Commodity purchase support device, commodity purchase support system and program

Abstract

To provide a commodity purchase support device, a commodity purchase support system, and a program that allow a user to obtain information about an operational object by directly touching the operational object instead of a conventional interface using a touch panel or a keyboard.SOLUTION: Miniature link (commodity purchase support device) comprises a first wireless tag reader that repeatedly reads information on wireless tags attached to objects that are placed in a predetermined area, imitate the shape of a commodity and have the identification information for the relevant commodity registered on a wireless tag, an object movement determination unit that determines that the object with the wireless tag that cannot be read has moved outside the area, on the condition that the first wireless tag reader has detected that there is a wireless tag that cannot be read, and an information presentation unit that presents information on a commodity that the item determined to have moved outside the area imitates.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a product purchase assistance device, a product purchase assistance system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an RFID tag reader that reads an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag attached to a product and registers the product (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Because RFID tags can store information about products, they are expected to be used for product promotions, trial experiences, and the provision of product samples, replacing conventional interfaces that use touch panels and keyboards. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a product purchasing support device, a product purchasing support system, and a program that enable information related to an object to be operated to be obtained while directly touching the object to be operated, instead of the conventional interface using a touch panel or keyboard. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The product purchase support device according to the embodiment includes a first wireless tag reader, an item movement determination unit, and an information presentation unit. The first wireless tag reader repeatedly reads identification information from an item placed in a predetermined area, which has a wireless tag attached and in which identification information of the item is registered. The item movement determination unit determines that the item to which the unreadable wireless tag is attached has moved outside the area, on condition that the first wireless tag reader detects that there is a wireless tag that can no longer be read. The information presentation unit presents product information related to the item determined to have moved outside the area. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a miniature link according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the miniature link. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a miniature master. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the miniature link. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by Miniature Link. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sample providing system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a sample vending machine. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the sample vending machine. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the sample vending machine. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vanity system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the mirror signage. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the vanity system. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the vanity system. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the vanity system. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the vanity system. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a store to which the embodiments of the present disclosure are applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. The following describes a first embodiment, a miniature link 10, a second embodiment, a sample vending machine 30, and a third embodiment, a vanity system 60, which are installed in, for example, a cosmetics store 8 (see FIG. 16), and each provides customers with information required when purchasing cosmetics.

[0008] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, a miniature link 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] (Miniature Link Outline) Miniature Link 10 is a device or system that, when a customer picks up a miniature that resembles a product in a store, presents product information and videos related to the product that corresponds to the miniature that the customer picked up. Miniature Link 10 is an example of a product purchase support device in the present disclosure.

[0010] The schematic configuration of a miniature link 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a miniature link according to a first embodiment.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the miniature link 10 includes a miniature 5, an RFID reader 15, a camera 16, a projector 17, a store server 18, and a control device 19.

[0012] The miniature 5 is a small model that imitates a product. The miniature 5 is affixed with an RFID tag 6 (an example of a wireless tag) in which identification information (e.g., a product code) of the product that the miniature 5 imitates is registered. The miniature 5 is an example of an article in the present disclosure. The RFID tag 6 may be embedded inside the miniature 5. The miniature 5 does not necessarily have to have a shape that imitates the product, and may be, for example, a card on which a photo or illustration of the product is printed.

[0013] The miniatures 5 are prepared in a number of types, i.e., in the form of a number of different products, and are removably stored in a container 4 placed at a predetermined position on a table 3. In the example of FIG. 1, the container 4 is a plate-shaped tray, but the shape of the container 4 is not limited to this. The container 4 may be a case, shelf, stand, sheet, etc. for displaying, storing, etc. the miniatures 5. In other words, the container 4 defines the area in which the miniatures 5 exist by displaying or storing the miniatures 5, and may be rephrased as a storage body or a display fixture.

[0014] The RFID reader 15 is installed on the underside of the top plate of the table 3 and repeatedly reads information from the RFID tag 6 attached to the miniature 5 contained in the container 4.

[0015] The camera 16 is installed, for example, on the table 3, and captures an image of the customer 2 approaching the container 4. The captured image is used to identify the customer 2.

[0016] When it is determined that a customer has picked up the miniature 5, the projector 17 projects explanatory information 7 relating to the product that the miniature 5 imitates onto the top of the table 3. The explanatory information 7 is, for example, information conveying how to use the product or features of the product. The explanatory information 7 may also be advertising information for the product. Note that the explanatory information 7 may be displayed on a monitor installed on the table 3 instead of the projector 17.

[0017] The store server 18 stores information about the customer 2 and information about the product represented by the miniature 5 picked up by the customer 2 in association with each other.

[0018] The control device 19 is a controller that realizes various operations of the miniature link 10.

[0019] When a customer 2 finds a product he likes, he takes a miniature 5 that resembles that product to another corner of the store 8 (for example, a sample vending machine 30 (see FIG. 6) described in the second embodiment). In the miniature link 10, the container 4, RFID reader 15, camera 16, and projector 17 may be provided for each product. One control device 19 may control one set of RFID reader 15, camera 16, and projector 17, or one control device 19 may control multiple sets of RFID reader 15, camera 16, and projector 17.

[0020] (Miniature Link hardware configuration) The hardware configuration of the miniature link 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the miniature link.

[0021] The control device 19 that controls the miniature link 10 has a configuration in which a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a peripheral device controller 13, and a communication interface 14 are interconnected via an internal bus.

[0022] The control unit 11 controls the overall operation of the miniature link 10. The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113. The CPU 111 is connected to the ROM 112 and the RAM 113 via internal buses such as an address bus and a data bus. The CPU 111 loads various programs stored in the ROM 112 and the storage unit 12 into the RAM 113. The CPU 111 controls the operation of the miniature link 10 by operating according to the various programs loaded into the RAM 113. That is, the control unit 11 has the configuration of a general computer.

[0023] The storage unit 12 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage unit 12 may also be a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 12 stores a control program 121, a miniature master 122, RFID tag reference data 123, and usage history data 124.

[0024] The control program 121 is a program that controls the overall operation of the Miniature Link 10. The control program 121 may be provided in a state stored in the storage unit 12, or may be provided by recording it in an installable or executable file format on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD. The control program 121 may also be provided by storing it on a computer connected to a network and downloading it via the network. Furthermore, the control program 121 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0025] The miniature master 122 is a master file that stores product information and the like of the product that the miniature 5 imitates, in association with the product code registered in the RFID tag 6 attached to the miniature 5. The specific structure of the miniature master 122 will be described in detail later (see FIG. 3).

[0026] The RFID tag reference data 123 is a file that stores the product code registered in the RFID tag 6 attached to the miniature 5 contained in the container 4 at that time.

