Information processing device, information processing method, program, and printing system

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, information processing method, program, and printing system, which reduce the risk of theft without requiring equipment at drop-off sites and time and effort of delivery service providers.SOLUTION: An information processing device is provided, comprising an acquisition unit for acquiring setting information (e.g., a drop-off location image L1) regarding a drop-off location for an item to be delivered, and a determination unit for determining camouflage content (e.g., a camouflage image Pa) of a packaging material P for camouflaging the packaging material P containing the item at the drop-off location on the basis of the setting information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, a program, and a printing system including an information processing device and a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, delivery services have become popular, whereby delivery items housed in packaging such as cardboard boxes are stored or placed in a designated location such as in front of the door by the delivery company to complete delivery. Delivery services are highly convenient and have been gaining attention because they do not require the recipient or the delivery company to take action to time the delivery. In general, delivery services involve storing the delivery items in a parcel box or a delivery bag at the delivery address, or directly placing them in front of the door.

[0003] Since delivery to a designated location does not involve face-to-face handover between the delivery company and the recipient, there is a risk of theft of the delivered product. Therefore, a package storage device has been proposed that, when a sensor detects that a package stored in a foldable storage bag has been moved or removed, starts taking pictures with a camera unit and controls the captured image data to be wirelessly transmitted to an external device via a wireless communication unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-101963 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The above-mentioned luggage storage device, like a delivery box or a delivery bag, is required as equipment in front of the entrance, and the delivery company has to go through the trouble of storing the delivery items in the storage bag of the luggage storage device. Furthermore, with the above-mentioned luggage storage device, the delivery company may have to go through the trouble of collecting the equipment.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, a program, and a printing system that can reduce the risk of theft without requiring equipment at the delivery location or the effort of the delivery company. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one aspect, the information processing device includes an acquisition unit that acquires setting information regarding a storage location for an item to be delivered, and a determination unit that determines, based on the setting information, the camouflage content of the packaging material that contains the item at the storage location. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the above aspect, the risk of theft can be reduced without requiring any additional equipment at the delivery location or the delivery company's efforts. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a delivery system according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating printing of a camouflage image on a packaging material according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a camouflage image according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 1) showing an example of a storage location image according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 2) showing an example of a storage location image according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view showing a packaging material on which a camouflage image and a mark image are printed in one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a placement location image and packaging material on which a camouflage image is printed in one embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a background color of a packaging material according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a delivery system according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and a printing system according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a delivery system according to an embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining printing of a camouflage image Pa on a packaging material P. As shown in FIG.

[0013] The EC server 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a server device that manages product information and purchaser information to operate an EC (Electronic Commerce) site that sells products on a website, and includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, and an interface unit 130. The EC server 100 is an example of an information processing device. The EC server 100 communicates with a purchaser terminal 200, a print control device 300, and the like via a network N. The delivery system includes the EC server 100, the print control device 300, and a printing device 400.

[0014] The control unit 110 has, for example, one or more processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit) that function as an arithmetic processing device that controls the operation of each unit of the EC server 100. This processor functions as the acquisition unit 111, the determination unit 112, and the notification unit 113 by, for example, reading and executing a predetermined program from the storage unit 120 or from a storage medium (non-transitory computer-readable recording medium) that is detachable from the EC server 100. In this way, the control unit 110 (or the EC server 100) functions as an example of a computer that executes a program.

[0015] For example, when "drop-off delivery" is set as the delivery method for an item purchased on an EC site, the acquisition unit 111 acquires setting information regarding the location where the item will be delivered. As will be described in detail later, this setting information is information entered or selected by the purchaser who purchased the item on the input unit 230 of the purchaser terminal 200 described later, and is, for example, information such as a location image L1 (see FIG. 3(a)) that is a captured image of the location where the item will be delivered, an image with a color similar to the location, the address of the delivery destination, and the color of the location. In this embodiment, delivery is performed by a delivery company with the item, such as a product, contained (packaged) in packaging material P.

