System
The system addresses the challenge of varying flyer formats and offline-online integration by converting store information into a unified format, facilitating efficient shopping planning and comparison.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024130366
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-19
AI Technical Summary
Users face difficulties in collecting and comparing flyer information from nearby stores due to varying formats, and integrating offline and online shopping experiences are not seamless, leading to inefficiencies in planning efficient shopping.
A system that acquires user location information, collects nearby store data, converts flyer information into a unified format using generative AI, and displays it on a terminal, providing links to online shopping and similar products.
Enables efficient collection and comparison of flyer information, enhances user convenience by integrating offline and online shopping experiences, and reduces the effort required to plan shopping.
Smart Images

Figure 2026028068000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The technology of the present disclosure relates to a system. [Background technology]
[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a persona chatbot control method performed by at least one processor, the method including the steps of receiving a user utterance, adding the user utterance to a prompt including an instruction sentence related to a description of the chatbot character, encoding the prompt, and inputting the encoded prompt into a language model to generate a chatbot utterance in response to the user utterance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-180282 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] Currently, it is not easy for users to collect and compare flyer information from nearby stores. Many stores offer flyers in different formats, and organizing and integrating this information is a significant effort. Furthermore, it takes time and effort for users to check the availability of the same or similar products at various stores. Furthermore, online shopping information is not integrated, making it difficult to plan efficient shopping. The present invention aims to solve these problems by providing a system that allows users to efficiently and conveniently utilize discount information. [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by providing a system having the following configuration: A system including: means for acquiring user location information; means for collecting nearby store information based on the acquired location information; means for acquiring flyer information from the collected store information; means for converting the acquired flyer information into a unified format using generation AI; means for displaying the converted flyer information on a terminal; means for providing information on similar products related to the flyer information; and means for providing links to online shopping. This system allows users to easily collect and compare flyer information from nearby stores based on their location information. Furthermore, the information converted into a unified format is visually easy to understand, allowing users to easily access information on similar products and online shopping.
[0006] "User" refers to a person who uses the system to provide location information and collect and compare flyer information.
[0007] "Location Information" refers to data regarding the longitude and latitude of a user's current location obtained using GPS or other location acquisition means.
[0008] "Store Information" refers to data regarding the names, addresses, hours of operation, types of products offered, and other information about commercial establishments located in a particular geographic area.
[0009] "Flyer information" refers to data related to advertising materials that contain special sale and promotion information for products and services offered by each store.
[0010] "Generative AI" refers to a program or algorithm that uses artificial intelligence technology to convert flyer information from different formats into a unified format.
[0011] "Unified format" refers to a data format in which flyer information in different formats is converted by the generating AI so that all information has the same format and structure.
[0012] "Terminal" refers to the device (smartphone, tablet, computer, etc.) that a user uses to access the system.
[0013] "Similar product information" refers to data about other products that have similar features or uses to the specific product in which a user is interested.
[0014] "Online Shopping Link" means a hyperlink to a web page that enables users to purchase the displayed product online. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of a data processing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of main functions of a data processing device and a smart device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of a data processing system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of main functions of a data processing device and smart glasses according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of a data processing system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of main functions of a data processing device and a headset-type terminal according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of a data processing system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of main functions of a data processing device and a robot according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 shows an emotion map onto which multiple emotions are mapped. [Figure 10] 1 shows an emotion map onto which multiple emotions are mapped. [Figure 11]FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a processing flow of the data processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing in the data processing system in Application Example 1. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing in the data processing system according to the second embodiment when an emotion engine is combined. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing in the data processing system in Application Example 2 when an emotion engine is combined. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] An example of an embodiment of a system according to the technology of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0017] First, the terms used in the following description will be explained.
[0018] In the following embodiments, a coded processor (hereinafter simply referred to as a "processor") may be a single arithmetic device or a combination of multiple arithmetic devices. Furthermore, a processor may be a single type of arithmetic device or a combination of multiple types of arithmetic devices. Examples of arithmetic devices include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a GPGPU (General-Purpose computing on Graphics Processing Units), and an APU (Accelerated Processing Unit).
[0019] In the following embodiments, a coded RAM (Random Access Memory) is a memory in which information is temporarily stored and is used as a working memory by a processor.
[0020] In the following embodiments, the coded storage is one or more non-volatile storage devices that store various programs, various parameters, etc. Examples of non-volatile storage devices include flash memory (SSD (Solid State Drive)), magnetic disks (e.g., hard disks), and magnetic tapes.
[0021] In the following embodiments, a communication I / F (Interface) with a symbol is an interface including a communication processor, an antenna, etc. The communication I / F controls communication between multiple computers. Examples of communication standards applied to the communication I / F include wireless communication standards including 5G (5th Generation Mobile Communication System), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.
[0022] In the following embodiments, "A and / or B" is synonymous with "at least one of A and B." In other words, "A and / or B" means that it may be only A, only B, or a combination of A and B. Furthermore, in this specification, the same concept as "A and / or B" is also applied when three or more things are expressed connected by "and / or."
[0023] [First embodiment]
[0024] FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a data processing system 10 according to the first embodiment.
[0025] 1, a data processing system 10 includes a data processing device 12 and a smart device 14. An example of the data processing device 12 is a server.
[0026] The data processing device 12 includes a computer 22, a database 24, and a communication I / F 26. The computer 22 is an example of a "computer" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The computer 22 includes a processor 28, a RAM 30, and a storage 32. The processor 28, the RAM 30, and the storage 32 are connected to a bus 34. The database 24 and the communication I / F 26 are also connected to the bus 34. The communication I / F 26 is connected to a network 54. Examples of the network 54 include a WAN (Wide Area Network) and / or a LAN (Local Area Network).
[0027] The smart device 14 includes a computer 36, a reception device 38, an output device 40, a camera 42, and a communication I / F 44. The computer 36 includes a processor 46, a RAM 48, and a storage 50. The processor 46, the RAM 48, and the storage 50 are connected to a bus 52. The reception device 38, the output device 40, and the camera 42 are also connected to the bus 52.
[0028] The reception device 38 includes a touch panel 38A, a microphone 38B, and the like, and receives user input. The touch panel 38A detects contact with an indicator (for example, a pen or a finger) to receive user input by the touch of the indicator. The microphone 38B detects the user's voice to receive user input by voice. The control unit 46A transmits data indicating the user input received by the touch panel 38A and the microphone 38B to the data processing device 12. In the data processing device 12, the specific processing unit 290 acquires the data indicating the user input.
[0029] The output device 40 includes a display 40A and a speaker 40B, and presents data to the user 20 by outputting the data in a form of expression that the user 20 can perceive (for example, audio and / or text). The display 40A displays visible information such as text and images in accordance with instructions from the processor 46. The speaker 40B outputs audio in accordance with instructions from the processor 46. The camera 42 is a compact digital camera equipped with an optical system including a lens, aperture, and shutter, and an imaging element such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) image sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor.
[0030] The communication I / F 44 is connected to a network 54. The communication I / Fs 44 and 26 control the exchange of various information between the processor 46 and the processor 28 via the network 54.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows an example of the main functions of the data processing device 12 and the smart device 14.
[0032] 2, in the data processing device 12, a specific process is performed by the processor 28. A specific processing program 56 is stored in the storage 32. The specific processing program 56 is an example of a "program" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The processor 28 reads the specific processing program 56 from the storage 32 and executes the read specific processing program 56 on the RAM 30. The specific process is realized by the processor 28 operating as a specific processing unit 290 in accordance with the specific processing program 56 executed on the RAM 30.
[0033] The storage 32 stores a data generation model 58 and an emotion identification model 59. The data generation model 58 and the emotion identification model 59 are used by the identification processing unit 290.
[0034] In the smart device 14, the processor 46 performs the reception output process. The storage 50 stores a reception output program 60. The reception output program 60 is used in conjunction with the specific processing program 56 by the data processing system 10. The processor 46 reads the reception output program 60 from the storage 50 and executes the read reception output program 60 on the RAM 48. The reception output process is realized by the processor 46 operating as the control unit 46A in accordance with the reception output program 60 executed on the RAM 48.
