Server device, system, control method for server device, and program

Abstract

To provide a server device that enables foreign visitors to Japan and the like to easily know whether they can bring purchased goods into other countries.SOLUTION: A server device includes storage means and determination means. The storage means stores biometric information of each of a plurality of persons in association with information about a country related to each of the persons. The determination means acquires the biometric information of a person seeking determination who wants determination as to whether an item can be brought into another country, and performs a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information. By performing the matching process, the determination means identifies the person seeking determination from among the plurality of persons, and determines whether the item can be brought into the country related to the identified person seeking determination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a server device, a system, a method for controlling a server device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] The technology for exporting agricultural products exists.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 states that it facilitates export transactions of fresh foods such as agricultural products for both buyers and sellers. The method for providing an electronic agricultural product trading system in Patent Document 1 consists of multiple services. Specifically, the method includes a quarantine information processing service that checks whether a product can be exported against quarantine requirements, a service that provides advertising space and advertising creation tools and allows users to create and display advertisements on a website, and a service that provides information on agricultural and livestock products that meet quarantine requirements and can be imported. The method also includes an electronic trading service that allows users to set prices through auctions and order and purchase desired agricultural products via the Internet, and a purchasing service that ensures a stable supply of products by purchasing from multiple sellers and production areas based on product and location information. The method also includes a service that arranges collection, delivery, and quarantine customs clearance to maintain freshness during distribution, and a service that clarifies fees, shipping costs, and delivery dates and processes payments electronically. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. WO2016 / 088429 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As described in Patent Document 1, in order to bring food (e.g., fruit), plants, etc. into another country, the food must meet quarantine requirements. This also applies to travelers from overseas; if the products (fruit, plants, etc.) purchased by a traveler at a retail store in Japan do not meet the quarantine requirements, the traveler cannot bring the purchased products into their country of residence, etc.

[0006] Quarantine requirements are set for each food item and country, making it difficult for travelers purchasing goods to accurately determine whether or not each item can be brought out.Similarly, it is difficult for retail store clerks to accurately determine whether or not the products they sell to customers can be brought into the customer's country of residence.

[0007] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a server device, a system, a method for controlling a server device, and a program that will help foreign visitors to Japan easily determine whether or not they can bring purchased items into other countries. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a server device is provided which includes: a storage means for storing biometric information of each of a plurality of persons in association with information on a country related to each of the persons; and a determination means for acquiring biometric information of a person wishing to be judged as to whether or not an item can be brought into another country, and performing a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information to identify the person wishing to be judged from among the plurality of persons, and to determine whether or not the item can be brought into a country related to the identified person wishing to be judged.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system including a terminal installed in a retail store and a server device, wherein the server device is equipped with a storage means for storing biometric information of each of a plurality of persons in association with information about the country related to each of the persons, and a determination means for acquiring the biometric information of a person wishing to be determined whether or not an item can be brought into another country, performing a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information to identify the person wishing to be determined from among the plurality of persons, determine whether or not the item can be brought into a country related to the identified person wishing to be determined, and transmitting the determination result to the terminal.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a server device, comprising: a storage step of storing biometric information of each of a plurality of persons in association with information on a country related to each of the persons; and a determination step of acquiring biometric information of a person wishing to be judged as to whether or not an item can be brought into another country, and performing a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information to identify the person wishing to be judged from among the plurality of persons, and to determine whether or not the item can be brought into a country related to the identified person wishing to be judged.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer mounted on a server device to execute a storage process for storing biometric information of each of a plurality of persons in association with information relating to the country associated with each of the persons, and a determination process for acquiring biometric information of a person wishing to be determined whether or not an item can be brought into another country, and performing a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information to identify the person wishing to be determined from among the plurality of persons, and to determine whether or not the item can be brought into a country associated with the identified person wishing to be determined. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to each aspect of the present invention, a server device, a system, a method for controlling a server device, and a program are provided that contribute to enabling foreign visitors to Japan and others to easily understand whether or not they can bring purchased products into other countries. Note that the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above. The present invention may achieve other effects instead of or in addition to the effects described above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of the operation of one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display of a retail store terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a server device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user management database according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the determination unit according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a determination list according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a determination list according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a retail store terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to a modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display of a retail store terminal according to a modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to a modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a signage display according to a modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display of a retail store terminal according to a modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server device according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] First, an overview of one embodiment will be described. Note that the reference numerals in the drawings are added to each element for convenience as an example to facilitate understanding, and the description of this overview is not intended to be limiting in any way. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the blocks shown in each drawing represent functional units, not hardware units. Connection lines between blocks in each drawing include both bidirectional and unidirectional lines. Unidirectional arrows are used to schematically indicate the flow of main signals (data) and do not exclude bidirectionality. Note that in this specification and drawings, elements that can be similarly described may be assigned the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation.

[0015] A server device 100 according to one embodiment includes a storage unit 101 and a determination unit 102 (see FIG. 1). The storage unit 101 stores biometric information of each of a plurality of persons in association with information about a country related to each of the persons (step S1 in FIG. 2). The determination unit 102 acquires biometric information of a person seeking judgment as to whether or not the person can bring an item into another country, and performs a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information (step S2). By performing the matching process, the determination unit 102 identifies the person seeking judgment from among the plurality of persons, and determines whether or not the person can bring an item into a country related to the identified person seeking judgment (determining whether or not the item can be brought into the country; step S3).

[0016] The server device 100 stores biometric information of multiple individuals (e.g., foreign visitors to Japan) and information about countries (e.g., countries of residence) in association with each other. The server device 100 acquires biometric information of a user who intends to purchase and bring into another country a product (item), such as fruit, and identifies the user who intends to bring the item into the other country through a matching process using the acquired biometric information. The server device 100 uses information about the identified country to identify a country (e.g., country of residence) that is likely to be the identified user's destination and determines whether the user is permitted to bring the item into the identified country. In this way, the server device 100 uses the biometric information to identify the user who intends to purchase a product requiring quarantine, such as fruit, and the country associated with the user, and determines whether the product is permitted to be brought into the identified country. The server device 100 notifies the user who intends to bring the item into the other country of the determination result. As a result, the foreign visitors to Japan can easily determine whether the purchased item is permitted to be brought into the other country.

[0017] Specific embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0018] [First embodiment] The first embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0019] [System Configuration] 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the information processing system includes a server device 10 and a retail store terminal 20 installed in a retail store or the like.

