Stored paint management device, stored paint management system, stored paint management method, and program

Abstract

To provide a stored paint management device, a stored paint management system, a stored paint management method, and a program capable of easily grasping a paint of another color that can be produced from a stored paint.SOLUTION: The cloud server 1 includes the stored-paint information storage 131 that stores the image information indicating the captured image of the container filled with the paint stored by the painting contractor in association with the paint identification information. And a stored-paint information notifying section 114 that transmits, to the terminal 3, stored-paint information including the captured image of each of the containers filled with the paints, the paint identification information, and the color-chart number information. The stored-paint information managing section 112 causes the stored-paint information storing section 131 to store the color-chart number information indicating the specified color in association with the paint identification information. 113.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a stored paint management device, a stored paint management system, a stored paint management method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] A paint utilization system has been proposed that includes a server terminal device managed by a paint product sales business that sells paint products in which paint is stored in sealed containers, and business terminal devices that can communicate with the server terminal device via a network and are managed by multiple businesses that store paint products as unused surplus inventory, and in which the server terminal device accumulates information regarding the surplus inventory sent from each business terminal device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-114009 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In view of the effective use of paint, it is desirable for a number of businesses that store paint products to mix their own paint with paint stored by other businesses or primary color paints sold by paint distributors to produce and use paint of a different color from the paint they store. Therefore, there is a demand for a means by which businesses can easily grasp the colors of paint that can be produced from the paints they store.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned reasons, and aims to provide a stored paint management device, a stored paint management system, a stored paint management method, and a program that allow users to easily grasp the other colors of paint that can be made from stored paint. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the storage paint management device according to the present invention comprises: a storage paint information storage unit that stores image information showing a captured image of a container filled with at least one paint stored by a user in association with paint identification information for each of the at least one paint; a color specifying unit that specifies, for each of the at least one paint, a color that can be achieved by mixing with other paints; a stored paint information management unit that stores color information indicating the identified color in a stored paint information storage unit in association with the paint identification information of each of the at least one paint; The system is equipped with a stored paint information notification unit that transmits captured images of each container filled with at least one paint, paint identification information for each of the at least one paint, and the color information to a terminal device carried by the user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the color identification unit identifies, for each of at least one paint, colors that can be achieved by mixing other paints, and the stored paint information management unit stores color information indicating the identified colors, along with image information indicating captured images of containers filled with at least one paint, in the stored paint information storage unit in association with the paint identification information for each of the at least one paint. The stored paint information notification unit also transmits the captured images of each of the containers filled with at least one paint, the paint identification information for each of the at least one paint, and the color information to a terminal device carried by the user. This allows the image information and color information of the paint containers stored by the user to be displayed on the display unit of the terminal device, allowing the user to easily identify other colors of paint that can be created using the paint stored by the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a stored paint management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a terminal device and a cloud server according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a terminal device and a cloud server according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a stored paint information storage unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the stored paint management system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a paint storage notification image displayed on a display unit of the terminal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the stored paint management system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a stored paint information display process executed by the terminal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a stored paint management process executed by the cloud server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a terminal device and a cloud server according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a stored paint information storage unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a toning information storage unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a toning information storage unit according to a modified example. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a terminal device and a cloud server according to a modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a terminal device and a cloud server according to a modified example. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a storage paint information storage unit according to a modified example. [Figure 17]FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of a storage paint management system according to a modified example. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a stored paint management process executed by a cloud server according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Embodiment 1) A stored paint management device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The stored paint management device according to this embodiment includes a stored paint information storage unit, a color identification unit, a stored paint information management unit, and a stored paint information notification unit. The stored paint information storage unit stores image information representing captured images of at least one container filled with paint stored by a user, in association with paint identification information for each of the at least one paint. For each of the at least one paint, the color identification unit identifies colors that can be achieved by blending with other paints. The stored paint information management unit stores color information representing the identified colors in the stored paint information storage unit in association with the paint identification information for each of the at least one paint. The stored paint information notification unit transmits the captured images of each container filled with at least one paint, the paint identification information for each of the at least one paint, and the color information to a terminal device carried by the user. Here, "other paint" includes not only paints stored by other users but also primary color paints provided by paint manufacturers and distributors. In addition, the paints stored by other users include paints whose main components are resin, pigment, additives, and solvents, and primary color paints include paints whose main components are pigment, additives, and solvents.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the paint storage management system according to this embodiment includes a terminal device 3 owned by a painting contractor and a cloud server 1, and the terminal device 3 and the cloud server 1 are capable of communicating with each other via a network NW1. A terminal device 8 owned by a paint distributor and a sales management server 9 that manages a paint sales site are also connected to the network NW1, and the cloud server 1 is capable of communicating with the terminal device 8 and the sales management server 9 via the network NW1. Here, the network NW1 is, for example, the Internet. The terminal device 8 is, for example, a personal computer equipped with a display unit. When the terminal device 8 receives order information from the cloud server 1 indicating the details of an order placed by a painting contractor (described below) when the terminal device 8 receives order information, the terminal device 8 generates an order details notification image notifying the paint distributor of the order details based on the received order information and displays the image on the display unit.

[0011] The sales management server 9 includes a submitted paint storage unit (not shown) that stores color chart number information, product name information, and manufacturer information of the paints to be posted on the sales site in association with each other. When the sales management server 9 acquires the exhibition request information (described later) transmitted from the cloud server 1, it extracts the color chart number information, product name information, and manufacturer information contained in the acquired exhibition request information and stores them in the submitted paint storage unit.

[0012] The terminal device 3 is, for example, a smartphone, and as shown in FIG. 2, includes a CPU 301, a main memory unit 302, an auxiliary memory unit 303, a display unit 304, an input unit 305, a communication unit 306, an imaging unit 307, and a bus 309 connecting these units to one another. The main memory unit 302 has a volatile memory such as RAM and is used as a work area for the CPU 301. The main memory unit 302 also has an image-only memory (not shown) that temporarily stores image information to be displayed on the display unit 304. The auxiliary memory unit 303 is a non-volatile memory such as a semiconductor flash memory and stores programs for the CPU 301 to execute various processes. The display unit 304 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The input unit 305 is, for example, a transparent touchpad placed on top of the display unit 304. The communication unit 306 is connected to the network NW1 and transmits information transferred from the CPU 301 to the cloud server 1 via the network NW1, and transfers various information obtained from the cloud server 1 via the network NW1 to the CPU 301.

[0013] The imaging unit 307 has a camera and a DMA (Direct Memory Access) controller, and after being started, the DMA controller transfers photographic image information obtained by capturing an image with the camera to an image-dedicated memory in real time. Furthermore, when the imaging unit 307 receives imaging command information from the CPU 301, it generates captured image information indicating the photograph captured at the timing when the imaging command information was received and notifies the CPU 301 of the captured image information.

[0014] The CPU 301 loads the programs stored in the auxiliary memory 303 into the main memory 302 and executes them, thereby functioning as a reception unit 311, a stored paint information acquisition unit 312, an image formation unit 313, a display control unit 314, an imaging control unit 315, a new stored paint information generation unit 316, a new stored paint information transmission unit 317, a listing request unit 318, and an order request unit 319, as shown in FIG. 3. The auxiliary memory 303 shown in FIG. 2 also includes a stored paint information storage unit 331, an image storage unit 332, and a new stored paint information storage unit 333, as shown in FIG. 3. The image-only memory of the main memory 502 shown in FIG. 2 also includes a display image storage unit 521 that temporarily stores screen images to be displayed on the display unit 504. The stored paint information storage unit 331 stores stored paint color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, matched color chart number information, and image information included in the stored paint information acquired from the cloud server 1, in association with one another. Here, the stored paint color chart number information is color information indicating, for example, the Japan Paint Company number of the paint stored by the painting contractor. Also, the product name information and manufacturer information are information indicating the paint product name and the paint manufacturer, respectively. The post-matching color chart number information is color chart number information indicating colors that can be achieved by matching colors identified in the cloud server 1. Furthermore, the image information indicates a captured image of a container filled with paint stored by the painting contractor.

[0015] The image storage unit 332 stores base images that are used as the basis for generating various notification images to be displayed on the display unit 304. The newly stored paint information storage unit 333 stores image information showing a photograph of a paint container that the user has newly stored, and paint identification information, in association with each other.

[0016] The reception unit 311 receives the operation content performed on the input unit 305 by the painting contractor who owns the terminal device 3, generates operation information corresponding to the received operation content, and notifies the stored paint information acquisition unit 312, the image formation unit 313, the image capture control unit 315, the exhibition request unit 318, or the order request unit 319. Specifically, when the painting contractor performs a stored paint display operation on the input unit 305 to display the stored paint on the display unit 304 in order to check the storage status of the paint stored by the painting contractor, the reception unit 311 receives the stored paint display operation, generates operation information corresponding to the operation, and notifies the stored paint information acquisition unit 312. Furthermore, when the painting contractor performs a new stored paint registration operation on the input unit 305 to register a newly stored paint as stored paint on the cloud server 1, the reception unit 311 receives the new stored paint registration operation, generates operation information corresponding to the operation, and notifies the image formation unit 313 and the new stored paint information generation unit 316. Furthermore, after accepting the aforementioned operation to register new stored paint, when the painting contractor accepts an imaging operation via the input unit 305 to take a photo of a container filled with the newly stored paint, the acceptance unit 311 accepts the imaging operation, generates operation information corresponding to the operation, and notifies the imaging control unit 315. Furthermore, when the painting contractor accepts an operation via the input unit 305 to list the paint they store on the sales site of a paint distributor, the acceptance unit 311 accepts the listing operation, generates operation information corresponding to the operation, and notifies the listing request unit 318. Furthermore, when the painting contractor accepts an ordering operation via the input unit 305 to order new paint to be mixed with the paint they store, the acceptance unit 311 accepts the ordering operation, generates operation information corresponding to the operation, and notifies the order request unit 319.

[0017] When the stored paint information acquisition unit 312 is notified by the reception unit 311 of operation information corresponding to the stored paint display operation described above, it generates stored paint information request information that includes user identification information that identifies the painting contractor and requests the cloud server 1 to transmit stored paint information that indicates information about the paint that it has stored. The stored paint information acquisition unit 312 then transmits the generated stored paint information request information to the cloud server 1, thereby acquiring the stored paint information transmitted from the cloud server 1. The stored paint information acquisition unit 312 also extracts stored paint color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, matched color chart number information, and image information contained in the acquired stored paint information, and stores the extracted various pieces of information in the stored paint information storage unit 331 in association with each other.

