Article storage proposal device, article storage proposal method and terminal device

Abstract

To provide an article storage proposal device, etc., capable of proposing a storage place and a storage method for an article at storage facilities.SOLUTION: A management device 100 as an article storage proposal device comprises: an article information acquisition unit 11 which acquires article information related to an article 4 to be stored; a storage facility information acquisition unit 12 which acquires storage facility information related to storage facilities 3 capable of storing the article 4; and a storage proposal unit 13 which proposes at least one of a storage place and a storage method for the article 4 at the storage facilities 3 based upon the article information and the storage facility information. The storage information acquisition unit 11 acquires information representing the article 4 from a terminal device 200 capable of communicating with the management device 100, and acquires article information through a search based thereupon. The information representing the article 4 is image data obtained by photographing the article 4 by the terminal device 200.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an item storage suggestion device and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that uses wireless IC tags attached to clothes to notify users about clothes that are still stored in a clothes storage cabinet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-200383 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the wearing status of clothes after they have been stored in a clothing storage cabinet can be automatically tracked. However, when storing items such as clothes in a storage facility such as a clothing storage cabinet, the storer has to manually determine the storage location and storage method, relying on their own experience and habits.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide an item storage suggestion device and the like that can suggest storage locations and storage methods for items in storage facilities. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an item storage suggestion device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an item information acquisition unit that acquires item information related to items to be stored, a storage facility information acquisition unit that acquires storage facility information related to storage facilities in which the items can be stored, and a storage suggestion unit that suggests at least one of a storage location and a storage method for the items in the storage facility based on the item information and the storage facility information.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a method for suggesting storage of items, which includes acquiring item information about items to be stored, acquiring storage facility information about storage facilities capable of storing the items, and proposing at least one of a storage location and a storage method for the items in the storage facilities based on the item information and the storage facility information.

[0008] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a terminal device including: an item information provider that provides information indicating items to be stored to the item storage suggestion device; and a storage suggestion display that displays at least one of a storage location and a storage method for the items in a storage facility suggested by the item storage suggestion device based on the information indicating the items.

[0009] Any combination of the above components, or any conversion of these expressions into methods, devices, systems, recording media, computer programs, etc., are also encompassed within the present disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] The configuration of the management system is shown. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic functional block diagram of a management system. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a registration screen for registering product information related to a product by an information providing unit in a terminal device. [Figure 4] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen for registering storage facility information related to storage facilities by an information providing unit in a terminal device. [Figure 5] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display of storage locations of items in a storage facility on a display unit of a terminal device. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of displaying storage locations and storage methods for items in storage facilities on a display unit of a terminal device. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing examples of displaying the storage status in a storage facility. [Figure 8] 10 illustrates comparative example information as image data showing how similar items are stored in similar storage facilities. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an item storage suggestion process performed by the management system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure (hereinafter also referred to as embodiments) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description and / or drawings, identical or equivalent components, members, processes, etc. are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. The scale and shape of each part shown in the drawings are set for convenience to simplify the description and should not be construed as limiting unless otherwise specified. The embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Not all features and combinations thereof presented in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the present disclosure. For convenience, the embodiments are presented by breaking them down into components for each function and / or functional group that realize them. However, one component in an embodiment may actually be realized by a combination of multiple separate components, or multiple components in an embodiment may actually be realized by a single integrated component. Furthermore, although multiple embodiments and variants may be disclosed in parallel, any components of each embodiment and / or each variant may be combined in any manner as long as they do not interfere with each other's functions.

[0012] 1 shows the configuration of a management system according to this embodiment. The management system includes a management device 100 that assists in storing items 4, such as clothing, in storage facilities 3, and a terminal device 200 that can communicate with the management device 100 and / or the storage facilities 3 via a communication network 2.

[0013] While the items 4 are not limited to clothing, examples of storage facilities 3 capable of storing clothing include any equipment, furniture, space, or container that is fixedly or movably installed inside or outside a building such as a house, such as a closet, storage closet, chest of drawers, clothing rack, clothing case, warehouse, or storeroom. However, the storage facilities 3 according to the present disclosure are not limited to these, and may be any space in which the management device 100, which serves as an item storage suggestion device, can suggest a storage location and / or storage method for the items 4, as will be described later.

[0014] Typically, multiple storage facilities 3 managed by management device 100 as an item storage suggestion device are not limited to those located in the same building or site, but may be located in different buildings or sites. Furthermore, typically, multiple storage facilities 3 are not limited to those belonging to the same owner or manager, but may also belong to different owners or managers. For convenience, the following examples of this embodiment will primarily describe one or more storage facilities 3 located in one or more homes belonging to the same owner or manager. However, management device 100 (item storage suggestion device) according to this embodiment can also be used to manage or suggest storage for multiple storage facilities 3 located in different homes belonging to different owners or managers.

