Sales support system, sales support apparatus, and sales support program

Abstract

To give proper buying recommendation to a customer visiting a shop.SOLUTION: A sales support system according to the present invention has a user authentication unit for, when a user using a mirror provided in a shop is recognized, carrying out authentication of the user, an update processing unit for updating possessed article information which is information of an article possessed by the user, and a dialog processing unit for, through dialog with a suer, proposing exchange of at least any one of the articles indicated by the possessed article information with consideration capable of being used at a shop.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is a technology that uses online processing to improve the convenience of purchasing second-hand goods (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Additionally, apparel shops and other stores that sell clothing (clothes and shoes) are seeking ways to encourage customers who are considering making a purchase. Proposing purchases (including trade-in discounts) is expected to be somewhat effective in encouraging (promoting) purchases.

[0004] However, conventional technologies operate when intentionally accessed by users such as customers, and therefore cannot automatically perform sales promotion activities such as those performed by store clerks, such as making purchase proposals (purchase recommendations) at timing determined appropriate based on the behavior of customers visiting a store. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a sales support system, a sales support device, and a sales support program that can make appropriate purchase recommendations to customers who visit a store. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The sales support system of the embodiment includes a user authentication unit that performs authentication processing for a user when the user is recognized using a mirror installed in a store, an update processing unit that updates owned product information, which is information about products owned by the user, and an interaction processing unit that, when the user is authenticated by the user authentication unit, proposes, through interactive processing with the user, an exchange of at least one of the products indicated in the owned product information for a value that can be used in the store. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a sales support system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the server. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a customer terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the full-length mirror terminal. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the sales support system and the relationship between the functional units. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow in the sales support system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (First embodiment) The first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a sales support system according to the embodiment.

[0009] The sales support system of this embodiment is used in, for example, a store that sells clothes, shoes, etc., and makes purchase recommendations to customers who visit the store. A purchase recommendation is an offer (encouragement) to "purchase" an item owned by a customer in exchange for consideration (money or a special benefit). The sales support system of this embodiment makes purchase recommendations with the main purpose of promoting sales and encouraging customers to return to the store.

[0010] In this embodiment, the consideration for the purchase is a coupon, points, or other benefit that can be used at the store. Coupons include, for example, coupons that can be exchanged for a discount or price reduction (hereinafter collectively referred to as discounts) or vouchers for goods. Coupons that can be used on subsequent visits to the store are effective in encouraging repeat visits.

[0011] Furthermore, "purchase" in this embodiment also includes so-called "trade-in." "Trade-in" refers to a discount (cash back) given to a customer when they purchase a product in exchange for a product they own.

[0012] The sales support system of this embodiment includes a server 1, a customer terminal 3, and a full-length mirror terminal 6 equipped with an input / output terminal 5. The server 1 provides a cloud service 2 to external devices (e.g., the customer terminal 3 and the input / output terminal 5). The cloud service 2 enables the information stored in the server 1 to be referenced and edited (registered, updated, deleted) in response to a request from the external device. Communication between the server 1 and the external device is performed via a network 9 such as the Internet.

[0013] The server 1 stores various information such as learning data 196 and closet information 194, and provides them to the customer terminal 3 and the input / output terminal 5 as appropriate. The learning data 196 is information on products currently being bought (buying information) and information indicating the results of past buying recommendations (described in detail later). The closet information 194 is information on products owned by the customer (described in detail later).

[0014] The customer terminal 3 is a terminal device carried by a customer, and is, for example, an information processing device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a PC (Personal Computer). In this embodiment, it is mainly used to edit the closet information 194.

[0015] The full-length mirror terminal 6 is a terminal device that functions both as an input / output terminal 5 that accepts operations from customers and as a full-length mirror (mirror), and is installed in the sales floor of a store. The input / output terminal 5 is an example of a terminal device used together with a mirror, and is installed over a portion of the full-length mirror, providing a semi-transparent GUI (Graphical User Interface) in that area.

[0016] The input / output terminal 5 in this embodiment is provided in the full-length mirror terminal 6, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the full-length mirror terminal 6 may be a terminal device the size of a full-length mirror equipped with a camera and an input / output unit (a device also known as a smart mirror or digital mirror). In this case, the full-length mirror terminal 6 is an example of an input / output terminal. The input / output terminal 5 may also be an information processing device such as a tablet terminal provided near the full-length mirror (mirror).

