Advertisement management system, method of controlling the same, and storage medium

Abstract

To easily recognize the state of an advertisement to be replaced in the advertisement of merchandise whose information is changed.SOLUTION: This advertisement management system communicable with a server device for managing first selling price information of a commodity and an information processor having an imaging means, acquires second selling price information when the advertisement is printed, from the advertisement of the commodity imaged by the imaging means. Then, the advertisement management system performs control to identifiably display whether or not the first selling price information managed by the server device matches the acquired second selling price information. Further, the advertisement management system performs control so as to identifiably display, for each advertisement, detailed information on the advertisement together with information on whether or not the first selling price information managed by the server device matches the acquired second selling price information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an advertisement management system, a control method thereof, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In supermarkets and other retail stores, it is common to display POP (Point of Purchase) advertisements on the shelves where products are displayed. The advertisements include product information, prices, and promotional slogans and descriptions.

[0003] The prices and catch phrases of products written on such POP advertisements are often subject to change due to limited-time campaigns and special sales. Therefore, if the actual product information differs from the information written on the POP advertisement, the retailer will replace the POP advertisement.

[0004] Therefore, Patent Document 1 describes a system that can determine whether a displayed POP advertisement is valid or invalid so that the person in charge can know which POP advertisement should be removed.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a system in which product information such as tag identification information or product identification information is printed on a POP advertisement, and when determining whether or not to publish the advertisement, the product information on the POP advertisement is read and a process is performed to determine whether the product information written on the POP advertisement is valid or invalid. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-48752 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] If the system in Patent Document 1 determines that an invalid POP advertisement has been posted, the POP advertisement must be replaced. In this case, the person in charge needs to know the next steps to take in response to the invalid state of the POP advertisement, such as whether the POP advertisement was forgotten to be replaced or whether new POP advertisement data needs to be created.

[0008] However, if product information changes frequently, the POP advertisements must be replaced each time. In such cases, the person in charge must check which items in the POP advertisements currently on display are invalid every time a change is made, which is a time-consuming task for the person in charge.

[0009] The present embodiment aims to provide an advertisement management system that can easily recognize the status of advertisements that need to be replaced when advertisements for products whose information changes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The advertising management system of the present invention is an advertising management system capable of communicating with a server device that manages first selling price information of products and an information processing device equipped with an imaging means, and is characterized by comprising: an acquisition means that acquires second selling price information when an advertisement for a product imaged by the imaging means is printed from the advertisement; and a display control means that controls the display of detailed information of the advertisement in an identifiable manner together with information on whether the first selling price information managed by the server device matches the second selling price information acquired by the acquisition means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, in an advertisement for a product whose information is subject to change, the state of the advertisement to be replaced can be easily recognized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an advertisement management system. [Figure 2]1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device 100, a server device 101, and a mobile terminal 102. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of a printing device 103. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of an information processing device 100, a server device 101, and a mobile terminal 102. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when printing an advertisement in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a process flow for checking, on a mobile terminal, whether or not an advertisement needs to be replaced in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a process for automatically printing an advertisement when it is necessary to replace the advertisement in a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for automatically printing an advertisement when it is necessary to replace the advertisement in the second embodiment of the present invention, and is a continuation of the flowchart in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are diagrams showing an example of a selling price check table 900 and a check result table 910 in this embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a planning instruction table 1000 in this embodiment. [Figure 11] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on a mobile terminal 102 in this embodiment. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for displaying a screen showing the state of a POP advertisement located at a particular position within a store in a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an advertisement position check table 1300 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen 1400 showing advertising information that needs to be replaced in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15]FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an advertisement image 1500 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of an advertisement management system according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, in the present invention, an information processing device 100, a server device 101, and a printing device 103 are connected to each other via a network 105 so that data can be communicated with each other. The network 105 may be a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN). Furthermore, a mobile terminal 102 such as a smart device with a touch screen does not need to be able to communicate with the information processing device 100, the server device 101, and the printing device 103 all the time, as long as they can communicate as needed.

[0015] The configuration of the various terminals or servers connected to the network 105 in FIG. 1 is one example, and it goes without saying that there are various configuration examples depending on the application and purpose.

[0016] The information processing device 100 (client terminal or server device) is a terminal that can be used by employees of a store such as a supermarket when issuing instructions to create a POP advertisement including a color code, and is a terminal provided for each store.

[0017] A color code is a system that can express information through the difference and arrangement of colors. For example, information can be expressed by arranging cells of multiple colors, such as "red," "blue," and "yellow," in a row or matrix. Such color codes can be recognized from a distance approximately 50 times greater than two-dimensional barcodes, eliminating the need for close-up photography and allowing multiple color codes to be recognized simultaneously. In this embodiment, instructions are given to create a POP advertisement that displays such a color code.

[0018] The server device 101 can manage various databases, such as limited-time promotions such as the "Spring Thanksgiving Sale," as well as product information and POP layouts corresponding to those promotions. By managing promotions on the server device 101, common promotions, common product information, and common POP layouts can be used in response to access from the information processing device 100 of each store. It is also possible to manage promotions, product information, POP layouts, etc., on the information processing device 100 of each store, without providing a server device 101.

