, can keep track of the number of samples remaining at each of the multiple drug stores (stores) 2 by registering how many samples have been distributed at each of the multiple drug stores (stores) 2 and reducing the remaining number each time a sample is distributed at each store.

The control unit 23 controls subsequent content distribution and bonus provision via the user terminal 10 to users who have received samples based on the winning information.

The control unit 23 distributes a post-event questionnaire via the user terminal 10 at a timing when a predetermined period (e.g., 3, 7, or 10 days) has elapsed since the distribution of the winning information of the sample to the user terminal 10, and when a response to the post-event questionnaire has been obtained, it can execute post-event content distribution and bonus granting via the user terminal 10. Here, "post-event content distribution" is used as a concept including "post-event questionnaire." For example, if the sample is a lotion, the content of the post-event questionnaire may be about the feel of the lotion in use and the improvement of the skin, etc., and if the sample is a vitamin supplement, the content may be about the feel of the vitamin supplement in use and changes in physical condition, etc. In addition, this post-event questionnaire may be either an open-ended format or a multiple choice format (multiple answers allowed).

In this way, the pre-questionnaire may include content related to the image of the sample before use, and the post-questionnaire may include content related to the image of the sample after use. Furthermore, the content distribution includes the post-questionnaire as well as information related to the sample. For example, as post-content distribution, if the sample is a lotion from a certain manufacturer, advertisements or discount information for the genuine product of that lotion or other related lotions or cosmetics, or advertisements or discount information for lotions or cosmetics from another manufacturer may be provided. Furthermore, as post-content distribution, if the sample is a vitamin supplement from a certain manufacturer, advertisements or discount information for the genuine product of that vitamin supplement or other related vitamin supplements or supplements, or advertisements or discount information for vitamin supplements or supplements from another manufacturer may be provided.

Furthermore, the subsequent granting of a special benefit by the control unit 23 may include at least one of the following (1) to (3).
(1) Points and/or coupons that can be used at the drug store (shop) where the NFC was touched or another nearby drug store (shop).
(2) Information about the winning of another sample related to the sample. For example, if the sample is a lotion from a certain manufacturer, information about the winning of a sample of a similar lotion or cosmetic from that manufacturer, or information about the winning of a sample of a similar lotion or cosmetic from another manufacturer. Also, if the sample is a vitamin from a certain manufacturer, information about the winning of a sample of a similar vitamin or supplement from that manufacturer, or information about the winning of a sample of a similar vitamin or supplement from another manufacturer.
(3) Winning information on the authentic sample product. For example, if the sample product is a lotion from a manufacturer that offers a lotion, winning information on the authentic similar lotion or cosmetic product from that manufacturer, or winning information on the authentic similar lotion or cosmetic product from another manufacturer. Also, if the sample product is a vitamin supplement from a manufacturer that offers a lotion, winning information on the authentic similar vitamin supplement or supplement product from that manufacturer, or winning information on the authentic similar vitamin supplement or supplement product from another manufacturer.

The control unit 23 then monitors, for each identification information of the user terminal 10, information on winning the sample at the drugstore (shop) 2, responses to pre-questionnaires and post-questionnaires via the user terminal 10 before and after receiving the sample at the drugstore (shop) 2, and changes in the user's purchasing activity via the user terminal 10. This series of data (acquired data) acquired for each identification information of the user terminal 10 is designed to be used for various distributions for data marketing by utilizing further analysis and IDs. For example, in the case of owned media, ID-specific targeting distribution can be content/campaigns/coupons/incentives/push notifications/messages. Also, in the case of paid media, ID-specific targeting distribution can be data targeting distribution by ID push to each medium, and data can be masked.

