Container set

Abstract

To meet a desire for a further effective sales of books.SOLUTION: A book sales promoting method is provided which causes a computer to execute the step for: receiving data including the details of a book; causing a printing unit to print the details of the book on a plurality of containers based on the received data; and causing a providing unit to provide the plurality of containers in such a way that the details of the book become random. Moreover, a container on which a part of the details of a book is printed is provided. A container set which includes a plurality of containers and on which the details of the book are printed at random is provided. A vending machine which is for selling a commodity that is put in a container on which the details of a book are printed is provided, and such a vending machine provides the commodity in such a way that the details of the book printed on the containers become random.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1B

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for promoting books, a container, a container set, a vending machine, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a method of promoting books by displaying information about the books on a screen is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-040438

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] More effective promotion of books is desired.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for promoting books, comprising: a step in which a computer receives data including the content of a book; a step in which a printing unit prints the content of the book on a plurality of containers based on the data; and a step in which a providing unit provides the plurality of containers so that the content of the book is random.

[0005] The method for promoting books may comprise: a step in which a computer acquires the size of a decorable space of a plurality of containers; and a step in which the computer acquires the content of the book according to the size of the decorable space.

[0006] In the method for promoting books, the step of acquiring the content of the book according to the size of the decorable space may include a step in which the computer extracts a quantity of the content of the book corresponding to the size of the decorable space from the received data.

[0007] The method for promoting books may comprise: a step in which a computer assigns a category according to the content of the book; and a step in which the computer extracts a quantity of the content of the book corresponding to the size of the decorable space by an extraction method according to the category.

[0008] According to the size of the decorable space, the step of obtaining the content of the book may include a step in which a computer receives an amount of the content of the book corresponding to the size of the decorable space.

[0009] The data may include a plurality of portions selected from one book.

[0010] The step of printing the content of the book on a plurality of containers may include a step of randomly printing the content of the book.

[0011] The step of providing a plurality of containers may include a step of rearranging the printed containers so that the content of the book is random.

[0012] The book promotion method may include a step in which a computer assigns an authentication code linked to information related to the content of the book to a plurality of containers.

[0013] The book promotion method may include a step in which a computer obtains access data from the authentication code to information related to the book, and a step in which the computer changes the content of the book to be printed on the container according to the access data.

[0014] The book promotion method may include a step in which a computer obtains information on the destinations of a plurality of containers, and a step in which the computer changes the content of the book according to the destination information.

[0015] The plurality of containers may be paper cups.

[0016] In a second aspect of the present invention, a container on which a part of the content of the book is printed is provided.

[0017] The content of the book may be printed with a material that changes color according to temperature.

[0018] The container may be provided with an authentication code linked to information related to the content of the book.

[0019] The container may be a paper cup.

[0020] In a third aspect of the present invention, a container set including a plurality of containers according to the second aspect of the present invention and having the contents of the book printed randomly is provided.

[0021] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a vending machine for selling a product by putting the product in a container on which the contents of the book are printed, and providing the product so that the contents of the book printed on the container are random is provided.

[0022] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, a program for causing a computer to execute the book promotion method according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided.

[0023] Note that the above summary of the invention does not list all the features of the present invention. Also, sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be inventions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

Figure 1A

Figure 1B

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 2C

Figure 2D

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Also, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 1A shows an example of an overview of a sales promotion system 300. The sales promotion system 300 in this example includes a receiving unit 10, a printing unit 20, and a providing unit 30.

[0027] The receiving unit 10 receives data including the content of a book. For example, the receiving unit 10 receives data including the content of a book from a storage device such as a server. The content of the book is the content printed on the container 150, and may be text, a photograph, a chart, or the like. The receiving unit 10 transmits data for printing to the printing unit 20.

[0028] Based on the data including the content of the book, the printing unit 20 prints the content of the book on a plurality of containers 150. The printing unit 20 prints the content of a plurality of books on the containers 150. The printing device of the printing unit 20 may be an offset printing device or a non-offset printing device. For example, the non-offset printing device is an inkjet print or a laser print. The printing unit 20 may print the content of the book on the containers 150 in batches for each content of the book, or may print the content of the book on the containers 150 randomly.

[0029] Container 150 is a container for storing products such as beverages, etc., and the content of the book is provided thereon. For example, container 150 can be a paper cup, a can, a PET bottle, a pouch, a bottle, cardboard, or a plastic bottle. Container 150 is not limited to these as long as it can print the content of the book.