[0018] The image forming unit 313 forms a stored paint notification image including a captured image of the paint stored by the painting contractor based on the stored paint color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, matched color chart number information, and image information stored in the stored paint information storage unit 331. The image forming unit 313 then stores the formed stored paint notification image in the display image storage unit 321. Furthermore, when the image forming unit 313 receives operation information indicating a new stored paint registration operation from the reception unit 311, it forms an imaging mode image for capturing an image of the newly stored paint container and stores image information indicating the formed imaging mode image in the display image storage unit 321.

[0019] The display control unit 314 causes the display unit 304 to display various images indicated by various image information stored in the display image storage unit 321. When the reception unit 311 receives a new stored paint registration operation, the imaging control unit 315 activates the imaging unit 307. Furthermore, when the reception unit 311 notifies the imaging control unit 315 of operation information corresponding to the imaging operation, the imaging control unit 315 transfers imaging command information to the imaging unit 307. Then, the imaging unit 307 takes a photo of the paint container in accordance with the imaging command information, and notifies the newly stored paint information generation unit 316 of the captured image information of the photo.

[0020] When the new stored paint information generation unit 316 receives operation information corresponding to the new stored paint registration operation from the reception unit 311, it extracts the user identification information, color chart number information, product name information, and manufacturer information included in the operation information. Furthermore, when captured image information is transferred from the imaging unit 307, the new stored paint information generation unit 316 generates new stored paint information by adding the extracted user identification information, color chart number information, product name information, and manufacturer information to the transferred captured image information. The new stored paint information generation unit 316 then stores the generated new stored paint information in the new stored paint information storage unit 333. The new stored paint information transmission unit 317 transmits the new stored paint information stored in the new stored paint information storage unit 333 to the cloud server 1.

[0021] When the accepting unit 311 notifies the selling request unit 318 of the operation information corresponding to the selling operation, the selling request unit 318 generates selling request information requesting that the product be listed as a product for sale on the sales site of the sales management server 9, based on the user identification information and paint identification information included in the operation information. Here, the selling request information includes the user identification information, and product name information and manufacturer information corresponding to the paint identification information. The selling request unit 318 then transmits the generated selling request information to the cloud server 1. When the accepting unit 311 notifies the ordering request unit 319 of the operation information corresponding to the ordering operation, the ordering request unit 319 generates ordering request information requesting that the paint be placed with a paint distributor, based on the user identification information, color chart number information, product name information, and manufacturer information included in the operation information. The ordering request unit 319 then transmits the generated ordering request information to the cloud server 1.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the cloud server 1 includes a CPU 101, a main memory unit 102, an auxiliary memory unit 103, a communication unit 106, and a bus 109 interconnecting these components, and functions as a stored paint management device that manages paint stored by a painting contractor. The CPU 101 is, for example, a multi-core processor. The main memory unit 102 has a volatile memory and is used as a work area for the CPU 101. The auxiliary memory unit 103 is composed of a large-capacity non-volatile memory and stores programs for implementing various functions of the cloud server 1. The communication unit 106 is connected to a network NW1.

[0023] The CPU 101 loads the programs stored in the auxiliary memory 103 into the main memory 102 and executes them, thereby functioning as a new stored paint information acquisition unit 111, a stored paint information management unit 112, a color identification unit 113, a stored paint information transmission unit 114, a listing request unit 115, and an order unit 116, as shown in FIG. 3. The auxiliary memory 103 shown in FIG. 2 also includes a stored paint information storage unit 131 and a color matching information storage unit 132, as shown in FIG. 3. The stored paint information storage unit 131 stores image information representing captured images of at least one container filled with paint stored by a user (a painting contractor), in association with paint identification information for each of the at least one paint. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the stored paint information storage unit 131 stores stored paint information, including image information for paints stored by each of multiple painting contractors, in association with user identification information identifying each of the multiple painting contractors. Here, the stored paint information is made up of image information, stored paint color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, and matched color chart number information associated with the image information.

[0024] 3, the color matching information storage unit 132 stores, for each of a plurality of preset colors, color chart number information indicating colors that can be achieved by mixing the respective colors with other colors, in association with the color chart number information for each of the plurality of preset colors. For example, for a paint with color chart number "19-80B," the color matching information storage unit 132 stores, in association with the color chart number information indicating the paint with color chart number "19-75B" that can be achieved by mixing the paint with color chart number "19-60B," the color chart number information indicating the color chart number "19-80B."

[0025] When the newly stored paint information acquisition unit 111 acquires the newly stored paint information transmitted from the terminal device 3, it extracts the user identification information, color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, and image information contained in the acquired newly stored paint information and notifies the stored paint information management unit 112. In addition, the newly stored paint information acquisition unit 111 notifies the color identification unit 113 of the extracted color chart number information.

[0026] The color identification unit 113 identifies colors that can be achieved by mixing at least one paint with other paints, for each of the at least one paint corresponding to the new stored paint information transmitted from the terminal device 3. Specifically, the color identification unit 113 identifies color chart number information that corresponds to the color chart number information notified by the new stored paint information acquisition unit 111 from the color chart number information stored in the color mixing information storage unit 132. Then, the color identification unit 113 notifies the stored paint information management unit 112 of the identified color chart number information.

[0027] The stored paint information management unit 112 associates the user identification information, color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, and image information notified by the new stored paint information acquisition unit 111 with each other and stores them in the stored paint information storage unit 131. The stored paint information management unit 112 also associates the color chart number information notified by the color identification unit 113 with the paint identification information of each paint corresponding to the color chart number information and stores them in the stored paint information storage unit 131.

[0028] The stored paint information notification unit 114 transmits stored paint information, including a captured image of each container filled with at least one paint stored in the stored paint information storage unit 131, paint identification information for each of the at least one paint, and color chart number information, to the terminal device 3 carried by the painting contractor. Here, when the stored paint information notification unit 114 acquires stored paint information request information transmitted from the terminal device 3, it identifies stored paint information from the stored paint information stored in the stored paint information storage unit 131 that corresponds to the user identification information contained in the stored paint information request information, and transmits the identified stored paint information to the terminal device 3 that transmitted the stored paint information request information. Furthermore, when new stored paint information is added to the stored paint information storage unit 131, the stored paint information notification unit 114 identifies stored paint information from the stored paint information stored in the stored paint information storage unit 131 that includes the same user identification information as the user identification information of the newly added stored paint information. Then, the stored paint information notification unit 114 transmits the identified stored paint information to the terminal device 3 that transmitted the new stored paint information.

[0029] When the exhibition request unit 115 acquires exhibition request information transmitted from the terminal device 3, it transmits the acquired exhibition request information to the sales management server 9. When the ordering unit 116 acquires order request information transmitted from the terminal device 3, it identifies the terminal device 8 to which the paint will be ordered based on the manufacturer information included in the acquired order request information. Then, the ordering unit 116 generates order information including user identification information, color chart number information, and product name information, and transmits the generated order information to the identified terminal device 8.

[0030] Next, the operation of the stored paint management system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. First, as shown in FIG. 5, when the painting contractor performs the stored paint display operation described above on the input unit 305 of the terminal device 3, the terminal device 3 generates stored paint information request information including the user identification information of the painting contractor (step S1). Next, the generated stored paint information request information is transmitted from the terminal device 3 to the cloud server 1 (step S2). Meanwhile, upon receiving the stored paint information request information from the terminal device 3, the cloud server 1 identifies stored paint information corresponding to the user identification information included in the acquired stored paint information request information from the stored paint information stored in the stored paint information storage unit 131 (step S3). Next, the identified stored paint information is transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 3 (step S4). Meanwhile, upon receiving the stored paint information, the terminal device 3 extracts stored paint color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, matched color chart number information, and image information included in the acquired stored paint information. Then, the terminal device 3 stores the extracted stored paint color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, matched color chart number information, and image information in the stored paint information storage unit 331 (step S5).

[0031] The terminal device 3 then forms a stored paint notification image based on the stored paint color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, matched color chart number information, and image information stored in the stored paint information storage unit 331, and displays it on the display unit 304 (step S6). Here, the terminal device 3 displays, for example, a stored paint notification image GA1 as shown in FIG. 6 on the display unit 304. The stored paint notification image GA1 includes captured images GA01 and GA02 of containers filled with paint stored by the painting contractor, and band images GA011 and GA012 indicating the color of the paint. The stored paint notification image GA1 also displays message information M11 and M21 indicating the manufacturer name of the stored paint, message information M12 and M22 indicating the product name, and message information M13 and M23 indicating the color chart number. Furthermore, the stored paint notification image GA1 is displayed overlapping a part of the band image GA011, and includes message information M24 indicating the color chart number of the paint color that can be achieved by mixing with the stored paint.

[0032] Returning to FIG. 5 , when the painting contractor performs the aforementioned operation to register a new stored paint on the input unit 305 of the terminal device 3, the terminal device 3 forms a capture mode image for capturing an image of the newly stored paint container and displays it on the display unit 304 (step S7). At this time, the painting contractor inputs his / her user identification information, as well as color chart number information, product name information, and manufacturer information of the newly stored paint, into the input unit 305. The terminal device 3 also activates the imaging unit 307 to enable imaging by the imaging unit 307. Here, when the painting contractor performs the aforementioned image capturing operation on the input unit 305 of the terminal device 3, the terminal device 3 captures a photograph of the newly stored paint container using the imaging unit 307 (step S8). Next, the terminal device 3 generates newly stored paint information including captured image information indicating the captured photograph, user identification information, color chart number information, product name information, and manufacturer information (step S9). Subsequently, the generated newly stored paint information is transmitted from the terminal device 3 to the cloud server 1 (step S10). Meanwhile, when the cloud server 1 acquires new stored paint information transmitted from the terminal device 3, it extracts user identification information, color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, and image information included in the acquired new stored paint information. Then, the cloud server 1 associates the user identification information, color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, and image information with each other and stores them in the stored paint information storage unit 131 (step S11). Thereafter, the cloud server 1 identifies color chart number information corresponding to the extracted color chart number information from the color chart number information stored in the color matching information storage unit 132. Then, the cloud server 1 associates the identified color chart number information with the paint identification information of each paint corresponding to the color chart number information and stores it in the stored paint information storage unit 131 (step S12).