[0020] The server device 10 is a server that provides information services to users. In particular, the server device 10 provides information services targeted at foreign visitors to Japan. More specifically, the server device 10 provides information regarding whether or not a product that a user has purchased or intends to purchase can be brought from Japan, the country where the user is staying, to a country or region that the user may travel to.

[0021] In this disclosure, unless otherwise specified, "country" refers to a country or region.

[0022] The server device 10 is managed and operated by any organization, etc. For example, the server device 10 is managed and operated by a private business, the state, or an organization or institution commissioned by the state. The server device 10 may be installed in a building of a management center, or may be installed on a network (on the cloud).

[0023] Each retail store is equipped with at least one retail store terminal 20. The retail store terminal 20 is a so-called POS (Point of Sale) terminal. An employee of the retail store operates the retail store terminal 20 to settle payments for products purchased by customers.

[0024] A user (for example, a foreign visitor to Japan) carries a terminal 30 such as a smartphone. The user operates the terminal 30 to access the server device 10. The user registers various pieces of information in the server device 10 and obtains various pieces of information from the server device 10.

[0025] The devices shown in FIG. 3 (server device 10, retail store terminal 20, etc.) are connected by wired or wireless communication means and are configured to be able to communicate with each other.

[0026] The configuration of the information processing system shown in Fig. 3 is an example and is not intended to limit the configuration. For example, multiple server devices 10 may be included in the system. Load balancing and redundancy may be achieved by using multiple server devices 10. Furthermore, although Fig. 3 shows two retail stores, it goes without saying that this is not intended to limit the number of retail stores included in the information processing system.

[0027] [General operation] Next, the general operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0028] <User registration> In order to receive the information provision service (service for determining whether or not a product can be brought in) from the server device 10, the user is required to register in advance.

[0029] Specifically, the user operates the terminal 30 to access a user registration page provided by the server device 10. The user performs user registration on the user registration page. The user registers at least biometric information and information about the country associated with the user on the user registration page.

[0030] More specifically, the user inputs into the server device 10 the name, sex, date of birth, country of residence (address), contact information (telephone number, email address), nationality, payment information (for example, credit card information), biometric information, etc.

[0031] Examples of biometric information include data (features) calculated from physical characteristics unique to an individual, such as a face, fingerprint, voiceprint, veins, retina, and iris pattern. Alternatively, the user's biometric information may be image data such as a face image or fingerprint image. The user's biometric information may be any information that includes the user's physical characteristics. In the first embodiment, the biometric information is a person's face image or features generated from a face image.

[0032] The country of residence and nationality correspond to information about the country associated with the user.

[0033] The user may omit inputting some of the above-mentioned items, for example, the user may omit inputting payment information.

[0034] When the server device 10 acquires information from a user, it generates a user ID for identifying the user. The server device 10 stores the generated user ID, the acquired user information, etc. in a user management database. The user management database will be described in detail later.

[0035] <Purchase a product> A user who wishes to purchase a product at a retail store or the like visits the cashier with the product and tells a store clerk or other person standing by at the cashier that they would like to have the product determined as to whether it can be brought into another country (see Figure 4).

[0036] In the following explanation, the determination as to whether a purchased product can be brought into another country will be referred to as the “product import determination” or simply as the “product determination.” For example, when a user is purchasing food (fruit, meat, etc.) or plants, the user requests a store clerk to perform a product determination.

[0037] The store clerk who receives the request for product carry-in judgment operates the retail store terminal 20 to acquire biometric information of the user (the person requesting product judgment) in front of them. For example, the retail store terminal 20 photographs the user and acquires a facial image.

[0038] Furthermore, the retail store terminal 20 acquires information identifying the product that is subject to the product carry-in judgment. For example, a store clerk inputs the name of the product into the retail store terminal 20. Alternatively, the store clerk reads the barcode attached to the product using a barcode reader provided in the retail store terminal 20. The retail store terminal 20 acquires information identifying the product from the read barcode.

[0039] The retail store terminal 20 transmits to the server device 10 a "determination request" including the acquired biometric information and information for identifying the target product (product identification information).

[0040] Upon receiving the determination request, the server device 10 executes a matching process using the biometric information included in the determination request and the biometric information stored in the user management database. The server device 10 determines candidate countries that are likely to be travel destinations for the user (desirer of determination) using the country of residence and nationality of the user identified by the matching process.

[0041] For example, if a user's country of residence is the United Kingdom and his / her nationality is the United States, "United Kingdom" or "United States" is set as a travel destination candidate for that user.

[0042] If any of the above two items (country of residence and nationality) is not listed, the server device 10 may determine destination candidates using the listed items.

[0043] When the candidate destinations are identified, the server device 10 determines whether or not the product (item) corresponding to the product identification information included in the determination request can be brought into each candidate destination. More specifically, the server device 10 determines whether or not the product can be taken out of Japan and brought into each candidate destination.

[0044] Specifically, the server device 10 uses a list (hereinafter referred to as a determination list) that indicates whether or not each product can be brought into each country from Japan, to determine whether or not the target product can be brought into the potential travel destination.

[0045] For example, in the above example, if a user attempts to purchase fruit A, the determination list is used to determine whether fruit A can be taken out of Japan and whether fruit A can be brought into the U.K. Similarly, it is determined whether fruit A can be taken out of Japan and whether fruit A can be brought into the U.S.

[0046] The server device 10 transmits a response to the determination request to the retail store terminal 20. Specifically, if the matching process using the biometric information fails, the server device 10 transmits a negative response to the retail store terminal 20 indicating that product determination cannot be performed.

[0047] If the matching process using the biometric information is successful, the server device 10 transmits a positive response including the determination result for each potential travel destination to the retail store terminal 20. For example, in the above example, a positive response including the determination result such as "Fruit A; UK; allowed" or "Fruit A; USA; not allowed" is transmitted to the retail store terminal 20.

[0048] The retail store terminal 20 outputs a message or the like in response to the determination request. For example, if a negative response is received, the retail store terminal 20 outputs a message indicating that a determination result cannot be obtained because the user is not registered.

[0049] If an affirmative response is received, the retail store terminal 20 outputs the determination result included in the affirmative response. For example, the retail store terminal 20 displays a screen such as that shown in Fig. 5 to the retail store staff and / or the user.

[0050] Depending on the result of the evaluation of the product, the user decides whether to purchase the product. In the above example, a user heading to the UK will purchase fruit A, while a user heading to the US will not purchase fruit A.