[0027] The Miniature Link 10 repeatedly reads information, such as product codes, of the RFID tags 6 attached to the miniatures 5 contained in the container 4. Then, each time the product code is read, the read product code is compared with the RFID tag reference data 123. If the comparison result shows that the read product codes and the product codes stored in the RFID tag reference data 123 all match, the Miniature Link 10 determines that the miniatures 5 contained in the container 4 have not been moved outside the container 4. If the read product codes are insufficient for the product codes stored in the RFID tag reference data 123, the Miniature Link 10 determines that the miniatures 5 attached with the missing product codes among the miniatures 5 contained in the container 4 have been picked up by the customer and moved outside the container 4. Then, the Miniature Link 10 registers the product codes read at that time as new RFID tag reference data 123. Furthermore, if the read product code is compared with the product code stored in the RFID tag reference data 123 and has increased, the Miniature Link 10 determines that the miniature 5 once picked up by the customer has been returned to the container 4. Then, the Miniature Link 10 additionally registers in the RFID tag reference data 123 the product code that has increased since the previous reading.

[0028] In this way, the miniature link 10 determines that the miniature 5 with the product code read at that time is contained in the container 4.

[0029] The usage history data 124 is a file that stores information identifying the customer 2 who used the miniature link 10, in association with the product code of the product represented by the miniature 5 that the customer 2 moved outside the container 4.

[0030] The usage history data 124 is output to the store server 18 immediately or at any timing. The store server 18 accumulates and stores the acquired usage history data 124. The accumulated usage history data 124 is used for promoting products to the customer 2. In addition, the accumulated usage history data 124 can be used to analyze the relationship between the attributes of the customer 2 (age, sex, etc.) and products in which the customer 2 is interested, which can be useful for future product development, etc.

[0031] The control unit 11 is connected to an RFID reader 15, a camera 16, and a projector 17, which input and output various information, via a peripheral device controller 13. The outline of each input and output device is as described above.

[0032] In addition, the control unit 11 communicates with the store server 18 via the communication interface 14. The store server 18 acquires and accumulates the usage history data 124 from the Miniature Link 10. The configuration of the Miniature Link 10 is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration, and the store server 18 may acquire a product code attached to the miniature 5 picked up by the customer 2, and cause the projector 17 to present explanatory information about the product.

[0033] (Miniature master data structure) The data structure of the miniature master 122 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the miniature master.

[0034] The miniature master 122 stores product information of the product in association with a product code that uniquely identifies the product.

[0035] The product information includes a product name, a price, a makeup area, a makeup color, and explanatory information. The product name is the name of the product. The price is the price of the product. The makeup area indicates the makeup area of ​​the product (lips, cheeks, around the eyes, etc.). The makeup color is information related to the color of makeup applied by the product. The makeup area and makeup color are used when applying virtual makeup using the product. This will be described in more detail later (see FIG. 13). The explanatory information is promotional information including the features and usage of the product. The explanatory information includes image data, video data, and audio data. Note that the miniature master 122 may also store other product information, such as sale information.

[0036] (Miniature Link Functional Configuration) The functional configuration of the miniature link 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the miniature link.

[0037] The control unit 11 of the miniature link 10 deploys the control program 121 in the RAM 113 and operates it to realize the customer identification unit 21, the RFID tag reading unit 22, the miniature movement determination unit 23, the product information presentation unit 24, and the history storage unit 25 as functional units shown in Fig. 4. Note that some or all of these functional units may be realized by dedicated hardware.

[0038] The customer identification unit 21 determines whether there is a customer near the table 3. In addition, the customer identification unit 21 identifies the customer 2 near the table 3. Furthermore, the customer identification unit 21 identifies the customer 2 who has moved the miniature 5 out of the container 4.

[0039] The method by which customer identification unit 21 identifies a customer is not limited, but for example, a facial image of a customer who enters store 8 (see FIG. 16) may be captured at the entrance of store 8, and an identification number that uniquely identifies the customer may be assigned to the captured image of the customer. Then, a person detected from images captured by multiple cameras installed inside store 8 may be identified, and the location in the store of the customer with the assigned identification number may be determined.

[0040] In addition, if the customer has a membership card for store 8, the membership card can be read by a card reader (not shown) installed on table 3, and the above-mentioned identification number can be replaced with a membership number to determine the customer's location.

[0041] The RFID tag reading unit 22 repeatedly reads the product code registered in the RFID tag 6 from the miniature 5 with the RFID tag 6 attached, which is placed inside the container 4, i.e., in a predetermined area, and to which the RFID tag 6 is attached and to which the product code is registered. The RFID tag reading unit 22 is an example of a first wireless tag reading unit in this disclosure.

[0042] The miniature movement determination unit 23 determines that the miniature 5 with the unreadable RFID tag 6 has been moved out of the container 4 on condition that the RFID tag reading unit 22 detects that there is an RFID tag 6 that can no longer be read. The miniature movement determination unit 23 also determines that a new RFID tag 6 has been placed in the container 4 on condition that a new RFID tag 6 has been read. In other words, the miniature movement determination unit 23 recognizes that the miniature 5 placed in the container 4 has been taken out by the customer 2, and that the taken-out miniature 5 has been returned to the container 4. The miniature movement determination unit 23 is an example of an item movement determination unit in the present disclosure.

[0043] The product information presentation unit 24 presents product information, such as explanatory information, of the product related to the miniature 5 determined to have moved outside the container 4 on the table 3 by the projector 17. The product information, such as explanatory information, presented at this time is information stored in a miniature master 122, which will be described later (see FIG. 3). The product information presentation unit 24 is an example of an information presentation unit in the present disclosure.

[0044] The history accumulation unit 25 associates the information related to the customer 2 identified by the customer identification unit 21 with the product code registered in the RFID tag 6 attached to the miniature 5 that the customer 2 has moved out of the container 4, and stores the information in the usage history data 124. The history accumulation unit 25 is an example of a storage unit in the present disclosure.

[0045] (Processing flow of Miniature Link) The flow of processing performed by the miniature link 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the miniature link.

[0046] The customer identification unit 21 determines whether a customer is present near the table 3 (step S11). If it is determined that a customer is present near the table 3 (step S11: Yes), the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if it is not determined that a customer is present near the table 3 (step S11: No), step S11 is repeated. Note that the customer identification unit 21 determines that a customer is present near the table 3 when a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 16.

[0047] When it is determined in step S11 that a customer is present near table 3, customer identification unit 21 identifies the customer (step S12). For example, as described above, customer identification unit 21 identifies the customer by comparing a facial image of the customer who has entered store 8 with a facial image of the customer captured by camera 16.

[0048] The RFID tag reader 22 reads the product code registered in the RFID tag 6 attached to the miniature 5 contained in the container 4 (step S13).

[0049] The miniature movement determination unit 23 determines whether the product code read in step S13 matches the product code registered in the RFID tag reference data 123 (step S14). If it is determined that the read product code matches the product code registered in the RFID tag reference data 123 (step S14: Yes), the process returns to step S11. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the read product code matches the product code stored in the RFID tag reference data 123 (step S14: No), the process proceeds to step S15.