[0017] The input / output terminal 5 is an example of a sales support device that makes purchase recommendations using a generation AI. When making purchase recommendations, the generation AI performs processing related to a dialogue (dialogue processing) with a customer using a full-length mirror by inputting and outputting text data (character information) and voice.

[0018] The sales support system uses various information stored in the server 1 to select products that meet certain conditions (described in detail later) and proposes to the customer via the full-length mirror terminal 6 that they be purchased.

[0019] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server 1. The server 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a communication unit 14, a storage unit 19, etc.

[0020] The CPU 11 is an example of a processor and performs overall control of each unit of the server 1. The ROM 12 stores various programs. The RAM 13 is a workspace where programs and various data are deployed. The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are connected via a bus or the like to form a control unit 10 having a computer configuration. The control unit 10 executes various processes by the CPU 11 operating in accordance with the programs stored in the ROM 12 or the memory unit 19 and deployed in the RAM 13.

[0021] The communication unit 14 is a communication interface that connects the control unit 10 and external devices (for example, the customer terminal 3 and the input / output terminal 5) via the network 9 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0022] The storage unit 19 has a non-volatile storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash memory, and maintains its stored contents even when power is cut off. The storage unit 19 stores a program 191 that can be executed by the CPU 11. When the CPU 11 executes the program 191, the control unit 10 realizes various functional units (described later, see FIG. 5). The storage unit 19 also stores various setting information such as a product master 192 and member information 193. The storage unit 19 also stores closet information 194, transaction information 195, learning data 196, etc.

[0023] The product master 192 is an example of product information, and is, for example, a table containing information about products handled by each store in the same chain managed by the server 1. The product master 192 includes, for example, the following items. Product code ·Product name ·unit price Color and pattern ·size Verification data

[0024] The product code is an example of information (identification information) that can identify a product, such as a JAN code. Other information (product name, unit price, color / pattern, size, verification data, etc.) is stored in association with the product code.

[0025] The item "Product Name" stores the name of the product. The item "Unit Price" stores the price of one product.

[0026] The "Color / Pattern" item stores information indicating the color (e.g., black, red) or pattern (e.g., stripes, checkered, dots) of the product, and is expressed as a symbol, number, text data, etc. The "Size" item stores information indicating the size of the product (e.g., S, M, L, etc.), and is expressed as a symbol, number, text data, etc.

[0027] The "matching data" field stores reference feature quantities. Each device that processes sales data compares the feature quantities of the product image contained in an image (captured image) captured and output by a camera or the like with the matching data, and obtains a product code associated with the matching matching data, thereby recognizing the product. The above-mentioned match determination may be performed, for example, by calculating the similarity between the feature quantities of the captured image and the matching data, comparing the calculated similarity with a threshold, and determining that the matching data matches if the similarity is equal to or greater than the threshold. The product code may also be obtained by reading (scanning or decoding) a code symbol, such as a barcode or two-dimensional code, attached to the product.

[0028] The member information 193 is information about customers who are members, compiled, for example, in the form of a table. Items included in the member information 193 are, for example, as follows. Member ID ·full name ·contact address ·Attribute information Face information · Ownership benefits

[0029] The member ID is information (identification information) that can identify a member customer, and is, for example, a unique number assigned to each member. The "Name" field stores the name of the member customer. The "Contact Information" field stores the member customer's telephone number, address, email address, etc. The "Attribute Information" field stores, for example, age (or date of birth), gender, occupation, etc.

[0030] The "face information" field stores image data of the face of a customer who is a member, or features based on the face image. If the face image (or its features) contained in an image (captured image) captured and output by a camera or the like provided in the sales support system matches any of the face information stored in member information 193, the sales support system authenticates the member with the face information as the person captured on camera (face authentication).

[0031] The owned privileges are the privileges that the member holds. The privileges granted to the member are stored in the "owned privileges" item of the member information 193. The privileges are, for example, coupons or points that can be used in stores.

[0032] Points are awarded according to the amount of purchases at a store and can be used to pay for products or to exchange for coupons. Coupons are awarded by exchanging points or purchasing products, and can be used to receive discounts or other services when paying, or to exchange for products.