[0016] The determination unit 112 determines camouflage details for the packaging material P, which are used to camouflage the packaging material P that will contain the delivered item at the storage location of the item, based on the setting information acquired by the acquisition unit 111. The camouflage details are, for example, a camouflage image Pa (see FIG. 2) printed on the surface of the packaging material P. Alternatively, the camouflage details are, for example, the background color of the surface of the packaging material P (see FIG. 8). The camouflage details may be any details that reduce the visibility of the packaging material P even slightly or are intended to reduce the visibility by making the packaging material P blend into the surrounding scenery of the storage location (camouflage effect), such as making the packaging material P look like part of a home. The packaging material P is, for example, cardboard, but may also be a plastic case, a bag, or the like, and is not particularly limited. The surface of the packaging material P is a surface that is visible from the outside, such as the front, back, left, right, and right sides, or the top surface.

[0017] The notification unit 113 notifies the purchaser terminal 200, for example, at the time of purchase of the item to be contained in the packaging material P, of a mark image Pd (for example, the characters "Delivery to Drop-Off" as shown in FIG. 6), which is a shipping mark image that serves as a mark printed on the packaging material P to indicate that the packaging material P is at the storage location, along with the printing position on the packaging material P. This allows the purchaser to know the mark image Pd before the packaging material P is placed at the storage location. Note that this mark image Pd may be placed in a position that is difficult for third parties to see but is visible to the purchaser, for example, by printing it on the side of the packaging material P rather than on the front, as in the case of FIG. 6.

[0018] The storage unit 120 includes, for example, a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), which is a read-only semiconductor memory in which a predetermined control program is pre-recorded, a RAM (Random Access Memory), which is a semiconductor memory that can be written and read at any time and is used as a working storage area as needed when the processor executes various control programs, a hard disk drive, etc. The storage unit 120 may also include an external storage device (database) to store information on a large number of products and information on a large number of purchasers.

[0019] The interface unit 130 exchanges various information with external devices such as the purchaser terminal 200 and the print control device 300. For example, the interface unit 130 receives purchaser information and the above-mentioned setting information for determining the camouflage content of the packaging material P from the purchaser terminal 200.

[0020] The purchaser terminal 200 includes a control unit 210, a memory unit 220, an input unit 230, a display unit 240, an imaging unit 250, and an interface unit 260. The purchaser terminal 200 is a terminal of a purchaser who purchases an item, and is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a laptop computer.

[0021] The control unit 210 has, for example, a processor (e.g., a CPU) that functions as an arithmetic processing device that controls the operation of each unit of the purchaser terminal 200. This processor reads and executes a predetermined program from, for example, the storage unit 220 or from a storage medium (non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) that is detachable from the purchaser terminal 200.

[0022] The storage unit 220 includes, for example, a ROM, which is a read-only semiconductor memory in which predetermined control programs are pre-recorded, and a RAM, which is a semiconductor memory that can be written and read at any time and is used as a working memory area as needed when the processor executes various control programs.

[0023] The input unit 230 has, for example, a touch panel or operation keys, and receives input of various information from the user.

[0024] The display unit 240 is a display that displays various types of information.

[0025] The image capturing unit 250 is used, for example, by the purchaser to capture an image of the storage location. Note that even if the purchaser terminal 200 does not have the image capturing unit 250, it can acquire a storage location image L1 (see FIG. 3(a)) of the storage location from another device.

[0026] The interface unit 260 exchanges various information with external devices such as the EC server 100. For example, the interface unit 260 transmits to the EC server 100 purchaser information, setting information for determining the camouflage content of the packaging material P, and the like.

[0027] The print control device 300 includes a control unit 310, a storage unit 320, an input unit 330, a display unit 340, and an interface unit 350. The print control device 300 is a device that controls the printing device 400. The print control device 300 may be a dedicated terminal for controlling printing by the printing device 400, but it may also function as a delivery management device for a delivery company (logistics company). Alternatively, the printing device 400 may also function as the print control device 300.

[0028] The control unit 310 has a processor (e.g., a CPU) that functions as an arithmetic processing unit. This processor reads and executes a predetermined program from, for example, the storage unit 320 or from a storage medium (a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium) that is detachable from the print control device 300.

[0029] The storage unit 320 includes, for example, a ROM, which is a read-only semiconductor memory in which predetermined control programs are pre-recorded, and a RAM, which is a semiconductor memory that can be written and read at any time and is used as a working memory area as needed when the processor executes various control programs.

[0030] The input unit 330 includes, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, and receives input of various information from the user.

[0031] The display unit 340 is a display that displays various information.

[0032] The interface unit 350 exchanges various types of information with external devices such as the EC server 100 and the printing device 400 .