When a user's visit to a store is detected based on an active action via the user terminal 10 (when a store entry touch is detected by holding the user terminal 10 over the NFC tag 3), this triggers the capture of the identification information of the user terminal 10. Thereafter, by associating it with the identification information of the user terminal 10, it is possible to grasp, all at once, the presence or absence and content of responses to the pre-questionnaire, the presence or absence and content of responses to the post-questionnaire, and changes in purchasing activity (e.g. brand switching) for products related to the sample (including genuine products). In other words, by linking it to the identification information of the user terminal 10, it is possible to grasp, all at once, who was given what sample, the cumulative and individual number of samples distributed at each store, the distribution date and time, questionnaires by ID, purchasing information by ID, analysis reports by ID, content distribution by ID, etc.

5A to 5F are first diagrams showing the store use support process. In FIG. 5A, a store entry touch is performed by holding the user terminal 10 over the NFC tag 3. In FIG. 5B, a store visit gimmick (for example, roulette, capsule toy, capsule toy, etc.) is performed, which is a lottery for granting a special benefit triggered by the store entry touch (NFC touch). The store visit gimmick in FIG. 5B can be omitted. In FIG. 5C, a pre-survey (pre-questionnaire) is conducted in addition to confirming the desire to receive a free sample. In FIG. 5D, a free sample (sample) is used. In FIG. 5E, a post-survey (post-survey) is conducted at a later date (for example, after 3 days, 7 days, or 10 days). In FIG. 5F, points are presented as a special benefit in response to the post-survey (post-survey). The special benefit in FIG. 5F may be at least one of (1) to (3) described above.

Figures 6A to 6F are the second diagrams showing the store usage support process. Figures 6A to 6F show screen transition images and acquired data images of the user terminal 10 at each stage of the store usage support process.

In FIG. 6A, information about winning a free sample (condition is answering two questionnaire questions) is displayed on the user terminal 10. When the display screen of FIG. 6A is displayed, the contact ID of the user terminal 10 is acquired. The display screen of FIG. 6A also includes information about the number of free samples remaining at the store (for example, that there are 10 free samples remaining at the store in front of Toranomon Hills).

In FIG. 6B, a response screen for two questions in the pre-survey is displayed on the user terminal 10. When the display screen in FIG. 6B is displayed, the respondent ID and the response contents of pre-surveys 1 and 2 are acquired.

In FIG. 6C, a sample redemption screen is displayed on the user terminal 10. When the screen in FIG. 6C is displayed, the redemption execution log, the redeemer ID, and information regarding distribution matching are acquired.

In FIG. 6D, a message is displayed on the user terminal 10 as post-provisional distribution content after the provision of the sample product, informing the user that points (benefits) can be obtained by answering a sample questionnaire (post-provisional questionnaire). When the display screen of FIG. 6D is displayed, the push notification distributor ID, the number of push notification distributions, and the number of push notification opens are acquired.

In FIG. 6E, a response screen for three survey questions is displayed on the user terminal 10 as a post-event survey. When the display screen of FIG. 6E is displayed, the respondent ID and the responses to post-event surveys 1, 2, and 3 are acquired.

In FIG. 6F, a points allocation screen is displayed on the user terminal 10 as a reward (benefit) for the post-survey. When the screen in FIG. 6F is displayed, the points allocation ID, the number of allocated points, and the cumulative number of allocated points log are acquired.

As shown in Figures 6A to 6F, by capturing the ID of the user terminal 10 and then obtaining responses to a pre-questionnaire and a post-questionnaire (pre-post questionnaire), the value of the data can be increased while providing users with not only free samples but also additional benefits such as points, making this a popular project with two benefits. The deliverables (data) obtained from the store usage support process in Figures 6A to 6F can include a sampling report, an analysis report by ID, an ID cluster for re-distribution, and an ID cluster for re-analysis.

In this manner, in the store usage support device according to the present disclosure, a detection unit installed in a store detects a user's visit based on an active action via the user's terminal, and when a distribution unit detects a user's visit based on an active action via the user's terminal, the distribution unit distributes information about a winning entry in a free sample at the store to the user's terminal, and a control unit controls subsequent content distribution and bonus granting via the user's terminal to users who receive a free sample based on the winning information.

