Behavior detection system, server device, and behavior detection method

Abstract

To provide a behavior detection system, a server device, and a behavior detection method capable of detecting behavior of a customer and a store clerk on a commodity without missing anything.SOLUTION: A behavior detection system of one aspect includes an apparatus communication device attached to either a holding apparatus for holding a commodity or the commodity, a portable store clerk beacon transmission device carried by a store clerk, a beacon communication device, and a server device. In the behavior detection system, the beacon communication device receives a first beacon transmitted from the apparatus communication device, receives a second beacon transmitted from the store clerk beacon transmission device, and transmits a first reception period representing a reception period of the first beacon and a second reception period representing a reception period of the second beacon to the server device. In the behavior detection system, the server device detects, on the basis of the first reception period and the second reception period, behavior of the store clerk and / or the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a behavior detection system, a server device, and a behavior detection method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been systems that detect the actions of store clerks or customers with respect to products sold in a store. For example, the following technologies are known.

[0003] That is, there is a purchasing attitude survey system that includes a tag that detects product removal actions, a terminal device for a store clerk that acquires the number of times the store clerk has removed a product by receiving a signal transmitted from the tag, and a server that receives the total number of product removal actions from the tag, receives the number of removal actions by the store clerk from the terminal device for the store clerk, and calculates the number of customer removal actions by subtracting the number of removal actions by the store clerk from the total number (for example, Patent Document 1 below).

[0004] There is also a product management system that has a first wireless tag attached to a product, a second wireless tag carried by a store clerk, and an interrogator that stops interrogating the first wireless tag or discards the signal from the first wireless tag while detecting the store clerk's ID transmitted from the second wireless tag (for example, Patent Document 2 below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6444216 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-65455 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The above-mentioned purchasing attitude survey system requires each store clerk to carry a terminal device, which can be costly. On the other hand, the above-mentioned product management system requires each store clerk to carry a second wireless tag, which reduces costs compared to the terminal device used in the purchasing attitude survey system. However, the above-mentioned product management system discards signals from the first wireless tag attached to the product while detecting the store clerk's ID, which can make it difficult to detect, for example, the behavior of a customer near the store clerk. Therefore, the above-mentioned product management system may not be able to detect the behavior of customers and store clerks regarding products.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a behavior detection system, a server device, and a behavior detection method that are capable of detecting all behaviors of customers and store clerks regarding products. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A behavior detection system according to a first aspect includes an appliance communication device attached to either a holding appliance for holding a product or the product, a portable store clerk beacon transmission device carried by a store clerk, a beacon communication device, and a server device. In the behavior detection system, the beacon communication device receives a first beacon transmitted from the appliance communication device, receives a second beacon transmitted from the store clerk beacon transmission device, and transmits a first reception period representing a reception period for the first beacon and a second reception period representing a reception period for the second beacon to the server device. In the behavior detection system, the server device detects the behavior of the store clerk and / or the user based on the first reception period and the second reception period.

[0009] A server device according to a second aspect has a communication unit that receives from a beacon communication device a first reception period representing a reception period when the beacon communication device receives a first beacon transmitted from an appliance communication device attached to either a holding appliance for holding a commodity or the commodity, and a second reception period representing a reception period when the beacon communication device receives a second beacon transmitted from a portable store clerk beacon transmitting device carried by a store clerk. The server device also has a control unit that detects the behavior of the store clerk and / or the user based on the first reception period and the second reception period.

[0010] A communication method according to a third aspect is a behavior detection method in a behavior detection system including an appliance communication device attached to either a holding appliance for holding a product or the product, a portable store clerk beacon transmission device carried by a store clerk, a beacon communication device, and a server device. The behavior detection method includes a step in which the beacon communication device receives a first beacon transmitted from the appliance communication device, receives a second beacon transmitted from the store clerk beacon transmission device, and transmits a first reception period representing a reception period of the first beacon and a second reception period representing a reception period of the second beacon to the server device. The behavior detection method also includes a step in which the server device detects the behavior of the store clerk and / or the user based on the first reception period and the second reception period. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a behavior detection system, a server device, and a behavior detection method that are capable of detecting all behaviors of customers and store clerks with respect to merchandise. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a behavior detection system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an application scenario of the behavior detection system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the appliance communication device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the store clerk beacon transmitting device 200 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a beacon communication device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a user terminal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a server device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation example 1-1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a 1-2 operation example according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation example 2-1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an operation example 2-2 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an operation example 2-3 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an operation example 3-1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an operation example 3-2 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an operation example 4-1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an operation example 4-2 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an operation example 4-3 according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] [First embodiment] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

[0014] (Example of behavior detection system configuration) First, a configuration example of a behavior detection system according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a behavior detection system 10.

[0015] The behavior detection system 10 includes a plurality of appliance communication devices 100 (100-1, 100-2, 100-3, . . . ), a store clerk beacon transmission device 200, a plurality of beacon communication devices 300 (300-1 and 300-2), a user terminal device 400, and a server device 500.

[0016] In one embodiment, the appliance communication device 100 and the beacon communication devices 300-1 and 300-2 are installed in a store S. In the following, an example will be described in which the store S is an apparel store, but the store S may be any store that sells the product P, and may be, for example, a supermarket, a greengrocer, a fishmonger, or the like.

[0017] In one embodiment, the appliance communication device 100 and the beacon communication device 300-1 are provided in a display zone Z. In the following, a hanger rack and a display shelf will be described as examples of the display zone Z, but the display zone Z may be any zone that displays the product P, such as a showcase. In the following, an example will be described in which one display zone Z exists in the store S, but multiple display zones Z may exist in the store S.

[0018] The appliance communication device 100 (100-1) is attached to a holding appliance H (H1) that holds a product P (P1). In the following, a hanger will be used as an example of the holding appliance H, but the holding appliance H may be any appliance that can hold the product P, such as a tray or a product fixture. The appliance communication device 100 may be incorporated into the holding appliance H or attached to the surface of the holding appliance H. The appliance communication device 100 is a communication device attached to the holding appliance H. In the following, an example will be described in which multiple sets of a holding appliance H and a product P are provided in the display zone Z, but the number of sets may be just one.

[0019] Furthermore, the appliance communication device 100 (100-2) may be attached to a product P (P2). Specifically, the appliance communication device 100 may be attached to the price tag of the product P. Alternatively, the appliance communication device 100 may be attached to a product tag provided on the product P. Alternatively, the appliance communication device 100 may be directly attached to the front (or back) of the product P. When the appliance communication device 100 is attached to the product P, the product P may be placed on a product shelf. When the appliance communication device 100 is attached to the product P, the appliance communication device 100 and the product P may be provided as a set in the display zone Z, or multiple sets may be provided in the display zone Z.

[0020] The store clerk beacon transmission device 200 is a portable beacon transmission device carried by the store clerk V. The store clerk beacon transmission device 200 may be attached to a nameplate carried by the store clerk V. Alternatively, the store clerk beacon transmission device 200 may be attached to an ID card held by the store clerk V. Alternatively, the store clerk beacon transmission device 200 may be inserted into a pocket of clothes worn by the store clerk V. Alternatively, the store clerk beacon transmission device 200 may be attached to belongings carried by the store clerk V. The store clerk beacon transmission device 200 is available for use within the store S.

[0021] The beacon communication device 300 is installed in a specific location within the store S. As shown in FIG. 1, the beacon communication device 300 (300-1) may be installed in a specific location within a display zone Z within the store S. For example, the beacon communication device 300 may be attached to a hanger rack installed within the display zone Z. Alternatively, the beacon communication device 300 (300-2) may be installed in a backyard B within the store S. The backyard B refers to a space within the store S that is not used for sales. The backyard B may be a space for storing products or packaging. The backyard B is not a space that generates revenue, but is a space used by the store clerk V to perform his or her work efficiently. The beacon communication device 300 can be connected to a network NW. The beacon communication device 300 is a communication device that can communicate with the server device 500 via the network NW. In the following, an example in which one beacon communication device 300-1 is installed in the display zone Z will be described, but a plurality of beacon communication devices 300-1 may be installed in the display zone Z.

[0022] The user terminal device 400 is a terminal device held or used by a user. Here, a user is a customer who can purchase a product P in the store S. Hereinafter, the terms user and customer may be used interchangeably. The user terminal device 400 can be connected to a network NW via a wireless line. The user terminal device 400 can communicate with a server device 500 via the network NW. The user terminal device 400 is a portable communication terminal device. Specifically, the user terminal device 400 is a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable terminal, or the like. A program that can be used in the store S may be installed in the user terminal device 400. The user can receive various services within the store S via the user terminal device 400 with the program installed.