[0051] When the user indicates an intention to purchase a product, the store clerk performs payment for the product by operating the retail store terminal 20. At that time, if the user requests biometric authentication payment (for example, facial payment), the retail store terminal 20 transmits the user's biometric information and payment information (for example, the name of the purchased product, the product price, etc.) to the server device 10.

[0052] The server device 10 identifies the product purchaser through a matching process using the biometric information, and settles the product price using the payment information (credit card information) of the identified product purchaser.

[0053] Next, details of each device included in the information processing system according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0054] [Server device] 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration (processing module) of the server device 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 6, the server device 10 includes a communication control unit 201, a user registration control unit 202, a determination unit 203, and a storage unit 204.

[0055] The communication control unit 201 is a means for controlling communication with other devices. For example, the communication control unit 201 receives data (packets) from the retail store terminal 20. The communication control unit 201 also transmits data to the retail store terminal 20. The communication control unit 201 passes data received from other devices to other processing modules. The communication control unit 201 transmits data acquired from other processing modules to other devices. In this way, other processing modules transmit and receive data to and from other devices via the communication control unit 201. The communication control unit 201 has a function as a receiving unit that receives data from other devices and a function as a transmitting unit that transmits data to other devices.

[0056] The user registration control unit 202 is a means for controlling user registration.

[0057] When a user operates terminal 30 to access the user registration page, user registration control unit 202 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) on terminal 30. Using the GUI, user registration control unit 202 acquires the user's name, gender, date of birth, country of residence (address), contact information (telephone number, email address), nationality, payment information, biometric information, etc.

[0058] When the user registration control unit 202 acquires a facial image as biometric information, it generates feature quantities from the facial image. The feature quantity generation process by the user registration control unit 202 can use existing technology, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted. For example, the user registration control unit 202 extracts the eyes, nose, mouth, etc. from the facial image as feature points. The user registration control unit 202 then calculates the positions of the feature points and the distances between the feature points as feature quantities (generating a feature vector consisting of multiple feature quantities).

[0059] After generating the feature, the user registration control unit 202 generates a user ID to identify the user. The user ID may be any information that can uniquely identify the user. For example, the user registration control unit 202 may assign a unique value each time user information is acquired and use this number as the user ID.

[0060] When the user ID is generated, the user registration control unit 202 adds a new entry to the user management database and generates an account. The user registration control unit 202 stores the user ID, name, country of residence (address), nationality, biometric information (features), etc. in the added entry (see FIG. 7).

[0061] 7 is an example and is not intended to limit the items to be stored, etc. For example, a "face image" may be registered in the user management database as biometric information.

[0062] The determination unit 203 is a means for determining whether or not the product that the user is trying to purchase can be taken out of the country where the user is staying (for example, Japan) and brought into another country.

[0063] More specifically, the determination unit 203 acquires biometric information of a person seeking determination as to whether or not an item (such as fruit) can be brought into another country, and performs a matching process using the acquired biometric information and biometric information stored in the user management database. By performing the matching process, the determination unit 203 identifies the person seeking determination from among multiple people (for example, foreign visitors to Japan who have registered as users), and determines whether or not the item can be brought into a country related to the identified person seeking determination (for example, a country of residence where the person is likely to return to).

[0064] 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the determination unit 203 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The operation of the determination unit 203 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0065] Upon receiving the determination request, the determination unit 203 executes a matching process using the biometric information included in the determination request and the biometric information stored in the user management database (step S101).

[0066] Specifically, the determination unit 203 generates a feature from the biometric information (face image) included in the determination request. The determination unit 203 sets the generated feature as a matching target and performs a matching process with the feature stored in the user management database. More specifically, the determination unit 203 sets the generated feature (feature vector) as a matching target and performs 1:N (N is a positive integer, the same applies hereinafter) matching with the multiple feature stored in the user management database.

[0067] The determination unit 203 calculates the similarity between the feature to be matched and each of the multiple feature values ​​on the registration side. The similarity can be calculated using chi-square distance, Euclidean distance, or the like. Note that the greater the distance, the lower the similarity, and the closer the distance, the higher the similarity.

[0068] The determination unit 203 determines that the matching process has been successful if there is a feature among the multiple feature amounts registered in the user management database that has a similarity with the feature amount to be matched that is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If there is no such feature amount, the determination unit 203 determines that the matching process has failed.

[0069] If the collation process fails (step S102, No branch), the determination unit 203 transmits a negative response indicating that the product determination cannot be performed to the retail store terminal 20 (step S103).

[0070] If the matching process is successful (step S102, Yes branch), the determination unit 203 identifies the user with the highest similarity calculated during the matching process and performs product determination on the product that the identified user is trying to purchase (step S104). That is, the determination unit 203 determines whether the user identified by the matching process can bring the product that the user is trying to purchase to the potential travel destination.

[0071] At this time, the determination unit 203 performs the product determination using a determination list, which lists whether each product can be taken out of Japan and whether it can be brought into each country (see FIG. 9).

[0072] Note that the determination list shown in Figure 9 is an example and is not intended to limit the items to be stored. For example, as shown in Figure 9, whether an item can be taken out of Japan and whether an item can be brought into a target country may not be separated, and the determination list may include whether an item can be taken out of Japan and whether an item can be brought into a target country. For example, the determination list may have the content shown in Figure 10.

[0073] In the product evaluation, the evaluation unit 203 determines the candidate travel destinations for the user identified by the matching process. Specifically, the evaluation unit 203 sets the country (country of origin) corresponding to the user's country of residence or nationality as the candidate travel destinations.

[0074] The determination unit 203 uses the product specification information (for example, the name of the purchased product) included in the determination request and the determination list to determine whether the user can bring the purchased product to each potential travel destination.

[0075] For example, in the example of Fig. 9, if a user attempts to purchase fruit A and the potential destination is "UK", it is determined that fruit A is allowed to be brought in. On the other hand, if a user attempts to purchase fruit A and the potential destination is "America", it is determined that fruit A is not allowed to be brought in.

[0076] On the other hand, if a user is trying to purchase fruit C, it is determined that fruit C cannot be brought into the potential destination, regardless of the potential destination. More precisely, it is determined that fruit C cannot be brought into the potential destination because fruit C cannot be taken out of Japan.

[0077] When the determination of whether or not the product can be brought into each candidate destination is completed, the determination unit 203 transmits an affirmative response including the determination result to the retail store terminal 20 (step S105).