[0050] If it is determined in step S14 that the read product code does not match the product code registered in the RFID tag reference data 123, the miniature movement determination unit 23 identifies the product code that could not be read in step S13 from among the product codes registered in the RFID tag reference data 123 (step S15). The miniature movement determination unit 23 determines that the miniature 5 with the product code identified in step S15 has moved out of the container 4, i.e., that the customer has picked up the miniature 5.

[0051] The miniature movement determination unit 23 updates the RFID tag reference data 123 by deleting the product code identified in step S15 from the product codes stored in the RFID tag reference data 123 (step S16).

[0052] The product information presentation unit 24 reads out product information, such as explanatory information of the product having the product code identified in step S15, from the miniature master 122, and projects the product information on the table 3 with the projector 17 (step S17). Note that the information presentation form of the product information presentation unit 24 is not limited to this, and for example, the projector 17 may sequentially project product information of multiple products contained in the container 4 onto the table 3, and when it detects that a customer has picked up the miniature 5, project the product information of the product that the miniature 5 imitates onto the table 3.

[0053] The history storage unit 25 associates the information related to the customer identified in step S12 with the product code attached to the miniature 5 picked up by the customer identified in step S15, and stores the information in the usage history data 124 (step S18). After that, Miniature Link 10 ends the process of FIG. 5.

[0054] Although not shown in the flowchart of Fig. 5, when a customer returns a miniature 5 that he or she picked up to the container 4, the RFID tag reader 22 will read again the product code that was once unreadable. In such a case, the miniature movement determination unit 23 updates the RFID tag reference data 123 by adding back the product code that was once deleted.

[0055] The miniature link 10 may also have a function of outputting the RFID tag reference data 123 to the store server 18. This allows the store server 18 to monitor when a customer has picked up a miniature 5 and taken it away to use in another device shown in the second or third embodiment, resulting in a decrease in the number of miniatures 5 contained in the container 4. Therefore, a store clerk who has confirmed on the store server 18 that the number of miniatures 5 is decreasing can replenish miniatures 5 as appropriate.

[0056] (Effects of the first embodiment) As described above, the miniature link 10 (product purchase support device) of the first embodiment includes an RFID tag reading unit 22 (first RFID tag reading unit) that repeatedly reads identification information from a miniature 5 (product) that is placed in a predetermined area and has an RFID tag 6 (wireless tag) attached thereto, to which product identification information is registered, a miniature movement determining unit 23 (product movement determining unit) that determines that the miniature 5 to which the unreadable RFID tag 6 is attached has moved outside the container 4 on condition that the RFID tag reading unit 22 detects that there is an RFID tag 6 that has become unreadable, and a product information presenting unit 24 (information presenting unit) that presents information on the product related to the miniature 5 that has been determined to have moved outside the area. Therefore, instead of using a conventional interface using a touch panel or keyboard, the customer 2 can obtain product information related to the operation target while directly touching the miniature 5 that is the operation target. This allows the customer to experience the fun and comfort of using his or her hands, which is not available in conventional interfaces in which a GUI (Graphic User Interface) on a screen is operated using a touch panel.

[0057] In the miniature link 10 (product purchase support device) of the first embodiment, the items are miniatures that imitate the products, so that the customer 2 can get the sensation of touching the actual products.

[0058] Moreover, the miniature link 10 (product purchase support device) of the first embodiment further includes a customer identification unit 21 that identifies the customer 2 who has moved the miniature 5 (item) outside the container 4 (area), and a history accumulation unit 25 (storage unit) that associates and stores information related to the customer identified by the customer identification unit 21 with the product code (identification information) registered in the RFID tag 6 (wireless tag) attached to the miniature 5 that the customer 2 has moved outside the container 4. Therefore, since the operation history of the customer 2 can be accumulated, information that can be used for product advertising strategies and future product development can be obtained.

[0059] Second embodiment A sample providing system 50 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0060] (Outline of sample provision system) The sample providing system 50 is installed in a store, and when a customer inserts the miniature 5 obtained from the miniature link 10 described in the first embodiment, the system provides a sample of the product that the miniature 5 imitates. The sample providing system 50 is an example of a product purchase support system in the present disclosure.

[0061] A schematic configuration of a sample providing system 50 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sample providing system according to a second embodiment.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 6, the sample providing system 50 includes a miniature link 10 and a sample vending machine 30.

[0063] The miniature link 10 is as described in the first embodiment.

[0064] When a customer 2 inserts a miniature 5 picked up by the miniature link 10 into the sample vending machine 30, the sample vending machine 30 provides a free sample 49 of the product that the miniature 5 imitates. Specifically, when a customer 2 inserts a miniature 5 picked up by the miniature link 10 into the sample vending machine 30, the sample vending machine 30 dispenses a free sample 49 of the product that the miniature 5 imitates. The sample vending machine 30 is an example of a free sample providing device in the present disclosure. As described above, the miniature 5 is attached with an RFID tag 6 in which a product code is registered.

[0065] The sample vending machine 30 includes an input port 47, an output port 48, a camera 35, and a display device 38.

[0066] The insertion port 47 is provided, for example, on the top of the sample vending machine 30 and is a portion that guides the inserted miniature 5 into the inside of the sample vending machine 30.

[0067] The outlet 48 is provided, for example, at the bottom of the sample vending machine 30 and is a portion that dispenses a sample 49 of the product that the miniature 5 imitates.

[0068] The camera 35 is installed on the surface of the sample vending machine 30 and captures images of customers standing near the sample vending machine 30.

[0069] Display device 38 is a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display that is installed on the surface of sample vending machine 30. Display device 38 displays explanatory information about the product that miniature 5 inserted into sample vending machine 30 represents.

[0070] The sample vending machine 30 is communicatively connected to the store server 18 provided in the Miniature Link 10, and information relating to the customer who inserted the miniature 5 into the sample vending machine 30 is associated with the product code of the product modeled after the miniature 5 and stored in the store server 18.

[0071] (Sample vending machine hardware configuration) The hardware configuration of the sample vending machine 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the sample vending machine.

[0072] The sample vending machine 30 has a configuration in which a control unit 31, a memory unit 32, a peripheral device controller 33, and a communication interface 34 are connected to each other via an internal bus.

[0073] The control unit 31 controls the overall operation of the sample vending machine 30. The control unit 31 includes a CPU 311, a ROM 312, and a RAM 313. The CPU 311 is connected to the ROM 312 and the RAM 313 via internal buses such as an address bus and a data bus. The CPU 311 loads various programs stored in the ROM 312 and the storage unit 32 into the RAM 313. The CPU 311 controls the operation of the sample vending machine 30 by operating in accordance with the various programs loaded into the RAM 313. In other words, the control unit 31 has the configuration of a general computer.

