Information processing device, commodity guiding method and program

Abstract

To guide a customer to a place of a commodity desired by the customer according to a display located at a position visible easily by the customer without the need for viewing a portable terminal.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes: a detection unit that detects store entering of a customer to be guided as a target of service of guiding to a display place of a commodity; a display place acquisition unit that acquires the display place in a store for the commodity registered by the customer to be guided; a path / position acquisition unit that acquires a path to the display place; an identification unit that identifies a display device around at height of an eye line of the customer to be guided on the path on the basis of attribute information indicating the height of the eye line of the customer to be guided and position information on the display device; and an image generation unit that generates image data guiding the display place to transmit the data to the identified display device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, a product guidance method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a guidance system that provides guidance information to a user carrying a mobile terminal without encouraging the user to walk while looking at the mobile terminal.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for preventing shoplifting, in which an image captured by a surveillance camera in a store is displayed on a digital signage display installed in the store when a predetermined condition is met. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-176960 A [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2021 / 033703 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is sometimes difficult for customers to know where in the store the product they want to purchase is located. Also, some customers are not familiar with operating mobile devices such as smartphones. Therefore, a system that can guide customers to the product they want to purchase without looking at their mobile devices is desired.

[0006] In Patent Document 1, the user inputs destination information. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, the user must know the location of the product within the store.

[0007] Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure contribute to providing an information processing device, a product guidance method, and a program that can guide a customer to the location of a product that the customer wants to purchase by displaying the product in a position that is easily visible to the customer, without the customer having to look at a mobile device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a detection unit that detects the entry of a guided customer who is the target of a service that guides the customer to the display location of a product into a store, a display location acquisition unit that acquires the display location within the store of the product registered by the guided customer, a route / position acquisition unit that acquires a route to the display location, an identification unit that identifies a display device that is located around the eye level of the guided customer on the route based on attribute information indicating the eye level of the guided customer and position information of the display device, and an image generation unit that generates image data that provides guidance to the display location and transmits the image data to the identified display device.

[0009] A product guidance method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure detects the entry of a guided customer who is the target of a service that guides the display location of a product into a store, obtains the display location within the store of the product registered by the guided customer, obtains a route to the display location, identifies a display device that is located at approximately the eye level of the guided customer on the route based on attribute information indicating the eye level of the guided customer and position information of the display device, generates image data providing guidance to the display location, and displays the image data on the identified display device.

[0010] A program according to one embodiment of the present disclosure causes an information processing device to execute processing to detect the entry of a guided customer who is the target of a service that guides the customer to the display location of a product into a store, obtain the display location within the store of the product registered by the guided customer, obtain a route to the display location, identify a display device that is located around the eye level of the guided customer on the route based on attribute information indicating the eye level of the guided customer and position information of the display device, generate image data that guides the customer to the display location, and display the image data on the identified display device.

[0011] In addition, these comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized by a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium, or may be realized by any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a customer can be guided to the location of a product that the customer wishes to purchase, even without the customer looking at the mobile terminal.

[0013] Further advantages and benefits of an embodiment of the present disclosure will become apparent from the specification and drawings, in which such advantages and / or benefits are provided by some of the embodiments and features described in the specification and drawings, respectively, but not necessarily all of which are provided to obtain one or more identical features. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a product guide system common to each embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of registration information registered in the information processing device common to each embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 shows an example of a screen of an electronic shelf label according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the product guidance system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of an electronic shelf label according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an operation example 1 of the product guidance system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an operation example 2 of the product guidance system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an operation example 3 of the product guidance system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a variation of an operation example of the product information system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing device common to the embodiments; [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electronic shelf label common to each embodiment; [Figure 12] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] A flowchart showing an example of the operation of an electronic shelf label common to each embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or duplicate explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0016] It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0017] <System configuration diagram> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a product guidance system 1 common to each embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the product guidance system 1 has an information processing device 11, a reader device 12, an electronic shelf label 13, and a camera 14. The information processing device 11, the reader device 12, the electronic shelf label 13, and the camera 14 shown in Fig. 1 are connected to each other via a network N1 such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). In addition to the product guidance system 1, Fig. 1 also shows a store A1a such as a convenience store and its backyard A1b.

[0018] The information processing device 11 is, for example, a personal computer or a server. The information processing device 11 is placed, for example, in a backyard A1b of the store A1a. The information processing device 11, for example, manages product inventory and displays images of the inside of the store A1a captured by a camera 14 on a display provided in the information processing device 11. The information processing device 11 also controls images displayed on the electronic shelf labels 13.

[0019] The reader device 12 is installed, for example, at the entrance of the store A1a. The reader device 12 communicates with a card held by a customer who visits the store A1a and receives a product display location guidance service. Hereinafter, a customer who receives the product display location guidance service may be referred to as a guided customer. Also, the product display location guidance service may be referred to as a guidance service.

[0020] The reader device 12 reads the card information of the guided customer held over the reader device 12, and transmits it to the information processing device 11. The customer's card information is, for example, identification information for identifying the guided customer. Hereinafter, the identification information for identifying the guided customer may be referred to as a customer ID.

[0021] The information processing device 11 only needs to be able to identify the guided customer who has come to the store A1a. Therefore, the device for acquiring the customer ID and the medium for indicating the customer ID are not limited to the reader device 12 and the card. The reader device 12 may be a device for performing wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The object held by the guided customer instead of the card may be a mobile terminal with a wireless communication function such as a smartphone. That is, the wireless device may wirelessly communicate with the mobile terminal and receive the customer ID stored in the mobile terminal. Then, the wireless device may transmit the received customer ID to the information processing device 11. The information processing device 11 may also identify the guided customer who has come to the store A1a based on a facial image of the guided customer registered in advance and an image captured by the camera 14.

[0022] The electronic shelf label 13 is attached, for example, to the front of a shelf board of a product shelf installed in the store A1a, and displays product information about the product placed on the product shelf. For example, the electronic shelf label 13 displays product information such as the product name and price of the product placed on the product shelf under the control of the information processing device 11.

[0023] Moreover, the electronic shelf label 13 displays an image that guides a guided customer who has come to the store A1a to a display location of a product that the guided customer desires (a product that the guided customer wants to purchase) based on the control of the information processing device 11. The electronic shelf label 13 may be referred to as a display device.

[0024] The camera 14 is installed, for example, on the ceiling or wall of the store A1a and captures images inside the store A1a.