[0023] The server device 500 is a detection device that detects the behavior of the store clerk V and the user. The server device 500 is connected to the network NW via a wired line or a wireless line, and can communicate with the beacon communication device 300 and the user terminal device 400 via the network NW. In the following, an example in which the server device 500 is located outside the store S will be described, but the server device 500 may also be located inside the store S. The server device 500 may be a cloud server. A cloud server is a server that can provide computer resources in the form of a service. The server device 500 may provide computer resources to the beacon communication device 300 and the user terminal device 400 as a cloud server. The server device 500 may be a dedicated server, or may be a general-purpose computer on which a behavior detection program is installed.

[0024] (An example of a scenario in which the behavior detection system can be applied) FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an application scenario of the behavior detection system 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 2, one hanger rack L is provided in the display zone Z. A beacon communication device 300-1 is provided on the hanger rack L. Fig. 2 shows an example in which the beacon communication device 300-1 is directly attached to the hanger rack L, but this is not limiting. For example, the beacon communication device 300-1 may be attached in any position near the hanger rack L so long as it is in a position where it can receive the beacon transmitted from the appliance communication device 100 and the beacon transmitted from the store clerk beacon transmission device 200, and may be installed on the ceiling or wall, for example.

[0026] 2, a user U carrying a user terminal device 400 enters a store S. A store clerk V carrying a store clerk beacon transmitting device 200 is also present in the store S.

[0027] For example, when a user U removes a product P and a holding tool H from a hanger rack L, a beacon (first beacon) is transmitted from the tool communication device 100. A beacon is a signal including an identifier (or ID). The beacon communication device 300-1 receives the beacon transmitted from the tool communication device 100. Furthermore, when a store clerk V approaches the user U, the beacon communication device 300-1 can receive a beacon (second beacon) transmitted from the store clerk beacon transmission device 200. In other words, when the store clerk V approaches the user U and is serving the user U, the beacon transmitted from the tool communication device 100 and the beacon transmitted from the store clerk beacon transmission device 200 can be received almost simultaneously by the beacon communication device 300-1.

[0028] Also, for example, if a user U removes a product P and a holding device H from a hanger rack L but a store clerk V does not approach the hanger rack L, the beacon communication device 300-1 receives a beacon from the device communication device 100 but does not receive a beacon transmitted from the store clerk beacon transmission device 200.

[0029] In this way, it is possible to detect the behavior of clerk V or the behavior of user U based on the reception status at the beacon communication device 300-1 of the beacon transmitted from the appliance communication device 100 and the beacon transmitted from the store clerk beacon transmission device 200.

[0030] Specifically, first, a beacon communication device (e.g., beacon communication device 300) receives a first beacon transmitted from an appliance communication device (e.g., appliance communication device 100), receives a second beacon transmitted from a store clerk beacon transmission device (e.g., store clerk beacon transmission device 200), and transmits a first reception period representing a reception period for the first beacon and a second reception period representing a reception period for the second beacon to a server device (e.g., server device 500). Second, the server device detects the behavior of the store clerk and / or user based on the first reception period and the second reception period. The first reception period may include a start time and an end time of the reception period for the first beacon. The first reception period may include a time length (time interval) of the reception period for the first beacon calculated based on the start time and end time of the reception period for the first beacon. The second reception period may include a start time and an end time of the reception period for the second beacon. The second reception period may include a time length (time interval) of the reception period of the second beacon calculated based on the start time and end time of the reception period of the second beacon.

[0031] For example, when the start time of the first reception period and the start time of the second reception period are the same, the first beacon and the second beacon are received at the same time by the beacon communication device 300, so the server device 500 can detect the behavior that the store clerk V is serving the user U. Also, for example, when the server device 500 receives the first reception period from the beacon communication device 300 but does not receive the second reception period, it is possible to detect the behavior of the user U that the store clerk V is holding the product P, since the store clerk V is not approaching the beacon communication device 300.

[0032] Therefore, the behavior detection system 10 according to the first embodiment can detect the behavior of the store clerk V and the user U even when the store clerk V and the user U are near the beacon communication device 300, thereby making it possible to detect the behavior of the customer and the store clerk with respect to the products without missing anything.

[0033] In addition, since the store clerk V does not need to hold a store clerk terminal device, but only carries the store clerk beacon transmitting device 200, costs can be reduced compared to when a store clerk terminal device is used.

[0034] In the following, the beacon (first beacon) transmitted from the appliance communication device 100 may be referred to as a "hanger beacon." Also, the beacon (second beacon) transmitted from the store clerk beacon transmission device 200 may be referred to as a "store clerk beacon."

[0035] (Configuration example of appliance communication device) Next, a configuration example of the appliance communication device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the appliance communication device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, the appliance communication device 100 includes a beacon transmitting unit 110, a control unit 130, a detection unit 140, and a power supply unit 150.

[0038] The beacon transmitting unit 110 transmits a beacon (hanger beacon) under the control of the control unit 130. When the beacon transmitting unit 110 is instructed by the control unit 130 to transmit a beacon, it generates a beacon including information received from the control unit 130 and transmits the beacon. In one embodiment, the beacon transmitting unit 110 transmits a beacon including a beacon ID. The beacon ID may be an appliance communication device identifier that identifies the appliance communication device 100. However, the beacon ID is an identifier that can be identified at least from the beacon ID included in the store clerk beacon transmitted from the store clerk beacon transmitting device 200.

[0039] In the following description, a beacon will be described as a BT beacon based on the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, but a beacon based on a standard other than Bluetooth may also be used.

[0040] In the following, an example will be described in which the appliance communication device 100 transmits a beacon (BLE: Bluetooth Low Energy, etc.) using the beacon transmitting unit 110, but the appliance communication device 100 may use a signal other than a beacon. For example, the appliance communication device 100 may use a signal based on a short-range wireless communication method such as UWB (Ultra Wide Band) or NFC (Near Field Communication). In this case, the appliance communication device 100 may have a short-range wireless communication unit instead of the beacon transmitting unit 110.

[0041] The control unit 130 controls various functions of the appliance communication device 100. The control unit 130 has at least one memory 132 and at least one processor 131 electrically connected to the memory 132. The memory 132 includes a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory, and stores information used for processing in the processor 131 and programs executed by the processor 131. The processor 131 may perform various processes by executing the programs stored in the memory 132. In one embodiment, the memory 132 stores a beacon ID. The information stored in the memory 132 is read as appropriate under the control of the processor 131. Note that in the following operation examples, the operations or processes performed in the appliance communication device 100 may be mainly performed by the control unit 130.

[0042] The detection unit 140 detects the movement of the holding device H. For example, the detection unit 140 detects that the holding device H has been taken out of the hanger rack L, or that the holding device H has been returned to the hanger rack L. The detection unit 140 may include a switch that turns on or off in response to the movement of the holding device H. Alternatively, the detection unit 140 may include a sensor (for example, an acceleration sensor) that detects a change in a physical quantity in response to the movement of the holding device H. The detection unit 140 outputs a signal indicating the detection result to the control unit 130.

[0043] In the appliance communication device 100 configured as described above, the control unit 130 reads the sensor ID from the memory 132 in response to the detection unit 140 detecting the operation of the holding appliance H, and controls the beacon transmission unit 110 to periodically transmit a hanger beacon including the sensor ID. This enables the appliance communication device 100 to transmit a hanger beacon including the beacon ID in accordance with the operation of the holding appliance H. Furthermore, the control unit 130 controls the beacon transmission unit 110 to stop transmitting the hanger beacon in response to the detection unit 140 detecting that the holding appliance H has been returned to the hanger rack L. This enables the appliance communication device 100 to stop transmitting the hanger beacon.

[0044] The power supply unit 150 supplies power to each unit of the appliance communication device 100 under the control of the control unit 130. The power supply unit 150 may be a battery (or a secondary battery) that can be repeatedly charged and discharged.

[0045] (Example of the configuration of a store clerk beacon transmitter) Next, a configuration example of the store clerk beacon transmitting device 200 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the store clerk beacon transmitting device 200. As shown in FIG.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, the store clerk beacon transmitting device 200 includes a beacon transmitting unit 210, a control unit 230, a detection unit 240, and a power supply unit 250.

[0048] The beacon transmitting unit 210 transmits a beacon (store clerk beacon) under the control of the control unit 230. When the beacon transmitting unit 210 is instructed by the control unit 230 to transmit a beacon, it generates a store clerk beacon including information received from the control unit 230 and transmits the store clerk beacon. In one embodiment, the beacon transmitting unit 210 transmits a beacon including a beacon ID. The beacon ID may be a store clerk beacon transmitting device identifier that identifies the store clerk beacon transmitting device 200. However, the beacon ID is an identifier that can be identified at least from the beacon ID included in the hanger beacon transmitted from the appliance communication device 100.