[0019] The mobile terminal 102 is a terminal used by store employees to determine whether the contents of a POP advertisement have been changed or whether the advertisement period has expired, and is provided so that it can be easily carried around. According to the present invention, it is possible to easily determine whether the contents of the POP advertisement have been changed simply by capturing an image of the POP advertisement displayed on a store's product display shelf or the like with the camera 232 of the mobile terminal 102. Furthermore, by providing the mobile terminal 102 with the ability to make such determination without communicating with the server device 101, it is possible to easily determine whether the advertisement is still within its advertisement period even in stores with poor communication environments.

[0020] The printing device 103 is a printer that can print POP advertisements installed in each store, and can be either an inkjet printer or a laser printer, but it must be a color printer that can print color codes. This printing device 103 can print not only in response to printing requests from each store, but also accept and print printing instructions from headquarters.

[0021] FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 100 and the server device 101. As shown in FIG.

[0022] The CPU 201 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204 .

[0023] The ROM 202 or external memory 211 (storage means) stores a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), which is a control program for the CPU 201, an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS), etc. Also stored are various programs, which will be described later, that are required to realize the functions executed by the information processing device 100 and the server device 101. The RAM 203 functions as the main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 201.

[0024] The CPU 201 loads programs and the like required for executing processes into the RAM 203 and executes the programs to realize various operations.

[0025] An input controller (input C) 205 controls input from an input device 209 such as a keyboard or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown).

[0026] A video controller (VC) 206 controls display on a display device such as a display 210. The type of display device is assumed to be a CRT or a liquid crystal display, but is not limited to this.

[0027] The memory controller (MC) 207 controls access to an external memory 211 such as a hard disk (HD) or a flexible disk (FD) that stores a boot program, browser software, various applications, font data, various data, etc. Alternatively, it controls access to an external memory 211 such as a card-type memory connected to a PCMCIA card slot via an adapter.

[0028] A communication I / F controller (communication I / FC) 208 connects and communicates with external devices via a network, and executes communication control processing on the network. For example, internet communication using TCP / IP is possible.

[0029] The CPU 201 enables display on the display 210 by, for example, executing a process of expanding (rasterizing) an outline font into a display information area in the RAM 203. The CPU 201 also enables user instructions using a mouse cursor (not shown) on the display 210.

[0030] Various programs, etc. used by the information processing device 100 and server device 101 of the present invention to execute the various processes described below are recorded in external memory 211 and are executed by CPU 201 by being loaded into RAM 203 as needed.

[0031] Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used by the programs according to the present invention are stored in the external memory 211 .

[0032] FIG. 2(b) is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a mobile terminal 102 such as a smart device equipped with a touch screen.

[0033] The CPU 221 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 224 .

[0034] The ROM 222 or external memory 231 (storage means) also stores a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), which is a control program for the CPU 221, an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS), etc. Also, various programs, which will be described later, required to realize the functions executed by the mobile terminal 102 are stored. The RAM 223 functions as the main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 221.

[0035] The CPU 221 loads programs and the like required for executing processes into the RAM 223 and executes the programs to realize various operations. In addition, the touch panel controller 225 controls the touch panel 233, the display controller 226 controls the display 230, and the camera controller 229 controls the camera 232.

[0036] The memory controller 227 controls access to an external memory 231 such as a hard disk (HD) or a flexible disk (FD) that stores a boot program, browser software, various applications, edited files, various data, etc. Alternatively, it controls access to an external memory 231 such as a card-type memory connected to a PCMCIA card slot via an adapter.

[0037] A communication I / F controller (communication I / FC) 228 connects and communicates with external devices via a network, and executes communication control processing on the network. For example, internet communication using TCP / IP is possible.

[0038] The CPU 221 executes, for example, a process of expanding (rasterizing) an outline font into a display information area in the RAM 223, thereby enabling display on the display 230.

[0039] Various programs and the like used by the mobile terminal 102 of the present invention to execute various processes described below are recorded in the external memory 231, and are loaded into the RAM 223 as needed and executed by the CPU 221. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used by the programs related to the present invention are stored in the external memory 231.

[0040] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the printing device 103 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0041] 3, the controller unit 333 is connected to a print unit 314, a card reader 315, and an operation unit 318, which function as image output devices. In addition to these connections, the controller unit 333 is also connected to a local area network or a public line (WAN) such as PSTN or ISDN, to output print jobs for advertisements.

[0042] 3, the controller unit 333 is composed of a CPU 301, a RAM 306, a ROM 302, an external storage device (hard disk drive (HDD)) 307, a network interface (Network I / F) 303, etc. The controller unit 333 is also composed of a modem 304, an operation unit interface (operation unit I / F) 305, an external interface (external I / F) 309, an image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I / F) 308, etc. The controller unit 333 is also composed of a raster image processor (RIP) 310, a printer interface (printer I / F) 311, an image processing unit 313, etc.

[0043] The CPU 301 is a processor that controls the entire system.

[0044] The RAM 306 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 301, a program memory for recording programs, and an image memory for temporarily storing image data.

[0045] The ROM 302 stores the system boot program and various control programs.

[0046] An external storage device (hard disk drive HDD) 307 stores various programs for controlling the system, print jobs, etc. It also stores various tables.

[0047] An operation unit interface (operation unit I / F) 305 is an interface unit with an operation unit (UI) 318, and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 318 to the operation unit 318.

