Path estimation device

Abstract

The present application can simply and at low cost estimate a moving path of a customer in a store. A path estimation device has: a purchase article information acquisition unit that acquires article identification information of an article for which a user makes a settlement at a settlement place in a store; a store location determination unit that determines store location information corresponding to the article identification information of the article for which the settlement is made, based on an article location storage unit that stores the article identification information in association with store location information that is information indicating a location in the store where the article identified by the article identification information is disposed; a marker plotting unit that, for the determined store location information, plots, at a corresponding location on a plan view of the store, a marker indicating the article identified by the article identification information corresponding to each store location information; and a path generation unit that, on the plan view, traces a line connecting between the plotted markers in a prescribed rule, and generates store path information indicating a path estimated to be moved by the user in the store.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a technique for estimating the path a customer takes within a store. Background Technology

[0002] Improving the product mix in a store helps to understand customer needs, increase customer satisfaction, and drive sales growth, making it an extremely important issue in business operations.

[0003] On the other hand, understanding and analyzing the paths customers take while shopping is an important task in order to optimize the configuration of goods in the store.

[0004] Against this backdrop, various technologies for tracking customers’ movement paths within a store have been developed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses the following technology: by analyzing images captured by cameras installed in the store, the location of each customer can be obtained in real time, thereby obtaining information about the customer’s movement path.

[0005] Existing technical documents Patent documents Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-174271 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve However, the aforementioned existing technologies have many problems. For example, they require the installation of cameras, beacons, and other devices within the store, and the analysis of information collected by these devices is also necessary, leading to a complex system structure and potentially high equipment investment costs. Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a simple and low-cost path estimation device for estimating the movement path of customers within a store.

[0007] Technical solutions to solve technical problems One aspect of the path estimation device disclosed herein is characterized by comprising: a purchase goods information acquisition unit that acquires goods identification information of goods purchased by a user at the checkout counter in a store; a store location determination unit that determines the store location information corresponding to the goods identification information of the purchased goods based on a goods location storage unit that stores the goods identification information in association with store location information, wherein the store location information is information indicating the location of the goods identified by the goods identification information within the store; a marking and plotting unit that, for the determined store location information, plots marks representing the goods identified by the goods identification information corresponding to each of the store location information at corresponding positions on a floor plan of the store; and a path generation unit that draws lines connecting the plotted marks on the floor plan according to prescribed rules to generate store path information representing the path estimated to be the user's movement within the store.

[0008] Invention Effects The path estimation device disclosed herein can easily and cost-effectively estimate the movement path of customers within a store. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an outline of the path estimation device in this embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a functional block diagram of the path estimation device in this embodiment.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the product location storage unit in this embodiment.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a diagram used to illustrate the processing of the marker plotting unit and the path generation unit in this embodiment.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the path estimation device in this embodiment.

[0014] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow of the path estimation device in this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] (Working principle of the path estimation device in this embodiment) use Figures 1 to 4 The working principle of the path estimation device (hereinafter referred to as "this device") 100 of this embodiment will be explained. Figure 1 This diagram shows the connection relationship between this device 100 and other devices. Figure 2 This is a functional block diagram of device 100. Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating the constituent elements of the device 100.

[0017] like Figure 1 As shown, this device 100 is connected via a communication network 310 to a POS (Point of Sales) system where goods 240 are settled at the checkout counter 230 of store 210. The communication network 310 can be a wired communication network or a wireless communication network. This device 100 obtains the product identification information 250 of the goods 240 settled by user 300 at the checkout counter 230 of store 210 via the POS system.

[0018] like Figure 2As shown, the device 100 includes a product location storage unit 110, a product purchase information acquisition unit 120, an in-store location determination unit 130, a marker plotting unit 140, and a path generation unit 150.

[0019] The product location storage unit 110 associates and stores product identification information 250 that identifies the product 240 sold in the store 210 with in-store location information 260 that indicates the location of the product 240 identified by the product identification information 250 within the store 210. Alternatively, the device 100 may not directly possess a product location storage unit 110, but can utilize the product location storage unit 110 via a communication network 310.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a product location storage unit 110. (For example...) Figure 3 As shown, in the product location storage unit 110, for example, product names (product ①, product ②, etc.) are stored in association with product identification information 250 (xxxx1, xxxx2, etc.) and store location information 260 (3-5, 6-2, etc.). Here, store location information 260 (AB) represents the location of the shelf in store 210, which is column A from the right and row B from the top. Alternatively, other methods can be used to represent the location.