[0033] Closet information 194 is an example of owned product information, and is information about products owned by a user (customer) compiled in, for example, a table format. Items included in closet information 194 are, for example, as follows. Member ID Product code ·Product name Color and pattern ·size Manufacturer Purchase amount Purchase date ·season ·situation

[0034] The member ID, product code, product name, color, pattern, and size are as described above and will not be described here. The "manufacturer" field stores, for example, the company name or brand name of the manufacturer or provider of the product.

[0035] The "purchase amount" field stores the amount of money the customer paid to purchase the product. The "purchase date" field stores the date the customer purchased the product.

[0036] The "season" item stores the season suitable for the product, that is, the season in which the product is expected to be used, such as "spring / autumn," "summer," "winter," or "all year round."

[0037] The information described above (product code, product name, manufacturer, purchase amount, purchase date, season) can be preferably obtained from the purchase history if the store where the customer purchased the product uses a service that allows the customer to share purchase history, such as an electronic receipt. For products purchased from stores that do not use such a service, the customer inputs (registers and updates) the information via customer terminal 3. Product codes are not required in closet information 194, in case the customer inputs the information themselves and the product code is unknown.

[0038] The "Status" field stores information indicating the current status of the product, such as "Good," "Fair," or "Somewhat defective." This information is input (updated) via the customer terminal 3 or the like.

[0039] Although the closet information 194 does not directly include the matching data, it is possible to obtain the matching data that matches the product code from the product master 192 and combine it.

[0040] Transaction information 195 is information about products purchased by customers, and is received from the sales data processing device of each store and accumulated (registered). Transaction information 195 is compiled in the form of a table, for example. Items included in transaction information 195 include, for example, the following: Store ID Device ID Member ID Transaction ID Date and Time ·Product information Transaction amount

[0041] The store ID is identification information of the store where the transaction in the record took place. The store ID is, for example, a unique number assigned to each store, and is not duplicated among stores in the same chain managed by server 1. The terminal ID is identification information of the sales data processing device that conducted the transaction in the record. Terminal IDs are assigned so as to be unique at least within the same store. The member ID is the same as the member ID included in the member information 193 mentioned above, and is stored if the customer who conducted the transaction in the record presented a member ID.

[0042] The transaction ID is an example of information (identification information) for identifying a transaction. The transaction ID is automatically assigned (numbered) when the product registration process for the transaction is first performed. The date and time is the date and time when the transaction for the record was performed.

[0043] The item "transaction amount" stores the total price (total amount) of all the products purchased in the transaction of the record.

[0044] Here, for a combination of a store ID, terminal ID, transaction ID, date and time, and member ID, there is one transaction amount, but multiple pieces of product information may be associated. Product information includes, for example, the following items: Product code ·Product name ·quantity ·price

[0045] The product code is as described above and will be omitted here. The "quantity" field stores the quantity (number, weight, volume, etc.) of the product indicated by the product code purchased in the transaction for that record. The "price" field stores the value obtained by multiplying the unit price (or selling price) by the quantity.

[0046] The learning data 196 includes information on products currently being purchased (purchase information), accumulated data, analysis data, and the like.

[0047] The "purchase information," which is information on products currently being purchased, is updated periodically or irregularly as needed. The purchase information is summarized in the form of a table that includes, for example, the following items: Product information (product code, product name, manufacturer, color / pattern, size, etc.) Condition (good, fair, damaged, etc.) Compensation

[0048] The product information and condition are the same as those described above, so they will not be described here. The "value" field stores information indicating the amount of money that can be exchanged for the product indicated by the record, as well as information indicating the benefits.

[0049] The accumulated data is, for example, information indicating the results of past buyback recommendations. The "information indicating the results of past buyback recommendations," which is an example of the accumulated data, is summarized in the form of a table including, for example, the following items: Information ID Date and Time Product information (product code, product name, manufacturer, color / pattern, size, etc.) Condition (good, fair, damaged, etc.) Compensation Reason for recommendation ·result

[0050] The information ID is, for example, a unique number that is automatically assigned when the record is created and does not overlap with other records in the same table. The date and time is the date and time when the record was created. The product information, condition, price, and reason for recommendation are omitted as they are as described above.

[0051] The "Reason for recommendation" field stores the reason for the purchase recommendation, such as "not suitable for the current season," "purchased more than a specified period ago," "similar to a product recently purchased," or "similar to a product the customer is considering purchasing."

[0052] Here, in this embodiment, purchase recommendations are made on the condition that, for example, the product is predicted not to be used in the future or in the near future, or the product may encourage the purchase of a new product by offering a purchase recommendation.

