Image management device, image management system, image management method, and image management program

Abstract

To provide an image management device, an image management system, an image management method, and an image management program that suppress deterioration in advertisement effects of an advertisement image that is formed by accumulating a plurality of packing bodies.SOLUTION: A storage section 31 of a server device 4 stores a plurality of partial images that form an advertisement image extending over a plurality of carton boxes in an integrated body which is obtained by integrating a plurality of carton boxes storing articles by printing on lateral faces respectively of the plurality of carton boxes. A control section 33 outputs the plurality of partial images to a terminal device 2 which controls the printing of the plurality of partial images on the plurality of carton boxes. Further, after entering defective information containing information indicating a partial image corresponding to a defective carton box in the integrated body on which the advertisement image is formed, the control section outputs at least one partial image containing a partial image corresponding to the defective carton box to the terminal device 2 as a matter to be printed on an unprinted lateral face of at least one carton box including a new carton box to be replenished.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image management device, an image management system, an image management method, and an image management program. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Packaging such as cardboard boxes containing products and having advertisements printed thereon is often displayed as is in the sales area of ​​a store for use in advertising (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Furthermore, as a method of advertising using such packaging, a number of packaging bodies are stacked and displayed, each of which has an image printed on it, so that when the packaging bodies are stacked together, a single advertising image is formed across the packaging bodies. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-285062 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above-mentioned method of advertising using an advertising image that spans multiple packages, when the empty packages are removed after the product has sold out, part of the advertising image is lost. In response to this, even when new packages are replenished, for example, packages printed with a different image from the missing image may be replenished, causing the advertising image to be distorted. This may result in a decrease in the effectiveness of the advertising.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an image management device, an image management system, an image management method, and an image management program that can suppress a decrease in the advertising effectiveness caused by advertising images formed by stacking multiple packages. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an image management device is provided that includes: a memory unit that stores a plurality of partial images that are printed on the respective sides of a plurality of packaging bodies to form an advertising image spanning a plurality of packaging bodies in a collection of the plurality of packaging bodies containing products; and a control unit that outputs the plurality of partial images to a terminal device that controls the printing of the plurality of partial images on the plurality of packaging bodies, and when information indicating a partial image corresponding to a packaging body that is missing in the collection on which the advertising image has been formed is input, outputs at least one partial image including the partial image corresponding to the missing packaging body to the terminal device to be printed on the unprinted side of at least one of the packaging bodies, including the new packaging body to be replenished.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image management system comprising an image management device and a terminal device that controls printing by a printing device, wherein the image management device comprises a memory unit that stores a plurality of partial images that are printed on the sides of a plurality of packaging bodies to form an advertising image spanning a plurality of packaging bodies in a stack in which the plurality of packaging bodies containing products are accumulated, and a control unit that outputs the plurality of partial images to the terminal device and, when information indicating a partial image corresponding to a missing packaging body in the stack on which the advertising image has been formed is input, outputs to the terminal device at least one partial image including the partial image corresponding to the missing packaging body to be printed on an unprinted side of at least one of the packaging bodies including the new packaging body to be replaced, wherein the terminal device causes the printing device to print the plurality of partial images output from the image management device on the sides of the plurality of packaging bodies, and when at least one partial image including a partial image corresponding to the missing packaging body is output from the image management device, causes the printing device to print the at least one partial image on the unprinted side of the corresponding packaging body.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image management method executed by a computer, comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of partial images that are printed on the respective sides of a plurality of packaging bodies to form an advertising image spanning a plurality of packaging bodies in a collection in which the plurality of packaging bodies containing products are accumulated; outputting the plurality of partial images to a terminal device that controls the printing of the plurality of partial images on the plurality of packaging bodies; and, when information indicating a partial image corresponding to a packaging body that is missing in the collection in which the advertising image has been formed is input, outputting at least one partial image including the partial image corresponding to the missing packaging body to the terminal device to be printed on an unprinted side of at least one packaging body including a new packaging body to be replenished.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, an image management program is provided that causes a computer to execute the following steps: storing a plurality of partial images that are printed on the respective sides of a plurality of packaging bodies to form an advertising image spanning a plurality of packaging bodies in a collection in which the plurality of packaging bodies containing products are accumulated; outputting the plurality of partial images to a terminal device that controls the printing of the plurality of partial images on the plurality of packaging bodies; and, when information indicating a partial image corresponding to a packaging body that is missing in the collection in which the advertising image has been formed is input, outputting to the terminal device at least one partial image including the partial image corresponding to the missing packaging body to be printed on an unprinted side of at least one packaging body including a new packaging body to be replenished. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the advertising effectiveness of an advertising image formed by stacking multiple packages. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a partial image table. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 shows the position of each cardboard box in a stack. [Figure 5] 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the printing system shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the printing system shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 shows a stack in which a cardboard box has been damaged. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 shows a stack replenished with new cardboard boxes. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 shows a collection of distorted advertising images. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent parts and components are designated by the same or equivalent reference numerals throughout the drawings.