[0049] Although the store clerk beacon will be described as a BT beacon based on the Bluetooth standard as an example, a beacon based on a standard other than Bluetooth may also be used.

[0050] In the following, an example will be described in which the store clerk beacon transmission device 200 transmits a beacon using the beacon transmission unit 210, but the store clerk beacon transmission device 200 may also use signals other than beacons. For example, the store clerk beacon transmission device 200 may use signals based on a short-range wireless communication method such as UWB or NFC, and in this case, the beacon transmission unit 210 may be replaced with a short-range wireless communication unit.

[0051] The control unit 230 controls various functions of the store clerk beacon transmission device 200. The control unit 230 has at least one memory 232 and at least one processor 231 electrically connected to the memory 232. The memory 232 includes volatile and non-volatile memory and stores information used in processing by the processor 231 and programs executed by the processor 231. The processor 231 may perform various processes by executing the programs stored in the memory 232. In one embodiment, the memory 232 stores a beacon ID. The information stored in the memory 232 is read as appropriate under the control of the processor 231. Note that in the following operational examples, the operations or processes performed by the store clerk beacon transmission device 200 may be mainly performed by the control unit 230.

[0052] The detection unit 240 detects the operation of the store clerk beacon transmission device 200. For example, the detection unit 240 detects that the store clerk V is walking, that the store clerk V is holding the product P (and the holding device H), etc. The detection unit 240 may include a switch that turns on or off depending on the operation of the store clerk V. Alternatively, the detection unit 240 may include a sensor (e.g., an acceleration sensor) that detects a change in a physical quantity depending on the operation of the store clerk V. The detection unit 240 outputs a signal indicating the detection result to the control unit 230.

[0053] In the store clerk beacon transmission device 200 configured as described above, the control unit 230 reads the beacon ID from memory 232 in response to the detection unit 240 detecting the behavior of store clerk V, and controls the beacon transmission unit 210 to periodically transmit a store clerk beacon including the beacon ID. This enables the store clerk beacon transmission device 200 to transmit a store clerk beacon including the beacon ID in accordance with the behavior of store clerk V. Note that the store clerk beacon transmission device 200 may also transmit a store clerk beacon periodically, regardless of the behavior of store clerk V. In this case, the detection unit 240 may not be included in the store clerk beacon transmission device 200.

[0054] The power supply unit 250 supplies power to each unit of the store clerk beacon transmission device 200 under the control of the control unit 230. The power supply unit 250 may be a battery (or a secondary battery) that can be repeatedly charged and discharged.

[0055] (Example of beacon communication device configuration) Next, a configuration example of the beacon communication device 300 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0056] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the beacon communication device 300. As shown in FIG.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 5, the beacon communication device 300 includes a beacon receiving unit 310, a wireless communication unit 320, a control unit 330, and a power supply unit 340.

[0058] The beacon receiving unit 310, under the control of the control unit 330, receives beacons (hanger beacons and store clerk beacons) transmitted from the appliance communication device 100 and the store clerk beacon transmitting device 200. The beacon receiving unit 310 extracts a beacon ID from the received beacon and outputs the beacon ID to the control unit 330.

[0059] The wireless communication unit 320 can be connected to the network NW via a wireless line and can communicate with the server device 500 via the network NW. The wireless communication unit 320 may perform communication using a wireless communication method based on the wireless LAN standard, or may perform communication using a wireless communication method based on the cellular system.

[0060] The control unit 330 controls various functions of the beacon communication device 300. The control unit 330 has at least one memory 332 and at least one processor 331 electrically connected to the memory 332. The memory 332 includes a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory, and stores information used for processing in the processor 331 and programs executed by the processor 331. The processor 331 may perform various processes by executing the programs stored in the memory 332. The information stored in the memory 332 is read out as appropriate under the control of the processor 331. Note that in the following operation examples, the operations or processes performed in the beacon communication device 300 may be mainly performed by the control unit 330.

[0061] In the beacon communication device 300 configured as described above, when the beacon receiving unit 310 receives a hanger beacon (first beacon) transmitted from the appliance communication device 100, it measures the reception period (first reception period) of the hanger beacon. The first reception period may include the start time of the first reception period. The beacon receiving unit 310 outputs the first reception period to the control unit 330. Furthermore, when the beacon receiving unit 310 receives a store clerk beacon (second beacon) transmitted from the store clerk beacon transmitting device 200, it measures the reception period (second reception period) of the store clerk beacon. The second reception period may include the start time of the second reception period. The beacon receiving unit 310 outputs the second reception period to the control unit 330. The control unit 330 may confirm a reception period (first reception period) for the beacon transmitted from the appliance communication device 100 and a reception period (second reception period) for the beacon transmitted from the store clerk beacon transmitting device 200 based on the beacon ID received from the beacon receiving unit 310. The control unit 330 outputs the first reception period and / or the second reception period to the wireless communication unit 320 and instructs the wireless communication unit 320 to transmit the first reception period and / or the second reception period to the server device 500. The control unit 330 may instruct the wireless communication unit 320 to transmit the first reception period and / or the second reception period at an appropriate timing. The control unit 330 may also instruct the wireless communication unit 320 to transmit the beacon ID received from the beacon receiving unit 310 to the server device 500. In this way, the beacon communication device 300 can transmit at least the first reception period and / or the second reception period to the server device 500.

[0062] The power supply unit 340 supplies power to each unit of the beacon communication device 300 under the control of the control unit 330. The power supply unit 340 may be a battery (or a secondary battery) that can be repeatedly charged and discharged.

[0063] (Example of user terminal device configuration) Next, an example of the configuration of the user terminal device 400 will be described.

[0064] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the user terminal device 400 according to the first embodiment.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 6, the user terminal device 400 includes a beacon receiving unit 410, a wireless communication unit 420, a control unit 430, and a display unit 440.

[0066] The beacon receiving unit 410 receives a beacon (hanger beacon) transmitted from the appliance communication device 100 under the control of the control unit 430. The beacon receiving unit 410 extracts a sensor ID included in the hanger beacon and outputs the sensor ID to the control unit 430.

[0067] The wireless communication unit 420 is connected to the network NW via a wireless line under the control of the control unit 430, and is capable of communicating with the server device 500 via the network NW. The wireless communication unit 420 may perform communication using a wireless communication method based on the wireless LAN standard, or may perform communication using a wireless communication method based on the cellular system.

[0068] The control unit 430 controls various functions of the user terminal device 400. The control unit 430 has at least one memory 432 and at least one processor 431 electrically connected to the memory 432. The memory 432 includes a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory, and stores information used for processing in the processor 431 and programs executed by the processor 431. The processor 431 may perform various processes by executing the programs stored in the memory 432. The information stored in the memory 432 is read out as appropriate under the control of the processor 431. Note that in the following operation examples, the operations or processes performed in the user terminal device 400 may be mainly performed by the control unit 430.

[0069] In the user terminal device 400 configured as described above, when the beacon receiving unit 410 receives a hanger beacon transmitted from the appliance communication device 100, it measures a reception period (third reception period) of the hanger beacon. The beacon receiving unit 410 outputs the reception period to the control unit 430. When the control unit 430 receives the reception period, it outputs the third reception period to the wireless communication unit 420 and instructs the wireless communication unit 420 to transmit the third reception period to the server device 500. The control unit 430 may instruct the wireless communication unit 420 to transmit the third reception period to the server device 500 at an appropriate timing. Furthermore, the control unit 430 may output a user ID read from the memory 432 to the wireless communication unit 420 and instruct the wireless communication unit 420 to transmit the user ID to the server device 500. In this way, the user terminal device 400 can transmit the third reception period to the server device 500. The third reception period may include a start time and an end time of the reception period of the hanger beacon. The third reception period may also include a time length (time interval) of the reception period of the hanger beacon calculated based on the start time and the end time of the reception period of the hanger beacon.

[0070] The display unit 440 displays various information under the control of the control unit 430.

[0071] (Server device configuration example) Next, a configuration example of the server device 500 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0072] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the server device 500 according to the first embodiment.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 7, server device 500 includes a communication unit 510 and a control unit 530.

[0074] The communication unit 510 is connected to the network NW via a wired line or a wireless line. The communication unit 510 is capable of communicating with the beacon communication device 300 and the user terminal device 400 via the network NW.