[0030] The providing unit 30 provides a plurality of containers 150 such that the content of the book is random. That is, the providing unit 30 may provide containers 150 printed randomly, or may rearrange and provide a plurality of printed containers 150 so that the content of the book is random. The providing unit 30 may be a conveying device for containers 150 or a product providing unit of a vending machine.

[0031] Figure 1B is an example of an operation flowchart of the book promotion method. In step S100, data including the content of the book is received. The data including the content of the book may be updated periodically. In step S200, based on the data received in step S100, the content of the book is printed on a plurality of containers 150. In step S300, a plurality of containers 150 are provided such that the content of the book is random.

[0032] Figure 2A shows an example of the configuration of the promotion system 300. The promotion system 300 in this example includes a providing device 100, a container manufacturer 200, a publishing house 210, and a server 250.

[0033] The publishing house 210 provides the content of the book to be printed on the container 150. Note that the person providing the content of the book is not limited to a publishing house and may be an individual.

[0034] The server 250 stores the content of the book to be printed on the container 150. The server 250 in this example receives and stores the content of the book from the publishing house 210. The server 250 transmits the stored data to the container manufacturer 200.

[0035] The container manufacturer 200 manufactures the container 150. The container manufacturer 200 may or may not print the content of the book on the container 150. In this example, the container manufacturer 200 acquires data including the content of the book from the server 250 and prints it on the container 150. The container manufacturer 200 ships the container 150 with the content of the book printed thereon. Although the container manufacturer 200 in this example provides the container 150 to the providing device 100 which is a vending machine, the container 150 may be provided to a store such as a convenience store.

[0036] The providing device 100 puts goods into the container 150 with the content of the book printed thereon and provides it. The providing device 100 in this example is a vending machine that puts goods into the container 150 with the content of the book printed thereon and sells them. The providing device 100 provides goods so that the content of the book printed on the container 150 is random.

[0037] The promotion system 300 in this example can provide a chance encounter with a book to the purchaser by selling goods using the container 150. That is, the promotion system 300 does not necessarily provide only books with content that the purchaser is interested in based on the purchaser's profile, and may provide books with content that has low relevance to the profile in order to give the purchaser new interests.

[0038] Thereby, the promotion system 300 can provide encounters with a wide variety of genres of books as compared with the case of promoting through advertisements and reviews on the Internet. Also, when goods are purchased with the container 150 with the content of the book attached as the target, in addition to the promotion of the book, promotion of the goods put in the container 150 can also be expected.

[0039] FIG. 2B shows an example of the configuration of the promotion system 300 corresponding to FIG. 2A. The promotion system 300 in this example is an example when the container manufacturer 200 prints the content of the book. The container manufacturer 200 in this example includes a receiving unit 10, a printing unit 20, and a providing unit 30.

[0040] The receiving unit 10 receives data including the content of the book from the server 250. For example, the receiving unit 10 is a control unit that controls a printing device at the factory of the container manufacturer 200.

[0041] The printing unit 20 is a printing device that prints the content of the book on the container 150. For example, the printing unit 20 randomly prints the content of the book on the container 150 by a plate-less printing device. Also, the printing unit 20 may continuously print the same content of the book by a plate printing device. In this case, the providing unit 30 randomly rearranges the printed containers 150.

[0042] Also, the printing unit 20 may print the content of the book on the container 150 by embossing. By imparting Braille through embossing, a place for the visually impaired to encounter the book can be provided.

[0043] The providing unit 30 provides the printed container 150 to the providing device 100. When the printing unit 20 randomly prints the content of the book, the providing unit 30 may provide the containers 150 without rearranging their order. The providing unit 30 may also select and provide the container 150 printed with appropriate content according to the destination.

[0044] As described above, the container manufacturer 200 in this example can print the content of the book on the container 150 and provide the container 150 so that the content of the book is random.

[0045] FIG. 2C shows another example of the configuration of the promotion system 300 corresponding to FIG. 2A. The promotion system 300 in this example is an example when the container manufacturer 200 extracts the content of the book. The container manufacturer 200 in this example includes a container information acquisition unit 40 and an extraction unit 50.