[0053] An example of a product that meets the above-mentioned "conditions" is a product that is out of season. For example, if it is summer now, the sales support system will offer to buy spring / summer items that have just ended, or winter items that will not be worn for a while.

[0054] Furthermore, a specific example of a product that meets the above-mentioned "conditions" is a product purchased a certain period of time ago. For example, if a customer has a product that was purchased five years ago and has been used for several seasons, the sales support system will propose a purchase, assuming that the customer may be considering selling the product and purchasing a new one.

[0055] An example of a product that meets the above-mentioned "conditions" is a product purchased in the past that is similar to a product recently purchased in the customer's purchase history. If such a product exists, the sales support system predicts that the older product may be unnecessary and offers to buy it. The determination of whether the products are similar is performed using existing methods.

[0056] Furthermore, a specific example of a product that meets the above-mentioned "conditions" is a product that has been purchased in the past and is similar to the product the customer is considering purchasing. If such a product is available, the sales support system predicts that the older product may be unnecessary and offers to buy it. Note that the method for identifying the product the customer is considering purchasing is not limited here, but it is possible to use, for example, the input / output terminal 5 to read a product tag or to use general object recognition.

[0057] The "conditions" described above are given to the generation AI.

[0058] The "result" field stores information indicating whether the purchase recommendation (proposal to purchase) was successful. For example, if it resulted in a purchase or sales promotion, it is considered a success.

[0059] Analysis data is information derived by analyzing accumulated data, and is information that shows, for example, the trends of what results were achieved when what purchase recommendations were made to what products (trends in recommendation results). Existing methods are used for this analysis, and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0060] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the customer terminal 3. Note that this diagram shows a case where the customer terminal 3 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, but in practice, the customer terminal 3 may be an information processing device such as a tablet terminal or a PC (Personal Computer).

[0061] The customer terminal 3 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a communication unit 34, a display unit 35, an operation unit 36, an audio output unit 37, an imaging unit 38, a memory unit 39, etc. The CPU 31, the ROM 32, the RAM 33, the control unit 30, and the memory unit 39 correspond to the above-mentioned CPU 11, the ROM 12, the RAM 13, the control unit 10, and the memory unit 19, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0062] The communication unit 34 is a communication interface that connects the control unit 30 and an external device (for example, the server 1) via the network 9 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0063] The display unit 35 has a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and displays various information under the control of the CPU 31. The operation unit 36 ​​has input devices such as a touch panel overlaid on the surface of the display unit 35, a keyboard, and a pointing device, and outputs operation contents input via the input devices to the CPU 31. The audio output unit 37 has a speaker and a buzzer and outputs audio under the control of the control unit 30. The imaging unit 38 is a digital camera equipped with an image sensor (image pickup element) and the like, and is a device that receives light reflected from an object and outputs image data.

[0064] The storage unit 39 stores a program 391 that can be executed by the CPU 31. When the CPU 31 executes the program 391, the control unit 30 realizes various functional units. One of the various functional units realized by the control unit 30 is a closet app 301 (described later, see FIG. 5). Note that "app" is an abbreviation for "application software."

[0065] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the input / output terminal 5. The input / output terminal 5 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a communication unit 54, a display unit 55, an operation unit 56, an audio output unit 57, an imaging unit 58, a storage unit 59, etc. The CPU 51, ROM 52, RAM 53, control unit 50, and storage unit 59 correspond to the above-mentioned CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, control unit 10, and storage unit 19, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0066] The communication unit 54 is a communication interface that connects the control unit 50 and an external device (for example, the server 1) via the network 9 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0067] The display unit 55 and operation unit 56 realize the above-mentioned semi-transparent GUI. The display unit 55 has a display device such as an LCD, and displays various information under the control of the CPU 51. The operation unit 56 has input devices such as a touch panel overlaid on the surface of the display unit 55, a keyboard, and a pointing device, and outputs operation contents input via the input devices to the CPU 51.

[0068] The audio output unit 57 has a speaker and a buzzer, and outputs audio under the control of the control unit 50. The imaging unit 58 is a digital camera equipped with an image sensor (image pickup element) and the like, and is a device that receives light reflected from an object and outputs image data.

[0069] The storage unit 59 stores a program 591 that can be executed by the CPU 51. When the CPU 51 executes the program 591, the control unit 50 realizes various functional units (described later, see FIG. 5).