[0033] The printing device 400 includes a printing unit 410, a control unit 420, a storage unit 430, and an interface unit 440.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the printing unit 410 has six print heads 411 for each color, for example, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. As an example, the printing unit 410 prints a camouflage image Pa, which is an example of camouflage content, on the packaging material P. The print heads 411 are shown with hidden dashed lines because they are located behind the printing unit 410 and do not appear in FIG. 2. For example, the six print heads 411 for each color are arranged vertically at different positions in the transport direction of the packaging material P transported on the conveyor C. Each of the multiple print heads 411 ejects ink in a horizontal direction to print. This horizontal direction is a direction intersecting the vertical direction and the transport direction of the packaging material P (to the right in FIG. 2), and is, for example, a horizontal direction. However, the print head 411 may eject ink in another direction, such as vertically downward, when printing on the top surface of the packaging material P. Furthermore, the printing unit 410 may be a printing unit 410 other than an inkjet type, such as a thermal type.

[0035] The control unit 420 has, for example, a processor (e.g., a CPU) that functions as an arithmetic processing unit that controls the operation of each unit of the printing device 400. This processor reads and executes a predetermined program from, for example, the storage unit 430 or from a storage medium (non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) that is detachable from the printing device 400.

[0036] The storage unit 430 includes, for example, a ROM, which is a read-only semiconductor memory in which predetermined control programs are pre-recorded, and a RAM, which is a semiconductor memory that can be written and read at any time and is used as a working memory area as needed when the processor executes various control programs.

[0037] The interface unit 440 exchanges various types of information with external devices such as the print control device 300 .

[0038] Here, the camouflage image Pa will be described with reference to FIGS. 3(a) to 3(c).

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3(a), when the placement location of the delivered item (packaging material P) is in front of a wall of a building, the purchaser of the item captures a placement location image L1, which is an image of the placement location, using the imaging unit 250. Then, the acquisition unit 111 (EC server 100) acquires the placement location image L1 from the purchaser terminal 200 at the time of purchasing the item. When the acquisition unit 111 acquires the placement location image L1, it is preferable that the purchaser has specified the range of the position where the packaging material P is placed in the placement location image L1 using a frame-shaped designated area A or the like. This allows the acquisition unit 111 to acquire an image of only the designated area A in the placement location image L1, or to extract an image of only the designated area A after acquiring the placement location image L1. In addition, it is preferable that the acquisition unit 111 acquires information specifying the placement location (e.g., next to the entrance, on the right side of an aisle within the address, etc.) from the purchaser terminal 200.

[0040] The determination unit 112 generates a camouflage image Pa shown in Fig. 3(b) based on the storage location image L1. The camouflage image Pa is, for example, the same image as the designated area A of the storage location image L1, but may also be an image of the storage location image L1 itself.

[0041] The printing unit 410 prints the camouflage image Pa generated by the determination unit 112 as described above onto the packaging material P. As a result, when the packaging material P is placed in front of a wall, as shown in FIG. 3(c), the camouflage image Pa becomes the same as or similar to the color of the building's wall, thereby camouflaging the packaging material P. Note that it is preferable to print on the packaging material P, for example, a two-dimensional code or the like that includes information specifying the purchaser's address and the delivery location (e.g., next to the entrance, on the right side of an aisle within the address, etc.). This address and information specifying the delivery location may be written on a slip attached to the packaging material P.

[0042] 3(a) , as in the storage location image L2 shown in FIG. 4, if a designated area A is designated similarly to the storage location image L1 shown in FIG. 3(a), the determination unit 112 may generate an image of this designated area A in a single color (for example, the color of the wall) as the camouflage image Pa. However, there may be cases where the designated area A is not designated. In such cases, the determination unit 112 may extract, by known image processing, an area of ​​the storage location image L2 that has the most frequently used color (a color of the same family) or a partial area such as the center of the storage location image L2, and generate the camouflage image Pa in the same color or a similar image to the image of these areas. Furthermore, if the determination unit 112 can identify a door (the left side of the storage location image L2) from the storage location image L2, it may generate the camouflage image Pa using an image next to the door.