[0015] Each storage facility 3 stores one or more items 4. Each item 4 may be affixed with a tag 5 as an item identifier, on which its identification information is recorded. The tag 5 may be, for example, an RF tag for RFID (radio frequency identification), or an identification code such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark). The tag 5 may record the type, size, color, shape, pattern, design, decoration, material, fabric, texture, handling information, brand, target gender, target age, recommended wearing occasions, recommended wearing time, wearer, price, manufacturer, manufacturing date, image, name, and the like of the item 4 (particularly clothing), which may constitute at least a part of the item information described below. The tag 5 may also record a recommended storage location and recommended storage method (e.g., folding method) of the item 4 (particularly clothing), which may constitute at least a part of the storage example information described below.

[0016] One or more tag readers 7 may be provided in the storage facility 3 itself or around it as identification information reading units or item identification sensors that can read, preferably contactlessly, the identification information and other information of the items 4 recorded on the tags 5. For example, for tags 5 that are RF tags, an RF reader that can communicate wirelessly with the RF tags is provided as the tag reader 7, and for tags 5 that have identification codes such as barcodes, a code reader that can optically read the identification codes is provided as the tag reader 7.

[0017] The tag reader 7 may be installed inside the storage facility 3 (i.e., a space capable of storing items 4) and read the identification information, etc. of the items 4 stored therein from the tag 5. Alternatively, the tag reader 7 may be installed in the storage facility 3 itself or its surroundings (e.g., a wall or ceiling of a room), with the reading range being an opening such as a door or an item entrance / exit port of the storage facility 3, and read the identification information, etc. of the items 4 being put in and taken out there from the tag 5. The tag reader 7 transmits the identification information, etc. read from the tag 5 to the management device 100 and / or the terminal device 200 via the communication network 2 according to any wireless or wired communication method.

[0018] In addition to or instead of the tag reader 7 described above, one or more image sensors 6 may be provided as item detection sensors that detect items 4 inside and outside the storage facility 3. The image sensor 6 may be provided in a photographing device such as a camera installed in the storage facility 3 itself or around it. Alternatively, when a photographing device installed in a terminal device 200 such as a smartphone is in a state where it can photograph items 4 around the storage facility 3, the photographing device can function as the image sensor 6 at least temporarily.

[0019] The image sensor 6 generates image data by photographing one or more items 4 inside or outside the storage facility 3. In order to identify each item 4 captured in this image data, the image data undergoes image recognition processing in the image sensor 6 itself, which has an information processing function, or in the management device 100 and / or terminal device 200 that receives the image data via the communication network 2.

[0020] In this way, the image sensor 6 can function as an item identification sensor that can identify items 4 inside and outside the storage facility 3. Furthermore, the image sensor 6 that can capture images of the inside of the storage facility 3 can function as a situation detection sensor that can detect the situation inside the storage facility 3. Note that the image sensor 6 is merely one example of an item detection sensor according to this embodiment, and any other item detection sensor that can detect items 4 inside and outside the storage facility 3 based on any principle such as light, electricity, magnetism, or heat may also be used.

[0021] The image sensor 6 capable of detecting each item 4 as an image can optically detect the type, size, color, shape, pattern, design, decoration, material, fabric, texture, handling information, brand, image, etc. of the item 4, which may constitute at least a part of the item information described below. The image sensor 6 capable of detecting each item 4 stored in the storage facility 3 as an image can optically detect the actual storage location, actual storage method, etc. of the stored item 4, which may constitute at least a part of the storage status information described below. The image sensor 6 capable of detecting each item 4 stored in the storage facility 3 as an image can optically detect the recommended storage location (actual storage location of the existing item 4), recommended storage method (actual storage method of the existing item 4), etc. of the item 4, which may constitute at least a part of the storage example information described below.

[0022] An item detection sensor such as the image sensor 6 may be provided inside the storage facility 3 (i.e., a space capable of storing items 4) to detect items 4 stored therein. Alternatively, the item detection sensor such as the image sensor 6 may be installed in the storage facility 3 itself or its surroundings (e.g., a wall or ceiling of a room) with an opening such as a door or an item entrance / exit port of the storage facility 3 as its detection target range, to detect items 4 being taken in and out there. The item detection sensor such as the image sensor 6 transmits item detection information such as image data relating to the detected items 4 to the management device 100 and / or the terminal device 200 via the communication network 2 according to any wireless or wired communication method.

[0023] As described below, the management device 100 is an item storage suggestion device that communicates with terminal devices 200, tag readers 7, image sensors 6, etc. via a communication network 2, and suggests to the terminal devices 200, etc., where and how to store each item 4 in each storage facility 3.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a schematic functional block diagram of a management system according to this embodiment. The management system is primarily composed of a management device 100, which serves as an item storage proposal device, and a terminal device 200. The management device 100 may be installed adjacent to the storage facility 3, in the same building or on the same premises as the storage facility 3, or in a different building or on the same premises as the storage facility 3. The management device 100 may be composed of any one or more pieces of hardware with information processing capabilities, such as a server, personal computer, tablet, smartphone, or processor. The terminal device 200 is any device used by a user, such as the owner or manager of the storage facility 3 and / or the item 4, and may be composed of any one or more pieces of hardware with information processing capabilities, such as a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer.