[0014] The following embodiments are examples of devices that embody the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and the technical idea of ​​the present invention does not limit the materials, shapes, structures, arrangements, etc. of each component to those described below. The technical idea of ​​the present invention can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims.

[0015] 1, a printing system (corresponding to an image management system) 1 according to this embodiment includes a terminal device 2, a printing device 3, and a server device (corresponding to an image management device) 4. The terminal device 2 is connectable to the server device 4 via a network 5 such as the Internet.

[0016] Here, the terminal device 2 and the printer 3 are installed in a store 6 that sells products. In the store 6, as shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of cardboard boxes (corresponding to packages) 11 containing products are stacked and displayed, and an advertising image is displayed across a stack 12 formed by the stacked cardboard boxes 11. The up, down, left, right, front, and back directions indicated by arrows in Fig. 2 are the up, down, left, right, front, and back directions of the cardboard boxes 11 and the stack 12.

[0017] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the stack 12 is formed by stacking 12 cardboard boxes 11. Specifically, the stack 12 is formed by lining up four rows of three cardboard boxes 11 stacked vertically in the left-right direction.

[0018] The cardboard boxes 11 are formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The cardboard boxes 11 have four rectangular side surfaces 11a: a front side, a rear side, a left side, and a right side. A partial image corresponding to the respective position in the stack 12 is printed on the front side surface 11a of each cardboard box 11. A total of 12 partial images printed on each cardboard box 11 form one advertising image spanning 12 cardboard boxes 11 in the stack 12.

[0019] The terminal device 2 controls printing by the printing device 3. The terminal device 2 is configured by a computer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, a hard disk, and the like.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal device 2 includes a storage unit 21, a display unit 22, an input unit 23, a communication unit 24, and a control unit 25.

[0021] The storage unit 21 stores various programs and the like executed by the CPU of the control unit 25. The storage unit 21 is configured with a hard disk and the like.

[0022] The display unit 22 displays various screens, such as a screen for inputting placement information (described later), etc. The display unit 22 is configured with a liquid crystal display panel or the like.

[0023] The input unit 23 receives input operations from an operator and includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like.

[0024] The communication unit 24 performs communication processing with external devices.

[0025] The control unit 25 controls the overall operation of the terminal device 2. The control unit 25 is configured to include a CPU and the like.

[0026] When displaying an advertising image in the collection 12, the control unit 25 outputs arrangement information of the cardboard boxes 11 input by the operator's operation on the input unit 23 to the server device 4. The arrangement information includes the number of cardboard boxes 11 forming the collection 12, their arrangement (the position of each cardboard box 11 in the collection 12), and the expiration date of the products stored in each cardboard box 11 (the products stored in each cardboard box 11).

[0027] Furthermore, when the twelve partial images for forming the advertising image are output from the server device 4, the control unit 25 causes the printing device 3 to print them on the side surfaces 11a of the twelve cardboard boxes 11.

[0028] Furthermore, when an empty cardboard box 11 is removed from the stack 12 because the products therein have been sold out, and loss information is input by an operator operating the input unit 23, the control unit 25 outputs the input loss information to the server device 4. The loss information includes the position in the stack 12 of the cardboard box 11 that is lost due to removal, and the expiration date of the products stored in the new cardboard box 11 to be replenished.

[0029] In addition, the control unit 25 outputs the loss information to the server device 4, and when at least one partial image including a partial image corresponding to the lost cardboard box 11 is output from the server device 4, the control unit 25 causes the printing device 3 to print the at least one partial image on the unprinted side 11a of the corresponding cardboard box 11.

[0030] The printing device 3 prints a partial image on the side surface 11a of the cardboard box 11. The printing device 3 has a printing mechanism such as an inkjet head. The printing device 3 is configured to be able to print on the side surface 11a of the cardboard box 11, which is a vertical surface.

[0031] The server device 4 manages each partial image that forms the advertisement image and is configured by a computer equipped with a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, etc.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the server device 4 includes a storage unit 31, a communication unit 32, and a control unit 33.

[0033] The storage unit 31 stores various programs such as an image management program executed by the CPU of the control unit 33. The storage unit 31 also stores a partial image table 36 shown in Fig. 3. The storage unit 31 is configured with a hard disk or the like.

[0034] The partial image table 36 is a table that stores the position of each cardboard box 11 in the stack 12, a partial image, and the expiration date of the product contained in each cardboard box 11 in association with each other.

[0035] Here, the positions of each cardboard box 11 in the stack 12 are, as shown in Figure 4, positions P1 to P3 from the top of the leftmost row, positions P4 to P6 from the top of the second row from the left, positions P7 to P9 from the top of the second row from the right, and positions P10 to P12 from the top of the rightmost row.

[0036] The communication unit 32 performs communication processing with external devices.

[0037] The control unit 33 controls the overall operation of the server device 4. The control unit 33 is configured to include a CPU and the like.