[0048] Furthermore, the operation unit I / F 305 serves to transmit information (e.g., user information, etc.) input by the user of this system from the operation unit 318 to the CPU 301. The operation unit 318 is provided with a display unit having a touch panel, and various instructions can be given by the user pressing (touching with a finger, etc.) buttons displayed on the display unit.

[0049] A network interface (Network I / F) 303 connects to a network (LAN) and inputs and outputs data.

[0050] A modem 304 is connected to a public line and inputs and outputs data such as sending and receiving faxes.

[0051] An external interface (external I / F) 309 is an interface unit that accepts external inputs such as USB, IEEE1394, a printer port, and RS-232C.

[0052] The image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I / F) 308 is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 316 and an image bus 317 that transfers image data at high speed and converts the data structure. The image bus 317 is configured as a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are placed on the image bus 317.

[0053] A raster image processor (RIP) 310 converts vector data such as PDL code into a bitmap image.

[0054] A printer interface (printer I / F) 311 connects a print unit 314 and a controller unit 333, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

[0055] The image processing unit 313 performs printer correction, resolution conversion, etc. on the print output image data resulting from the expanded print job. In addition, the image processing unit 313 also rotates the image data and performs compression / expansion processing such as JPEG for multi-value image data and JBIG, MMR, MH for binary image data.

[0056] The print unit 314 connected to the printer I / F 311 converts raster image data into an image on paper. Any method can be used, including electrophotography, which uses a photosensitive drum or belt, or inkjet printing, which ejects ink from a micro-nozzle array to print an image directly onto paper. The print operation is initiated by a command from the CPU 301. The print unit 314 has multiple paper feed trays, each with a corresponding paper cassette, so that different paper sizes or orientations can be selected.

[0057] An operation unit 318 connected to the operation unit I / F 305 has a liquid crystal display (LCD) display unit. A touch panel sheet is attached to the LCD, which displays a system operation screen, and when a displayed key is pressed, transmits position information to the CPU 301 via the operation unit I / F 305. The operation unit 318 also has various operation keys, such as a start key, a stop key, an ID key, and a reset key.

[0058] The start key on the operation unit 318 is used to start a printing operation, etc. The center of the start key has a two-color LED, green and red, which indicates whether the start key is usable or not depending on the color. The stop key on the operation unit 318 stops an operation that is in progress. The ID key on the operation unit 318 is used to input the user's ID. The reset key is used to initialize the settings from the operation unit 318.

[0059] Next, the functional configurations of the information processing device 100, server device 101, mobile terminal 102, and printing device 103 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Note that the functional configurations of the information processing device 100, server device 101, mobile terminal 102, and printing device 103 shown in Fig. 4 are merely examples, and there are various configuration examples depending on the application and purpose.

[0060] The information processing device 100 includes, as functional units, a communication control unit 401, a color code generation unit 402, and an advertisement data generation unit 403.

[0061] The communication control unit 401 is a functional unit for controlling communication between the information processing device 100 and the server device 101 and the printing device 103 .

[0062] The color code generation unit 402 is a functional unit that generates a color code containing information. Specifically, it generates a color code indicating a printing serial number, which is identification information for each POP advertisement. The printing serial number is an identification number assigned to each POP advertisement when a print instruction for the POP advertisement is received. In this embodiment, the printing serial number is indicated by a color code, but the information indicated by the color code may be information other than the printing serial number related to the product or POP advertisement, such as product selling price information or the display period of the POP advertisement. Furthermore, the color code does not necessarily have to be generated by the information processing device 100; it may be generated by the server device 101, the printing device 103, or another device and managed by the information processing device 100.

[0063] The advertisement data generating unit 403 is a functional unit for generating advertisement data corresponding to a product. In this embodiment, the advertisement data includes the color code generated by the color code generating unit 402 together with product information.

[0064] Next, a description will be given of the functional units of the server device 101. The server device 101 includes a communication control unit 404, a storage unit 405, and a print serial number acquisition unit 406.

[0065] The communication control unit 404 is a functional unit that controls communication between the information processing device 100 and the mobile terminal 102 and the printing device 103 .

[0066] The storage unit 405 is a functional unit (storage means) for storing information on various tables and masters, which will be described later, and information that configures various screens. Information is added, updated, and deleted as necessary.

[0067] The print serial number acquisition unit 406 is a functional unit for acquiring a print serial number for each POP advertisement when the server device 101 receives a print instruction for the POP advertisement from the information processing device 100. The print serial number acquired by the print serial number acquisition unit 406 is transmitted from the server device 101 to the information processing device 100, and the color code generation unit of the information processing device 100 generates a color code indicating the received print serial number.

[0068] Next, a description will be given of the functional units of the mobile terminal 102. The functional units of the mobile terminal 102 include an imaging unit 407 and a display control unit 408.

[0069] The imaging unit 407 is a functional unit that controls imaging by the camera 232 included in the mobile terminal 102. In this embodiment, a color code included in the POP advertisement is imaged, and changes to the POP advertisement are displayed on the screen in an identifiable manner.

[0070] The display control unit 408 is a functional unit (display control means) for controlling the display of the display 230 of the mobile terminal 102. When a display instruction to display a screen is given from the display control unit 408, the display instruction is transmitted to the display 210 via the video controller 206. Then, when the display 230 receives this instruction, it displays the screen in accordance with the instruction.