[0033] Next, the cloud server 1 identifies the new stored paint information and the stored paint information having the same associated user identification information (step S13). The identified stored paint information is then transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 3 (step S14). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the stored paint information, the terminal device 3 extracts the stored paint color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, matched color chart number information, and image information contained in the acquired stored paint information. The terminal device 3 then stores the extracted stored paint color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, matched color chart number information, and image information in the stored paint information storage unit 331 (step S15). Next, the terminal device 3 forms a stored paint notification image based on the stored paint color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, matched color chart number information, and image information stored in the stored paint information storage unit 331, and displays the image on the display unit 304 (step S16).

[0034] 7, when the painting contractor performs a listing operation on the input unit 305 of the terminal device 3 to list a paint that he or she stores on the sales site of a paint distributor, the terminal device 3 generates the above-mentioned listing request information (step S17). Subsequently, the generated listing request information is transmitted from the terminal device 3 to the cloud server 1 (step S18). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the listing request information transmitted from the terminal device 3, the cloud server 1 transmits the acquired listing request information to the sales management server 9 (step S19). Meanwhile, upon acquiring the listing request information, the sales management server 9 extracts the color chart number information, product name information, and manufacturer information contained in the acquired listing request information and stores them in the above-mentioned listed paint storage unit (step S20).

[0035] Furthermore, when the painting contractor performs an ordering operation on the input unit 305 of the terminal device 3 to order new paint to be mixed with the paint stored by the painting contractor, the terminal device 3 generates the aforementioned order request information (step S21). The generated order request information is then transmitted from the terminal device 3 to the cloud server 1 (step S22). Meanwhile, upon receiving the order request information, the cloud server 1 identifies the terminal device 8 to which the paint will be ordered based on the manufacturer information included in the received order request information (step S23). Next, the cloud server 1 generates order information including user identification information, color chart number information, and product name information (step S24). The generated order information is then transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the identified terminal device 8 (step S25). Meanwhile, upon receiving the order information, the terminal device 8 forms an order content notification image for notifying the paint dealer of the paint order content based on the received order information and displays the image on the display unit (step S26).

[0036] Next, the stored paint information display process executed by the terminal device 3 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. This stored paint information display process is initiated when a program for executing the stored paint information display process is launched in the terminal device 3 after the terminal device 3 is powered on. First, the reception unit 311 determines whether the above-described stored paint display operation has been received (step S201). If the reception unit 311 determines that the stored paint display operation has not been received (step S201: No), the process of step S206, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the reception unit 311 determines that the stored paint display operation has been received (step S201: Yes), the reception unit 311 generates operation information corresponding to the operation and notifies the stored paint information acquisition unit 312. Then, the stored paint information acquisition unit 312 generates stored paint information request information including the user identification information of the painting contractor in accordance with the notified operation information and transmits the request information to the cloud server 1 (step S202). As a result, the stored paint information acquisition unit 312 acquires the stored paint information transmitted from the cloud server 1 (step S203). Next, the stored paint information acquisition unit 312 extracts the stored paint color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, matched color chart number information, and image information included in the acquired stored paint information, and stores the extracted various pieces of information in the stored paint information storage unit 331 in association with each other (step S204). Next, the image formation unit 313 forms a stored paint notification image including a captured image of the paint stored by the painting contractor based on the stored paint color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, matched color chart number information, and image information stored in the stored paint information storage unit 331, and the display control unit 314 displays the formed stored paint notification image on the display unit 304 (step S205).

[0037] Thereafter, the receiving unit 311 determines whether or not the aforementioned new stored paint registration operation has been received (step S206). If the receiving unit 311 determines that the stored paint display operation has not been received (step S206: No), the processing of step S216, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the receiving unit 311 determines that the new stored paint registration operation has been received (step S206: Yes), the receiving unit 311 generates operation information corresponding to the operation and notifies the image forming unit 313 and the new stored paint information generating unit 316. Then, the image forming unit 313 forms the aforementioned imaging mode image according to the notified operation information, and the display control unit 314 displays the formed imaging mode image on the display unit 304 (step S207). Next, the receiving unit 311 determines whether or not the aforementioned imaging operation has been received (step S208). If the receiving unit 311 determines that the imaging operation has not been received (step S208: No), the processing of step S216, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, when the reception unit 311 determines that it has received an imaging operation (step S208: Yes), it generates operation information according to the operation and notifies the imaging control unit 315. Then, the imaging control unit 315 transfers imaging command information to the imaging unit 307 in accordance with the notified operation information, thereby causing the imaging unit 307 to perform an imaging operation (step S209).

[0038] Next, the newly stored paint information generation unit 316 extracts the user identification information, color chart number information, product name information, and manufacturer information contained in the operation information notified from the reception unit 311. Then, the newly stored paint information generation unit 316 generates new stored paint information by adding the extracted user identification information, color chart number information, product name information, and manufacturer information to the captured image information obtained by the imaging operation of the imaging unit 307 (step S210). Here, the newly stored paint information generation unit 316 stores the generated new stored paint information in the newly stored paint information storage unit 333. Thereafter, the newly stored paint information transmission unit 317 transmits the newly stored paint information stored in the newly stored paint information storage unit 333 to the cloud server 1 (step S211). Thereafter, when the stored paint information acquisition unit 312 acquires the stored paint information transmitted from the cloud server 1 (step S212), it extracts the stored paint color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, matched color chart number information, and image information included in the acquired stored paint information, and stores the extracted various pieces of information in the stored paint information storage unit 331 in correspondence with each other (step S213). Next, the image formation unit 313 forms a stored paint notification image including a captured image of the paint stored by the painting contractor based on the stored paint color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, matched color chart number information, and image information stored in the stored paint information storage unit 331, and the display control unit 314 displays the formed stored paint notification image on the display unit 304 (step S214).

[0039] Next, the receiving unit 311 determines whether or not the listing operation described above has been accepted (step S215). If the receiving unit 311 determines that the listing operation has not been accepted (step S215: No), the processing of step S217 described below is executed. On the other hand, if the receiving unit 311 determines that the listing operation has been accepted (step S215: Yes), the receiving unit 311 generates operation information corresponding to the operation and notifies the listing request unit 318. Then, the listing request unit 318 generates the listing request information described above based on the user identification information and paint identification information included in the notified operation information and transmits it to the cloud server 1 (step S216).

[0040] Thereafter, the reception unit 311 determines whether or not the above-mentioned ordering operation has been received (step S217). If the reception unit 311 determines that the ordering operation has not been received (step S217: No), the processing of step S201 is executed again. On the other hand, if the reception unit 311 determines that the ordering operation has been received (step S217: Yes), the reception unit 311 generates operation information corresponding to the operation and notifies the order request unit 319. Then, the order request unit 319 generates order request information requesting an order for paint from the paint distributor based on the user identification information, color chart number information, product name information, and manufacturer information included in the notified operation information, and transmits the order request information to the cloud server 1 (step S218). Next, the processing of step S201 is executed again.

[0041] Next, the stored paint management process executed by the cloud server 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The stored paint management process is initiated when a program for executing the stored paint management process is launched in the cloud server 1. First, the stored paint information notification unit 114 determines whether or not it has acquired stored paint information request information transmitted from the terminal device 3 (step S101). If the stored paint information notification unit 114 determines that it has not acquired the stored paint information request information (step S101: No), it executes the process of step S103, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the stored paint information notification unit 114 determines that it has acquired the stored paint information request information (step S101: Yes), it identifies stored paint information corresponding to the user identification information included in the stored paint information request information from the stored paint information stored in the stored paint information storage unit 131. Then, the stored paint information notification unit 114 transmits the identified stored paint information to the terminal device 3 that transmitted the stored paint information request information (step S102).

[0042] Next, the newly stored paint information acquisition unit 111 determines whether or not newly stored paint information transmitted from the terminal device 3 has been acquired (step S103). If the newly stored paint information acquisition unit 111 determines that newly stored paint information has not been acquired (step S103: No), the process of step S107, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the newly stored paint information acquisition unit 111 determines that newly stored paint information has been acquired (step S103: Yes), it extracts the user identification information, color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, and image information contained in the acquired newly stored paint information and notifies the stored paint information management unit 112. At this time, the newly stored paint information acquisition unit 111 also notifies the color identification unit 113 of the extracted color chart number information. Then, the stored paint information management unit 112 stores the user identification information, color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, and image information notified from the stored paint information management unit 112 in the stored paint information storage unit 131 in association with each other (step S104). Next, the color identification unit 113 identifies colors that can be achieved by mixing other paints for at least one paint corresponding to the new stored paint information transmitted from the terminal device 3, and notifies the stored paint information management unit 112 of the color chart number information of the identified colors. Then, the stored paint information management unit 112 stores the color chart number information notified by the color identification unit 113 in the stored paint information storage unit 131 in association with the paint identification information of each paint corresponding to the color chart number information (step S105).

[0043] Then, the stored paint information notification unit 114 identifies stored paint information from the stored paint information stored in the stored paint information memory unit 131 that contains user identification information that is the same as the user identification information of the newly added stored paint information, and transmits the identified stored paint information to the terminal device 3 that sent the new stored paint information (step S106).

[0044] Next, the exhibition request unit 115 determines whether or not exhibition request information transmitted from the terminal device 3 has been acquired (step S107). If the exhibition request unit 115 determines that exhibition request information has not been acquired (step S107: No), the processing of step S109, which will be described later, is executed. On the other hand, if the exhibition request unit 115 determines that exhibition request information has been acquired (step S107: Yes), the exhibition request unit 115 transmits the acquired exhibition request information to the sales management server 9 (step S108).

[0045] Next, the ordering unit 116 determines whether or not it has acquired order request information transmitted from the terminal device 3 (step S109). If the ordering unit 116 determines that it has not acquired order request information (step S109: No), it executes the process of step S101 again. On the other hand, if the ordering unit 116 determines that it has acquired order request information (step S109: Yes), it identifies the terminal device 8 to which the paint will be ordered based on the manufacturer information included in the acquired order request information (step S110). Thereafter, the ordering unit 116 generates order information including user identification information, color chart number information, and product name information, and transmits the generated order information to the identified terminal device 8 (step S111). Next, it executes the process of step S101 again.