[0075] The control unit 530 controls various functions of the server device 500. The control unit 530 has at least one memory 532 and at least one processor 531 electrically connected to the memory 532. The memory 532 includes a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory, and stores information used for processing in the processor 531 and programs executed by the processor 531. The processor 531 may perform various processes by executing the programs stored in the memory 532.

[0076] In the server device 500 configured as described above, the communication unit 510 receives a first reception period, which is a reception period for a hanger beacon, and / or a second reception period, which is a reception period for a store clerk beacon, from the beacon communication device 300. The communication unit 510 also receives a third reception period from the user terminal device 400. The communication unit 510 outputs the first reception period and / or the second reception period and the third reception period to the control unit 530. The control unit 530 detects the behavior of the store clerk V and / or the user U based on at least the first reception period and the second reception period.

[0077] How the control unit 530 detects the behavior of the store clerk V and / or the user U will be described in an operation example.

[0078] (Operation example according to the first embodiment) Next, an example of operation according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0079] An operation example according to the first embodiment will be described in the following order.

[0080] (1) First Operation Example: An operation example in which the behavior of a store clerk V and / or a user U is detected using the appliance communication device 100 and the store clerk beacon transmission device 200

[0081] (2) Second Operation Example: An operation example in which the appliance communication device 100, the store clerk beacon transmission device 200, and the user terminal device 400 are used to detect the behavior of the store clerk V and / or the user U.

[0082] (3) Third Operation Example: Operation Example of Detecting the Action of Clerk V and / or User U Using Acceleration Information

[0083] (4) Fourth Operation Example: An operation example in which the behavior of a store clerk V and / or a user U is detected using a beacon communication device 300-2 installed in the backyard B

[0084] (1) First operation example First, a first operation example according to the first embodiment will be described. The first operation example is an operation example in which the appliance communication device 100 and the store clerk beacon transmission device 200 are used to detect the behavior of the store clerk V and / or the user U.

[0085] The first operation example includes an operation example (operation example 1-1) in which the behavior of store clerk V holding product P is detected, and an operation example (operation example 1-2) in which the behavior of user U holding product P is detected. First, operation example 1-1 will be described, and then operation example 1-2 will be described.

[0086] (1-1) Example of operation 1-1 Fig. 8 is a diagram showing operation example 1-1 according to the first embodiment. Note that Fig. 8 illustrates an example in which the beacon communication device 300-1 is installed on a hanger rack L (Fig. 2), but as described above, the installation location of the beacon communication device 300-1 is not limited to this. Also, Fig. 8 illustrates an example in which the appliance communication device 100 is attached to a product P, but the appliance communication device 100 may be attached to a holding appliance H. In the operation examples described below, the installation location of the beacon communication device 300-1 and the attachment position of the appliance communication device 100 are the same as those in operation example 1-1.

[0087] 8, when the store clerk V approaches the beacon communication device 300-1, in step S10, the beacon receiving unit 310 of the beacon communication device 300-1 receives the store clerk beacon transmitted from the store clerk beacon transmitting device 200. The beacon receiving unit 310 measures the reception period (second reception period) of the store clerk beacon.

[0088] When the store clerk V takes out the product P from the hanger rack L and picks up the product P, in step S11, the beacon transmitting unit 110 of the appliance communication device 100 transmits a hanger beacon. The beacon receiving unit 310 of the beacon communication device 300-1 receives the hanger beacon. The beacon receiving unit 310 measures a reception period (first reception period) of the hanger beacon.

[0089] When the store clerk V returns the product P to the hanger rack L, in step S12, the beacon transmitter 110 of the appliance communication device 100 stops transmission. The beacon receiver 310 of the beacon communication device 300-1 detects the stop of transmission of the hanger beacon, for example, by not receiving a hanger beacon that is regularly received. The beacon receiver 310 determines a first reception period in response to the stop of transmission of the hanger beacon, and outputs the first reception period to the control unit 330.

[0090] When the store clerk V leaves the hanger rack L, the beacon communication device 300 can no longer receive the store clerk beacon. The beacon receiving unit 310 of the beacon communication device 300-1 detects that the transmission of the store clerk beacon has stopped, for example, when the store clerk beacon that is regularly received is not received. The beacon receiving unit 310 determines a second reception period in response to the stop of the transmission of the store clerk beacon, and outputs the second reception period to the control unit 330.

[0091] In step S13, the wireless communication unit 320 of the beacon communication device 300-1 transmits (uploads) the first reception period and the second reception period to the server device 500. The communication unit 510 of the server device 500 receives the first reception period and the second reception period.

[0092] In step S14, the control unit 530 of the server device 500 performs data analysis. Specifically, the control unit 530 detects that the store clerk V is holding the product P in response to detecting that the beacon communication device 300-1 has received the hanger beacon (first beacon) and the store clerk beacon (second beacon) simultaneously, or that the difference in reception time between the hanger beacon and the store clerk beacon is within a certain range. In other words, when the control unit 530 detects that the beacon communication device 300-1 has received the hanger beacon and the store clerk beacon almost simultaneously, it detects that the store clerk V is holding the product P.

[0093] When the store clerk V takes out the product P from the hanger rack L and holds the product P in his / her hand, the beacon communication device 300-1 can receive the hanger beacon from the appliance communication device 100 and the store clerk beacon from the store clerk beacon transmission device 200 almost simultaneously. Therefore, if the start times of the reception period of the hanger beacon (first reception period) and the reception period of the store clerk beacon (second reception period) are the same or the difference between them is within a certain range, the control unit 530 can detect that the beacon communication device 300-1 has received the hanger beacon and the store clerk beacon almost simultaneously, and can detect the behavior of the store clerk V holding the product P.

[0094] In addition, the control unit 530 may compare the reception start time included in the first reception period with the reception start time included in the second reception period to detect whether the beacon communication device 300-1 received the hanger beacon and the store clerk beacon simultaneously, or whether the difference is within a certain range.

[0095] (1-2) Example 1-2 Next, a description will be given of an operation example 1-2 according to the embodiment 1. The operation example 1-2 is an operation example for detecting that the user U is holding the product P in his / her hand.

[0096] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a first-second operation example.

[0097] 9, when a user U takes out a product P from a hanger rack L and holds the product P in his / her hand, in step S20, a hanger beacon is transmitted from the appliance communication device 100. The beacon communication device 300-1 receives the hanger beacon.

[0098] Thereafter, when the user U returns the product P to the hanger rack L, in step S22, the appliance communication device 100 stops transmitting the hanger beacon.

[0099] In addition, between the time when the user U picks up the product P and the time when he returns it to the hanger rack L, the store clerk V happens to pass by the beacon communication device 300-1. In this case, in step S21, the beacon communication device 300-1 receives the store clerk beacon transmitted from the store clerk beacon transmission device 200. However, since the store clerk V then moves away from the beacon communication device 300-1, the beacon communication device 300-1 no longer receives the store clerk beacon. The beacon communication device 300-1 measures the reception period (second reception period) of the store clerk beacon.

[0100] In step S23, the wireless communication unit 320 of the beacon communication device 300-1 transmits the reception period (first reception period) of the hanger beacon and the reception period (second reception period) of the store clerk beacon to the server device 500. The server device 500 receives the first reception period and the second reception period.

[0101] In step S24, the control unit 530 of the server device 500 detects the behavior of the user U based on the first reception period and the second reception period. Specifically, the control unit 530 detects that the user U is holding the product P when the ratio of the temporal length of the second reception period to the temporal length of the first reception period is less than a first threshold.

[0102] Although the control unit 530 receives the first reception period and the second reception period, unlike the operation example 1-1, the second reception period does not start at approximately the same time as the first reception period, and the ratio of the temporal length of the second reception period to the temporal length of the first reception period is less than the first threshold. Therefore, the control unit 530 can determine that the reception of the beacon in the second reception period occurred because the store clerk V happened to pass by the hanger rack L, and therefore that the first reception period caused by the reception of the hanger beacon is an action by the user U, not the store clerk V, i.e., the action of the user U holding the product P in his hand.

[0103] In the first-second operation example, the store clerk V may not pass near the hanger rack L, and the beacon communication device 300-1 may not receive the store clerk beacon. In this case, the beacon communication device 300-1 transmits the first reception period but does not transmit the second reception period, or transmits a reception period indicating that the second reception period is "0". In this case, the control unit 530 determines that the behavior is not that of the store clerk V but that of the user U (holding the product P), since the ratio of the time length of the second reception period to the time length of the first reception period is less than the first threshold, and can detect the behavior of the user U.

[0104] (2) Second operation example Next, a second operation example according to the first embodiment will be described. The second operation example is an operation example in which the user terminal device 400 is used to detect the behavior of the store clerk V and / or the user U.