[0071] Next, a series of processing steps from creating a POP advertisement to notifying a user of a POP advertisement to be changed will be described with reference to the flowcharts of Figures 5 and 6. The embodiment described with reference to the flowcharts of Figures 5 and 6 is the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the process up to outputting a POP advertisement designated by a user.

[0073] In step S501, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 accepts a user's selection of an advertisement template from advertisement templates previously stored in the information processing device 100. An advertisement template indicates an advertisement layout that determines where product names, selling prices, and catch phrases are to be placed in a POP advertisement.

[0074] In step S502, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 accepts the selection of products for which a POP advertisement is to be created. The CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 may accept the selection for each product individually, or may accept the selection of all products that are grouped together to some extent, such as a list of products that are relevant to a limited-time event, all at once.

[0075] In step S503, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 transmits the JAN code (Japanese Article Number) of the product selected in step S502 together with an instruction to print an advertisement corresponding to the product to the server device 101. In this embodiment, the JAN code is transmitted as information for identifying the product, but information other than the JAN code may be transmitted as long as it is identification information capable of identifying the product, such as the product name or a product code managed by store.

[0076] In step S504, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 receives the JAN code of the product and a print instruction from the information processing device 100.

[0077] In step S505, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 acquires (acquisition means) selling price information of the product corresponding to the JAN code received in step S504 from a POS system (Point Of Sales system) linked to the server device 101. The POS system manages product sales information and also manages fluctuating product selling prices. The selling price information acquired by the server device 101 from the POS system in step S505 is the selling price of the product at the time the selling price information is acquired.

[0078] In step S506, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 acquires a print serial number using the function of the print serial number acquisition unit 406. The CPU 201 of the server device 101 acquires a number (print serial number) for each POP advertisement for which a print instruction has been received. Even if a print serial number has been acquired in the past for a POP advertisement for a product with the same JAN code, when a new print instruction is received, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 acquires a new print serial number.

[0079] In step S507, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 stores the JAN code received in step S504, the selling price information acquired in step S505, and the printing serial number acquired in step S506 in the selling price check table 900 in association with each other.

[0080] The selling price check table 900 in FIG. 9 is a table for managing information on a POP advertisement for which a print instruction has been received. When checking changes to a POP advertisement captured by the mobile terminal 102, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 also checks the selling price check table 900. The selling price check table 900 includes a JAN code 901, a printing serial number 902, a printing price 903, a print flag 904, a printing time 905, and a selling price 906. The JAN code 901 was received by the server device 101 in step S504, and the printing serial number 902 was stored as acquired by the server device 101 in step S506. The printing price 903 is the selling price acquired by the server device 101 from the POS system in step S505, and the JAN code 901, printing serial number 902, and printing price 903 are stored in association with each other. The print flag 904 manages whether or not an advertisement for which a print instruction has been received has been printed. The print time 905 stores the time when the POP advertisement was printed. Selling price 906 is selling price information acquired separately from price at time of printing 903, and is acquired and stored from the POS system when the POP advertisement is photographed and confirmed with the mobile terminal 102 or at predetermined intervals. When checking whether the price of the published POP advertisement has changed, the value stored in price at time of printing 903 and selling price 906 are compared.

[0081] Returning to Fig. 5, in step S508, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 transmits the print serial number associated with the JAN code to the information processing device 100 together with the JAN code.

[0082] In step S509, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 receives the JAN code and the printing serial number from the server apparatus 101.

[0083] In step S510, CPU 201 of information processing device 100 generates a color code indicating a printing serial number using the function of color code generation unit 402. Then, using the function of advertisement data generation unit 403, advertisement data including the color code is generated.

[0084] In step S511, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 transmits an output instruction to the printing device 103 using the function of the communication control unit 401 (output control means).

[0085] In step S512, CPU 201 of information processing device 100 transmits information indicating that the print instruction was transmitted in step S511 to server device 101. Note that, in order to confirm that printing has been completed reliably, CPU 201 of information processing device 100 may transmit the print results to server device 101 after receiving information from printing device 103 indicating whether printing has been completed.

[0086] In step S513 , the CPU 201 of the server device 101 receives the print result from the information processing device 100 .

[0087] In step S514, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 stores the print result received from the information processing device 100 using the function of the storage unit 405. More specifically, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 stores "1" in the print flag 904 of the selling price check table 900. If the POP advertisement data has been generated but has not yet been printed by the printing device 103, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 stores "0".

[0088] This concludes the explanation of the process for outputting a specified POP advertisement. This process generates a color code indicating the printing serial number assigned when the POP advertisement data was created, and then creates and prints the POP advertisement containing that color code.

[0089] Next, a series of processing steps for capturing an image of a POP advertisement printed by the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 5 with a mobile terminal and notifying a user of a changed POP advertisement will be described with reference to FIG.

[0090] In step S601, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 installs an application for checking the contents of a POP advertisement in the mobile terminal 102 in advance, and starts up the application.

[0091] In step S602, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 starts capturing an image of the POP advertisement using the function of the imaging unit 407.

[0092] In step S603, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 identifies the print serial number indicated by the color code included in the POP advertisement.

[0093] In step S604, the printing serial number identified in step S603 is sent to the server device 101.

[0094] In step S605, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 receives the print serial number from the mobile terminal 102.