[0043] Alternatively, even if the purchaser does not capture the storage location image L2, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, an image captured by a delivery company when a delivery was previously made to the same purchaser and notified to the purchaser may be acquired as the storage location image L3 from the storage unit 120 or the purchaser terminal 200. In this case, if the determination unit 112 can identify the packaging material P in the storage location image L3 using known image processing, it may extract an image of the most frequently used area of ​​the same color (same color family) around the packaging material P and generate the camouflage image Pa. Alternatively, as described above, the determination unit 112 may extract an image of the most frequently used area of ​​the same color (same color family) in the storage location image L3 or an image of a portion of the storage location image L3, such as the central portion, and generate the camouflage image Pa. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 111 may notify the purchaser (the purchaser terminal 200) of the storage location image L3 and acquire the input result of the designated area A by the purchaser.

[0044] In the example shown in Fig. 6, camouflage images Pb, Pc, such as images of grass, are printed on the front and right side of the packaging material P when viewed from the front of the building toward the entrance. These camouflage images Pb, Pc are generated by the determination unit 112 based on, for example, multiple storage location images captured by the product purchaser corresponding to each of the multiple surfaces of the packaging material P. The camouflage images Pb, Pc printed on different surfaces of the packaging material P may be multiple images divided from a single continuous image. Note that instead of inputting a storage location image, the purchaser may select an image with a color similar to the storage location from multiple candidate images.

[0045] Alternatively, the acquisition unit 111 may acquire the purchaser's address as setting information instead of the storage location image, and the determination unit 112 may determine the camouflage images Pb and Pc according to the purchaser's address. For example, if the determination unit 112 determines that the address is a detached house based on the fact that the address does not include an apartment number or the like, the determination unit 112 may generate the camouflage images Pb and Pc as images of grass, or images of soil and trees, as shown in FIG. 6. If the determination unit 112 determines that the address is an apartment building based on the fact that the address includes an apartment number or the like, the determination unit 112 may not generate the camouflage images Pb and Pc, or may generate camouflage images Pb and Pc in a color often used in apartment buildings (e.g., concrete gray). If the setting information is the purchaser's address, the acquisition unit 111 may acquire an image corresponding to the address that can be acquired from an aerial photograph or a map image database as the storage location image, and the determination unit 112 may generate the camouflage images Pb and Pc. Alternatively, the determining unit 112 may change the camouflage images Pb and Pc to white images if snowfall is predicted, depending on whether the area is in a heavy snowfall region and the season (or depending on weather forecast information).

[0046] Incidentally, as described above, printing the camouflage images Pb and Pc on the packaging material P may cause even the recipient (purchaser) to overlook the packaging material P. Therefore, a marker image Pd may be attached to the packaging material P to indicate that the packaging material P is in the storage location. This marker image Pd may be, for example, the text "Delivered to Drop-Off" as shown in FIG. 6. The marker image Pd may be printed together with the camouflage image Pa when it is printed by the printing device 400 described above, or may be attached to the packaging material P in advance by printing or the like. The marker image Pd may also be an image of a character or text selected or input by the purchaser. Furthermore, the packaging material P may be printed with information indicating which side the camouflage images Pb and Pc will be printed on when placed in the storage location (for example, the text "Front" indicating that it is the front side when looking at the entrance from the front of the building).

[0047] 7(a), the purchaser may capture a storage location image L4 including fixtures such as an outdoor unit of an air conditioner installed around the storage location, such as a water meter and a trash can.

[0048] In this case, the acquisition unit 111 acquires a storage location image L4 as setting information, and the determination unit 112 generates the storage location image L4 as the camouflage image Pe shown in Fig. 7(b), for example, as is. Note that the determination unit 112 may generate a plurality of camouflage images Pe to be printed on the front or side of the packaging material P, for example, based on a plurality of storage location images L4 obtained corresponding to each of a plurality of surfaces of the packaging material P as described above by capturing images of the furniture from, for example, the front or the side. Note that the storage location image L4 including the furniture is not limited to one actually captured by the purchaser, and the acquisition unit 111 may acquire an image selected by the purchaser from a plurality of storage location images including the same type of furniture.

[0049] In the above description, the acquisition unit 111 mainly acquires the storage location images L1 to L4 as the setting information regarding the storage location of the delivered item. However, the acquisition unit 111 may acquire, for example, the color of the storage location selected by the purchaser as the setting information. In this case, the determination unit 112 may set the camouflage image to an image consisting only of the color selected by the purchaser, or may determine the background color of the packaging material P as the camouflage content of the packaging material P instead of the camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pe.