[0070] 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the sales support system and the relationship between each functional unit. The sales support system includes functional units such as a closet application 301, an update processing unit 101, an information providing unit 103, a learning processing unit 105, a user authentication unit 501, and a dialogue processing unit 503.

[0071] In this embodiment, the control unit 30 of the customer terminal 3 realizes the closet application 301, the control unit 10 of the server 1 realizes the update processing unit 101, the information providing unit 103, and the learning processing unit 105, and the control unit 50 of the input / output terminal 5 realizes the user authentication unit 501 and the dialogue processing unit 503. In other words, the control units 10, 30, and 50 execute the programs 191, 391, and 591 to function as the respective functional units (the closet application 301, the update processing unit 101, the information providing unit 103, the learning processing unit 105, the user authentication unit 501, and the dialogue processing unit 503).

[0072] Closet app 301 accepts customer operations via operation unit 36 ​​of customer terminal 3 and displays information for the customer on display unit 35. Based on the accepted operations, closet app 301 edits (registers, updates, deletes) closet information 194. Closet app 301 is used for managing the clothes and shoes that customers own and for use as a reference when buying new clothes, etc.

[0073] In response to a request received from the closet application 301 or the like, the update processing unit 101 transmits the closet information 194 to the customer terminal 3, and also updates (or registers or deletes) the closet information 194. The update processing unit 101 also updates (registers) the closet information 194 in conjunction with the registration of transaction information 195 including a member ID.

[0074] When the information providing unit 103 receives a request from the user authentication unit 501 and the dialogue processing unit 503, which will be described next, it acquires information from the storage unit 19 and transmits (provides) it in response to the request.

[0075] When the user authentication unit 501 recognizes the presence of a customer using the full-length mirror terminal 6, it performs authentication processing for that customer. More specifically, for example, when a customer holds merchandise clothing against their body and looks into the full-length mirror terminal 6, the customer's face, facing almost forward, continues to be captured on the imaging unit 58 of the input / output terminal 5 for several seconds or more. In response to the output of the imaging unit 58 in this case, the user authentication unit 501 recognizes the presence of the customer and performs processing related to customer face authentication using the facial image of the customer.

[0076] Facial authentication is performed in cooperation with information providing unit 103. When information providing unit 103 receives a facial image of a customer from user authentication unit 501, it refers to member information 193, acquires the member ID of the facial information whose features match those of the received facial image, and transmits this to user authentication unit 501.

[0077] If the face authentication by the user authentication unit 501 is successful, the customer is considered to have checked in to the sales support system, and services for that customer are started.

[0078] Dialogue processing unit 503 is a functional unit that functions as a generation AI. When a customer is authenticated by user authentication unit 501, dialogue processing unit 503 executes dialogue with the customer to propose an exchange of at least one of the products indicated in closet information 194 for a special offer available at the store, and obtains the result. The dialogue processing is performed by inputting and outputting text data (character information) and voice using display unit 55, operation unit 56, audio output unit 57, imaging unit 58, etc.

[0079] In the dialogue processing, dialogue processing unit 503 refers to information by appropriately requesting necessary information from information providing unit 103. Information providing unit 103 provides dialogue processing unit 503 with, for example, information on a record of closet information 194 extracted using the member ID of a member authenticated by user authentication unit 501. Information providing unit 103 also provides learning data 196 in response to a request from dialogue processing unit 503.

[0080] The dialogue processing unit 503 selects products that meet the conditions, such as "products that are predicted not to be used in the future or in the near future" and "products that may encourage the purchase of new products by offering a buyback recommendation," from the customer's closet information 194. Then, the dialogue processing unit 503 makes a buyback recommendation by making the selected products the target of the buyback recommendation.

[0081] Products that meet the above conditions include, for example, products that are out of season, products that were purchased more than a specified period ago, products that are similar to products recently purchased, and products that are similar to products that the customer is considering purchasing.

[0082] Here, since the buyback recommendation in this embodiment is made to customers who are shopping in the store, it is more preferable to offer to buy one or a few items that have a high possibility of or are effective in promoting sales, rather than offering to buy all items that meet the conditions. Also, buyback recommendations may be made only for products that meet the above conditions and are currently being bought back. Furthermore, if the buyback recommendation is not limited to products that are currently being bought back, the price for products that are not currently being bought back may be, for example, a flat-rate trade-in coupon.