[0074] The storage unit 32 is a storage device such as an HDD or SSD. The storage unit 32 may also be a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 32 stores a control program 321, a miniature master 322, and usage history data 323.

[0075] The control program 321 is a program that controls the overall operation of the sample vending machine 30. The control program 321 may be provided in a state stored in the storage unit 32, or may be provided by recording it in an installable or executable file format on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD. The control program 321 may also be provided by storing it on a computer connected to a network and downloading it via the network. Furthermore, the control program 321 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0076] The miniature master 322 is the same as the above-mentioned miniature master 122 (see FIG. 3).

[0077] The usage history data 323 is a file that stores information identifying the customer 2 who used the sample vending machine 30 in association with the product code of the product imitated by the miniature 5 that the customer 2 inserted into the sample vending machine 30. The usage history data 323 is output to the store server 18 immediately or at any time. The store server 18 accumulates and stores the acquired usage history data 323. At that time, it is preferable for the store server 18 to merge and store the usage history data 124 acquired from the miniature link 10 and the usage history data 323 acquired from the sample vending machine 30. In other words, it is preferable for the store server 18 to store information identifying the customer 2, the product code imitated by the miniature 5 that the customer 2 took out of the container 4, and information indicating whether the customer 2 received the sample product 49 from the sample vending machine 30 in association with each other. This makes it possible to accumulate the behavioral patterns of the customer 2 in the store 8, thereby obtaining information that can be used for product advertising strategies and future product development.

[0078] The control unit 31 is connected via a peripheral device controller 33 to a camera 35, a transmission type optical sensor 36, an RFID reader 37, a display device 38, and a sample discharge mechanism 39, which input and output various information.

[0079] The functions of the camera 35 and the display device 38 are as described above.

[0080] The transmission type optical sensor 36 is an example of a sensor that detects that a miniature 5 has been inserted into the sample vending machine 30. The transmission type optical sensor 36 is a photointerrupter that pairs an emitting part that emits infrared light with a light receiving part that receives the infrared light. The transmission type optical sensor 36 outputs a signal when the miniature 5 passes between the emitting part and the light receiving part and the infrared light is blocked. The sample vending machine 30 may detect that a miniature 5 has been inserted into the sample vending machine 30 using a detector other than the transmission type optical sensor 36.

[0081] The RFID reader 37 is installed inside the sample vending machine 30 and reads the information (product code) of the RFID tag 6 attached to the miniature 5 inserted through the insertion slot 47 .

[0082] The sample discharge mechanism 39 is a mechanism that discharges a sample 49 of a product corresponding to the product code read by the RFID reader 37 from the discharge port 48. The sample discharge mechanism 39 is a mechanism that is used in general vending machines.

[0083] (Functional configuration of sample vending machine) The functional configuration of the sample vending machine 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the sample vending machine.

[0084] The control unit 31 of the sample vending machine 30 deploys the control program 321 in the RAM 313 and runs it to realize the customer identification unit 41, the miniature insertion detection unit 42, the RFID tag reading unit 43, the product information presentation unit 44, the sample discharge unit 45, and the history storage unit 46 as functional units shown in Fig. 8. Note that some or all of these functional units may be realized by dedicated hardware.

[0085] The customer identification unit 41 determines whether any customer has approached the sample vending machine 30. In addition, the customer identification unit 41 identifies the customer who has inserted the miniature 5 into the sample vending machine 30.

[0086] There is no limit to the method by which customer identification unit 41 identifies a customer, but similar to the above-mentioned customer identification unit 21, it is sufficient to identify the customer's location by assigning a unique identification number to a facial image captured when the customer enters store 8 (see FIG. 16) and tracking the person in the facial image with multiple cameras installed in the store. Also, if the customer has a membership card for store 8, the membership card may be read by a card reader (not shown) installed next to sample vending machine 30, and the identification number may be replaced with the membership number to identify the customer's location.

[0087] The miniature insertion detector 42 detects that an article has been inserted through the insertion port 47 .

[0088] The RFID tag reading unit 43 reads the RFID tag 6 attached to the miniature 5 inserted through the insertion slot 47. The RFID tag reading unit 43 is an example of a second wireless tag reading unit in the present disclosure.

[0089] The product information presentation unit 44 displays, on the display device 38, product information such as explanatory information relating to the product having the product code registered in the RFID tag 6 read by the RFID tag reading unit 43.

[0090] The sample discharge unit 45 discharges, from a discharge port 48, a sample 49 of a product corresponding to the product code registered in the RFID tag 6 read by the RFID tag reading unit 43.

[0091] The history accumulation unit 46 associates information about the customer 2 identified by the customer identification unit 41 with the product code registered in the RFID tag 6 attached to the miniature 5 inserted through the insertion slot 47 and stores the information in the usage history data 323.

[0092] (Processing flow of the sample vending machine) The flow of processing performed by the sample vending machine 30 will be described with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the sample vending machine.

[0093] The customer identification unit 41 determines whether a customer is near the sample vending machine 30 (Step S21). If it is determined that a customer is near the sample vending machine 30 (Step S21: Yes), the process proceeds to Step S22. On the other hand, if it is not determined that a customer is near the sample vending machine 30 (Step S21: No), the determination in Step S21 is repeated. Note that the customer identification unit 41 determines that a customer is near the sample vending machine 30 when a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 35.

[0094] When it is determined in step S21 that a customer is near the sample vending machine 30, the customer identification unit 41 identifies the customer (step S22). For example, as described above, the customer identification unit 41 identifies the customer by comparing a facial image of the customer who entered the store 8 with a facial image of the customer captured by the camera 16.

[0095] The miniature insertion detection unit 42 judges whether the miniature 5 has been inserted through the insertion port 47 (step S23). If it is judged that the miniature 5 has been inserted through the insertion port 47 (step S23: Yes), the process proceeds to step S24. On the other hand, if it is not judged that the miniature 5 has been inserted through the insertion port 47 (step S23: No), the process returns to step S21.

[0096] When it is determined in step S23 that the miniature 5 has been inserted through the insertion slot 47, the RFID tag reader 43 reads the product code registered in the RFID tag 6 (step S24).

[0097] The RFID tag reader 43 determines whether the product code read in step S24 matches the product code registered in the miniature master 322 (step S25). If it is determined that the read product code matches the product code registered in the miniature master 322 (step S25: Yes), the process proceeds to step S26. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the read product code matches the product code registered in the miniature master 322 (step S25: No), the process proceeds to step S29.

[0098] In step S25, when it is determined that the read product code matches the product code registered in the miniature master 322, the product information presenting unit 44 reads product information, such as explanatory information, related to the product of the product code read in step S24 from the miniature master 322. Then, the product information presenting unit 44 displays the read product information, such as explanatory information, on the display device 38 (step S26).

[0099] Next, the sample discharge unit 45 operates the sample discharge mechanism 39 to discharge the sample 49 relating to the product whose product code was read in step S24 from the discharge port 48 (step S27). Since it is desirable to reliably convey the product information to the customer in step S26, it is desirable to discharge the sample 49 after the display of the explanatory information in step S26 has ended.