[0095] In step S606, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 searches the printing serial number 902 in the selling price check table 900 stored by the function of the storage unit 405 using the received printing serial number as a key.

[0096] In step S607, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 identifies the print serial number found in step S606 from the print serial number 902 and further references the print price 903 and selling price 906, which are stored in association with the print serial number 902. The selling price stored in the print price 903 is a fixed value because it is the selling price at the time the POP advertisement was printed. On the other hand, the value stored in the selling price 906 is a variable selling price because it is obtained from the POS system at a predetermined timing. Next, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 compares the selling price stored in the print price 903 with the selling price stored in the selling price 906 and determines whether the two selling prices are the same (whether they match). If the CPU 201 of the server device 101 determines that the two selling prices are the same, it proceeds to step S608 and determines that there is no problem. In other words, it determines that there has been no change in the content of the product information in the POP advertisement, and proceeds to step S612. If the CPU 201 of the server device 101 determines that the two selling prices are not the same, that is, that the two selling prices are different, the process proceeds to step S609.

[0097] In step S609, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 determines whether or not there is a latest serial number. More specifically, it identifies the JAN code associated with the print serial number used as the search key, and searches the JAN code 901 in the selling price check table 900 using the JAN code as a key. If the same JAN code is identified and a new print serial number (latest serial number) is stored, this indicates that print data for a POP advertisement with an updated selling price has been generated to accommodate the replacement of the POP advertisement. If the CPU 201 of the server device 101 determines that there is a latest serial number, the process proceeds to step S611, where it determines that the advertising data for the POP advertisement has been generated and a print instruction has been received, and that the POP advertisement has not been replaced. If the CPU 201 of the server device 101 determines that there is no latest serial number, the process proceeds to step S610, where it determines that a change has occurred in the content (selling price) of the POP advertisement and that the POP advertisement has not yet been printed.

[0098] Here, the check result table 910 of Fig. 9 will be described. The check result table 910 in this embodiment is an example of a table that stores the results of determining whether a change has occurred in the selling price based on the printing serial number of the POP advertisement. The check result table 910 includes a JAN code 911, a printing serial number 912, and a check result 913. The check result 913 indicates the results of checking the changes to the POP advertisement and determining the results determined in steps S608, S610, and S611. For example, if there is no change in the information indicated by the POP advertisement and there is no problem, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 stores "0." If there is a change in the information indicated by the POP advertisement, but it is determined that a new POP advertisement has already been printed because the latest serial number has been obtained, that is, if it is determined that the POP advertisement was simply not replaced, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 stores "1" in the check result 913. If it is determined that the information indicated by the POP advertisement has changed and the latest serial number has not been acquired, so that the POP advertisement with updated information has not been printed, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 stores "2" in the check result 913.

[0099] Returning to the flowchart of Fig. 6, in step S612, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 transmits the results stored in the check result table 910 of Fig. 9 to the mobile terminal 102.

[0100] In step S613, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 receives the check result from the server device 101.

[0101] In step S614, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 notifies the store staff of the changes to the POP advertisement based on the check result received in step S613. In this embodiment, the display control unit 408 functions to display, in an identifiable manner, POP advertisements with changes to their contents on the display 230 of the mobile terminal 102. The CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 also displays detailed information for each POP advertisement according to the check result received in step S613. The detailed information here refers to information indicating the status of the POP advertisement that should be notified to a store staff member when the CPU 201 of the server device 101 determines that the selling price of the POP advertisement has changed. Here, the information indicating the status of the POP advertisement includes, for example, information indicating the next step to be taken by the store staff member, such as whether the POP advertisement in which the error occurred was not replaced or whether new POP advertisement data needs to be created.

[0102] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example in which the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 displays an identification display corresponding to the check results received from the server device 101 in step S614. The display 230 of the mobile terminal 102 displays the interior of the store being imaged, displaying a POP advertisement 1101 and a color code 1102 included in the POP advertisement 1101. The color code 1102 is read by the mobile terminal 102 to determine the status of the POP advertisement. The error display 1104 (missing replacement) and the error display 1103 (not printed) of the POP advertisement corresponding to the respective check results are displayed by superimposing them on the captured image. The POP advertisements on which the error display 1104 (missing replacement) and the error display 1103 (not printed) are superimposed are both POP advertisements in which the selling price listed in the POP advertisement and the actual selling price have changed. In this embodiment, not only can the publication of problematic POP advertisements be managed but also the error status of POP advertisements that need to be changed can be notified, thereby reducing the checking workload of store staff who check and replace POP advertisements. In this embodiment, since it is sufficient to notify a POP advertisement with a change in content, notification may be made by other notification methods such as audio, not just by display. Furthermore, instead of just displaying an error state, a POP advertisement with a change in price may be displayed with the correct price superimposed on the captured image.

[0103] This concludes the explanation of the flow of a series of processes for notifying a user (store staff) of a POP advertisement that has been changed. This process allows the store staff to recognize at a glance which POP advertisements need to be replaced. In this embodiment, detailed information is also available, such as whether print data for a POP advertisement with a new updated price needs to be created for a POP advertisement whose selling price has been changed, or whether new print data does not need to be created and the advertisement was simply overlooked. Therefore, when a store staff member finds a POP advertisement that needs to be replaced, they can determine the next step to take simply by capturing an image of the POP advertisement with the mobile terminal 102.

