Store fixture for product display, store, product shelf, refrigerator for product display or freezer for product display, advertisement distribution system, management server, and method

Abstract

To provide a management server for suppressing a price required for acquiring equipment of a user while effectively presenting an advertisement.SOLUTION: A management server 1 stores an equipment database 121 for registering sponsored equipment 5 which is equipment acquired by a user on condition that the cost is compensated by a sponsor, and an advertisement database 122 for registering advertisements, and distributes an advertisement selected from the advertisement database to the sponsored equipment registered in the equipment database.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management server and a device. [Background technology]

[0002] As appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines become more sophisticated, their prices are rising significantly. However, users want to purchase these appliances at reasonable prices. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The inventors of the present application came up with the idea of ​​combining the above-mentioned user desire with the desire of companies to have more opportunities to present advertisements to users. In this idea, it is desirable to present advertisements more effectively. In other words, it is desirable to present advertisements effectively while reducing the cost required for users to obtain the device.

[0004] According to one embodiment, the management server stores a device database that registers sponsored devices, which are devices acquired by users on the condition that the costs are reimbursed by the sponsor, and an advertisement database that registers advertisements, and delivers advertisements selected from the advertisement database to the sponsored devices registered in the device database.

[0005] According to one embodiment, the device is a sponsored device, which is a device acquired by a user on the condition that the cost is reimbursed by a sponsor, and is connectable to a management server that manages the device as a sponsored device, and during operation outputs advertisements obtained from the management server.

[0006] Further details will be described in the following embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system configuration according to an embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the management server included in the system. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the devices included in the system. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a business model that allows users to obtain equipment at low cost. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an example of the equipment database. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an example of an advertisement database. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the flow of advertisement provision in the system. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an advertisement displayed on a device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a business model in which users can obtain devices at reduced costs in the system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an example of a device database stored in the management server according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is another example of an advertisement database. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] <1. Overview of management server and devices>

[0009] (1) The management server according to the embodiment stores a device database that registers sponsored devices, which are devices acquired by users on the condition that the costs are reimbursed by the sponsor, and an advertisement database that registers advertisements, and delivers advertisements selected from the advertisement database to the sponsored devices registered in the device database.

[0010] By storing the device database, the management server can manage sponsored devices, which makes it easier to distribute advertisements to sponsored devices.

[0011] (2) Preferably, delivering the advertisement includes selecting an advertisement to be delivered from an advertisement database according to the type of sponsored device to which the advertisement is to be delivered. This allows an advertisement according to the type to be delivered to the sponsored device, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the advertisement. (3) Preferably, delivering an advertisement includes selecting an advertisement to be delivered from an advertisement database according to the attributes of a user of the sponsored device to which the advertisement is to be delivered. This allows an advertisement to be delivered to the sponsored device according to the user's attributes, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the advertisement.

[0012] (4) Preferably, the management server receives data from the sponsored device registered in the device database, and distributing the advertisement includes selecting an advertisement to be distributed from the advertisement database based on the data received from the sponsored device. This allows advertisements suitable for the sponsored device to be distributed, thereby improving advertising effectiveness.

[0013] (5) Preferably, selecting an advertisement further includes selecting an advertisement to be delivered in accordance with the type of sponsored device to which the advertisement is to be delivered. This allows the advertisement to be delivered in accordance with the type of sponsored device. As a result, the effectiveness of the advertisement can be improved. (6) Preferably, selecting an advertisement further includes selecting an advertisement to be delivered in accordance with the attributes of a user of the sponsored device to which the advertisement is to be delivered. This allows the advertisement to be delivered in accordance with the attributes of the user of the sponsored device. As a result, the effectiveness of the advertisement can be improved.

[0014] (7) Preferably, the management server records the results of advertisement distribution in association with at least a portion of the data received from the sponsored device. This can be used to analyze what data was used to select the advertisement to be distributed, leading to more effective advertisement distribution.

[0015] (8) Preferably, the management server stores at least a portion of the data received from the sponsored devices. This allows the management server to analyze the timing at which advertisements were selected, etc. This can lead to more effective advertisement delivery.

[0016] (9) Preferably, the management server records the results of advertisement distribution, so that the management server can provide the results of advertisement distribution to sponsors and the like.

[0017] (10) Preferably, the management server distributes advertisements that cause the sponsored device to accept an operation to purchase a product, thereby enabling the device user to easily instruct the purchase process.

[0018] (11) Preferably, selecting an advertisement further includes selecting an advertisement to be delivered in accordance with information related to the sponsored device to which the advertisement is to be delivered, the information relating to the product handled by the user who has purchased the sponsored device. This allows for effective delivery of advertisements that encourage sales to customers of a store, even if the user who has purchased the sponsored device is a store.

[0019] (12) The device according to the embodiment is a sponsored device that is acquired by a user on the condition that the cost is covered by a sponsor, and can connect to a management server that manages that the device is a sponsored device, and outputs advertisements acquired from the management server during operation. This allows the device to connect to the management server that manages that the device is a sponsored device and obtain advertisements.

[0020] (13) Preferably, the output trigger for outputting the advertisement includes detecting the presence of a person within a predetermined range, thereby enabling the device to be set to output the advertisement when a user is in the vicinity of the device.

[0021] (14) Preferably, the output trigger for outputting the advertisement includes acceptance of an operation. This allows the device to be configured to output the advertisement upon acceptance of a user operation.

[0022] (15) Preferably, when an output trigger occurs, the device requests an advertisement from the management server and receives advertisement data from the management server, so that the advertisement is output when the output trigger occurs.

[0023] (16) Preferably, the device transmits data obtained when an output trigger occurs to the management server, and receives data of an advertisement selected using the data obtained when the output trigger occurs from the management server, thereby delivering a more suitable advertisement to the device.

[0024] (17) Preferably, the data obtained when the output trigger occurs includes information used by the management server to identify the type of the device. (18) Preferably, the device limits at least some of the device's functions while it is not connected to the management server, thereby increasing the likelihood that the device will connect to the management server and allowing advertisements to be sent to the device at more appropriate times. (19) Preferably, during a period when at least a portion of an advertisement cannot be seen and / or heard, at least a portion of the device's functions are restricted. This increases the likelihood that the advertisement will be seen and / or heard, thereby improving the effectiveness of the advertisement. (20) Preferably, the device includes a display for displaying advertisements and a sensor for detecting the presence of an object that is blocking at least a portion of the display, thereby making it possible to detect whether the advertisements are properly visible on the sponsored device. (21) Preferably, the function can be implemented without being connected to the management server. This increases the likelihood that the sponsored device will be connected to the management server. As a result, the advertising effect can be improved.