[0078] In this way, the determination unit 203 acquires item identification information (e.g., product name) of the item along with the biometric information of the judgment applicant for product evaluation. The determination unit 203 refers to a list in which the permissibility of items for each country and item identification information is described, and determines whether the item corresponding to the acquired item identification information can be brought from the country of stay of the identified judgment applicant to a country related to the identified judgment applicant (e.g., country of residence). More specifically, the determination unit 203 determines whether the item can be brought from the country of stay of the judgment applicant identified by the matching process to a country corresponding to the country of residence or nationality of the identified judgment applicant.

[0079] The storage unit 204 is a means for storing information necessary for the operation of the server device 10. The storage unit 204 stores biometric information of each of a plurality of persons (e.g., foreign visitors to Japan) and information about the country related to each person (e.g., country of residence, nationality) in association with each other.

[0080] [Retailer terminal] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration (processing module) of the retail store terminal 20 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 11, the retail store terminal 20 includes a communication control unit 301, a determination control unit 302, and a storage unit 303.

[0081] The communication control unit 301 is a means for controlling communication with other devices. For example, the communication control unit 301 receives data (packets) from the server device 10. The communication control unit 301 also transmits data to the server device 10. The communication control unit 301 passes data received from other devices to other processing modules. The communication control unit 301 transmits data acquired from other processing modules to other devices. In this way, other processing modules transmit and receive data to and from other devices via the communication control unit 301. The communication control unit 301 has a function as a receiving unit that receives data from other devices and a function as a transmitting unit that transmits data to other devices.

[0082] The determination control unit 302 is a means for controlling the determination of whether or not the product that the user wishes to purchase can be brought into another country (potential destination).

[0083] The determination control unit 302 takes an image of the user requesting product determination in response to an operation by a retail store clerk, etc. The determination control unit 302 extracts a face image from the acquired image data.

[0084] Note that since existing technology can be used for the facial image extraction process by the determination control unit 302, detailed description will be omitted. For example, the determination control unit 302 may extract a facial image (facial region) from image data using a learning model trained by a CNN (Convolutional Neural Network). Alternatively, the determination control unit 302 may extract a facial image using a method such as template matching.

[0085] Furthermore, the determination control unit 302 acquires information (product identification information) that identifies the product that the user is trying to purchase. For example, the determination control unit 302 receives input of the product name from a store clerk. Alternatively, the determination control unit 302 reads the barcode attached to the product using a barcode reader and acquires the product name from the read barcode.

[0086] The determination control unit 302 transmits to the server device 10 a determination request including the acquired biometric information (for example, a facial image) and product identification information (for example, a product name and a product category).

[0087] The determination control unit 302 receives a response (positive response, negative response) to the determination request. The determination control unit 302 outputs a message or the like according to the received response. For example, the determination control unit 302 displays the message on an LCD monitor or the like that is visible to the store clerk and / or the customer.

[0088] For example, if a negative response is received, the judgment control unit 302 outputs a message to the effect that product judgment could not be performed because the user is not registered.

[0089] If a positive response is received, the determination control unit 302 displays a screen such as that shown in Fig. 5 on an LCD monitor or the like. As shown in Fig. 5, the determination control unit 302 displays whether or not the product can be brought into each potential destination of the user who is planning to purchase the product at a store or the like.

[0090] The storage unit 303 is a means for storing information necessary for the operation of the retail store terminal 20.

[0091] [Device] Detailed description of the processing configuration (processing module) of the terminal 30 will be omitted. Examples of the terminal 30 include mobile terminal devices such as smartphones, mobile phones, game consoles, and tablets, as well as computers (personal computers, laptop computers). The terminal 30 can be any equipment or device that can accept user operations and communicate with the server device 10, etc.

[0092] [System Operation] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. Fig. 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0093] The retail store terminal 20 acquires biometric information of the user (step S01).

[0094] The retail store terminal 20 acquires the product specification information of the product to be evaluated (step S02).

[0095] The retail store terminal 20 transmits a determination request including the biometric information and the product identification information to the server device 10 (step S03).

[0096] The server device 10 executes a matching process using the biometric information to identify the person who wishes to have the product evaluated (executes the matching process; step S04).

[0097] The server device 10 determines whether or not the product corresponding to the product specification information can be brought into each of the identified potential destinations of the applicant (executes product determination; step S05).

[0098] The server device 10 transmits an affirmative response including the determination result to the retail store terminal 20 (notifying the determination result; step S06). In this way, the server device 10 transmits the determination result as to whether or not the item (goods) can be brought in to the retail store terminal 20 installed in the retail store that sells the item.

[0099] The retail store terminal 20 presents the determination result to the user and the store clerk (step S07).

[0100] Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described.

[0101] <Variation 1> In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a determination is made as to whether a product can be brought into another country when the user purchases the product. However, a similar determination may be made when shipping a package. For example, the above determination may be made when shipping a product purchased by a user from a hotel or the like.

[0102] In this case, the information processing system includes a shipping terminal 21 (see FIG. 13). The shipping terminal 21 is used when shipping goods (especially overseas). The shipping terminal 21 is installed in hotels, train stations, airports, etc., and is a terminal for shipping goods (baggage) overseas.

[0103] The basic configuration and operation of the shipping terminal 21 can be the same as the configuration and operation of the retail store terminal 20. Specifically, a hotel employee or the like who operates the shipping terminal 21 asks the user for the name of the packaged product, etc. The employee then inputs the product name into the shipping terminal 21.

[0104] Alternatively, a hotel employee receives a list of packaged items to be shipped from a user (customer), and inputs the product name of each item on the list into the shipping terminal 21.

[0105] The shipping terminal 21 transmits a determination request including biometric information of the user (foreign visitor to Japan to ship the product) and product specification information (product name) to the server device 10. The shipping terminal 21 requests the server device 10 to determine whether or not the product corresponding to the product specification information can be shipped to the country corresponding to the user's country of residence or nationality.

[0106] The server device 10 executes the determination process in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and transmits the determination result to the server device 10. At that time, if the server device 10 can acquire the name, address, telephone number, etc. of the user identified by the matching process using the biometric information, the server device 10 may transmit information related to the shipping address together with the determination result to the shipping terminal 21.

[0107] The sending terminal 21 presents the received determination result and information related to the shipping address to a hotel employee and / or the user. For example, the sending terminal 21 displays a GUI such as that shown in Fig. 14 on an LCD monitor or the like. For example, the hotel employee asks the user about the country to which the product should be shipped, and if the country asked matches the country for which the product's shipping eligibility was determined and the product's shipping eligibility result is that the product can be shipped, the hotel employee accepts the package for shipping.