[0025] <Registration of information services> When a guided customer wishes to receive guidance services at the store A1a, the guided customer, for example, registers in advance at home product information of the product for which he / she wishes to receive guidance services and his / her customer ID in the information processing device 11. For example, the guided customer uses a terminal such as a personal computer or a smartphone to access the web page of the store A1a and registers the product information of the product for which he / she wishes to receive guidance services and his / her customer ID in the information processing device 11. The product information registered by the guided customer may be, for example, the product name, a product identification code such as a JAN (Japanese Article Number), or an image of the product taken by the guided customer with a camera.

[0026] The customer ID may be assigned by the information processing device 11, for example, when the guided customer receives the guidance service for the first time. Then, a card storing the assigned customer ID may be given to the guided customer. The information processing device 11 may accept attribute information such as the name, age, sex, and height of the guided customer when the guided customer receives the guidance service for the first time. Attribute information such as the use of a cane or wheelchair may also be accepted. Attribute information such as the level of care required and chronic illnesses may also be accepted.

[0027] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of registration information D1 registered in information processing device 11. As shown in Fig. 2, a customer ID, product information, and attribute information are stored in association with each other in the storage unit of information processing device 11. There may be one or more pieces of product information.

[0028] 2, a guided customer with a customer ID of "xxxxx" has registered for the guide service for products A, B, and C. Therefore, when the guided customer with a customer ID of "xxxxx" visits the store A1a, the display locations of products A, B, and C are guided by the electronic shelf tag 13.

[0029] As an example, the elderly, who can go shopping but have difficulty finding the display location of the product they want to buy, may receive the guidance service. For elderly people who have difficulty pre-registering product information and a customer ID, their family members, caregivers, helpers, etc. may pre-register the product information and customer ID.

[0030] (Embodiment 1) <Example of an electronic shelf label screen> Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of the electronic shelf label 13 according to the first embodiment. In Fig. 3, components common to Fig. 1 are assigned the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows a guided customer A3a who has visited the store A1a. Fig. 3 also shows images A3b and A3c displayed on the electronic shelf label 13.

[0031] The guided customer A3a holds his / her card over the reader device 12 installed at the entrance of the store A1a. The reader device 12 reads the information (customer ID) on the held card and transmits it to the information processing device 11. It is assumed that attribute information including height is associated with the customer ID.

[0032] The information processing device 11 refers to the registration information D1 stored in the storage unit based on the customer ID transmitted from the reader device 12, and acquires product information corresponding to the customer ID. That is, the information processing device 11 acquires product information of the product for which the guided customer A3a receives the guide service. Hereinafter, the product for which the guided customer receives the guide service may be referred to as the guided product. Note that the guided product can be considered as the product that the guided customer purchases or wants to purchase.

[0033] The information processing device 11 refers to the display information (information indicating the display location of the product) of the product stored in the storage unit based on the acquired product information, and acquires the display location of the product of the acquired product information. That is, the information processing device 11 acquires the display location where the guided product of the guided customer A3a is displayed.

[0034] The information processing device 11 refers to map information within the store A1a and acquires (calculates) a guide route from the entrance / exit (reader device 12) of the store A1a to the display location of the guided product for the guided customer A3a. The information processing device 11 refers to shelf label information that indicates the arrangement positions (installation positions) of the electronic shelf labels 13 stored in the storage unit, and acquires the electronic shelf labels 13 that are on the acquired guide route.

[0035] Furthermore, the information processing device 11 identifies, among the electronic shelf labels 13 on the guide route, the electronic shelf labels 13 that are at or near the eye level of the guided customer A3a, based on information such as height in the attribute information.

[0036] The information processing device 11 displays an arrow, for example as shown in image A3b in FIG. 3, on an electronic shelf tag 13 located at about eye level of the guided customer A3a on the guidance route from the entrance / exit of the store A1a to the display location where the guided product is displayed, to guide the guided customer A3a to the display location of the guided product.

[0037] The information processing device 11 displays, on the electronic shelf label 13 at the display location where the guided product for the guided customer A3a is displayed, an image indicating that the guided product desired by the guided customer A3a is located at the position of the electronic shelf label 13, as shown, for example, in image A3c in Figure 3.

[0038] In this way, the information processing device 11 displays an image (image related to the guidance service) for guiding the guided customer A3a on the electronic shelf tag 13 on the guidance route from the entrance / exit of the store A1a to the display location of the guided product for the guided customer A3a, thereby guiding the guided customer A3a to the location of the product that the guided customer A3a wants to purchase.

[0039] Furthermore, the information processing device 11 calculates a guide route from the entrance / exit of the store A1a to the display location of the product to be guided to the guided customer A3a based on the product display information in the store A1a and the map information, so that the guided customer A3a can be guided to the location of the product that the guided customer A3a wants to purchase without requiring the guided customer A3a to register the location of the product within the store A1a that the guided customer A3a wants to purchase.

[0040] The information processing device 11 may display an image on the electronic shelf label 13 to guide the guided customer A3a to the display location of the guided product for a certain period of time after the guided customer A3a arrives at the store. After the certain period of time has elapsed, the information processing device 11 may return the image on the electronic shelf label 13 to guide the guided customer to the display location of the guided product, to an image of the product information. The certain period of time may be calculated by calculating the moving speed (e.g., walking speed) of the guided customer based on attribute information on the body of the guided customer, such as age, sex, and height, and calculating the calculated moving speed of the guided customer and the distance from the entrance / exit of the store A1a to the display location of the guided product. The moving speed of the guided customer may also be calculated using an acceleration sensor built into a terminal carried by an elderly person or a terminal installed in a shopping cart.

[0041] Even if the image guiding the display location is no longer displayed after a certain time has passed, the display of the electronic shelf label 13 may be returned to the image guiding the display location if it is confirmed that the guided customer A3a is near the electronic shelf label 13. The presence of the guided customer A3a near the electronic shelf label 13 can be confirmed, for example, by the guided customer A3a holding a card over the electronic shelf label 13 or a reader device installed near the electronic shelf label 13, or by recognizing the face of the guided customer A3a with an in-store camera.

[0042] Furthermore, the information processing device 11 may acquire the position of the guided customer A3a in the store A1a based on the guided customer A3a included in the image of the camera 14 and map information. The information processing device 11 may identify (acquire) electronic shelf labels 13 located in the vicinity of the guided customer A3a based on the acquired position of the guided customer A3a and shelf label information. The information processing device 11 may display an image on the identified electronic shelf label 13 to guide the display location of the guided product.