[0105] Specifically, first, a user terminal device (e.g., user terminal device 400) receives a first beacon (e.g., hanger beacon) and transmits a third reception period representing the reception period of the first beacon to a server device (e.g., server device 500). Second, the server device detects the behavior of store clerk V and / or user U based on at least the third reception period.

[0106] In the second operation example, three operation examples will be described: an operation example (operation example 2-1) for detecting the behavior of user U holding product P, an operation example (operation example 2-2) for detecting the behavior of store clerk V rearranging product P, and an operation example (operation example 2-3) for detecting the behavior of store clerk V offering product P to user U.

[0107] (2-1) Example of operation 2-1 First, a description will be given of operation example 2-1 according to embodiment 1. Operation example 2-1 is an operation example in which the action of the user U holding the product P is detected.

[0108] 10 is a diagram showing the 2-1 operation example. A user U holds a user terminal device 400, which is powered on and ready to operate. Alternatively, an application program may be executed in the user terminal device 400, making the application available for use within the store S.

[0109] As shown in Fig. 10, in response to a user U taking out a product P from a hanger rack L and picking it up, in step S30, the appliance communication device 100 transmits a hanger beacon. The beacon communication device 300-1 receives the hanger beacon. The user terminal device 400 also receives the hanger beacon. The beacon receiving unit 410 of the user terminal device 400 measures a reception period (third reception period) of the hanger beacon.

[0110] In response to the user U returning the product P to the hanger rack L, in step S32, the beacon communication device 300-1 stops receiving the hanger beacon. The user terminal device 400 also stops receiving the hanger beacon.

[0111] On the other hand, after the user U picks up the product P and before returning it to the hanger rack L, if the store clerk V passes near the beacon communication device 300-1, the beacon communication device 300-1 receives a store clerk beacon in step S31.

[0112] In step S33, the wireless communication unit 420 of the user terminal device 400 transmits (uploads) the reception period (third reception period) of the hanger beacon to the server device 500. The server device 500 receives the reception period.

[0113] In step S34, the beacon communication device 300-1 transmits (uploads) the reception period (first reception period) of the hanger beacon and the reception period (second reception period) of the store clerk beacon to the server device 500. The server device 500 receives the first reception period and the second reception period.

[0114] In step S35, the control unit 330 of the server device 500 detects the behavior of the user U based on at least the third reception period. Specifically, the control unit 330 detects that the user U is holding the product P when the temporal length of the third reception period is equal to or greater than the second threshold. If the temporal length of the third reception period is long enough to be equal to or greater than the second threshold, it is assumed that the user U will hold the product P and that the beacon communication device 300-1 will detect the hanger beacon from the appliance communication device 100 for a sufficiently long time. Therefore, the control unit 330 can detect that the user U is holding the product P.

[0115] The control unit 330 may take the first reception period into consideration. For example, if the third reception period and the first reception period are included in the same time zone, the control unit 330 can assume that the beacon from the appliance communication device 100 can be received almost simultaneously by the beacon communication device 300-1 and the user terminal device 400, and that the user U will hold the product P.

[0116] The control unit 330 may also take the second reception period into consideration. For example, the control unit 330 may detect that the user U is holding the product P by detecting that the ratio of the time length of the second reception period to the time length of the third reception period is less than a certain value, on the condition that the time length of the third reception period is equal to or greater than a second threshold. As in the first-second operation example, if the ratio of the time length of the second reception period to the time length of the third reception period is less than a certain value, it can be determined that the store clerk V just happened to pass by the user U, and the behavior of the user U (holding the product P) can be detected.

[0117] (2-2) Example of operation 2-2 Next, a description will be given of an operation example 2-2 according to the first embodiment. The operation example 2-2 is an operation example in which the store clerk V rearranges the products P.

[0118] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an operation example 2-2. In Fig. 11, a beacon communication device 300-α is installed at a location α (first location) in a store S. Also, a beacon communication device 300-β is installed at a location β (second location) in the store S. The following operation example will be explained assuming that the location α is the location where a hanger rack Lα is installed and the location β is the location where a hanger rack Lβ is installed.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 11, when the store clerk V approaches the beacon communication device 300-α (the installation location α), the beacon communication device 300-α receives the store clerk beacon in step S40.

[0120] When the store clerk V takes out the product P from the hanger rack Lα and picks it up, in step S41, the appliance communication device 100 transmits a hanger beacon, and the beacon communication device 300-α receives the hanger beacon.

[0121] Thereafter, when the store clerk V approaches the beacon communication device 300-β (the installation location β) while holding the product P in his / her hand, the beacon communication device 300-β receives the store clerk beacon in step S44.

[0122] Also, in step S45, the beacon communication device 300-β receives a hanger beacon as the store clerk V holds the product P in his hand.

[0123] Then, in response to the store clerk V returning the product P to the hanger rack Lβ, in step S46, the appliance communication device 100 stops transmitting the hanger beacon.

[0124] Furthermore, when the store clerk V moves away from the beacon communication device 300-β, the beacon communication device 300-β no longer receives the store clerk beacon.

[0125] In step S47, the beacon communication device 300-α transmits to the server device 500 the reception period for the hanger beacon (first reception period) and the reception period for the store clerk beacon (second reception period).

[0126] In step S48, the beacon communication device 300-β transmits to the server device 500 the reception period for the hanger beacon (first reception period) and the reception period for the store clerk beacon (second reception period).

[0127] When the user U passes by the store clerk V while the store clerk V is holding the product P and moving from the installation location α of the beacon communication device 300-α to the installation location β of the beacon communication device 300-β, in step S42, the user terminal device 400 receives the hanger beacon from the appliance communication device 100 for a certain period of time. Then, in step S43, the wireless communication unit 420 of the user terminal device 400 transmits the reception period (third reception period) of the hanger beacon to the server device 500.

[0128] In step S49, the control unit 530 of the server device 500 detects the behavior of the store clerk V. Here, the control unit 530 performs the detection as follows. The control unit 530 determines that the store clerk V has picked up the product P from the hanger rack Lα and the hanger rack Lβ because the first reception period and the second reception period detected by the beacon communication device 300-α are included in the first time slot and the two reception periods are sufficiently long, and the first reception period and the second reception period detected by the beacon communication device 300-β are included in the second time slot and the two reception periods are sufficiently long. Then, the control unit 530 acquires the third reception period, but because the third reception period is less than the third threshold, it can determine that the user U simply passed by the store clerk V. Furthermore, since the control unit 530 detects a transition in the reception period from the reception period received from the beacon communication device 300-α to the reception period received from the beacon communication device 300-β, it can be determined that the store clerk V has moved from the hanger rack Lα to the hanger rack Lβ while holding the product P, i.e., rearranged the product.

[0129] In summary, when the reception period in which beacon communication device 300-α (first beacon communication device) receives the first beacon and the second beacon is included in the first time zone, the reception period in which beacon communication device 300-β (second beacon communication device) receives the first beacon and the second beacon is included in the second time zone, and the third reception period is less than the third threshold, the control unit 530 detects that store clerk V is rearranging product P.

[0130] It is not necessary to detect the third reception period.

[0131] (2-3) Example of operation 2-3 Next, a description will be given of an operation example 2-3 according to the first embodiment. The operation example 2-3 is an operation example in which a store clerk V proposes a product P to a user U.

[0132] 12 is a diagram showing the second-third operation example, which is based on the premise that the user U is near the store clerk V.

[0133] 12, when the store clerk V operates near the hanger rack L, the beacon communication device 300-1 receives a store clerk beacon in step S50. Also, when the store clerk V holds the product P in his / her hand in step S51, the appliance communication device 100 transmits a hanger beacon, and the beacon communication device 300-1 receives the hanger beacon. The user terminal device 400 also receives the hanger beacon.

[0134] Then, when the store clerk V returns the product P to the hanger rack L, in step S52, the transmission of the hanger beacon from the appliance communication device 100 is stopped.

[0135] In step S53, the user terminal device 400 transmits a reception period (third reception period) for the hanger beacon to the server device 500. The server device 500 receives the third reception period.

[0136] In step S54, the beacon communication device 300-1 transmits the reception period (first reception period) of the hanger beacon and the reception period (second reception period) of the store clerk beacon to the server device 500. The server device 500 receives the first reception period and the second reception period.

[0137] In step S55, the control unit 530 of the server device 500 detects that the store clerk V is proposing the product P to the user U based on the first reception period, the second reception period, and the third reception period.

[0138] Specifically, the control unit 530 detects that the store clerk V is proposing product P to the user U when the temporal length of the first reception period and the temporal length of the second reception period are a period equal to or greater than the fourth threshold and fall within the same time period (e.g., the third time period), and the temporal length of the third reception period is a period equal to or greater than the fifth threshold within that time period.