[0038] The control unit 33 generates 12 partial images based on the advertising image acquired from the advertiser's terminal device (not shown) via the network 5 and the placement information input from the terminal device 2. The control unit 33 then stores each of the generated partial images in the partial image table 36 in association with its position (the position in the stack 12 of cardboard boxes 11 on which it is printed) and the expiration date of the product contained in the cardboard box 11 on which it is printed. The control unit 33 also outputs each partial image to the terminal device 2 together with information indicating its position.

[0039] Furthermore, when loss information is input from the terminal device 2, the control unit 33 outputs at least one partial image including a partial image corresponding to the lost cardboard box 11 to the terminal device 2 as an image to be printed on the unprinted side surface 11a of at least one cardboard box 11 including the new cardboard box 11 to be replenished. Here, the position of the lost cardboard box 11 in the stack 12, which is included in the loss information, indicates the partial image corresponding to the lost cardboard box 11.

[0040] Next, the operation of the printing system 1 will be described.

[0041] In step S1 of Fig. 5, the control unit 33 of the server device 4 acquires an advertisement image from the terminal device of the advertiser. Here, the advertiser is a company or the like that has applied for an advertisement solicitation by the store 6. The advertiser may be a company or the like that manufactures and sells the products that are stored and sold in each of the cardboard boxes 11 that form the aggregate 12, or may be another company or the like.

[0042] Next, in step S2, the control unit 25 of the terminal device 2 outputs to the server device 4 the above-mentioned arrangement information input by the operator through the input unit .

[0043] Next, in step S3, the control unit 33 of the server device 4 generates 12 partial images based on the advertising image and the placement information. Then, the control unit 33 stores each of the generated partial images in the partial image table 36 in association with the respective positions and the expiration dates of the products stored in the cardboard box 11 on which the respective partial images are printed.

[0044] Next, in step S4, the control unit 33 outputs each partial image to the terminal device 2 together with information indicating the position of each partial image.

[0045] Next, in step S5, the control unit 25 of the terminal device 2 instructs the printing device 3 to print each of the partial images acquired from the server device 4 onto the corresponding cardboard box 11.

[0046] This causes the printing device 3 to print each partial image. Specifically, the printing device 3 prints the corresponding partial images on the side surfaces 11a of the cardboard boxes 11 at positions P1 to P12 supplied from the outside.

[0047] The cardboard boxes 11, each having a printed partial image, are placed in their respective positions by a worker in the store 6 to form a stack 12. As a result, the advertising image is displayed in the store 6 by the stack 12.

[0048] Here, the store 6 has ordered products in advance from a product sales company, and 12 cardboard boxes 11 each containing the products have been delivered to the store 6 by a delivery company.

[0049] In addition, in store 6, a posting deadline is set for the advertising image.

[0050] After the accumulation 12 is formed and the display of the advertising images is started, in step S6, the control unit 25 determines whether the display time limit of the currently displayed advertising images has arrived.

[0051] If it is determined that the posting deadline has not arrived (step S6: NO), in step S7, control unit 25 determines whether or not loss information has been input by operating input unit 23.

[0052] Here, in the accumulation 12, products are sold in order from the top cardboard box 11, and cardboard boxes 11 that have become empty when all the stored products are sold out are removed. At this time, if the period from now until the expiration date of the advertising image is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, new cardboard boxes 11 are replenished. If the period until the expiration date is less than the threshold, cardboard boxes 11 are not replenished even if cardboard boxes 11 are lost due to the removal of empty cardboard boxes 11.

[0053] When a new cardboard box 11 is replenished, the operator inputs missing information by operating the input unit 23. As described above, the missing information includes the position in the stack 12 of the cardboard box 11 that was missing due to removal, and the expiration date of the product stored in the new cardboard box 11.

[0054] If it is determined that no missing information has been input (step S7: NO), the control unit 25 returns to step S6.

[0055] If it is determined that the missing information has been input (step S7: YES), the control unit 25 outputs the missing information to the server device 4 in step S8.

[0056] Next, in step S9 of Figure 6, the control unit 33 of the server device 4 refers to the partial image table 36 based on the missing information and determines whether there is a cardboard box 11 below (at a lower position than) the position of the missing cardboard box 11 whose expiration date for the stored products is closer to the present than that of the new cardboard box 11.

[0057] As described above, since products are sold in order starting from the top cardboard box 11, it is desirable that the cardboard boxes 11 with the closest expiration dates for the stored products be arranged higher up. Therefore, if there is a cardboard box 11 with a closer expiration date for the stored products than the new cardboard box 11 below the position of the missing cardboard box 11, the new cardboard box 11 is incorporated and the position of at least one cardboard box 11 other than the new cardboard box 11 is changed so that the new cardboard box 11 is positioned below the cardboard box 11 with a closer expiration date for the stored products than the new cardboard box 11.