[0083] The "conditions" given to the generation AI (dialogue processing unit 503) as described above are tuned and updated as needed based on the learning data 196 so as to increase the rate at which the purchase recommendation results are successful.

[0084] The learning processing unit 105 reflects the learning content in the learning data 196. Furthermore, the learning processing unit 105 tunes and updates the "conditions" for making recommendation information and buy-back recommendations as needed based on the learning data 196 so that the rate at which buy-back recommendations are successful increases. This improves the accuracy of recommendations.

[0085] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow in the sales support system. First, a customer inputs information about products owned by the customer (closet information) using the customer terminal 3. When the control unit 30 of the customer terminal 3 accepts the input of the closet information (step S1), it transmits the accepted information to the server 1 for registration (step S2).

[0086] When the control unit 10 of the server 1 receives information about products owned by the customer (closet information) from the customer terminal 3 (step S3), it updates the closet information 194 in the storage unit 19 with the received information (step S4).

[0087] When the control unit 50 of the input / output terminal 5 recognizes the presence of a customer facing the full-length mirror terminal 6 based on the output of the imaging unit 58, it performs face authentication of the customer (step S11). For face authentication, the control unit 50 queries the server 1 and acquires necessary information (step S12).

[0088] If the face authentication is successful, the control unit 50 acquires the closet information 194 that matches the member ID of the authenticated customer (member) (step S13). To acquire the information, the control unit 50 makes an inquiry to the server 1 (step S14).

[0089] Next, if there is a product that meets the conditions, the control unit 50 makes a purchase recommendation through dialogue processing (step S15). The dialogue between the customer and the control unit 50 in the dialogue processing is, for example, as follows.

[0090] The control unit 50 may suggest to the customer, for example, "If you trade in product A that you own, we can give you a 500 yen discount on a product you purchase in the future. Would you like to trade it in?" (purchase recommendation). If the customer responds, for example, "Yes," the control unit 50 may provide guidance on the necessary procedures for trading in product A. If the customer responds, for example, "No," to the purchase recommendation from the control unit 50, the control unit 50 may suggest, for example, "How about product B then? The discount amount for trading in product B is 300 yen." If the customer responds, for example, "I don't need a trade-in," the control unit 50 may cancel the purchase recommendation.

[0091] When the interactive process is completed, the control unit 50 transmits the result of the purchase recommendation (success or failure) to the server 1 and shares the information (step S16). The control unit 10 of the server 1 that receives this registers the received information in the learning data 196 (step S17).

[0092] In such an embodiment, when a customer whose own product information is registered in closet information 194 visits the store and stands in front of full-length mirror terminal 6, input / output terminal 5 authenticates the customer and recommends products that meet the conditions for purchase. Products that meet the conditions are, for example, products that are predicted not to be used by the customer in the future or in the near future.

[0093] According to this embodiment, customers visiting a store can be offered a discount or other reward in exchange for products they own that meet the above conditions. Customers can receive a discount or other reward for their next purchase in exchange for products that are "not suitable for the current season," "purchased more than a certain period of time ago," "similar to a product recently purchased," or "similar to a product the customer is considering purchasing." Therefore, this embodiment can promote sales of new products.

[0094] According to this embodiment, it is possible to encourage customers to want to buy. In addition, by making a purchase recommendation using the full-length mirror terminal 6, it is possible to encourage customers to want to buy, for example, at the timing when they are trying on clothes and considering a purchase, which is effective in promoting sales. In addition, for example, when a customer is unsure whether to buy a winter coat, it is possible to more effectively encourage the customer to buy by suggesting the purchase of summer clothes that will not be worn for a while.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the consideration for the purchase is explained as a special benefit such as a coupon or points that can be used in a store, but in practice, the consideration may be money. In this case, the money may be cash or something other than cash (such as electronic data).

[0096] The above-described embodiment can be modified as needed by changing part of the configuration or function of each of the above-described devices. Modifications of the above-described embodiment will be described below as other embodiments.

[0097] (Second embodiment) A second embodiment will be described. This embodiment is a modified example of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same reference numerals will be used for the same parts as those already described, and detailed description will be omitted.