[0035] Next, a description will be given of the specific processing performed by the specific processing unit 290 of the data processing device 12. In the following description, the data processing device 12 will be referred to as a "server" and the smart device 14 will be referred to as a "terminal."
[0036] The present invention provides a system that allows a user to efficiently collect flyer information from nearby stores and compare and consider them. Specific embodiments for carrying out the invention are described below.
[0037] System Overview
[0038] This system is broadly composed of three main components: the terminal application that acquires the user's location information, the server that collects and integrates information on surrounding stores and flyers, and the user interface that displays the integrated information to the user and allows them to efficiently compare and consider it.
[0039] Explanation of program processing
[0040] 1. Obtaining user GPS information
[0041] The user launches the terminal application on their smartphone.
[0042] As soon as the application is launched, the device uses the built-in GPS module to obtain the user's location information.
[0043] The acquired location information is temporarily stored inside the terminal.
[0044] 2. Sending location information to the server
[0045] The acquired location information is sent from the device to a server while respecting security and privacy. The communication is encrypted to protect the user's privacy.
[0046] 3. Gathering information about nearby stores
[0047] Based on the received location information, the server retrieves a list of multiple stores within a specific radius from a database or external API.
[0048] The store information includes the store name, address, contact information, product categories, etc.
[0049] 4. Collect flyer information from each store
[0050] Based on the acquired store list, the server collects the latest flyer information from each store's website or API, using web scraping technology and API requests to obtain the data, and temporarily stores each flyer information in a database.
[0051] 5. Convert flyer information into a unified format
[0052] The generation AI runs on the server and converts flyer information provided in different formats into a unified format. The generation AI uses natural language processing technology to analyze the information, extracting and organizing the necessary items.
[0053] 6. Transmission of information in a unified format to the user's device
[0054] The unified format flyer information converted by the generation AI is sent from the server to the device, which receives the data appropriate for the display format and prepares it for display on the user interface.
[0055] 7. Displaying Information in the User Interface
[0056] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a standardized format on the user interface, with sales and promotion information from each store laid out so that it can be compared visually at a glance.
[0057] In addition to detailed information about each product, the device also displays information about similar products and links to online shopping, allowing users to choose whether to purchase online or in-store.
[0058] Specific examples
[0059] For example, suppose User A launches this application on their smartphone. The device immediately obtains User A's location information (e.g., "35.6895, 139.6917"). This information is sent to the server, which then lists all supermarkets within a 5-kilometer radius. The server then collects the latest flyer information from each supermarket's website and converts it into a unified format. This unified format information is then sent back to the device, and User A's smartphone displays comprehensive flyer information, information on similar products, and online links. This allows User A to efficiently compare special offers from each store and create an optimal shopping plan.
[0060] The present invention significantly reduces the effort required for users to gather and compare information, saving time and money, and also integrates offline and online shopping experiences, greatly enhancing user convenience.
[0061] The processing flow will be explained below.
[0062] Step 1:
[0063] The user launches the terminal application on their smartphone. When the user launches the application, a message appears prompting them to confirm whether they want to use GPS.
[0064] Step 2:
[0065] The device obtains the user's location information. It uses the GPS module to collect the current longitude and latitude data and stores it temporarily on the device.
[0066] Step 3:
[0067] The location information acquired by the device is sent to the server, and is encrypted during transmission to ensure data security.
[0068] Step 4:
[0069] The server analyzes the location information received and generates a list of nearby stores based on that information. Store information within a specific radius is obtained from a database or external API.
[0070] Step 5:
[0071] Based on the store list generated by the server, flyer information is collected from each store's website and API. The latest flyer information is obtained using web scraping technology and API requests and temporarily stored in a database.
[0072] Step 6:
[0073] The server uses a generation AI to convert the collected flyer information into a unified format. The generation AI uses natural language processing technology to analyze the information, extract necessary items, and organize them into a common format.
[0074] Step 7:
[0075] The server retransmits the flyer information converted into a unified format to the terminal, where the transmitted data is formatted for display on the user interface.
[0076] Step 8:
[0077] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format, and the user interface is laid out so that special sale and promotion information from each store can be compared visually at a glance.
[0078] Step 9:
[0079] The device provides information on similar products related to the flyer information displayed on the device. The AI analyzes and displays similar products, and also provides links to online shopping.
[0080] Step 10:
[0081] Based on the displayed information, users can choose between shopping in a physical store or online, efficiently comparing information and creating the optimal shopping plan.
[0082] Example 1
[0083] Next, a description will be given of Example 1. In the following description, the data processing device 12 will be referred to as a "server" and the smart device 14 will be referred to as a "terminal."
[0084] There is a need for a system that allows users to efficiently collect flyer information from nearby stores and compare and consider it. However, existing systems provide flyer information from each store in a different format, making it difficult for users to compare them in a consistent manner. In addition, there are few ways to seamlessly integrate offline and online purchasing experiences. This increases the effort required to collect and compare information, resulting in problems that reduce user convenience.
[0085] The specific processing by the specific processing unit 290 of the data processing device 12 in the first embodiment is realized by the following means.
[0086] In this invention, the server includes a means for acquiring user location information, a means for collecting information on nearby stores based on the acquired location information, a means for acquiring flyer information for each store from the collected store information, a means for converting the acquired flyer information into a unified format using a generative AI model, a means for displaying the converted flyer information on a user interface, a means for providing information on similar products related to the flyer information, and a means for providing links to online shopping. This allows users to efficiently collect and compare sale and promotion information from nearby stores. Furthermore, seamless integration of offline and online shopping experiences greatly improves user convenience.
[0087] "User location information" is data that indicates the geographic location where a user is currently located.
[0088] "Device" refers to a computing device used by a User, such as a smartphone or tablet.
[0089] A "server" is a computer system that collects, stores, processes, and distributes data over a network.
[0090] "Store information" is data that includes details about a specific store, such as the name, location, contact information, and product categories.
[0091] "Flyer information" is advertising information that includes product prices, sale information, promotion information, and the like offered by retail stores.
[0092] A "generative AI model" is an artificial intelligence system that analyzes and generates data using techniques such as generative adversarial networks (GAN) and natural language processing (NLP).
[0093] A "unified format" is a format that converts data of different formats into a consistent format and organizes it.
[0094] "User interface" refers to the screens and methods of operation that allow users to interact with a system.
[0095] "Similar product information" refers to data about substitutes and related products for the product selected by the user.
[0096] An "online shopping link" is a URL link to a web page where a user can purchase an item from an online store.
[0097] "Encryption" is the technology of transforming data using a specific algorithm to protect it from unauthorized access.
[0098] A "database" is a system for efficiently storing, managing, and searching large amounts of data.
[0099] "Web scraping" is a technique for automatically extracting information from websites.
[0100] "HTTPS" is an internet protocol for secure communications.
[0101] The present invention provides a system that allows users to efficiently collect flyer information from nearby stores and compare and consider them. This system has the function of collecting information about nearby stores based on the user's location information, converting the flyer information collected from each store into a unified format using a generative AI model, and displaying it in an easy-to-understand manner for the user. Specific embodiments for implementing the present invention are described below.
[0102] First, the user launches the application on their smartphone or other device. When the application is launched, the device's built-in GPS module is used to obtain the user's current location. This location information is temporarily stored inside the device and then sent to the server via encrypted communication. The server uses the received location information to collect information about stores within a specific radius.
[0103] Store information is collected using external APIs such as the Google Maps API and Foursquare API. The collected store information includes details such as store name, address, contact information, and product categories. Once this information is stored in the server's database, the server then collects the latest flyer information from each store's website or API. The data is retrieved using web scraping techniques (e.g., Python's Beautiful Soup library) or API requests and temporarily stored in the server's database.
[0104] Next, a generative AI model runs on the server and converts the flyer information from different formats into a unified format. This generative AI model uses natural language processing techniques (such as BERT or GPT models) to parse, extract, and format the unstructured data. The converted flyer information in a unified format is saved in JSON or XML format.