[0043] <Example of operation> Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the product information system 1 according to the embodiment 1. In Fig. 4, the electronic shelf labels 13 installed in the store A1a are illustrated, and the illustration of other components is omitted.

[0044] When the product shelf displaying the guided product is a multi-tiered product shelf, the information processing device 11 guides guided customers such as elderly people #1 and elderly people #2 to the horizontal display location of the guided product by using images of electronic shelf labels 13 on the guide route (first stage). Also, the information processing device 11 displays a height-direction image guiding the display location of the guided product on the electronic shelf labels 13 installed in the height direction of the horizontal display location of the guided product, thereby guiding the display location of the guided product (second stage).

[0045] The electronic shelf labels 13 shown within a dotted frame A4a in FIG. 4 are assumed to represent electronic shelf labels installed on each level (each shelf board) of one product shelf.

[0046] As a first step, the information processing device 11 displays an image related to the guide service on the electronic shelf label 13 located at about eye level of the guided customer on the guide route to the display location of the guided product.

[0047] For example, it is assumed that the height of elderly person #1 is close to the average, and the height of elderly person #2 is shorter than the average. The information processing device 11 displays an image related to a guide service for guiding elderly person #1 to the horizontal display location of the guide product (the position shown in the dotted frame A4c in the dotted frame A4a) on all electronic shelf labels 13 shown in the dotted frame A4b in FIG. 4, which are located on the guide route to the display location of the guide product and are located around the eye level of a person of average height. The information processing device 11 also displays an image related to a guide service for guiding elderly person #2 to the horizontal display location of the guide product (the position shown in the dotted frame A4e in the dotted frame A4a) on all electronic shelf labels 13 shown in the dotted frame A4d in FIG. 4, which are located on the guide route to the display location of the guide product and are located around the eye level of a person of shorter height than the average. The display location in the horizontal direction means a location close to the location where the guide product is displayed in the horizontal direction, and may be, for example, a horizontal position on the shelf on which the guide product is arranged.

[0048] In this way, the information processing device 11 displays images related to the guidance service on the electronic shelf labels 13 at eye level of the guided customer on the guide route. This allows the information processing device 11 to provide the guidance service at a position that is easy for the guided customer to see. The information processing device 11 can also provide product information to customers other than the guided customer.

[0049] Furthermore, the information processing device 11 can simultaneously provide guidance services along the same guide route to a plurality of guided customers who are at different eye level.

[0050] The information processing device 11 may calculate the eye level of the guided customer based on attribute information of the guided customer, such as height, or an image from the camera 14. The information processing device 11 may also calculate the eye level by taking into account whether the guided customer uses a cane, a wheelchair, or the like. When the information processing device 11 does not know the attribute information (height, etc.) of the guided customer, it may estimate the eye level of the guided customer to be a height suitable for a person using a cane or a wheelchair (a person in poor health).

[0051] Furthermore, when providing guidance to multiple guided customers who are at approximately the same eye level, the information processing device 11 may display images related to guidance services for each guided customer on electronic shelf labels 13 at the same height. In this case, the information processing device 11 may periodically change the image displayed on the electronic shelf label 13, or may divide the display area of ​​the electronic shelf label 13 to display an image for each guided customer.

[0052] In a second step, the information processing device 11 causes the electronic shelf label 13, which is installed in the height direction of the display location of the guided commodity in the horizontal direction, to display an image in the height direction indicating the display location of the guided commodity.

[0053] For example, when the product (product 1) for elderly person #1 is present on the top shelf, the information processing device 11 displays an image of an up arrow on the electronic shelf label 13 from the dotted frame A4c onwards within the dotted frame A4a. When the product (product 2) for elderly person #2 is present on the bottom shelf, the information processing device 11 displays an image of a down arrow on the electronic shelf label 13 from the dotted frame A4e onwards within the dotted frame A4a. Note that, although the above description has been given taking as an example a case where the product for guidance is present on the top shelf or the bottom shelf, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the information processing device 11 may display an image of an up arrow when the product for guidance is present on a shelf higher than eye level, and may display an image of a down arrow when the product for guidance is present on a shelf lower than eye level.

[0054] In this way, the information processing device 11 displays a height-direction image guiding the display location of the guided product on the electronic shelf label 13 installed in the height direction of the display location of the guided product in the horizontal direction. This allows the information processing device 11 to guide the guided customer to the location of the guided product displayed in a high place on the product shelf or the location of the guided product displayed in a low place on the product shelf. In addition, the information processing device 11 performs guidance divided into a first stage of horizontal guidance and a second stage of vertical guidance, so that the guided customer's actions can be focused on moving in the first stage and on stopping and searching for the product in the second stage. This allows the guided customer to reach the location of the guided product by performing only light actions without performing complex actions such as searching for the product while moving.

[0055] The information processing device 11 displays images related to product information on the electronic shelf labels 13 shown in the dotted frame A4f in Fig. 4 that are on the guide route to the display location of the guided product and at a height other than the specific height, and on the electronic shelf labels 13 shown in the dotted frame A4g in Fig. 4 that are not on the guide route. The "specific height" may mean a range of heights that may be at the eye level of a person.

[0056] In this operation example, the display in the vertical direction is guided after the horizontal display location guidance is completed, but guidance including information in the vertical direction may be provided before the horizontal guidance is completed. Specifically, the information processing device 11 may indicate that the display location is higher or lower by displaying an arrow pointing diagonally up or down on the shelf tag a predetermined number of shelves ahead of the display location on the route. In this way, the guided customer can know early that the product is at a height that is difficult to reach, and can request assistance such as assistance from a store clerk in advance.

[0057] (Embodiment 2) Currently, various measures against shoplifting are taken in retail stores etc. As described above, Patent Document 2 discloses a technology for preventing shoplifting in which, when predetermined conditions are met, an image captured by a surveillance camera in a store is displayed on a digital signage display installed in the store.

[0058] However, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2, images of anti-shoplifting measures are displayed on a digital signage display installed within the store, which may expose honest customers to the images and damage their impression of the store.

[0059] In consideration of this, in embodiment 2, an example is described in which a customer can be guided to the location of the product he or she wants to purchase without having to look at a mobile terminal, and a warning can be issued to customers who may be likely to shoplift without damaging the impression of good customers.

[0060] <Example of an electronic shelf label screen> Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the electronic shelf label 13 according to the embodiment 2. In Fig. 5, components common to Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 shows a customer A5a who is to be watched.