[0108] Furthermore, if the user wishes to ship the package to a shipping destination such as the name and address displayed on the shipping terminal 21, the hotel employee presses the "print slip button." The shipping terminal 21 generates and prints a slip for shipping the package using the name, address, telephone number, etc. acquired from the server device 10.

[0109] If the user wishes to send the package to a shipping address different from the name, address, etc. displayed on the shipping terminal 21, the hotel employee inputs the shipping address desired by the user into the shipping terminal 21. The shipping terminal 21 prints a shipping slip using the acquired shipping address. Alternatively, the user may write (handwrite) the shipping address on the shipping slip.

[0110] In this way, the determination unit 203 of the server device 10 may transmit the determination result as to whether or not the item can be brought in to the shipping terminal 21 for shipping the item overseas. That is, product determination may be performed not only when a user purchases a product at a retail store, but also when the purchased product is to be shipped to the user's country of residence, etc.

[0111] <Variation 2> A list of products that can be brought into other countries (a whitelist) and a list of products that users cannot bring into other countries even if they purchase them (a blacklist) may be distributed to users at retail stores, etc. In this case, signage 22 is installed at the retail store, etc. (see FIG. 15 ). Users who visit the retail store, etc. move in front of the signage 22.

[0112] The signage 22 acquires biometric information of the user in front of the signage 22. The signage 22 transmits a "list provision request" including the acquired biometric information to the server device 10.

[0113] The server device 10 executes a matching process using the biometric information included in the request for providing the list and the biometric information stored in the user management database, and identifies the user standing in front of the signage 22.

[0114] The determination unit 203 of the server device 10 uses the identified user's potential destinations (countries obtained from country of residence or nationality) and the determination list to generate a list (whitelist) of products purchased by the user that can be brought to each potential destination. Similarly, the determination unit 203 uses the identified user's potential destinations and the determination list to generate a list (blacklist) of products purchased by the user that cannot be brought to each potential destination.

[0115] If the matching process fails, determination unit 203 transmits to signage 22 a negative response indicating that the list cannot be generated.

[0116] If the matching process is successful and a product list is generated, the determination unit 203 transmits to the signage 22 an affirmative response including the generated product list (white list, black list).

[0117] The signage 22 displays a message or the like according to the response to the list provision request. For example, if a positive response is received, the signage 22 displays a whitelist and / or blacklist of products. For example, when displaying the blacklist, the signage 22 displays a screen such as that shown in FIG. 16.

[0118] A user (a customer of a retail store) who sees the screen does not pick up the product displayed on the signage 22 and carry it to the cashier.

[0119] In this way, the server device 10 may generate a list of products that a user (customer) visiting a retail store, etc. can purchase and a list of products that the customer cannot purchase, based on the customer's country of residence, etc., and present the list to the customer.

[0120] <Variation 3> In the above embodiment, the server device 10 identifies potential travel destinations based on information about the user's country of residence (address) and nationality obtained from the user. However, the server device 10 may also obtain information about the user's travel destination (destination from Japan; for example, travel destination). In this case, the determination unit 203 of the server device 10 may determine whether the product can be brought into the obtained travel destination and notify the retailer terminal 20 or the like of the determination result.

[0121] Alternatively, when the user's country of residence, nationality, and destination are obtained, the server device 10 may determine whether a product can be brought from the destination to a country, etc., determined from the user's country of residence and nationality. For example, if the user's country of residence is the United Kingdom, the country determined from the user's nationality is the United States, and the destination is France, the determination unit 203 of the server device 10 determines whether the product purchased by the user can be brought from Japan to France. If the purchased product can be brought into France, the determination unit 203 determines whether the product can be brought from France to the United Kingdom and from France to the United States, respectively.

[0122] The server device 10 uses a determination list prepared for each country of origin and country of origin to determine whether or not the product can be brought into the country of residence or the like from the travel destination.

[0123] The determination unit 203 transmits the determination result to the retail store terminal 20. If the matching process is successful, the determination unit 203 transmits an affirmative response including the determination result to the retail store terminal 20. For example, if a user wishes to purchase fruit D, in the above example, the determination results transmitted to the retail store terminal 20 include "Fruit D: Japan to France; allowed to be brought in," "Fruit D: France to the UK; allowed to be brought in," and "Fruit D: France to the US; not allowed to be brought in."

[0124] The retail store terminal 20 outputs a message or the like according to the acquired response. For example, when a positive response is received, the retail store terminal 20 displays a screen such as that shown in Fig. 17. When the user sees this screen, the user can decide to purchase the product by considering not only whether or not the product can be brought to the destination, but also whether or not the product can be brought to the country where the user lives, such as their home.

[0125] In this way, the storage unit 204 of the server device 10 may further store information regarding the country of travel destination of each of multiple persons (e.g., foreign visitors to Japan). In this case, the determination unit 203 determines whether or not an article can be brought from the country of stay of the judgment applicant identified by the matching process to the country of travel destination of the judgment applicant identified by the matching process. Furthermore, the determination unit 203 may determine whether or not an article can be brought from the country of travel destination of the judgment applicant identified by the matching process to the country corresponding to the country of residence or nationality.

[0126] <Variation 4> The server device 10 may perform identity verification when registering a user. For example, when a user operates the terminal 30 to access a predetermined user registration page, the user registration control unit 202 acquires image data showing the user's biometric information and passport using a GUI or the like.

[0127] Specifically, the user registration control unit 202 instructs the user to take a selfie and acquires a facial image. Furthermore, the user registration control unit 202 instructs the user to take a photo of their passport and acquires image data showing the passport.

[0128] When the user registration control unit 202 acquires the face image and image data from the user, it performs identity verification of the user. The user registration control unit 202 performs identity verification using the acquired biometric information (face image) and biometric information obtained from the passport.

[0129] First, the user registration control unit 202 extracts a facial image from image data showing a passport. Then, the user registration control unit 202 generates feature amounts from each of the facial image obtained by selfie and the facial image obtained from the passport.

[0130] Next, the user registration control unit 202 executes a matching process (one-to-one matching) using the two generated feature amounts. Specifically, the user registration control unit 202 calculates the similarity between corresponding face images using the two feature amounts. Based on the result of threshold processing on the calculated similarity, the user registration control unit 202 determines whether the two images are face images of the same person.