[0105] The flyer information converted into a unified format is then sent back from the server to the device, where it is prepared to be displayed on the user interface. Frameworks such as React Native and Flutter are used for display, creating a layout that allows for visual comparison at a glance. In addition to the flyer information, information on similar products and links to online shopping are also displayed, allowing users to choose whether to purchase online on the spot or by visiting a physical store.
[0106] For example, when User A launches this application on their smartphone, the device immediately obtains User A's location information (e.g., "35.6895, 139.6917") and sends it to the server via HTTPS. The server uses the Google Maps API to list all supermarkets within a 5km radius and uses Beautiful Soup to collect flyer information from each supermarket's website. This flyer information is converted into a unified format by a generation AI and sent back from the server to the device. The device uses React Native to display special sale information, similar product information, and online links on User A's smartphone.
[0107] An example of a prompt sentence to be input to the generative AI model is, "Collect the latest flyer information from supermarkets within a 5-kilometer radius, convert it into a unified format, and display it on the user's device."
[0108] The flow of the identification process in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0109] Step 1:
[0110] A user launches an application on their smartphone. The device uses its built-in GPS module to obtain the user's current location. This location information (e.g., latitude and longitude coordinates) is temporarily stored internally on the device.
[0111] Input: User interaction when launching the application
[0112] Data processing: Location information is acquired using the GPS module and stored internally
[0113] Output: User's latitude and longitude information
[0114] Step 2:
[0115] The acquired location information is sent from the device to the server. The HTTPS protocol is used for transmission, and the location information is encrypted before being sent. The server stores the received location information in a database.
[0116] Input: User's location information stored on the device
[0117] Data processing: Location information is encrypted and sent via HTTPS
[0118] Output: Location information stored on the server
[0119] Step 3:
[0120] The server uses the received location information to collect information about stores within a specific radius, using the Google Maps API and Foursquare API to obtain information about surrounding stores, and stores details (such as store name, address, contact information, and product categories) in a database.
[0121] Input: Location information stored on the server
[0122] Data processing: Collecting information about surrounding stores through API calls
[0123] Output: Store information saved in the database
[0124] Step 4:
[0125] The server uses the collected store list to collect the latest flyer information from each store's website or API, and performs web scraping using libraries such as Python's Beautiful Soup to obtain flyer data, which is then temporarily stored in a database.
[0126] Input: A list of stores stored in the database
[0127] Data processing: Web scraping to obtain flyer information
[0128] Output: Flyer information stored in the database
[0129] Step 5:
[0130] The generative AI model runs on the server and converts flyer information from different formats into a unified format. It uses natural language processing technologies such as BERT and GPT to analyze unstructured data and extract and format the necessary information.
[0131] Input: Flyer information stored in the database
[0132] Data processing: Analyze data using generative AI models and convert it into a unified format
[0133] Output: Flyer information converted into a unified format
[0134] Step 6:
[0135] The flyer information converted into a unified format is then sent from the server to the device. The data is sent using socket communication or a REST API. The device then prepares to display the received data on the user interface.
[0136] Input: Flyer information stored on the server in a unified format
[0137] Data processing: Send data using socket communication or REST API
[0138] Output: Flyer information received by the terminal in a unified format
[0139] Step 7:
[0140] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format on a user interface. The UI is built using frameworks such as React Native and Flutter to visually display the information. The layout visually includes information on special sales and promotions from each store, information on similar products, and links to online shopping.
[0141] Input: flyer information in a unified format received by the terminal
[0142] Data processing: Building UI using React Native and Flutter
[0143] Output: Flyer information displayed on the user interface
[0144] (Application example 1)
[0145] Next, a description will be given of Application Example 1. In the following description, the data processing device 12 will be referred to as a "server" and the smart device 14 will be referred to as a "terminal."
[0146] Conventional store information gathering and flyer information comparison systems made it difficult for users to efficiently gather information about nearby sales and compare the product information they needed. In particular, there was a lack of a system that allowed users to compare sales items from multiple stores at a glance, so users had to visit multiple websites and manually compare the information on each site, which was a time-consuming process. Furthermore, there was no way to generate an efficient shopping list, resulting in a waste of time and effort.
[0147] The specific processing by the specific processing unit 290 of the data processing device 12 in the application example 1 is realized by the following means.
[0148] In this invention, the server includes means for acquiring user location information, means for collecting information on nearby stores based on the acquired location information, means for acquiring flyer information from the collected store information, means for converting the acquired flyer information into a unified format using a generation AI, means for displaying the converted flyer information on a terminal, means for providing information on similar products related to the flyer information, means for providing links to online shopping, means for comparing and displaying sales information from multiple stores based on the information on similar products, and means for generating a shopping list based on the displayed information, thereby enabling users to efficiently collect and compare sales information in their surrounding areas and create an efficient shopping list.
[0149] "User" means a consumer or end user who uses this system to collect information.
[0150] "Location information" is data that indicates a user's current location and is obtained through GPS or other location acquisition technologies.
[0151] "Store information" is data about surrounding sales facilities collected based on the user's location information, and includes information such as store name, address, contact information, and product categories.
[0152] "Flyer information" is information about special sales and promotional items offered by each store, and is information necessary for users to efficiently compare products.
[0153] "Generative AI" is an artificial intelligence system that uses natural language processing technology to analyze data provided in different formats and convert it into a unified format.
[0154] A "unified format" is information provided in different formats that has been standardized and converted into a consistent display format.
[0155] "Terminal" refers to a device used by a user, including a smartphone, tablet, or PC.
[0156] "Similar products" are other products related to the original flyer information, and are information for comparison with sale items and promotional items.
[0157] "Link to online shopping" is a hyperlink that allows users to access an online shop directly from their device and purchase products.
[0158] "Special Offer Information" is information about discount prices and promotions offered by stores.
[0159] A "shopping list" is a list of products that a user creates to plan their shopping efficiently, and is automatically generated by the system.
[0160] The system realizing this invention acquires the user's location information, collects and organizes information on surrounding stores and flyers, and efficiently provides information to the user. This system is configured as follows.
[0161] Hardware and Software Configuration
[0162] Hardware:
[0163] Smartphone: A device that allows users to obtain and display information. It has a built-in GPS module and obtains the user's location information.
[0164] Server: A central processing unit that receives location information, collects store information and flyer information, and converts them into a unified format.
[0165] software:
[0166] GPS module: A location information acquisition tool built into a smartphone.
[0167] Flask: A lightweight Python framework that runs on the server to provide API endpoints and process data.
[0168] SQLite: A database management system used on the server to temporarily store and manage collected data.
[0169] Generative AI model: An artificial intelligence system that uses natural language processing techniques to convert different forms of data into a unified format.
[0170] System operation explanation
[0171] Obtaining location information
[0172] When a device (smartphone) is turned on, it uses the built-in GPS module to obtain the user's location information, which is temporarily stored in the device as latitude and longitude.
[0173] Sending location information to the server
[0174] The device encrypts the acquired location information and sends it to the server with due consideration to security and privacy. Communications are encrypted to fully protect user privacy.
[0175] Collecting store information and flyer information
[0176] Based on the received location information, the server retrieves a list of multiple stores within a specified radius from a database or external API. Store information includes store name, address, contact information, product categories, etc. The server also collects the latest flyer information from each store's website or API.
[0177] Converting information into a unified format
[0178] A generative AI model runs on the server and converts flyer information provided in different formats into a unified format. The generative AI uses natural language processing technology to analyze the information, extracting and organizing the necessary items.
[0179] Sending unified format information to user terminals
[0180] The unified format flyer information converted by the generation AI is sent from the server to the device, where the data appropriate for the display format is prepared for display on the user interface.
[0181] Information display and comparison function
[0182] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format on the user interface. The layout allows for visual comparison of sale and promotion information at a glance. It also displays detailed information about each product and links to online shopping.
[0183] Generate a shopping list
[0184] Based on the displayed information, the device automatically generates a shopping list to help users plan their shopping efficiently.