[0025] The management device 100 includes an item information acquisition unit 11, a storage facility information acquisition unit 12, a storage proposal unit 13, a storage example information acquisition unit 15, and an environmental information acquisition unit 16. The terminal device 200 includes an information provision unit 21 and a display unit 22. Some of these functional blocks may be omitted as long as the entire management system, or the management device 100 and / or terminal device 200 as its components, can achieve at least some of the functions and / or effects described below.

[0026] These functional blocks are realized by the cooperation of hardware resources, such as a computer's central processing unit, memory, input devices, output devices, and peripheral devices connected to the computer, and software executed using these resources. Regardless of the type of computer or its location, each of the above functional blocks (particularly those in the management device 100) may be realized by the hardware resources of a single computer or by combining hardware resources distributed across multiple computers. Furthermore, although not shown, if the storage facility 3, its associated image sensor 6, tag reader 7, or other devices (not shown, for example, so-called Internet of Things (IoT) devices) have information processing capabilities, some or all of the functional blocks in the management device 100 and / or terminal device 200 may be realized in a centralized or distributed manner by at least one of them.

[0027] The item information acquisition unit 11 acquires item information about the items 4 (clothing, etc.) to be stored in the storage facility 3. The item information acquisition unit 11 may acquire at least a portion of the item information about the items 4 to be stored from an information provision unit 21 serving as an item information provision unit in the terminal device 200. The information provision unit 21 includes at least one of a photographing unit 211 and an input unit 212. FIG. 3 schematically shows an example of a registration screen for item information about the items 4 by the information provision unit 21 in the terminal device 200 such as a smartphone.

[0028] At the top of this registration screen, image data of the item 4 captured by a capturing unit 211, such as a camera, mounted on the terminal device 200 is displayed. The capturing unit 211 may be provided in the management device 100, which is capable of capturing an image of the item 4 to be registered, or may be an image sensor 6 attached to the storage facility 3. The image data of the item 4 to be registered may also be acquired from a website, such as an online store or an EC (Electronic Commerce) site, that sells the item 4. In this case, the image data is not limited to an item 4 that the user has already purchased, but may also be image data of an item 4 before purchase. Therefore, with the item storage suggestion device (management device 100) according to this embodiment, which will be described later, the user can decide whether to purchase the item 4 after taking into consideration in advance where and how the item 4 will be stored if purchased.

[0029] 3, one or more input fields are provided below the image data as described above, allowing input of various pieces of product information about the product 4. Various pieces of information about the product 4 to be registered are manually or automatically input into each input field via the input unit 212 of the terminal device 200. In the example of FIG. 3, the category (type), color, season (recommended wearing period), brand, owner (user or wearer), size, purchase amount (price), and registration date, which may constitute at least a part of the product information about the product 4, can be input.

[0030] At least a portion of this item information may be manually input by a user, such as the owner of the item 4, via an input unit 212, such as a touch panel, on a terminal device 200, such as a smartphone. Also, at least a portion of this item information may be acquired and input from a website, such as an online store or e-commerce site, that sells the item 4. As with the image data described above, the item information in this case is not limited to items 4 that the user has already purchased, but may also be information about items 4 that have not yet been purchased. Therefore, with the item storage suggestion device (management device 100) according to this embodiment, which will be described later, the user can decide whether or not to purchase the item 4, taking into consideration in advance the storage location and storage method of the item 4 if purchased.

[0031] The product information is not limited to the above examples, but may include any information related to the product 4 (especially clothing), such as the type, size, color, shape, pattern, design, decoration, material, fabric, texture, handling information, brand, target gender, target age, recommended wearing occasions, recommended wearing time, wearer, price, manufacturer, manufacturing time, image, name, etc. This variety of product information may also be stored in the product information database 31, which will be described later.

[0032] As described above, the information providing unit 21 including the photographing unit 211 and / or the input unit 212 may provide information indicating the items 4 to be stored in the storage facility 3 to the item information acquiring unit 11 in the management device 100 serving as the item storage suggestion device. In other words, the item information acquiring unit 11 may acquire information indicating the items 4 to be stored in the storage facility 3 from the information providing unit 21 in the terminal device 200. This is schematically shown in FIG. 2 by an arrow pointing from the information providing unit 21 to the item information acquiring unit 11 via the items 4.

[0033] As described above with respect to the tag reader 7 and / or the image sensor 6, information indicating the items 4 to be stored in the storage facility 3 may be provided to the item information acquisition unit 11 from the tag reader 7 and / or the image sensor 6. In other words, the item information acquisition unit 11 may acquire information indicating the items 4 to be stored in the storage facility 3 from the tag reader 7 and / or the image sensor 6 provided in association with the storage facility 3. This is schematically shown in FIG. 2 by arrows pointing from the tag reader 7 and the image sensor 6 to the item information acquisition unit 11 via the items 4.