[0100] The history accumulation unit 46 associates the information related to the customer 2 identified by the customer identification unit 41 with the product code registered in the RFID tag 6 attached to the miniature 5 inserted through the insertion slot 47, and stores the information in the usage history data 323. After that, the sample vending machine 30 ends the process of FIG.

[0101] Returning to step S25, if it is determined in step S25 that the product code read by the RFID tag reading unit 43 does not match the product code registered in the miniature master 322, the sample dispensing unit 45 causes the display device 38 to display an error (step S29). After that, the sample vending machine 30 ends the processing of FIG. 9. The fact that an error has been displayed is notified to a staff member via the store server 18. The staff member who receives the notification checks the sample vending machine 30. The case where the product code read by the RFID tag reading unit 43 does not match the product code registered in the miniature master 322 includes, for example, when a foreign object other than a miniature 5 is inserted, or when a miniature 5 that is not eligible for sample provision in the sample vending machine 30 is inserted.

[0102] (Effects of the second embodiment) As described above, the sample providing system 50 (product purchase support system) of the second embodiment includes the miniature link 10 (product purchase support device) and the sample vending machine 30 (sample providing device). The sample vending machine 30 includes an RFID tag reader 43 (second wireless tag reader) that reads the RFID tag 6 attached to the miniature 5 inserted through the insertion slot 47, and a sample dispenser 45 that dispenses a sample 49 of a product corresponding to the product code registered in the RFID tag 6 read by the RFID tag reader 43. Therefore, the customer 2 can directly touch the miniature 5 that is the object of operation and obtain information related to the object of operation, i.e., the sample 49.

[0103] (Third embodiment) A vanity system 60 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0104] (Outline of the vanity system configuration) A schematic configuration of a vanity system 60 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the vanity system according to the third embodiment. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the structure of a mirror signage.

[0105] The dressing table system 60 provides the customer 2 with a trial experience of the product (cosmetics) that is simulated by the miniature 5. Specifically, the customer 2 can virtually apply makeup using the cosmetics that are simulated by the miniature 5. The dressing table system 60 is an example of a product purchase support device in the present disclosure.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 10, the vanity system 60 includes a miniature 5, an RFID reader 65, a camera 66, and a mirror signage 73.

[0107] The miniature 5 is a small model of a product, and is the same as that described in the first embodiment. The miniature 5 is provided with an RFID tag 6 (an example of a wireless tag) in which identification information (e.g., a product code) of the product that the miniature 5 imitates is registered. The RFID tag 6 may be embedded inside the miniature 5.

[0108] The miniatures 5 are available in a variety of types and are stored in a drawer 72 of a dressing table 71.

[0109] The RFID reader 65 is installed inside each of the drawers 72 and repeatedly reads the information of the RFID tags 6 attached to the miniatures 5 housed in the drawers 72. The RFID reader 65 may be installed inside the dressing table 71 and reads the information of the RFID tags 6 attached to the miniatures 5 housed in the multiple drawers 72 all at once.

[0110] The camera 66 is installed facing a mirror signage 73 erected on the dressing table 71, and captures a mirror image 74 (see FIG. 11) of the customer 2 reflected on the mirror signage 73. The vanity system 60 detects the positions of specific parts of the face (lips, cheeks, around the eyes, nose, etc.) from the captured mirror image 74 of the customer 2. The camera 66 also acquires operation information of the customer 2 on various controls displayed on the mirror signage 73. Specifically, the vanity system 60 detects whether the customer 2 has brought a finger close to the control displayed on the mirror signage 73 by analyzing the image captured by the camera 66. When it is detected that the customer 2 has brought a finger close to the control displayed on the mirror signage 73, the vanity system 60 determines that the customer 2 has operated the corresponding control.

[0111] As shown in Fig. 11, the mirror signage 73 has a structure in which a liquid crystal panel 67 is laminated on the back side of a mirror 68. The mirror 68 is mirror glass that reflects part of the incident light and transmits part of it. The mirror signage 73 allows the customer 2 to see information 75 displayed on the liquid crystal panel 67 superimposed on a mirror image 74 of the customer 2 reflected in the mirror 68. The information 75 may be an operator for selecting from various operation menus executed by the vanity system 60, explanatory information about the product modeled after the miniature 5 that the customer 2 took out of the drawer 72, etc.

[0112] For example, when the liquid crystal panel 67 is in a state where it blocks the light of the backlight, the mirror signage 73 operates as a mirror 68. At this time, the customer 2 can see his / her own mirror image 74. On the other hand, for example, when the liquid crystal panel 67 is in a state where it transmits the light of the backlight, the information displayed on the liquid crystal panel 67 is illuminated by the backlight and is seen by the customer 2. At this time, the customer 2 can see a state where the information 75 displayed on the liquid crystal panel 67 by the vanity system 60 is superimposed on his / her own mirror image 74. Therefore, the vanity system 60 can apply virtual makeup to the mirror image 74 of the customer 2, for example. A specific example of makeup will be described in detail later (see FIG. 13). The configuration of the mirror signage 73 is not limited to the above, and may be any configuration in which the information 75 is superimposed on the mirror image 74 of the customer 2.

[0113] The RFID reader 65 may be installed inside the drawer 72 or inside a predetermined area on the top of the dressing table 71. In this case, when the customer 2 takes out the miniature 5 from the drawer 72 and places it in the predetermined area on the dressing table 71, the RFID reader 65 reads the product code attached to the miniature 5, thereby realizing the above-mentioned operation.

[0114] The vanity system 60 may be configured to be operated by the miniature 5 that the customer 2 picks up from the miniature link 10 described in the first embodiment and brings with him. In this case, the RFID reader 65 is installed, for example, inside a predetermined area on the top of the dressing table 71. When the customer 2 places the miniature 5 that he brought from the miniature link 10 in the predetermined area, the RFID reader 65 reads the product code attached to the miniature 5, thereby enabling the vanity system 60 to realize the above-mentioned operation.

[0115] (Hardware configuration of vanity system) The hardware configuration of the vanity system 60 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the vanity system.

[0116] The vanity system 60 has a configuration in which a control unit 61, a storage unit 62, a peripheral device controller 63, and a communication interface 64 are interconnected via an internal bus.

[0117] The control unit 61 controls the overall operation of the vanity system 60. The control unit 61 includes a CPU 611, a ROM 612, and a RAM 613. The CPU 611 is connected to the ROM 612 and the RAM 613 via internal buses such as an address bus and a data bus. The CPU 611 loads various programs stored in the ROM 612 and the storage unit 62 into the RAM 613. The CPU 611 controls the operation of the vanity system 60 by operating in accordance with the various programs loaded into the RAM 613. In other words, the control unit 61 has the configuration of a typical computer.