[0046] The container information acquisition unit 40 acquires the size of the decorable space S of a plurality of containers 150. The decorable space S in this example refers to the area where the content of the book can be printed by the printing unit 20. For example, the container information acquisition unit 40 acquires information regarding the size of the decorable space S from a database of printing designs. Also, the container information acquisition unit 40 may acquire the size of the decorable space S by photographing the decorable space S from the containers 150 flowing on the production line.

[0047] The extraction unit 50 acquires the content of the book according to the size of the decorable space S acquired by the container information acquisition unit 40. The extraction unit 50 in this example extracts a quantity of the content of the book corresponding to the size of the decorable space S from the data received from the server 250. Also, the extraction unit 50 may change the quantity to be extracted according to the size of the container 150 to be used (for example, S, M, L, etc.).

[0048] Also, the extraction unit 50 may assign a category according to the content of the book and extract a quantity of the content of the book corresponding to the size of the decorable space S by an extraction method according to the category. The extraction unit 50 in this example assigns categories such as novels, business books, anthologies of short stories, haiku, quizzes, cookbooks, photo albums, etc. according to the content of the book. For example, when the category is a novel, the extraction unit 50 extracts the beginning or climax. The extraction unit 50 may extract the summary of the book when the category is a business book.

[0049] Note that the promotion system 300 may print the design of the container 150 and the content of the book separately. For example, the container manufacturer 200 prints a frame by a plate printing device and prints the content of the book by a digital printing device.

[0050] FIG. 2D shows an example of the container set 160. The container set 160 includes a plurality of containers 150 on which the contents of different books are printed. In the container set 160 of this example, n paper cups, containers 150(1) to containers 150(n), are stacked. Different book contents may be printed on each of the plurality of containers 150, or some book contents may be printed repeatedly. Note that the same book content may be printed continuously and provided randomly when the promotion system 300 provides products.

[0051] FIG. 3A shows an example of the configuration of the promotion system 300. The promotion system 300 in this example is different from the case of FIG. 2C in that the publisher 210 extracts the book content.

[0052] The publisher 210 in this example receives information regarding the size of the decorable space S from the container manufacturer 200. Then, the publisher 210 receives an amount of book content corresponding to the size of the decorable space S from the server 250. The publisher 210 transmits the data to the container manufacturer 200.

[0053] The data may include a plurality of parts selected from one book. That is, the extraction unit 50 may extract a plurality of parts from one book. For example, the extraction unit 50 extracts text and photos from one book. The extraction unit 50 may extract quiz questions and answers from one book, or may extract a summary of the book and the author's profile.

[0054] FIG. 3B shows an example of the configuration of the promotion system 300 corresponding to FIG. 3A. The promotion system 300 in this example is an example in the case where the publisher 210 extracts the book content. The container manufacturer 200 in this example includes a receiving unit 10, a printing unit 20, a providing unit 30, and a container information acquisition unit 40. The publisher 210 in this example includes an extraction unit 50.

[0055] The extraction unit 50 acquires information regarding the size of the decorable space S from the container manufacturer 200, and extracts the content of the book according to the size of the decorable space S from the server 250. That is, the extraction unit 50 in this example receives the content of the book extracted from the server 250. The extraction unit 50 transmits data including the content of the book to the providing device 100.

[0056] In the promotion system 300 of this example, since the content of the book is extracted by the publisher 210, the publisher 210 can freely select the content of the book according to the decorable space S. Thus, each component of the promotion system 300 may be provided by any one of the providing device 100, the container manufacturer 200, and the publisher 210.

[0057] FIG. 4A shows an example of the configuration of the promotion system 300. In the promotion system 300 of this example, the content of the book is printed by the providing device 100.

[0058] The providing device 100 receives the container 150 on which the content of the book is not printed. The providing device 100 prints the content of the book on the container 150. In this example, the container manufacturer 200 first prints the part of the frame for imparting the content of the book, and the providing device 100 prints the content of the book. The providing device 100 in this example has a plate-less printing device.

[0059] FIG. 4B shows an example of the configuration of the promotion system 300 corresponding to FIG. 4A. The providing device 100 in this example includes a receiving unit 10, a printing unit 20, and a providing unit 30.