[0058] For example, as shown in Figure 7, assume that the cardboard boxes 11 at positions P1 to P3 are cardboard boxes 11A to 11C, respectively, and that cardboard box 11A is emptied and removed. Also, assume that cardboard boxes 11B at position P2 below position P1 and cardboard box 11C at position P3 have products with expiration dates closer to the present than new cardboard box 11D (see Figure 8). In this case, cardboard box 11D is incorporated below cardboard boxes 11B and 11C. That is, cardboard box 11D is placed at position P3, and cardboard boxes 11B and 11C are moved from positions P2 and P3 to positions P1 and P2, respectively.

[0059] Returning to Figure 6, if it is determined that there is a cardboard box 11 below the position of the missing cardboard box 11 whose expiration date for the stored products is closer to the present than the new cardboard box 11 (step S9: YES), in step S10, the control unit 33 outputs to the terminal device 2 a partial image of the position of the missing cardboard box 11 and a partial image of the position of the cardboard box 11 whose position is to be changed, to be printed on the unprinted sides 11a of the new cardboard box 11 and the cardboard box 11 whose position is to be changed.

[0060] Specifically, the control unit 33 outputs these partial images together with replenishment change information to the terminal device 2. The replenishment change information includes information indicating the position of each partial image, information indicating the position where the new cardboard box 11 will be installed, information indicating the positions of the cardboard box 11 whose position is to be changed before and after the change, and information instructing printing of the partial images on the unprinted side surfaces 11a of the new cardboard box 11 and the cardboard box 11 whose position is to be changed. Here, all of the side surfaces 11a of the new cardboard box 11 are unprinted.

[0061] 7, the control unit 33 outputs the partial images corresponding to positions P1 to P3 together with replenishment change information to the terminal device 2. The replenishment change information includes information indicating the positions P1 to P3 of each partial image, information indicating that a new cardboard box 11D will be installed at position P3, information indicating that the positions of cardboard boxes 11B and 11C at positions P2 and P3 will be changed to positions P1 and P2, and information instructing printing of partial images on the unprinted side surfaces 11a of the new cardboard box 11D and the cardboard boxes 11B and 11C whose positions will be changed.

[0062] Returning to FIG. 6, in step S11, the control unit 33 updates the expiration date in the partial image table .

[0063] Specifically, the control unit 33 changes the expiration date associated with the position where the new cardboard box 11 is installed to the expiration date of the products stored in the new cardboard box 11. The control unit 33 also changes the expiration date associated with the new position of the cardboard box 11 whose position is being changed to the expiration date of the products stored in the cardboard box 11 after the position is changed.

[0064] For example, in the example of FIG. 7 described above, the control unit 33 changes the expiration date associated with position P3 from the expiration date of the products stored in cardboard box 11C to the expiration date of the products stored in the new cardboard box 11D. The control unit 33 also changes the expiration date associated with position P1 from the expiration date of the products stored in cardboard box 11A to the expiration date of the products stored in cardboard box 11B. The control unit 33 also changes the expiration date associated with position P2 from the expiration date of the products stored in cardboard box 11B to the expiration date of the products stored in cardboard box 11C. Here, the expiration dates of the products stored in cardboard boxes 11B and 11C are the expiration dates associated with positions P2 and P3, respectively, before the change.

[0065] Returning to Figure 6, after step S11, in step S5 of Figure 5, the control unit 25 of the terminal device 2 instructs the printing device 3 to print each partial image obtained from the server device 4 onto the corresponding cardboard box 11 based on the replenishment change information.

[0066] This causes the printing device 3 to print each partial image. Specifically, the printing device 3 prints, on one of the side surfaces 11a of a new cardboard box 11 supplied from outside, a partial image corresponding to the position where the cardboard box 11 will be installed. The printing device 3 also prints, on an unprinted side surface 11a of the cardboard box 11 supplied from outside whose position is to be changed, a partial image corresponding to the post-change position.

[0067] Here, the cardboard box 11 whose position is to be changed is supplied to the printing device 3 in an orientation that will print on the unprinted side 11a, by the worker who has confirmed the replenishment change information on the terminal device 2, and a partial image is printed on that side 11a.

[0068] The printing device 3 may detect an unprinted side surface 11a of the cardboard box 11, which is supplied from the outside and whose position is to be changed, and print a partial image on that side surface 11a.

[0069] In the arrangement of the 12 cardboard boxes 11 in the stack 12 in which the new cardboard box 11 is incorporated and the position of at least one cardboard box 11 other than the new cardboard box 11 is changed so that the new cardboard box 11 is positioned lower than the cardboard box 11 whose expiration date for the stored products is closer to the present, a partial image according to the position of each cardboard box 11 is printed on the unprinted side surface 11a of each of the new cardboard box 11 and the at least one cardboard box 11 whose position is changed so as to form an advertising image.

[0070] Thereafter, a worker checks the replenishment change information on the terminal device 2 and incorporates the new cardboard box 11 into the stack 12 with the side 11a on which the partial image is printed facing forward. The cardboard box 11 whose position is to be changed is then placed in the new position with the side 11a on which the partial image corresponding to the new position is printed facing forward. As a result, the original advertising image is displayed in the stack 12 into which the new cardboard box 11 has been incorporated.

