Shop service system

Abstract

Provided is a system capable of giving preferences to customers in accordance with the situation of a shop side that wants to suppress a conversation for dispersing droplets. A portable terminal (3) carried by a customer executes a privilege application installed at the time of coming into a store. A voice data collection unit (322) which compares the voice included in the voice collected by the microphone with the voice sample, extracts the voice data of the conversation of the customer, and collects the voice data of the conversation of the customer, as a voice sample registration unit (321) which registers the voice sample of the customer; and a conversation performance information generation unit (323) that generates conversation performance information indicating the conversation status of the customer by analyzing the voice data. The payment terminal (6) of the store has a preference determination unit (62) that determines the provision of a preference to the customer and the content of the preference on the basis of the conversation performance information displayed on the screen of the portable terminal (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a store service system, and more particularly to providing a service having a suppressing effect on loud conversations. Background Art

[0002] In the case of infectious diseases that are transmitted by droplets, preventing the spread of droplets is an effective measure to prevent infection.

[0003] In restaurants and other establishments, it's not uncommon for close friends to engage in lively conversation. When the atmosphere heats up, they often talk loudly. Consequently, the spread of respiratory droplets is inevitable. Even if staff notice such loud conversations, it's difficult for them to call attention to them.

[0004] Therefore, if possible, expect customers to take care to behave in a way that keeps loud conversations as controlled as possible.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-076315

[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-213278

[0009] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-225793 Summary of the Invention

[0010] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0011] However, even if customers cooperate with the store by voluntarily refraining from talking loudly, there has been no system that provides discounts commensurate with their actions. Furthermore, if customers are notified in advance that a store has implemented a system that provides discounts for refraining from loud talking, this could help curb loud talking.

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a system that can provide benefits to customers according to the situation of a store that wants to suppress conversations such as the spread of droplets.

[0013] Means used to solve problems

[0014] The store service system of the present invention is characterized in that it has: a generating unit that generates conversation performance information, which represents the performance of conversations conducted by store users in the process of using the store; a determining unit that determines the benefits to be provided to the user based on the status of the user's conversation that can be determined from the conversation performance information; and a granting unit that grants the user the benefits determined by the determining unit.

[0015] Furthermore, the feature is that the decision unit decides to grant the benefit to the user when the conversation status of the user satisfies a predetermined conversation restriction condition.

[0016] Furthermore, the conversation record information is characterized in that it is at least one of the volume and duration of the user's conversation.

[0017] In addition, the feature is that it comprises: an information processing device possessed by the store; and a portable terminal carried by the user when using the store, the information processing device having a downloading unit for downloading the application to the portable terminal, the portable terminal collecting the sound of the user's conversation by executing the application obtained from the information processing device, and the generation unit generating the conversation performance information by analyzing the user's voice data contained in the conversation whose sound is collected.

[0018] Furthermore, the application is characterized in that the portable terminal functions as the generating means, the determining means, and a means for displaying the content of the benefit determined by the determining means.

[0019] Furthermore, the application is characterized in that the portable terminal functions as the generating means, the determining means, and a means for transmitting the content of the preferential treatment determined by the determining means to the information processing device.

[0020] Effects of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a system that can provide benefits to customers according to the situation of a store that wants to suppress conversations such as the spread of droplets. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a store to which one embodiment of the store service system of the present invention is applied.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of the store service system in Implementation Method 1.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the portable terminal in the first embodiment.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of the store service system in Implementation Method 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Implementation method 1.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a store that uses an embodiment of the attention reminder system of the present invention. In this embodiment, a restaurant is used as an example of a store. Figure 1 FIG2 shows a schematic diagram of a restaurant lobby 1, with portions omitted. In a restaurant, food and beverages are served to customers in lobby 1. Tables 2, where customers, or customers, are seated, are arranged neatly in lobby 1. Also located in lobby 1 is an access point (AP) 4 for wireless connection to the restaurant's communication equipment and portable terminals 3 carried by customers. For security reasons, multiple access points 4 may be provided to connect the restaurant's communication equipment and portable terminals 3 carried by customers to different wireless networks.

[0029] A checkout terminal 6 is disposed near an entrance 5 of the lobby 1. A store management device 8 is also installed in a predetermined location within the store, typically a room such as a staff room where customers are prohibited from entering.

[0030] Portable terminal 3 is a portable communication device carried by the customer. In this embodiment, a smartphone is assumed, but it is not limited to smartphones as long as the applications described below can be installed and executed. Portable terminal 3 can be implemented using a common hardware structure that has long existed. Specifically, portable terminal 3 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, storage as a storage unit, a network interface as a communication unit, and a liquid crystal panel as a user interface. Furthermore, portable terminal 3 includes a built-in microphone as a sound collection unit, a camera as a camera unit, and a speaker as a sound output unit.

