Unmanned store management apparatus, system for presenting commodity using unmanned store, and method of presenting commodity using unmanned store

Abstract

To provide an unmanned store management apparatus, a system for presenting a commodity using an unmanned store, and a method of presenting a commodity using an unmanned store, configured to allow a commodity available in an unmanned store to be presented to others using the unmanned store, and motivate people to gather at the unmanned store, thereby activating human communication.SOLUTION: A system includes an unmanned store management apparatus, a digital signage terminal, a TOF, a first user terminal, and a second user terminal. The unmanned store management apparatus is configured to: receive a gift item, a recipient, and a message, on the basis of information input by a first user through the first user terminal; notify a second user about arrival of the gift item using the second user terminal; perform, by the second user, acceptance to receive the gift item using the digital signage terminal; display, when the acceptance is permitted, a message on the display of the digital signage terminal; and settle payment, when receipt of the gift item is permitted, so that the second user can receive the gift item for free.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an unmanned store management device, an unmanned store use product gift presentation system, and an unmanned store use product gift presentation method.

Background Art

[0002] An unmanned store system combines automation, sensor technology, data processing, and communication technology to realize functions such as product sales, inventory management, and payment processing in a store environment where employees do not reside. The number of companies installing unmanned stores to which the unmanned store system is applied as part of employee welfare is increasing.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a gift mediation system that can more reliably notify gift presentation information to the recipient and select a gift presentation method according to the wishes of the giver in a system that mediates gift presentation from the giver to the recipient.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The unmanned stores installed by companies are not only simple stores that sell goods such as food, but also used as a means to activate communication among employees belonging to the company and improve employee motivation and corporate atmosphere, thereby enhancing their value. If a mechanism can be provided to allow people to go to the unmanned store, the unmanned store will increase its utility value as a place where people gather and communication is promoted.

[0006] The gift mediation system of Patent Document 1 has a function of giving a gift from a giver to a recipient via the Internet. However, in the gift system of Patent Document 1, since the actual gift is delivered to the recipient by a delivery company, it is not a system for presenting a product using an unmanned store. Further, the gift mediation system of Patent Document 1 is not a system that can promote people to gather at a store for the purpose of activating direct communication among people belonging to a specific organization.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. That is, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an unmanned store management device, an unmanned store use product presentation system, and an unmanned store use product presentation method that can present products handled by an unmanned store to others using the unmanned store and activate human communication by promoting people to gather at the unmanned store.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the unmanned store management device of the present invention is an unmanned store management device including an information processing device configured to be communicable with a first user terminal, a second user terminal, and an authentication terminal with a display installed in the unmanned store and capable of displaying an image. The information processing device receives a gift, which is a product or points to be presented, a recipient of the gift, and an event corresponding to the gift, based on information input by a first user via the first user terminal, notifies a second user of information regarding the gift and / or the event using the second user terminal, receives acceptance for the second user to receive the gift using the authentication terminal with a display, and when the acceptance is permitted, executes processing related to the event, determines whether to permit receipt of the gift, and when receipt of the gift is permitted, settles accounts so that the product presented to the second user or a substitute for the product or a product within the presented points becomes free for the second user.

[0009] The unmanned store usage product gifting system of the present invention includes a first user terminal, a second user terminal, an unmanned store management device including an information processing device, and an authentication terminal with a display installed in the unmanned store and having a display capable of displaying images. The first user terminal, the second user terminal, and the information processing device are configured to be communicable via a network. The first user terminal transmits the information input by the first user to the information processing device. The information processing device receives the information input by the first user from the first user terminal, and based on the received input information, accepts a product to be gifted or a gift in the form of points, the recipient of the gift, and an event corresponding to the gift. Using the second user terminal, it notifies the second user of information regarding the gift and / or the event. Using the authentication terminal with a display, it conducts the acceptance for the second user to receive the gift. When the acceptance is permitted, it executes the processing regarding the event, determines whether to permit the receipt of the gift. When the receipt of the gift is permitted, it settles the account so that the product gifted to the second user, a substitute for the product, or a product within the gifted points becomes free for the second user.

[0010] The method for presenting a gift of a product for use in an unmanned store according to the present invention is a method for presenting a gift of a product for use in an unmanned store using an information processing device configured to be communicable with a first user terminal, a second user terminal, and an authentication terminal with a display having a display capable of displaying an image installed in the unmanned store. Based on the information input by the first user via the first user terminal by the information processing device, the gift, which is the product or points to be presented, the recipient of the gift, and the event corresponding to the gift are received. Using the second user terminal, information regarding the gift and / or the event is notified to the second user. Using the authentication terminal with a display, acceptance for the second user to receive the gift is performed. When the acceptance is permitted, processing regarding the event is executed, a determination is made as to whether to permit the receipt of the gift, and when the receipt of the gift is permitted, the product presented to the second user, a substitute for the product, or a product within the presented points is settled so as to be free of charge for the second user.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to present a product handled by an unmanned store to others using the unmanned store, and by promoting the gathering of people at the unmanned store, it is possible to activate human communication. Note that the effects described here are not necessarily limited, and any of the effects described in the present disclosure may be applicable.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings of the embodiments, the same or corresponding parts may be denoted by the same reference numerals. In the following description, when describing identification information, expressions such as "name" and "title" are used, but they may be replaced with other identification information (for example, identification numbers, etc.). In the following description, various types of information may be described using expressions such as "table" and "record", but the various types of information may be represented by data structures other than these. In the following description, when describing a process with a functional block as the subject, the subject of the process may be a CPU or a device instead of the functional block.

[0014] <<First Embodiment>> <Configuration> The unmanned store use product gifting system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration including the unmanned store use product gifting system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the system includes an unmanned store management device 100, a digital signage terminal 200, a TOF 300, a first user terminal 400, and a second user terminal 500. In the unmanned store SP1, a digital signage terminal 200, a TOF 300 installed at a predetermined location (for example, above the product shelf 320 or the ceiling (not shown)), a product 310, and a product shelf 320 on which the product 310 is placed are installed. A weight sensor (not shown) is installed on the product shelf 320. The unmanned store management device 100, the digital signage terminal 200, and the TOF 300 are configured to be able to communicate with each other (send and receive information) via a network (not shown). In the following description, the user who uses the first user terminal 400 is referred to as the first user Us1 for convenience of explanation, and the user who uses the second user terminal 500 is referred to as the second user Us2. In this example, the first user Us1 is the giver of the product 310 in the unmanned store SP1, and the second user Us2 is the recipient of the product 310 gifted from the first user Us1.

[0015] The unmanned store management device 100 includes a gift management unit 101, a virtual cart management unit 102, a payment platform 103, a personal authentication unit 104, a traffic measurement unit 105, a weight measurement unit 106, customer information 110, and product information 120.

[0016] The gift management unit 101 performs processes related to the purchase of gifts and events associated with the gifts (in this example, notification of messages). The virtual cart management unit 102 manages the virtual cart using the authentication result of the user by the personal authentication unit 104, the traffic measurement information indicating the traffic of people by the traffic measurement unit 105, and the weight measurement information of the product shelf 320 by the weight measurement unit 106.