[0071] 7, the printing device 3 prints a partial image corresponding to position P3 on one of the sides 11a of the new cardboard box 11D. The printing device 3 also prints partial images corresponding to positions P1 and P2 on the unprinted sides 11a of the cardboard boxes 11B and 11C whose positions are to be changed, respectively.

[0072] 7, the side surfaces 11a on the front sides of cardboard boxes 11B and 11C at the time cardboard box 11A is removed will be referred to as side surface 11a1. A partial image corresponding to position P2 is printed on side surface 11a1 of cardboard box 11B, and a partial image corresponding to position P3 is printed on side surface 11a1 of cardboard box 11C. If the unprinted side surface 11a of any of the sides 11a of cardboard boxes 11B and 11C other than side surface 11a1 is referred to as side surface 11a2 (see FIG. 8), partial images corresponding to positions P1 and P2 will be printed on side surface 11a2 of cardboard box 11B and side surface 11a2 of cardboard box 11C, respectively.

[0073] Then, by the work of an operator, a new cardboard box 11D on which a partial image corresponding to position P3 has been printed is placed at position P3 with the side surface 11a on which the partial image has been printed facing forward. Also, cardboard boxes 11B and 11C on which partial images corresponding to positions P1 and P2 have been printed on their side surfaces 11a2 are placed at positions P1 and P2, respectively, with the side surfaces 11a2 facing forward. As a result, as shown in Fig. 8, the original advertising image is displayed in the stack 12 in which the new cardboard box 11D has been incorporated at position P3.

[0074] Unlike the present embodiment, if a partial image of the position of the missing cardboard box 11A is printed on a new cardboard box 11D and the new cardboard box 11D is placed below cardboard boxes 11B and 11C in consideration of the expiration date, the advertising image will be distorted, as shown in Fig. 9. As a result, the advertising effectiveness will be reduced.

[0075] 7 and 8, new cardboard box 11D is installed below cardboard boxes 11B and 11C in the same row as lost cardboard box 11A. However, this is not limiting, and new cardboard box 11 may be installed in a different row from lost cardboard box 11, and the positions of other cardboard boxes 11 may be changed accordingly.

[0076] Returning to Figure 6, if it is determined that there is no cardboard box 11 below the position of the missing cardboard box 11 whose expiration date for the stored products is closer to the present than the new cardboard box 11 (step S9: NO), in step S12, the control unit 33 of the server device 4 outputs a partial image of the position of the missing cardboard box 11 to the terminal device 2 to be printed on the side 11a of the new cardboard box 11.

[0077] Next, in step S11, the control unit 33 updates the expiration date in the partial image table 36. Specifically, the control unit 33 changes the expiration date associated with the position of the missing cardboard box 11 to the expiration date of the product stored in the new cardboard box 11.

[0078] Thereafter, in step S5 of FIG. 5, the control unit 25 of the terminal device 2 instructs the printing device 3 to print the partial image acquired from the server device 4 onto a new cardboard box 11.

[0079] As a result, the printing device 3 prints a partial image on one of the side surfaces 11a of a new cardboard box 11 supplied from outside.

[0080] Thereafter, a worker places a new cardboard box 11, with the side surface 11a on which the partial image is printed facing forward, in the position of the missing cardboard box 11. As a result, the new cardboard box 11 is replenished in the position of the missing cardboard box 11 in the stack 12, and the original advertising image is posted.

[0081] In step S6, if it is determined that the posting time limit for the advertisement image has arrived (step S6: YES), in step S13 of FIG. 6, the control unit 25 of the terminal device 2 determines whether or not a new advertisement image is to be posted.

[0082] If it is determined that a new advertisement image will be posted (step S13: YES), the control unit 25 outputs the loss information to the server device 4 in step S14.

[0083] Here, as described above, when the period until the posting deadline of the advertising image falls below the threshold, even if cardboard boxes 11 are missing due to the removal of empty cardboard boxes 11, cardboard boxes 11 are not replenished. Therefore, when the posting deadline of the advertising image arrives, at least some of the cardboard boxes 11 may remain missing from the collection 12.

[0084] On the other hand, when a new advertisement image is to be posted after the posting period of the advertisement image has elapsed, new cardboard boxes 11 are replenished to make up for the missing ones.

[0085] When a new advertising image is to be posted after the posting deadline for the advertising image has passed, the operator operates the input unit 23 to input missing information. Then, as described above, the control unit 25 outputs the missing information to the server device 4. In this case, the missing information includes the position in the stack 12 of the cardboard box 11 that is missing at the time the posting deadline for the advertising image has arrived, and the expiration date of the products stored in the new cardboard box 11 to be replenished. Note that if there are no missing cardboard boxes 11 at the time the posting deadline for the advertising image has arrived, the missing information is information indicating that there are no missing cardboard boxes 11.

[0086] Next, in step S15, the control unit 33 of the server device 4 updates the partial image table .