This makes it possible to realize favorable support for store usage for both the service provider (store, agency) and the service recipient (user). For the service provider, winning a free sample at the store (a free gift) can serve as a springboard for the user of the user terminal to engage in subsequent purchasing activities. For the service recipient, the user can receive a free sample at the store, as well as receive useful (value) content and benefits afterwards.

Conventional sample distribution was done unilaterally by the store to the customer at the time of payment at the register (it was essentially a case of handing out samples), which made it difficult to pick up customer feedback and was not very useful. In other words, the only information that could be obtained from the campaign was the total number of samples distributed and a comparison of sales in the actual distribution, making it difficult to grasp the extent of the impact of the sample distribution.

In contrast, this embodiment does not just distribute samples in a one-way manner, but also implements a function that links user feedback (pre-surveys, post-surveys) with purchasing activity via ID. By utilizing IDs to realize measurements, it is possible to increase the number of ongoing cases and generate benefits by distributing more samples to users. In addition, the measures of this embodiment can reveal information including actual distribution, distributor ID, number of distributions (cumulative/by store), distribution date and time by ID, samples distributed by ID (which samples were distributed by ID (by product)), survey responses by ID, purchase verification by ID, analysis report by ID, app ad distribution by ID, DSP ad distribution by ID, SNS ad distribution by ID, content distribution by ID, etc.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the user terminal 10 and the store usage support server 20. As shown in Figure 7, the user terminal 10 and the store usage support server 20 have a control unit 110, a memory unit 120, a communication unit 130, an input unit 140, and an output unit 150. Note that Figure 7 shows an example of the functional blocks of the user terminal 10 and the store usage support server 20, and they may have other functional blocks not shown in Figure 7. Also, they may be configured not to include some of the functional blocks.

The control unit 110 controls the user terminal 10 and the store usage support server 20. The control unit 110 can be configured as a controller, control circuit, or control device that is described based on a common understanding in the technical field related to the present invention.

The memory unit 120 stores information used by the user terminal 10 and the store usage support server 20. The memory unit 120 can be configured, for example, with a memory, storage, storage device, etc. that are described based on a common understanding in the technical field related to the present invention.

The communication unit 130 performs communication between the user terminal 10 and the store usage support server 20 (e.g., mutual communication between the two). The communication unit 130 can be configured with a transmitter/receiver, a transmission/reception circuit, or a transmission/reception device that is described based on a common understanding in the technical field related to the present invention. The communication unit 130 may be configured with a transmission unit and a reception unit.

The input unit 140 accepts inputs at the user terminal 10 and the store usage support server 20. The input unit 140 may also be connected to a specific device, storage medium, etc., and accept data input. The input unit 140 may output the input results to, for example, the control unit 110. The input unit 140 may be configured with input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, and buttons, input/output terminals, input/output circuits, etc., which are described based on common understanding in the technical field related to the present invention. The input unit 140 may also be configured as an integrated unit with a display unit (for example, a touch panel).

The output unit 150 performs output on the user terminal 10 and the store usage support server 20. For example, the output unit 150 may be configured to include a display unit that displays images, an audio output unit that outputs audio, and the like. The display unit may be configured, for example, by a display device such as a display or monitor that is described based on a common understanding in the technical field related to the present invention. Furthermore, the audio output unit may be configured by an output device such as a speaker that is described based on a common understanding in the technical field related to the present invention.

The block diagrams used to explain the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of hardware and/or software. Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the means of realizing each functional block. That is, each functional block may be realized by a single physically connected device, or may be realized by two or more physically separated devices connected by wire or wirelessly.

For example, the devices (user terminal 10 and store usage support server 20) in one embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs the store usage support processing of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the user terminal 10 and the store usage support server 20. The above-mentioned user terminal 10 and store usage support server 20 may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, memory 1002, storage 1003, communication device 1004, input device 1005, output device 1006, bus 1007, etc.

In this disclosure, the terms apparatus, circuit, device, unit, server, etc. may be used interchangeably. The hardware configuration of the user terminal 10 and the store usage support server 20 may be configured to include one or more of the devices shown in the figure, or may be configured to exclude some of the devices.