[0017] When the authentication of the user is successful, the virtual cart management unit 102 creates a virtual cart for the authenticated user. The virtual cart management unit 102 acquires the user's movement route and the position where the hand passes in front of the user's product shelf 320 (hand-pass position) from the movement route measurement unit 105. Further, the virtual cart management unit 102 acquires the position of the product 310 taken from the product shelf 320 from the weight measurement unit 106, and identifies the product 310 taken by the user based on the acquired hand-pass position, the position of the product 310, and the product information 120. The virtual cart management unit 102 adds the identified product 310 to the virtual cart and registers the product 310 in the virtual cart.

[0018] The settlement platform 103 is a digital infrastructure for processing payments when purchasing the product 310 and completing the purchase transaction of the product 310 registered in the virtual cart. The settlement platform 103 performs a process for settling the product 310 registered in the user's virtual cart and completes the purchase transaction of the product 310.

[0019] Since the process performed by the settlement platform 103 is well-known, it will be briefly described below. The settlement platform 103 receives the payment information (e.g., credit card information, etc.) of the user of the virtual cart and verifies the payment information. The payment information of the user may be registered in advance. When the settlement platform 103 successfully verifies the payment information, it completes the purchase transaction of the product 310 by executing a transaction related to the settlement of the product 310 registered in the user's virtual cart.

[0020] When the user stands in front of the digital signage terminal 200 and the user is detected and the user's authentication is requested from the digital signage terminal 200, the personal authentication unit 104 acquires the biometric information (face image) of the user from the digital signage terminal 200. The personal authentication unit 104 uses the face image to identify (specify) that the user is a specific person by a well-known face authentication technology.

[0021] The movement line measurement unit 105 analyzes the distance data to a person continuously acquired from the TOF 300, and tracks the position and movement of the person. The movement line measurement unit 105 measures the movement line of the person, and grasps which areas the person has passed through and how long the person has stayed in which areas. Further, the movement line measurement unit 105 acquires a position (hand passing position) where a point group representing the hand of the person in the distance data (point cloud) of the person passes through a predetermined position in front of the product shelf 320.

[0022] The weight measurement unit 106 acquires weight measurement data which is the weight measured by a weight sensor (not shown) installed in the product shelf 320, for example. Based on the weight measurement data, the weight measurement unit 106 calculates a weight change (a change in the total weight of the shelf of the product shelf 320 and the product 310 and a change in the weight balance) when the product is picked up from the product shelf 320, and estimates the position of the product 310 picked up from the product shelf 320. Note that a device that measures information for identifying a product picked up by a user, such as the weight sensor and the TOF 300, is conveniently referred to as a "picked-up product estimation device". In this example, the picked-up product estimation device is the weight sensor and the TOF 300, but it may be only the TOF 300, or only the weight sensor, and any other device may be used as long as it can measure information for identifying a product picked up by the user.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the unmanned store management device 100. The unmanned store management device 100 is configured by a computer 2000 (computer, server). The computer 2000 may be referred to as an "information processing device". The computer 2000 includes a CPU 2001, a ROM 2002, a RAM 2003, a non-volatile storage device 2004 capable of reading and writing data, a network interface 2005, an input / output interface 2006, and the like. These are communicably connected to each other via a bus 2007.

[0024] The CPU 2001 realizes various functions by loading various programs (not shown) stored in the ROM 2002 and / or the storage device 2004 into the RAM 2003 and executing the programs loaded in the RAM 2003. As described above, various programs executed by the CPU 2001 are loaded into the RAM 2003, and data used when the CPU 2001 executes various programs is temporarily stored. The ROM 2002 and / or the storage device 2004 are non-volatile storage media, and various programs are stored in the ROM 2002 and / or the storage device 2004.

[0025] Customer information 110 and product information 120 are stored in the storage device 2004. Details of these pieces of information will be described later.

[0026] The network interface 2005 is an interface for connecting the computer 2000 to a network. The input / output interface 2006 is an interface for connecting to a keyboard and a display (display device) capable of displaying images, etc.

[0027] Note that the unmanned store management device 100 may be composed of a plurality of computers 2000. The unmanned store management device 100 may be composed of computer resources (servers, storage, etc.) provided by cloud services. Cloud services may provide the functions of the unmanned store management device 100. A hardware device partially or wholly configured by an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or the like may be used in the unmanned store management device 100.

[0028] The digital signage terminal 200 is an authentication terminal with a display used to operate the unmanned store SP1. The digital signage terminal 200 is used to perform user face authentication, display information about products, guide the ordering and payment of products 310, and display messages. The digital signage terminal 200 includes a camera 201, a display 202, and a computer (not shown). These are connected to be able to transmit and receive information to and from each other via a bus (not shown). The camera 201 detects a user present within the imaging range in front of the digital signage terminal 200, captures the face of the user present within the imaging range in front of the digital signage terminal 200, and obtains a face image of the user. The display 202 is a display device capable of displaying images. In this example, the display 202 is a touch panel type display that functions as both a display device and an input device. The computer has the same configuration as the computer 2000 shown in FIG. 2. The digital signage terminal 200 may be provided with a speaker system for generating sound.

[0029] The TOF 300 is a distance measurement sensor (distance measurement device) that acquires distance data for detecting the position of a hand extended toward a product 310 placed on a shelf of the product shelf 320, or acquires distance data for generating a movement path of a person in the store (a line indicating the movement trajectory of a person).

[0030] The first user terminal 400 is a computer terminal used for information operation by the first user Us1 and displaying information on a screen. In this example, it is a notebook PC equipped with a display 401.

[0031] The second user terminal 500 is a computer terminal used for information operation by the second user Us2 and displaying information on a screen. In this example, it is a smartphone equipped with a display 501.

[0032] FIG. 3A is a diagram for explaining customer information 110. As shown in FIG. 3A, the customer information 110 includes, as columns (columns) for storing information (values), a recipient 111, a giver 112, a registration date 113, a receipt 114, a gift item 115, and a message 116. In the customer information 110, information corresponding to each column related to the gift giving of the product is associated with each other and stored as information (records) in row units.

[0033] Specifically, the recipient 111 stores the name of the recipient of the gift item. The giver 112 stores the name of the giver. The registration date 113 stores the date on which the first user Us1 registered the gift item and the message. The receipt 114 stores information indicating whether the recipient has completed receiving the gift item. The gift item 115 stores the name of the product of the gift item. Note that the gift item (the product to be given) may be referred to as a "gift". The message 116 stores the content of the message.

[0034] FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining product information 120. As shown in FIG. 3B, the product information 120 includes, as columns (columns) for storing information (values), a product 121 and product-related information 122. In the product information 120, information corresponding to each column related to the products handled by the unmanned store SP1 is stored. The product 121 stores the name of the product placed on the shelf. The product-related information 122 stores information related to the product, such as the name of the shelf, price, weight, and placement location of the corresponding product.

[0035] <Summary> FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining the operations of the user and the system when the user uses the unmanned store product gift giving system.

[0036] (User's operation) First, the operation of the user will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The first user Us1 inputs information into the GUI screen GM1 of the site 1001 provided by the gift management unit 101 on the first user terminal 400 (see FIG. 5), determines the gift, the recipient of the gift (in this example, the second user Us2), and the message, and thereby gives the gift and the message to the second user Us2 (S201).