[0139] If the duration of the first reception period and the duration of the second reception period are equal to or greater than the fourth threshold, the duration of the reception period by the store clerk beacon and the duration of the reception period by the hanger beacon will be sufficiently long, and the control unit 530 can detect that the store clerk V is holding the product P in his / her hand. Furthermore, if the duration of the third reception period detected by the user terminal device 400 is equal to or greater than the fifth threshold period and is detected in the same time zone as the first reception period, it can be detected that the user U is not passing by the store clerk V but is near the appliance communication device 100, that is, that the store clerk V has suggested the product P to the user U. Therefore, the control unit 530 can detect that the store clerk V is suggesting the product P to the user U. (2-4) Another example of the second operation example In the second operation example, an example was described in which the beacon communication device 300-1 receives a hanger beacon and a store clerk beacon. For example, the user terminal device 400 may receive the hanger beacon and the store clerk beacon. In this case, the user terminal device 400 may detect each reception period in the same way as the beacon communication device 300-1 and upload the detected reception period to the server device 500. As a result, instead of the beacon communication device 300-1, the user terminal device 400 uploads each reception period, and the server device 500 can detect each operation described in (Operation Example 2-1) to (Operation Example 2-3) based on the reception period. In this case, the beacon communication device 300-1 may not be necessary.

[0140] (3) Third operation example Next, a third operation example according to the first embodiment will be described. The third operation example is an operation example in which acceleration information is used to detect the behavior of the store clerk V and / or the user U. Therefore, in the third operation example, acceleration sensors are used in the detection units 140 and 240.

[0141] The third operation example is an operation example in which acceleration information is further used in addition to the first operation example. Therefore, in the third operation example, an operation example (3-1 operation example) corresponding to the operation example (1-1 operation example) of detecting that the store clerk V is holding the product P will be described. Next, an operation example (3-2 operation example) corresponding to the operation example (1-2 operation example) of detecting that the user U is holding the product P will be described.

[0142] (3-1) Example of operation of No. 3-1 First, the 3-1 operation example according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0143] As described above, acceleration information is used in the third operation example. That is, the hanger beacon (first beacon) includes acceleration information (first acceleration information) representing the acceleration accompanying the movement of the appliance communication device 100. Furthermore, the store clerk beacon (second beacon) includes acceleration information (second acceleration information) representing the acceleration accompanying the movement of the store clerk beacon transmission device 200. The beacon communication device 300 transmits the first acceleration information and the second acceleration information to the server device 500. The server device 500 detects the behavior of the store clerk V and / or the user U based on at least the first acceleration information and the second acceleration information.

[0144] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing operation example 3-1, which is an operation example in which acceleration information is added to operation example 1-1 (Fig. 8).

[0145] That is, as the store clerk V approaches the beacon communication device 300-1, the beacon communication device 300-1 receives a store clerk beacon in step S60. The store clerk beacon includes acceleration information (second acceleration information) detected by the acceleration sensor (detection unit 140) of the store clerk beacon transmission device 200 as the store clerk V moves.

[0146] Furthermore, when the store clerk V picks up the product P, the appliance communication device 100 transmits a hanger beacon. The hanger beacon includes acceleration information (first acceleration information) detected by the acceleration sensor (detection unit 140) of the appliance communication device 100 when the store clerk V picks up the product P. The beacon communication device 300-1 receives the hanger beacon.

[0147] When the store clerk V returns the product P to the hanger rack L and moves away from the hanger rack L, the beacon communication device 300-1 stops receiving the hanger beacon and the store clerk beacon (step S62).

[0148] Thereafter, in step S63, the beacon communication device 300-1 transmits the first acceleration information and the second acceleration information along with the first reception period and the second reception period to the server device 500. The server device 500 receives the first reception period, the second reception period, and the first acceleration information and the second acceleration information.

[0149] In step S64, the control unit 530 of the server device 500 detects the behavior of the store clerk V and / or the user U based on at least the first acceleration information and the second acceleration information.

[0150] Specifically, the control unit 530 detects that the first beacon and the second beacon are received at approximately the same time by the beacon communication device 300-1, and when the first acceleration information and the second acceleration information are identical, it detects that the store clerk V is holding the product P.

[0151] The beacon communication device 300-1 receives the first beacon and the second beacon almost simultaneously, which is the same as in the first-1 operation example. If the start times of the reception period (first reception period) of the first beacon and the reception period (second reception period) of the second beacon are the same, or if the start times are different but the difference is within a certain range, they can be detected as having been received almost simultaneously. In this case, as in the first-1 operation example, it can be detected that the store clerk V is holding the product P. It is assumed that the store clerk beacon transmission device 200 and the appliance communication device 100 detect acceleration information within a predetermined range due to the action of the store clerk V with respect to the product P. Therefore, in addition to the condition in the first-1 operation example, the control unit 530 detects that the two pieces of acceleration information are the same, thereby improving the accuracy of detecting that the store clerk V is holding the product P.

[0152] (3-2) Example of operation of 3-2 Next, a description will be given of operation example 3-2 according to embodiment 1. Operation example 3-2 is an operation example for detecting that the user U is holding the product P.

[0153] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing the 3-2 operation example, which is an operation example in which acceleration information is added to the 1-2 operation example (Fig. 9).

[0154] 14, when the user U picks up the product P, the appliance communication device 100 transmits a hanger beacon in step S70. The hanger beacon includes first acceleration information.

[0155] Thereafter, when the user U returns the product P to the hanger rack L, the appliance communication device 100 stops transmitting the hanger beacon in step S72.

[0156] As in the first-second operation example, when the store clerk V passes near the beacon communication device 300-1, the beacon communication device 300-1 receives a store clerk beacon in step S71. The store clerk beacon includes second acceleration information.

[0157] In step S73, the beacon communication device 300-1 transmits the first reception period, the second reception period, the first acceleration information, and the second acceleration information to the server device 500. The server device 500 receives this information.

[0158] In step S74, the control unit 530 of the server device 500 detects that the user U is holding the product P when the ratio of the time length of the second receiving period to the time length of the first receiving period is less than the first threshold value, and further, the first acceleration information and the second acceleration information are different.

[0159] The condition that the ratio of the time length of the second reception period to the time length of the first reception period is less than the first threshold is the same as in the 1-2 operation example, and it can be determined that the store clerk V just happened to pass by the user U and that the user U is holding the product P. Furthermore, because the user U's action (the action of holding the product P) and the action of the store clerk V (the action of passing by) are different, the first acceleration information and the second acceleration information should not be acceleration information within a predetermined range. Therefore, in the 3-2 operation example, adding acceleration information to the condition can improve the accuracy of detecting the action of the user U holding the product P.

[0160] (4) Fourth operation example Next, a fourth operation example will be described. In the fourth operation example, an example in which the behavior of a store clerk V and / or a user U is detected using a beacon communication device 300-2 installed in the backyard B will be described.

[0161] Specifically, a server device (e.g., server device 500) detects the behavior of store clerk V and / or user U based on at least the reception period of the first beacon received from a third beacon communication device (e.g., beacon communication device 300-1) and the reception period of the second beacon received from a fourth beacon communication device (e.g., beacon communication device 300-2).

[0162] Here, the fourth beacon communication device (for example, the beacon communication device 300-2) is installed in the backyard B. The third beacon communication device (for example, the beacon communication device 300-1) is installed in a space other than the backyard in the store S. This space may be referred to as a "sales floor" below.

[0163] In the fourth operation example, three operation examples will be described. That is, there is an operation example (4-1 operation example) in which the action of the store clerk V taking the product P from the sales floor to the back yard B is detected, an operation example (4-2 operation example) in which the action of the store clerk V taking the product P from the back yard B to the sales floor is detected, and an operation example (4-3 operation example) in which the action of the store clerk V rearranging the product P in the sales floor of the store S is detected.

[0164] (4-1) Example of operation of No. 4-1 First, the 4-1st operation example will be described.

[0165] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an operation example 4-1 according to the first embodiment. Note that the beacon communication device 300-1 is installed in the sales floor, and the beacon communication device 300-2 is installed in the backyard B. Also, in Fig. 15, the store clerk beacon transmission device 200 is omitted. The beacon communication devices 300-1 and 300-2 are capable of receiving store clerk beacons, but in the fourth operation example, the operation of the store clerk beacon transmission device 200 is omitted from the description because the operation of the store clerk V can be detected without using a store clerk beacon.

[0166] As shown in FIG. 15, when a store clerk V picks up a product P on the sales floor, in step S80, the appliance communication device 100 transmits a hanger beacon, and the beacon communication device 300-1 receives the hanger beacon.