For example, although only one processor 1001 is shown, there may be multiple processors. Furthermore, processing may be performed by one processor, or processing may be performed by two or more processors simultaneously, sequentially, or using other techniques. Furthermore, the processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips.

The functions of the user terminal 10 and the store usage support server 20 are realized by loading specific software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and memory 1002, causing the processor 1001 to perform calculations and control communication via the communication device 1004, and the reading and/or writing of data in the memory 1002 and storage 1003, etc.

The processor 1001, for example, operates an operating system to control the entire computer. The processor 1001 may be configured as a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. Each unit, such as the control unit 110 described above, may be realized by the processor 1001.

The processor 1001 also reads out programs (program codes), software modules, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002, and executes various processes according to these. The programs used are those that cause a computer to execute at least some of the operations described in the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, the control unit 110 may be realized by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and running on the processor 1001, and similar implementations may be made for other functional blocks.

The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be composed of at least one of, for example, a Read Only Memory (ROM), an Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), an Electrically EPROM (EEPROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), or other suitable storage medium. The memory 1002 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory, or the like. The memory 1002 may store executable programs (program codes), software modules, and the like for implementing a method according to one embodiment.

Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be composed of at least one of a flexible disk, a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM)), a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), a removable disk, a hard disk drive, a smart card, a flash memory device (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a magnetic stripe, a database, a server, and other suitable storage media. Storage 1003 may be called an auxiliary storage device. Note that the above-mentioned storage unit 120 may be realized by memory 1002 and/or storage 1003.

The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission/reception device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module. The communication device 1004 may include a SIM card. The above-mentioned communication unit 130 may be realized by the communication device 1004.

The input device 1005 is an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, etc.) that accepts input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (e.g., a display, a speaker, etc.) that performs output to the outside. The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one (e.g., a touch panel). The above-mentioned input unit 140 and output unit 150 may be realized by the input device 1005 and the output device 1006, respectively.

In addition, each device such as the processor 1001 and memory 1002 is connected by a bus 1008 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured as a single bus, or may be configured with different buses between the devices.

The user terminal 10 and the store usage support server 20 may also be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented by at least one of these pieces of hardware.

(Modification)
In addition, terms explained in this disclosure and/or terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings.

The information, parameters, etc. described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, may be expressed using relative values from a predetermined value, or may be expressed using other corresponding information. Furthermore, the names used for parameters, etc. in this disclosure are not limiting in any way.

The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

Information, signals, etc. may be input and output via multiple network nodes. The input and output information, signals, etc. may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or may be managed using a table. The input and output information, signals, etc. may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information, signals, etc. may be deleted. Input information, signals, etc. may be transmitted to another device.

In addition, notification of specific information (e.g., notification that "X is the case") is not limited to explicit notification, but may be implicit (e.g., by not notifying the specific information or by notifying other information).

Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted and received via at least one of a transmission medium and a signal waveform. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using at least one of wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)) and wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then at least one of these wired and wireless technologies is included within the definition of a transmission medium.

As used in this disclosure, the terms "system" and "network" may be used interchangeably.

Each aspect/embodiment described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched between depending on the implementation. In addition, the processing procedures, sequences, flow charts, etc. of each aspect/embodiment described in this disclosure may be rearranged as long as there is no inconsistency. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an exemplary order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

Any reference to elements using designations such as "first," "second," etc., used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient way to distinguish between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must precede the second element in some way.

When the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Additionally, the term "or," as used in this disclosure, is not intended to be an exclusive or.

In this disclosure, where articles have been added through translation, such as a, an, and the in English, this disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

Although the invention disclosed herein has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the invention disclosed herein is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The invention disclosed herein can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the disclosure is intended as an illustrative example and does not impose any limiting meaning on the invention disclosed herein.