[0037] A mail arrives notifying the second user Us2 that the gift has been delivered. The second user Us2 recognizes that the gift has been given and the sender of the gift by checking the e-mail EM1 (see FIG. 5) displayed on the second user terminal 500 (S202).

[0038] The second user Us2 goes to the unmanned store SP1 and performs personal authentication using the digital signage terminal 200. The photograph of the gift and the message from the first user Us1 (the message determined in S201) are displayed on the display 202 (see FIG. 5). The second user Us2 checks the GUI screen GM2 of the display of the digital signage terminal 200 in the unmanned store SP1 (see FIG. 5). By checking these, the second user Us2 receives the feeling of gratitude from the first user Us1 to the second user Us2 through the message (S203).

[0039] The second user Us2 picks up the same product 310 as the gift displayed on the display 202 and performs settlement using the digital signage terminal 200, and then the product 310 is settled free of charge (''YES'' in S204 and S205). Thereby, the gift of the product 310 from the first user Us1 to the second user Us2 using the unmanned store SP1 and the gift of the message associated with the gift of the product 310 (the gift of the message accompanying the gift of the product 310) are completed. The ''gift of the message accompanying the gift of the product 310'' may be referred to as an ''event''.

[0040] In addition, when the second user Us2 picks up a product 310 different from the gift item and makes a payment using the digital signage terminal 200, a warning is issued that it is a product different from the gift item (S206). Note that when the second user Us2 picks up a product 310 different from the gift item, the second user Us2 may be warned that it is a product different from the gift item.

[0041] (System Operation) Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the operation of the system corresponding to the above-described operation of the user when the user uses the unmanned store product gift-giving system will be described.

[0042] S201: The gift management unit 101 of the unmanned store management device 100 causes the display 401 of the first user terminal 400 to display the GUI screen GM1 of site 1001. The GUI screen GM1 of site 1001 is a part of the graphical user interface (GUI) of site 1001. The GUI screen GM1 provides visual elements and operation parts for the user to interact with site 1001.

[0043] The GUI screen GM1 includes a gift input box Bx1, a destination input box Bx2, a message input box Bx3, and a send button Bt1. The gift input box Bx1 is an area for inputting (selecting) information indicating the gift item that the first user Us1 gives to the second user Us2 by operating the first user terminal 400 of the first user Us1. The destination input box Bx2 is an area for inputting (selecting) information indicating the recipient to whom the first user Us1 gives the gift item by operating the first user terminal 400 of the first user Us1. Note that the destination input box Bx2 may be configured to allow selection of a person belonging to a specific organization registered in advance. The message input box Bx3 is an area for inputting the message that the first user Us1 sends to the second user Us2. The send button Bt1 is a button composed of an image that is operated when the first user Us1 sends the gift item and message input on the GUI screen GM1 to the input destination.

[0044] When the gift button Bt1 on the GUI screen GM1 is operated by the first user Us1, the gift management unit 101 registers (stores, remembers) the information input on the GUI screen GM1 in the customer information 110.

[0045] S202: The gift management unit 101 sends an email EM1 including a template message to the second user terminal 500 of the second user Us2 and displays the email EM1 on the display 501 of the second user terminal 500. Thereby, the gift management unit 101 uses the second user terminal 500 to notify the second user Us2 that the gift has arrived. The template message displayed on the display 501 includes, for example, the name of the giver, the fact that a gift has arrived from the giver, and an instruction to pick up the gift at the store. Note that the template message may not include the name of the giver or may anonymize the name of the giver so that the giver cannot be known. In this case, when the second user Us2 checks the email EM1, since the giver of the gift is unknown, the second user Us2 becomes more excited because they want to know who sent the gift. Thereby, it is possible to more encourage the second user Us2 to go to the unmanned store SP1.

[0046] S203: The gift management unit 101 performs personal authentication of the second user Us2 by the personal authentication unit 104 and confirms that the second user Us2 is the recipient, thereby accepting the second user Us2 to receive the gift. When the personal authentication by the personal authentication unit 104 is successful and the gift management unit 101 confirms that the second user Us2 is the recipient, the gift management unit 101 permits the acceptance and displays a photo and a message of the gift presented from the first user Us1 to the second user Us2. Note that the details of the process executed by the gift management unit 101 in S203 will be described later.

[0047] S204 to S206: The virtual cart management unit 102 creates a virtual cart for the user who has successfully completed personal authentication, and adds product 310 to the virtual cart based on the movement (travel route and hand passing position) of the second user Us2 detected by the TOF 300, the weight change measured by the weighing unit 106, and the product information 120. When settling product 310, the virtual cart management unit 102 determines whether the product 310 in the virtual cart is the correct product that matches the gift item. If it is the correct product, the virtual cart management unit 102 permits the receipt of the product and settles the correct product free of charge (settles it free of charge for the second user Us2). For example, by using the payment information of the first user Us1 registered in advance in the payment process, it is settled free of charge for the second user Us2. Note that the timing of the payment process is not limited to this timing.

[0048] If it is not the correct product, the virtual cart management unit 102 warns (alerts, notifies) the second user Us2 that the second user Us2 is about to receive a product different from the gift item by displaying a warning screen on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200 or generating a warning sound. Note that the details of the processing executed by the virtual cart management unit 102 in S204 to S206 will be described later.

[0049] As described above, by the operation of the system, the gift giving of products using the unmanned store SP1 is realized.

[0050] <Specific operation> (S203) In S203 described above, the details of the processing executed by the gift management unit 101 will be explained. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing flow executed by the gift management unit 101 of the unmanned store management device 100. The gift management unit 101 starts the processing from step 600 in FIG. 6 and proceeds to step 605, where it performs personal authentication of the user using the face image of the user acquired by the digital signage terminal 200.

[0051] The gift management unit 101 proceeds to step 610 to determine whether the authentication is successful. If the authentication fails, the gift management unit 101 determines "NO" at step 610 and proceeds to step 695 to temporarily end this processing flow. If the authentication is successful, the gift management unit 101 proceeds to step 615 and refers to the customer information 110 to determine whether the user who has successfully authenticated is the recipient. If the user who has successfully authenticated is not the recipient, the gift management unit 101 determines "NO" at step 615 and proceeds to step 695 to temporarily end this processing flow.

[0052] If the user who has successfully authenticated is the recipient, the gift management unit 101 determines "YES" at step 615, sequentially executes the processes of step 620 and step 625 described below, and then proceeds to step 695 to temporarily end this processing flow.

[0053] Step 620: The gift management unit 101 refers to the customer information 110 to identify the gift item and message corresponding to the recipient.

[0054] Step 625: The gift management unit 101 displays the photo and message of the identified gift item on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200.

[0055] (S204 to S206) The details of the processing executed by the virtual cart management unit 102 in the above-mentioned S204 to S206 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing flow executed by the virtual cart management unit 102 of the unmanned store management device 100. The virtual cart management unit 102 starts processing from step 700 in FIG. 7 and proceeds to step 705 to identify the picked-up product 310 based on the movement path and hand passing position of the person by the movement path measurement unit 105, the weight change by the weight measurement unit 106, and the product information 120.