[0031] The checkout terminal 6 in this embodiment is one of the communication devices in a store. It is an information processing device that functions as a cash register, calculating the amount charged to customers. The checkout terminal 6 can be implemented using a conventional, general-purpose hardware structure. Specifically, the checkout terminal 6 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, memory as storage, a network interface as communication, and a touch panel as a user interface.

[0032] The store management device 8 in this embodiment is an information processing device equipped with functions such as restaurant sales management and employee schedule management. The store management device 8 can be implemented using a common hardware structure, such as a personal computer (PC). Specifically, the store management device is constructed by connecting a CPU, ROM, RAM, a hard disk drive (HDD) as a storage unit, a network interface as a communication unit, a user interface including input units such as a mouse and keyboard, and a display unit such as a monitor, to an internal bus.

[0033] Figure 2 The store service system in this embodiment has a block diagram. The store service system has a portable terminal 3 and a checkout terminal 6. In addition, the portable terminals 3 used by multiple customers all have the functions described below. Figure 2 Only one portable terminal 3 is shown in the figure.

[0034] The portable terminal 3 includes an installation unit 31 , an application execution unit 32 , a voice data storage unit 33 , and a temporary storage unit 34 . Components not used in the description of this embodiment are omitted from the drawing.

[0035] The installation unit 31 installs applications provided by the store. The application execution unit 32 executes the application installed by the installation unit 31. The application execution unit 32 includes a voice sample registration unit 321, a voice data collection unit 322, a conversation performance information generation unit 323, and a display control unit 324. These components 321-324 correspond to the functions performed by executing the application.

[0036] The voice sample registration unit 321 acquires sample data (hereinafter referred to as "voice samples") of the voice of a store user (equivalent to the aforementioned "customer") carrying a portable terminal 3. The voice data collection unit 322 records conversations conducted by the customer while inside the store and stores the voice of the customer carrying the portable terminal 3, as voice data, in the voice data storage unit 33. Voice data can be collected while an application is running. Therefore, "while the customer is inside the store" strictly refers to the period from when the customer launches an application (described later) and selects a designated conversation start button displayed on the screen until they select an conversation end button. Furthermore, the microphone may also collect the customer's conversation using the portable terminal 3, along with conversations with other customers and surrounding noise. Therefore, the voice data collection unit 322 compares the voice extracted from the collected sound with the voice sample to extract the voice of the customer using the portable terminal 3 as voice data. The conversation record information generation unit 323 analyzes the voice data collected by the voice data collection unit 322 to generate conversation record information representing the customer's conversation record. The display control unit 324 controls the display of the conversation record information on the liquid crystal panel.

[0037] Each component 31 and 32 in the portable terminal 3 is implemented by the cooperative operation of a computer installed in the portable terminal 3 and a program executed by the CPU installed in the computer. In addition, each storage unit 33 and 34 is implemented by a memory installed in the portable terminal 3. Alternatively, RAM or external storage means may be used via a network.

[0038] The checkout terminal 6 includes a download unit 61, a benefit determination unit 62, and a checkout processing unit 63. Components not used in the description of this embodiment are omitted from the drawing.

[0039] The download unit 61 downloads an application (hereinafter referred to as "discount application") used to grant discounts to customers in this embodiment to the portable terminal 3. The discount determination unit 62 determines the discount to be granted to the customer based on the status of the customer's conversation that can be determined from the conversation performance information displayed on the portable terminal 3. In this embodiment, when the clerk inputs the discount to be granted to the customer from the prescribed screen displayed on the checkout terminal 6 by referring to the conversation performance information displayed on the portable terminal 3, the discount determination unit 62 determines the discount to be granted to the customer based on the clerk's input. The checkout processing unit 63 performs checkout processing such as calculating the requested amount for the customer, but reflects the discount determined by the discount determination unit 62 in the requested amount. That is, the checkout processing unit 63 in this embodiment has a function as a discount granting unit.

[0040] Each component 61 to 63 in the checkout terminal 6 is implemented by the cooperation of a computer installed in the checkout terminal 6 and a program executed by the CPU installed in the computer.

[0041] In addition, the application used in this embodiment is provided by the communication unit, and can also be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a USB memory. The program provided from the communication unit or the recording medium is installed in the computer, and the computer's CPU sequentially executes the program to implement various processes.

[0042] Next, the operation in this embodiment will be described.