[0087] Specifically, the control unit 33 generates 12 partial images corresponding to positions P1 to P12 from the new advertisement image. Here, the control unit 33 acquires the new advertisement image in advance.

[0088] Then, the control unit 33 changes the partial images associated with the positions P1 to P12 in the partial image table 36 to the partial images at the positions P1 to P12 generated from the new advertisement image.

[0089] In addition, the control unit 33 calculates the expiration dates of the cardboard boxes 11 placed at each of positions P1 to P12 when the cardboard boxes 11 remaining in the stack 12 and the new cardboard boxes 11 are arranged so that the cardboard boxes 11 with the nearest expiration date for the stored products are positioned higher.

[0090] Then, the control unit 33 changes the expiration dates associated with the positions P1 to P12 in the partial image table 36 to the expiration dates of the cardboard boxes 11 placed at the positions P1 to P12, respectively, determined as described above.

[0091] Here, in the store 6, when a new advertising image is to be posted after the posting deadline of the advertising image has passed, when the posting deadline arrives, if any cardboard boxes 11 are missing from the stack 12, new cardboard boxes 11 are added to make up for the missing ones, and the stack 12 is reformed so that the cardboard boxes 11 with the closest expiration dates for the stored products are positioned higher. Then, a new advertising image is posted in the reformed stack 12.

[0092] Therefore, the control unit 33 changes the expiration dates associated with the positions P1 to P12 in the partial image table 36 as described above.

[0093] If there are no missing cardboard boxes 11 when the posting deadline for the advertising image arrives, the positions of the cardboard boxes 11 in the stack 12 are maintained as they are. Therefore, the expiration dates in the partial image table 36 are not changed.

[0094] Next, in step S16, the control unit 33 outputs each partial image of the new advertising image to the terminal device 2 as an image to be printed on the unprinted side 11a of each of the 12 cardboard boxes 11, including the new cardboard box 11, when the new cardboard box 11 is replenished.

[0095] Specifically, the control unit 33 outputs each partial image together with replenishment change information to the terminal device 2. In this case, the replenishment change information includes information indicating the position of each partial image, information indicating the position of the new cardboard box 11 when the new cardboard box 11 is replenished, information indicating the positions of the cardboard box 11 before and after the change, the position of which will be changed when the new cardboard box 11 is replenished, and information instructing printing on the unprinted side surface 11a of each cardboard box 11.

[0096] Here, the position of the new cardboard box 11 when a new cardboard box 11 is replenished is the position of the new cardboard box 11 when the stack 12 is reformed as described above. Also, the positions of the cardboard box 11 before and after the change, whose position is changed when a new cardboard box 11 is replenished, are the positions of the cardboard box 11 before and after the change, whose position is changed when the stack 12 is reformed as described above.

[0097] In addition, if there are no missing cardboard boxes 11 when the deadline for posting the advertising image arrives (all cardboard boxes 11 in the stack 12 remain), the replenishment change information includes information indicating the position of each partial image and information instructing printing of the partial image on the unprinted side 11a of each cardboard box 11.

[0098] Thereafter, in step S5 of FIG. 5, the control unit 25 of the terminal device 2 instructs the printing device 3 to print each partial image acquired from the server device 4 onto the corresponding cardboard box 11 based on the replenishment change information.

[0099] This causes the printing device 3 to print each partial image. Specifically, when new cardboard boxes 11 are replenished, the printing device 3 prints a partial image corresponding to the position where the new cardboard box 11 will be placed on one of the sides 11a of the new cardboard box 11 supplied from outside. The printing device 3 also prints a partial image corresponding to each position on the unprinted sides 11a of the cardboard boxes 11 supplied from outside that remained in the stack 12. The cardboard boxes 11 remaining in the stack 12 may include cardboard boxes 11 whose positions are to be changed.

[0100] Here, the remaining cardboard boxes 11 are supplied to the printing device 3 in an orientation that allows printing on the unprinted side 11a, by the work of an operator who has confirmed the replenishment change information on the terminal device 2, and a partial image is printed on that side 11a.

[0101] The printing device 3 may detect an unprinted side surface 11a of a remaining cardboard box 11 that has been supplied from the outside, and print a partial image on that side surface 11a.

[0102] After the 12 partial images of the new advertising image are printed on the 12 cardboard boxes 11, the worker checks the replenishment change information on the terminal device 2 and re-forms the stack 12 as described above. At this time, each cardboard box 11 is placed with the side 11a on which the partial image of the new advertising image is printed facing forward. As a result, the new advertising image is displayed on the stack 12.

[0103] In step S13 of FIG. 6, if the control unit 25 of the terminal device 2 determines that a new advertising image will not be posted (step S13: NO), the series of operations ends.