[0021] Purchase information acquisition unit 120 acquires product identification information 250 of the product 240 that user 300 pays for at checkout 230 in store 210. Purchase information acquisition unit 120 may also acquire product identification information 250 of the product 240 that user 300 pays for through a POS system.

[0022] like Figure 3 As shown, the product purchase information acquisition unit 120, for example, acquires product identification information 250 for product ①, product ②, etc. purchased by user 300: xxxx1, xxxx2, etc.

[0023] The in-store location determination unit 130 refers to the product location storage unit 110 and determines the in-store location information 260 corresponding to the product identification information 250 obtained by the purchase product information acquisition unit 120.

[0024] like Figure 3 As shown, the in-store location determination unit 130, for example, determines the corresponding in-store location information 260 (3-5, 6-2, etc.) based on the product identification information 250 (xxxx1, xxxx2, ...) obtained by the product information acquisition unit 120 and with reference to the product location storage unit 110.

[0025] The marking and plotting unit 140 plots the corresponding position of the product 240 identified by the product identification information 250 in the floor plan 270 of the store 210 for the store location information 260 determined by the store location determination unit 130.

[0026] Figure 4 This is an example diagram showing a floor plan 270 within shop 210. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the marking and plotting unit 140, for example, plots the markings 280 representing the products 240: product ①, product ②, etc. on the floor plan 270 based on the store location information 260: 3-5, 6-2, etc. determined by the store location determination unit 130.

[0027] The path generation unit 150 generates in-store path information 290, which represents the estimated path of the user 300 moving within the store 210, by drawing lines on the floor plan 270 between the markers 280 drawn by the marker drawing unit 140 according to prescribed rules.

[0028] Here, the path generation unit 150 may draw a line on the plan view 270 connecting the markers 280 from the side near the store entrance 220 to the side away from the store entrance 220.

[0029] like Figure 4 As shown, the path generation unit 150, for example, draws a line on the floor plan 270 from the mark 280 of the product ① closest to the store entrance 220 to the mark 280 of the second closest product ②, and then draws a line from the mark 280 of the second closest product ② to the mark 280 of the third closest product ③. Similarly, the path generation unit 150 draws lines from the mark 280 of product ③ to the mark 280 of product ④, from the mark 280 of product ④ to the corresponding mark 280 of product ⑤, and from the mark 280 of product ⑤ to the mark 280 of product ⑥.

[0030] Through this process, it is possible to infer the movement path that user 300 took when shopping in store 210, thereby obtaining basic information for analyzing and improving the product configuration of store 210.

[0031] The path generation unit 150 can also draw a line on the floor plan 270 connecting the marker farthest from the store entrance 220 in the marker 280 to the checkout counter 230.

[0032] In addition, the path generation unit 150 may also draw a line on the plan view 270 connecting the store entrance 220 and the marker in the marker 280 that is closest to the store entrance 220.

[0033] Through this process, it is possible to infer the movement path that user 300 took from the store entrance 220 to the checkout 230 when shopping in store 210, thereby obtaining basic information for analyzing and improving the product configuration of store 210.

[0034] Furthermore, the path generation unit 150 can set each line connecting the store entrance 220, the marker 280, and the checkout counter 230 as a directed line segment pointing from the store entrance 220 to the checkout counter 230. In this way, the user 300's movement path within the store 210, including the direction of movement, is clearly visible.

[0035] like Figure 4 As shown, the path generation unit 150, for example, draws lines on the floor plan 270 from the store entrance 220 to the marker 280 of the product ① closest to the store entrance 220, and from the marker 280 of the product ⑥ farthest from the store entrance 220 to the checkout 230.

[0036] Based on the above working principle, this device 100 can easily and cost-effectively estimate the movement path of customer 300 within store 210 without the need for sensors such as cameras or beacons, or for analyzing the data collected by such devices.

[0037] (Hardware configuration of the path estimation device in this embodiment) use Figure 5 Here is an example of the hardware configuration of this device 100. Figure 5 This diagram illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of the device 100. (See diagram below.) Figure 5 As shown, the device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 510, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 520, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 530, an auxiliary storage device 540, a communication I / F 550, an input device 560, a display device 570, and a storage medium I / F 580.