[0118] The storage unit 62 is a storage device such as an HDD or SSD. The storage unit 62 may also be a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 62 stores a control program 621, a miniature master 622, RFID tag reference data 623, and usage history data 624.

[0119] The control program 621 is a program that controls the overall operation of the vanity system 60. The control program 621 may be provided in a state stored in the storage unit 62, or may be provided by recording it in an installable or executable file format on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD. The control program 621 may also be provided by storing it on a computer connected to a network and downloading it via the network. Furthermore, the control program 621 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0120] The miniature master 622 is the same as the miniature master 122 (see FIG. 3) described above.

[0121] The RFID tag reference data 623 is a file that stores the product code registered in the RFID tag 6 attached to the miniature 5 stored in the drawer 72 at that time.

[0122] The vanity system 60 repeatedly reads the product code, which is information of the RFID tag 6 attached to the miniature 5 stored in the drawer 72. Then, every time the product code is read, the read product code is compared with the RFID tag reference data 623. If the comparison result shows that the read product code matches all the product codes stored in the RFID tag reference data 623, the vanity system 60 judges that the miniature 5 stored in the drawer 72 has not been moved outside the drawer 72. If the read product code is insufficient for the product codes stored in the RFID tag reference data 623, the vanity system 60 judges that the miniature 5 with the missing product code among the miniatures 5 stored in the drawer 72 has been picked up by the customer and moved outside the drawer 72. Then, the vanity system 60 registers the product code read at that time as new RFID tag reference data 623. Furthermore, if the read product code is compared with the product code stored in the RFID tag reference data 623 and has increased, the vanity system 60 determines that the miniature 5 once picked up by the customer has been returned to the drawer 72. Then, the vanity system 60 additionally registers in the RFID tag reference data 623 the product code that has increased since the previous reading.

[0123] In this way, the vanity system 60 determines that the miniature 5 with the product code read at that time is stored in the drawer 72.

[0124] The usage history data 624 is a file that stores information identifying a customer 2 who used the vanity system 60, in association with the product code of the product represented by the miniature 5 that the customer 2 moved out of the drawer 72.

[0125] The usage history data 624 is output to the store server 18 immediately or at any timing. The store server 18 accumulates and stores the acquired usage history data 624. The accumulated usage history data 624 is used for promoting products to the customer 2. In addition, the accumulated usage history data 624 can be used to analyze the relationship between the attributes of the customer 2 (age, sex, etc.) and products in which the customer 2 is interested, which can be useful for new product development, etc.

[0126] The control unit 61 is connected to an RFID reader 65, a camera 66, and a liquid crystal panel 67, which input and output various information, via a peripheral device controller 63. The outline of each input and output device is as described above.

[0127] Furthermore, the control unit 61 communicates with the store server 18 via the communication interface 64. The store server 18 accumulates and stores the usage history data 624 acquired from the vanity system 60.

[0128] (Example of vanity system operation) An example of the operation of the vanity system 60 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the vanity system.

[0129] As described above, the customer 2 can see his / her own mirror image 74 reflected in the mirror 68 superimposed on the information 75 output by the vanity system 60 to the liquid crystal panel 67. The vanity system 60 applies virtual makeup to specific facial parts (lips, cheeks, around the eyes, nose, etc.) in the mirror image 74 of the customer 2.

[0130] FIG. 13 shows an example of a state in which the vanity system 60 has applied virtual makeup to a mirror image 74 of the customer 2.

[0131] The vanity system 60 displays unillustrated controls including those for performing virtual makeup on the mirror signage 73. The customer 2 selects an operation menu by bringing a finger close to the control or by touching the control. At this time, the camera 66 captures a mirror image 74 of the customer 2 and detects that the customer 2 has brought a finger close to the control or touched the control.

[0132] When customer 2 removes miniature 5 from drawer 72 and selects to perform virtual makeup from the operation menu displayed on mirror signage 73, the vanity system 60 applies virtual makeup to a mirror image 74 of customer 2, as shown in FIG. 13.

[0133] In the example shown in FIG. 13, a customer takes out miniature lipstick 76 and blush 78 from a drawer 72 and applies virtual makeup.

[0134] When execution of virtual makeup is selected, the vanity system 60 reads out from the miniature master 622 information on the makeup area related to the lipstick 76 that the customer 2 took out of the drawer 72 from the mirror image 74 of the customer 2 captured by the camera 66, and information on the makeup color. Then, the vanity system 60 detects the lip area 77, which is the makeup area of ​​the lipstick 76, from the mirror image 74 of the customer 2 captured by the camera 66. Since the detection of each part of the face from a face image is performed in various technical fields, the specific image processing method may follow these known examples. The vanity system 60 fills in the detected lip area 77 with the makeup color read out from the miniature master 622. The filled information is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 67 and superimposed on the lip area 77 of the mirror image 74, so that the customer 2 can visually recognize the state in which the lipstick 76 is applied to his or her own lips. The camera 66 repeatedly captures the mirror image 74 of the customer 2, and each time an image is captured, the lip area 77 is detected and the detected area is filled in. Therefore, even if the customer 2 moves his or her face, as long as the lip area 77 is reflected in the mirror 68, the customer 2 can visually recognize the effect of the virtual makeup regardless of his or her own posture.

[0135] The vanity system 60 also reads out from the miniature master 622 information on the makeup area related to the blush 78 that the customer 2 has taken out of the drawer 72 from the mirror image 74 of the customer 2 captured by the camera 66, and information on the makeup color. The vanity system 60 then detects the cheek area 79, which is the makeup area of ​​the blush 78, from the mirror image 74 of the customer 2 captured by the camera 66. Since the detection of each part of the face from a face image is performed in various technical fields, the specific image processing method may follow these known examples. The vanity system 60 fills in the detected cheek area 79 with the makeup color read out from the miniature master 622. The filled-in information is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 67 and superimposed on the cheek area 79 of the mirror image 74, so the customer 2 can visually confirm that the blush 78 has been applied to his or her cheek. The camera 66 repeatedly captures the mirror image 74 of the customer 2, and each time an image is captured, the cheek area 79 is detected and the detected area is filled in. Therefore, even if the customer 2 moves his or her face, as long as the cheek area 79 is reflected in the mirror 68, the customer 2 can visually recognize the effect of the virtual makeup regardless of his or her own posture.

[0136] When applying virtual makeup using cosmetics that allow multiple makeup colors to be selected, such as a makeup palette, the vanity system 60 displays an image of a makeup palette (not shown) on the mirror signage 73. The customer 2 can select a makeup color that he or she wants to try from the makeup palette displayed on the mirror signage 73 by bringing his or her finger close to the position where the makeup color is displayed, and experience virtual makeup using the selected makeup color. Furthermore, if the customer finds a color that he or she likes or that suits him or her by applying virtual makeup, he or she can obtain a sample product 49 from the sample vending machine 30 described above and use the sample product 49 to actually apply makeup on the dressing table 71.