[0061] The information processing device 11 receives image data (moving image data) from the camera 14. The information processing device 11 determines whether or not the image in the received image data includes a customer who may be likely to shoplift.

[0062] For example, the information processing device 11 analyzes the behavior of a customer and determines whether or not the customer is likely to shoplift.

[0063] There are various known methods for analyzing customer behavior, so we will not go into detail here; however, for example, techniques that use the customer's line of sight, facial direction, arm movements, etc. are known.

[0064] Furthermore, if information such as an image of a customer who has shoplifted in the past is recorded, the information processing device 11 may determine whether or not the customer is a customer who may shoplift, depending on whether or not the customer captured by the camera 14 has shoplifted in the past. In this case, the information processing device 11 estimates whether or not the customer has shoplifted by determining whether the customer's face matches the face of a customer who has shoplifted using face recognition technology, or by determining whether the customer matches the face of a customer who has shoplifted using non-facial information such as the customer's gait or clothing.

[0065] Based on these technologies, customers who are determined to be likely to shoplift or who have shoplifted in the past may be referred to as "suspect customers." Similarly, hereinafter, customers other than the suspect customers may be referred to as "other customers."

[0066] When the image from the camera 14 includes the customer A5a to be watched, the information processing device 11 identifies the position of the customer A5a to be watched within the store A1a based on the image from the camera 14.

[0067] If the location of the customer A5a to be watched is outside the guide route and there are no other customers around the customer A5a to be watched, the information processing device 11 displays an image to deter shoplifting on the electronic shelf labels 13 around the identified location (within a predetermined distance from the identified location). The "image to deter shoplifting" may be referred to as an "anti-shoplifting image" or the like. One example of an "image to deter shoplifting" is the display of text such as "Surveillance camera in operation" or "Shoplifting is a crime!" as shown in FIG. 5.

[0068] On the other hand, if the location of customer A5a to be monitored is within the guide route, or if there are other customers in the vicinity of the location of customer A5a to be monitored, the information processing device 11 controls the images to be displayed on the electronic shelf tags 13 in the vicinity of the location of customer A5a to be monitored, as shown in each of the following operation examples.

[0069] <Example 1> Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation example 1 of the product information system 1 according to the embodiment 2. Fig. 6 illustrates the electronic shelf labels 13 installed in the store A1a, and does not illustrate other components. In Fig. 6, the same reference numerals as in Fig. 4 are used for the parts common to Fig. 4, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0070] In the second embodiment, in the normal case where no watchful customers are specified, similarly to the first embodiment (FIG. 4), the information processing device 11 displays images related to the guidance service on electronic shelf labels 13 located on the guidance route to the display location of the guided product at around the eye level of the guided customer. The information processing device 11 also displays height-direction images guiding the display location of the guided product on electronic shelf labels 13 installed in the height direction of the display location of the guided product in the horizontal direction. The information processing device 11 also displays images related to product information on electronic shelf labels 13 located on the guidance route to the display location of the guided product at a height other than the specific height, and on electronic shelf labels 13 not on the guidance route.

[0071] When the information processing device 11 identifies the presence and location of a customer to be watched, it controls the image to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 13 according to the identified location of the customer to be watched.

[0072] When the location of a customer to be watched is outside the guide route and there are no other customers around the customer to be watched, such as the location of customer to be watched A6a in Fig. 6, the information processing device 11 displays an image to discourage shoplifting on the electronic shelf labels 13 shown in a dotted frame A4g around the customer to be watched A6a. Note that in Fig. 6, the electronic shelf labels 13 displaying images to discourage shoplifting are shown in gray.

[0073] On the other hand, when the position of the customer to be watched is within the guide route, such as the position of customer to be watched A6b in Fig. 6, or when there are other customers around the customer to be watched, the information processing device 11 does not change the image displayed on the electronic shelf label 13. That is, the information processing device 11 displays an image related to a guide service for guiding the elderly person #1 to the display location in the horizontal direction of the guided product (the position shown in the dotted frame A4c) on all of the electronic shelf labels 13 shown in the dotted frame A4b in Fig. 6. Also, the information processing device 11 displays an image related to a guide service for guiding the elderly person #2 to the display location in the horizontal direction of the guided product (the position shown in the dotted frame A4e) on all of the electronic shelf labels 13 shown in the dotted frame A4d in Fig. 6. Also, the information processing device 11 displays an image related to product information on the electronic shelf labels 13 shown in the dotted frame A4f in Fig. 6.

[0074] In this way, in the operation example 1, when the position of the customer to be watched is outside the guide route and there are no other customers around the customer to be watched, the information processing device 11 displays images to discourage shoplifting on the electronic shelf labels 13 around the customer to be watched. As a result, images to discourage shoplifting are displayed on the electronic shelf labels 13, reducing the work of store clerks to monitor the customer to be watched.

[0075] On the other hand, in the operation example 1, when the position of the customer to be watched is within the guide route, or when there are other customers around the customer to be watched, the information processing device 11 does not change the image displayed on the electronic shelf label 13 around the customer to be watched. This prevents the image for preventing shoplifting from coming into the customer's eyes, and prevents the customer from being negatively impressed.

[0076] <Example 2> Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining an operation example 2 of the product information system 1 according to the embodiment 2. Fig. 7 illustrates the electronic shelf labels 13 installed in the store A1a, and does not illustrate other components. In Fig. 7, the same reference numerals as in Fig. 6 are used for the parts common to Fig. 6, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0077] When the location of a customer to be watched is outside the guide route, such as the location of customer to be watched A6a in Figure 7, and there are no other customers in the vicinity of the customer to be watched, the information processing device 11 displays an image to discourage shoplifting on the electronic shelf tag 13 shown in the dotted frame A4g in the vicinity of customer to be watched A6a, as in operation example 1 (Figure 6).

[0078] 7, when a customer to be watched is located within the guide route, the information processing device 11 displays an image for preventing shoplifting on the electronic shelf labels 13 located within a dotted frame A7b around the customer to be watched A7a and at a height other than the specific height. The information processing device 11 does not change the image displayed on the other electronic shelf labels 13.

[0079] In this way, in the second operation example, when the position of the customer to be watched is within the guidance route, the information processing device 11 displays an image to discourage shoplifting on the electronic shelf labels 13 that are in the vicinity of the customer to be watched and that are at a height other than the specific height. As a result, even if the customer to be watched is within the guidance route, the image to discourage shoplifting is displayed on part of the electronic shelf labels 13 in the vicinity of the customer to be watched without changing the display of the image related to the guidance service, thereby strengthening the deterrent effect against shoplifting.