[0025] <2. Examples of management servers and devices>

[0026] [First embodiment]

[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, system 100 according to this embodiment includes management server 1. Management server 1 has device database 121 and advertisement database 122. Device database 121 is a database that registers sponsored devices, which will be described later. Advertisement database 122 is a database that registers advertisements to be distributed. Management server 1 is connectable to a communication network 3 such as the Internet. Management server 1 distributes advertisements selected from advertisement database 122 to devices registered in device database 121 via communication network 3.

[0028] System 100 includes devices such as a refrigerator 5A and a washing machine 5B. These devices are collectively referred to as device 5. Device 5 has a function of communicating with management server 1 via communication network 3 and receives advertisements distributed from management server 1. Device 5 has display 54. Display 54 is an example of an output unit that outputs advertisements acquired from management server 1. Other examples of the output unit may include a speaker or a combination of a microphone and a speaker.

[0029] The device 5 includes a control device 50, which controls the output of advertisements acquired from the management server 1. The control device 50 also controls the functions of the device 5 in accordance with user operation input received via an input device 55 or the like. If the device 5 is a refrigerator 5A, the functions of the device 5 include, for example, setting the temperature and starting ice making. If the device 5 is a washing machine 5B, the functions include starting washing and setting the washing course.

[0030] The device 5 further includes an input device 55. The input device 55 accepts operation inputs to the device 5. The operations to the device 5 include operations for performing functions of the device 5. The operations to the device 5 may also include operations for displayed advertisements. Operations for advertisements will be described later.

[0031] The input device 55 inputs an operation signal based on the received operation input to the control device 50. The control device 50 executes processing based on the input operation signal. Note that the device that receives the operation input for the appliance 5 may be a remote control 6 instead of or in addition to the input device 55.

[0032] The system 100 further includes processing devices 7 and 9. The processing device 7 is a processing device owned by a sponsor, which will be described later. The processing device 9 is a processing device owned by a sales company (hereinafter referred to as the sales company) of the device 5. These devices can also be connected to the communication network 3 and can communicate with the management server 1 via the communication network 3.

[0033] 2, the management server 1 is configured as a computer having a processor 11 and a memory 12. The memory 12 may be a primary storage device or a secondary storage device. The management server 1 further has a communication device 13 for accessing the communication network 3.

[0034] The memory 12 includes a device database 121 and an advertisement database 122. The memory 12 also stores a distribution result 123, which will be described later. The memory 12 also stores a computer program 124 that is executed by the processor 11.

[0035] The processor 11 executes a computer program 124 stored in the memory 12 to perform a distribution process 111. The distribution process 111 is a process of distributing advertisements registered in the advertisement database 122 to devices registered in the device database 121. In other words, the distribution process 111 is a process of passing data of the advertisement to be distributed to the communication device 13 and issuing an instruction to perform the distribution.

[0036] The distribution process 111 includes a selection process 112. The selection process 112 is a process for selecting an advertisement to be distributed by the distribution process 111 from the advertisement database 122. The specific process of the selection process 112 will be described later.

[0037] The processor 11 executes the computer program 124 to perform the registration process 113. The registration process 113 is a process for registering the distribution result of the distribution process 111 as a distribution result 123 in the memory 12. The distribution result 123 registered in the memory 12 by the registration process 113 will be described later.

[0038] Preferably, the processor 11 executes the computer program 124 to perform the purchase process 114, which is described below.

[0039] 3, the device 5 includes a control device 50, a display 54, and an input device 55. The control device 50 is configured as a computer having a processor 51 and a memory 52. ​​The memory 52 may be a primary storage device or a secondary storage device. The device 5 further includes a communication device 53 for accessing the communication network 3.

[0040] The memory 52 stores unique data 521 and a computer program 522 executed by the processor 51. The unique data 521 is identification information unique to the device 5.

[0041] The processor 51 executes the computer program 522 stored in the memory 52 to perform the output process 513. The output process 513 is a process of outputting the advertisement acquired from the management server 1 while the device 5 is operating. The period during operation includes, for example, a period during which the device 5 is supplied with power from a power source, a period during which the device 5 is ready to accept a power-on operation and a user operation input, etc. Outputting the advertisement includes, for example, displaying a screen based on the received advertisement data on the display 54.

[0042] Preferably, the processor 51 further executes a detection process 511 by executing the computer program 522. The detection process 511 is a process for detecting the occurrence of an output trigger. The output trigger refers to a predefined timing for outputting an advertisement, i.e., an event for executing the output process 513. The output trigger includes, for example, the detection of the presence of a person within a predetermined range.

[0043] The device 5 further includes a sensor 56 for detecting the presence of a person within a predetermined range. The sensor 56 is, for example, a camera. In this case, the detection process 511 is a process for detecting the presence of a person within the predetermined range by detecting an image of a person in the captured image.

[0044] Another example of the sensor 56 is a human presence sensor. A human presence sensor emits, for example, infrared light, ultrasonic waves, visible light, or the like, and utilizes the reflection of the emitted light. The sensor 56 inputs a sensor signal indicating that it has received the reflected light to the processor 51. In this case, the detection process 511 is a process of detecting the presence of a person within a predetermined range based on the input of the sensor signal from the sensor 56.

[0045] The output trigger may include receiving an operation input from a user. In this case, the detection process 511 is a process of detecting the presence of a person within a predetermined range by inputting an operation signal from the input device 55 or the remote control 6.

[0046] Preferably, the processor 51 further executes request processing 512 by executing the computer program 522. The processor 51 executes the request processing 512 when an output trigger is detected by the detection processing 511. The request processing 512 is processing for requesting the management server 1 to distribute an advertisement. In other words, the request processing 512 is processing for passing a signal requesting the distribution of an advertisement to the communication device 53 and instructing transmission to the management server 1.