[0046] As described above, in the cloud server 1 according to the present embodiment, the color identification unit 113 identifies, for each paint stored by the painting contractor, color chart number information for colors that can be mixed with other paints. The stored paint information management unit 112 then stores the identified color chart number information, along with image information showing captured images of containers filled with paint stored by the painting contractor, in the stored paint information storage unit 131 in association with the paint identification information for each of the paints. The stored paint information notification unit 114 also transmits the captured images of each container filled with paint, the paint identification information for each of the paints, and the color chart number information to the terminal device 3 carried by the painting contractor. This allows the image information and color information for the paint containers stored by the painting contractor to be displayed on the display unit 304 of the terminal device 3, making it easy to identify other colors of paint that can be produced from the paints stored by the painting contractor.

[0047] (Embodiment 2) This embodiment differs from Embodiment 1 in that the stored paint information transmitted from the cloud server 1 to the terminal device 3 includes stored paint color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, matched color chart number information, and image information, as well as stored paint quantity information indicating the amount of paint stored by the painting contractor and matched paint quantity information indicating the amount of paint to be prepared by mixing the stored paint with other paints. Furthermore, this embodiment may have a function of presenting to the painting contractor the amount of other paints required to prepare the required amount of matched paint obtained by mixing the paint stored by the painting contractor with the other paints.

[0048] The terminal device 2003 according to this embodiment has the same hardware configuration as the terminal device 3 according to the embodiment, and as shown in Fig. 10, includes a reception unit 311, a stored paint information acquisition unit 312, an image formation unit 2313, a display control unit 314, an imaging control unit 315, a new stored paint information generation unit 2316, a new stored paint information transmission unit 2317, a listing request unit 318, an order request unit 319, and a required paint amount acquisition unit 2320. In Fig. 10, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 3. The terminal device 2003 also includes a stored paint information storage unit 2331, an image storage unit 332, a new stored paint information storage unit 2333, and a display image storage unit 521. The stored paint information memory unit 2331 stores stored paint color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, color-matched color chart number information, and image information contained in the stored paint information acquired from the cloud server 1, as well as stored paint quantity information indicating the amount of paint stored by the painting contractor and color-matched paint quantity information indicating the amount of paint produced by mixing the stored paint with other paints, in correspondence with each other.

[0049] When the painting contractor performs a required paint quantity input operation to input into the input unit 305 the color chart number information and required quantity of the mixed paint obtained by mixing the paint he or she stores with other paints while referring to the maximum amount of paint that can be produced by mixing the paint that he or she stores with other paints, which is displayed on the display unit 304 of the terminal device 2003, the reception unit 311 accepts the required paint quantity input operation, generates operation information corresponding to the operation, and notifies the required paint quantity acquisition unit 2320.

[0050] When notified of operation information corresponding to the required paint amount input operation, the required paint amount acquisition unit 2320 transmits to the cloud server 2001 matched paint color chart number information indicating the color chart number of the matched paint indicated by the notified operation information, required matched paint amount information indicating the paint amount, and mixed paint color chart number information indicating the color chart numbers of other paints to be mixed with the paint stored by the unit, thereby acquiring mixed paint color chart number information indicating the color chart numbers of paints that need to be mixed with the paint stored by the unit and required mixed paint amount information indicating the required paint amount of that paint from the cloud server 2001. The required paint amount acquisition unit 2320 then notifies the image forming unit 2313 of the acquired mixed paint color chart number information and required mixed paint amount information.

[0051] The image forming unit 2313 forms a stored paint notification image based on the stored paint color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, matched color chart number information, and image information stored in the stored paint information storage unit 331, as well as the stored paint quantity information and matched paint quantity information. Here, the stored paint quantity notification image includes message information indicating the amount of paint stored by the painting contractor and the amount of matched paint produced by mixing that paint with other paints. Furthermore, when the image forming unit 2313 receives the mixed paint color chart number information and required mixed paint quantity information from the required paint quantity acquisition unit 2320, the image forming unit 2313 forms a stored paint notification image, for example, as a pop-up image, based on the notified mixed paint color chart number information and required mixed paint quantity information, including the color chart number of the paint that needs to be mixed to produce paint of a different color from the paint stored by the image forming unit 2313 and the required mixed paint quantity. The image forming unit 2313 then stores the stored paint notification image in the display image storage unit 321. As a result, the display control unit 314 causes the display unit 304 to display message information indicating the color chart numbers of other paint colors that will be required when the painting contractor creates paint of another desired color from the paints he or she has in stock, and the amounts required.

[0052] When the new stored paint information generation unit 2316 receives operation information corresponding to the new stored paint registration operation from the reception unit 311, it extracts the user identification information, color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, and stored paint quantity information indicating the amount of paint stored by the painting contractor, which are included in the operation information. Furthermore, when captured image information is transferred from the imaging unit 307, the new stored paint information generation unit 2316 generates new stored paint information by adding the extracted user identification information, color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, and stored paint quantity information to the transferred captured image information. The new stored paint information generation unit 2316 then stores the generated new stored paint information in the new stored paint information storage unit 333. The new stored paint information transmission unit 2317 transmits the new stored paint information stored in the new stored paint information storage unit 333 to the cloud server 1.

[0053] Furthermore, cloud server 2001 according to this embodiment has the same hardware configuration as cloud server 1 according to the embodiment, and includes a new stored paint information acquisition unit 111, a stored paint information management unit 2112, a color identification unit 113, a stored paint information transmission unit 114, an exhibition request unit 115, an order placement unit 116, a post-matching paint amount calculation unit 2117, a required paint amount notification unit 2118, and a required paint amount calculation unit 2119. Cloud server 2001 also includes a stored paint information storage unit 2131 and a color matching information storage unit 2132. As shown in Figure 11, the stored paint information storage unit 2131 stores stored paint information including image information, stored paint color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, and matched color chart number information of the paint stored by each of the multiple painting contractors, as well as stored paint quantity information indicating the amount of paint stored by each painting contractor and matched paint quantity information corresponding to each matched color chart number information, in association with user identification information that identifies each of the multiple painting contractors.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 12, the color matching information storage unit 2132 stores, for each of a plurality of preset colors, color chart number information indicating a color that can be realized by mixing the color with the other colors described above, as well as blending ratio information indicating the blending ratio of primary color paints (red, green, blue, etc.) required to realize the color, in association with the color chart number information for each of a plurality of preset colors.

[0055] When the newly stored paint information acquisition unit 2111 acquires the newly stored paint information transmitted from the terminal device 3, it notifies the color chart number information extracted from the newly stored paint information to the color identification unit 113 and the post-matching paint amount calculation unit 2117. The newly stored paint information acquisition unit 2111 also notifies the post-matching paint amount calculation unit 2117 of the stored paint amount information extracted from the newly stored paint information. The color identification unit 113 notifies the stored paint information management unit 112 and the post-matching paint amount calculation unit 2117 of the identified color chart number information.

[0056] The mixed-tone paint amount calculation unit 2117 identifies, from the mixed-tone paint information stored in the mixed-tone information storage unit 132, the mixed-tone paint information corresponding to the color chart number information notified by the new stored paint information acquisition unit 2111 and the color identification unit 113, and calculates, based on the mixed-tone paint information indicated by the identified mixed-tone paint information, the amount of paint produced by mixing the paint stored by the painting contractor with other paints.The mixed-tone paint amount calculation unit 2117 then notifies the stored paint information management unit 2112 of the mixed-tone paint amount information indicating the calculated mixed-tone paint amount.

[0057] The stored paint information management unit 2112 associates the color chart number information notified by the color identification unit 113 and the matched paint amount information notified by the matched paint amount calculation unit 2117 with the paint identification information of each corresponding paint, and stores them in the stored paint information storage unit 2131. Then, the stored paint information notification unit 114 transmits the stored paint information, including the captured image of each container filled with at least one paint stored in the stored paint information storage unit 131, the paint identification information of each of the at least one paint, the color chart number information, the stored paint amount information, and the matched paint amount information, to the terminal device 3 carried by the painting contractor.

[0058] When the required paint amount notifying unit 2118 acquires the matched paint color chart number information, required matched paint amount information, and mixed paint color chart number information transmitted from the terminal device 2003, it notifies the acquired matched paint color chart number information, required matched paint amount information, and mixed paint color chart number information to the required paint amount calculating unit 2119. The required paint amount calculating unit 2119 identifies, from the blending ratio information stored in the matching information storage unit 132, blending ratio information corresponding to the combination of color chart number information indicated by the matched paint color chart number information and color chart number information indicated by the mixed paint color chart number information notified by the required paint amount notifying unit 2118. Then, the required paint amount calculating unit 2119 calculates the amount of other paint to be mixed that is necessary to produce the required amount of matched paint, based on the blending ratio indicated by the identified blending ratio information and the paint amount indicated by the required matched paint amount information. The required paint amount calculation unit 2119 then notifies the required paint amount notification unit 2118 of mixed paint amount information indicating the calculated amount of other paint to be mixed. On the other hand, when the required paint amount notification unit 2118 is notified of the mixed paint amount information from the required paint amount calculation unit 2119, it transmits the notified mixed paint amount information to the terminal device 2003.

[0059] According to this embodiment, the painting contractor can grasp the amount of paint that can be produced by mixing the paint that he / she stores with other paints.

[0060] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, Munsell color system information indicating the hue, lightness, and saturation of the Munsell color system may be used as color information. In this case, the stored paint information may be composed of the Munsell color system information of the paint, product name information, manufacturer information, matched Munsell color system information, and image information. Here, the matched Munsell color system information is information indicating the hue, lightness, and saturation of a paint that can be achieved by mixing it with other paints.