[0080] <Example 3> Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining an operation example 3 of the product information system 1 according to the embodiment 2. Fig. 8 illustrates the electronic shelf labels 13 installed in the store A1a, and does not illustrate other components. In Fig. 8, the same reference numerals as in Fig. 6 are used for the parts common to Fig. 6, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0081] When the location of a customer to be watched is outside the guide route, such as the location of customer to be watched A6a in Figure 8, and there are no other customers in the vicinity of the customer to be watched, the information processing device 11 displays an image to discourage shoplifting on the electronic shelf tag 13 shown in the dotted frame A4g in the vicinity of customer to be watched A6a, as in operation example 1 (Figure 6) and operation example 2 (Figure 7).

[0082] 8, when the location of the customer to be watched is within the guide route and there are no other customers around the customer to be watched, the information processing device 11 displays an image to prevent shoplifting on the electronic shelf labels 13 within the dotted frame A8b around the customer to be watched A8a. Note that the information processing device 11 does not change the image to be displayed on the other electronic shelf labels 13.

[0083] In this way, in the operation example 3, when the position of the customer to be watched is within the guide route and there are no other customers around the customer to be watched, the information processing device 11 displays an image to discourage shoplifting on the electronic shelf labels 13 around the customer to be watched. As a result, when the customer to be watched is within the guide route and there are no other customers around the customer to be watched, an image to discourage shoplifting is displayed on all of the electronic shelf labels 13 around the customer to be watched, so that the deterrent effect against shoplifting can be further strengthened.

[0084] <Variations of the operation example> In each operation example (operation examples 1 to 3) of the product information system 1 according to the second embodiment, when the information processing device 11 causes some of the electronic shelf labels 13 to display images for preventing shoplifting, some or all of the electronic shelf labels 13 located in the vicinity of a customer to be watched and at a location higher than a specific height may display information for store clerks. Note that "information for store clerks" includes information for guiding customers to where products are displayed, information for informing them of missing items or incorrect display, etc.

[0085] Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining a variation of the operation example 3 of the product information system 1 according to the embodiment 2 shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 9 illustrates the electronic shelf labels 13 installed in the store A1a, and does not illustrate other components. In Fig. 9, the same reference numerals as in Fig. 8 are used for the parts common to Fig. 8, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0086] When the location of the customer A9a is outside the guide route and there are no other customers around the customer A6a, the information processing device 11 displays an image to prevent shoplifting on the electronic shelf labels 13 located at the specific height or lower than the specific height, as shown in the dotted frame A9b, among the electronic shelf labels 13 around the customer A6a, and displays information for store clerks on some or all of the electronic shelf labels 13 located at a higher height than the specific height, as shown in the dotted frame A9c. In this case, the "information for store clerks" may be an image to call attention to shoplifting, such as a text image of "Beware of shoplifting." In FIG. 9, the electronic shelf labels 13 that display information for store clerks are shown by hatching.

[0087] It should be noted that the locations higher than the specific height are locations that are considered not to be seen by customers to be watched, and are locations that are considered to be easily seen by store clerks located away from the locations of customers to be watched. Some or all of the electronic shelf labels 13 located at a position higher than the specific height may refer to the electronic shelf labels 13 located at the top, or may be the electronic shelf labels 13 located at the top and the electronic shelf labels 13 located at a position several steps lower than the top. It should be noted that, as the electronic shelf labels 13 that display information for store clerks, low electronic shelf labels that are considered not to be seen by customers, such as electronic shelf labels located at the bottom or electronic shelf labels located at a position several steps higher than the bottom, may be used. However, electronic shelf labels located at higher positions make it easier for store clerks to see information from a distance.

[0088] 9, when the location of the customer to be watched is within the guide route and there are no other customers around the customer to be watched, the information processing device 11 displays images to discourage shoplifting on the electronic shelf labels 13 that are at the specific height or lower than the specific height, as shown in the dotted frame A9e, among the electronic shelf labels 13 around the customer to be watched A9d, and displays information for store clerks on some or all of the electronic shelf labels 13 that are at a higher height than the specific height, as shown in the dotted frame A9f. Note that the information processing device 11 does not change the images displayed on the other electronic shelf labels 13.

[0089] In this variation, the information processing device 11 displays images to discourage shoplifting on electronic shelf labels 13 that are located around the customer to be watched and at the specific height or lower than the specific height, and displays information for store clerks on some or all of the electronic shelf labels 13 that are located around the customer to be watched and at the specific height or higher. This makes it possible to display information for store clerks without reducing the deterrent effect against shoplifting.

[0090] In this variation, the information processing device 11 may simultaneously display information to alert the store clerk that there is a suspicious person nearby on the electronic shelf label 13 that displays information for the store clerk.

[0091] <Start and end of information service> ·Start opportunity The information processing device 11 may start the guide service when it receives a customer ID from the reader device 12. The information processing device 11 may also start the guide service when it receives a customer ID from a wireless device. The guide service may also start when the guided customer is identified by an in-store camera. In this case, a facial photo of the guided customer is registered in advance to confirm whether the person photographed by the in-store camera is the guided customer.

[0092] Termination trigger The information processing device 11 may end the guidance service when a certain time has elapsed after the guided customer arrives at the store. The information processing device 11 may use an image from the in-store camera 14 to determine whether to return the electronic shelf labels displaying the image related to the guidance service to a normal image (image related to product information) all at once. For example, the information processing device 11 may return the image of the electronic shelf labels 13 to a normal image (product price, etc.) in order from the entrance / exit of the store A1a. Furthermore, the information processing device 11 may return the image of the electronic shelf labels 13 to a normal image when it is confirmed by the in-store camera 14 or the like that the guided customer is staying near the cash register. Furthermore, the information processing device 11 may display the image of the route guidance only on the electronic shelf labels 13 in the vicinity of the location where the guided customer is present, among the electronic shelf labels 13 on the route guidance, and may return the image of the electronic shelf labels 13 from which the guided customer has left to a normal image.

[0093] <Block diagram> Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a block configuration of the information processing device 11. As shown in Fig. 10, the information processing device 11 includes a control unit 11a, a storage unit 11b, a communication unit 11c, and a display unit 11d.

[0094] The control unit 11a controls the entire information processing device 11. The control unit 11a may be configured by, for example, a processor such as a CPU (central processing unit).