[0034] The item information acquisition unit 11 may acquire further item information about the item 4 to be stored in the storage facility 3 through a search based on the information indicating the item 4 acquired from the information providing unit 21, the tag reader 7, the image sensor 6, etc. as described above. Specifically, as schematically shown in FIG. 2, the item information acquisition unit 11 may search an item information database (abbreviated as "DB" in FIG. 2) 31 accessible via the communication network 2 (FIG. 1) or the like based on the information indicating the item 4 acquired from the information providing unit 21, the tag reader 7, the image sensor 6, etc., to acquire further item information about the item 4 to be stored. For example, the item information acquisition unit 11 acquires further item information about the item 4 from the item information database 31 through an image search on the communication network 2 based on the image data of the item 4 shown at the top of FIG. 3. Here, the item information database 31 may be a website such as an online store or an e-commerce site that sells the item 4 as described above.

[0035] The storage facility information acquisition unit 12 acquires storage facility information about storage facility 3 that can store item 4. The storage facility information acquisition unit 12 may acquire at least a part of the storage facility information about storage facility 3 from an information provision unit 21 that serves as a storage facility information provision unit in the terminal device 200. Fig. 4 schematically shows an example of a registration screen for storage facility information about storage facility 3 by the information provision unit 21 in the terminal device 200, such as a smartphone.

[0036] The registration screen for storage facility 3 shown in Fig. 4 has one or more input fields into which various storage facility information regarding hanger pipes, which are an example of storage facility 3, can be entered. Various pieces of information about the storage facility 3 to be registered are entered manually or automatically into each input field via the input unit 212 of the terminal device 200. In the example of Fig. 4, the length and number of hanger pipes "for coats and dresses," the length and number of hanger pipes "for tops and bottoms," and the width and number of shelves can be entered as storage facility information regarding hanger pipes as storage facility 3.

[0037] Such storage facility information may be obtained from image data of the storage facility 3 captured by a capturing unit 211 such as a camera installed in the terminal device 200, the management device 100, the storage facility 3 itself, or its surroundings. Also, storage facility information for commercially available storage facilities 3 may be obtained from websites such as online stores and e-commerce sites that sell the storage facilities 3.

[0038] The storage facility information is not limited to the above examples, but may include any information related to the storage facility 3, such as the type, size, shape, material, handling information, brand, items to be stored, recommended location of use, recommended time of use, number of storage spaces, layout of each storage space, size of each storage space, shape of each storage space, type of each storage space, user, price, manufacturer, manufacturing date, image, name, installation mode, etc. For example, the installation mode of storage facility 3 includes information related to the installation location (outdoors, indoors, building, room, etc.), specific layout at the installation location, relative layout with other fixtures such as windows and doors, and relative layout with other furniture such as lighting fixtures and air conditioning equipment, etc.

[0039] As described above, the information provider 21, which includes the image capture unit 211 and / or the input unit 212, may provide storage facility information related to storage facilities 3 capable of storing items 4 to the storage facility information acquirer 12 in the management device 100, which serves as an item storage proposal device. In other words, the storage facility information acquirer 12 may acquire storage facility information related to storage facilities 3 capable of storing items 4 from the information provider 21 in the terminal device 200. This is schematically shown in FIG. 2 by the arrow pointing from the information provider 21 to the storage facility information acquirer 12 via the storage facility 3.

[0040] The storage suggestion unit 13 suggests at least one of a storage location and a storage method for the item 4 in the storage facility 3, based on at least the item information acquired by the item information acquisition unit 11 and the storage facility information acquired by the storage facility information acquisition unit 12. For example, the storage suggestion unit 13 suggests at least one of a storage location and a storage method for the item 4 in the storage facility 3 to the terminal device 200. In this case, the display unit 22, such as a display, of the terminal device 200, such as a smartphone, displays at least one of the storage location and the storage method for the item 4 in the storage facility 3 suggested by the storage suggestion unit 13.

[0041] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display of a storage location for an item 4 in a storage facility 3 by the display unit 22 as a storage suggestion display unit in a terminal device 200 such as a smartphone. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display of a storage location and a storage method for an item 4 in a storage facility 3 by the display unit 22 as a storage suggestion display unit in a terminal device 200 such as a smartphone.

[0042] In the example of FIG. 5 , the storage suggestion unit 13 suggests a recommended storage location SL for the "denim pants" in the "closet in bedroom 1" based on the item information about "denim pants" as the item 4 acquired by the item information acquisition unit 11 and the storage facility information about the "closet in bedroom 1" as the storage facility 3 acquired by the storage facility information acquisition unit 12. Here, the item information about the "denim pants" includes the type (i.e., denim pants), size, shape, material, fabric, handling information, target gender, target age, recommended wearing occasions, recommended wearing period, wearer, price, manufacturer, and manufacturing period, as described above. The storage suggestion unit 13 compares this various item information with storage facility information about each storage space available in one or more storage facilities 3, and suggests the "closet in bedroom 1" as the storage facility 3 deemed optimal for the "denim pants" and a specific storage location SL therein. As schematically shown in FIG. 5 , when suggesting a storage location SL, the storage suggestion unit 13 may display a related message MSG on the display unit 22.