[0050] 8(a) to 8(c), the determination unit 112 may determine the packaging P to contain the target item from among multiple packaging materials P, such as brown packaging material P1, white packaging material P2, and beige packaging material P3, based on the color of the storage location selected by the purchaser. Note that the determination unit 112 may also determine a packaging material P with a similar background color based on the storage location images L1 to L4. Alternatively, the determination unit 112 may generate camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pe as described above as camouflage content, and determine the background colors of the packaging material P on which the camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pe are printed.

[0051] In the present embodiment described above, the EC server 100, which is an example of an information processing device, includes an acquisition unit 111 that acquires setting information (e.g., storage location images L1 to L4) regarding the storage location of the items to be delivered, and a determination unit 112 that determines the camouflage content of the packaging material P (e.g., camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, Pe) for camouflaging the packaging material P that contains the items at the storage location based on the setting information.

[0052] From a method perspective, the information processing method is an information processing method performed by a computer (e.g., the control unit 110 or the EC server 100), and includes obtaining setting information (e.g., storage location images L1 to L4) regarding the storage location of the items to be delivered, and determining, based on the setting information, the camouflage content of the packaging material P (e.g., camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, Pe) for camouflaging the packaging material P that contains the items at the storage location.

[0053] From the perspective of the program, the program enables a computer (e.g., the control unit 110 or the EC server 100) to acquire setting information (e.g., storage location images L1 to L4) regarding the storage location of the delivered items, and to determine the camouflage content of the packaging material P (e.g., camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, Pe) for camouflaging the packaging material P that contains the items at the storage location based on the setting information.

[0054] From the perspective of the printing system, the printing system is a printing system comprising an EC server 100 and a printing device 400, wherein the EC server 100 comprises an acquisition unit 111 that acquires setting information (e.g., storage location images L1 to L4) regarding the storage location of the delivered item, and a determination unit 112 that determines, based on the setting information, the camouflage content of the packaging material P (e.g., camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, Pe) for camouflaging the packaging material P that contains the item at the storage location, and the printing device 400 prints the camouflage content (e.g., camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, Pe) on the surface of the packaging material P.

[0055] In these EC server 100, information processing method, program, and printing system, the packaging material P is camouflaged in the storage location using camouflage content such as camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, Pe, etc., thereby reducing the risk of theft of goods. Also, because the delivery company can simply store the packaging material P in the designated storage location, there is no need for equipment such as delivery boxes or storage bags, or for the delivery company to store the packaging material P and collect the equipment.

[0056] In addition, in this embodiment, the camouflage content of the packaging material P for camouflaging the packaging material P is camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pe printed on the surface of the packaging material P, and the determination unit 112 generates the camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pe based on the setting information.

[0057] This makes it possible to reduce the risk of theft of goods by simply printing the camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pe on the surface of the packaging material P.

[0058] In addition, in this embodiment, the setting information regarding the storage location of the delivered item includes multiple storage location images, which are captured images of the storage location, and the determination unit 112 generates camouflage images Pb, Pc to be printed on multiple surfaces of the packaging material P based on the multiple storage location images.

[0059] This allows the packaging material P to be camouflaged from multiple directions in the storage location, further reducing the risk of theft of the item.

[0060] In addition, in this embodiment, the acquisition unit 111 acquires setting information from the purchaser terminal 200 of the purchaser of the item, and the notification unit 113 notifies the purchaser terminal 200 of the mark image Pd that is attached to the packaging material P to indicate that the packaging material P is present in the storage location.

[0061] This allows the purchaser to know the landmark image Pd before the packaging material P is placed in the storage location. Therefore, by knowing the landmark image Pd in ​​advance, the purchaser can easily find the packaging material P even if the packaging material P placed in the storage location is camouflaged.

[0062] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a delivery system according to another embodiment.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, the EC server 100 includes the acquisition unit 111 and the determination unit 112, but in this embodiment, the print control device 300 includes the acquisition unit 311 and the determination unit 312. Therefore, the print control device 300 functions as an example of an information processing device. Since other matters can be the same as in the above-described embodiment, the following description will mainly focus on the differences.

[0064] 9 functions as an acquisition unit 311, a determination unit 312, and a notification unit 313 by the processor reading and executing a predetermined program. In this way, the control unit 310 (or the print control device 300) functions as an example of a computer that executes a program.