[0095] The control unit 11a includes a customer ID acquisition unit 11aa, a path / position acquisition unit 11ab, an electronic shelf label identification unit 11ac, an image analysis unit 11ad, and an image generation unit 11ae. The control unit 11a may realize the functions of each of the above-mentioned units according to a program (a guidance service providing application) stored in the storage unit 11b.

[0096] The customer ID acquisition unit 11aa communicates with the reader device 12 and receives the customer ID that the reader device 12 reads from the card.

[0097] The route / position acquisition unit 11ab acquires (calculates) a guide route from the entrance / exit of the store A1a to the display location of the guided product of the guided customer based on the received customer ID, the registration information D1, the display information, and the map information stored in the memory unit 11b. The route / position acquisition unit 11ab also acquires the positions of the guided customer, the watchful customer, other customers, and the store staff within the store A1a based on the image of the camera 14 and the map information of the store.

[0098] The electronic shelf label identification unit 11ac identifies electronic shelf labels 13 (shelf label IDs) in the vicinity of the calculated guide route based on the shelf label information stored in the memory unit 11b. The electronic shelf label identification unit 11ac also identifies electronic shelf labels 13 in the vicinity of guided customers, customers to be watched, other customers, and store clerks.

[0099] The image analysis unit 11ad analyzes the image from the camera 14 to identify guided customers, other customers who do not receive guide services, and store clerks. The image analysis unit 11ad analyzes the image from the camera 14 to obtain the movement speed and eye level of the guided customers. Furthermore, the image analysis unit 11ad determines whether or not the person captured by the camera 14 is a customer to be watched for, based on the extracted face image and face images of people who have previously shoplifted that are stored in the memory unit 11b. Note that the person who has previously shoplifted may be a person who shoplifted in the store A1a, or may be a person who shoplifted in another store.

[0100] The image generating unit 11ae generates image data such as an image for introducing a product, an image for preventing shoplifting, etc. The image generating unit 11ae transmits the generated image data to the electronic shelf label 13 and causes the electronic shelf label 13 to display the image.

[0101] The storage unit 11b stores an operating system (OS) program and application programs executed by the control unit 11a. The storage unit 11b also stores various data necessary for processing by the control unit 11a. For example, the storage unit 11b stores the registration information D1 described in FIG. 2. For example, the storage unit 11b stores map information indicating a map of the inside of the store A1a. For example, the storage unit 11b stores shelf label information indicating the position of the electronic shelf label 13 in the store A1a. For example, the storage unit 11b stores image data to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 13. The storage unit 11b may be, for example, a solid state drive (SSD), a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a read only memory (ROM), and / or a hard disk drive (HDD).

[0102] The communication unit 11c communicates with the reader device 12, the electronic shelf label 13, and the camera 14, for example, via a wireless LAN.

[0103] The display unit 11d displays an image on a display (a display included in the information processing device 11) based on the digital image data output from the control unit 11a. The display is, for example, a liquid crystal display.

[0104] The customer ID acquisition unit 11aa may be regarded as a detection unit that detects the entry of a guided customer into the store. The route / position acquisition unit 11ab may be regarded as having a display location acquisition unit that acquires the display location of the guided product. The image analysis unit 11ad may be regarded as having a detection unit that detects customers who are likely to shoplift from customers in the store.

[0105] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a block configuration of the electronic shelf label 13. As shown in Fig. 11, the electronic shelf label 13 includes a control unit 13a, a storage unit 13b, a communication unit 13c, and a display unit 13d.

[0106] The control unit 13a controls the entire electronic shelf label 13. The control unit 13a may be configured by a processor such as a CPU, for example.

[0107] The control unit 13a includes a shelf label ID receiving unit 13aa and an image display unit 13ab. The control unit 13a may realize the functions of the above-mentioned units according to a program stored in the storage unit 13b.

[0108] The shelf label ID receiving unit 13aa determines whether or not the shelf label ID transmitted from the information processing device 11 is the shelf label ID of the electronic shelf label 13. If the shelf label ID transmitted from the information processing device 11 is the shelf label ID of the electronic shelf label 13, the shelf label ID receiving unit 13aa receives the shelf label ID.

[0109] The image display unit 13ab acquires image data that is associated (linked) with the shelf label ID received by the shelf label ID receiving unit 13aa. The image display unit 13ab displays an image based on the acquired image data on the electronic shelf label 13.

[0110] The storage unit 13b stores the OS program and application programs executed by the control unit 13a. The storage unit 13b also stores various data required for processing by the control unit 13a. The storage unit 13b may be, for example, an SSD, a RAM, a flash memory, a ROM, and / or a HDD.

[0111] The communication unit 13c communicates with the information processing device 11 via, for example, a wireless LAN.

[0112] The display unit 13d displays an image on a display (a display provided in the electronic shelf label 13) based on the digital image data output from the control unit 13a. The display is, for example, a liquid crystal display.

[0113] <Operation flow of information processing device> 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing device 11 according to the embodiment 1. The information processing device 11 repeatedly executes the process of the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0114] The information processing device 11 determines whether or not a customer ID has been received from the reader device 12 (S11). If the information processing device 11 has not received a customer ID from the reader device 12 (No in S11), the information processing device 11 ends the process of this flowchart.

[0115] When the information processing device 11 receives a customer ID from the reader device 12 (Yes in S11), it refers to the registration information D1 based on the customer ID received in S11 and acquires product information of the guided product for which the guided customer will receive the guidance service (S12).

[0116] The information processing device 11 refers to the display information of the product stored in the memory unit 11b based on the product information acquired in S12, and identifies (acquires) the display location of the product (the guided product) of the product information acquired in S12 (S13).

[0117] The information processing device 11 refers to map information within the store A1a and calculates (obtains) a guide route from the entrance / exit (reader device 12) of the store A1a to the display location of the guided product of the guided customer obtained in S13 (S14).

[0118] The information processing device 11 refers to the height, etc., of the guided customer included in the attribute information, and estimates (obtains) the height of the line of sight of the guided customer (S15).

[0119] The information processing device 11 refers to the shelf label information stored in the memory unit 11b, identifies an electronic shelf label 13 that is on the guidance route acquired in S14 and is at approximately the eye level of the guided customer acquired in S15, and acquires the shelf label ID of the electronic shelf label 13 (S16).

[0120] The information processing device 11 transmits an image relating to the guidance service to the electronic shelf label 13 having the shelf label ID acquired in S16 (S17), and ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0121] The processing order of the information processing device 11 is not limited to the processing order shown in the above flowchart. For example, the information processing device 11 may specify an electronic shelf label 13 on which an image related to the guidance service is to be displayed before the guided customer enters the store. When the guided customer enters the store, the information processing device 11 may display an image related to the guidance service on the electronic shelf label 13 specified in advance.