In the above embodiment, an active action via a user terminal (user's terminal) was described as an example of bringing the user terminal close to (holding) an NFC tag, but the active action via the user terminal (user's terminal) has a degree of freedom, and various design modifications are possible. For example, it is also possible to substitute an action such as vibrating the user terminal at a specified position, reading specified identification information (e.g., a QR code (registered trademark)), or connecting to Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

1. Store usage support device (store usage support system)
2. Drugstore (store)
3. NFC (Near Field Communication) tag (detection unit)
4 Medicine booth 5 Cosmetics booth 6 Supplements booth 7 Food booth 8 Beverage booth 9 Health equipment booth 10 User terminal 20 Store usage support server 21 Application download guidance unit 22 Distribution unit 23 Control unit 30 Network

A store usage support device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is installed in a store and comprises a detection unit that detects a user's visit based on an active action taken via a user terminal at the store , a distribution unit that distributes winning information about a sample product at the store to the user terminal when the user's visit is detected based on the active action taken via the user terminal at the store, and a control unit that controls subsequent content distribution and bonus granting via the user terminal to the user who receives the sample product based on the winning information , wherein the distribution unit distributes information about the remaining number of sample products at the store together with the winning information about the sample product at the store to the user terminal, and when the remaining number of sample products at the store is less than a predetermined number, distributes information about the remaining number of sample products at the other stores together with winning information about the sample products at the other stores to the user terminal .

Claims (9)

a detection unit that is installed in a store and detects a user's visit to the store based on an active action taken via a user terminal;
a distribution unit that distributes winning information about a free sample at the store to the user terminal when the user's visit to the store is detected based on an active action via the user terminal;
a control unit that controls subsequent content delivery and special offer via the user terminal to the user who has received the sample based on the winning information;
A store usage support device comprising: When the visit of the user to a store is detected based on an active action via the user terminal, the distribution unit distributes a pre-questionnaire via the user terminal, and when a response to the pre-questionnaire is obtained, distributes winning information of a free sample at the store to the user terminal.
2. The store utilization support device according to claim 1. the control unit distributes a post-event questionnaire via the user terminal, and when a response to the post-event questionnaire is obtained, executes post-event content distribution and benefit provision via the user terminal.
3. The store utilization support device according to claim 2. The pre-questionnaire is about an image of the sample before use,
The post-questionnaire is about the impression of the sample after use of the sample,
The content distribution includes the post-questionnaire, and also includes information about the sample and related information thereof;
The reward includes at least one of points/coupons that can be used at the store, winning information for another sample related to the sample, and winning information for a regular product of the sample.
4. The store utilization support device according to claim 3. The distribution unit distributes to the user terminal information on the remaining number of the sample products at the store together with information on the winning of the sample products at the store.
2. The store utilization support device according to claim 1. When the number of the free samples remaining at the store is less than a predetermined number, the distribution unit distributes to the user terminal information on the number of free samples remaining at the other stores together with information on the free sample winnings at the other stores.
6. The store utilization support device according to claim 5. The control unit monitors, for each identification information of the user terminal, information on winning a sample at the store, responses to a pre-questionnaire and a post-questionnaire via the user terminal before and after receiving the sample at the store, and changes in the user's purchasing activity via the user terminal.
2. The store utilization support device according to claim 1. detecting, by a detection unit installed in the store, that a user has come to the store based on an active action taken via the user terminal;
When the visit of the user to the store is detected based on an active action via the user terminal, a distribution unit distributes winning information of a free sample at the store to the user terminal;
a step of controlling, by a control unit, subsequent content distribution and special offer via the user terminal to the user who has received the sample based on the winning information;
A store utilization support method comprising the steps of: detecting, by a detection unit installed in the store, that a user has come to the store based on an active action taken via the user terminal;
When the visit of the user to the store is detected based on an active action via the user terminal, a distribution unit distributes winning information of a free sample at the store to the user terminal;
a step of controlling, by a control unit, subsequent content distribution and special offer via the user terminal to the user who has received the sample based on the winning information;
A store utilization support program that causes a computer to execute the above steps.