[0104] As described above, in the printing system 1, when loss information is input from the terminal device 2, the control unit 33 of the server device 4 outputs to the terminal device 2 at least one partial image including a partial image corresponding to the lost cardboard box 11 to be printed on the unprinted side 11a of at least one cardboard box 11 including the new cardboard box 11 to be replenished. When at least one partial image including a partial image corresponding to the lost cardboard box 11 is output from the server device 4, the control unit 25 of the terminal device 2 causes the printing device 3 to print the at least one partial image on the unprinted side 11a of the corresponding cardboard box 11.

[0105] This makes it possible to prevent the advertising image from being distorted even when a cardboard box 11 is lost and a new cardboard box 11 is replenished. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the advertising effectiveness of the advertising image formed by piling up multiple cardboard boxes 11.

[0106] Specifically, the control unit 33 of the server device 4 outputs to the terminal device 2 a partial image to be printed on the side of the new cardboard box 11 and at least one partial image to be printed on the unprinted side 11a of at least one cardboard box 11 whose position is changed in the arrangement of the 12 cardboard boxes 11 in the collection 12 in which the new cardboard box 11 has been incorporated and the position of at least one cardboard box 11 other than the new cardboard box 11 has been changed so that the new cardboard box 11 is positioned below the cardboard box 11 whose expiration date for the stored products is closer to the present.

[0107] This makes it possible to prevent the advertisement image from being distorted even when a new cardboard box 11 is placed below a cardboard box 11 containing merchandise with a use-by date that is closer to the present than the cardboard box 11 in consideration of the use-by date.

[0108] Furthermore, when a new advertising image is to be posted after the expiration of the advertising image posting period, the control unit 33 of the server device 4 outputs to the terminal device 2 12 partial images for forming the new advertising image to be printed on the unprinted side surfaces 11a of the 12 cardboard boxes 11 including the new cardboard box 11 when the new cardboard box 11 is replenished. This makes it possible to form a new advertising image in the collection 12 when the advertising image is replaced due to the expiration of the advertising image posting period.

[0109] In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a new cardboard box 11 is installed below a cardboard box 11 with a closest expiration date to the current date, taking the expiration date into consideration. However, in cases where the expiration date does not need to be taken into consideration for the stored products, a partial image of the position of the missing cardboard box 11 may be printed on the new cardboard box 11 to be replenished, and the new cardboard box 11 may be replenished in the position of the missing cardboard box 11.

[0110] 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 created by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some components may be omitted from all the components shown in the embodiments.

[0111] [Note] The present application discloses the following inventions.

[0112] (Appendix 1) a storage unit that stores a plurality of partial images that are printed on the respective sides of a plurality of packages to form an advertising image that spans the plurality of packages in a stack in which the plurality of packages containing products are stacked; a control unit that outputs a plurality of partial images to a terminal device that controls printing of the plurality of partial images on the plurality of packaging bodies, and when information indicating a partial image corresponding to a packaging body that is missing in the stack on which the advertising image is formed is input, outputs at least one partial image including the partial image corresponding to the missing packaging body to the terminal device as a partial image to be printed on an unprinted side of at least one of the packaging bodies including the new packaging body to be replenished; An image management device comprising:

[0113] (Appendix 2) The control unit is characterized in that it outputs to the terminal device a partial image to be printed on the side of a new packaging body in an arrangement of the multiple packaging bodies in the collection in which a new packaging body is incorporated and the position of at least one packaging body other than the new packaging body is changed so that the new packaging body is positioned below the packaging body whose expiration date for the product contained therein is closest to the current one, and at least one partial image to be printed on an unprinted side of at least one of the packaging bodies whose position is changed.

[0114] (Appendix 3) a posting deadline is set for the advertisement image, and when the period until the posting deadline falls below a threshold, even if a package is missing from the collection, the package is not replenished; In the case where a new advertising image is posted after the posting deadline has passed, when the posting deadline arrives, if there is a missing package in the collection, a new package is replenished to make up for the missing package, The image management device described in Appendix 2 is characterized in that the control unit outputs to the terminal device multiple partial images for forming a new advertising image to be printed on the unprinted sides of each of the multiple packaging bodies, including the new packaging body, when a new packaging body is replenished.

[0115] (Appendix 4) The image management device includes a terminal device that controls printing by a printing device, The image management device a storage unit that stores a plurality of partial images that are printed on the respective sides of a plurality of packages to form an advertising image that spans the plurality of packages in a stack in which the plurality of packages containing products are stacked; a control unit that outputs a plurality of partial images to the terminal device, and when information indicating a partial image corresponding to a package that is missing from the stack on which an advertising image is formed is input, outputs at least one partial image including the partial image corresponding to the missing package to the terminal device as an image to be printed on an unprinted side of at least one of the packages including the new package to be replenished, The terminal device printing the plurality of partial images output from the image management device onto the side surfaces of the plurality of packages by the printing device; An image management system characterized in that, when at least one partial image including a partial image corresponding to a missing packaging body is output from the image management device, the printing device prints the at least one partial image on an unprinted side of the packaging body corresponding to the missing partial image.