[0060] The providing device 100 in this example receives the container 150 on which the decorable space S is not printed from the container manufacturer 200, and prints the content of the book on the decorable space S. The providing device 100 may print the content of the book on the container 150 before the product is purchased. Also, the providing device 100 may print the content of the book after the product is purchased, put the product in the container 150, and then provide it. For example, the providing device 100 acquires information of the purchaser of the product with a camera, and prints the content of the book corresponding to the purchaser. The providing device 100 may print and provide the content of the book according to the purchase date and time.

[0061] FIG. 5A shows an example of a container 150 to which an authentication code 152 is assigned. The authentication code 152 in this example is a two-dimensional code, but is not limited thereto. The authentication code 152 may be invisible.

[0062] The authentication code 152 is linked to information related to the content of the book. The authentication code 152 is linked to a sales page, voice or video, etc., and information can be provided to the purchaser by reading it with a digital device such as a smartphone. For example, if it is a link to the purchase page of a book on which the authentication code 152 is printed, the purchase history of the book through the authentication code 152 is stored.

[0063] The position where the authentication code 152 is assigned is not particularly limited. The authentication code 152 in this example is provided on the side surface of the container 150. The authentication code 152 may be assigned inside or outside the container 150. The authentication code 152 may be inside the container 150 and attached to the bottom of the container 150. Thereby, the authentication code 152 can appear and access can be permitted only after the product has been finished drinking.

[0064] FIG. 5B shows an example of a providing apparatus 100 including a print content changing unit 60. The print content changing unit 60 may be used in combination with the promotion system 300 of other embodiments.

[0065] The print content changing unit 60 changes the content of the book to be printed. The print content changing unit 60 receives feedback information from the server 250. The print content changing unit 60 in this example changes the content of the book to be printed on the container 150 according to the feedback information.

[0066] The feedback information is information used to determine the content of the book. The feedback information may be stored in the server 250. For example, the feedback information includes destination information or access data.

[0067] The provided information is information regarding the installation location of the vending machine or the seller of the product, etc. The installation locations of the vending machine are roads, hospitals, schools, stations, airports, etc. In one example, when the destination of provision is an elementary school, the printing content change unit 60 changes the content of the book to be appropriate for the elementary school. The destination information may include the weather, season, or event, etc. of the destination. The destination information may also include the sales performance of the products of the partner.

[0068] The access data is information regarding the access by the purchaser through the authentication code 152. For example, the access data is regarding the time zone of purchase, the purchaser, the content of the product (e.g., hot or cold), etc. The access data may be stored in the server 250 from the access destination.

[0069] The providing device 100 in this example can print the content of the book according to the feedback information and provide it to the purchaser of the product. Thereby, a book with appropriate content can be provided to the purchaser of the product according to the providing location, providing date and time, etc.

[0070] Note that the providing device 100 may be equipped with a camera for photographing the purchaser and manage by associating the access data of the provided product with the profile of the purchaser. The printing content change unit 60 may cause the printing unit 20 to print the content of the book according to the purchaser based on the relationship between the purchaser and the access data.

[0071] FIG. 6 is an example of the container 150. In the container 150 of this example, the content of the book is printed with a material whose color changes according to temperature. That is, when the time elapses and the temperature of the drink changes, the color can be changed, or when a hot drink is drunk, the color can be changed. For example, the first half of the content of the book is printed with a normal material, and the second half of the content of the book is printed with a material whose color changes according to temperature. Thereby, after finishing drinking the drink, the continuation of the content of the book can be read. Also, the authentication code 152 may be printed with a material whose color changes according to temperature.

[0072] FIG. 7 shows an example of a computer 2200 in which multiple aspects of the present invention may be embodied, in whole or in part. Programs installed on the computer 2200 can cause the computer 2200 to function as an operation associated with an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention or as one or more sections of the apparatus, or can cause the operation or the one or more sections to be executed, and / or can cause the computer 2200 to execute a process according to an embodiment of the present invention or a stage of the process. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 2212 to cause the computer 2200 to execute certain operations associated with some or all of the blocks of the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0073] The computer 2200 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU 2212, a RAM 2214, a graphic controller 2216, and a display device 2218, which are interconnected by a host controller 2210. The computer 2200 also includes input / output units such as a communication interface 2222, a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM drive 2226, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 2210 via an input / output controller 2220. The computer also includes legacy input / output units such as a ROM 2230 and a keyboard 2242, which are connected to the input / output controller 2220 via an input / output chip 2240.