[0043] In this embodiment, whether to grant a discount is determined based on the customer's conversation situation. If a discount is granted, it is reflected in the requested amount. In order to grant a discount, it is necessary to install the discount application on the portable terminal 3 carried by the customer in advance. Part of the characteristic processing of this embodiment is executed on the portable terminal 3 side where the discount application is installed. Figure 3The flowchart shown in FIG will explain the processing executed by the portable terminal 3 before the customer receives the discount. In addition, the conversation is conducted by a group of customers including multiple customers, but for the sake of convenience, in the following description, first, the description is focused on one customer.

[0044] When a customer arrives at a store and enters lobby 1 from entrance 5, the clerk explains that there are preferential services available to the customer based on the conversation. Furthermore, the clerk explains that in order to use the preferential services, an application provided by the store must be installed on the customer's portable terminal 3, and requests the customer to install the preferential application.

[0045] Upon hearing about the benefits, the customer accepts installation of the designated discount app. For example, by reading a specified QR code (registered trademark) attached near entrance 5, a URL is displayed on the screen. The customer selects the URL displayed on the screen. The download unit 61 is activated in response to the URL selection operation and downloads the discount app to the portable terminal 3. In this way, the discount app is installed on the portable terminal 3 (step 110).

[0046] Furthermore, if the customer does not have their portable terminal 3 with them, they can also lend the customer a portable terminal 3 with the promotion app installed. Furthermore, the promotion app installation method on the portable terminal 3 is not limited to the method described above. For example, the promotion app can be downloaded and installed via a beacon installed in the lobby 1 after the customer has taken their seat at table 2.

[0047] After being seated at table 2, as directed by the staff, the customer launches the discount app according to the staff's instructions. After launching the discount app, if a voice sample has not yet been registered, the voice sample registration unit 321 is activated. The voice sample registration unit 321 displays instructions for registering a voice sample on the screen. Following the displayed instructions, the customer inputs a voice. After the customer inputs a voice sample, the voice sample registration unit 321 temporarily stores the voice sample as a voice sample in the temporary storage unit 34.

[0048] After the voice sample is registered, the benefit application displays a predetermined conversation start button on the screen. When the user selects the conversation start button, the voice data collection unit 322 starts operating. In addition, when the user selects the conversation start button, an end conversation button is displayed on the screen.

[0049] After starting, the voice data collection unit 322 collects the customer's conversation using the built-in microphone of the portable terminal 3. The voice data collection unit 322 then analyzes the collected sound to extract the voice. By comparing the extracted voice with the voice sample, the voice of the customer using the portable terminal 3 is extracted as voice data. The voice data collection unit 322 then stores the extracted customer's voice as voice data in the voice data storage unit 33 (step 130).

[0050] In order to easily pick up the voice of the owner of the portable terminal 3 as described above, the customer preferably places the portable terminal 3 on the table in advance. While the customer is enjoying the conversation, the voice data collection unit 322 continuously records the customer's voice data in the voice data storage unit 33.

[0051] Afterwards, when the customer finishes using the store, he or she selects the conversation end button. In response to the selection of the conversation end button, the voice data collection unit 322 ends its operation and the conversation performance information generation unit 323 starts its operation.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the start and end of conversation sound collection is controlled based on the customer's button selection operation, but this is not limited to this method. For example, the voice data collection unit 322 may be started remotely while the employee is guiding the customer to table 2 and seating them. Furthermore, some stores may include a checkout button on the table to notify the store of the end of use. In this case, the voice data collection unit 322 may also be terminated in conjunction with the checkout button operation.

[0053] After starting operation, the conversation record information generating unit 323 analyzes the voice data stored in the voice data storage unit 33 to generate conversation record information indicating the status of the customer conversation at table 2 (step 140 ).

[0054] In this embodiment, the conversation time and the conversation volume are calculated as the conversation performance information. Of course, at least one of them may be calculated.

[0055] "Conversation time" is an indicator that represents the length of a customer's conversation. For example, the time spent seated can be used as the conversation time, or the ratio of the customer's speaking time to the time spent seated can be used as the conversation time. A smaller conversation time value indicates a shorter speaking time, and therefore a lower chance of spreading droplets.

[0056] "Conversation volume" is an indicator value representing the volume of the customer's speech. For example, the average volume or the maximum volume can be calculated. Alternatively, the temporal change in conversation volume can be used. For example, if the conversation volume is the average volume or the maximum volume, the lower the value, the quieter the customer's voice, and it can be inferred that they are not speaking loudly, and therefore, it can be estimated that they are not emitting relatively large amounts of droplets.