[0047] Preferably, the request process 512 includes a process of transmitting data obtained when the occurrence of an output trigger is detected by the detection process 511 to the management server 1. The data obtained when the occurrence of an output trigger is detected includes information used by the management server 1 to identify the type of device 5. The information used to identify the type of device 5 is, for example, identification information unique to the device 5.

[0048] The data obtained when the occurrence of an output trigger is detected may further include data indicating the attributes of the user detected by the detection process 511 and data indicating the accepted operation input. The user attributes include, for example, the user's gender and height. The data indicating the accepted operation input is data corresponding to the operated button. The data indicating the accepted operation input may further include data indicating the time of acceptance, the location or area where the device 5 was installed at the time of acceptance, etc.

[0049] Here, a business model for selling device 5 using system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 4, a user who wants to acquire device 5 pays a price A to a distributor of device 5 (step S101) and acquires device 5 from the distributor (step S103). Steps S101 and S103 may be electronic commerce between a terminal device of the user (not shown) and a processing device 9 owned by the distributor. Note that price A may be 0. In other words, step S101 includes acquiring the device for free.

[0050] The distributor uses the processing device 9 to register the device 5 in the management server 1 (step S105). In step S105, the processing device 9 transmits necessary information to the management server 1, which then registers the information in the device database 121.

[0051] The administrator who owns the management server 1 pays the price B to the distributor (step S107). In step S107, electronic payment may be made from the management server 1 to the distributor's processing device 9. Price B is the amount obtained by deducting price A from the original cost of the device 5. In other words, the administrator compensates the user for the cost of the device 5. As a result, the original cost of the device 5 is paid to the distributor.

[0052] The device 5 obtained by the user on condition that the sponsor reimburses the cost in step S107 is called a sponsored device. In step S105 above, the device 5 is registered in the management server 1 as a sponsored device.

[0053] In step S105, for example, the type of device 5 and information about the user are registered in the management server 1 along with identification information unique to the device 5. The type of device 5 refers to, for example, a refrigerator, a washing machine, etc. The user information is, for example, information unique to the user, such as a username. In addition, the user information may include, for example, attribute information such as gender and age, and the area and address where the device 5 is installed.

[0054] By acquiring such information from the processing device 9, information about the sponsored devices as shown in Fig. 5 is registered in the device database 121 of the management server 1. That is, referring to Fig. 5, the device database 121 registers the unique identification information (device ID) of the sponsored device and the type of device. Preferably, user information is also registered. Preferably, information about the sponsor that reimbursed the cost of acquiring the device 5 (hereinafter, sponsor information) is also registered. The sponsor information may include, for example, the name of the sponsor, the reimbursed cost, and the sales area of ​​the sponsor's products.

[0055] The sponsor requests the administrator to distribute an advertisement and pays the advertisement fee (step S109). In step S109, data related to the advertisement is transmitted from the processing device 7 owned by the sponsor to the management server 1, and the advertisement fee may be paid electronically. The distributor may also pay the usage fee (royalty) for the system 100 to the administrator who owns the management server 1. At this time, the electronic payment may be made using the processing device 9.

[0056] 4, the administrator who owns the management server 1 and the distributor who owns the processing device 9 are separate entities, that is, the management server 1 and the processing device 9 are separate and distinct devices. However, these two entities may be the same, that is, the management server 1 and the processing device 9 may be included in the same device or a group of devices that execute related processes. In this case, the distributor does not incur a usage fee for the system 100, and therefore the price A paid by the user in step S101 can be reduced, which is expected to promote sales of the device 5.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 6, the data related to the advertisement transmitted from the processing device 7 to the management server 1 includes, for example, unique identification information (advertising ID) of the advertisement, advertisement data for displaying the advertisement, and identification data used to identify the target device 5 on which the advertisement is to be displayed. The identification data includes, for example, the type of the target device 5. Preferably, the identification data includes a user attribute. The user attribute is, for example, gender. Preferably, the identification data includes a time period during which the advertisement is to be displayed. Preferably, the identification data includes an area in which the target device 5 is installed.

[0058] The administrator distributes advertisements to users (step S111). In step S111, advertisement data is transmitted from the management server 1 to the device 5 acquired by the user. At this time, the management server 1 executes a selection process 112 for selecting an advertisement to be distributed from the advertisement database 122.

[0059] The device 5 receives the advertisement data and displays the advertisement based on the advertisement data. The administrator who distributed the advertisement to the user registers the distribution result in the management server 1 and reports the distribution of the advertisement to the sponsor based on the registered distribution result (step S113). In step S113, the distribution result 123 is registered in the memory 12 of the management server 1, and data indicating the distribution result based on the distribution result 123 is transmitted from the management server 1 to the processing device 7.

[0060] In this way, in the business model shown in FIG. 4, a user who wants to acquire the device 5 can acquire the device 5 for a price A that is lower than the original price of the device 5.

[0061] In system 100, advertisements are distributed according to the flow shown in Fig. 7. That is, referring to Fig. 7, when a user operation is performed on device 5, which is a sponsored device (step S1), an output trigger is detected in device 5 (step S3). The output trigger may be, as described above, the detection of the presence of a person, or the like.

[0062] When the output trigger is detected, the processor 51 of the device 5 acquires data at the time of the output trigger detection (step S5). In step S5, data indicating, for example, attributes of the user such as height and gender, and the content of the operation input accepted in step S1, etc. are acquired. The device 5 transmits the acquired data and makes an advertisement request to the management server 1 (step S7).

[0063] Upon receiving an advertisement request from device 5, management server 1 stores at least a portion of the data received from device 5 in memory 12. This storage may be included in distribution results 123, which will be described later. In other words, it may be stored in association with the advertisement distribution results. Furthermore, management server 1 executes a selection process to select an advertisement to be distributed to device 5 from advertisement database 122 (step S9), and distributes the selected advertisement to device 5 (step S11).

[0064] In step S9, as an example, an advertisement to be delivered is selected from the advertisement database 122 according to the type of device 5. In this case, the processor 11 of the management server 1 refers to the information about the device 5 registered in the device database 121 based on the identification information of the device 5 included in the request from the device 5. That is, the processor 11 compares the device type included in the identification data of the advertisement registered in the advertisement database 122 with the device type of the target device 5 registered in the device database 121. Then, the processor 11 selects, as the advertisement to be delivered, an advertisement whose identification data includes a device type that matches the device type of the target device 5. As a result, an advertisement according to the type of the target device 5 is delivered to the device 5. As a result, the advertising effectiveness can be improved.