[0185] For example, a user launches the app and sets their location to Shinjuku, Tokyo. This information is sent to a server, which then collects sales flyers from nearby supermarkets and drugstores and converts them into a unified format. This information is then sent back to the device, allowing the user to efficiently create a shopping list based on the displayed information.
[0186] Examples of prompts for a generative AI model include:
[0187] Based on the location "35.6895, 139.6917", please provide the store name, address, and latest flyer information of all supermarkets within a 5-kilometer radius.
[0188] As described above, this system allows users to efficiently collect and compare information on nearby special offers and enjoy the best possible shopping experience.
[0189] The flow of the specific processing in the application example 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0190] Step 1:
[0191] When a user launches the app, the device uses the built-in GPS module to obtain the user's location information. This location information is obtained in the form of latitude and longitude. The input is the launch of the app, and the output is the latitude and longitude of the user's current location. Specifically, the GPS module detects the current location and temporarily stores that data within the app.
[0192] Step 2:
[0193] The device encrypts the acquired location information and sends it to the server. Data transmission is performed using a secure communication protocol (e.g., HTTPS). The server receives the location information as input and the encrypted location information as output. Specifically, the location information is properly formatted and sent to the server over a secure channel.
[0194] Step 3:
[0195] Based on the received location information, the server retrieves store information within a specified radius from an external API or database. The server receives location information as input and a list of surrounding store information as output. Specifically, it executes a database query based on the location information and lists the corresponding stores.
[0196] Step 4:
[0197] The server collects the latest flyer information from the websites and APIs of each store using web scraping and API request techniques. The input is a list of store information, and the output is flyer information for each store. Specifically, the server accesses the URL or API endpoint for each store, retrieves the flyer information, and saves it.
[0198] Step 5:
[0199] The server converts the collected flyer information in various formats into a unified format using a generative AI model. The generative AI model uses natural language processing technology to analyze the data and convert it into a standardized format. The collected flyer information is the input, and the unified format flyer information is the output. Specifically, the generative AI performs text analysis and conversion processing to organize the data.
[0200] Step 6:
[0201] The server sends the flyer information converted into a unified format by the generative AI model to the terminal. The unified format flyer information is input, and the flyer information is sent to the terminal as output. Specifically, the server reformats the organized data, properly packets it, and sends it to the terminal.
[0202] Step 7:
[0203] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format on the user interface. Special sale information and promotion information are displayed in a layout that makes it easy to compare. The input is the flyer information in a unified format sent from the server, and the output is visual information displayed on the terminal. Specifically, the terminal parses the data and renders it appropriately on the user interface.
[0204] Step 8:
[0205] The device provides information on similar products related to the displayed flyer information and also displays links to online shopping. The input is the flyer information and the user's selection, and the output is information on similar products and online links. Specifically, the device filters and displays related data and provides users with clickable links.
[0206] Step 9:
[0207] The terminal generates an efficient shopping list for the user based on the displayed information. The input is the product information selected by the user, and the output is an automatically generated shopping list. Specifically, the list is automatically created based on the user's selections and displayed in the user interface.
[0208] Through the above processing steps, users can efficiently collect and compare information on nearby sales and create optimal shopping plans.
[0209] Furthermore, an emotion engine that estimates the user's emotion may be combined. That is, the identification processing unit 290 may estimate the user's emotion using the emotion identification model 59 and perform identification processing using the user's emotion.
[0210] The present invention provides a system that allows users to efficiently collect and compare flyer information from nearby stores, and also provides a system that provides more convenient information by recognizing and utilizing the user's emotions. The operation of the system will be explained below as a specific example.
[0211] System Overview
[0212] This system consists of three main components: a terminal application that acquires the user's location and emotion information, and then uses that information to collect, integrate, and display flyer information from surrounding stores. The first is a terminal application that acquires location and emotion information, the second is a server that collects and integrates store information and flyer information, and the third is a user interface that displays the integrated information to the user.
[0213] Explanation of program processing
[0214] 1. Obtaining user GPS information
[0215] The user launches the terminal application on their smartphone.
[0216] As soon as the application is launched, the device uses the GPS module to obtain the user's location information.
[0217] 2. Obtaining user emotional information
[0218] The device uses a camera and microphone to obtain emotional information from the user's facial expressions and voice.
[0219] The acquired emotional information is analyzed by the emotion engine to identify the user's current emotional state (joy, anger, sadness, surprise, etc.).
[0220] 3. Sending location and emotional information to the server
[0221] The acquired location and emotion information is sent from the device to a server, and the communication is encrypted to protect the user's privacy.
[0222] 4. Gathering information about nearby stores
[0223] Based on the location information received by the server, a list of multiple stores within a specific radius is retrieved from a database or external API.
[0224] The store information includes the store name, address, contact information, product categories, etc.
[0225] 5. Collect flyer information from each store
[0226] Based on the store list, the server collects the latest flyer information from each store's website or API.
[0227] Data is obtained using web scraping technology or API requests and temporarily stored in a database.
[0228] 6. Convert flyer information into a unified format
[0229] The generation AI runs on the server and converts flyer information provided in different formats into a unified format. The generation AI uses natural language processing technology to analyze the information, extracting and organizing the necessary items.
[0230] 7. Emotion-based information regulation
[0231] The server adjusts the information displayed based on the user's emotional state based on the emotional information sent from the device. For example, if the user is in a "surprise" emotional state, special promotional information and limited offers will be displayed preferentially.
[0232] 8. Transmission of information in a unified format to the user's device
[0233] The unified format flyer information converted by the generation AI is sent from the server to the device, where it is formatted for display on the user interface.
[0234] 9. Displaying Information in the User Interface
[0235] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format, and the user interface is laid out so that special sale and promotion information from each store can be compared visually at a glance.
[0236] In addition to detailed information about each product, the device also displays information about similar products and links to online shopping.
[0237] Specific examples
[0238] For example, suppose User B launches this application on their smartphone. The device immediately acquires User B's location information (e.g., "35.6895, 139.6917"). Additionally, the device uses a camera and microphone to acquire emotion information about "happiness" from User B's facial expressions and voice. This information is sent to a server, which then lists all supermarkets within a 5-kilometer radius. The server then collects the latest flyer information from each supermarket's website and converts it into a unified format. This unified format information is then sent back to the device, and User B's smartphone displays comprehensive flyer information, information about similar products, and online links. Furthermore, based on the emotion information, special promotional offers are also displayed in recognition of User B's emotion of "happiness."
[0239] This invention significantly reduces the effort required for users to gather and compare information, saving time and money. In addition, the use of emotion information makes it possible to provide more personalized information, thereby increasing user convenience and satisfaction.
[0240] The processing flow will be explained below.
[0241] Step 1:
[0242] The user launches the terminal application on their smartphone. When the application launches, a dialog box appears requesting permission to use the camera and microphone for location acquisition and emotion recognition.
[0243] Step 2:
[0244] The device obtains the user's location information. It uses the GPS module to collect the current longitude and latitude data and temporarily stores it on the device.
[0245] Step 3:
[0246] The device uses the camera and microphone to capture the user's emotional information, and the emotion engine analyzes the user's facial expressions and voice to identify their current emotional state.
[0247] Step 4:
[0248] The location and emotion information acquired by the device is sent to a server, where it is encrypted to ensure data security.
[0249] Step 5:
[0250] The server analyzes the received location information and retrieves a list of multiple stores within a specific radius from a database or external API. The store list includes the name, address, contact information, product categories, etc. of each store.
[0251] Step 6:
[0252] The server uses the store list to collect the latest flyer information from each store's website or API, using web scraping technology and API requests to obtain the data, and temporarily stores each flyer information in a database.
[0253] Step 7:
[0254] The server converts the flyer information collected into a unified format using a generation AI, which uses natural language processing technology to analyze the information, extracting and organizing the necessary items.
[0255] Step 8:
[0256] The server then converts the flyer information into a unified format and adjusts the information based on the user's emotional state. For example, if the user is in a "joy" emotional state, it prioritizes including special promotional information and offers.