[0116] (Appendix 5) 1. A computer-implemented image management method, comprising: storing a plurality of partial images that are printed on the respective sides of a plurality of packages to form an advertising image that spans the plurality of packages in a stack of the plurality of packages containing products; outputting the plurality of partial images to a terminal device that controls printing of the plurality of partial images on the plurality of packages; When information indicating a partial image corresponding to a package missing from the stack on which an advertising image is formed is input, outputting at least one partial image including the partial image corresponding to the missing package to the terminal device as an image to be printed on an unprinted side of at least one package including the new package to be replenished; 10. An image management method comprising:

[0117] (Appendix 6) storing a plurality of partial images that are printed on the respective sides of a plurality of packages to form an advertising image that spans the plurality of packages in a stack of the plurality of packages containing products; outputting the plurality of partial images to a terminal device that controls printing of the plurality of partial images on the plurality of packages; When information indicating a partial image corresponding to a package missing from the stack on which an advertising image is formed is input, outputting at least one partial image including the partial image corresponding to the missing package to the terminal device as an image to be printed on an unprinted side of at least one package including the new package to be replenished; An image management program characterized by causing a computer to execute the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 1 Printing System 2. Terminal Device 3 Printing device 4. Server equipment 11. Cardboard Box 11a,11a1,11a2 Side 12 Aggregates 21 Memory section 22 Display section 23 Input section 24 Communications Department 25 Control Unit 31 Storage section 32 Communications Department 33 Control Unit 36 Partial Image Table

Claims

1. a storage unit that stores a plurality of partial images that are printed on the respective sides of a plurality of packages to form an advertising image that spans the plurality of packages in a stack in which the plurality of packages containing products are stacked; a control unit that outputs a plurality of partial images to a terminal device that controls printing of the plurality of partial images on the plurality of packaging bodies, and when information indicating a partial image corresponding to a packaging body that is missing in the stack on which the advertising image is formed is input, outputs at least one partial image including the partial image corresponding to the missing packaging body to the terminal device as a partial image to be printed on an unprinted side surface of at least one of the packaging bodies including the new packaging body to be replenished; An image management device comprising:

2. The control unit outputs to the terminal device a partial image to be printed on the side of a new packaging body in an arrangement of the multiple packaging bodies in the stack in which a new packaging body has been incorporated and the position of at least one packaging body other than the new packaging body has been changed so that the new packaging body is positioned below the packaging body whose expiration date for the product contained therein is closest to the current expiration date, and at least one partial image to be printed on an unprinted side of at least one of the packaging bodies whose position is being changed.

3. a posting deadline is set for the advertisement image, and when the period until the posting deadline falls below a threshold, even if a package is missing from the collection, the package is not replenished; In the case where a new advertising image is posted after the posting deadline has passed, when the posting deadline arrives, if there is a missing package in the collection, a new package is replenished to make up for the missing package, The image management device described in claim 2, characterized in that the control unit outputs to the terminal device multiple partial images for forming a new advertising image to be printed on the unprinted sides of each of the multiple packaging bodies, including the new packaging body, when a new packaging body is replenished.

4. The image management device includes a terminal device that controls printing by a printing device, The image management device a storage unit that stores a plurality of partial images that are printed on the respective sides of a plurality of packages to form an advertising image that spans the plurality of packages in a stack in which the plurality of packages containing products are stacked; a control unit that outputs a plurality of partial images to the terminal device, and when information indicating a partial image corresponding to a package that is missing from the stack on which an advertising image is formed is input, outputs at least one partial image including the partial image corresponding to the missing package to the terminal device as an image to be printed on an unprinted side of at least one of the packages including the new package to be replenished, The terminal device printing the plurality of partial images output from the image management device onto the side surfaces of the plurality of packages by the printing device; An image management system characterized in that, when at least one partial image including a partial image corresponding to a missing packaging body is output from the image management device, the printing device prints the at least one partial image on the unprinted side of the packaging body corresponding to the missing partial image.

5. 1. A computer-implemented image management method, comprising: storing a plurality of partial images that are printed on the respective sides of a plurality of packages to form an advertising image that spans the plurality of packages in a stack of the plurality of packages containing products; outputting the plurality of partial images to a terminal device that controls printing of the plurality of partial images on the plurality of packages; When information indicating a partial image corresponding to a package missing from the stack on which an advertising image is formed is input, at least one partial image including the partial image corresponding to the missing package is output to the terminal device as an image to be printed on an unprinted side of at least one package including the new package to be replenished; 10. An image management method comprising:

6. storing a plurality of partial images that are printed on the respective sides of a plurality of packages to form an advertising image that spans the plurality of packages in a stack of the plurality of packages containing products; outputting the plurality of partial images to a terminal device that controls printing of the plurality of partial images on the plurality of packages; When information indicating a partial image corresponding to a package missing from the stack on which an advertising image is formed is input, at least one partial image including the partial image corresponding to the missing package is output to the terminal device as an image to be printed on an unprinted side of at least one package including the new package to be replenished; An image management program characterized by causing a computer to execute the above.

Images