[0065] In step S9, an advertisement to be distributed may be selected from the advertisement database 122 based on other data received from the device 5. The other data may be, for example, attributes such as the user's gender. In this case, the processor 11 of the management server 1 selects, as the advertisement to be distributed, an advertisement whose identification data includes user attributes that match the received user attributes from the advertisement database 122. For example, if the received user attributes, that is, the user who is present within a predetermined range by operating the device 5, is a woman, an advertisement for women is selected. This allows an advertisement to be displayed on the device 5 according to the user attributes, thereby improving the advertising effectiveness.

[0066] In the above example, the attributes of a user present within a predetermined range from the device 5 are recognized based on an image acquired by the sensor 56, etc. However, advertisements to be delivered may be selected from the advertisement database 122 based on user attributes based on user information previously registered in the device database 121. As described above, user information is registered in the device database 121 by the distributor using the processing device 9 to transmit necessary information to the management server 1. The user attributes preferably include at least one of the user's gender, age, body type (e.g., height and weight), vital information (e.g., blood pressure and pulse), occupation, family composition, and address. Attributes that change frequently, such as body type and vital information, may be automatically acquired by the device 5 from the user and periodically transmitted to the management server 1 for registration. Examples of the device 5 that acquires body type as an attribute include a weighing scale and a body composition monitor. Examples of the device 5 that acquires vital information as an attribute include a blood pressure monitor and a wearable device.

[0067] In step S9, an advertisement to be distributed may be selected from advertisement database 122 based on further data received from device 5. The further data may be, for example, the content of an operation on device 5, the time when device 5 received the operation, or the area where device 5 is installed. Furthermore, an advertisement with two or more pieces of data matching may be selected as the advertisement to be distributed. In this case as well, an advertisement whose identification data includes such information is selected as the advertisement to be distributed from advertisement database 122.

[0068] The device 5 to which the advertisement has been delivered displays the advertisement based on the advertisement data (step S13). As a result, the advertisement is displayed on the device 5 at a timing when the user is nearby. Also, the advertisement is displayed according to the situation in which the output trigger is detected. This allows the advertisement to be displayed effectively.

[0069] Furthermore, the management server 1 that has distributed the advertisement stores a distribution result 123 in the memory 12 (step S15). The distribution result 123 is, for example, a combination of identification information unique to the distributed advertisement and identification information unique to the device 5 to which the advertisement was distributed. Preferably, the distribution result 123 is stored in association with at least a portion of the data received from the device 5. At least a portion of the data received from the device 5 is, for example, data used in the process of selecting the advertisement to be distributed in step S9. Alternatively, all of the data received from the device 5 may be stored, including data not used in the selection process. This can be used to analyze what data is effective to include as identification data in the advertisement data. As a result, more effective advertisement distribution can be achieved.

[0070] By performing the above operations shown in Fig. 7, the system can realize effective advertisement distribution for the sponsor. Therefore, in the business model shown in Fig. 4, the advertising fee paid by the sponsor to the administrator in step S109 is secured.

[0071] Furthermore, by reporting the distribution results to the sponsor in step S113, the distribution results can be used for analysis as described above, leading to more effective advertisement distribution. This also ensures that the advertising fees paid by the sponsor to the administrator in step S109 are covered in the business model shown in FIG.

[0072] As a result, the administrator can use the advertising fees paid by the sponsor to cover the fee B in step S107, i.e., the cost of the device 5 when the user acquires the device 5. This allows the user to acquire the device 5 at a lower price.

[0073] [Second embodiment]

[0074] The advertisement delivered to the device 5 may be capable of accepting an operation input for purchasing a product sold by the sponsor. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the advertisement 20 displayed on the display 54 includes a button 21 for instructing a process for purchase.

[0075] When an operation input to purchase a product sold by a sponsor is received, processor 51 executes purchase processing 114 shown in Fig. 2. Purchase processing 114 is processing to request purchase processing from management server 1 and to transmit data for the purchase processing to management server 1. Processor 51 passes the data for the purchase processing and data requesting purchase processing from management server 1 to communication device 13 and instructs transmission to management server 1.

[0076] 7, when the processor 51 of the device 5 receives an operation input to the button 21 (step S17), it executes the purchase process 114 to transmit data for the purchase process and requests the management server 1 to perform the purchase process (step S19). The management server 1 executes the purchase process in response to the request (step S21).

[0077] The purchase process in step S21 may be a general electronic purchase process, and therefore the data transmitted from the device 5 in step S19 is general data required for the purchase process, such as a user name, address, and credit card information.

[0078] Effective sales promotion can also be achieved by making it possible for the advertisements displayed on the devices 5 to accept purchase operations. This also ensures that the advertising fees paid by the sponsor to the administrator in step S109 are secured in the business model shown in FIG.

[0079] [Third embodiment]

[0080] In the device 5 according to the third embodiment, at least some of the functions of the device 5 are limited while the device 5 is not connected to the management server 1 via the communication network 3. Therefore, in the device 5 according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the processor 51 executes the computer program 522 recorded in the memory 52, whereby the processor 51 further executes the operation control process 514.

[0081] The state in which communication with the management server 1 is not possible means that the communication device 53 cannot access the communication network 3, for example, when the power supply of the communication device 53 is turned off.

[0082] When communication device 53 cannot access communication network 3, device 5 does not receive advertisements from management server 1. In this case, even if device 5 detects that the user is within a predetermined range, advertisements are not displayed on device 5. Therefore, it is desirable that device 5 always be able to access communication network 3. Therefore, processor 51 of device 5 according to this embodiment further executes operation control processing 514, as shown in FIG. 3. Operation control processing 514 is executed when it is detected that communication device 53 cannot access communication network 3, and disables the use of at least some of the pre-stored functions.

[0083] Furthermore, assuming that advertisements are displayed on display 54 as still images or videos, if a towel or other obscuring object that covers at least a portion of display 54 is positioned opposite display 54, the user will not see the advertisement. Furthermore, assuming that advertisements are emitted as sound or music from a speaker (not shown), the user will not hear the advertisement if the speaker volume is set to a predetermined level or lower by an adjustment means (not shown) or if the speaker is covered with a sound-insulating material such as a sound-insulating sheet. Therefore, it is desirable that device 5 be in a state where advertisements can always be seen or heard as sound.