[0257] Step 9:
[0258] The server sends emotion-adjusted flyer information in a unified format to the terminal, where the data is formatted for display in the user interface.
[0259] Step 10:
[0260] The device displays flyer information received in a unified format. The layout allows for a visual comparison of special sale and promotion information from each store at a glance. In addition to detailed information about each product, the device also displays information about similar products and links to online shopping.
[0261] Step 11:
[0262] Based on the displayed information, users can choose whether to shop in a physical store or online, helping them efficiently compare information and plan their shopping. Special offers based on emotional information are also displayed, providing a more satisfying shopping experience.
[0263] Example 2
[0264] Next, a description will be given of Example 2. In the following description, the data processing device 12 will be referred to as a "server" and the smart device 14 will be referred to as a "terminal."
[0265] Conventional systems allowed users to efficiently collect and compare flyer information from nearby stores, but did not provide information that took the user's emotions into consideration. As a result, only uniform information was provided regardless of the user's state, which did not improve user satisfaction. Furthermore, there was insufficient means to unify the diverse flyer information provided in different formats and provide it in an easy-to-compare format.
[0266] The specific processing by the specific processing unit 290 of the data processing device 12 in the second embodiment is realized by the following means.
[0267] In this invention, the server includes means for acquiring user location information, means for collecting information on surrounding stores, means for converting flyer information into a unified format using a generation AI, means for acquiring user emotional information, and means for analyzing the emotional information and adjusting the information. This makes it possible to provide information based on the user's location information and emotional state, improving user satisfaction, and providing diverse flyer information in a unified format makes it easier to compare information.
[0268] "Location information" is latitude and longitude data that indicates where a user is currently located.
[0269] "Store information" refers to information about a specific store, such as the name, address, contact information, and product categories.
[0270] "Flyer information" is advertising data that lists the prices of products offered by the store, special sale information, and the like.
[0271] "Generative AI" is an artificial intelligence technology that uses natural language processing technology to analyze data provided in different formats and convert it into a unified format.
[0272] "Emotional information" is data that indicates the user's emotional state (e.g., joy, anger, sadness, surprise, etc.) obtained from the user's facial expressions and voice.
[0273] "User interface" refers to the design and layout of screens and applications that allow users to operate and view information on a terminal.
[0274] A "terminal" is an electronic device operated by a user, such as a smartphone or tablet.
[0275] A "server" is a computer system for collecting, processing, and transmitting data over a network.
[0276] An "online shopping link" is a hyperlink that users can click to go directly to a shopping site on the Internet.
[0277] "Similar product information" is information about other similar products or services related to the flyer information viewed by the user.
[0278] This invention is a system that acquires a user's location information and emotion information, and then collects, integrates, and displays flyer information from surrounding stores based on that information. The system is primarily composed of a terminal application that acquires location information and emotion information, a server that collects and integrates store information and flyer information, and a user interface that displays the integrated information to the user. Each element of the system is described in detail below.
[0279] Terminal application
[0280] 1. Obtaining location information
[0281] The user launches the application on their smartphone.
[0282] The device uses the GPS module to obtain the user's location information (latitude and longitude) in real time, thereby determining the user's current location.
[0283] 2. Acquiring emotional information
[0284] The device uses the smartphone's camera and microphone to collect emotional information from the user's facial expressions and tone of voice.
[0285] For example, the camera captures the user's facial expressions and the microphone records the user's voice, and this data is sent in real time to an emotion analysis engine to identify the user's emotional state (e.g., joy, anger, sadness, surprise, etc.).
[0286] server
[0287] 1. Sending and Receiving Information
[0288] The device transmits the acquired location information and emotional information to the server using an encrypted communication protocol (e.g., TLS / SSL).
[0289] 2. Collecting store information
[0290] Based on the received location information, the server collects store information within a specific range via a database or external API.
[0291] The collected store information includes the store's name, address, contact information, product categories, etc.
[0292] 3. Collect flyer information
[0293] Based on the collected store list, the server retrieves the latest flyer information from each store's website or API, using web scraping technology and API requests.
[0294] 4. Generative AI for Data Integration
[0295] A generative AI model runs on the server and converts flyer information provided in different formats into a unified format.
[0296] Specifically, generative AI uses natural language processing technology (e.g., OpenAI's GPT-4) to analyze data and extract and organize necessary items.
[0297] 5. Coordination of Information
[0298] The server has the ability to adjust information based on the user's emotional information, and prioritizes the display of information such as special promotions and limited offers.
[0299] User Interface
[0300] 1. Displaying data
[0301] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format and emotion-adjusted information to the user.
[0302] The user interface displays flyers, special offers, and promotions in a visually appealing layout, using HTML and CSS to format the information into cards, each containing product details and links to online shopping.
[0303] Specific examples
[0304] For example, when a user launches an application on their smartphone, the device immediately acquires the user's location information (e.g., latitude 35.6895, longitude 139.6917). At the same time, the camera and microphone are used to acquire emotional information such as "happiness" from the user's facial expressions and voice. This information is then sent to a server, which then lists all supermarkets within a 5-kilometer radius, collects the latest flyer information for each supermarket, and uses generative AI to convert it into a unified format. The converted information is then sent to the device, and finally, comprehensive flyer information, information on similar products, and online links are displayed on the user's smartphone. In addition, special promotional offers are also displayed based on the emotional information.
[0305] Prompt Sentence Examples
[0306] "Using my current location, list supermarkets within 5 kilometers."
[0307] "Convert the collected flyer information into a unified format and send it to the terminal."
[0308] "Show special promotions based on user sentiment."
[0309] As described above, the present invention utilizes the user's location information and emotional information to provide efficient and personalized information, thereby reducing the effort required for collecting and comparing information and increasing user satisfaction.
[0310] The flow of the identification process in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0311] Step 1:
[0312] Obtaining user GPS information
[0313] A user launches an application on their smartphone. The device uses the built-in GPS module to obtain the user's current location (latitude and longitude). This location information becomes the input data for subsequent processing. Specifically, the device obtains data from the GPS sensor in real time and calculates the latitude and longitude.
[0314] Step 2:
[0315] Obtaining user emotion information
[0316] The device uses the smartphone's camera and microphone to collect the user's facial expressions and voice. This data is input into an emotion analysis engine, which outputs emotional information (e.g., "joy," "surprise," etc.) as the analysis result. Specifically, the camera captures the user's face, and the microphone records their voice. The collected data undergoes image and audio processing in real time.
[0317] Step 3:
[0318] Sending location and emotion information to the server
[0319] The device encrypts the acquired location and emotion information and sends it to the server. A communication protocol (e.g., TLS / SSL) is used to protect the user's privacy. Specifically, the device encrypts the data using an encryption algorithm and sends it to the server via a secure communication channel.
[0320] Step 4:
[0321] Gathering information about nearby stores
[0322] Based on the location information received from the device, the server retrieves information about multiple stores within a specific radius from a database or external API. This store information becomes the input data for the next step. Specifically, the server queries the database with the location information and retrieves the corresponding store information. The target store information includes the store name, address, contact information, and product categories.
[0323] Step 5:
[0324] Collect flyer information from each store
[0325] Based on the collected store list, the server collects the latest flyer information from each store's website or API. This flyer information becomes input data and is processed in the next step. Specifically, the server obtains the necessary data using web scraping technology or API requests. The data is temporarily stored in a database.
[0326] Step 6:
[0327] Converting flyer information into a unified format
[0328] The generative AI model runs on the server and converts flyer information provided in different formats into a unified format. It receives data in different flyer formats as input and generates flyer information in a unified format as output. Specifically, the generative AI performs text analysis, extracts necessary items (e.g., price, product name, promotion information), and formats them into a consistent format.
[0329] Step 7:
[0330] Emotion-based information regulation
[0331] The server adjusts information to match the user's emotional state based on the emotional information sent from the device. For example, if the emotion of "surprise" is detected, special promotional information and limited offers are displayed preferentially. The emotional information is used as input, and adjusted flyer information is generated as output. Specifically, the server changes the priority of information and adjusts the display order based on the emotional information.