[0131] If the similarity is greater than a predetermined value (if the distance is shorter than a predetermined value), the user registration control unit 202 determines that the identity verification is successful. If the similarity is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the user registration control unit 202 determines that the identity verification is unsuccessful.

[0132] If identity verification is successful, the user registration control unit 202 acquires the name, gender, date of birth, country of residence (address), nationality, etc. from image data showing the passport. Specifically, the user registration control unit 202 reads the name, date of birth, etc. from the passport using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology.

[0133] The user registration control unit 202 stores the acquired name and other information in the user management database.

[0134] As described above, the server device 10 according to the first embodiment stores biometric information of multiple users (e.g., foreign visitors to Japan) and country-related information (e.g., country of residence and nationality) in association with each other. The server device 10 acquires biometric information of users who wish to purchase fruits, plants, etc., and identifies users who intend to bring products into other countries by performing a matching process using the acquired biometric information. The server device 10 also determines countries that are likely to be destinations for the identified users as potential travel destinations based on the country-related information (e.g., country of residence and nationality) stored in association with the identified users. After determining the potential travel destinations, the server device 10 determines whether the users are permitted to bring products into the potential travel destinations using a determination list that reflects the quarantine conditions of Japan and each country. The server device 10 notifies the users of the determination result via the retail store terminal 20. As a result, foreign visitors to Japan and other users can easily determine whether they are permitted to bring the purchased products into other countries.

[0135] Next, the hardware of each device constituting the information processing system will be described. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server device 10.

[0136] The server device 10 can be configured by an information processing device (so-called computer), and has the configuration exemplified in Fig. 18. For example, the server device 10 includes a processor 311, a memory 312, an input / output interface 313, and a communication interface 314. The components such as the processor 311 are connected by an internal bus or the like, and are configured to be able to communicate with each other.

[0137] 18 is not intended to limit the hardware configuration of the server device 10. The server device 10 may include hardware not shown, and may not include the input / output interface 313 as necessary. Furthermore, the number of processors 311 and the like included in the server device 10 is not intended to be limited to the example shown in FIG. 18, and for example, the server device 10 may include multiple processors 311.

[0138] The processor 311 is a programmable device such as a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), or a digital signal processor (DSP). Alternatively, the processor 311 may be a device such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The processor 311 executes various programs including an operating system (OS).

[0139] The memory 312 is a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The memory 312 stores an OS program, application programs, and various data.

[0140] The input / output interface 313 is an interface for a display device and an input device (not shown). The display device is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input device is, for example, a device that accepts user operations such as a keyboard or a mouse.

[0141] The communication interface 314 is a circuit, module, etc. that communicates with other devices. For example, the communication interface 314 includes a network interface card (NIC).

[0142] The functions of the server device 10 are realized by various processing modules. The processing modules are realized, for example, by the processor 311 executing a program stored in the memory 312. The program can be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can be a non-transitory medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a magnetic recording medium, or an optical recording medium. That is, the present invention can also be embodied as a computer program product. The program can be downloaded via a network or updated using a storage medium storing the program. The processing modules can also be realized by semiconductor chips.

[0143] The retail store terminal 20 and the like can also be configured using an information processing device in the same way as the server device 10, and the basic hardware configuration is no different from that of the server device 10, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0144] The server device 10, which is an information processing device, is equipped with a computer, and functions of the server device 10 can be realized by causing the computer to execute a program. The server device 10 also executes a control method for the server device 10 by the program.

[0145] [Variations] The configuration, operation, etc. of the information processing system described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the configuration, etc. of the system.

[0146] In the above embodiment, the explanation has been given assuming that the user purchases one product. However, the user may purchase multiple products at the same time. In this case, the retail store terminal 20 transmits a determination request including product identification information for each of the multiple products to the server device 10. The server device 10 only needs to perform a determination on the products corresponding to each piece of product identification information.

[0147] The server device 10 may acquire multiple countries of residence, multiple nationalities, etc. from the user. In this case, the server device 10 may determine multiple travel destination candidates from the multiple countries of residence, multiple nationalities, etc.

[0148] In the above embodiment, the product name is used as the product identification information, but the product identification information may be a code assigned to each product.

[0149] When the server device 10 receives a positive response to the determination request, it may transmit the user's country of residence, nationality, etc., identified by the matching process to the retail store terminal 20. The retail store terminal 20 may provide the user with the determination result acquired from the server device 10 in a language corresponding to the acquired country of residence, nationality, etc. For example, the retail store terminal 20 may display a message such as that shown in FIG. 5 in English or the like.

[0150] The retail store terminal 20 or the server device 10 may identify products from image data. For example, the retail store terminal 20 photographs a product purchased by a user and transmits the image data obtained as product identification information to the server device 10. The server device 10 analyzes the image data to obtain the product (product name) depicted in the image data. For example, the server device 10 may obtain the product name from the image data using a learning model obtained by machine learning. Note that the learning model is obtained by machine learning using a large amount of training data in which labels (product name) are assigned to image data (image data depicting products such as fruit). Any algorithm, such as a support vector machine, boosting, or neural network, can be used to generate the learning model. Note that known techniques can be used for the algorithms, such as the support vector machine, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0151] Alternatively, the server device 10 may input the image data and the potential travel destination into a learning model, and determine whether the user can bring the product shown in the image data to the potential travel destination.

[0152] When processing the determination request, the server device 10 may generate a product purchase history of the user. The server device 10 may provide information on the generated product purchase history to retail stores and the like.

[0153] In the above embodiment, the server device 10 determines whether or not a product can be taken out of the user's country of stay and brought into another country. However, the server device 10 may determine whether or not a product can be taken out of the user's country of stay or whether or not the product can be brought into another country, and notify the user of the determination result. In this case, the server device 10 may perform the above determination using a determination list such as that shown in FIG. 9.

[0154] In the above embodiment, the configuration, operation, etc. of the information processing system were described using an example in which the determination list shown in FIG. 9 lists whether each product (item) can be taken out of Japan and whether it can be brought into each country. However, the determination list may also include a setting of "conditionally allowed to be taken out" or "conditionally allowed to be brought in." For example, a product with a permit may be allowed to be taken out or brought in. Alternatively, a product that has undergone inspection may be allowed to be taken out or brought in. Therefore, the determination list may include a setting of "conditionally allowed to be taken out" or "conditionally allowed to be brought in" as well as specific conditions for taking out or bringing in (such as whether a permit is available or whether inspection has been conducted). When processing a determination request, if the product to be determined is set as "conditionally allowed to be taken out" or "conditionally allowed to be brought in," the server device 10 may notify the retailer terminal 20 of the specific conditions set for the product. For example, the server device 10 may send an affirmative response to the retailer terminal 20 including a determination result such as "Fruit A; allowed to be taken out of Japan; allowed to be brought into the UK with a permit." The retail store terminal 20 may notify the specific conditions notified by the server device 10 to the store clerk, the user, or the person requesting the evaluation.