[0122] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing device 11 according to the embodiment 2. The information processing device 11, for example, repeatedly executes the process of the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0123] The information processing device 11 receives image data from the camera 14 (S21).

[0124] The information processing device 11 analyzes the image of the image data received in S21 (S22). For example, the information processing device 11 analyzes the behavior and face of a person included in the image.

[0125] The information processing device 11 judges whether or not the person included in the image of the image data is a customer to be alerted based on the analysis result of S22 (S23). If the person included in the image of the image data is not a customer to be alerted (No in S23), the information processing device 11 ends the processing of the flowchart.

[0126] If the person included in the image of the image data is a customer to be monitored (Yes in S23), the information processing device 11 identifies the location of the customer to be monitored within the store A1a based on the image used for the determination in S23 (image including the person) and map information within the store A1a (S24).

[0127] The information processing device 11 identifies the electronic shelf label 13 whose image is to be changed based on the location information of the person in the identified store A1a and the location information of the electronic shelf label 13 within the store A1a stored in the memory unit 11b, and obtains the shelf label ID of the electronic shelf label 13 (S25).

[0128] The information processing device 11 transmits an image for preventing shoplifting to the electronic shelf label 13 having the shelf label ID acquired in S25 (S26), and ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0129] <Operation flow of electronic shelf labels> 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electronic shelf label 13. The electronic shelf label 13, for example, repeatedly executes the process of the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0130] The electronic shelf label 13 receives the shelf label ID (S31).

[0131] The electronic shelf label 13 determines whether or not the shelf label ID received in S31 matches the shelf label ID of the electronic shelf label 13 (S32). If the shelf label ID received in S31 does not match the shelf label ID of the electronic shelf label 13 (No in S32), the electronic shelf label 13 ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0132] If the shelf label ID received in S31 matches the shelf label ID of the electronic shelf label 13 (Yes in S32), the electronic shelf label 13 acquires image data associated (linked) with the received shelf label ID (S33).

[0133] The electronic shelf label 13 displays an image based on the image data acquired in S33 on the display (S34).

[0134] <Summary of the embodiment> The information processing device 11 detects the entry of a guided customer registered in the guidance service into the store. The information processing device 11 acquires the display location within the store of the product preregistered by the guided customer. The information processing device 11 acquires the guide route from the store entrance to the display location and the eye level of the guided customer, and identifies electronic shelf labels 13 that are located around the eye level of the guided customer on the guide route. The information processing device 11 causes the identified electronic shelf label 13 to display an image guiding the customer to the display location.

[0135] In this way, the information processing device 11 can guide the guided customer to the location of the product he or she wants to purchase by using an electronic shelf label in a position that is easily visible to the guided customer, even if the guided customer does not look at the mobile terminal. Also, the guided customer does not need to register the location of the product he or she wants to purchase in the store, but only needs to register product information of the product he or she wants to purchase in advance, and does not need to know the location of the product in the store.

[0136] In addition, the information processing device 11 detects customers to be watched who are likely to shoplift, based on images from cameras 14 installed within store A1a, obtains the position of the customers to be watched within store A1a based on the images from cameras 14 and map information within store A1a, identifies electronic shelf tags 13 in the vicinity of the customers to be watched based on the position of the customers to be watched and position information of electronic shelf tags 13 within store A1a, and, if certain conditions are met, displays images to discourage shoplifting on the electronic shelf tags 13 in the vicinity of the customers to be watched.

[0137] In this way, the information processing device 11 identifies the location of the customer to be watched, and displays an image to discourage shoplifting on some or all of the electronic shelf labels 13 around the identified location. This prevents the image to discourage shoplifting from reaching the customer's eyes, and thus prevents the image from damaging the customer's impression.

[0138] <Other variations> In the above embodiment, it has been described that the guided customer has registered in advance that he / she wishes to receive the guide service. However, a customer who is not registered in advance, such as a customer who requests guidance on the spot after entering the store, may be treated as a guided customer. In this case, when the customer specifies a desired product on a terminal in the store, the information processing device 11 treats the customer as a guided customer and displays a route to the product on the electronic shelf label 13 in the manner of each operation example of the above embodiment. That is, the guided customer may or may not be registered in advance as long as the guided customer is a target of the guide service. Also, in a specific situation such as when the store is crowded, only customers who are registered in advance may be guided customers. Alternatively, an individual customer who is not registered in advance may be treated as a guided customer, but the priority of the guide service may be lowered.

[0139] In the above embodiment, the guided customer is described as an elderly person, but the guided customer is not limited to an elderly person. For example, the guided customer may be a child who does not have a terminal (e.g., a smartphone) that can be used for route guidance. In addition, the guided customer may be selected based on a criterion other than the right or ability to operate a terminal such as a smartphone, such as whether or not the customer is a regular customer. In addition, the guided customer may be a person with a disability regardless of age. Note that an elderly person who comes to the store accompanied by a family member or a care worker may be considered as a guided customer under normal circumstances, and may be excluded from the guided customer under specific circumstances such as when the store is crowded. Alternatively, an elderly person who comes to the store accompanied by a family member or a care worker may be considered as a guided customer, but the priority of the guide service may be lowered.

[0140] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the information processing device 11 obtains a route from the entrance of the store to the display location of the products and provides guidance. However, the start point of the obtained route does not have to be the entrance of the store. For example, when the entrance and exit of the store are different, the information processing device 11 may obtain a route from the entrance to the display location of the products and provide guidance. In addition, when the reader device 12 is installed in a place away from the entrance, the information processing device 11 may obtain a route from the reader device 12 to the display location of the products and provide guidance. In the above-described embodiment, the condition for starting guidance is to read the card with the reader device 12, and therefore the route from the entrance to the reader device 12 is not necessary information for the guided customer. In addition, a route starting from a place other than the entrance or the reader device 12 may be obtained and provided guidance. For example, a route from the electronic shelf label 13 closest to the location where the guided customer is located at the time of starting guidance to the display location of the products may be obtained and provided guidance. In addition, a counter in the store may be set in advance as the location from which guidance starts, and a route from that location to the display location of the products may be obtained and provided guidance. Also, a route starting from a different location may be acquired for each guided customer and the guided customer may be guided to the location where the guided customer wants the guided customer to start, for example, by registering the location in advance in the information processing device 11. In other words, the starting point of the route may be set to various locations according to the store manager, the store facilities, or the customer's request.