[0065] The acquisition unit 311 acquires the above-mentioned setting information (e.g., storage location images L1 to L4) related to the storage location of the delivered item from, for example, the EC server 100. The determination unit 312 determines the above-mentioned camouflage content (e.g., camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pe) of the packaging material P for camouflaging the packaging material P that contains the delivered item at the storage location, based on the setting information acquired by the acquisition unit 311. The notification unit 313 notifies the purchaser terminal 200 of the purchaser of the item contained in the packaging material P of a mark image Pd (see FIG. 6) that is printed on the packaging material P to indicate that the packaging material P is present at the storage location.

[0066] However, the size and aspect ratio of the printed area of ​​the camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pe on the packaging material P (the area excluding the margins around each side of the packaging material P) may not match the actual scenery of the storage location captured as the storage location images L1 to L4. Therefore, simply enlarging (or reducing) the camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pe to the size of the printed area and printing them may reduce the camouflage effect of the packaging material P. For example, if the furniture shown in storage location image L4, which includes furniture shown in FIG. 7(a), is printed smaller or larger than its actual size, or if the aspect ratio changes, the camouflage effect of the packaging material P on which the camouflage image Pe is printed is likely to be reduced.

[0067] Therefore, the determination unit 312 may cause the printing device 400 to print the camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pe so that they approximate the actual size of the storage locations. For example, the determination unit 312 may acquire the vertical and horizontal sizes of the storage locations corresponding to the designated area A of the storage location images L1 to L4 (e.g., rough values ​​entered by the purchaser) from the purchaser terminal 200 via the EC server 100, and specify the print settings of the printing device 400 so that the camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pe are enlarged (or reduced) to the size of the printing area and printed accordingly. Alternatively, when the purchaser captures the storage location images L1 to L4, the purchaser may also capture an object, such as a ruler, bearing size-specifying information, together with the subject. The determination unit 312 may then identify the size-specifying information (e.g., length scale) of the object using known image processing, and specify the print settings of the printing device 400 so that the size-specifying information appears in the actual size (or approximates the actual size) in the printed image. Furthermore, the determination unit 312 may, for example, present a print preview to the user of the print control device 300, allow the user to fine-tune the printout size on the display unit 340, and acquire the print settings. In this case, it is preferable that the image be displayed in the print preview on the display unit 340 at the same size as the printed image (for example, A4 size). Note that if the camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pe are enlarged or reduced before printing, the aspect ratio may not match that of the print area on the packaging material P. In this case, the determination unit 312 may include images of the placement location images L1 to L4 outside the designated area A in the camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pe, or may exclude images inside the designated area A from the camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pe.

[0068] In the other embodiments described above, the same effects can be obtained for matters similar to those of the above-mentioned embodiment, such as the effect of reducing the risk of theft without requiring equipment at the delivery location or the effort of the delivery company.

[0069] In addition, in this embodiment, the information processing device is a printing control device 300 that controls printing by a printing device 400, the setting information includes storage location images L1 to L4 which are captured images of the storage location, the camouflage content is camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pe to be printed on the surface of the packaging material P, and the determination unit 312 generates camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pe based on the storage location images L1 to L4 and causes the printing device 400 to print these camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pe so as to approximate the actual size of the storage location.

[0070] This makes it possible to prevent the camouflage effect of the packaging material P from being reduced due to a mismatch in size between the camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pe and the scenery around the actual placement location.

[0071] In the above description, the EC server 100 (one embodiment) and the print control device 300 (another embodiment) are given as examples of information processing devices, but the information processing device may be a device different from the EC server 100 and the print control device 300. In this case, the information processing device may acquire setting information such as placement location images L1 to L4 from the EC server 100 and determine the camouflage content. Then, if the camouflage content is camouflage images Pa, Pb, Pc, or Pe, the information processing device may transmit the camouflage content to the print control device 300, which prints the camouflage images on the packaging material P. Alternatively, instead of the EC server 100, a device that manages items other than purchased products (for example, rental items) may be used as the information processing device.

[0072] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the components can be modified and embodied in practice without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, all components shown in the embodiments may be appropriately combined. Naturally, various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Below, a portion of the invention described in the specification and drawings of this application is additionally noted.