[0155] In the above embodiment, the case where the user management database is configured inside the server device 10 has been described, but the database may also be constructed on an external database server or the like. That is, some of the functions of the server device 10 may be implemented on another server. More specifically, the above-described "user registration control unit (user registration control means)", "determination unit (determination means)", etc. may be implemented on any of the devices included in the system.

[0156] The format of data transmission between the devices (server device 10, retail store terminal 20) is not particularly limited, but the data transmitted between these devices may be encrypted. Biometric information and the like is transmitted between these devices, and in order to properly protect this information, it is desirable to transmit and receive encrypted data.

[0157] In the flow charts (flowcharts, sequence diagrams) used in the above explanation, multiple steps (processes) are described in order, but the execution order of the steps executed in the embodiments is not limited to the order described. In the embodiments, the order of the illustrated steps can be changed to the extent that the content is not affected, such as by executing each process in parallel.

[0158] The above-described embodiments have been described in detail to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure, and it is not intended that all of the above-described configurations are required. Furthermore, when multiple embodiments are described, each embodiment may be used alone or in combination. For example, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with another configuration.

[0159] The above explanation makes clear the industrial applicability of the present invention, and the present invention can be suitably applied to information processing systems that provide foreign visitors to Japan with information on whether or not they can bring products into other countries.

[0160] Some or all of the above embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0161] [Appendix 1] a storage means for storing biometric information of each of a plurality of persons and information about a country related to each of the persons in association with each other; a determination means for acquiring biometric information of a person desiring to be determined whether or not an article can be brought into another country, and performing a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information to identify the person desiring to be determined from among the plurality of persons, and determining whether or not the article can be brought into a country related to the identified person desiring to be determined; A server device comprising: [Appendix 2] The determination means Acquire the biometric information of the person seeking assessment and the product identification information of the product, A server device as described in Appendix 1, which refers to a list that lists whether or not an item can be brought into the country for each country and the item identification information, and determines whether or not an item corresponding to the acquired item identification information can be brought into a country related to the identified judgment applicant from the country where the identified judgment applicant is staying. [Appendix 3] the storage means stores information regarding the country of residence or nationality of each person; The server device described in Appendix 2, wherein the determination means determines whether the item can be brought from the country of stay of the identified judgment applicant to the country of residence or the country corresponding to the nationality of the identified judgment applicant. [Appendix 4] the storage means further stores information about destination countries of each of the plurality of persons; The server device described in Appendix 3, wherein the determination means determines whether the item can be brought from the country where the identified judgment applicant is staying to the country of the identified judgment applicant's destination. [Appendix 5] The server device described in Appendix 4, wherein the determination means determines whether the item can be brought from the country of destination of the identified person seeking determination to the country of residence or the country corresponding to the nationality. [Appendix 6] The server device according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, wherein the determination means transmits the determination result as to whether the item can be brought in to a retail store terminal installed in a retail store that sells the item. [Appendix 7] The server device according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, wherein the determination means transmits the determination result as to whether the item can be brought in to a shipping terminal for shipping the item overseas. [Appendix 8] a terminal installed in a retail store; a server device; Including, The server device a storage means for storing biometric information of each of a plurality of persons and information about a country related to each of the persons in association with each other; a determination means for acquiring biometric information of a person desiring to have an item determined as being capable of being brought into another country, identifying the person desiring to have an item determined as being capable of being brought into the country by performing a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information, determining whether the item can be brought into the country related to the identified person desiring to have an item determined as being capable of being brought into the country, and transmitting the determination result to the terminal; A system comprising: [Appendix 9] The determination means Acquire the biometric information of the person seeking assessment and the product identification information of the product, The system described in Appendix 8 determines whether an item corresponding to the acquired item identification information can be brought into a country related to the identified judgment applicant from the country where the identified judgment applicant is staying by referring to a list that lists whether an item can be brought into the country for each country and the item identification information. [Appendix 10] the storage means stores information regarding the country of residence or nationality of each person; The system described in Appendix 9, wherein the determination means determines whether the item can be brought from the country of stay of the identified person seeking judgment to the country of residence or the country corresponding to the nationality of the identified person seeking judgment. [Appendix 11] the storage means further stores information about destination countries of each of the plurality of persons; The system described in Appendix 10, wherein the determination means determines whether the item can be brought from the country where the identified person seeking judgment is staying to the country of destination of the identified person seeking judgment. [Appendix 12] The system described in Appendix 11, wherein the determination means determines whether the item can be brought from the country of destination of the identified person seeking determination to the country of residence or the country corresponding to the nationality. [Appendix 13] A system described in any one of Appendices 8 to 12, wherein the determination means transmits the determination result as to whether the item can be brought in to a retail store terminal installed in a retail store that sells the item. [Appendix 14] A system described in any one of appendixes 8 to 12, wherein the determination means transmits the determination result as to whether the item can be brought in to a shipping terminal for shipping the item overseas. [Appendix 15] a storage step of storing biometric information of each of a plurality of persons and information about a country related to each of the persons in association with each other; a determination step of acquiring biometric information of a person desiring to have an item determined as being capable of being brought into another country, and performing a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information to identify the person desiring to be determined from among the plurality of persons, and determining whether the item is capable of being brought into a country related to the identified person desiring to be determined; A method for controlling a server device, comprising: [Appendix 16] The determination step includes: Acquire the biometric information of the person seeking assessment and the product identification information of the product, A control method for a server device described in Appendix 15, which determines whether an item corresponding to the acquired item identification information can be brought into a country related to the identified judgment applicant from the country where the identified judgment applicant is staying by referring to a list that lists whether an item can be brought into the country for each country and the item identification information. [Appendix 17] The storing step stores information regarding the country of residence or nationality of each person, A control method for a server device described in Appendix 16, wherein the determination process determines whether the item can be brought from the country of stay of the identified judgment applicant to the country of residence or the country corresponding to the nationality of the identified judgment applicant. [Appendix 18] The storing step further stores information about a destination country of each of the plurality of persons; A control method for a server device described in Appendix 17, wherein the determination step determines whether the item can be brought from the country where the identified judgment applicant is staying to the country of the identified judgment applicant's destination. [Appendix 19] A control method for a server device described in Appendix 18, wherein the determination step determines whether the item can be brought from the country of destination of the identified person wishing to be determined to the country of residence or the country corresponding to the nationality. [Appendix 20] A control method for a server device described in any one of Appendices 15 to 19, wherein the determination process sends the determination result of whether the item can be brought in to a retail store terminal installed in a retail store that sells the item. [Appendix 21] A method for controlling a server device described in any one of Appendices 15 to 19, wherein the determination step sends the determination result as to whether the item can be brought in to a shipping terminal for shipping the item overseas. [Appendix 22] The computer installed in the server device a storage process for storing biometric information of each of the plurality of persons in association with information about a country related to each of the persons; a determination process for acquiring biometric information of a person desiring to have an item determined as being capable of being brought into another country, and performing a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information to identify the person desiring to be determined from among the plurality of persons, and determining whether the item is capable of being brought into a country related to the identified person desiring to be determined; A program to execute. [Appendix 23] The determination process includes: Acquire the biometric information of the person seeking assessment and the product identification information of the product, A program described in Appendix 22, which refers to a list that lists whether or not an item can be brought into the country for each country and the item identification information, and determines whether or not an item corresponding to the acquired item identification information can be brought into a country related to the identified judgment applicant from the country where the identified judgment applicant is staying. [Appendix 24] The storage process stores information regarding each person's country of residence or nationality, The program described in Appendix 23, wherein the determination process determines whether the item can be brought from the country of stay of the identified person seeking determination to the country of residence or the country corresponding to the nationality of the identified person seeking determination. [Appendix 25] The storage process further stores information about a destination country for each of the plurality of persons; The program described in Appendix 24, wherein the determination process determines whether the item can be brought from the country where the identified person seeking determination is staying to the country of the identified person seeking determination's destination. [Appendix 26] The program described in Appendix 25, wherein the determination process determines whether the item can be brought from the country of destination of the identified person seeking determination to the country of residence or the country corresponding to the nationality. [Appendix 27] A program described in any one of Appendices 22 to 26, wherein the determination process sends the determination result as to whether the item can be brought in to a retail store terminal installed in a retail store that sells the item. [Appendix 28] The program described in any one of Appendices 22 to 26, wherein the determination process transmits the determination result as to whether the item can be brought in to a shipping terminal for shipping the item overseas.