[0043] In the example of FIG. 6 , the storage suggestion unit 13 suggests a recommended storage location SL for the "kimono" in the "closet in bedroom 1" based on item information about the "kimono" as item 4 acquired by the item information acquisition unit 11 and storage facility information about the "closet in bedroom 1" as storage facility 3 acquired by the storage facility information acquisition unit 12. Here, the item information about the "kimono" includes the type (i.e., kimono), size, shape, material, fabric, handling information, target gender, target age, recommended wearing occasions, recommended wearing period, wearer, price, manufacturer, manufacturing date, etc., as described above. The storage suggestion unit 13 compares this various item information with storage facility information about each storage space available in one or more storage facilities 3, and suggests the "closet in bedroom 1" as the storage facility 3 deemed optimal for the "kimono" and a specific storage location SL therein.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 6, when suggesting a storage location SL, the storage suggestion unit 13 may display a message MSG or suggestion regarding a specific storage method for the "kimono" (for example, how to fold it, how to put it away, and points to note when storing it) on the display unit 22. The suggested storage method may include matters that should be done before storage, such as whether to use insect repellent, dehumidifier, storage sheet, etc., or whether to have the kimono dry cleaned, or thoroughly dry it. Note that the storage suggestion unit 13 may suggest a specific storage method without suggesting a specific storage location SL.

[0045] As described above, the storage suggestion unit 13 can suggest storage locations and / or storage methods for the items 4 in the storage facility 3 based on at least two types of information: the item information acquired by the item information acquisition unit 11 and the storage facility information acquired by the storage facility information acquisition unit 12. To further improve the accuracy of the suggestions, it is preferable that the storage suggestion unit 13 take into account at least some of the various additional information described below.

[0046] When proposing a storage location and / or storage method for the item 4 in the storage facility 3, the storage proposal unit 13 may additionally take into consideration storage status information regarding the storage status in the storage facility 3, which is acquired by the storage status information acquisition unit 14, which is part of the storage facility information acquisition unit 12. Here, the storage status information may, for example, be item information on the existing items 4 stored in each storage facility 3, their respective storage locations and storage conditions (e.g., how they are folded, and their size and shape after folding), and the availability and storage rate of each storage space in each storage facility 3.

[0047] For example, the item information of the existing items 4 stored in the storage facility 3, which serves as storage status information, may be information read by the tag reader 7 from the tag 5 ( FIG. 1 ) attached to each item 4 (schematically shown in FIG. 2 by an arrow pointing from the tag reader 7 to the storage status information acquisition unit 14 via the existing items 4), or may be information acquired by the item information acquisition unit 11. Furthermore, the storage location and storage state of the existing items 4 stored in the storage facility 3, which serves as storage status information, can be recognized by the storage status information acquisition unit 14 based on image data of the inside of the storage facility 3 acquired by the image sensor 6 (schematically shown in FIG. 2 by an arrow pointing from the image sensor 6 to the storage status information acquisition unit 14 via the existing items 4). The tag reader 7 and / or image sensor 6 in the above examples function as a situation detection sensor capable of detecting the situation inside the storage facility 3.

[0048] Furthermore, the storage status information, such as the availability and storage rate of each storage space in the storage facility 3, can be recognized or estimated by the storage status information acquisition unit 14 by comprehensively considering various information, such as the item information of the stored items 4 obtained through the tag reader 7 or the like, the storage location and storage state of the stored items 4 obtained through the image sensor 6 or the like, and the storage facility information regarding each storage space obtained by the storage facility information acquisition unit 12. Note that the calculation of the storage rate of each storage space in the storage facility 3 is disclosed in detail in Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-055596, filed on March 30, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0049] The storage proposal unit 13 may propose storage facilities 3 for storing the items 4 to be stored, as well as storage locations and storage methods therein, based on the item information on the items 4 to be stored acquired by the item information acquisition unit 11, the storage facility information on the storage facilities 3 acquired by the storage facility information acquisition unit 12, and storage situation information acquired by the storage situation information acquisition unit 14, such as the availability and storage rate of each storage space in each storage facility 3, and the item information and storage conditions of the items 4 stored therein.

[0050] In the example of FIG. 5 , a storage space with only two existing or stored items 4 and ample space (i.e., a relatively small storage rate) is proposed by the storage suggestion unit 13 as a storage location SL for the item 4 to be stored, "denim pants." As another example, the storage suggestion unit 13 may preferentially suggest, as a storage location SL for the item 4 to be stored, storage facilities 3 and storage spaces in which existing items 4 are stored that are the same or similar in item information, such as type, size, color, shape, pattern, design, decoration, material, fabric, texture, handling information, brand, target gender, target age, recommended wearing occasion, recommended wearing time, wearer, price, manufacturer, manufacturing date, image, and name, as the storage location SL for the item 4 to be stored. In this case, the same or similar items 4 are gathered in the same storage space, thereby achieving storage that is easy for the user to understand.