[0073] [Appendix 1] an acquisition unit that acquires setting information regarding a location where an item to be delivered is to be placed; a determination unit that determines, based on the setting information, camouflage content of a packaging material that contains the item at the storage location to camouflage the packaging material; An information processing device comprising:

[0074] [Appendix 2] the camouflage content is a camouflage image printed on the surface of the packaging material, The determination unit generates the camouflage image based on the setting information. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1,

[0075] [Appendix 3] the setting information includes a plurality of storage location images that are captured images of the storage location, The determination unit generates the camouflage image to be printed on the surfaces of the packaging material based on the plurality of storage location images. 3. The information processing device according to claim 2.

[0076] [Appendix 4] the acquisition unit acquires the setting information from a purchaser terminal of a purchaser of the item; The device further includes a notification unit that notifies the purchaser terminal of a mark image that is attached to the packaging material to indicate that the packaging material is present in the storage location. 4. The information processing device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3.

[0077] [Appendix 5] An information processing method carried out by a computer, comprising: Obtaining configuration information regarding the location of the delivered item; determining, based on the setting information, camouflage content of a packaging material for camouflaging the packaging material that contains the item at the storage location; An information processing method comprising:

[0078] [Appendix 6] A function to obtain setting information regarding the location of the delivered goods; a function of determining, based on the setting information, camouflage content of a packaging material for camouflaging the packaging material that contains the item at the storage location; A program that makes the above happen on a computer.

[0079] [Appendix 7] A printing system including an information processing device and a printing device, The information processing device includes: an acquisition unit that acquires setting information regarding a location where an item to be delivered is to be placed; a determination unit that determines, based on the setting information, camouflage content of a packaging material that contains the item at the storage location, The printing device prints the camouflage content on the surface of the packaging material. A printing system characterized by:

[0080] [Appendix 8] the information processing device controls printing by the printing device; the setting information includes a storage location image that is a captured image of the storage location, the camouflage content is a camouflage image printed on the surface of the packaging material, The determination unit generates the camouflage image based on the storage location image and causes the printing device to print the camouflage image so as to approximate the actual size of the storage location. 8. The printing system according to claim 7, [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 100 EC servers 110 control section 111 Acquisition Department 112 Decision Section 113 Notification Department 120 Storage section 130 Interface section 200 Buyer Terminal 210 Control Unit 220 Storage section 230 Input section 240 Display section 250 Imaging unit 260 Interface Section 300 Printing control device 310 Control Unit 320 Storage section 330 Input section 340 Display section 350 Interface section 400 Printing equipment 410 Printing Department 411 Print Head 420 Control Unit 430 Storage section 440 Interface section A Specified area C Conveyor L1, L2, L3, L4 placement image (setting information) N Network P(P1,P2,P3) Packaging material Pa, Pb, Pc, Pe camouflage image (camouflage content) Pd landmark image

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires setting information regarding a location where an item to be delivered is to be placed; a determination unit that determines, based on the setting information, camouflage content of a packaging material that contains the item at the storage location to camouflage the packaging material; An information processing device comprising:

2. the camouflage content is a camouflage image printed on the surface of the packaging material, The determination unit generates the camouflage image based on the setting information.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

3. the setting information includes a plurality of storage location images that are captured images of the storage location, The determination unit generates the camouflage image to be printed on the surfaces of the packaging material based on the plurality of storage location images.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. the acquisition unit acquires the setting information from a purchaser terminal of a purchaser of the item; The device further includes a notification unit that notifies the purchaser terminal of a mark image that is attached to the packaging material to indicate that the packaging material is present in the storage location.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

5. An information processing method carried out by a computer, comprising: Obtaining configuration information regarding the location of the delivered item; determining, based on the setting information, camouflage content of a packaging material for camouflaging the packaging material that contains the item at the storage location; An information processing method comprising:

6. A function to obtain setting information regarding the location of the delivered goods; a function of determining, based on the setting information, camouflage content of a packaging material for camouflaging the packaging material that contains the item at the storage location; A program that makes the computer realize the above.

7. A printing system including an information processing device and a printing device, The information processing device includes: an acquisition unit that acquires setting information regarding a location where an item to be delivered is to be placed; a determination unit that determines, based on the setting information, camouflage content of a packaging material that contains the item at the storage location, The printing device prints the camouflage content on the surface of the packaging material. A printing system characterized by:

8. the information processing device controls printing by the printing device; the setting information includes a storage location image that is a captured image of the storage location, the camouflage content is a camouflage image printed on the surface of the packaging material, The determination unit generates the camouflage image based on the storage location image and causes the printing device to print the camouflage image so as to approximate the actual size of the storage location.

8. The printing system according to claim 7.

Images