[0104] [Embodiment 2] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of Figures 7 and 8. In the first embodiment, a determination was made as to whether or not there had been any changes to the content of a POP advertisement, and the POP advertisements with changes were identified and displayed to notify the user. In the second embodiment, a mechanism will be described in which an image of a POP advertisement is captured by the mobile terminal 102, and if there is a POP advertisement with changes to the published content, the POP advertisement is extracted and a POP advertisement with the updated content is automatically printed.

[0105] 7 are the same as steps S601 to S607 in Fig. 6, and therefore will not be described further. Steps S701 to S707 are performed by the server device 101 to compare the selling prices of identified products based on the printed serial numbers captured by the mobile terminal 102 and read from the color codes.

[0106] In step S708, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 compares the selling price stored in the printing price 903 with the selling price stored in the selling price 906 in step S707, and performs processing if it is determined that the two selling prices are not the same value. The CPU 201 of the server device 101 identifies the JAN code corresponding to the printing serial number of the POP advertisement whose selling price has changed.

[0107] In step S709, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 identifies the current date information.

[0108] In step S710, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 acquires project information stored by the function of the storage unit 405. Project information refers to projects such as limited-time bargain sales held at a store, and indicates data for generating advertisements that compiles information such as the layout, catch phrase, and selling price of POP advertisements prepared for each project. The project information may be stored in the server device 101, or information stored in another storage device may be acquired as appropriate.

[0109] 10 shows an example of a table summarizing plan information from which advertising data for a plan can be generated. The plan instruction table 1000 includes a category 1001, a title 1002, a pattern 1003, a sale start date 1004, a sale end date 1005, a JAN code 1006, a manufacturer name 1007, a product name 1008, a selling price 1009, and a catchphrase 1010. The category 1001 indicates whether the data is for a plan (special sale) advertisement or a regular advertisement, and the title 1002 indicates the title of the plan. The pattern 1003 indicates the layout pattern of the POP advertisement, and the sale start date 1004 and sale end date 1005 indicate the sale start date and sale end date of the relevant product, respectively. In other words, the table also indicates the display period of the POP advertisement. Furthermore, JAN code 1006, manufacturer name 1007, product name 1008, selling price 1009, and catchphrase 1010 are information for each product and indicate data to be printed on a POP advertisement for a project. In step S710 of Fig. 7, this project instruction table 1000 is acquired as project information.

[0110] Returning to the flowchart of Fig. 7, in step S711, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 determines whether or not the corresponding product is included in the project information based on the current date identified in step S709 and the JAN code identified in step S708. In other words, it determines whether or not the JAN code identified in step S708 is included among the products included in the currently held project. If the CPU 201 of the server device 101 determines that the JAN code of the corresponding product is included in the project information, it proceeds to step S712. If the CPU 201 of the server device 101 determines that the JAN code of the corresponding product is not included in the project information, it proceeds to step S713.

[0111] In step S712, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 obtains the sales price for the project from the sales price 1009 in the project instruction table 1000.

[0112] In step S713, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 acquires the latest current selling price from the POS system using the function of the communication control unit 404.

[0113] In step S714, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 acquires the print serial number using the function of the print serial number acquisition unit 406.

[0114] In step S715, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 associates the JAN code identified in step S708, the selling price information acquired in step S713 or step S714, and the printing serial number acquired in step S714. The association is then stored in the selling price check table 900.

[0115] The CPU 201 of the server device 101 repeats the processing from step S706 to step S715 the number of times equal to the number of print serial numbers received from the mobile terminal 102.

[0116] In step S716, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 extracts the data of the POP advertisement for which a new printing serial number has been acquired. That is, it is determined in step S707 that the two selling prices are not the same, and the data for which a new printing serial number has been acquired is extracted.

[0117] Next, in step S717 of FIG. 8, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 transmits the data extracted in step S716 to the information processing device 100.

[0118] In step S718, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 receives the data extracted in step S716 from the server device 101.

[0119] In step S719, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 generates new print data for the POP advertisements with the two different selling prices received in step S718. Here, if the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 determines in step S711 that the advertisement data indicating the target products for the promotion is included, it generates print data for the promotion using the promotion information. On the other hand, if the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 does not include the advertisement data indicating the target products for the promotion, it generates print data for a regular POP advertisement.

[0120] In step S720, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 transmits to the printing device 103 an instruction to output a POP advertisement.

[0121] In step S721, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 identifies the printing time when the POP advertisement was printed, and transmits the same to the server device 101.

[0122] In step S722, the CPU 201 of the server apparatus 101 stores the print time received from the information processing apparatus 100 in the print time 905 of the selling price check table 900, and ends the series of processes.

[0123] This concludes the description of the mechanism for printing a POP advertisement in the second embodiment that has undergone changes in information that has been read and extracted by the mobile terminal 102. In this embodiment, the criterion for changing a POP advertisement is a change in selling price information, but the criterion for changing a POP advertisement may also be other information, such as a change in the display period of the POP advertisement or a catch phrase, in addition to the selling price information.

[0124] The processing of the second embodiment enables a store staff member to not only find new POP advertisements that need to be printed due to changes in information, but also easily print the POP advertisements that need to be printed, simply by capturing an image of the POP advertisement with the mobile terminal 102. Furthermore, because changed POP advertisements are automatically created, the creation of the POP advertisement notifies the store member of the POP advertisements that need to be changed, and also prevents problems such as forgetting to create or print a POP advertisement that needs to be replaced.