[0057] The above-mentioned calculation methods for conversation time and volume are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, conversation time and volume are indicators of the degree of droplet dispersion, and with respect to droplets, they are considered indicators of customer cooperation with the store. Of course, other indicators may also be used as conversation performance information.

[0058] As described above, when the conversation record information generating unit 323 generates the conversation record information, the display control unit 324 displays the conversation record information, that is, the calculated conversation time and conversation volume, on the screen (step 150 ).

[0059] When the customer finishes using the store, he moves to the entrance 5 to check out, and when checking out, he lets the store clerk look at the liquid crystal panel of the mobile terminal 3. The store clerk can know the status of the customer's conversation based on the conversation record information.

[0060] Furthermore, as described above, in-store discounts are granted to customers based on the status of their conversations. Specifically, for example, when a customer uses a scanner connected to a checkout terminal 6 to read the liquid crystal panel of a portable terminal 3, the discount determination unit 62 converts the conversation performance information contained in the read image into numerical data. The discount determination unit 62 then determines whether the customer's conversation status satisfies predetermined conversation constraints. If so, the discount is granted.

[0061] Focusing on the conversation volume as conversation performance information, if a predetermined conversation restriction condition is set, such as the conversation volume being below a predetermined threshold, and the customer's conversation status, i.e., the conversation volume obtained from the portable terminal 3, is below the threshold, the benefit determination unit 62 determines to grant the customer a benefit. On the other hand, if the conversation volume obtained from the portable terminal 3 exceeds the threshold, the benefit determination unit 62 deems that the customer is talking loudly, such as by scattering droplets, and determines not to grant the customer a benefit.

[0062] Alternatively, when the conversation performance information generation unit 323 calculates the temporal change in the customer's voice volume as the conversation volume, the number of times the volume exceeds the threshold is set as a conversation constraint condition. When the number of times the customer's voice volume exceeds the threshold is less than the number set as the threshold, a decision is made to grant a discount; when the number exceeds the threshold, a decision is made not to grant a discount.

[0063] In this embodiment, conversation volume and duration are used as conversation performance information, but conversation restriction conditions may be set by setting thresholds for each indicator or by using a calculation formula that combines the two. If thresholds are set for both the conversation volume and the conversation duration, preferential treatment determination unit 62 may determine preferential treatment if, for example, at least one of the thresholds is below the threshold or if both thresholds are below the threshold.

[0064] Here, we will explain the benefits offered to customers. An example of a benefit is a discount service. Specifically, the billed amount is discounted by subtracting a predetermined discount amount from the billed amount determined based on the customer's usage, or by multiplying the billed amount by a discount rate.

[0065] In the above description, the decision on whether to grant a discount is made by comparing the conversation performance information with one threshold value. However, a plurality of threshold values may be set to set the discount amount or discount rate in stages.

[0066] After completing checkout, the customer deletes the discount app by performing a prescribed operation. The voice sample and voice data are also deleted. Alternatively, the voice sample can be retained to omit the voice sample registration process upon subsequent visits. However, since a customer's voice may differ due to a cold, it is preferable to register a voice sample with each visit to ensure high-precision voice recognition.

[0067] Furthermore, for convenience, the above description focuses on a single customer. However, as mentioned above, the conversation is conducted by a group of multiple customers. If the decision to grant a discount is based on the voice of a single individual in the group, the above-described process can be used. However, since the conversation is conducted by multiple customers, for example, conversation performance information can be generated for each customer in the group, as described above, and the generated conversation performance information for each customer can be averaged to generate conversation performance information for the group. In this way, the decision to grant a discount can be made for the group of customers, rather than for each customer.

[0068] Alternatively, only one portable terminal 3 may be used in a group of customers, and voice samples of all the group of customers may be registered in the portable terminal 3 .

[0069] According to this embodiment, as described above, customers are given discounts based on their conversation status, specifically, the time or volume of their conversation. This allows customers who expect discounts to talk carefully, thereby suppressing droplets.

[0070] In this embodiment, the granting of a discount and the discount amount or rate are automatically determined based on the conversation constraints. However, this is not limiting. For example, a store clerk may view the conversation performance information displayed on the portable terminal 3 and input the granting of a discount and the degree of the discount (discount amount, etc.) through the checkout terminal 6. In this case, the discount determination unit 62 accepts the clerk's input and directly determines the discount.

[0071] Furthermore, although discounts have been described as an example of benefits, coupons that can be used on the spot (at the time of current checkout) or the next time you use the store or within the validity period may be issued.