[0056] After that, the virtual cart management unit 102 proceeds to step 710, refers to the customer information 110, and determines whether the identified product 310 is a complimentary product. If the identified product 310 is not a complimentary product, the virtual cart management unit 102 determines "NO" in step 710, proceeds to step 715, and warns that the product 310 is incorrect by means of an image, sound, etc. After that, the virtual cart management unit 102 proceeds to step 795 and temporarily ends this processing flow.

[0057] If the identified product 310 is a complimentary product, the virtual cart management unit 102 determines "YES" in step 710, proceeds to step 720, and settles the identified product 310 (complimentary product) free of charge. After that, the virtual cart management unit 102 proceeds to step 795 and temporarily ends this processing flow.

[0058] <Effect> As described above, the unmanned store - used product gifting system according to the first embodiment of the present invention can gift the product 310 to the recipient using the unmanned store SP1. Furthermore, when the recipient receives the product 310 at the unmanned store SP1, the unmanned store - used product gifting system according to the first embodiment of the present invention displays the message from the gifter on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200. Thereby, the unmanned store - used product gifting system according to the first embodiment can activate human communication by promoting the gathering of people (for example, people belonging to a specific organization (such as the same company, etc.)) at the unmanned store SP1.

[0059] <Second Embodiment> The unmanned store - used product gifting system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The unmanned store - used product gifting system according to the second embodiment has differences from the unmanned store - used product gifting system according to the first embodiment only in the following points. · The unmanned store - used product gifting system according to the second embodiment gifts the product 310 to the recipient via a quiz using the unmanned store SP1. Note that the quiz may be referred to as an "event".

[0060] The following will be described centering on this difference point.

[0061] <Configuration> In the unmanned store usage product presentation system according to the second embodiment, the unmanned store management device 100 has customer information 810 shown in FIG. 8A instead of the customer information 110 shown in FIG. 3A, and further has quiz information 820 shown in FIG. 8B.

[0062] FIG. 8A is a diagram for explaining the customer information 110. As shown in FIG. 8A, the customer information 810 includes, as columns (columns) for storing information (values), a recipient 811, a quiz 812, an answer 813, a result 814, and a receipt 815. In the customer information 810, information corresponding to each column related to the presentation of the product 310 and the quiz is associated with each other and stored as information (records) in row units.

[0063] Specifically, the recipient 811 stores the name of the recipient of the presented item (the participant in the quiz). The quiz 812 stores the name of the quiz. The answer 813 stores information indicating whether the corresponding recipient has answered the quiz. The result 814 stores the answer result (correct or incorrect) of the quiz. The receipt 815 stores information indicating whether the corresponding recipient has completed the receipt of the presented item.

[0064] FIG. 8B is a diagram for explaining the quiz information 820. As shown in FIG. 8B, the quiz information 820 includes, as columns (columns) for storing information (values), a quiz 821, a sponsor 822, a registration date 823, a prize 824, a question 825, and a correct answer 826. In the quiz information 820, information corresponding to each column related to the quiz is associated with each other and stored as information (records) in row units.

[0065] Specifically, the quiz name is stored in the quiz 821. The name of the user who hosted the quiz is stored in the host 822. The registration date 823 stores the date when the first user Us1 set (registered) the quiz and the giveaway. The prize name is stored in the prize 824. The quiz question content is stored in the question 825. The answer to the quiz is stored in the correct answer 826.

[0066] <Overview> FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining the operations of the user and the system when the user uses the unmanned store use product giveaway system.

[0067] (User operation) First, the user operation will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The first user Us1, who is the host of the quiz, inputs information (prize, recipient, question, and answer options) into the GUI screen GM11 of site 1001 provided by the gift management unit 101 on the first user terminal 400 (see FIG. 10), thereby determining the prize, the recipient of the prize, the quiz question, the number of answer options, and the content of the answer options for the quiz, and holds the quiz (S901).

[0068] An email notifying the second user Us2 that the quiz has been held arrives. The second user Us2 recognizes that a giveaway has been made and the sender of the giveaway by checking the email EM11 displayed on the second user terminal 500 (see FIG. 10) (S902).

[0069] The second user Us2 goes to the unmanned store SP1 and performs personal authentication using the digital signage terminal 200. The quiz (question and answer options) is displayed on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200 (see FIG. 10). The second user Us2 checks the quiz screen GM12 on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200 in the unmanned store SP1 (see FIG. 10). The second user Us2 checks these and answers the quiz (S903).

[0070] If the second user Us2 fails to answer the quiz correctly ("NO" in S904), the display 202 will show "Incorrect" and the process will end (S906).

[0071] If the second user Us2 answers the quiz correctly ("YES" in S904), a photo showing the prize (see FIG. 10) will be displayed on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200 (S905). When the second user Us2 picks up the same product 310 as the prize shown on the display 202 and settles the payment using the digital signage terminal 200, the product 310 will be settled free of charge ("YES" in S907 and S908). As a result, the presentation of the product 310 from the first user Us1 to the second user Us2 via the quiz using the unmanned store SP1 is completed (S904 and S905).

[0072] If the second user Us2 picks up a product 310 different from the prize and settles the payment using the digital signage terminal 200, a warning will be given that it is a product 310 different from the prize ("NO" in S908 and S909). Note that when the second user Us2 picks up a product 310 different from the prize, the second user Us2 may be warned that it is a product different from the prize at that time.

[0073] (System Operation) Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the system operation corresponding to the above-described user operation when the user uses the unmanned store product presentation system will be described.

[0074] S901: The gift management unit 101 of the unmanned store management device 100 causes the display 202 of the first user terminal 400 to display the GUI screen GM11 of the site 1001. The GUI screen GM11 of the site 1001 includes a prize input box Bx11, a destination input box Bx12, a question input box Bx13, a number of options input box Bx14, a correct answer check box Bx15, and a start button Bx16.

[0075] The prize input box Bx11 is an area where information indicating the prize of the quiz presented by the first user Us1 to the second user Us2 is input by operating the first user terminal 400 of the first user Us1. The destination input box Bx12 is an area where information indicating the recipient of the prize given by the first user Us1 is input (selected) by operating the first user terminal 400 of the first user Us1. The question input box Bx13 is an area where the question content of the quiz held by the first user Us1 is input by operating the first user terminal 400 of the first user Us1. The number of options input box Bx14 is an area where the content of the options for answering the question is input by operating the first user terminal 400 of the first user Us1. The start button Bt11 is a button composed of an image that is operated when the first user Us1 sends the products and quiz input on the GUI screen GM11 to the input destination.

[0076] When the start button Bt11 on the GUI screen GM11 is operated by the first user Us1, the gift management unit 101 registers (stores, remembers) the information input on the GUI screen GM11 in the customer information 810 and the quiz information 820.

[0077] S902: The gift management unit 101 sends an email EM11 including a template message to the second user terminal 500 of the second user Us2 and displays the email EM11 including the template message on the display 501 of the second user terminal 500. Thereby, the gift management unit 101 notifies the second user Us2 that the prize has arrived and the event has been held using the second user terminal 500. Note that the gift management unit 101 may notify the second user Us2 that the prize has arrived or the event has been held using the second user terminal 500. The template message displayed on the display 501 includes, for example, the name of the giver, that a quiz gift has arrived from the giver, and an instruction to answer the quiz at the unmanned store SP1. Note that the template message may be made such that the name of the giver is not described or the name of the giver is anonymized so that the giver cannot be known.