[0038] CPU 510 is a device that executes programs stored in ROM 520. It processes data loaded into RAM 530 according to program commands and controls the entire device 100. ROM 520 stores the programs and data executed by CPU 510. RAM 530 loads the executed programs and data while CPU 510 executes the programs stored in ROM 520, and temporarily stores the processed data during the computation.

[0039] The auxiliary storage device 540 is a device that stores the operating system (OS) or the application program of this embodiment, which are the basic software, together with related data. The auxiliary storage device 540 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory.

[0040] The Communication I / F 550 is an interface for connecting to a wired / wireless LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, or other communication networks 310, and for sending and receiving data with other devices (such as POS systems) that provide communication functions.

[0041] Input device 560 is a device such as a keyboard used for inputting data into this device 100. Display device (output device) 570 is a device composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, serving as a user interface for the user to utilize the functions of this device 100 or to perform various settings. Storage medium I / F 580 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data with storage media 590 such as CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, and USB memory.

[0042] The units included in this device 100 can also be implemented by the CPU 510 executing programs corresponding to each unit stored in the ROM 520 or auxiliary storage device 540. Alternatively, the units included in this device 100 can be implemented as hardware to handle the processing associated with each unit. Furthermore, the program of this invention can be read from an external server device via communication I / F 550 or from storage medium 590 via storage medium I / F 580, and the device 100 can execute the program.

[0043] (Processing example of the path estimation device in this embodiment) use Figure 6 The process flow of the processing example of this device 100 will be explained. Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of this device 100.

[0044] In S10, the purchase information acquisition unit 120 acquires the product identification information 250 of the product 240 that the user 300 is settling at in the checkout counter 230 within the store 210. The purchase information acquisition unit 120 may also acquire the product identification information 250 of the product 240 that the user 300 is settling at via a POS system.

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, the product purchase information acquisition unit 120, for example, acquires product identification information 250 for product ①, product ②, etc. purchased by user 300: xxxx1, xxxx2, etc.

[0046] In S20, the in-store location determination unit 130 refers to the product location storage unit 110 to determine the in-store location information 260 corresponding to the product identification information 250 obtained in S10.

[0047] like Figure 3 As shown, the in-store location determination unit 130, for example, determines the in-store location information 260 (3-5, 6-2, etc.) based on the product identification information 250 (xxxx1, xxxx2, ...) obtained by the product information acquisition unit 120 and with reference to the product location storage unit 110.

[0048] In S30, the marking and plotting unit 140 plots a mark 280 on the floor plan 270 within the store 210 for the corresponding position of the store location information 260 determined in S20, representing the product 240 identified by the product identification information 250 corresponding to each store location information 260.

[0049] Figure 4 This is an example diagram showing a floor plan 270 within shop 210. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the marking and plotting unit 140, for example, plots the markings 280 representing the products 240: product ①, product ②, etc. on the floor plan 270 based on the store location information 260: 3-5, 6-2, etc. determined by the store location determination unit 130.

[0050] In S40, the path generation unit 150 draws lines on the plan 270 that will connect the markers 280 drawn in S30 according to a prescribed rule, thereby generating in-store path information 290 that represents the path presumed to be the path of the user 300 moving within the store 210.

[0051] Here, the path generation unit 150 may also use a method of drawing a line on the plan view 270 connecting the markers 280 from the side closer to the store entrance 220 toward the side farther from the store entrance 220.

[0052] like Figure 4 As shown, the path generation unit 150, for example, on the floor plan 270, draws a line from the marker 280 of the product ① closest to the store entrance 220 to the marker 280 of the second closest product ②, and then draws a line from the marker 280 of the second closest product ② to the marker 280 of the third closest product ③. Similarly, the path generation unit 150 draws lines from the marker 280 of product ③ to the marker 280 of product ④, from the marker 280 of product ④ to the marker 280 of product ⑤, and from the marker 280 of product ⑤ to the marker 280 of product ⑥.

[0053] Through this process, it is possible to estimate the movement path that user 300 took when shopping in store 210, thereby obtaining basic information for analyzing and improving the product configuration of store 210.