[0167] The store clerk V, holding the product P, moves to the backyard B. The beacon communication device 300-2 receives the hanger beacon transmitted from the appliance communication device 100.

[0168] Thereafter, when the store clerk V puts the product P away in the back room B, in step S82, the transmission of the hanger beacon from the appliance communication device 100 stops.

[0169] In step S83, the beacon communication device 300-1 transmits the reception period of the hangar beacon to the server device 500. The server device 500 receives the reception period.

[0170] In step S84, the beacon communication device 300-2 transmits the reception period of the hangar beacon to the server device 500. The server device 500 receives the reception period.

[0171] In step S85, the control unit 530 of the server device 500 detects that the store clerk V has brought the product P from the sales floor to the back room B when the reception period received from the beacon communication device 300-2 begins after the reception period received from the beacon communication device 300-1 has elapsed.

[0172] When the reception period received from beacon communication device 300-2 starts after the reception period received from beacon communication device 300-1 has elapsed, it can be assumed that store clerk V has moved from the sales floor to back yard B while holding product P. Therefore, control unit 530 can detect the action of store clerk V bringing product P from the sales floor to back yard B. The reception period received from beacon communication device 300-2 may include the start time. Control unit 530 may use the start time to determine whether the reception period is before or after.

[0173] (4-2) Example of operation of No. 4-2 Next, an operation example 4-2 will be described. In the operation example 4-2, an example will be described in which the operation of a store clerk V taking a product P from the back yard B to the sales floor is detected.

[0174] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an operation example 4-2 according to the first embodiment.

[0175] As shown in FIG. 16, the start timing of the reception period of the first beacon of the beacon communication device 300-1 and the reception period of the first beacon of the beacon communication device 300-2 is reversed from that in the 4-1 operation example (FIG. 15).

[0176] That is, when the store clerk V takes out the product P from the backyard B, the beacon communication device 300-2 receives the hanger beacon in step S90.

[0177] Thereafter, when the store clerk V moves to the sales floor while holding the product P, the beacon communication device 300-1 receives the hanger beacon in step S91.

[0178] When the store clerk V hangs the product P on a hanger rack L installed in the sales floor, the transmission of the hanger beacon is stopped in step S92.

[0179] In step S93, the beacon communication device 300-1 transmits the reception period (first reception period) of the hanger beacon to the server device 500. Also, in step S94, the beacon communication device 300-2 transmits the reception period (first reception period) of the hanger beacon. The server device 500 receives the two reception periods.

[0180] In step S95, the control unit 530 of the server device 500 detects that the store clerk V has brought the product P from the backyard B into the sales floor when the reception period of the hanger beacon received from the beacon communication device 300-1 starts after the reception period of the hanger beacon received from the beacon communication device 300-2 has elapsed. The control unit 530 may make a determination based on the start time included in the first reception period.

[0181] (4-3) Example of operation of 4-3 Next, an operation example 4-3 will be described. In the operation example 4-3, a beacon communication device 300-1 in the sales floor and a beacon communication device 300-2 in the back yard B are used to detect an operation (e.g., rearrangement) of a product P in the sales floor by a store clerk V.

[0182] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an operation example 4-3 according to the first embodiment.

[0183] 17, when a store clerk V takes out a product P from a hanger rack L, in step S100, the appliance communication device 100 transmits a hanger beacon. The beacon communication device 300-1 receives the hanger beacon.

[0184] Thereafter, when the store clerk V returns the taken-out product P to the hanger rack L, the appliance communication device 100 stops transmitting the hanger beacon in step S101.

[0185] In step S102, the beacon communication device 300-1 transmits a reception period (first reception period) of the hanger beacon to the server device 500. The server device 500 receives the reception period.

[0186] In step S103, the beacon communication device 300-2 does not receive the hanger beacon, so it does not transmit the reception period of the hanger beacon. Alternatively, the beacon communication device 300-2 may transmit a reception period indicating that the beacon reception period is "0". In this case, the server device 500 receives the information.

[0187] In step S104, when the beacon communication device 300-2 (fourth beacon communication device) does not receive a hanger beacon, the control unit 530 of the server device 500 detects that the store clerk V is operating the product P in the sales area.

[0188] That is, when the beacon communication device 300-1 installed on the sales floor receives a hanger beacon but the beacon communication device 300-2 installed in the backyard B does not receive the hanger beacon, it can be assumed that the store clerk V is operating on the product P on the sales floor, not in the backyard B. Therefore, the control unit 530 can detect that the store clerk V is operating on the product P. Similarly, when the control unit 530 receives from the beacon communication device 300-2 a reception period indicating that the reception period of the hanger beacon is "0", it can also detect the operation of the store clerk V on the product P.

[0189] [Other embodiments] A program (e.g., a customer service assistance program) may be provided that causes a computer to execute each process (or each operation) described in each of the above-described embodiments. The program can be installed on a computer using a computer-readable medium. Here, the computer-readable medium on which the program is recorded may be a non-transitory recording medium. The non-transitory recording medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM. Such a recording medium may be included in the control unit 130 of the appliance communication device 100, the control unit 230 of the store clerk beacon transmission device 200, the control unit 330 of the beacon communication device 300, the control unit 430 of the user terminal device 400, and the control unit 530 of the server device 500. Each of the control units 130, 230, 330, 430, and 530 may read the program from the recording medium and execute the program to realize the function (or process, or operation) described in the above-described embodiments.

[0190] Although the embodiments have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above, and various design changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments, operations, or processes can be combined as appropriate within a consistent range.

[0191] (Addendum) The following notes are provided, but they do not limit the embodiments.

[0192] (Appendix 1) a holding device for holding a commodity and a device communication device attached to any one of the commodity; a portable store clerk beacon transmitting device carried by the store clerk; a beacon communication device; A behavior detection system having a server device, the beacon communication device receives a first beacon transmitted from the appliance communication device and a second beacon transmitted from the store clerk beacon transmission device, and transmits to the server device a first reception period representing a reception period of the first beacon and a second reception period representing a reception period of the second beacon; The server device detects the behavior of the store clerk and / or the user based on the first reception period and the second reception period. Behavior detection system.

[0193] (Appendix 2) The server device detects that the store clerk is holding the product when the beacon communication device detects that the start time of the first reception period and the start time of the second reception period are the same and the difference between the start time of the first reception period and the start time of the second reception period is within a certain range. 10. The behavior detection system of claim 1.

[0194] (Appendix 3) The server device detects that the user is holding the product when a ratio of the time length of the second receiving period to the time length of the first receiving period is less than a first threshold. 10. The behavior detection system of claim 1 or claim 1.

[0195] (Appendix 4) The system further includes a user terminal device carried by the user, the user terminal device receives the first beacon and transmits a third reception period representing a reception period of the first beacon to the server device; The server device detects the behavior of the store clerk and / or the user based on at least the third reception period. 4. A behavior detection system according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 3.

[0196] (Appendix 5) When the length of the third receiving period is equal to or greater than a second threshold, it is detected that the user is holding the product. 5. A behavior detection system according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 4.

[0197] (Appendix 6) The beacon communication devices include a first beacon communication device installed at a first location and a second beacon communication device installed at a second location; the first beacon communication device and the second beacon communication device receive the first beacon and the second beacon, and transmit reception periods of the first beacon and the second beacon to the server device; The server device detects that the store clerk is rearranging the products when a reception period in which the first beacon communication device receives the first beacon and the second beacon is included in a first time slot, a reception period in which the second beacon communication device receives the first beacon and the second beacon is included in a second time slot, and the third reception period is less than a third threshold. 6. A behavior detection system according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 5.

[0198] (Appendix 7) The server device detects that the store clerk is proposing the product to the user when the temporal length of the first reception period and the temporal length of the second reception period are periods equal to or greater than a fourth threshold and are included in the same third time slot, and the temporal length of the third reception period is a period equal to or greater than a fifth threshold in the third time slot. 7. A behavior detection system according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 6.

[0199] (Appendix 8) the first beacon includes first acceleration information representing acceleration caused by movement of the appliance communication device, and the second beacon includes second acceleration information representing acceleration caused by movement of the store clerk beacon transmission device; the beacon communication device transmits the first acceleration information and the second acceleration information to the server device; The server device detects the behavior of the store clerk and / or the user based on at least the first acceleration information and the second acceleration information. 8. A behavior detection system according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 7.

[0200] (Appendix 9) The server device detects that the beacon communication device receives the first beacon and the second beacon at the same time, or that the difference in reception time between the first beacon and the second beacon is within a certain range, and when the first acceleration information and the second acceleration information are within a predetermined range, the server device detects that the store clerk is holding the product. 9. A behavior detection system according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 8.