[0078] S903 to S906: The gift management unit 101 performs personal authentication of the second user Us2 by the personal authentication unit 104, and confirms that the second user Us2 is a quiz participant, thereby accepting the second user Us2 to receive a prize. When the personal authentication by the personal authentication unit 104 is successful and the gift management unit 101 confirms that the second user Us2 is a quiz participant, the acceptance is permitted, and the quiz screen GM12 is displayed on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200. The quiz screen GM12 includes quiz questions and answer options associated with the prize that the first user Us1 gives to the second user Us2.

[0079] The gift management unit 101 determines whether the answer to the quiz input by operating the touch panel of the digital signage terminal 200 by the second user Us2 is correct.

[0080] If the answer to the quiz is correct, the gift management unit 101 displays the correct answer screen GM13 on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200. The correct answer screen GM13 includes the correct answer option and a photo of the prize. Note that the details of the processing executed by the gift management unit 101 in S903 to S906 will be described later.

[0081] S907 to S909: The virtual cart management unit 102 creates a virtual cart for the user whose personal authentication is successful, and adds the product 310 to the virtual cart based on the movement (flow line and hand passing position) of the second user Us2 detected by the TOF300 and the weight change measured by the weight measurement unit 106. When settling the product 310, the virtual cart management unit 102 determines whether the product 310 in the virtual cart is the correct product 310 that matches the quiz prize. If it is the correct product, the virtual cart management unit 102 permits the receipt of the product and settles the correct product free of charge.

[0082] If it is not the correct product, the virtual cart management unit 102 warns (alerts, notifies) the second user Us2 that the second user Us2 is about to receive a product 310 that is different from the prize by displaying a warning screen on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200 or generating a warning sound. The details of the processes of S907 to S909 will be described later.

[0083] As described above, by operating the system, the presentation of the product 310 via the quiz is realized using the unmanned store SP1.

[0084] <Specific operation> (S903 to S906) The details of the processes executed by the gift management unit 101 in the above-described S903 to S906 will be described.

[0085] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process flow executed by the gift management unit 101 of the unmanned store management device 100. Starting the process from step 1100 in FIG. 11 and proceeding to step 1105, user authentication is performed using the face image of the user acquired by the digital signage terminal 200.

[0086] The gift management unit 101 proceeds to step 1110 and determines whether the authentication has succeeded. If the authentication has not succeeded, the gift management unit 101 determines "NO" at step 1110 and proceeds to step 1195 to temporarily end this process flow. If the authentication has succeeded, the gift management unit 101 determines "YES" at step 1110 and proceeds to step 1115 to determine whether the user for whom the authentication has succeeded is the recipient. If the user for whom the authentication has succeeded is not the recipient, the gift management unit 101 determines "NO" at step 1115 and proceeds to step 1195 to temporarily end this process flow.

[0087] If the user for whom the authentication has succeeded is the recipient, the gift management unit 101 determines "YES" at step 1115, sequentially executes the processes of step 1120 and step 1125 described below, and then proceeds to step 1130.

[0088] Step 1120: The Gift Management Unit 101 refers to the customer information 810 to identify the prizes and quizzes corresponding to the recipients.

[0089] Step 1125: The Gift Management Unit 101 refers to the quiz information 820 and displays the quiz on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200.

[0090] When the Gift Management Unit 101 proceeds to Step 1130, it determines whether the quiz is correct based on the answer input to the digital signage terminal 200 and the quiz information 820.

[0091] If the quiz is correct, the Gift Management Unit 101 determines "YES" in Step 1130 and proceeds to Step 1135, and displays that the quiz is correct and the product (photo of the prize) on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200. Then, the Gift Management Unit 101 proceeds to Step 1195 and temporarily ends this processing flow.

[0092] If the quiz is incorrect, the Gift Management Unit 101 determines "NO" in Step 1130 and proceeds to Step 1140, and displays on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200 that the quiz is incorrect. At this time, the product (photo of the prize) is not displayed on the display 202.

[0093] (S907 to S909) The details of the processing executed by the Virtual Cart Management Unit 102 in S907 to S909 described above will be explained.

[0094] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing flow executed by the Virtual Cart Management Unit 102 of the unmanned store management device 100. Starting the processing from Step 1200 in FIG. 12 and proceeding to Step 1205, the picked-up product 310 is identified based on the movement route and hand passing position of the person by the movement route measurement unit 105, the weight change by the weight measurement unit 106, and the product information 120.

[0095] After that, the virtual cart management unit 102 proceeds to step 1210, refers to the customer information 810, and determines whether the identified product 310 is a prize. If the identified product 310 is not a prize, the virtual cart management unit 102 determines "NO" in step 1210, proceeds to step 1215, and warns that the product 310 is incorrect by means of an image, sound, etc. After that, the virtual cart management unit 102 proceeds to step 1295 and temporarily ends this processing flow.

[0096] If the identified product 310 is a prize, the virtual cart management unit 102 determines "YES" in step 1210, proceeds to step 1220, and settles the identified product 310 (prize) free of charge. After that, the virtual cart management unit 102 proceeds to step 1295 and temporarily ends this processing flow.

[0097] <Effect> As described above, the unmanned store-based product gifting system according to the second embodiment of the present invention can gift the product 310 to the recipient using the unmanned store SP1. Furthermore, in the unmanned store-based product gifting system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the recipient receives the product 310 at the unmanned store SP1, the quiz set by the gifter is displayed on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200, and when the recipient answers the quiz correctly, the recipient can receive the prize. Thereby, the unmanned store-based product gifting system according to the second embodiment can activate human communication by promoting the gathering of people (for example, people belonging to a specific organization (for example, the same company, etc.)) at the unmanned store SP1.

[0098] <<Third Embodiment>> The unmanned store-based product gifting system according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The unmanned store-based product gifting system according to the third embodiment has differences from the unmanned store-based product gifting system according to the first embodiment only in the following points. · The unmanned store-based product gifting system according to the third embodiment gifts the product 310 to the recipient via a contest using the unmanned store SP1. Note that the contest may be referred to as an "event".

[0099] The following will focus on this difference for explanation.

[0100] <Configuration> In the unmanned store use product giveaway system according to the third embodiment, the unmanned store management device 100 has customer information 1310 shown in FIG. 13A instead of the customer information 110 shown in FIG. 3A, and further has contest information 1320 shown in FIG. 13B.

[0101] FIG. 13A is a diagram for explaining customer information. As shown in FIG. 13A, the customer information 1310 includes, as columns (columns) for storing information (values), the recipient 1311, the contest 1312, the participation 1313, the result registration 1314, the result 1315, and the receipt 1316. In the customer information 1310, information corresponding to each column regarding the giveaway of prizes and the contest is associated with each other and stored as row-unit information (records).

[0102] Specifically, the name of the recipient of the giveaway item is stored in the recipient 1311. The name of the contest is stored in the contest 1312. Information indicating whether the corresponding recipient has participated in the contest is stored in the participation 1313. Information indicating the result of the contest is stored in the result registration 1314. Information indicating the ranking of the contest is stored in the result 1315. Information indicating whether the corresponding recipient has completed the receipt of the giveaway item is stored in the receipt 1316.