[0162] Furthermore, some or all of the configurations described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 7 that are dependent on Supplementary Note 1 above may also be dependent on Supplementary Notes 8, 15, and 22 in the same dependent relationship as Supplementary Notes 2 to 7. Furthermore, not limited to Supplementary Notes 1, 8, 15, and 22, some or all of the configurations described as Supplements may be made dependent on various hardware, software, various recording means for recording software, or systems, within the scope of each of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0163] The disclosures of the above-cited prior art documents are incorporated herein by reference. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that these embodiments are merely illustrative and that various modifications are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and alterations that may be made by those skilled in the art in accordance with the entire disclosure, including the claims, and the technical concepts thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0164] 10 Server device 20 Retail Terminals 21 Shipping terminal 22 Signage 30 devices 100 Server device 101 Memory means 102 Judgment means 201 Communication control unit 202 User registration control unit 203 Judgment section 204 Storage section 301 Communication Control Unit 302 Judgment control unit 303 Storage section 311 processor 312 memory 313 Input / Output Interface 314 Communication Interface

Claims

1. a storage means for storing biometric information of each of a plurality of persons and information about a country related to each of the persons in association with each other; a determination means for acquiring biometric information of a person desiring to be determined whether or not an article can be brought into another country, and performing a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information to identify the person desiring to be determined from among the plurality of persons, and determining whether or not the article can be brought into a country related to the identified person desiring to be determined; A server device comprising:

2. The determination means Acquire the biometric information of the person seeking assessment and the product identification information of the product, The server device of claim 1 determines whether an item corresponding to the acquired item identification information can be brought into a country related to the identified judgment applicant from the country where the identified judgment applicant is staying by referring to a list that lists whether an item can be brought into the country and the item identification information for each country and the item identification information.

3. the storage means stores information regarding the country of residence or nationality of each person; The server device according to claim 2, wherein the determination means determines whether the item can be brought from the country where the identified person seeking judgment is staying to the country of residence or the country corresponding to the nationality of the identified person seeking judgment.

4. the storage means further stores information about destination countries of each of the plurality of persons; The server device according to claim 3 , wherein the determining means determines whether or not the item can be brought from the specified country of stay of the judgment applicant to the specified country of destination of the judgment applicant.

5. The server device according to claim 4 , wherein the determination means determines whether the item can be brought from the country of the destination of the identified person seeking determination to the country of residence or the country corresponding to the nationality.

6. 6. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the determining means transmits a determination result as to whether or not the item can be brought in to a retail store terminal installed in a retail store that sells the item.

7. 6. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the determining means transmits a determination result as to whether the item can be brought into the country to a shipping terminal for shipping the item overseas.

8. a terminal installed in a retail store; a server device; Including, The server device a storage means for storing biometric information of each of a plurality of persons and information about a country related to each of the persons in association with each other; a determination means for acquiring biometric information of a person desiring to have an item determined as being capable of being brought into another country, identifying the person desiring to have an item determined as being capable of being brought into the country by performing a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information, determining whether the item can be brought into the country related to the identified person desiring to have an item determined as being capable of being brought into the country, and transmitting the determination result to the terminal; A system comprising:

9. a storage step of storing biometric information of each of a plurality of persons and information about a country related to each of the persons in association with each other; a determination step of acquiring biometric information of a person desiring to have an item determined as being capable of being brought into another country, and performing a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information to identify the person desiring to be determined from among the plurality of persons, and determining whether the item is capable of being brought into a country related to the identified person desiring to be determined; A method for controlling a server device, comprising:

10. The computer installed in the server device a storage process for storing biometric information of each of the plurality of persons in association with information about a country related to each of the persons; a determination process for acquiring biometric information of a person desiring to have an item determined as being capable of being brought into another country, and performing a matching process using the acquired biometric information and the stored biometric information to identify the person desiring to be determined from among the plurality of persons, and determining whether the item is capable of being brought into a country related to the identified person desiring to be determined; A program to execute.

Images