[0332] Step 8:
[0333] Sending information in a unified format to user terminals
[0334] The server then sends the flyer information, converted into a unified format by the AI, to the device. This information becomes the input data for display on the user interface. Specifically, the server sends the data to the device via an encrypted communication channel, and the device formats the received data for display.
[0335] Step 9:
[0336] Displaying information in the user interface
[0337] The terminal displays flyer information in a unified format received from the server on a user interface. Users can compare special sale and promotion information from each store at a glance in a visually easy-to-understand layout. Specifically, the information is formatted in a card format using HTML and CSS, and each card contains detailed product information and links to online shopping.
[0338] (Application example 2)
[0339] Next, a description will be given of Application Example 2. In the following description, the data processing device 12 will be referred to as a "server" and the smart device 14 will be referred to as a "terminal."
[0340] Conventional store information collection systems allowed users to efficiently collect and compare flyer information from nearby stores, but they were unable to provide information that took into account the user's emotional state, making it difficult to provide personalized services. The present invention aims to solve this problem by providing a system that can provide more appropriate information based on the user's emotional information.
[0341] The specific processing by the specific processing unit 290 of the data processing device 12 in the application example 2 is realized by the following means.
[0342] In this invention, the server includes means for acquiring user location information, means for collecting information on surrounding stores based on the acquired location information, means for acquiring flyer information from the collected store information, means for converting the acquired flyer information into a unified format using a generation AI, means for displaying the converted flyer information on a terminal, means for providing information on similar products related to the flyer information, means for providing links to online shopping, means for acquiring user emotion information, and means for adjusting information based on the acquired emotion information, thereby enabling the provision of personalized information according to the user's emotional state.
[0343] "User location information" is data used to identify a user's current location using location acquisition technology such as GPS.
[0344] "Nearby store information" is information about multiple stores that exist within a specific range centered on the user's current location.
[0345] "Flyer information" is marketing material that includes information about special sales and promotions offered by stores.
[0346] "Generative AI" is a technology that uses artificial intelligence to generate and analyze data through techniques such as natural language processing.
[0347] The "unified format" is a data format for converting flyer information provided in different formats into a consistent format.
[0348] A "terminal" is an electronic device that a user can carry around, such as a smartphone or smart glasses.
[0349] "Information about similar products" refers to information about other products that have similar characteristics or functions to the product in which the user is interested.
[0350] "Link to online shopping" is information for connecting to a website where products can be purchased via the Internet.
[0351] "User emotional information" is data related to the emotional state of the user analyzed from facial expressions and voice captured by a camera, microphone, etc.
[0352] A "server" is a computer system that communicates with client terminals and collects, analyzes, stores, and provides data.
[0353] "Adjusting information" refers to optimizing the content of the information provided based on the acquired emotional and location information.
[0354] The present invention relates to a system that provides personalized store information and sale information based on a user's location information and emotional information. This system can acquire the user's current location and emotional information using a smartphone or smart glasses, and display flyer information and special offers from nearby physical stores. The specific system configuration and processing procedures are described below as an embodiment of the invention.
[0355] System Configuration
[0356] Hardware:
[0357] Devices: Smartphones, smart glasses
[0358] Server: A high-performance computer system
[0359] GPS module: A device for obtaining location information
[0360] Camera and microphone: Devices that capture your facial expressions and voice.
[0361] software:
[0362] Generative AI: Programs that use natural language processing techniques to analyze and convert information into a unified format (e.g., GPT-3)
[0363] Emotion analysis engine: Software that identifies user emotions from facial expressions and voice (e.g., DeepFace)
[0364] Database system: Store and manage store information and flyer information (e.g., MySQL)
[0365] User interface: A framework for displaying information on the application screen (e.g., React Native)
[0366] Hardware and software usage
[0367] The device acquires the user's location information through a GPS module. The camera and microphone capture the user's facial expressions and voice in real time, and an emotion analysis engine analyzes them to identify the user's emotional information. This location information and emotional information is encrypted and sent to a server.
[0368] Based on the received location information, the server retrieves information on multiple stores within a specific radius from a database or external API. The server then collects the latest flyer information based on that store list. The collected flyer information is then converted into a unified format using generation AI.
[0369] The server adjusts the content of information provided based on the user's emotional state. For example, if the user's emotional state is "joy," promotional information and special offers tailored to that state will be displayed preferentially.
[0370] The terminal receives flyer information in a unified format sent from the server and displays it on the user interface. Users can check the information in a layout that allows them to compare it visually at a glance. It also displays detailed information about each product and links to related online shopping.
[0371] Specific examples
[0372] For example, suppose a user is using smart glasses to think about shopping. The user's emotional information (e.g., "sadness") is acquired and sent to the server along with their current location. The server then collects the latest flyers from nearby stores and prioritizes displaying offers such as "great deals on relaxation items" and "coupons for relaxing cafes" to the user.
[0373] Example prompt sentence:
[0374] "My emotion is sadness. Please let me know the latest promotions for relaxation items and relaxing cafes from nearby stores."
[0375] The present invention allows users to receive personalized information, resulting in an efficient and satisfying shopping experience.
[0376] The flow of the specific processing in the application example 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0377] Step 1:
[0378] The device receives the user's location information. The input is the current location coordinate data obtained from the GPS module, and the device uses this to determine the user's exact location. The output is the location information.
[0379] Step 2:
[0380] The device acquires the user's emotional information using a camera and microphone. The input is camera video and audio data, which are processed by an emotion analysis engine (e.g., DeepFace). This outputs the user's current emotional state (e.g., joy, sadness, surprise).
[0381] Step 3:
[0382] The device sends the acquired location information and emotion information to the server. The input is location information and emotion information, and these data are encrypted and communicated. The server receives these data as output.
[0383] Step 4:
[0384] The server collects information about nearby stores from a database or external API based on the received location information. The input is location information, and a list of stores within a specific radius is output. The collected store information includes the store name, address, contact information, product categories, etc.
[0385] Step 5:
[0386] The server retrieves the latest flyer information for each store based on the collected store information. The input is a store list, and flyer information is obtained using web scraping technology or API requests. The obtained flyer information is generated as output.
[0387] Step 6:
[0388] The server uses a generative AI model to convert different formats of flyer information into a unified format. The input is flyer information obtained from each store, and natural language processing technology is used to extract, organize, and consolidate the necessary items. The output is flyer information in a unified format.
[0389] Step 7:
[0390] The server adjusts the information content provided based on the user's emotional information. The input is the emotional information and flyer information in a unified format, and special offers and promotional information are selected according to the emotion. The adjusted flyer information is generated as the output.
[0391] Step 8:
[0392] The server sends the flyer information converted into a unified format to the terminal. The input is the adjusted flyer information, which is encrypted and sent to the terminal. The output is the flyer information sent to the terminal.
[0393] Step 9:
[0394] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format. The input is the flyer information sent from the server, which is displayed on the user interface in a format that can be visually compared. The output is flyer information that the user can visually confirm.
[0395] Specific operation example
[0396] For example, if a user is planning to go shopping, the following specific actions will occur:
[0397] 1. When a user launches a smartphone app, the device obtains its current location (e.g., "35.6895, 139.6917") using the GPS module.
[0398] 2. Use a camera and microphone to capture the user's facial expressions and voice, and use an emotion analysis engine to identify the emotion of "happiness."
[0399] 3. This location information and emotion information is sent to the server.
[0400] 4. The server collects store information within a 5-kilometer radius based on the location information.
[0401] 5. Obtain the latest flyer information for each store via web scraping or API.
[0402] 6. The generative AI model converts the flyer information into a unified format.
[0403] 7. Based on the user's emotional data, select promotional information that matches the emotion of "joy."
[0404] 8. This adjusted flyer information is sent back to the terminal.
[0405] 9. A flyer containing special promotional offers will be displayed on the user's smartphone screen.
[0406] Example prompt sentence:
[0407] "My emotion is joy. Please tell me the latest promotions at stores near me."