[0141] In the above embodiment, the electronic shelf label 13 is used as a display device that displays images and product information related to the guidance service, but other devices installed in the store may be used as the display device. Specifically, signage or other monitors installed in the store may be used as the display device.

[0142] The above-described embodiment can also be applied to guidance other than in-store guidance. For example, when a worker searches for a desired item in a warehouse, a device such as an electronic shelf label 13 installed in the warehouse may be used to perform the same process as in the above-described embodiment. In this case, the route to the storage location of the item in the warehouse is notified to the worker, who corresponds to the guided customer, instead of the display location of the item in the store.

[0143] Furthermore, in the above-described second embodiment, the information processing device 11 may display an image for discouraging shoplifting only on the electronic shelf labels 13 of specific products, such as products that have been shoplifted in the past.

[0144] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, when providing route guidance to a number of elderly people who have different eye level when walking, the guidance route may be displayed on an electronic shelf label located at a higher height than a specific height for relatively healthy elderly people.

[0145] In the above embodiment, the eye level of the guided customer is acquired by referring to the height of the guided customer included in the attribute information, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the eye level of the guided customer may be acquired by other means. For example, the eye level of the guided customer may be acquired by estimating the height of the guided customer from an image captured by a camera or by using a known line of sight estimation technology.

[0146] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can come up with various modified or altered examples within the scope of the claims. It is understood that such modified or altered examples also belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the components in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0147] In the above-described embodiments, the notation "... part" used for each component may be replaced with other notations such as "... circuit", "... assembly", "... device", "... unit", or "... module".

[0148] The present disclosure can be realized by software, hardware, or software in cooperation with hardware. Each functional block used in the description of the above embodiment may be realized partially or entirely as an LSI, which is an integrated circuit, and each process described in the above embodiment may be controlled partially or entirely by one LSI or a combination of LSIs. The LSI may be composed of individual chips, or may be composed of one chip that includes some or all of the functional blocks. The LSI may have input and output of data. Depending on the degree of integration, the LSI may be called an IC, a system LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra LSI.

[0149] The method of integration is not limited to LSI, but may be realized by a dedicated circuit, a general-purpose processor, or a dedicated processor. Also, after LSI manufacturing, a programmable FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connections and settings of circuit cells inside the LSI may be used. The present disclosure may be realized as digital processing or analog processing.

[0150] Furthermore, if a new integrated circuit technology that can replace LSI appears due to the progress of semiconductor technology or a derivative technology, it is possible to integrate the functional blocks using that technology. The application of biotechnology is also a possibility. [Industrial Applicability]

[0151] The present disclosure is useful for providing guidance on where to display products in a store. [Explanation of symbols]

[0152] 1 Product information system 11 Information processing equipment 12 Reader device 13 Electronic shelf label 14 Camera A1a store A1b Backyard A3a Guided customer D1 Registration Information

Claims

1. A detection unit that detects the entry of a customer who is a target of a service of guiding the display location of a product into the store; a display location acquisition unit that acquires a display location in the store of the commodity registered by the guided customer; A route / location acquisition unit that acquires a route to the display location; an identification unit that identifies a display device located around the eye level of the guided customer on the route based on attribute information indicating the eye level of the guided customer and position information of the display device; an image generating unit that generates image data for guiding the display location and transmits the image data to the specified display device; An information processing device having the above configuration.

2. When a first guided customer is guided to a display location of a first commodity, and at the same time, a second guided customer, whose eye level is different from that of the first guided customer, is guided to a display location of a second commodity, the identification unit identifies a first display device located at approximately the height of an eye line of the first guided customer and a second display device located at approximately the height of an eye line of the second guided customer; the image generation unit generates image data for informing the first guided customer of the display location of the first commodity and transmits the image data to the first display device, and at the same time generates image data for informing the second guided customer of the display location of the second commodity and transmits the image data to the second display device; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The image generation unit generates and transmits image data indicating product information of products placed around a location where the specified display device is installed to a display device at a height different from that of the specified display device. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. The image generation unit is configured to generate a display device that is one of the specified display devices. generating and transmitting image data including the horizontal guidance and not including the height guidance to a display device whose horizontal position on the route is different from the display location in the horizontal direction; generating and transmitting image data including the guidance in the height direction and not including the guidance in the horizontal direction to a display device whose horizontal position on the route is different from the display location in the horizontal direction; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. A detection unit is further provided for detecting customers who are to be watched and who may shoplift from customers in the store, The route / location acquisition unit acquires the location of the customer to be monitored, The identification unit identifies a display device located in the vicinity of the customer to be watched based on a position of the customer to be watched and position information of the display device, When the location of the target customer is outside the guide route and there are no other customers around the target customer, the image generation unit generates image data for preventing shoplifting and transmits the image data to a display device located around the target customer. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. when the location of the target customer is within a guide route, or when there are other customers around the target customer, the image generation unit does not transmit an image for preventing shoplifting to a display device around the target customer. The information processing device according to claim 5 .

7. When the location of the target customer is within the guide route, the image generating unit transmits an image for preventing shoplifting to a display device located in the vicinity of the target customer and at a height other than a range of heights that may be at eye level of the person. The information processing device according to claim 5 .

8. when the location of the target customer is within a guide route and there are no other customers around the target customer, the image generation unit transmits an image for preventing shoplifting to a display device around the target customer. The information processing device according to claim 5 .

9. the image generating unit transmits an image to a part or all of display devices located in the vicinity of the target customer and at a height higher than a range that may be at eye level of the person, to alert store staff of the store to be careful of shoplifting; The information processing device according to claim 5 .

10. Detecting the entry of a customer who is the target of a service for guiding the display location of a product into the store; Acquire the display location in the store of the product registered by the guided customer; Obtaining a route to the display location; Identifying a display device located at a height near the eye level of the guided customer on the route based on attribute information indicating the eye level of the guided customer and position information of the display device; generating image data for guiding the display location and displaying the image data on the specified display device; How to provide product information.

11. In the information processing device, Detecting the entry of a customer who is the target of a service for guiding the display location of a product into the store; Acquire the display location in the store of the product registered by the guided customer; Obtaining a route to the display location; Identifying a display device located at a height near the eye level of the guided customer on the route based on attribute information indicating the eye level of the guided customer and position information of the display device; generating image data for guiding the display location and displaying the image data on the specified display device; A program that executes a process.

Images