[0103] FIG. 13B is a diagram for explaining the contest information 1320. As shown in FIG. 13B, the contest information includes, as columns (columns) for storing information (values), the contest 1321, the organizer 1322, the registration date 1323, the deadline 1324, the competition content 1325, and the prize 1326.

[0104] In the contest information 1320, information corresponding to each column regarding the contest is associated with each other and stored as row-unit information (records).

[0105] Specifically speaking, in the contest 1321, the name of the contest is stored. In the organizer 1322, the name of the user who hosted the contest is stored. In the registration date 1323, the date when the first user Us1 set (registered) the contest and the prize is stored. In the deadline 1324, the deadline of the contest is stored. In the competition content 1325, the competition content of the contest is stored. In the prize 1326, the name of the prize of the contest is stored.

[0106] <Summary> FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are diagrams for explaining the operations of the user and the system when the user uses the unmanned store use product presentation system.

[0107] (User's operation) First, the operation of the user will be described with reference to FIG. 14. The first user Us1 determines the prize of the contest, the participants of the contest, and the content of the contest by inputting information into the GUI screen GM21 of the site 1001 provided by the gift management unit 101 through the first user terminal 400 (see FIG. 15), and holds the contest (S1401).

[0108] A mail notifying the second user Us2 that the contest has been held arrives. The second user Us2 recognizes that the contest has been held and the opponent who held the contest by checking the e-mail EM21 displayed on the second user terminal 500 (see FIG. 15), and selects to participate in or withdraw from the contest (S1402).

[0109] If the second user Us2 selects to participate in the contest (''YES'' in S1403), the second user Us2 participates in the contest and inputs the result of the contest (S1404). Note that if the second user Us2 selects to withdraw from the contest (''NO'' in S1403), the operation of the user for participating in the contest ends.

[0110] After the contest result deadline, the second user Us2 goes to the unmanned store SP1 and performs personal authentication using the digital signage terminal 200 (S1405).

[0111] The second user Us2 checks the GUI screen GM23 (see Fig. 15) of the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200 in the unmanned store SP1. If the contest result is the first place (``YES'' in S1406), the display 202 shows that it is the first place and the prize (see Fig. 15). The second user Us2 recognizes the contest result. If the contest result is the first place, the second user Us2 recognizes the contest result and that the prize has been obtained (S1407).

[0112] The second user Us2 picks up the same product 310 as the prize displayed on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200 and, when performing settlement using the digital signage terminal 200, the product 310 is settled free of charge (``YES'' in S1409 and S1410). Thereby, the presentation of the product 310 from the first user Us1 who used the unmanned store SP1 to the second user Us2 via the contest is completed.

[0113] In addition, when the second user Us2 picks up a product 310 different from the prize and performs settlement using the digital signage terminal 200, it is warned that the prize is a different product (``NO'' in S1410 and S1411). Note that when the second user Us2 picks up a product 310 different from the prize, the second user Us2 may be warned that it is a product different from the prize.

[0114] (System operation) Next, with reference to Fig. 15, the system operation corresponding to the above-described user operation when the user uses the unmanned store product presentation system will be described.

[0115] S1401: The gift management unit 101 of the unmanned store management device 100 causes the display 401 of the first user terminal 400 to display the GUI screen GM21 of site 1001. The GUI screen GM21 includes a prize input box Bx21, a first participant input box Bx22, a second participant input box Bx23, a third participant input box Bx24, a contest content input box Bx25, and a start button Bt21.

[0116] The prize input box Bx21 is an area where information indicating the prize of the contest that the first user Us1 presents to the participants is input by operating the first user terminal 400 of the first user Us1. The first to third participant input boxes Bx22 to Bx24 are areas where information indicating the participants of the contest is input by operating the first user terminal 400 of the first user Us1. The contest content input box Bx25 is an area where information indicating the content of the contest is input by operating the first user terminal 400 of the first user Us1. The start button Bt21 is a button composed of an image that is operated when the first user Us1 sends the products and contest content input on the GUI screen GM21 to the destination where they are input.

[0117] When the start button Bt21 of the GUI screen GM21 is operated by the first user Us1, the gift management unit 101 registers (stores, remembers) the information input on the GUI screen GM21 in the customer information 1310 and the contest information 1320.

[0118] S1402 to S1404: The Gift Management Department 101 sends an email EM11 including the template message of the second user terminal 500 of the second user Us2, the participation button, and the rejection button, and causes a GUI screen including the template message, the participation button, and the rejection button to be displayed on the display 501 of the second user terminal 500. Thereby, the Gift Management Department 101 notifies the second user Us2 that a prize has arrived and an event has been held using the second user terminal 500. Note that the Gift Management Department 101 may notify the second user Us2 that a prize has arrived or an event has been held using the second user terminal 500. The template message displayed on the display 501 includes, for example, that a contest is being held and the details of the contest.

[0119] When the participation button is operated by the second user Us2, the second user terminal 500 switches to the application GUI screen 22 received from the Gift Management Department 101. The application GUI screen 22 includes a result input box Bx31 and an application button Bt31. When the second user Us2 inputs a result into the result input box Bx31 and operates the application button Bt31, the Gift Management Department 101 registers the information input into the customer information 1310.

[0120] S1405 to S1408: The Gift Management Unit 101 conducts the reception for the second user Us2 to receive a prize by having the Personal Authentication Unit 104 perform personal authentication of the second user Us2 and confirming that the second user Us2 is a contest participant. When the personal authentication by the Personal Authentication Unit 104 is successful and it is confirmed that the second user Us2 is a contest participant, the Gift Management Unit 101 permits the reception and displays the contest result and the prize on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200. Note that the Gift Management Unit 101 determines the contest result based on the result input into the result input box Bx31. When the contest result is the first place, the Gift Management Unit 101 displays the contest result first place screen GM23 on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200. The contest result first place screen GM23 includes a congratulatory message and a photo of the prize. On the other hand, although not shown in the figure, when the contest result is not the first place, the Gift Management Unit 101 displays a contest result screen including only the contest result on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200. Note that the details of the processing executed by the Gift Management Unit 101 in S1405 to S1408 will be described later.

[0121] S1409 to S1411: The Virtual Cart Management Unit 102 creates a virtual cart for the second user Us2 whose personal authentication is successful, and adds products to the virtual cart based on the movement (travel route and hand passing position) of the second user Us2 detected by the TOF 300 and the weight change measured by the weighing unit 106. When settling the products, the Virtual Cart Management Unit 102 determines whether the products in the virtual cart are the correct products that match the contest prize. If they are the correct products, the Virtual Cart Management Unit 102 permits the receipt of the products and settles the correct products free of charge.

[0122] S205: If it is not the correct product, the virtual cart management unit 102 warns (alerts, notifies) the second user Us2 that the second user Us2 is trying to receive a product 310 that is different from the prize by displaying a warning screen on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200 or generating a warning sound. The details of the processes of S1404 and S1411 will be described later.

[0123] By operating the system as described above, the presentation of the product 310 via the contest is realized using the unmanned store SP1.

[0124] <Specific operation> (S1405 to S1408) Regarding the details of the processes executed by the gift management unit 101 in S1405 to S1408 described above, an explanation will be given.

[0125] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the process flow executed by the gift management unit 101 of the unmanned store management device 100. Starting the process from step 1600 in FIG. 16 and proceeding to step 1605, personal authentication is performed using the face image of the user acquired by the digital signage terminal 200.