[0408] The specific processing unit 290 transmits the result of the specific processing to the smart device 14. In the smart device 14, the control unit 46A causes the output device 40 to output the result of the specific processing. The microphone 38B acquires audio indicating a user input regarding the result of the specific processing. The control unit 46A transmits audio data indicating the user input acquired by the microphone 38B to the data processing device 12. In the data processing device 12, the specific processing unit 290 acquires the audio data.
[0409] The data generation model 58 is a so-called generative AI (Artificial Intelligence). An example of the data generation model 58 is ChatGPT (Internet Search<URL: https: / / openai.com / blog / chatgpt> ), Gemini (Internet search <url: https: gemini.google.com ?hl="ja">) and other generation AIs. The data generation model 58 is obtained by performing deep learning on a neural network. A prompt including an instruction is input to the data generation model 58, and inference data such as voice data indicating voice, text data indicating text, and image data indicating an image is also input. The data generation model 58 performs inference on the input inference data in accordance with the instruction indicated by the prompt, and outputs the inference result in a data format such as voice data and text data. Here, inference refers to, for example, analysis, classification, prediction, and / or summarization.
[0410] In the above embodiment, an example in which the specific process is performed by the data processing device 12 has been given, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the specific process may be performed by the smart device 14.
[0411] [Second embodiment]
[0412] FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of a data processing system 210 according to the second embodiment.
[0413] 3, the data processing system 210 includes the data processing device 12 and smart glasses 214. An example of the data processing device 12 is a server.
[0414] The data processing device 12 includes a computer 22, a database 24, and a communication I / F 26. The computer 22 is an example of a "computer" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The computer 22 includes a processor 28, a RAM 30, and a storage 32. The processor 28, the RAM 30, and the storage 32 are connected to a bus 34. The database 24 and the communication I / F 26 are also connected to the bus 34. The communication I / F 26 is connected to a network 54. Examples of the network 54 include a WAN (Wide Area Network) and / or a LAN (Local Area Network).
[0415] The smart glasses 214 include a computer 36, a microphone 238, a speaker 240, a camera 42, and a communication I / F 44. The computer 36 includes a processor 46, a RAM 48, and a storage 50. The processor 46, the RAM 48, and the storage 50 are connected to a bus 52. The microphone 238, the speaker 240, and the camera 42 are also connected to the bus 52.
[0416] The microphone 238 receives instructions and the like from the user 20 by receiving voice uttered by the user 20. The microphone 238 captures the voice uttered by the user 20, converts the captured voice into audio data, and outputs it to the processor 46. The speaker 240 outputs audio in accordance with instructions from the processor 46.
[0417] Camera 42 is a small digital camera equipped with an optical system including a lens, aperture, and shutter, and an imaging element such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) image sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, and captures images of the surroundings of user 20 (for example, an imaging range defined by an angle of view equivalent to the field of vision of a typical healthy person).
[0418] The communication I / F 44 is connected to a network 54. The communication I / Fs 44 and 26 are responsible for the exchange of various information between the processor 46 and the processor 28 via the network 54. The exchange of various information between the processor 46 and the processor 28 using the communication I / Fs 44 and 26 is carried out in a secure state.
[0419] Fig. 4 shows an example of the main functions of the data processing device 12 and the smart glasses 214. As shown in Fig. 4, in the data processing device 12, a specific process is performed by the processor 28. A specific process program 56 is stored in the storage 32.
[0420] The specific processing program 56 is an example of a "program" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The processor 28 reads the specific processing program 56 from the storage 32 and executes the read specific processing program 56 on the RAM 30. The specific processing is realized by the processor 28 operating as a specific processing unit 290 in accordance with the specific processing program 56 executed on the RAM 30.
[0421] The storage 32 stores a data generation model 58 and an emotion identification model 59. The data generation model 58 and the emotion identification model 59 are used by the identification processing unit 290.
[0422] In the smart glasses 214, the reception output process is performed by the processor 46. A reception output program 60 is stored in the storage 50. The processor 46 reads the reception output program 60 from the storage 50 and executes the read reception output program 60 on the RAM 48. The reception output process is realized by the processor 46 operating as the control unit 46A in accordance with the reception output program 60 executed on the RAM 48.
[0423] Next, a description will be given of the identification process performed by the identification processing unit 290 of the data processing device 12. In the following description, the data processing device 12 will be referred to as the "server" and the smart glasses 214 will be referred to as the "terminal."
[0424] The present invention provides a system that allows a user to efficiently collect flyer information from nearby stores and compare and consider them. Specific embodiments for carrying out the invention are described below.
[0425] System Overview
[0426] This system is broadly composed of three main components: the terminal application that acquires the user's location information, the server that collects and integrates information on surrounding stores and flyers, and the user interface that displays the integrated information to the user and allows them to efficiently compare and consider it.
[0427] Explanation of program processing
[0428] 1. Obtaining user GPS information
[0429] The user launches the terminal application on their smartphone.
[0430] As soon as the application is launched, the device uses the built-in GPS module to obtain the user's location information.
[0431] The acquired location information is temporarily stored inside the terminal.
[0432] 2. Sending location information to the server
[0433] The acquired location information is sent from the device to a server while respecting security and privacy. The communication is encrypted to protect the user's privacy.
[0434] 3. Gathering information about nearby stores
[0435] Based on the received location information, the server retrieves a list of multiple stores within a specific radius from a database or external API.
[0436] The store information includes the store name, address, contact information, product categories, etc.
[0437] 4. Collect flyer information from each store
[0438] Based on the acquired store list, the server collects the latest flyer information from each store's website or API, using web scraping technology and API requests to obtain the data, and temporarily stores each flyer information in a database.
[0439] 5. Convert flyer information into a unified format
[0440] The generation AI runs on the server and converts flyer information provided in different formats into a unified format. The generation AI uses natural language processing technology to analyze the information, extracting and organizing the necessary items.
[0441] 6. Transmission of information in a unified format to the user's device
[0442] The unified format flyer information converted by the generation AI is sent from the server to the device, which receives the data appropriate for the display format and prepares it for display on the user interface.
[0443] 7. Displaying Information in the User Interface
[0444] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a standardized format on the user interface, with sales and promotion information from each store laid out so that it can be compared visually at a glance.
[0445] In addition to detailed information about each product, the device also displays information about similar products and links to online shopping, allowing users to choose whether to purchase online or in-store.
[0446] Specific examples
[0447] For example, suppose User A launches this application on their smartphone. The device immediately obtains User A's location information (e.g., "35.6895, 139.6917"). This information is sent to the server, which then lists all supermarkets within a 5-kilometer radius. The server then collects the latest flyer information from each supermarket's website and converts it into a unified format. This unified format information is then sent back to the device, and User A's smartphone displays comprehensive flyer information, information on similar products, and online links. This allows User A to efficiently compare special offers from each store and create an optimal shopping plan.
[0448] The present invention significantly reduces the effort required for users to gather and compare information, saving time and money, and also integrates offline and online shopping experiences, greatly enhancing user convenience.
[0449] The processing flow will be explained below.
[0450] Step 1:
[0451] The user launches the terminal application on their smartphone. When the user launches the application, a message appears prompting them to confirm whether they want to use GPS.
[0452] Step 2:
[0453] The device obtains the user's location information. It uses the GPS module to collect the current longitude and latitude data and stores it temporarily on the device.
[0454] Step 3:
[0455] The location information acquired by the device is sent to the server, and is encrypted during transmission to ensure data security.
[0456] Step 4:
[0457] The server analyzes the location information received and generates a list of nearby stores based on that information. Store information within a specific radius is obtained from a database or external API.
[0458] Step 5:
[0459] Based on the store list generated by the server, flyer information is collected from each store's website and API. The latest flyer information is obtained using web scraping technology and API requests and temporarily stored in a database.
[0460] Step 6:
[0461] The server uses a generation AI to convert the collected flyer information into a unified format. The generation AI uses natural language processing technology to analyze the information, extract necessary items, and organize them into a common format.