[0054] In addition, in S40, the path generation unit 150 may draw a line on the floor plan 270 connecting the marker farthest from the store entrance 220 among the markers 280 with the checkout counter 230.

[0055] Furthermore, in S40, the path generation unit 150 may also draw a line on the plan view 270 connecting the store entrance 220 and the marker in the marker 280 that is closest to the store entrance 220.

[0056] Through this process, it is possible to estimate the movement path that user 300 took from the store entrance 220 to the checkout 230 when shopping in store 210, thereby obtaining basic information for analyzing and improving the product configuration of store 210.

[0057] Furthermore, the path generation unit 150 can define each line connecting the store entrance 220, the marker 280, and the checkout counter 230 as a directed line segment pointing from the store entrance 220 to the checkout counter 230. In this way, the user 300's movement path within the store 210, including the direction of movement, can be clearly seen.

[0058] like Figure 4 As shown, the path generation unit 150, for example, on the floor plan 270, draws lines from the store entrance 220 to the marker 280 of the product ① closest to the store entrance 220, and from the marker 280 of the product 6 farthest from the store entrance 220 to the checkout 230.

[0059] Based on the above working principle, this device 100 can easily and cost-effectively estimate the movement path of customer 300 within store 210 without the need for sensors such as cameras or beacons, or for analyzing the data obtained by such devices.

[0060] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Various modifications and alterations can be made within the scope of the spirit of the present invention as set forth in the claims.

[0061] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 100 Path estimation device 110 Product Location Storage Unit 120 Purchase Product Information Acquisition Unit Unit 130 for determining the location within the store 140 Marking and plotting units 150 path generation units Shop 210 220 Store Entrance 230 Settlement Office 240 products 250 Product Identification Information 260 Store Location Information 270 Floor Plan 280 marks 290 Store Route Information 300 users 310 Communication Network 510 CPU 520 ROM 530 RAM 540 Auxiliary storage device 550 communication interface 560 Input Device 570 Output Device 580 Storage Media Interface 590 Storage medium.

Claims

1. A path estimation device, characterized in that, have: The purchase information acquisition unit acquires the product identification information of the products that the user pays for at the checkout counter in the store; The in-store location determination unit determines the in-store location information corresponding to the product identification information of the settled product based on the product location storage unit that stores the product identification information in association with the in-store location information, wherein the in-store location information is information indicating the location of the product identified by the product identification information in the store; A marking and plotting unit, for the determined in-store location information, plots a mark representing the product identified by the product identification information at the corresponding position on the in-store floor plan; and The path generation unit draws lines connecting the marked points on the floor plan according to prescribed rules, generating in-store path information that represents the path presumed to be the user's movement within the store.

2. The path estimation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The path generation unit draws a line on the floor plan connecting the marked markers from the side closest to the store entrance toward the side furthest from the store entrance.

3. The path estimation device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The path generation unit draws a line on the floor plan connecting the marker furthest from the store entrance among the plotted markers to the checkout counter.

4. The path estimation device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The path generation unit draws a line on the floor plan connecting the store entrance to the marker closest to the store entrance among the marked markers.

5. A path estimation method, characterized in that, include: The steps for the purchase information acquisition unit to obtain the product identification information of the products that the user pays at the checkout counter in the store; The in-store location determination unit determines the in-store location information corresponding to the product identification information of the settled product based on the product location storage unit that stores the product identification information in association with the in-store location information, wherein the in-store location information is information indicating the location of the product identified by the product identification information in the store; The marking and plotting unit, for the determined in-store location information, plots a mark representing the product identified by the product identification information at the corresponding position on the in-store floor plan; and The step of the path generation unit drawing lines connecting the marked points on the floor plan according to prescribed rules to generate in-store path information representing the path presumed to be the user's movement within the store.

6. The path estimation method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The path generation unit draws a line on the floor plan connecting the marked markers from the side closest to the store entrance toward the side furthest from the store entrance.

7. The path estimation method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The path generation unit draws a line on the floor plan connecting the marker furthest from the store entrance among the plotted markers to the checkout counter.

8. The path estimation method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The path generation unit draws a line on the floor plan connecting the store entrance to the marker closest to the store entrance among the marked markers.

9. A path estimation procedure, characterized in that, Used to cause a computer to perform the method described in any one of claims 5 to 8.

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