[0137] (Functional configuration of the vanity system) The functional configuration of the vanity system 60 will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the vanity system.

[0138] The control unit 61 of the vanity system 60 deploys a control program 621 in the RAM 613 and operates it to realize, as functional units, a customer identification unit 81, an RFID tag reading unit 82, a miniature movement determination unit 83, a product information presentation unit 84, an operation information acquisition unit 85, a facial part detection unit 86, a virtual makeup execution unit 87, and a history storage unit 88, all of which are shown in Fig. 14. Note that some or all of these functional units may be realized by dedicated hardware.

[0139] The customer identification unit 81 determines whether the customer 2 is reflected in the mirror 68. In addition, the customer identification unit 81 identifies who the customer 2 reflected in the mirror 68 is.

[0140] There is no restriction on the method by which customer identification unit 81 identifies a customer, but similar to the above-mentioned customer identification unit 21, the customer's location may be identified by assigning a unique identification number to a face image captured when the customer enters store 8 (see FIG. 16) and tracking the person in the face image with multiple cameras installed in the store. Also, if the customer has a membership card for store 8, the membership card may be read by a card reader (not shown) installed in dressing table 71, and the identification number may be replaced with the membership number to identify the customer's location.

[0141] The RFID tag reader 82 repeatedly reads the product code registered in the RFID tag 6 from the miniature 5 placed in the drawer 72, i.e., a predetermined area, to which the RFID tag 6 with the product code registered is attached. The RFID tag reader 82 is an example of a first wireless tag reader in this disclosure.

[0142] On condition that the RFID tag reading unit 82 detects that there is an RFID tag 6 that can no longer be read, the miniature movement determination unit 83 determines that the miniature 5 to which the unreadable RFID tag 6 is attached has been moved outside the drawer 72, i.e., has been taken out of the drawer 72. The miniature movement determination unit 83 is an example of an item movement determination unit in the present disclosure.

[0143] The product information presentation section 84 presents product information such as explanatory information of the product imitated by the miniature 5 which the miniature movement determination section 83 has determined to have been taken out of the drawer 72, by superimposing it on the mirror image 74 of the customer 2 reflected in the mirror 68.

[0144] The operation information acquisition unit 85 acquires an operation instruction of the customer 2 with respect to the information 75 displayed on the mirror signage 73. Specifically, the operation information acquisition unit 85 detects that the customer 2 has brought his / her finger close to or touched various operators displayed on the mirror signage 73 by processing the image captured by the camera 66.

[0145] When the dressing table system 60 applies virtual makeup, the face part detection unit 86 detects makeup parts corresponding to the cosmetics to be used from the mirror image 74 of the customer 2 captured by the camera 66.

[0146] A virtual makeup execution unit 87 applies virtual makeup to the parts of the face corresponding to the product detected by a face part detection unit 86 from a mirror image 74 of the customer 2, using the product (cosmetics) imitated by the miniature 5 that the customer 2 takes out of a drawer 72.

[0147] The history accumulation unit 88 associates the information related to the customer 2 identified by the customer identification unit 81 with the product code registered in the RFID tag 6 attached to the miniature 5 that the customer 2 took out of the drawer 72, and stores the information in the usage history data 624. The history accumulation unit 25 is an example of a storage unit in the present disclosure.

[0148] (Processing flow of the vanity system) The flow of processing performed by the vanity system 60 will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the vanity system.

[0149] The customer identification unit 81 determines whether a customer is present at the dressing table 71 (step S31). If it is determined that a customer is present at the dressing table 71 (step S31: Yes), the process proceeds to step S32. On the other hand, if it is not determined that a customer is present at the dressing table 71 (step S31: No), step S31 is repeated. Note that the customer identification unit 21 determines that a customer is present at the dressing table 71 when a person is captured in the image captured by the camera 66.

[0150] When it is determined in step S31 that a customer is present at the dressing table 71, the customer identification unit 81 identifies the customer (step S32). For example, as described above, the customer identification unit 81 identifies the customer by comparing a facial image of the customer who has entered the store 8 with a facial image of the customer captured by the camera 66.

[0151] The RFID tag reader 82 reads the product code registered in the RFID tag 6 attached to the miniature 5 stored in the drawer 72 (step S33).

[0152] The miniature movement determination unit 83 determines whether the product code read in step S33 matches the product code registered in the RFID tag reference data 623 (step S34). If it is determined that the read product code matches the product code registered in the RFID tag reference data 623 (step S34: Yes), the process returns to step S31. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the read product code matches the product code stored in the RFID tag reference data 623 (step S34: No), the process proceeds to step S35.

[0153] If it is determined in step S34 that the read product code does not match the product code registered in the RFID tag reference data 623, the miniature movement determination unit 83 identifies the product code that could not be read in step S33 from among the product codes registered in the RFID tag reference data 623 (step S35). The miniature movement determination unit 83 determines that the miniature 5 with the product code identified in step S35 has been moved out of the drawer 72, i.e., the customer has taken out the miniature 5.

[0154] The miniature movement determination unit 83 updates the RFID tag reference data 623 by deleting the product code identified in step S35 from the product codes stored in the RFID tag reference data 623 (step S36).

[0155] The product information presentation unit 84 reads out product information, such as explanatory information of the product having the product code identified in step S35, from the miniature master 622, and displays it on the liquid crystal panel 67 (step S37). As a result, the mirror signage 73 displays product information, such as explanatory information of the product that the miniature 5 imitates, which the customer took out of the drawer 72.

[0156] The operation information acquisition unit 85 determines whether the customer 2 has instructed the performance of virtual makeup (step S38). If it is determined that the customer 2 has instructed the performance of virtual makeup (step S38: Yes), the process proceeds to step S39. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the customer 2 has instructed the performance of virtual makeup (step S38: No), the process proceeds to step S40. Note that the customer 2 has instructed the performance of virtual makeup when he or she brings a finger close to an operator displayed on the mirror signage 73 that instructs the performance of virtual makeup.

[0157] If it is determined in step S38 that the customer 2 has instructed to apply virtual makeup, the virtual makeup application unit 87 applies the virtual makeup described with reference to FIG. 13 (step S39).

[0158] The operation information acquisition unit 85 determines whether the customer 2 has instructed the vanity system 60 to be shut down (step S40). If it is determined that the customer 2 has instructed the vanity system 60 to be shut down (step S40: Yes), the process proceeds to step S41. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the customer 2 has instructed the vanity system 60 to be shut down (step S40: No), the process returns to step S37. Note that the customer 2 has instructed the vanity system 60 to be shut down is determined when the customer 2 brings his / her finger close to an operator displayed on the mirror signage 73 that instructs the vanity system 60 to be shut down.