[0125] [Embodiment 3] The third embodiment will now be described with reference to Figures 12 to 15. In the first and second embodiments, the state of a POP advertisement is recognized using the mobile terminal 102. The third embodiment shows processing for acquiring the selling price information of the POP advertisement as well as the location information within the store and the information on the shelves where the product is displayed (shelf information), and displaying a screen showing the state of the POP advertisement at which position within the store it is located.

[0126] In the third embodiment, the mobile terminal 102 will be mainly described, but the present invention may also be applied to a mobile information processing device or terminal such as a self-propelled robot, in addition to the mobile terminal 102. When the subject capturing the image of the POP advertisement is a robot or the like, it is preferable to memorize the travel route within the store in advance, and capture the image of the POP advertisement while moving along the memorized travel route, thereby obtaining the selling price information contained in the POP advertisement.

[0127] First, the flow of Fig. 12 will be described. In step S1201 of Fig. 12, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 starts capturing an image of a POP advertisement using the function of the imaging unit 407. As described above, the imaging is not limited to being performed by the mobile terminal 102, and a self-propelled information processing device such as a robot may start an application and start capturing an image.

[0128] In step S1202, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 acquires location information at the time of capturing an image (location information acquisition means). The location information may be acquired by a global positioning system (GPS), or may be acquired from product shelf information in a store, or may be any information that indicates the location of the captured POP advertisement.

[0129] Here, the advertisement position check table 1300 in Fig. 13 will be described. The advertisement position check table 1300 is an example of a data table that stores information including the position of a POP advertisement imaged by the mobile terminal 102. The advertisement position check table 1300 includes shelf information 1301, JAN code 1302, product name 1303, and POP information 1304. The shelf information 1301 indicates the position or location of the shelf on which the POP advertisement was imaged. The JAN code 1302 and product name 1303 indicate the JAN code and product name printed on the imaged POP advertisement, respectively. The POP information 1304 indicates information such as the printing condition of the imaged POP advertisement.

[0130] In step S1203, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 captures an image of the POP advertisement and transmits the identified printing serial number of the POP advertisement to the server device 101. The processing of the server device 101 that receives the printing serial number from the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 is the same as the processing of steps S605 to S612 in Fig. 6, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. In other words, the server device 101 that receives the printing serial number compares the selling price information of the POP advertisement using the printing serial number as a key and determines whether there is a difference in the selling price information of the POP advertisement. If there is a difference in the selling price information, it determines whether the POP advertisement has already been printed and has not been replaced, or whether it is unprinted, and transmits the check result to the mobile terminal 102.

[0131] In step S1204, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 receives the check result from the server device 101.

[0132] In step S1205, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 associates the check result received in step S1204 with the location information acquired in step S1202 and stores them in the advertisement location check table 1300. For example, the received check result is stored in POP information 1304 of the advertisement location check table 1300, and the location information is stored in shelf information 1301. In this embodiment, the advertisement location check table 1300 is stored in the mobile terminal 102, but it may also be stored in the server device 101.

[0133] In step S1206, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 generates a display screen for the advertisement information. More specifically, a screen is generated that displays information about the POP advertisement that should be notified to the user who has been determined to have a discrepancy in the printed information, based on the information in the advertisement position check table 1300. Note that, although the mobile terminal 102 performs the process of generating the advertisement information display screen in this embodiment, the server device 101 may perform the process of generating the advertisement information display screen, and the mobile terminal 102 may acquire the information generated by the server device 101 as appropriate.

[0134] In step S1207, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 displays the advertisement information display screen generated in step S1206 on the display 230 of the mobile terminal 102.

[0135] FIG. 14 will now be described. FIG. 14 illustrates a screen 1400 displaying advertising information that requires replacement, an example of a screen displayed in step S1207. The screen 1400 displaying advertising information that requires replacement includes an advertising information display 1401 and a store map 1402. The store map 1402 indicates the location of the POP advertisement to be notified, and the advertising information display 1401 indicates the status of the POP advertisement using a color, mark, symbol, or the like. This display allows the administrator to check the status of the POP advertisement at a glance, and to identify at a glance the location and status of the POP advertisement that requires replacement. Furthermore, because the status of the POP advertisement is indicated using symbols and diagrams, it is possible to notify the user of the status of the POP advertisement in an easily viewable format, even on a terminal with a small display 230, for example. In this embodiment, the information on the POP advertisement to be notified is displayed using a diagram, but it may also be displayed in list format. Furthermore, even if a notification has been issued once regarding an unprinted or replaced POP advertisement, a similar notification may be issued again if the POP advertisement has not been replaced. In this case, a flag may be set for the POP advertisement information, and a message such as "previously checked" may be displayed on the screen in the advertisement information display 1401 to indicate that the advertisement has been notified once but has not yet been replaced.

[0136] Furthermore, in addition to the POP advertisements used in the description of this embodiment, information regarding replacement of flyers or posters may be displayed on the display 230 of the mobile terminal 102, as in the advertisement image 1500 in Fig. 15. Furthermore, the code containing information about the advertisement to be imaged may be not only a color code, but also any identification information from which the advertisement information can be read, such as a two-dimensional barcode. In Fig. 15, for example, a code containing information about the publication period is printed on a poster or flyer, and the code is imaged with the mobile terminal 102, whereby it is determined whether the publication period is still in progress, whether the advertisement in question is unprinted or has not been replaced, and information about the poster or flyer is then displayed.