[0084] Therefore, the processor 51 of the device 5 according to the present embodiment may execute the operation control process 514 during a period when at least a part of the advertisement cannot be seen and / or heard. That is, during that period, at least a part of the pre-stored functions of the device 5 are made unavailable.

[0085] It is desirable to use a sensor 56 as means for detecting the presence of an obstruction facing the display 54. The sensor 56 is, for example, a camera, and includes at least a portion of the area facing the display 54 in its imaging range. In this case, the detection process 511 of the processor 51 includes a process for detecting the presence of an obstruction in the imaging range, in addition to or instead of the process for detecting the occurrence of the output trigger described above. Alternatively, the sensor 56 may emit infrared light, ultrasonic waves, visible light, or the like and utilize reflection of the emitted light. The sensor 56 inputs a sensor signal indicating reception of reflected light to the processor 51. In this case, the detection process 511 is a process for detecting the presence of an obstruction in at least a portion of the area facing the display 54 based on the input of the sensor signal from the sensor 56. When the detection process 511 detects the presence of an obstruction, the processor 51 executes the operation control process 514.

[0086] As a means for detecting the volume from the speaker, a sound detector (not shown) disposed near the speaker is preferably used. In this case, the detection process 511 of the processor 51 includes a process for detecting the volume from the speaker in addition to or instead of the process for detecting the occurrence of the output trigger described above. When the detection process 511 detects that the volume has fallen below a threshold value (for example, preferably in decibels) preset in the device 5, the processor 51 executes the operation control process 514.

[0087] The restricted functions here are not essential functions depending on the type of device 5, but other added functions. For example, if device 5 is a refrigerator, the restricted functions are functions other than the function of cooling the interior of the refrigerator. The other functions include, for example, lighting the interior. This restricts the added functions when the device 5 is not in a state where it can receive advertisements from the management server 1, without impairing the original functions depending on the type of device 5. As a result, a user who wants to use the added functions must ensure that the device 5 is in a state where it can access the communication network 3, or in a state where advertisements can be properly viewed and / or properly heard as sound. This makes it easier for the management server 1 to successfully deliver advertisements to the device 5.

[0088] Unlike the above, the restricted functions here may be all or some of the functions of device 5 that can be performed even when not connected to management server 1. For example, if device 5 is a refrigerator, the restricted functions include cooling the interior of the refrigerator and lighting the interior. If device 5 is a television, the restricted functions include receiving terrestrial broadcast programs, playing programs recorded on an external recorder, and playing programs recorded on a memory such as a hard disk built into device 5. On the other hand, whether or not to restrict functions of device 5 that cannot be performed unless connected to management server 1 is optional. For example, if device 5 is a refrigerator, the function that cannot be performed unless connected to management server 1 is suggesting menus for dishes that device 5 obtains via communication network 3. If device 5 is a television, the function that cannot be performed unless connected to management server 1 is playing still images, videos, etc. that device 5 obtains via communication network 3.

[0089] As a result, functions that can be performed even without being connected to the management server 1 are restricted if the device 5 is not in a state where it can receive advertisements from the management server 1. As a result, a user who wants to use functions that can be performed even without being connected to the management server 1 must keep the device 5 in a state where it can access the communication network 3, or in a state where advertisements can be properly viewed and / or properly heard as sound. This makes it easier for the management server 1 to successfully deliver advertisements to the device 5.

[0090] In the above description, the device 5 is a device such as a refrigerator 5A or a washing machine 5B, but the device 5 is not limited to a home appliance. The device 5 is not limited to a device installed indoors, and may be a device installed outdoors. For example, the device 5 may be an advertisement displayed on an outdoor display, and advertisements may be delivered to such advertisements in the same manner.

[0091] [Fourth embodiment]

[0092] The systems 100 according to the first to third embodiments can also be applied to a store. That is, the devices 5 such as the refrigerator 5A and the washing machine 5B of the system 100 according to the fourth embodiment are devices related to merchandise in the store and are installed in the store to sell the merchandise. The devices installed in the store to sell the merchandise include devices used to handle the merchandise, the merchandise itself sold in the store, etc.

[0093] A device used for handling merchandise is a device that has a storage section for storing merchandise, and is, for example, equipment installed as fixtures in a store. Specifically, it is a product shelf, refrigerator, freezer, etc., that has a function for outputting advertisements, such as a display. Note that devices 5 such as refrigerator 5A and washing machine 5B do not include devices that only output advertisements and are unrelated to the merchandise in the store. This eliminates the need for stores to prepare separate devices for outputting advertisements.

[0094] As an example, a refrigerator 5A for displaying products is installed in a retail store such as a supermarket. In this case, refrigerator 5A is provided with a display 54 for customers in a position that is easily visible to customers of the store, such as on the front.

[0095] When refrigerator 5A is installed in a store, it is assumed that the store's products are displayed inside refrigerator 5A, that is, refrigerator 5A is used as store fixture, or that the store's products are refrigerators and refrigerator 5A is installed as a product sample. In this example, we will assume the former. That is, refrigerator 5A has a refrigeration compartment 57 (FIG. 9) and stores food and other items inside refrigeration compartment 57. Customers of the store can take out the food and other items stored in refrigeration compartment 57 for purchase.

[0096] System 100 according to the fourth embodiment has a business model for selling devices 5 as shown in Fig. 9. In Fig. 9, the mechanisms with the same reference symbols as in Fig. 4 are similar to the business model described in the first embodiment. That is, with reference to Fig. 9, in system 100 according to the present embodiment, a store acquires devices 5 instead of a user. The store that acquires device 5 registers information about products related to device 5 (hereinafter referred to as product information) in management server 1 (step S115).

[0097] By registering the product information in step S115, information related to the sponsored device as shown in Fig. 10 is registered in device database 121 of management server 1. That is, referring to Fig. 10, in device database 121 of management server 1 according to the fourth embodiment, the sponsored device is registered in association with first information including information about the store where the sponsored device is installed, in addition to information about the device such as unique identification information (device ID) and device type. Also, similar to the above, the information about the device may include sponsor information about device 5, which is the sponsored device.