[0061] In the first embodiment, when a painting contractor inputs a desired paint color system into the input unit 305 of the terminal device 3, the terminal device 3 may cause the display unit 304 to display a stored paint notification image including captured images of paints of the input color system and paints that can be mixed with other paints to achieve the input color system. In this case, the terminal device 3 may further include a color system paint identification unit that, when notified of color system information indicating the input color system from the reception unit 311, identifies a combination of paints of the notified color system and paints that can be mixed with other paints to achieve the input color system from among combinations of stored paint color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, matched color chart number information, and image information stored in the stored paint information storage unit 331. The image forming unit 313 may form a stored paint notification image including captured images of paints stored by the painting contractor based on the stored paint color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, matched color chart number information, and image information identified by the color system paint identification unit.

[0062] In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, for example, the color matching information storage unit 4132 may store, for each of a plurality of different pre-set colors of paint, color chart number information indicating a color that can be achieved by mixing the paint with the other paints described above, as well as blending ratio information indicating the blending ratio of primary color paints (red, green, blue, etc.) that should be mixed to achieve the paint, and paint type information indicating the type of primary color paint, in association with the color chart number information for each of the plurality of pre-set colors of paint and the paint type information indicating the type of paint. In this case, when the required paint quantity acquisition unit 2320 of the terminal device 2001 is notified of operation information corresponding to the required paint quantity input operation, it transmits to the cloud server 2001 matched paint color chart number information indicating the color chart number of the matched paint indicated by the notified operation information, matched paint type information indicating the type of matched paint, required matched paint quantity information indicating the amount of that paint, mixed paint color chart number information indicating the color chart numbers of other paints to be mixed with the paint stored by the terminal device 2001, and mixed paint type information indicating the type of other paint, thereby acquiring from the cloud server 2001 mixed paint color chart number information indicating the color chart numbers of paints that need to be mixed with the paint stored by the terminal device 2001 and required mixed paint quantity information indicating the required paint quantity of that paint.

[0063] Here, when the required paint amount notifying unit 2118 of the cloud server 2001 acquires the matched paint color chart number information, matched paint type information, required matched paint amount information, mixed paint color chart number information, and mixed paint type information transmitted from the terminal device 2003, the required paint amount notifying unit 2118 notifies the acquired matched paint color chart number information, matched paint type information, required matched paint amount information, mixed paint color chart number information, and mixed paint type information to the required paint amount calculating unit 2119. Furthermore, the required paint amount calculating unit 2119 identifies, from the blending ratio information stored in the blending information storage unit 132, blending ratio information corresponding to the combination of the color chart number information indicated by the matched paint color chart number information, the paint type indicated by the matched paint type information, the color chart number information indicated by the mixed paint color chart number information, and the paint type indicated by the mixed paint type information notified from the required paint amount notifying unit 2118. Then, the required paint amount calculation unit 2119 notifies the required paint amount notification unit 2118 of mixed paint amount information indicating the calculated amount of other paint to be mixed, and the required paint amount notification unit 2118 transmits the notified mixed paint amount information to the terminal device 2003.

[0064] According to this configuration, the painting contractor can grasp the amount of paint that can be produced by mixing the paint that he or she stores with other paints.

[0065] In the second embodiment, the cloud server 1 may further include a paint storage location storage unit that stores paint type information and color chart number information for paints stored by each of a plurality of painting contractors or paint type information and color chart number information for paints stored by a paint distributor, in association with storage location information indicating where the paints are stored. In this case, the stored paint information management unit 2112 may refer to the storage location information stored in the paint storage location storage unit and select storage location information corresponding to the color chart number information notified by the color identification unit 113. The stored paint management unit 2112 may then store the color chart number information and post-matching paint amount information in the stored paint information storage unit 2131 in association with the paint identification information, paint type information, and paint storage location information for each corresponding paint. The stored paint information notification unit 114 also transmits stored paint information, including a captured image of each container filled with at least one paint stored in the stored paint information memory unit 131, and paint identification information, color chart number information, stored paint quantity information, post-color-matching paint quantity information, and paint storage location information, to the terminal device 2003 carried by the painting contractor. Meanwhile, the terminal device 2003 displays the paint storage location indicated by the stored paint quantity information together with the captured image of the container on the display unit 304.

[0066] According to this configuration, the display unit 304 of the terminal device 2003 displays the storage locations of mixable primary color paints and stock paints, allowing a painting contractor to grasp the approximate time required when picking up paints from other painting contractors to mix with their own stored paints. For example, if the display unit 304 displays Kochi City as the storage location of the paints a painting contractor living in Maizuru City wants to mix, the painting contractor can recognize that it will take a long time to mix the paints to obtain the desired paint. On the other hand, if the display unit 304 displays Fukuchiyama City as the storage location of the paints a painting contractor living in Maizuru City wants to mix, the painting contractor can recognize that it will take a relatively short time to mix the paints to obtain the desired paint.

[0067] In embodiment 1, the cloud server 1 may identify the color chart number of a paint of another color that can be created by mixing the stored paint with the color of the stored paint measured by the colorimeter 2004.

[0068] 14, a colorimeter 3004 according to this modification can communicate with a cloud server 3001, receives reflected light when white light is irradiated onto a paint, and calculates each element of the paint color when expressed as a three-dimensional vector in an XYZ color space from the wavelength spectrum of the received reflected light. The colorimeter 3004 then generates color measurement result information indicating the elements of the calculated three-dimensional vector and transmits it to the cloud server 3001.

[0069] The cloud server 3001 has the same hardware configuration as the cloud server 1 according to the embodiment, and includes a new stored paint information acquisition unit 3111, a stored paint information management unit 2112, a color identification unit 3113, a stored paint information transmission unit 114, a listing request unit 115, an order placement unit 116, a post-color-matching paint amount calculation unit 2117, a required paint amount notification unit 2118, and a required paint amount calculation unit 2119. Components similar to those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 10 . The cloud server 2001 also includes a stored paint information storage unit 2131, a color-matching information storage unit 2132, and an XYZ color system information storage unit 3133. The XYZ color system information storage unit 3133 stores information indicating a conversion formula for converting a three-dimensional vector in the XYZ color system space into an n-dimensional vector (n is a positive integer) whose elements are the blending ratios of a plurality of preset raw paints, as shown in the following formula (1):

[0070]

number

[0071] When the newly stored paint information acquisition unit 3111 acquires the color measurement result information transmitted from the colorimeter 3004, it notifies the color identification unit 3113 of the acquired color measurement result information. Note that the newly stored paint information acquisition unit 3111 also has the same function as the newly stored paint information acquisition unit 2111 according to the second embodiment.

[0072] When the color measurement result information is notified from the new stored paint information acquisition unit 3111, the color identification unit 3113 converts the three-dimensional vector in the XYZ color system space indicated by the notified color measurement result information into a multidimensional vector whose elements are the blending ratios of multiple types of raw paints set in advance, based on information indicating the relational expression (1) stored in the XYZ color system information storage unit 3133. The color identification unit 3113 then identifies, from the color chart number information stored in the color matching information storage unit 2132, color chart number information in which the ratio of elements of the multidimensional vector whose elements are the blending ratios of raw paints obtained by the conversion is the same as the ratio indicated by the raw paint blending ratio information. The color identification unit 3113 then notifies the stored paint information management unit 2112 of the identified color chart number information.

[0073] According to this configuration, the painting contractor can use the colorimeter 3004 to identify the color of the paint he or she stores, eliminating the need for the painting contractor to check the color chart number of the paint he or she stores, thereby improving convenience for the painting contractor.

[0074] In each embodiment, an example has been described in which color chart number information for a paint produced by mixing paint stored by a painting contractor with paint stored by another painting contractor or primary color paint is displayed on the display unit 304 of the terminal device 3. However, this is not limiting, and for example, color chart number information for a paint produced by mixing a paint stored by the painting contractor with multiple types of paint may be displayed on the display unit 304 of the terminal device 3. For example, the color chart number for a paint that can be produced by mixing a paint stored by the painting contractor with other paint stored by the painting contractor and primary color paint or multiple types of paint stored by the painting contractor may be displayed.

[0075] In embodiment 1, the cloud server may have the function of voluntarily transmitting recommendation information to the terminal device, including information on stored paint that is about to expire, stored paint that the painting contractor has previously ordered, or stored paint that the painting contractor has previously registered.

[0076] The terminal device 5003 and cloud server 5003 according to this modification have the same hardware configuration as the terminal device 3 and cloud server 1 according to the embodiment, and therefore the hardware configuration will be described using the same reference numerals as in FIG. 2. In the terminal device 5003 according to this modification, the CPU 301 loads a program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 303 into the main storage unit 302 and executes it, thereby functioning as a reception unit 311, a stored paint information acquisition unit 312, an image formation unit 5313, a display control unit 314, an image capture control unit 315, a new stored paint information generation unit 316, a new stored paint information transmission unit 317, a listing request unit 318, an order request unit 319, a pre-registration request unit 5320, and a recommendation information acquisition unit 5321, as shown in FIG. 15. In FIG. 15, components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 3. The auxiliary storage unit 303 also includes a stored paint information storage unit 331, an image storage unit 332, and a new stored paint information storage unit 333. Furthermore, the image-only memory of main memory 502 has a display image storage unit 521. When the painting contractor performs a pre-registration operation via input unit 305 to register in advance in cloud server 5001 a paint that the painting contractor wants to be recommended to the painting contractor when new stored paint information is registered in cloud server 5002, reception unit 311 generates operation information indicating the pre-registration operation and notifies pre-registration request unit 5320. In the pre-registration operation, product name information and manufacturer information of the paint that the painting contractor wants to be recommended are input via input unit 305.

[0077] When the pre-registration request unit 5320 receives operation information indicating the above-mentioned pre-registration operation from the reception unit 311, it generates pre-registration request information including the product name information and manufacturer information of the paint that the user wants to be recommended based on the operation information and transmits the information to the cloud server 5001.

[0078] When the recommended information acquisition unit 5321 acquires the recommended information transmitted from the cloud server 5001, it extracts stored paint information included in the acquired recommended information and notifies the image forming unit 5313. Here, the recommended information includes stored paint information of stored paint that is close to its expiration date, paint that the painting contractor has previously ordered, or paint that the painting contractor has registered in advance.

[0079] As in the first embodiment, the image forming unit 5313 forms a stored paint notification image including a captured image of the paint stored by the painting contractor, based on the stored paint color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, matched color chart number information, and image information stored in the stored paint information storage unit 331. Furthermore, when the image forming unit 5313 is notified of the stored paint information from the recommended information acquisition unit 5320, it forms a push notification image for encouraging the painting contractor to place an order or use the paint, based on the notified stored paint information, and stores the image in the display image storage unit 321. Then, the display control unit 314 displays the push notification image stored in the display image storage unit 321 on the display unit 304.