[0051] The storage status information of each storage facility 3 and / or each storage space acquired by the storage status information acquisition unit 14 may be displayed by the display unit 22 of the terminal device 200 independently of the storage proposal by the storage proposal unit 13 (for example, on a separate screen). In the example shown in FIG. 7, the display unit 22 displays the storage status (both are "slightly empty") of two storage facilities 3 and / or storage spaces, a "hanger pipe" and a "shelf." Detailed information such as the storage rate of each of the "hanger pipe" and the "shelf" can also be viewed on a separate screen (for example, the user can transition to the separate screen by tapping "storage rate details" in FIG. 7).

[0052] The storage status information acquisition unit 14 may monitor the usage periods of insect repellents, dehumidifiers, storage sheets, etc. used in the storage facility 3 via the tag reader 7, image sensor 6, etc., and notify the user of the appropriate replacement timing via the storage suggestion unit 13, etc. Furthermore, the storage status information acquisition unit 14 may detect, via the tag reader 7, image sensor 6, etc., items 4 that have been left in the storage facility 3 for a long period of time, and may encourage the user to put the items up for sale at a service such as a flea market or auction, or may give the user advice such as having the items dry cleaned or drying them thoroughly before use.

[0053] When proposing a storage location and / or storage method for item 4 in storage facility 3, storage proposal unit 13 may additionally take into consideration storage example information relating to storage examples of similar items and / or similar storage facilities acquired by storage example information acquisition unit 15. Here, similar items are items for which at least part of the aforementioned item information is the same as or similar to item 4 to be stored, and similar storage facilities are storage facilities for which at least part of the aforementioned storage facility information is the same as or similar to storage facility 3 capable of storing item 4 to be stored. Such storage example information is extremely useful reference information or sample information when storing actual item 4 in actual storage facility 3 (or when storage proposal unit 13 makes a storage proposal).

[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the storage example information may be image data showing how a similar item 4' is stored in a similar storage facility 3'. Alternatively, the storage example information may be image data showing how a similar item 4' is stored in a storage facility 3' dissimilar to the storage facility 3, or image data showing how an item 4 and a dissimilar item 4' are stored in a similar storage facility 3'. Furthermore, the storage example information may be non-image data showing recommended storage locations and / or storage methods for similar items 4', or non-image data showing recommended items and / or storage methods for each storage space in the similar storage facility 3'. Note that at least a portion of this storage example information may be included in the item information and / or storage facility information described above.

[0055] 2, the storage example information acquisition unit 15 may acquire storage example information related to the item 4 to be stored and / or the storage facility 3 through a search based on item information related to the item 4 to be stored acquired by the item information acquisition unit 11 and / or storage facility information related to the storage facility 3 capable of storing the item 4 acquired by the storage facility information acquisition unit 12. Specifically, as schematically shown in FIG. 2, the storage example information acquisition unit 15 may search a storage example information database 32 accessible via the communication network 2 (FIG. 1) or the like based on the item information and / or storage facility information to acquire storage example information related to storage examples of similar items and / or similar storage facilities.

[0056] Here, the storage example information database 32 may be a website where businesses that handle the items 4 and storage facilities 3 publish storage examples, or a social networking service (SNS) where individuals with storage know-how, such as storage advisors, publish storage examples. If a user of the items 4 and / or storage facilities 3 follows a specific business or individual on the SNS, the storage example information acquisition unit 15 may preferentially acquire storage example information published by the specific business or individual. Furthermore, the storage situation information regarding the storage situation of existing items 4 in actual storage facilities 3 acquired by the storage situation information acquisition unit 14 may be used as storage example information that reflects the user's preferences. Based on such storage example information, the storage suggestion unit 13 can make appropriate storage suggestions that take into account not only the similarities between the items 4 and / or storage facilities 3 but also the user's preferences.

[0057] As described above, the storage suggestion unit 13 may propose a storage facility 3 for storing the item 4 to be stored, as well as a storage location and storage method therein, based on the item information regarding the item 4 to be stored acquired by the item information acquisition unit 11, the storage facility information regarding the storage facility 3 acquired by the storage facility information acquisition unit 12, and the storage example information regarding storage examples of similar items and / or similar storage facilities acquired by the storage example information acquisition unit 15.

[0058] When proposing a storage location and / or storage method for an item 4 in a storage facility 3, the storage proposal unit 13 may additionally take into consideration environmental information about the environment surrounding the storage facility 3, acquired by the environmental information acquisition unit 16. Examples of environmental information include the temperature, humidity, air pressure, sunlight, brightness, air composition, weather, and the ingress and egress of people around (or inside) each storage facility 3. The environmental information may also include various information about the installation environment of each storage facility 3 (e.g., country, region, climate, altitude, floor or room in a building), which may be included in the storage facility information described above. Furthermore, the environmental information may also include temporal information such as time of day and season. While not shown in detail (represented in FIG. 2 by an arrow pointing from the storage facility 3 to the environmental information acquisition unit 16), these various pieces of environmental information may be measured by various sensors (not shown), or fixed information may be provided as setting information for each storage facility 3.