[0098] Information about a store includes identification information that can identify the store, such as the store name, as well as information about the products handled by the store (hereinafter, product information). Product information includes information that identifies the products sold or services provided by the store (hereinafter, products, etc.). The identifying information includes information that identifies the name of the product, the type of product, the manufacturer of the product, etc. In the example of FIG. 10, the information about the store (store information in FIG. 10) includes the store name and information about the products handled by the store.

[0099] When device 5 is used as fixture in a store, the product information related to device 5 refers to information related to the store and related to the product handled by the store, which is the user who purchased device 5. When device 5 is refrigerator 5A, the product information includes information identifying the product stored in refrigerator 5A. When device 5 is washing machine 5B and the store is a dry cleaning shop, the product information includes information identifying the product, such as detergent, sold for use in washing with washing machine 5B.

[0100] If the device 5 is a product sold in a store, the information about the device 5 includes product information about the device 5 as a product of the store. In other words, in device database 121 of management server 1, the sponsored device is registered in association with first information including, in addition to unique identification information (device ID) and the type of device, information about the store in which the sponsored device is installed and information about the device 5. For example, if the store is an electronics store that handles refrigerators and refrigerator 5A is installed as a product sample, device database 121 registers information about the store that indicates that it is an electronics store, and refrigerator 5A is registered in association with product information about refrigerator 5A.

[0101] In step S115, product information may be transmitted from a device 5 having a communication function to the management server 1 and registered in the device database 121, or the product information may be transmitted from a processing device (not shown) owned by the store to the management server 1. In step S115, for example, when a store staff member puts a product in the refrigerator 5A, the information is transmitted to the management server 1 as product information.

[0102] 11, in system 100 according to the fourth embodiment, the identification data included in the data related to advertisements registered in advertisement DB 122 further includes product information of products related to the advertisement. The information on products related to the advertisement includes information such as the name, type, and manufacturer of the product to be advertised, attributes such as the gender, age group, and region of users who are expected to be the target of the product to be advertised, information on products that may be used together with the product to be advertised, etc. In the example of FIG. 11, the name of the product to be advertised and the names of products related to the product to be advertised are included.

[0103] 11, for example, in the case of an advertisement for beer (advertising ID "AAA"), the identification data includes information identifying the beer (advertising product "Beer a"). Furthermore, in the case of an advertisement for food suitable for eating with beer (advertising ID "BBB"), the identification data may include information identifying the beer (advertising product "Beer b") in addition to information identifying the food (advertising product "Food q").

[0104] In selection process 112, which is executed when the administrator distributes an advertisement to the store in step S111A, identification data associated with the advertisement registered in advertisement DB 122 is compared with first information including product information of refrigerator 5A registered in device DB 121, and the advertisement obtained according to the comparison result is selected as the advertisement to be distributed. The advertisement obtained according to the comparison result may be, for example, an advertisement whose identification data exactly matches the first information, an advertisement whose information included in the identification data matches at least a part of the first information, a similar advertisement, an advertisement whose information included in the first information matches at least a part of the identification data, or a similar advertisement. For example, an advertisement whose identification data matches or is similar to the product information of refrigerator 5A is selected as the advertisement to be distributed.

[0105] As a result, in system 100 according to the fourth embodiment, advertisements corresponding to products handled by device 5 at the store that purchased device 5 are delivered to device 5. In the above example, if beer for sale is stored in refrigerator 5A as shown in FIG. 10, a product advertisement for the stored beer is delivered to refrigerator 5A. For example, if the beer is a new product, a detailed advertisement for the new product may be delivered. Advertisements for foods suitable for eating with beer may also be delivered. Furthermore, advertisements for other products handled by the brewery of the stored beer may also be delivered.

[0106] The above advertisement is then displayed on display 54 of refrigerator 5A. This increases the desire of customers of this store to purchase beer when they see the advertisement displayed on display 54 of refrigerator 5A. Furthermore, when customers take beer out of refrigerator 5A to purchase it, they see advertisements for foods that are suitable to be eaten with beer. They also see advertisements for other products handled by the beer company. Therefore, a high advertising effect is expected.

[0107] As another example, it is also possible that advertisements for products manufactured by a company that sponsors a store when the store acquires refrigerator 5A may be distributed. For example, if a beer company sponsors refrigerator 5A, a beer advertisement may be displayed on display 54 of refrigerator 5A. This increases the desire of customers of the store to purchase products manufactured by the sponsor. Therefore, a high advertising effect can be expected for both the store and the sponsor.

[0108] If device 5 is a product sold in a store, it is also possible that advertisements for other products made by the same manufacturer as that of device 5, which is a product sold in the store, may be distributed. For example, an advertisement for other electrical appliances, such as a washing machine, made by the same manufacturer may be displayed on display 54 of refrigerator 5A, which is a product sold in an electronics store. As a result, customers of the store may see the advertisement displayed on display 54 of refrigerator 5A and become interested in other electrical appliances made by the same manufacturer. This is expected to have a high advertising effect for both the store and the advertiser.

[0109] The product information in Figure 10 is an example. Information about products handled in a store may include information about the handling of products in the store. Information about the handling of products includes the quantity of products in the store, the handling period, the sales amount, etc.

[0110] In this case, an example of a method for delivering an advertisement may include delivering an advertisement at a timing according to the result of comparing the quantity of the product with a predetermined number stored in advance. Specifically, if the number of products stored in device 5A is greater than a predetermined number, an advertisement for the product may be delivered to refrigerator 5A.

[0111] As another example, when the handling period included in the information about handling of the products, etc. is the schedule of the stored products, that is, the information indicating the storage period for each product, an advertisement for the product may be delivered to refrigerator 5A at an appropriate timing according to the schedule. Such a delivery method is also expected to have a higher advertising effect.

[0112] In the system 100 according to the fourth embodiment, the device 5 is not limited to a so-called electrical appliance such as a refrigerator 5A, but may be other store fixtures that can be equipped with a display function and a communication function. For example, the device 5 may be a mirror installed in a store that sells clothing and other accessories. In this case, it is assumed that advertisements for products sold by the store are displayed on the mirror. As another example, the device 5 may be an advertising device installed in a public place such as a station or on a train, such as a signage panel equipped with a display function and a communication function. A user who purchases such an advertising device may be, for example, a railway company. In this case, an appropriate advertisement may be selected and displayed based on information such as the time of day and the location where the advertising device is installed.