[0080] Furthermore, in the cloud server 5001 according to this modification, the CPU 301 reads out the programs stored in the auxiliary memory 303 into the main memory 302 and executes them, thereby functioning as a new stored paint information acquisition unit 111, a stored paint information management unit 112, a color identification unit 113, a stored paint information transmission unit 114, an exhibition request unit 115, an order placement unit 3116, an immediately-expired paint identification unit 5120, a previously ordered paint identification unit 5121, a pre-registered paint determination unit 5122, a recommended information generation unit 5123, a recommended information transmission unit 5124, and a pre-registration unit 5125. The auxiliary memory 103 also has a stored paint information storage unit 5131, a color matching information storage unit 132, an order history storage unit 5133, and a pre-registered paint storage unit 5134. As shown in Figure 16, the stored paint information storage unit 5131 stores stored paint information including image information, stored paint color chart number information, product name information, manufacturer information, and mixed color chart number information of paints stored by each of multiple painting contractors, as well as expiration date information indicating the expiration date of the paint, in association with user identification information that identifies each of the multiple painting contractors.

[0081] The order history storage unit 5133 stores product name information and manufacturer information of paints previously ordered by the painting contractor, in association with order date and time information indicating the date and time of the order and the above-mentioned user identification information. The pre-registered paint storage unit 5134 stores product name information and manufacturer information of paints that the painting contractor wants recommended, in association with the above-mentioned user identification information. When the pre-registration unit 5125 acquires pre-registration request information from the terminal device 5003, it extracts the product name information, manufacturer information, and user identification information included in the acquired pre-registration request information, and stores the extracted product name information, manufacturer information, and user identification information in association with each other in the pre-registered paint storage unit 5134. The order unit 3116 stores the order information in the order history storage unit 5133, in association with order date and time information.

[0082] When a preset recommendation time arrives, the near-expiration paint identification unit 5120 references the expiration date information stored in the stored paint information storage unit 5131 and identifies stored paint information whose expiration date is less than or equal to the preset recommendation reference period. The length of the recommendation reference period is not particularly limited, but can be set to, for example, one week. The near-expiration paint identification unit 5120 then notifies the recommendation information generation unit 5123 of the identified stored paint information.

[0083] When a preset recommendation time arrives, the previously ordered paint identification unit 5121 references the order date and time information stored in the order history storage unit 5133 and identifies the product name information and manufacturer information of paints ordered between a point going back a preset order history reference period from the current time and the current time. Here, the length of the order history reference period is not particularly limited, but can be set to several months, for example. The previously ordered paint identification unit 5121 then identifies stored paint information that includes the identified combination of product name information and manufacturer information from the stored paint information stored in the stored paint information storage unit 5131, and notifies the identified stored paint information to the recommendation information generation unit 5123.

[0084] When the stored paint information storage unit 5131 stores new stored paint information, the pre-registered paint determination unit 5122 determines whether the newly stored stored paint information includes any of the combinations of product name information and manufacturer information stored in the pre-registered paint storage unit 5134. Then, when the pre-registered paint determination unit 5122 determines that the newly stored stored paint information includes any of the combinations of product name information and manufacturer information stored in the pre-registered paint storage unit 5134, it notifies the recommendation information generation unit 5123 of the newly stored stored paint information.

[0085] When the recommended information generation unit 5123 is notified of stored paint information from the immediately-expired paint identification unit 5120, the previously ordered paint identification unit 5121, or the pre-registered paint determination unit 5122, it generates recommended information including the notified stored paint information. Then, the recommended information transmission unit 5124 transmits the generated recommended information to the terminal device 5003. Here, the recommended information transmission unit 5124 broadcasts the generated recommended information to at least one terminal device 5003 that is registered in advance in the cloud server 5001 as a destination of the recommended information.

[0086] Next, the operation of the stored paint management system according to this modified example will be described with reference to FIG. 17. Note that in FIG. 17, the same processes as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 5 and 7. First, when the aforementioned recommendation period arrives, the cloud server 5001 references the expiration date information stored in the stored paint information storage unit 5131 to identify stored paint information whose expiration date is equal to or shorter than a preset reference period for recommendation (step S5001). Next, the cloud server 5001 references the order date and time information stored in the order history storage unit 5133 to identify the product name information and manufacturer information of paints ordered between a time point going back a preset order history reference period from the current time and the current time (step S5002). Next, the cloud server 5001 identifies stored paint information including a combination of the identified product name information and manufacturer information (step S5003). Thereafter, the cloud server 5001 generates recommendation information including the identified stored paint information (step S5004), and the generated recommendation information is transmitted from the cloud server 5001 to the terminal device 5003 (step S5005). Meanwhile, the terminal device 5003 forms a recommendation image based on the stored paint information included in the recommendation information and displays it on the display unit 504 (step S5006).

[0087] Furthermore, suppose that the cloud server 5001 acquires the new stored paint information described in the first embodiment from the terminal device 5003 (step S10) and determines that the newly stored stored paint information includes any of the combinations of product name information and manufacturer information stored in the pre-registered paint storage unit 5134 (step S5007). In this case, the cloud server 5001 generates recommendation information including the newly stored stored paint information (step S5008), and the generated recommendation information is transmitted from the cloud server 5001 to the terminal device 5003 (step S5009). Meanwhile, the terminal device 5003 forms a recommendation image based on the stored paint information included in the recommendation information and displays it on the display unit 504 (step S5010). Here, the terminal device 5003 may, for example, form thumbnail images showing a list of stored paints managed by the cloud server 5001 based on the stored paint information and display the thumbnail images on the display unit 504. Thereafter, when the stored paint display operation described in the first embodiment is performed, a series of processes from step S1 onwards are executed.

[0088] Next, the stored paint management process executed by the cloud server 5001 according to this modification will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Note that in Fig. 18, the same processes as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 9. First, after the processes of steps S101 and S102 are performed, it is assumed that the new stored paint information acquisition unit 111 determines that new stored paint information transmitted from the terminal device 3 has been acquired (step S103: Yes). In this case, after a series of processes from steps S104 to S106 are performed, the pre-registered paint determination unit 5122 determines whether the stored paint information newly stored in the stored paint information storage unit 5131 includes any of the combinations of product name information and manufacturer information stored in the pre-registered paint storage unit 5134 (step S5101). Here, if the pre-registered paint determination unit 5122 determines that the newly stored paint information stored in the stored paint information storage unit 5131 does not include the combination of product name information and manufacturer information stored in the pre-registered paint storage unit 5134 (step S5101: No), the processing from step S107 onwards is executed. On the other hand, if the pre-registered paint determination unit 5122 determines that the newly stored paint information stored in the stored paint information storage unit 5131 includes the combination of product name information and manufacturer information stored in the pre-registered paint storage unit 5134 (step S5101: Yes), the recommended information generation unit 5123 generates recommended information including the newly stored paint information stored in the pre-registered paint storage unit 5134, and the recommended information transmission unit 5124 transmits the generated recommended information to the terminal device 5003 (step S5102). Next, a series of processes from step S107 to S111 are executed.

[0089] Next, the immediately-expired paint identification unit 5120 determines whether the aforementioned recommendation time has arrived (step S5103). If the immediately-expired paint identification unit 5120 determines that the recommendation time has not yet arrived (step S5103: No), the process of step S101 is executed again. On the other hand, if the immediately-expired paint identification unit 5120 determines that the recommendation time has arrived (step S5103: Yes), it refers to the expiration date information stored in the stored paint information storage unit 5131 and identifies stored paint information whose expiration date is less than or equal to a preset reference period for recommendation (step S5104). Next, the previously ordered paint identification unit 5121 refers to the order date and time information stored in the order history storage unit 5133 and identifies the product name information and manufacturer information of paints ordered between a time point going back a preset order history reference period from the current time point and the current time point (step S5105). Next, the previously ordered paint identifying unit 5121 identifies stored paint information including the identified combination of product name information and manufacturer information from the stored paint information stored in the stored paint information storage unit 5131 (step S5106). Thereafter, the recommended information generating unit 5123 generates recommended information including the identified stored paint information, and the recommended information transmitting unit 5124 transmits the generated recommended information to the terminal device 5003 (step S5107). Next, the processing of step S101 is executed again.

[0090] According to this configuration, the cloud server 5001 voluntarily transmits recommendation information to the terminal device 5003, including information on stored paint that is about to expire, stored paint that the painting contractor has previously ordered, or stored paint that the painting contractor has previously registered. This allows the painting contractor to understand the paint inventory status managed by the cloud server 5001 via the terminal device 5003 without having to perform a stored paint display operation to check the paint inventory status, thereby improving convenience for the painting contractor. Furthermore, the recommendation information is broadcast to at least one terminal device 5003 that is pre-registered in the cloud server 5001 as a destination of the recommendation information. Therefore, for example, when multiple painting contractors use stock paint, it is possible to prevent bias in the frequency of use of stock paint among the multiple painting contractors.

[0091] In the above-described modified example, an example has been described in which the recommended information transmitting unit 5124 broadcasts the recommended information to at least one terminal device 5003 that is registered in advance as a destination of the recommended information in the cloud server 5001. However, this is not limiting, and the recommended information transmitting unit 5124 may transmit the recommended information to an SNS (Social Network Service) management server that manages the SNS to which the painting contractor is registered.

[0092] In the above-described modified example, the cloud server 5001 transmits the recommendation information to the terminal device 5003 having the new stored paint information generation unit 316 that generates new stored paint information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cloud server 5001 may transmit the recommendation information to a terminal device that does not have the new stored paint information generation unit 316, but has an order request unit 319 that generates order request information for ordering paint, for example.

[0093] In the first embodiment, the cloud server may have a function of automatically transmitting, to the terminal device, comment information including information about a newly registered paint when a paint of a color, type, or style desired by a painting contractor, or a paint that can be mixed with other already registered paints to achieve the desired color. Here, the other paint may be a paint already stored in stock by the painting contractor or a preset primary color paint. Furthermore, the cloud server may have a function of automatically transmitting, to the terminal device, comment information including information about the newly registered paint when a new paint is registered at a paint storage location in a region previously registered by the painting contractor.