[0137] This concludes the description of the process for displaying a screen showing the state of a POP advertisement located at a particular position within a store in the third embodiment.

[0138] As described above, according to the present invention, in an advertisement for a product whose information is subject to change, the state of the advertisement to be replaced can be easily recognized.

[0139] The present invention can be embodied, for example, as a system, device, method, program, or storage medium, and specifically, may be applied to a system consisting of multiple devices, or may be applied to an apparatus consisting of a single device.

[0140] The present invention also includes a case where a software program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device directly or remotely, and the present invention also includes a case where the information processing device of the system or device reads and executes the supplied program code.

[0141] Therefore, the program code itself that is installed (can be installed) in an information processing device to realize the functional processing of the present invention also realizes the present invention. In other words, the present invention also includes the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

[0142] In this case, as long as it has the functionality of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

[0143] Recording media for supplying the program include, for example, flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, MOs, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, etc. Also available are magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, DVDs (DVD-ROMs, DVD-Rs), etc.

[0144] Another method for supplying the program is to connect to an Internet homepage using the browser of the client computer, and then download the computer program of the present invention itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk.

[0145] The present invention can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into multiple files and downloading each file from a different homepage. In other words, the present invention also includes a WWW server that allows multiple users to download program files for implementing the functional processing of the present invention on an information processing device.

[0146] Alternatively, the program of the present invention may be encrypted, stored on a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, and distributed to users, and users who meet certain conditions may download key information for decrypting the program from a website via the Internet. The downloaded key information may then be used to execute the encrypted program and install it on an information processing device, thereby achieving the present invention.

[0147] Furthermore, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the information processing device executing the read program. Alternatively, the OS running on the information processing device may perform some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the above-described embodiments may also be realized by that processing.

[0148] Furthermore, the program read from the recording medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the information processing device or a function expansion unit connected to the information processing device. Thereafter, based on instructions from the program, a CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-mentioned embodiment are also realized by this processing.

[0149] The above-described embodiments are merely examples of specific implementations of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited by these embodiments. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its technical concept or main features. [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] 100 Information processing device 101 Server device 102 Mobile Devices 103 Printing device 201 CPU 230 Display 211 External Memory 221 CPU 231 External Memory 232 Camera

Claims

1. An advertisement management system capable of communicating with a server device that manages first selling price information of a commodity and an information processing device that has an imaging means, an acquisition means for acquiring second selling price information at the time when the advertisement was printed from the advertisement of the product imaged by the imaging means; a display control means for controlling the display of detailed information of the advertisement together with information indicating whether the first selling price information managed by the server device matches the second selling price information acquired by the acquisition means in a distinguishable manner; An advertising management system comprising:

2. the first selling price information indicates variable selling price information corresponding to a product; the second selling price information indicates selling price information at the time the advertisement was printed, 2. The advertisement management system according to claim 1, wherein the advertisement management system manages whether the first selling price information and the second selling price information match.

3. The advertisement management system further comprises a storage means for storing print data of advertisements, The advertising management system described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the display control means controls the storage means to store printing data in which the first selling price information and the second selling price information match, and when the first selling price information and the second selling price information do not match, to display a message indicating that the advertisement has not been replaced.

4. The advertisement management system further includes an output control means for controlling the printing data to be output, The advertising management system described in claim 3, characterized in that the output control means controls the output of printing data of an advertisement in which the first selling price information and the second selling price information match when the first selling price information and the second selling price information do not match.

5. The advertisement management system includes a generating unit that generates the print data, 5. The advertisement management system according to claim 3, wherein the generating means generates the print data in which the first selling price information and the second selling price information are matched.

6. The storage means stores plan information, which is information about a special sale advertisement with a set period of time; 6. The advertisement management system according to claim 5, wherein, when the plan information is stored in the storage means, the generation means generates the print data based on the plan information.

7. The information processing device further includes a location information acquisition means for acquiring information indicating a location of the advertisement captured by the imaging means, 7. The advertisement management system according to claim 1, wherein the display control means controls the display of information indicating the position of the advertisement together with detailed information about the advertisement.

8. A control method for an advertisement management system capable of communicating with a server device that manages first selling price information of a commodity and an information processing device that has an imaging means, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring second selling price information at the time when the advertisement was printed from the advertisement of the product imaged by the imaging means; a display control step of controlling the display of detailed information of the advertisement together with information indicating whether or not the first selling price information managed by the server device matches the second selling price information acquired in the acquisition step; and 1. A control method for an advertising management system comprising:

9. An information processing device including an imaging means capable of communicating with a server device that manages first selling price information of a commodity, a specifying means for obtaining second selling price information at the time when the advertisement was printed from the advertisement of the product photographed by the imaging means; an acquisition means for acquiring first selling price information managed by the server device; a display control means for controlling the display of detailed information of the advertisement in which the first selling price information acquired by the acquisition means does not match the second selling price information identified by the identification means in an identifiable manner; An information processing device comprising:

10. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the information processing device according to claim 9.

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