[0059] The storage suggestion unit 13 may suggest a storage facility 3 for storing the items 4 to be stored, as well as a storage location and storage method therein, based on the item information regarding the items 4 to be stored acquired by the item information acquisition unit 11, the storage facility information regarding the storage facility 3 acquired by the storage facility information acquisition unit 12, and the environmental information regarding the environment around the storage facility 3 acquired by the environmental information acquisition unit 16.

[0060] For example, in the example of Fig. 6 relating to a "kimono" as item 4, based on environmental information that indicates that humidity around the "closet in bedroom 1" as storage facility 3 may affect the "kimono," the storage suggestion unit 13 displays a message MSG or suggestion regarding a storage method, such as "Store the kimono in a plastic storage case and take measures against humidity," on the display unit 22. Furthermore, for a "kimono" that is primarily worn in the summer, the storage suggestion unit 13 may suggest a storage location SL that is easy to access for wearing in the summer and a simple storage method, while suggesting a storage location SL that is difficult to access and a storage method for long-term storage outside of the summer, based on environmental information indicating the seasons.

[0061] When proposing a storage location and / or storage method for the item 4 in the storage facility 3, the storage suggestion unit 13 may additionally take into consideration usage trend information regarding usage trends of the item 4 stored in the storage facility 3, acquired by the usage trend information acquisition unit 17. Here, examples of usage trend information include usage patterns such as the frequency of use of the item 4 and / or the storage facility 3, and typical usage time periods. For example, if an existing item 4 containing specific item information (e.g., type, size, color, shape, pattern, design, decoration, material, fabric, texture, handling information, brand, target gender, target age, recommended wearing occasion, recommended wearing time, wearer, price, manufacturer, and manufacturing date) is used frequently, the storage suggestion unit 13 may suggest a storage space that is easy to access for wearing (i.e., the user's favorite storage space) as a storage location for the same or similar item 4. Furthermore, if the storage facility 3 is used with its doors often open (or if it does not have doors at all), moisture accumulation inside is unlikely to be a problem, and therefore moisture countermeasures may not be emphasized when the storage suggestion unit 13 proposes a storage method.

[0062] Usage trend information such as the frequency of use of the items 4 and / or storage facility 3 can be acquired through the tag reader 7 and image sensor 6 described above. For example, the tag reader 7 and image sensor 6 can monitor the entry and exit of each item 4 in the storage facility 3 (i.e., frequency of use). Here, the tag reader 7 and / or image sensor 6 function as an item identification sensor that can identify the items 4 stored in the storage facility 3. The image sensor 6 can also monitor the opening and closing of the doors of the storage facility 3 and the behavior of users using the storage facility 3 as images.

[0063] Although detailed illustration is omitted, the usage trend information acquisition unit 17 may acquire behavioral trends of the user (interpreted as usage trends in a broad sense) through the terminal device 200 used by the user of the item 4 and / or storage facility 3, a biosensor worn by the user, or the like, and utilize this information in storage suggestions by the storage suggestion unit 13. Furthermore, the usage trend information acquisition unit 17 or the management device 100 may acquire basic information of the user (e.g., age, sex, place of residence, family structure, occupation) input by the user via the input unit 212 of the terminal device 200 or the like, as usage trend information and other reference information, and utilize this information in storage suggestions by the storage suggestion unit 13.

[0064] 9 is a flowchart showing an example of an item storage suggestion process performed by the management system (FIG. 2) according to this embodiment. "S" in the flowchart represents a step or process.

[0065] In S1, the information providing unit 21 serving as an item information providing unit in the terminal device 200 provides information indicating the items 4 to be stored to the management device 100 serving as an item storage suggestion device. In S2, the item information acquiring unit 11 in the management device 100 acquires item information regarding the items 4 to be stored in the storage facility 3 from the item information database 31 through a search based on the information provided by the information providing unit 21 in S1.

[0066] In S3, the storage facility information acquisition unit 12 acquires storage facility information about storage facilities 3 capable of storing item 4. In S4, the storage status information acquisition unit 14, which is part of the storage facility information acquisition unit 12, acquires storage status information about the storage status in the storage facility 3. In S5, the storage example information acquisition unit 15 acquires storage example information about storage examples of similar items and / or similar storage facilities from the storage example information database 32 through a search based on the item information acquired in S2 and / or the storage facility information acquired in S3.

[0067] In S6, the environmental information acquisition unit 16 acquires environmental information relating to the environment around the storage facility 3. In S7, the usage trend information acquisition unit 17 acquires usage trend information relating to usage trends of the items 4 stored in the storage facility 3. In S8, the management device 100 acquires reference information such as basic information of the users of the items 4 and / or the storage facility 3 (e.g., age, gender, place of residence, family composition, occupation).