[0126] The gift management unit proceeds to step 1610 and determines whether the authentication was successful. If the authentication was not successful, the gift management unit 101 determines "NO" at step 1610 and proceeds to step 1695 to temporarily end this process flow. If the authentication was successful, the gift management unit 101 determines "YES" at step 1610 and proceeds to step 1615 to determine whether the user who passed the authentication is a participant.

[0127] If the authenticated user is not a participant, the Gift Management Unit 101 determines "NO" in Step 1615 and proceeds to Step 1695 to temporarily end this processing flow. If the authenticated user is a participant, the Gift Management Unit 101 determines "YES" in Step 1615, proceeds to Step 1620, and refers to the customer information 1310 to identify the contest result corresponding to the participant.

[0128] After that, the Gift Management Unit 101 proceeds to Step 1625, refers to the contest information 1320, and determines whether the contest result is a predetermined result (in this example, whether it is the first place).

[0129] If the contest result is not the first place, the Gift Management Unit 101 determines "NO" in Step 1625, proceeds to Step 1630, and displays the contest result on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200. At this time, no prize is displayed on the display 202.

[0130] If the contest result is the first place, the Gift Management Unit 101 determines "YES" in Step 1625, proceeds to Step 1635, displays the contest result and a photo of the prize on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200, and proceeds to Step 1695 to temporarily end this processing flow.

[0131] (S1409 to S1411) In S1409 to S1411 described above, the details of the processing executed by the Virtual Cart Management Unit 102 will be described.

[0132] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing flow executed by the Virtual Cart Management Unit 102 of the unmanned store management device 100. Starting the processing from Step 1700 in FIG. 17 and proceeding to Step 1705, the picked-up product 310 is identified based on the movement route and hand passing position of the person by the movement route measurement unit 105, the weight change by the weight measurement unit 106, and the product information 120.

[0133] After that, the virtual cart management unit 102 proceeds to step 1710 to determine whether the identified product 310 is a prize. If the identified product 310 is not a prize, the virtual cart management unit 102 determines "NO" in step 1710 and proceeds to step 1715 to warn that the product is incorrect by means of an image, sound, etc. After that, the virtual cart management unit 102 proceeds to step 1795 to temporarily end this processing flow.

[0134] If the identified product 310 is a prize, the virtual cart management unit 102 determines "YES" in step 1710 and proceeds to step 1720 to settle the identified product 310 (prize) free of charge. After that, the virtual cart management unit 102 proceeds to step 1795 to temporarily end this processing flow.

[0135] <Effect> As described above, the unmanned store use product gifting system according to the third embodiment of the present invention can gift the product 310 to the recipient using the unmanned store SP1. Further, in the unmanned store use product gifting system according to the third embodiment of the present invention, when the recipient receives the product 310 at the unmanned store SP1, the result of the contest set by the gifter is displayed on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200, and when the recipient has achieved good results in the contest, the recipient can receive the prize. Thereby, the unmanned store use product gifting system according to the third embodiment can activate human communication by promoting the gathering of people (for example, people belonging to a specific organization (for example, the same company, etc.)) at the unmanned store SP1.

[0136] <<Modification Example>> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modification examples can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. Further, the above-described embodiments can be combined with each other as long as they do not depart from the scope of the present invention.

[0137] In each of the above embodiments, instead of the gift item (prize), points or the like that can be used for payment of the product 310 may be used. The points may sometimes be referred to as "gifts".

[0138] In this case, in a modification of the first embodiment, when the authenticated user is the recipient, the message and the awarded points are displayed on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200, and the points given by the first user Us1 are used for the settlement of the product. Therefore, the product within the points presented by the first user Us1 is settled so as to be free for the second user Us2. In the modification of the first embodiment, when the authenticated user is the recipient, only the message may be displayed on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200. In the modification of the first embodiment, when the authenticated user is the recipient, only the message is displayed on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200, and the second user terminal 500 may be notified that points have been given (added).

[0139] In a modification of the second embodiment, when the authenticated user is a quiz participant and answers the quiz correctly, points are displayed on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200 instead of the prize. The points given by the first user Us1 are used for the settlement of the product. Therefore, the product within the points presented by the first user Us1 is settled so as to be free for the second user Us2. In the modification of the second embodiment, when the authenticated user is a quiz participant and answers the quiz correctly, only the fact that the quiz is correct may be displayed on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200. In the modification of the second embodiment, when the authenticated user is a quiz participant and answers the quiz correctly, only the fact that the quiz is correct is displayed on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200, and the second user terminal 500 may be notified that points have been given (added).

[0140] In a modification of the third embodiment, when the user who has successfully authenticated is a contestant and the contest result is first place, points are displayed on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200 instead of the prize. For the settlement of goods, the points given by the first user Us1 are used. Therefore, the goods within the points presented by the first user Us1 are settled so as to be free for the second user Us2. In the modification of the third embodiment, when the user who has successfully authenticated is a contestant and the contest result is first place, only the contest result may be displayed on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200. In the modification of the third embodiment, when the user who has successfully authenticated is a contestant and the contest result is first place, only the contest result is displayed on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200, and the second user terminal 500 may be notified that points have been given (added).

[0141] In each of the above embodiments, when points are used instead of the presented item (prize), instead of the process of determining whether the specified item is the presented item (prize) (step 710 in FIG. 7, step 1210 in FIG. 12, step 1710 in FIG. 17), a process of determining whether the points required for the payment of the specified item are within the presented points may be executed. In this case, when it is determined as "NO" in the process, it may be warned that the points required for the payment of the specified item are not within the presented points (step 715 in FIG. 7, step 1215 in FIG. 12, step 1715 in FIG. 17).

[0142] In each of the above embodiments, the settlement of the presented item (prize) may be performed by the first user Us1 at the time when the presented item is determined.

[0143] In each of the above embodiments, when the second user Us2 is unable to receive the gift (prize) because the gift (prize) is not available on the product shelf 320 of the unmanned store SP1 for reasons such as out of stock, the first user Us1 may be notified to that effect via the first user terminal 400.

[0144] In each of the above embodiments, when the gift (prize) is not available on the product shelf 320 of the unmanned store SP1 for reasons such as out of stock, it may be processed so that the alternative product of the gift (prize) can be settled for free, and the second user Us2 can receive the alternative product for free.

[0145] In each of the above embodiments, the settlement of the gift (prize) may be made based on the payment information of the first user Us1 when the first user Us1 determines the gift (prize).

[0146] In the second embodiment above, the quiz question may be included in the e-mail EM21 and displayed on the display 501 of the second user terminal 500.

[0147] In the third embodiment above, it may be configured so that it can be set whether the evaluation is higher as the numerical value competing in the contest becomes larger, or whether the evaluation is higher as the numerical value competing in the contest becomes smaller.

[0148] In the third embodiment above, even if the results of all participants in the contest are not complete, when the period of the contest has ended, the results of the contest may be determined.

[0149] In the third embodiment above, for participants other than the first place, it may be configured such that the fact that the result of the contest was not the first place is displayed on the display 202 of the digital signage terminal 200.

[0150] In the first embodiment above, as an event associated with the gift of the product, instead of transmitting the message, other events such as holding a lottery may be executed.