[0094] In embodiment 1, the cloud server may have a function of automatically sending recommendation information including information about the stored paint to the terminal device when the remaining amount of the stored paint falls below a predetermined standard remaining amount.

[0095] In the first embodiment, the cloud server may have a function of automatically transmitting recommendation information including information about a paint to a terminal device when the paint is listed for sale at a price equal to or lower than a preset reference price. For example, when a paint priced at 5,000 yen or less is listed, recommendation information including information about the paint may be transmitted to the terminal device. The cloud server may also have a function of monitoring the purchasing status of the listed paint, and when the listed paint is purchased, transmit request information to a terminal device owned by a preset shipping company to request collection of the paint.

[0096] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which, when a painting contractor registers a new paint to be stored, the painting contractor performs a new stored paint registration operation on the input unit 305 to input color chart number information, product name information, and manufacturer information for the new paint. However, this is not limited to this. For example, when the painting contractor captures an image of a label with the paint's color chart number, product name, and manufacturer name attached to the sidewall or the like of a container of the new paint to be stored using the imaging unit 307, the terminal device 3 may have a function to estimate the color chart number, product name, and manufacturer name written on the label included in the captured image. In this case, the terminal device 3 may be equipped with a new stored paint information estimation unit that extracts an image portion of the label from the photographic image captured by the imaging unit 307, estimates from the extracted image a portion containing character strings corresponding to the color chart number, product name, and manufacturer name, and estimates the color chart number, product name, and manufacturer name from the character strings written in the estimated portion. Here, the newly stored paint information estimation unit estimates a character string using, for example, a method that combines character characteristic analysis and pattern matching technology, or a method that uses image recognition technology that utilizes a convolutional neural network, and extracts character strings corresponding to the color chart number, product name, and manufacturer name from the estimated character string. The newly stored paint information generation unit 316 then generates newly stored paint information including color chart number information, product name information, and manufacturer information that indicate the color chart number, product name, and manufacturer name estimated by the paint information estimation unit, and stores the information in the newly stored paint information storage unit 333. Note that the method for acquiring a photographic image of the label is not limited to the method using the imaging unit 307, and may also be a method in which the label is scanned with an optical scanner.

[0097] This configuration allows the painting contractor to omit the operation of inputting the color chart number, product name information, and manufacturer name, which has the advantage of reducing the effort required for the painting contractor to register new stored paint.

[0098] In the first embodiment, when the cloud server 1 receives from the terminal device 3 stored paint information request information requesting transmission of stored paint information for paint stored by a user other than the painting contractor who owns the terminal device 3, the cloud server 1 may transmit the stored paint information for the paint stored by the other user in response to the request. In this case, the stored paint request information may include the user identification information of the painting contractor who owns the terminal device 3 and the user identification information of the other user. Then, when the cloud server 1 receives the stored paint information request information from the terminal device 3, the cloud server 1 may identify, from the stored paint information stored in the stored paint information storage unit 131, the stored paint information that corresponds to the user identification information of the other user included in the received stored paint information request information, and transmit the identified stored paint information to the terminal device 3.

[0099] In the first embodiment, when a painting contractor performs a desired paint display operation by inputting a desired paint type and a desired purchase price into the input unit 305 of the terminal device 3, stored paint information request information including information indicating the desired paint type and the desired purchase price may be transmitted from the terminal device 3 to the cloud server 1. Furthermore, upon acquiring the stored paint information request information, the cloud server 1 may extract information indicating the desired paint type and the desired purchase price from the acquired stored paint request information, and transmit stored paint information of paints that match the paint type desired by the painting contractor and the desired purchase price based on the extracted information to the terminal device 3. Then, upon acquiring the stored paint information, the terminal device 3 may form a paint list notification image indicating a list of paints that match the paint type desired by the painting contractor and the desired purchase price based on the acquired stored paint information, and display the paint list notification image on the display unit 304. In this case, the painting contractor can refer to the paint list notification image displayed on the display unit 304 and perform an ordering operation to order new paint.

[0100] Furthermore, the various functions of the cloud servers 1, 2001, 3001, and 5001 and terminal devices 3, 2003, and 5003 according to the present invention can be realized using a normal computer system, rather than a dedicated system. For example, a program for executing the above operations may be stored on a non-transitory recording medium (such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory)) that can be read by a computer system and distributed to a computer connected to a network, and the program may be installed in the computer system to configure the cloud servers 1, 2001, 3001, and 5001 and terminal devices 3, 2003, and 5003 that execute the above-described processes.

[0101] The method of providing the program to the computer is arbitrary. For example, the program may be uploaded to a bulletin board system (BBS) on a communication line and distributed to the computer via the communication line. The computer then launches the program and executes it under the control of an operating system (OS) in the same way as other applications. This allows the computer to function as the cloud server 1, 2001, 3001, 5001 and the terminal device 3, 2003, 5003 that executes the above-mentioned processes.

[0102] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these. The present invention includes appropriate combinations of the embodiments and modifications, and appropriate modifications thereto. [Industrial Applicability]

[0103] The present invention is suitable as a device for managing the storage conditions of paint stored by a painting contractor. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1, 2001, 3001, 5001: Cloud server, 3, 2003, 5003: Terminal device, 3a: Operation button, 101, 301: CPU, 102, 302: Main memory unit, 103, 303: Auxiliary memory unit, 106, 306: Communication unit, 109, 309: Bus, 111, 2111, 3111: New stored paint information acquisition unit, 112, 2112: Stored paint information management unit, 113, 3113: Color identification unit, 114: Stored paint information notification unit, 11 5,318: listing request unit, 116,3116: ordering unit, 131,331,2131,5131: stored paint information storage unit, 132: color matching information storage unit, 304: display unit, 305: input unit, 307: imaging unit, 311: reception unit, 312: stored paint information acquisition unit, 313,2313: image formation unit, 314: display control unit, 315: imaging control unit, 316,2316: new stored paint information generation unit, 317,2317: new stored paint information transmission unit ,319: Order request unit, 321: Display image memory unit, 332: Image memory unit, 333, 2333: Newly stored paint information memory unit, 2117: Paint amount calculation unit after color mixing, 2118: Required paint amount notification unit, 2119: Required paint amount calculation unit, 2320: Required paint amount acquisition unit, 3004: Colorimeter, 3133: XYZ color system information memory unit, 5120: Paint identification unit just before expiration date, 5121: Previously ordered paint identification unit, 5122: Pre-registered paint identification unit, 512 3: Recommendation information generation unit, 5124: Recommendation information transmission unit, 5125: Pre-registration unit, 5133: Order history storage unit, 5134: Pre-registered paint storage unit, 5320: Pre-registration request unit, 5321: Recommendation information acquisition unit, GA1: Storage paint notification image, GA01, GA02: Captured image, GA011, GA012: Band image, M11, M12, M13, M21, M22, M23, M24: Message information, NW1: Network

Claims

1. A stored paint information storage unit stores image information showing an image of a container filled with at least one paint stored by the user, in association with paint identification information for each of the at least one paints and paint quantity information indicating the amount of each of the at least one paints stored by the user. For each of the at least one of the paints stored by the user, a color identification unit identifies the color after color mixing that can be achieved by using the other paints, using color information indicating the color of the other paints. A color-matched paint quantity calculation unit calculates the amount of color-matched paint that can be produced for each of the specified color-matched colors, A stored paint information management unit stores in a stored paint information storage unit the color information after color matching, which indicates the specified color after color matching, and the color amount information after color matching, in association with the paint identification information of each of the at least one paints. A stored paint information notification unit transmits to a terminal device held by the user the following: an image of each container filled with at least one of the aforementioned paints, paint identification information for each of the aforementioned paints, the color information after color matching, and the amount of the color-matched paint. The system includes a recommendation notification unit that, by referring to the paint quantity information, generates recommendation information including paint identification information for the paint that is below the predetermined standard quantity when the quantity of any one of the paints stored by the user, as indicated by the paint quantity information, falls below a predetermined standard quantity, and transmits it to the terminal device. Storage paint management device.

2. A storage unit for stored paint information that stores image information showing an image of a container filled with at least one paint stored by the user, in association with paint identification information for each of the at least one paints, For each of the at least one of the paints stored by the user, a color identification unit identifies the color after color mixing that can be achieved by using the other paints, using color information indicating the color of the other paints. A color-matched paint quantity calculation unit calculates the amount of color-matched paint that can be produced for each of the specified color-matched colors, A stored paint information management unit stores in a stored paint information storage unit the color information after color matching, which indicates the specified color after color matching, and the color amount information after color matching, in association with the paint identification information of each of the at least one paints. A stored paint information notification unit transmits to a terminal device held by the user the following: an image of each container filled with at least one of the paints, paint identification information for each of the at least one paints, color information after color matching, and color amount information after color matching. The system includes a recommendation notification unit that, when the stored paint information storage unit newly stores the paint identification information of the paint necessary to achieve the color-matched color desired by the user, as specified by the user based on the color-matched color information, generates recommendation information including the newly stored paint identification information and transmits it to the terminal device. Storage paint management device.

3. A storage unit for stored paint information that stores image information showing an image of a container filled with at least one paint stored by the user, in association with paint identification information for each of the at least one paints and price information showing the price for each of the at least one paints stored by the user, For each of the at least one of the paints stored by the user, a color identification unit identifies the color after color mixing that can be achieved by using the other paints, using color information indicating the color of the other paints. A color-matched paint quantity calculation unit calculates the amount of color-matched paint that can be produced for each of the specified color-matched colors, A stored paint information management unit stores in a stored paint information storage unit the color information after color matching, which indicates the specified color after color matching, and the color amount information after color matching, in association with the paint identification information of each of the at least one paints. A stored paint information notification unit transmits the following to a terminal device held by the user: an image of each container filled with the at least one paint, paint identification information for each of the at least one paints, the color information after color matching, and the amount of paint after color matching. The system includes a recommendation notification unit that, when the stored paint information storage unit newly stores price information and paint identification information indicating a price below a preset standard price, generates recommendation information including the newly stored paint identification information, the color-matched color information, and the color-matched paint quantity information, and transmits it to the terminal device. Storage paint management device.