[0159] When it is determined in step S40 that the customer 2 has instructed to end the vanity system 60, the history accumulation unit 88 associates information related to the customer 2, the product code represented by the miniature 5 that the customer 2 took out of the drawer 72, and the execution history of the virtual makeup applied by the customer 2 (makeup area, makeup color, etc.), and stores them in the usage history data 624 (step S41). Thereafter, the vanity system 60 ends the process of FIG.

[0160] (Operation and effect of the modified example of the third embodiment) As described above, in the vanity system 60 (product purchase support device) of the third embodiment, the miniature 5 (item) is a cosmetic sample, and the product information presenting unit 84 (information presenting unit) presents product information, such as explanatory information relating to the product imitated by the miniature 5 that the miniature movement determining unit 83 (item movement determining unit) has determined to have moved out of the drawer 72, by superimposing it on the mirror image 74 of the customer 2 reflected in the mirror 68. Therefore, the customer 2 can obtain information relating to the miniature 5 while directly touching the miniature 5.

[0161] (Description of stores to which the embodiments of the present disclosure are applied) A store 8 to which the embodiments of the present disclosure are applied will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a store to which the embodiments of the present disclosure are applied.

[0162] In the store 8, a miniature link 10, which is an example of the product purchase support device described above, a sample vending machine 30, and a vanity system 60 are installed.

[0163] The face of a customer who enters the store through entrance 9 is photographed by a camera (not shown) installed at the entrance, and the location of the customer within store 8 is tracked by the identification number given at that time. In addition, the customer may have a reader (not shown) at the entrance or each product purchase support device read the membership number registered on the membership card of store 8, and the location of the customer within store 8 may be tracked with the membership number associated with the facial image instead of the identification number.

[0164] Near the entrance 9, a cosmetics information gathering, counseling and experience corner 101 (hereinafter simply referred to as experience corner 101) is set up. A miniature link 10 is installed in this corner. When a customer operates the miniature link 10 and finds a product they like, they pick up a miniature 5 that resembles that product and check the explanatory information of the product that the miniature 5 resembles. If the customer wants a sample 49 of that product, they move to the sample provision corner 102 with the miniature 5 they have picked up.

[0165] A sample provision corner 102 is set up at the back of the experience corner 101. A sample vending machine 30 is installed in this corner. A customer who picks up a miniature 5 at the miniature link 10 can receive a sample 49 by inserting the miniature 5 into the sample vending machine 30. After that, the customer moves to a self-makeup corner 103 or a purchase product selection corner 104.

[0166] A vanity system 60 is installed in the self-makeup corner 103. A customer who moves to the self-makeup corner 103 can take out a miniature 5 that resembles a product of interest from a drawer 72 of a dressing table 71, and can view product description information and experience virtual make-up. If the customer finds a cosmetic product that they like, they can obtain a sample 49 from a sample vending machine 30 and actually apply make-up. After that, the customer moves to a purchase product selection corner 104.

[0167] Actual products are displayed in the purchase product selection corner 104, and customers can select and purchase the product they want. Note that the purchase product selection corner 104 may be configured such that when a customer places a miniature 5 in a specific position, the product code registered in the RFID tag 6 attached to the miniature 5 is read, and the registration of the product with that product code is completed.

[0168] After selecting (registering) products at the purchase product selection corner 104, the customer makes a payment at the payment counter 105.

[0169] Afterwards, the customer can move to the rest area 106 to take a break.

[0170] When a customer has finished shopping, he or she leaves the store through entrance 9. Note that a facial image of the customer is also captured when the customer leaves the store. Then, the facial image of the customer who has left the store is deleted from the facial images of customers being tracked at that point in time, and tracking of the customer who has left the store ends.

[0171] Although the typical route that customers take in the store 8 has been described above, the route does not necessarily have to follow this.

[0172] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0173] 2 Customers 3 Tables 4 containers 5 Miniatures (items) 6. RFID tags (wireless tags) 7. Explanatory Information 8 stores 9 Entrance / exit 10 Miniature Link (Product Purchasing Support Device) 11 Control section 12 Storage section 15,37,65 RFID Reader 16 Cameras 17 Projector 18 Store Server 19 Control device 21,41,81 Customer identification department 22,82 RFID tag reading unit (first wireless tag reading unit) 23,83 Miniature Movement Judgment Unit (Item Movement Judgment Unit) 24,44,84 Product information presentation department (information presentation department) 25,46,88 History storage unit (memory unit) 30 Sample vending machine (sample supply device) 31 Control Unit 32 Storage section 35 Camera 36 Transmissive optical sensor 38 Display Devices 39 Sample discharge mechanism 42 Miniature input detector 43 RFID tag reading unit (second wireless tag reading unit) 45 Sample discharge section 47 Inlet 48 Outlet 49 Samples 50 Sample provision system (product purchase support system) 60 Makeup Table System (Product Purchasing Support Device) 66 Camera 67 Liquid crystal panel 68 Mirror 71 Dressing table 72 Drawer 73 Mirror Signage 74 Mirror image 75 Information 85 Operation information acquisition section 86 Face part detection unit 87 Virtual Makeup Department 122,322,622 Miniature Master 123,623 RFID tag reference data 124,323,624 Usage history data [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0174] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-063860 A

Claims

1. a first wireless tag reader that repeatedly reads identification information from an article having a wireless tag attached thereto, the identification information being registered therein and placed in a predetermined area; an article movement determination unit that, when the first wireless tag reading unit detects that there is a wireless tag that can no longer be read, determines that the article to which the wireless tag that can no longer be read is attached has moved outside the area; and an information presenting unit that presents information about the product related to the product that is determined to have moved outside the area. Product purchasing support device.

2. The article is a miniature replica of a commercial product; The product purchase support device according to claim 1.

3. a customer identification unit for identifying a customer who has moved the item outside the area; a storage unit that stores information related to the customer identified by the customer identification unit and the identification information registered in the wireless tag attached to the item that the customer has moved outside the area in association with each other, The product purchase support device according to claim 1.

4. The article is a cosmetic sample, the information presentation unit presents information relating to a product that is imitated by the item that the item movement determination unit has determined to have moved outside the area, by superimposing the information on a mirror image of the customer reflected in a mirror. The product purchase support device according to claim 2.

5. The product purchase support device according to claim 1 or 2, a second wireless tag reader that reads the wireless tag attached to an article that has been inserted through the insertion slot and that has been determined to have moved outside the area; and a sample dispensing unit that dispenses a sample of a product corresponding to the identification information registered in the wireless tag read by the second wireless tag reading unit. Product purchasing support system.

6. A computer that controls the product information acquisition device, a first wireless tag reader that repeatedly reads identification information from an article having a wireless tag attached thereto, the identification information being registered therein and placed in a predetermined area; an article movement determination unit that, when the first wireless tag reading unit detects that there is a wireless tag that can no longer be read, determines that the article to which the wireless tag that can no longer be read is attached has moved outside the area; an information presenting unit that presents information about the product related to the item that is determined to have moved outside the area; A program that can be used to

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