[0098] A case where the customer trades in their currently worn clothes or shoes will be described. The control unit 50 of the input / output terminal 5 matches the clothes or shoes the customer is wearing with those stored in the closet information 194. Matching can be achieved, for example, by combining the verification data in the product master 192 with the closet information 194 and comparing the feature values ​​of the image of the customer's clothes or shoes included in the output from the imaging unit 58 with the verification data. If the match is successful, the customer is offered to trade in the clothes or shoes on the spot.

[0099] For example, in a shoe store, if the shoes worn by a customer who comes into the store are stored in the buy-back information of the learning data 196, that is, are currently being bought, the control unit 50 makes a buy-back recommendation through dialogue processing. The dialogue between the customer and the control unit 50 in the dialogue processing is, for example, as follows.

[0100] The control unit 50 may suggest to the customer, for example, "If you trade in the shoes you are currently wearing, we can give you a 500 yen discount on the item you purchase in the future. Would you like to trade them in?" The subsequent exchange is as described above and will be omitted here.

[0101] According to this embodiment, it is possible to encourage customers who are undecided about purchasing shoes, etc. to make a decision to purchase them. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to promote sales of new products.

[0102] The programs executed by each device in the above-described embodiments are provided in advance in a ROM, etc. The programs executed by each device in the above-described embodiments may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a digital versatile disk (DVD).

[0103] Furthermore, the programs executed by each device in the above-described embodiments may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Also, the programs executed by each device in the above-described embodiments may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0104] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1...server, 10...control unit, 101...update processing unit, 103...information providing unit, 105...learning processing unit, 11...CPU, 12...ROM, 13...RAM, 14...Communication section, 19...Memory unit, 191...Program, 192...Product master, 193...Member information, 194... Closet information (an example of owned product information), 195...Transaction information, 196...Learning data, 2. Cloud services, 3...customer terminal, 30...Control unit, 301...Closet app, 31...CPU, 32...ROM, 33...RAM, 34...Communication section, 35...display unit, 36...operation unit, 37...audio output unit, 38...imaging unit, 39...Memory unit, 391...Program, 5...input / output terminal (an example of a terminal device, an example of a sales support device), 50...control unit, 501...user authentication unit, 503...interaction processing unit, 51...CPU, 52...ROM, 53...RAM, 54...Communication section, 55...display unit, 56...operation unit, 57...audio output unit, 58...imaging unit, 59...Memory unit, 591...Program, 6... full-length mirror terminal (an example of sales support equipment), 9...Network. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0106] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-031118

Claims

1. a user authentication unit that performs authentication processing for a user who uses a mirror installed in the store when the user is recognized; an update processing unit that updates owned product information, which is information on products owned by the user; a dialogue processing unit that, when the user is authenticated by the user authentication unit, proposes, through dialogue processing with the user, an exchange of at least one of the products indicated by the owned product information for a value that can be used in a store; A sales support system equipped with:

2. The user authentication unit and the dialogue processing unit are provided in a terminal device used together with the mirror. The sales support system according to claim 1 .

3. The dialogue processing unit proposes a benefit that can be used the next time the customer purchases at the store as the consideration. The sales support system according to claim 1 .

4. A device installed in a store and used as a mirror, The device includes an imaging unit, a display unit, and an operation unit, a user authentication unit that performs authentication processing for a user who uses the mirror when the imaging unit recognizes the user; an interaction processing unit that, when the user is authenticated by the user authentication unit, refers to owned product information that is information on products owned by the user, and proposes, through interaction processing with the user via the display unit and the operation unit, an exchange of at least one of the products indicated in the owned product information for a consideration that can be used in a store; A sales support device comprising:

5. A terminal device used together with a mirror installed in a store, The device includes an imaging unit, a display unit, and an operation unit, a user authentication unit that performs authentication processing for a user who uses the mirror when the imaging unit recognizes the user; an interaction processing unit that, when the user is authenticated by the user authentication unit, refers to owned product information that is information on products owned by the user, and proposes, through interaction processing with the user via the display unit and the operation unit, an exchange of at least one of the products indicated in the owned product information for a consideration that can be used in a store; A sales support device comprising:

6. Computer, a user authentication unit that performs authentication processing for a user who uses a mirror installed in the store when the user is recognized; an update processing unit that updates owned product information, which is information on products owned by the user; a dialogue processing unit that, when the user is authenticated by the user authentication unit, proposes, through dialogue processing with the user, an exchange of at least one of the products indicated by the owned product information for a value that can be used in a store; A sales support program to function as a

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