[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment, benefits are given based on the cooperative attitude toward the store. However, conversely, conversation performance information may be used as an indicator for punishing customers who engage in impolite conversation.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the customer's voice data is stored in the voice data storage unit 33 of the portable terminal 3. However, there may be a situation where the remaining memory of the customer's portable terminal 3 is low. Therefore, the voice data collection unit 322 may also send the collected voice data to a device other than the portable terminal 3, for example, to the store management device 8. In this case, the discount application is provided with a voice data transmission function. In addition, since the conversation performance information generation unit 323 generates the conversation performance information with reference to the voice data, it is necessary to access the storage destination of the voice data. In addition, like the voice data, the voice sample can also be registered in a device other than the portable terminal 3 instead of the temporary storage unit 34.

[0074] Implementation method 2.

[0075] Figure 4 2 is a block diagram of a store service system in this embodiment. Components identical to those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0076] In the first embodiment, the conversation record information generated in the mobile terminal 3 is displayed on the screen and presented to the store. However, in the present embodiment, the conversation record information is transmitted as data to the checkout terminal 6 on the store side.

[0077] The application execution unit 32 included in the portable terminal 3 in this embodiment includes a benefit determination unit 325 and a benefit transmission unit 326. Unlike the first embodiment, the display control unit 324 is not included. The function of the benefit determination unit 325 can be the same as that of the benefit determination unit 62 included in the checkout terminal 6 in the first embodiment. The benefit transmission unit 326 transmits to the checkout terminal 6 the decision made by the benefit determination unit 325 regarding the granting of a benefit and, if so, the details of the benefit.

[0078] The benefit receiving unit 64 included in the checkout terminal 6 in this embodiment receives data related to the benefit transmitted from the benefit transmitting unit 326 .

[0079] As described above, this embodiment differs from Embodiment 1 in that the mobile terminal 3 generates conversation record information and transmits the generated conversation record information to the checkout terminal 6. However, the content of the processing itself can be the same as that of Embodiment 1. Therefore, the description of the processing is omitted.

[0080] In each of the above embodiments, a case where a discount is given to a customer based on the status of the conversation is described. This is because the possibility of spreading droplets increases through conversation, especially loud conversation, so this is suppressed. In addition, a camera is usually built into the current portable terminal 3 such as a smart phone. Therefore, the camera can also be used to capture the face of the customer who is having a conversation, specifically, to capture whether or not a mask is worn. Moreover, the timing of the customer's speech can be determined based on the voice data, so the degree of wearing of the mask when speaking can also be analyzed, and the analysis result, for example, the time of wearing the mask relative to the time of speaking (which can be expressed as a "wearing rate"), can be used to grant discounts.

[0081] Alternatively, it's possible to analyze captured images to determine whether a customer is dining. While customers are expected to wear masks at all times when talking, they are required to remove them while dining. Therefore, the amount of time a customer wears a mask (which can be expressed as a "wearing rate") relative to the time spent in the restaurant minus the time spent dining can be used to offer discounts.

[0082] Description of Reference Numerals

[0083] 1 Lobby, 2 Dining table, 3 Portable terminal, 4 Access point (AP), 5 Entrance and exit, 6 Checkout terminal, 8 Store management device, 31 Installation unit, 32 Application execution unit, 33 Voice data storage unit, 34 Temporary storage unit, 61 Download unit, 62 Discount determination unit, 63 Checkout processing unit, 64 Discount receiving unit, 321 Voice sample registration unit, 322 Voice data collection unit, 323 Conversation performance information generation unit, 324 Display control unit, 325 Discount determination unit, 326 Discount sending unit.

Claims

1. A store service system, characterized in that: The store service system has: a generating unit configured to generate conversation record information indicating the record of conversations conducted by users of a store while using the store; a determination unit for determining a benefit to be provided to the user based on a status of the user's conversation that can be determined from the conversation performance information; as well as A granting unit grants the user the benefit determined by the determining unit.

2. The store service system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The decision unit decides to grant a benefit to the user when the conversation status of the user satisfies a predetermined conversation restriction condition.

3. The store service system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conversation record information is at least one of the volume and duration of the user's conversation.

4. The store service system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The store service system has: An information processing device possessed by the store; and The portable terminal carried by the user when using the store, The information processing device includes a download unit for downloading the application to the portable terminal. The portable terminal collects the user's conversational audio by executing an application obtained from the information processing device. The generating unit generates the conversation record information by analyzing the user's voice data included in the collected audio conversation.

5. The store service system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The application causes the portable terminal to function as the generating unit, the determining unit, and a unit that displays the content of the benefit determined by the determining unit.

6. The store service system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The application causes the portable terminal to function as the generating unit, the determining unit, and a unit that transmits the content of the preferential treatment determined by the determining unit to the information processing device.

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