[0113] As described above, the device 5 included in the system 100 according to the fourth embodiment also includes sensors 56 such as a camera or a motion sensor, and is therefore capable of detecting the presence of a person within a predetermined range. Therefore, as described in the first embodiment, when the device 5 detects the presence of a person within a predetermined range, it may detect the occurrence of an output trigger and request an advertisement from the management server 1. Furthermore, at this time, it may also detect user attributes such as the user's gender and height and transmit them to the management server 1 together with the request. In this case, the management server 1 may deliver an advertisement at a timing according to the request, or may further use the data transmitted together with the request to determine the advertisement to be delivered.

[0114] As a result, in system 100 according to the fourth embodiment, when a customer approaches within a predetermined range of device 5 in a store, an advertisement is displayed on display 54. For example, when a customer approaches refrigerator 5A or tries to take an item out of refrigerator 5A, an advertisement for a product related to an item in refrigerator 5A is displayed. This further enhances the effectiveness of the advertisement, and also reduces unnecessary advertisements because the advertisement is not displayed when the customer is not within the predetermined range.

[0115] <3. Notes> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0116] In addition, according to another embodiment, the present invention also includes the disclosure of an overview of a management server and a distribution method as described below. (1) A management server according to an embodiment is a management server that manages the distribution of advertisements to devices related to merchandise in a store and installed in the store for the sale of merchandise, and includes a memory and a processor connected to the memory. The memory stores a device database that registers devices in association with first information including information about the store, and an advertisement database that registers advertisements in association with identification data used to identify the device to be output, and the processor distributes advertisements to the devices based on the result of comparing the identification data associated with the advertisements stored in the advertisement database with the first information associated with the devices.

[0117] Equipment installed in a store for selling products includes devices used to handle products, the products themselves sold in the store, etc. Equipment used to handle products includes, for example, store fixtures used to display products, specifically, product shelves, refrigerators, freezers, etc. Products themselves sold in a store also include products used as product samples.

[0118] The information about the store included in the first information includes identification information that can identify the store, such as the store name, as well as information about the products, etc. handled by the store. The information about the products, etc. handled by the store includes information that identifies the products sold or services provided by the store (hereinafter referred to as products, etc.), information about the handling of products, etc. at the store, etc. The identifying information includes information that identifies the name of the product, etc., the type of product, etc., and the manufacturer of the product, etc. The information about the handling of products, etc. includes the quantity of the product, etc. at the store, the period of handling, the amount of sales, etc.

[0119] The identification data is data used to identify the device to be output, and includes information on the product, etc. related to the advertisement in addition to or instead of information on the device, such as identification information of the target device itself, information specifying the type of device, attributes related to use such as the time of use and installation area of ​​the device, attributes of the device user such as the gender, residential area, age group, family composition, etc. Information on the product, etc. related to the advertisement includes information such as the name, type, and manufacturer of the product, etc. that is the target of the advertisement, attributes such as the gender, age group, and area of ​​users who are expected to be the target of the product, etc. that are the target of the advertisement, information on products, etc. that may be used together with the product, etc. that is the target of the advertisement, etc.

[0120] Advertisements obtained based on the results of comparing the identification data with the first information include, for example, an advertisement in which the identification data and the first information completely match, an advertisement in which the information contained in the identification data matches at least a part of the first information, a similar advertisement, an advertisement in which the information contained in the first information matches at least a part of the identification data, a similar advertisement, etc.

[0121] By distributing advertisements to devices installed in stores, the advertisements are output in the stores, and the stores can show the advertisements to their customers without having to prepare dedicated output devices for advertisements. Furthermore, by distributing advertisements obtained based on the results of comparing the identification data with the first information, advertisements related to the store's products, etc. are displayed to the store's customers. This is likely to lead to sales promotion of the advertised products, etc., and can improve the effectiveness of advertising for both the advertiser and the store.

[0122] (2) Preferably, the device is used to handle merchandise in a store and includes an output unit for outputting advertisements. This allows the store to output advertisements without installing a separate output device for the advertisement output, and since the advertisements are output to customers of the store, the effectiveness of advertising can be improved.

[0123] (3) Preferably, the equipment used to handle merchandise has a storage unit for storing merchandise. The equipment having a storage unit for storing merchandise is equipment installed as store fixtures, such as product shelves, refrigerators, freezers, etc. This eliminates the need for the store to prepare a separate device for outputting advertisements, and allows the store to use equipment installed as store fixtures.

[0124] (4) Preferably, the information about the store includes information about the store's products. This allows for output of advertisements targeting products related to the store's products. This is likely to lead to sales promotion of products related to the store's products, and can improve the effectiveness of advertising for both the advertiser and the store.

[0125] (5) Preferably, the identification data includes information about products related to the advertisement. Products related to the advertisement include products that may be used together with the advertised product, similar products, upgraded products, etc. This allows the device to output advertisements for related products, such as products that may be used together with the store's product, similar products, upgraded products, etc.

[0126] (6) Preferably, the information about the product related to the advertisement includes information about products that are used together with the product that is the subject of the advertisement. This allows the device to output advertisements for products that may be used together with the products in the store.

[0127] (7) Preferably, the advertisements obtained based on the comparison between the identification data and the first information include advertisements in which the information included in the identification data matches or is similar to the first information. This allows the device to output advertisements for products that match or are similar or related to the products in the store.

[0128] (8) Preferably, the store-related information includes information indicating the quantity of products in the store, and the delivering includes delivering the advertisement at a timing according to the result of comparing the quantity of products with a predetermined number stored in advance. The timing may be, for example, when it is detected that the number of products stored in the device is greater than the predetermined number. This allows the advertisement to be output to the device at an effective timing, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of advertising and promotion.

[0129] (9) Preferably, the store-related information includes information indicating a period during which the product is available at the store, and the act of distributing includes distributing the advertisement at a timing corresponding to the period. For example, if the product is stored in the device according to a predetermined schedule, the timing may be a timing corresponding to the schedule. This allows the advertisement to be output to the device at an effective timing, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the advertisement.