[0074] The CPU 2212 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 2230 and the RAM 2214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphic controller 2216 acquires image data provided in the RAM 2214 such as a frame buffer or generated by the CPU 2212 in itself, and causes the image data to be displayed on the display device 2218.

[0075] The communication interface 2222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The hard disk drive 2224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 2212 in the computer 2200. The DVD-ROM drive 2226 reads a program or data from the DVD-ROM 2201 and provides the program or data to the hard disk drive 2224 via the RAM 2214. The IC card drive reads programs and data from an IC card and / or writes programs and data to an IC card.

[0076] The ROM 2230 stores therein a boot program etc. executed by the computer 2200 when activated, and / or a program dependent on the hardware of the computer 2200. The input / output chip 2240 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 2220 via a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, etc.

[0077] The program is provided by a computer-readable medium such as the DVD-ROM 2201 or an IC card. The program is read from the computer-readable medium, installed in the hard disk drive 2224, the RAM 2214, or the ROM 2230 which is also an example of a computer-readable medium, and executed by the CPU 2212. The information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 2200, bringing about cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. The apparatus or method may be configured by realizing the operation or processing of information according to the use of the computer 2200.

[0078] For example, when communication is executed between the computer 2200 and an external device, the CPU 2212 may execute a communication program loaded into the RAM 2214 and instruct the communication interface 2222 to perform communication processing based on the processing described in the communication program. Under the control of the CPU 2212, the communication interface 2222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing area provided in a recording medium such as the RAM 2214, the hard disk drive 2224, the DVD-ROM 2201, or an IC card, transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes the received data received from the network to a reception buffer processing area or the like provided on the recording medium.

[0079] Further, the CPU 2212 may cause all or a necessary part of a file or database stored in an external recording medium such as the hard disk drive 2224, the DVD-ROM drive 2226 (DVD-ROM 2201), or an IC card to be read into the RAM 2214, and may perform various types of processing on the data on the RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 then writes back the processed data to the external recording medium.

[0080] Various types of information such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases may be stored in a recording medium and may undergo information processing. The CPU 2212 may perform various types of processing on the data read from the RAM 2214, including various types of operations, information processing, condition judgment, conditional branch, unconditional branch, information search / replacement, etc., described throughout this disclosure and specified by the instruction sequence of the program, and write back the results to the RAM 2214. Also, the CPU 2212 may search for information in files, databases, etc. within the recording medium. For example, when a plurality of entries each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute are stored in the recording medium, the CPU 2212 searches for an entry that matches the condition where the attribute value of the first attribute is specified from among the plurality of entries, reads the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and thereby may obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0081] The program or software module described above may be stored in a computer-readable medium on or near the computer 2200. Also, a recording medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided within a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as a computer-readable medium, and thereby provide the program to the computer 2200 via the network.

[0082] As described above, the present invention has been described using embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the description of the claims that forms with such changes or improvements may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0083] In the claims, the specification, and the drawings, the execution order of each process such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the apparatus, system, program, and method shown is not explicitly indicated as "earlier than" or "preceding" etc. in particular, and it should be noted that it can be realized in any order unless the output of the previous process is used in the subsequent process. Regarding the operation flows in the claims, the specification, and the drawings, even if explanations are made using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it is essential to implement in this order.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0084] 10 ··· Receiving unit, 20 ··· Printing unit, 30 ··· Providing unit, 40 ··· Container information acquisition unit, 50 ··· Extraction unit, 60 ··· Printing content change unit, 150 ··· Container, 152 ··· Authentication code, 160 ··· Container set, 100 ··· Providing device, 200 ··· Container manufacturer, 210 ··· Publishing house, 250 ··· Server, 300 ··· Promotion system, 2200 ··· Computer, 2201 ··· ROM, 2210 ··· Host controller, 2212 ··· CPU, 2214 ··· RAM, 2216 ··· Graphics controller, 2218 ··· Display device, 2220 ··· Output controller, 2222 ··· Communication interface, 2224 ··· Hard disk drive, 2226 ··· ROM drive, 2230 ··· ROM, 2240 ··· Output chip, 2242 ··· Keyboard

Claims

1. Includes multiple containers on which some of the contents of the book are printed; The contents of the book were randomly printed Container set.

2. The book's contents are printed in a material that changes color with temperature. The container set according to claim 1 .

3. The container is provided with an authentication code that is linked to information related to the content of the book. The container set according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The container is a paper cup A container set according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images