Explanation of Signs

[0151] 100… unmanned store management device, 101… gift management section, 102… virtual cart management section, 103… payment platform, 104… personal authentication section, 105… traffic line measurement section, 106… weight measurement section, 110… customer information, 120… product information, 200… digital signage terminal, 300… TOF, 310… product, 320… product shelf, 400… first user terminal, 500… second user terminal, SP1… unmanned store

Claims

1. A self-service store management device including an information processing device configured to be communicable with a first user terminal, a second user terminal, and an authentication terminal with a display installed in the self-service store and capable of displaying images, wherein the information processing device, based on information input by a first user via the first user terminal, accepts a gift, which is a product or points to be presented, a recipient of the gift, and an event corresponding to the gift, notifies a second user of information regarding the gift and / or the event using the second user terminal, performs acceptance for the second user to receive the gift using the authentication terminal with a display, and when the acceptance is permitted, executes processing regarding the event, determines whether to permit receipt of the gift, and when receipt of the gift is permitted, settles accounts so that a product presented to the second user, a substitute for the product, or a product within the presented points becomes free for the second user. It is configured as follows, A self-service store management device.

2. In the self-service store management device according to Claim 1, the event is presentation of a message accompanying the presentation of the gift, and the information processing device, notifies the second user that the gift has arrived using the second user terminal, and when the acceptance is permitted using the authentication terminal with a display, causes an image indicating the message and the gift to be displayed on the display of the authentication terminal with a display. It is configured as follows, A self-service store management device.

3. In the self-service store management device according to Claim 2, the information processing device, performs acceptance by using the authentication terminal with a display to authenticate the second user and determining whether the second user who has successfully authenticated is the recipient of the gift, and when the second user who has successfully authenticated is the recipient of the gift, permits the acceptance. It is configured as follows, A self-service store management device.

4. In the self-service store management device according to Claim 3, the gift is the product to be presented, and the information processing device, is configured to be communicable with a product selection estimation device installed in the self-service store management device and measuring information for specifying a product selected by the second user via a network, the information processing device, Based on the information measured by the picked-up product estimation device, identify the product picked up by the second user who has been permitted to receive, and determine whether the product picked up by the identified second user matches the product to be presented, thereby determining whether to permit the receipt of the product. If the product picked up by the second user matches the product to be presented, permit the receipt of the product. If the product picked up by the second user does not match the product to be presented, use the display-equipped authentication terminal to warn the second user that the picked-up product is incorrect without permitting the receipt of the product. configured as Unattended store management device.

5. In the unattended store management device according to claim 1, the event is a quiz, the information processing device uses the second user terminal to notify the second user that the quiz is being held, when the acceptance is permitted using the display-equipped authentication terminal, cause the display-equipped authentication terminal to display the quiz question on the display, and when the second user answers the quiz correctly, cause an image showing the gift to be displayed on the display of the display-equipped authentication terminal. configured as Unattended store management device.

6. In the unattended store management device according to claim 5, the information processing device performs the acceptance by using the display-equipped authentication terminal to authenticate the second user and determining whether the second user who has successfully authenticated is the recipient of the gift, if the second user who has successfully authenticated is the recipient of the gift, permit the acceptance. configured as Unattended store management device.

7. In the unattended store management device according to claim 6, the gift is the product to be presented, the information processing device is configured to be communicable with a picked-up product estimation device installed in the unattended store management device and measuring information for identifying the product picked up by the second user via a network, the information processing device based on the information measured by the picked-up product estimation device, identifies the product picked up by the second user who has been permitted to receive and has answered the quiz correctly, and determines whether to permit the receipt of the product by determining whether the product picked up by the second user matches the product to be presented. When the product picked up by the second user matches the product to be presented, the receipt of the product is permitted. When the product picked up by the second user does not match the product to be presented, without permitting the receipt of the product, using the display-equipped authentication terminal, the second user is warned that the picked-up product is incorrect. configured as unattended store management device.

8. In the unattended store management device according to claim 1, the event is a contest, the information processing device uses the second user terminal to notify the second user that the contest is being held, the information processing device conducts a review of the contest based on the information regarding the contest input by the second user via the second user terminal, when permitting the acceptance using the display-equipped authentication terminal, causes the result of the contest to be displayed on the display of the display-equipped authentication terminal, and when the result of the contest is a predetermined result, causes an image indicating the gift to be displayed on the display of the display-equipped authentication terminal. configured as unattended store management device.

9. In the unattended store management device according to claim 8, the information processing device performs the acceptance by using the display-equipped authentication terminal to authenticate the second user and determining whether the second user who has successfully authenticated is the recipient of the gift, when the second user who has successfully authenticated is the recipient of the gift, permits the acceptance. configured as unattended store management device.

10. In the unattended store management device according to claim 9, the gift is the product to be presented, the information processing device is configured to be communicable with a picked-up product estimation device installed in the unattended store management device and measuring information for identifying the product picked up by the second user via a network, the information processing device based on the information measured by the picked-up product estimation device, permits the acceptance, identifies the product picked up by the second user for whom the acceptance has been permitted and the contest has a predetermined result, and determines whether to permit the receipt of the product by determining whether the product picked up by the second user matches the product to be presented. When the product picked up by the second user matches the product to be gifted, permit the receipt of the product; when the product picked up by the second user does not match the product to be gifted, use the display-equipped authentication terminal to warn the second user that the picked-up product is incorrect without permitting the receipt of the product. configured as unattended store management device.

11. In the unattended store management device according to claim 2, the information processing device uses the second user terminal to notify the second user that the gift has arrived so that the giver of the gift cannot be known. configured as unattended store management device.

12. A first user terminal, a second user terminal, an unattended store management device including an information processing device, a display-equipped authentication terminal installed in the unattended store and having a display capable of displaying an image, An unattended store use product gifting system having the above, wherein the first user terminal, the second user terminal, and the information processing device are configured to be communicable via a network, the first user terminal transmits information input by the first user to the information processing device, the information processing device receives information input by the first user from the first user terminal, accepts a product or a gift in the form of points to be gifted, the recipient of the gift, and an event corresponding to the gift based on the received input information, uses the second user terminal to notify the second user of information regarding the gift and / or the event, uses the display-equipped authentication terminal to accept the second user's receipt of the gift, when the acceptance is permitted, executes processing regarding the event, determines whether to permit the receipt of the gift, and when the receipt of the gift is permitted, settles the account so that the product gifted to the second user, a substitute for the product, or a product within the gifted points becomes free for the second user. configured as unattended store use product gifting system.

13. An unattended store use product gifting method using a first user terminal, a second user terminal, and an information processing device configured to be communicable with a display-equipped authentication terminal installed in the unattended store and having a display capable of displaying an image, by the information processing device Based on the information input by the first user via the first user terminal, receive a gift, which is a product or points to be presented, the recipient of the gift, and an event corresponding to the gift, use the second user terminal to notify the second user of information regarding the gift and / or the event, use the authentication terminal with a display to receive acceptance by the second user for receiving the gift, when the acceptance is permitted, execute processing regarding the event, determine whether to permit receipt of the gift, and when receipt of the gift is permitted, settle the product presented to the second user or a substitute for the product or a product within the presented points to be free for the second user. Unattended store use product presentation method.

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