[0130] (10) Preferably, the delivering includes delivering the advertisement when the presence of a person within a predetermined range from the device is detected. This allows the advertisement to be displayed when a person is within the predetermined range and not displayed when there is no person. As a result, it is possible to reduce unnecessary advertisement output while ensuring the effectiveness of the advertisement.

[0131] (11) A distribution method according to an embodiment distributes advertisements to devices related to merchandise in a store and installed in the store to sell the merchandise. The advertisements are registered in a memory in association with identification data used to identify the device to which they are to be output. The method includes determining, as the advertisement to be distributed to the device, an advertisement registered in the memory based on a comparison of the associated identification data with information about the store associated with the device. This allows advertisements for merchandise related to the store to be output in the store. Therefore, the store can show the advertisements to customers without having to prepare a dedicated output device for the advertisements. Furthermore, the advertisements are likely to lead to sales promotion of the advertised merchandise, thereby improving the effectiveness of advertising for both the advertiser and the store.

[0132] In addition, according to another implementation aspect, the disclosure below is also included. (12) A management server that manages distribution of advertisements to devices related to products of a store and installed in the store for selling the products, Memory and a processor coupled to the memory, The memory includes: a device database that registers the device in association with first information including information about the device and information about the store; an advertisement database that registers advertisements in association with identification data used to identify devices to which the advertisements are to be output; The processor: Delivering to the device an advertisement obtained in response to a result of comparing the identification data associated with an advertisement stored in the advertisement database with the first information associated with the device. Management server.

[0133] (13) The device is the product itself of the store, an output unit for outputting the advertisement (12) The management server according to (12).

[0134] (14) The information about the device includes product information about the device as a product of the store. The management server according to (12) or (13).

[0135] (15) The equipment is provided to the store on the condition that the cost is reimbursed by a sponsor, The information about the device includes information about the sponsor. (12) The management server according to (12).

[0136] (16) The information about the product related to the advertisement includes information identifying the manufacturer of the product. The management server according to any one of (12) to (15).

[0137] (17) A method for distributing advertisements to devices related to merchandise in a store, the devices being installed in the store for selling the merchandise, comprising: The advertisement is registered in the memory in association with identification data used to identify the device to which the advertisement is to be output; determining, from among the advertisements registered in the memory, an advertisement associated with the device and associated with the identification data including information about the device and information about the store, as an advertisement to be delivered to the device. Delivery method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0138] 1: Management server 3: Communication network 5:Equipment 5A: Refrigerator 5B: Washing machine 6: Remote control 7: Processing equipment 9: Processing equipment 11: Processor 12: Memory 13: Communication equipment 20: Advertising 21: Button 50: Control device 51: Processor 52: Memory 53: Communication equipment 54: Display 55: Input device 56: Sensor 57: Refrigerator 100: System 111: Delivery process 112: Selection processing 113: Registration process 114: Purchase processing 121: Equipment database 122: Advertising Database 123: Delivery results 124: Computer Programs 511: Detection process 512: Request Processing 513: Output processing 514: Operation control processing 521: Unique data 522: Computer Programs

Claims

1. a management server, a device database that registers sponsored devices, which are devices acquired by users on the condition that the cost is reimbursed by a sponsor; an advertisement database for registering advertisements; Delivering advertisements selected from the advertisement database to the sponsored devices registered in the device database. Management server.

2. Delivering the advertisement includes selecting the advertisement to be delivered from the advertisement database according to the type of the sponsored device to which the advertisement is to be delivered. The management server according to claim 1 .

3. Delivering the advertisement includes selecting the advertisement to be delivered from the advertisement database according to attributes of a user of the sponsored device to which the advertisement is to be delivered. The management server according to claim 1 or 2.

4. further receiving data from the sponsored devices registered in the device database; Delivering the advertisement includes selecting the advertisement to deliver from the advertisement database based on data received from the sponsored device. The management server according to claim 1 .

5. Selecting the advertisement further includes selecting the advertisement to be delivered according to the type of the sponsored device to which the advertisement is to be delivered. The management server according to claim 4.

6. Selecting the advertisement further includes selecting the advertisement to be delivered according to attributes of a user of the sponsored device to which the advertisement is to be delivered.

6. The management server according to claim 4 or 5.

7. and recording a distribution result of the advertisement by distributing the advertisement in association with at least a portion of the data received from the sponsored device. The management server according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

8. storing at least a portion of the data received from the sponsored device; The management server according to any one of claims 4 to 7.

9. Recording the results of delivering the advertisement. The management server according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. The advertisement to be distributed causes the sponsored device to accept an operation to purchase a product. The management server according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Selecting the advertisement further includes selecting the advertisement to be distributed according to information related to the sponsored device to which the advertisement is to be distributed, the information being related to products handled by the user who has acquired the sponsored device. The management server according to claim 4.

12. A sponsored device is a device acquired by a user on the condition that the cost is reimbursed by a sponsor, The device is connectable to a management server that manages that the device is a sponsored device, During operation, the advertisement obtained from the management server is output. device.

13. The output trigger for outputting the advertisement includes detecting the presence of a person within a predetermined range.

13. The device of claim 12.

14. The output trigger for outputting the advertisement includes receiving an operation.

14. An apparatus according to claim 12 or 13.

15. When the output trigger occurs, an advertisement is requested from the management server; Receive the advertisement data from the management server.

15. An apparatus according to claim 13 or 14.

16. transmitting data obtained at the time of occurrence of the output trigger to the management server; receiving, from the management server, the advertisement data selected using the data obtained when the output trigger occurs; 16. The device according to any one of claims 13 to 15.

17. The data obtained when the output trigger occurs includes information used to identify the type of the device in the management server.

17. The device of claim 16.

18. restricting at least some of the functions of the device during a period when the device is not connected to the management server; 18. The device according to any one of claims 12 to 17.

19. restricting at least a portion of the functionality of the device during a period when at least a portion of the advertisement is not visible and / or not audible; An apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 18.

20. a display for displaying the advertisement; a sensor for detecting the presence of an object obscuring at least a portion of the display; 20. The device of claim 19.

21. The function can be performed even when not connected to the management server.

21. The device according to any one of claims 18 to 20.

Images