[0068] In S9, the storage suggestion unit 13 suggests a storage facility 3 for storing the target item 4, as well as a storage location and storage method therein, based on at least the item information acquired in S2 and the storage facility information acquired in S3. In doing so, the storage suggestion unit 13 may additionally consider some or all of the storage status information acquired in S4, the storage example information acquired in S5, the environmental information acquired in S6, the usage trend information acquired in S7, and the reference information acquired in S8. In S10, the display unit 22 serving as a storage suggestion display unit in the terminal device 200 displays the storage facility 3 for storing the target item 4, as well as the storage location and storage method therein, suggested in S9 based on the information indicating the item 4 provided in S1.

[0069] The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments. Various modifications are possible to the combinations of the components and processes in the exemplary embodiments, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such modifications are included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0070] In the above embodiment, an item storage suggestion device (management device 100) for storage facilities 3 belonging to the same user has been described as an example. However, the item storage suggestion device according to the present disclosure can also be applied to storage facilities 3 belonging to different users. For example, the storage suggestion unit 13 may suggest storage facilities 3 owned by a second user as a storage location for an item 4 owned by a first user. This may occur when the first user cannot find an appropriate storage space for the item 4 in the storage facilities 3 owned by the first user, or when the first user has not used the item 4 for a long period of time. If the item 4 matches the preferences of the second user (as can be determined from the second user's usage trend information, etc.) and there is appropriate storage space in the storage facilities 3 owned by the second user (as can be determined from the second user's storage status information, etc.), the storage suggestion unit 13 may suggest to the first user that the item 4 be transferred to the second user or that the item be put up for sale in a service such as a flea market or auction to which the second user is registered.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the case where a user stores an item 4 in storage equipment 3 has been mainly described, but the storage suggestion unit 13 may also make storage suggestions for an item 4 before the user purchases it from an online store or the like. In this case, the user can purchase an item 4 for which there is an appropriate storage space after purchase. In other words, it is possible to avoid a situation where the user discovers after purchasing the item 4 that there is no appropriate storage space.

[0072] The configuration, operation, and function of each device and method described in the embodiments can be realized by hardware resources, software resources, or a combination of hardware and software resources. Examples of hardware resources include processors, ROMs, RAMs, and various integrated circuits. Examples of software resources include operating systems, applications, and other programs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 2 Communication network, 3 Storage equipment, 4 Item, 5 Tag, 6 Image sensor, 7 Tag reader, 11 Item information acquisition unit, 12 Storage equipment information acquisition unit, 13 Storage proposal unit, 14 Storage status information acquisition unit, 15 Storage example information acquisition unit, 16 Environmental information acquisition unit, 17 Usage trend information acquisition unit, 21 Information provision unit, 22 Display unit, 31 Item information database, 32 Storage example information database, 100 Management device, 200 Terminal device, 211 Photography unit, 212 Input unit.

Claims

1. an item information acquisition unit that acquires item information regarding items to be stored; a storage facility information acquisition unit that acquires storage facility information related to storage facilities capable of storing the items; a storage suggestion unit that suggests at least one of a storage location and a storage method for the item in the storage facility based on the item information and the storage facility information; An item storage suggestion device comprising:

2. The item storage suggestion device according to claim 1 , wherein the item information acquisition unit acquires information indicating the items from a terminal device capable of communicating with the item storage suggestion device, and acquires the item information through a search based on the information.

3. The item storage suggestion device according to claim 2 , wherein the information indicating the item is image data of the item photographed by the terminal device.

4. The item storage suggestion device according to claim 2 , wherein the storage suggestion unit suggests at least one of the storage location and the storage method to the terminal device.

5. The item storage suggestion device according to claim 1 , wherein the storage facility information includes storage status information relating to a storage status in the storage facility.

6. The item storage suggestion device according to claim 5 , wherein the storage facility information acquisition unit acquires the storage situation information from a situation detection sensor capable of detecting a situation within the storage facility.

7. a storage example information acquisition unit that acquires storage example information relating to at least one of a similar item similar to the item and a similar storage facility similar to the storage facility; the storage suggestion unit refers to the storage example information and suggests at least one of the storage location and the storage method. The item storage suggestion device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. an environmental information acquisition unit that acquires environmental information about the environment around the storage facility; the storage suggestion unit suggests at least one of the storage location and the storage method by referring to the environmental information. The item storage suggestion device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. a usage trend information acquisition unit that acquires usage trend information regarding usage trends of items stored in the storage facility, the storage suggestion unit refers to the usage trend information and suggests at least one of the storage location and the storage method. The item storage suggestion device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. The item storage suggestion device according to claim 9 , wherein the usage trend information acquisition unit acquires the usage trend information from an item identification sensor capable of identifying items stored in the storage equipment.

11. Obtaining item information regarding an item to be stored; acquiring storage facility information relating to storage facilities capable of storing the items; Proposing at least one of a storage location and a storage method for the item in the storage facility based on the item information and the storage facility information; An item storage proposal method that implements the above.

12. an item information providing unit that provides information indicating items to be stored to the item storage suggestion device; a storage proposal display unit that displays at least one of a storage location and a storage method for the item in a storage facility proposed by the item storage proposal device based on the information indicating the item; A terminal device comprising:

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