4. A storage unit for stored paint information that stores image information showing an image of a container filled with at least one paint stored by the user, in association with paint identification information for each of the at least one paints, For each of the at least one of the paints stored by the user, a color identification unit identifies the color after color mixing that can be achieved by using the other paints, using color information indicating the color of the other paints. A color-matched paint quantity calculation unit calculates the amount of color-matched paint that can be produced for each of the specified color-matched colors, A stored paint information management unit stores in a stored paint information storage unit the color information after color matching, which indicates the specified color after color matching, and the paint quantity information after color matching, in association with the paint identification information of at least one of the paints. A stored paint information notification unit transmits to a terminal device held by the user the following: an image of each container filled with at least one of the paints, paint identification information for each of the at least one paints, the color information after color matching, and the amount of paint after color matching. A purchase status monitoring unit monitors the purchase status of the paint identified by the paint identification information stored in the stored paint information storage unit, The system further includes a pickup request notification unit that, when the purchase status monitoring unit determines that the paint has been purchased, transmits request information to a terminal device owned by a pre-configured vendor to request the pickup of the purchased paint. Storage paint management device.

5. A storage unit for stored paint information that stores image information showing an image of a container filled with at least one paint stored by each of a plurality of users, in association with paint identification information for each of the at least one paints and user identification information that identifies the user, A color identification unit identifies the color after color mixing that can be achieved by using color information indicating the color of other paints, for each of the at least one paints stored by the first user among multiple users, A color-matched paint quantity calculation unit calculates the amount of color-matched paint that can be produced for each of the specified color-matched colors, A stored paint information management unit stores in a stored paint information storage unit the color information after color matching, which indicates the specified color after color matching, and the color amount information after color matching, in association with the paint identification information of at least one of the paints and the user identification information of the first user. The system includes a stored paint information notification unit that, upon receiving stored paint request information from a terminal device owned by a second user different from the first user, requests the transmission of information about the paint, including the user identification information of the first user of the first user transmitted from the terminal device owned by the second user, and transmits to the terminal device owned by the second user the image information, paint identification information, color-matched color information, and color-matched paint quantity information, which are stored in the stored paint information storage unit and correspond to the user identification information of the first user included in the acquired stored paint request information, to the terminal device owned by the second user. Storage paint management device.

6. A storage paint information storage unit that stores image information showing an image of a container filled with at least one paint stored by a user, in association with paint identification information for each of the at least one paints and storage location information indicating the storage location where the at least one paint is stored, For each of the at least one of the paints stored by the user, a color identification unit identifies the color after color mixing that can be achieved by using the other paints, using color information indicating the color of the other paints. A color-matched paint quantity calculation unit calculates the amount of color-matched paint that can be produced for each of the specified color-matched colors, A stored paint information management unit stores in a stored paint information storage unit the color information after color matching, which indicates the specified color after color matching, and the amount of paint after color matching, in association with the paint identification information and storage location information for at least one of the paints. The system includes a storage paint information notification unit that transmits an image of each container filled with at least one of the paints, paint identification information for each of the at least one paints, color information after color matching, paint quantity information after color matching, and storage location information to a terminal device held by the user. Storage paint management device.

7. A terminal device owned by the user, having an imaging unit, which when the imaging unit images the container containing paint newly stored by the user, the container having a label that includes a first string of characters representing color information indicating the color of the paint and a second string of characters representing paint identification information identifying the paint, estimates the first string of characters and the second string of characters written on the label included in the image obtained by imaging, and estimates the color information and the paint identification information from the estimated first string of characters and the second string of characters, A storage unit for stored paint information stores image information showing an image of the container filled with the paint that the estimated user will newly store, in association with the estimated color information and the paint identification information. A color identification unit identifies the color after color mixing that can be achieved by using color information indicating the color of other paints to color the paint newly stored by the user, A color-matched paint quantity calculation unit calculates the amount of color-matched paint that can be produced for each of the specified color-matched colors, A stored paint information management unit stores the post-color information indicating the specified post-coloring color and the post-coloring paint quantity information in the stored paint information storage unit in association with the paint identification information. The system includes a stored paint information notification unit that transmits an image of each container filled with at least one of the aforementioned paints, paint identification information for each of the aforementioned at least one paints, color information after color matching, and paint quantity information after color matching to a terminal device held by the user. Paint storage management system.

8. A terminal device owned by the user, A storage unit for stored paint information stores image information showing an image of a container filled with at least one paint stored by the user, in association with paint identification information for each of the at least one paints, color information indicating the color of the paint, and price information indicating the price of each of the at least one paints stored by the user. For each of the at least one of the paints stored by the user, a color identification unit identifies the color after color mixing that can be achieved by using the other paints, using color information indicating the color of the other paints. A color-matched paint quantity calculation unit calculates the amount of color-matched paint that can be produced for each of the specified color-matched colors, A stored paint information management unit stores in a stored paint information storage unit the color information after color matching, which indicates the specified color after color matching, and the color amount information after color matching, in association with the paint identification information of each of the at least one paints. When a paint information request information is received from the terminal device, which includes the color information of the paint desired by the user and the desired purchase price information of the paint, the paint identification unit identifies the paint identification information of the paint that matches the color indicated by the color information and the desired purchase price indicated by the desired purchase price information included in the received paint information request information, The system includes a stored paint information notification unit that transmits to the terminal device the identified paint identification information, the captured image corresponding to the identified paint identification information stored in the stored paint information storage unit, the color-matched color information, and the color-matched paint quantity information. Paint storage management system.

9. The terminal device comprises a display unit and, based on the identified paint identification information, the captured image corresponding to the identified paint identification information stored in the stored paint information storage unit, the color-matched color information, and the color-matched paint quantity information, forms a paint list notification image showing a list of paints desired by the user and displays it on the display unit. The paint storage management system according to claim 8.

10. A stored paint management device comprising the steps of storing image information showing an image of a container filled with at least one paint stored by a user in a stored paint information storage unit, in association with paint identification information for each of the at least one paints, The stored paint management device includes the step of identifying the color after color mixing that can be achieved by color mixing using the other paints, using color information indicating the color of other paints for each of the at least one paints stored by the user. The storage paint management device includes the step of calculating the amount of color-matched paint that can be produced for each of the specified color-matched colors, The stored paint management device stores in the stored paint information storage unit the color information after color matching, which indicates the specified color after color matching, and the color information after color matching, in association with the paint identification information of at least one of the paints. The stored paint management device transmits an image of each container filled with the at least one paint, paint identification information for each of the at least one paints, the color information after color matching, and the amount of color-matched paint to a terminal device held by the user. The stored paint management device includes the step of generating recommendation information including the newly stored paint identification information and transmitting it to the terminal device when the stored paint information storage unit newly stores the paint identification information of the paint necessary to achieve the color after color matching desired by the user, which is specified by the user based on the color matching information. Storage paint management method.

11. A stored paint management device comprising the steps of storing image information showing an image of a container filled with at least one paint stored by a user in a stored paint information storage unit, in association with paint identification information for each of the at least one paints and paint quantity information showing the amount of each of the at least one paints stored by the user, The stored paint management device includes the step of identifying the color after color mixing that can be achieved by color mixing using the other paints, using color information indicating the color of other paints for each of the at least one paints stored by the user. The storage paint management device includes the step of calculating the amount of color-matched paint that can be produced for each of the specified color-matched colors, The stored paint management device stores in a stored paint information storage unit the color information after color matching, which indicates the specified color after color matching, and the amount of color-matched paint, in association with the paint identification information of each of the at least one paints. The stored paint management device transmits an image of each container filled with at least one paint, paint identification information for each of the at least one paints, the color information after color matching, and the amount of color-matched paint to a terminal device held by the user. The stored paint management device includes the step of referring to the paint quantity information and, when the quantity of any one of the at least one of the paints stored by the user, as indicated by the paint quantity information, falls below a preset standard remaining quantity, generating recommendation information including the paint identification information of the paint that is below the standard remaining quantity and transmitting it to the terminal device. Storage paint management method.

12. Computers, A stored paint information storage unit stores image information showing an image of a container filled with at least one paint stored by the user, in association with the paint identification information of each of the at least one paints. For each of the at least one paint stored by the user, a color identification unit identifies the color after color mixing that can be achieved by using the other paint, using color information indicating the color of the other paint. A color-matched paint quantity calculation unit calculates the amount of color-matched paint that can be produced for each of the specified color-matched colors. A stored paint information management unit stores in the stored paint information storage unit the color information after color matching, which indicates the specified color after color matching, and the color information after color matching, in association with the paint identification information of at least one of the paints. A stored paint information notification unit transmits an image of each container filled with at least one of the aforementioned paints, paint identification information for each of the aforementioned paints, color information after color matching, and color amount information after color matching to a terminal device held by the user. When the stored paint information storage unit newly stores the paint identification information of the paint necessary to achieve the color after mixing desired by the user, as specified by the user based on the color after mixing information, the recommendation notification unit generates recommendation information including the newly stored paint identification information and transmits it to the terminal device. A program designed to function as such.

13. A computer, A stored paint information storage unit stores image information showing an image of a container filled with at least one paint stored by the user, in association with paint identification information for each of the at least one paints and paint quantity information indicating the amount of each of the at least one paints stored by the user. For each of the at least one paint stored by the user, a color identification unit identifies the color after color mixing that can be achieved by using the other paint, using color information indicating the color of the other paint. A color-matched paint quantity calculation unit calculates the amount of color-matched paint that can be produced for each of the specified color-matched colors. A stored paint information management unit stores in a stored paint information storage unit the color information after color matching, which indicates the specified color after color matching, and the paint quantity information after color matching, in association with the paint identification information of each of the at least one paints. A stored paint information notification unit transmits an image of each container filled with at least one of the aforementioned paints, paint identification information for each of the aforementioned paints, the color information after color matching, and the amount of the color-matched paint to a terminal device held by the user. A recommendation notification unit, referring to the paint quantity information, generates recommendation information including the paint identification information of the paint that is below the standard remaining amount when the quantity of any one of the paints stored by the user, as indicated by the paint quantity information, falls below a predetermined standard remaining amount, and transmits it to the terminal device. A program designed to function as such.

Images