[0201] (Appendix 10) The server device detects that the user is holding the product when a ratio of the time length of the second reception period to the time length of the first reception period is less than a first threshold value and the first acceleration information and the second acceleration information are not within a predetermined range. 10. A behavior detection system according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 9.

[0202] (Appendix 11) The beacon communication devices include a third beacon communication device installed in a sales floor in the store and a fourth beacon communication device installed in a backyard in the store, the third beacon communication device receives the first beacon and transmits a reception period of the first beacon to the server device; the fourth beacon communication device receives the first beacon and transmits a reception period of the first beacon to the server device; The server device detects the behavior of the store clerk and / or the user based on at least a reception period of the first beacon received from the third beacon communication device and a reception period of the first beacon received from the fourth beacon communication device. 11. A behavior detection system according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 10.

[0203] (Appendix 12) The server device detects that the store clerk has brought the product from the store to the backyard when the reception period of the first beacon received from the fourth beacon communication device starts after the reception period of the first beacon received from the third beacon communication device has elapsed. 12. A behavior detection system according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 11.

[0204] (Appendix 13) The server device detects that the store clerk has brought the product from the backroom into the store when the reception period of the first beacon received from the third beacon communication device starts after the reception period of the first beacon received from the fourth beacon communication device has elapsed. 13. A behavior detection system according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 12.

[0205] (Appendix 14) When the server device does not receive a hanger beacon reception period from the fourth beacon communication device, it detects that the store clerk is operating on a product in the store. 14. A behavior detection system according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

[0206] (Appendix 15) A server device, a communication unit that receives from the beacon communication device a first reception period that represents a reception period when the beacon communication device receives a first beacon transmitted from an appliance communication device attached to either a holding appliance that holds a commodity or the commodity, and a second reception period that represents a reception period when the beacon communication device receives a second beacon transmitted from a portable store clerk beacon transmission device carried by a store clerk; a control unit that detects the behavior of the store clerk and / or the user based on the first reception period and the second reception period. Server device.

[0207] (Appendix 16) A behavior detection method in a behavior detection system having a holding device for holding a commodity and a device communication device attached to any of the commodity, a portable store clerk beacon transmission device carried by a store clerk, a beacon communication device, and a server device, comprising: a step in which the beacon communication device receives a first beacon transmitted from the appliance communication device, receives a second beacon transmitted from the store clerk beacon transmission device, and transmits a first reception period representing a reception period of the first beacon and a second reception period representing a reception period of the second beacon to the server device; and detecting, by the server device, the behavior of the store clerk and / or the user based on the first reception period and the second reception period. Behavioral detection methods. [Explanation of symbols]

[0208] 10: Behavior detection system 100: Appliance communication device 110: Beacon transmitting unit 130: Control unit 140: Detection unit 200: Store clerk beacon transmitter 210: Beacon transmitting unit 230: Control unit 240: Detection unit 300: Beacon communication device 310: Beacon receiving unit 320: Wireless communication unit 330: Control unit 400: User terminal device 410: Beacon receiving unit 420: Wireless communication unit 430: Control unit 500: Server device 510: Communication unit 530: Control unit B: Backyard H: Holding equipment L: Hanger rack P: Product S: Store U: User V: Store clerk Z: Display zone

Claims

1. a holding device for holding a commodity and a device communication device attached to any one of the commodity; a portable store clerk beacon transmitting device carried by the store clerk; a beacon communication device; A behavior detection system having a server device, the beacon communication device receives a first beacon transmitted from the appliance communication device and a second beacon transmitted from the store clerk beacon transmission device, and transmits to the server device a first reception period representing a reception period of the first beacon and a second reception period representing a reception period of the second beacon; The server device detects the behavior of the store clerk and / or the user based on the first reception period and the second reception period. Behavior detection system.

2. The server device detects that the store clerk is holding the product when the beacon communication device detects that the start time of the first reception period and the start time of the second reception period are the same, or that the difference between the start time of the first reception period and the start time of the second reception period is within a certain range. The behavior detection system of claim 1 .

3. The server device detects that the user is holding the product when a ratio of the time length of the second reception period to the time length of the first reception period is less than a first threshold. The behavior detection system of claim 1 .

4. The system further includes a user terminal device carried by the user, the user terminal device receives the first beacon and transmits a third reception period representing a reception period of the first beacon to the server device; The server device detects the behavior of the store clerk and / or the user based on at least the third reception period. The behavior detection system of claim 1 .

5. When the length of the third receiving period is equal to or greater than a second threshold, it is detected that the user is holding the product. The behavior detection system according to claim 4 .

6. The beacon communication device includes a first beacon communication device installed at a first location and a second beacon communication device installed at a second location, the first beacon communication device and the second beacon communication device receive the first beacon and the second beacon, and transmit reception periods of the first beacon and the second beacon to the server device; The server device detects that the store clerk is rearranging the products when a reception period in which the first beacon communication device receives the first beacon and the second beacon is included in a first time zone, a reception period in which the second beacon communication device receives the first beacon and the second beacon is included in a second time zone, and the third reception period is less than a third threshold. The behavior detection system according to claim 4 .

7. The server device detects that the store clerk is proposing the product to the user when the temporal length of the first reception period and the temporal length of the second reception period are a period equal to or greater than a fourth threshold and are included in the same third time slot, and the temporal length of the third reception period is a period equal to or greater than a fifth threshold in the third time slot. The behavior detection system according to claim 4 .

8. The first beacon includes first acceleration information representing acceleration caused by movement of the appliance communication device, and the second beacon includes second acceleration information representing acceleration caused by movement of the store clerk beacon transmission device, the beacon communication device transmits the first acceleration information and the second acceleration information to the server device; The server device detects the behavior of the store clerk and / or the user based on at least the first acceleration information and the second acceleration information. The behavior detection system of claim 1 .

9. The server device detects that the beacon communication device receives the first beacon and the second beacon at the same time, or that the difference in reception time between the first beacon and the second beacon is within a certain range, and when the first acceleration information and the second acceleration information are within a predetermined range, the server device detects that the store clerk is holding the product. The behavior detection system according to claim 2 and claim 8.

10. The server device detects that the user is holding the product when a ratio of the time length of the second reception period to the time length of the first reception period is less than a first threshold value and the first acceleration information and the second acceleration information are not within a predetermined range. The behavior detection system according to claim 3 and claim 8.

11. The beacon communication devices include a third beacon communication device installed in a sales floor in the store and a fourth beacon communication device installed in a backyard in the store, the third beacon communication device receives the first beacon and transmits a reception period of the first beacon to the server device; the fourth beacon communication device receives the first beacon and transmits a reception period of the first beacon to the server device; The server device detects the behavior of the store clerk and / or the user based on at least a reception period of the first beacon received from the third beacon communication device and a reception period of the first beacon received from the fourth beacon communication device. The behavior detection system of claim 1 .

12. The server device detects that the store clerk has brought the product from the store to the backyard when the reception period of the first beacon received from the fourth beacon communication device starts after the reception period of the first beacon received from the third beacon communication device has elapsed. The behavior detection system of claim 11.

13. The server device detects that the store clerk has brought the product from the backyard into the store when the reception period of the first beacon received from the third beacon communication device starts after the reception period of the first beacon received from the fourth beacon communication device has elapsed. The behavior detection system of claim 11.

14. When the server device does not receive a hanger beacon reception period from the fourth beacon communication device, it detects that the store clerk is operating on a product in the store. The behavior detection system of claim 11.

15. A server device, a communication unit that receives from the beacon communication device a first reception period that indicates a reception period when the beacon communication device receives a first beacon transmitted from an appliance communication device attached to either a holding appliance that holds a commodity or the commodity, and a second reception period that indicates a reception period when the beacon communication device receives a second beacon transmitted from a portable store clerk beacon transmission device carried by a store clerk; a control unit that detects the behavior of the store clerk and / or the user based on the first reception period and the second reception period. Server device.

16. A behavior detection method in a behavior detection system having a holding device for holding a commodity and a device communication device attached to any of the commodity, a portable store clerk beacon transmission device carried by a store clerk, a beacon communication device, and a server device, comprising: a step in which the beacon communication device receives a first beacon transmitted from the appliance communication device, receives a second beacon transmitted from the store clerk beacon transmission device, and transmits a first reception period representing a reception period of the first beacon and a second reception period representing a reception period of the second beacon to the server device; and detecting, by the server device, the behavior of the store clerk and / or the user based on the first reception period and the second reception period. Behavioral detection methods.

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