[0462] Step 7:
[0463] The server retransmits the flyer information converted into a unified format to the terminal, where the transmitted data is formatted for display on the user interface.
[0464] Step 8:
[0465] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format, and the user interface is laid out so that special sale and promotion information from each store can be compared visually at a glance.
[0466] Step 9:
[0467] The device provides information on similar products related to the flyer information displayed on the device. The AI analyzes and displays similar products, and also provides links to online shopping.
[0468] Step 10:
[0469] Based on the displayed information, users can choose between shopping in a physical store or online, efficiently comparing information and creating the optimal shopping plan.
[0470] Example 1
[0471] Next, a description will be given of Example 1. In the following description, the data processing device 12 will be referred to as a "server" and the smart glasses 214 will be referred to as a "terminal."
[0472] There is a need for a system that allows users to efficiently collect flyer information from nearby stores and compare and consider it. However, existing systems provide flyer information from each store in a different format, making it difficult for users to compare them in a consistent manner. In addition, there are few ways to seamlessly integrate offline and online purchasing experiences. This increases the effort required to collect and compare information, resulting in problems that reduce user convenience.
[0473] The specific processing by the specific processing unit 290 of the data processing device 12 in the first embodiment is realized by the following means.
[0474] In this invention, the server includes a means for acquiring user location information, a means for collecting information on nearby stores based on the acquired location information, a means for acquiring flyer information for each store from the collected store information, a means for converting the acquired flyer information into a unified format using a generative AI model, a means for displaying the converted flyer information on a user interface, a means for providing information on similar products related to the flyer information, and a means for providing links to online shopping. This allows users to efficiently collect and compare sale and promotion information from nearby stores. Furthermore, seamless integration of offline and online shopping experiences greatly improves user convenience.
[0475] "User location information" is data that indicates the geographic location where a user is currently located.
[0476] "Device" refers to a computing device used by a User, such as a smartphone or tablet.
[0477] A "server" is a computer system that collects, stores, processes, and distributes data over a network.
[0478] "Store information" is data that includes details about a specific store, such as the name, location, contact information, and product categories.
[0479] "Flyer information" is advertising information that includes product prices, sale information, promotion information, and the like offered by retail stores.
[0480] A "generative AI model" is an artificial intelligence system that analyzes and generates data using techniques such as generative adversarial networks (GAN) and natural language processing (NLP).
[0481] A "unified format" is a format that converts data of different formats into a consistent format and organizes it.
[0482] "User interface" refers to the screens and methods of operation that allow users to interact with a system.
[0483] "Similar product information" refers to data about substitutes and related products for the product selected by the user.
[0484] An "online shopping link" is a URL link to a web page where a user can purchase an item from an online store.
[0485] "Encryption" is the technology of transforming data using a specific algorithm to protect it from unauthorized access.
[0486] A "database" is a system for efficiently storing, managing, and searching large amounts of data.
[0487] "Web scraping" is a technique for automatically extracting information from websites.
[0488] "HTTPS" is an internet protocol for secure communications.
[0489] The present invention provides a system that allows users to efficiently collect flyer information from nearby stores and compare and consider them. This system has the function of collecting information about nearby stores based on the user's location information, converting the flyer information collected from each store into a unified format using a generative AI model, and displaying it in an easy-to-understand manner for the user. Specific embodiments for implementing the present invention are described below.
[0490] First, the user launches the application on their smartphone or other device. When the application is launched, the device's built-in GPS module is used to obtain the user's current location. This location information is temporarily stored inside the device and then sent to the server via encrypted communication. The server uses the received location information to collect information about stores within a specific radius.
[0491] Store information is collected using external APIs such as the Google Maps API and Foursquare API. The collected store information includes details such as store name, address, contact information, and product categories. Once this information is stored in the server's database, the server then collects the latest flyer information from each store's website or API. The data is retrieved using web scraping techniques (e.g., Python's Beautiful Soup library) or API requests and temporarily stored in the server's database.
[0492] Next, a generative AI model runs on the server and converts the flyer information from different formats into a unified format. This generative AI model uses natural language processing techniques (such as BERT or GPT models) to parse, extract, and format the unstructured data. The converted flyer information in a unified format is saved in JSON or XML format.
[0493] The flyer information converted into a unified format is then sent back from the server to the device, where it is prepared to be displayed on the user interface. Frameworks such as React Native and Flutter are used for display, creating a layout that allows for visual comparison at a glance. In addition to the flyer information, information on similar products and links to online shopping are also displayed, allowing users to choose whether to purchase online on the spot or by visiting a physical store.
[0494] For example, when User A launches this application on their smartphone, the device immediately obtains User A's location information (e.g., "35.6895, 139.6917") and sends it to the server via HTTPS. The server uses the Google Maps API to list all supermarkets within a 5km radius and uses Beautiful Soup to collect flyer information from each supermarket's website. This flyer information is converted into a unified format by a generation AI and sent back from the server to the device. The device uses React Native to display special sale information, similar product information, and online links on User A's smartphone.
[0495] An example of a prompt sentence to be input to the generative AI model is, "Collect the latest flyer information from supermarkets within a 5-kilometer radius, convert it into a unified format, and display it on the user's device."
[0496] The flow of the identification process in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0497] Step 1:
[0498] A user launches an application on their smartphone. The device uses its built-in GPS module to obtain the user's current location. This location information (e.g., latitude and longitude coordinates) is temporarily stored internally on the device.
[0499] Input: User interaction when launching the application
[0500] Data processing: Location information is acquired using the GPS module and stored internally
[0501] Output: User's latitude and longitude information
[0502] Step 2:
[0503] The acquired location information is sent from the device to the server. The HTTPS protocol is used for transmission, and the location information is encrypted before being sent. The server stores the received location information in a database.
[0504] Input: User's location information stored on the device
[0505] Data processing: Location information is encrypted and sent via HTTPS
[0506] Output: Location information stored on the server
[0507] Step 3:
[0508] The server uses the received location information to collect information about stores within a specific radius, using the Google Maps API and Foursquare API to obtain information about surrounding stores, and stores details (such as store name, address, contact information, and product categories) in a database.
[0509] Input: Location information stored on the server
[0510] Data processing: Collecting information about surrounding stores through API calls
[0511] Output: Store information saved in the database
[0512] Step 4:
[0513] The server uses the collected store list to collect the latest flyer information from each store's website or API, and performs web scraping using libraries such as Python's Beautiful Soup to obtain flyer data, which is then temporarily stored in a database.
[0514] Input: A list of stores stored in the database
[0515] Data processing: Web scraping to obtain flyer information
[0516] Output: Flyer information stored in the database
[0517] Step 5:
[0518] The generative AI model runs on the server and converts flyer information from different formats into a unified format. It uses natural language processing technologies such as BERT and GPT to analyze unstructured data and extract and format the necessary information.
[0519] Input: Flyer information stored in the database
[0520] Data processing: Analyze data using generative AI models and convert it into a unified format
[0521] Output: Flyer information converted into a unified format
[0522] Step 6:
[0523] The flyer information converted into a unified format is then sent from the server to the device. The data is sent using socket communication or a REST API. The device then prepares to display the received data on the user interface.
[0524] Input: Flyer information stored on the server in a unified format
[0525] Data processing: Send data using socket communication or REST API
[0526] Output: Flyer information received by the terminal in a unified format
[0527] Step 7:
[0528] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format on a user interface. The UI is built using frameworks such as React Native and Flutter to visually display the information. The layout visually includes information on special sales and promotions from each store, information on similar products, and links to online shopping.
[0529] Input: flyer information in a unified format received by the terminal
[0530] Data processing: Building UI using React Native and Flutter
[0531] Output: Flyer information displayed on the user interface
[0532] (Application example 1)
[0533] Next, a description will be given of Application Example 1. In the following description, the data processing device 12 will be referred to as a "server" and the smart glasses 214 will be referred to as a "terminal."
[0534] Conventional store information gathering and flyer information comparison systems made it difficult for users to efficiently gather information about nearby sales and compare the product information they needed. In particular, there was a lack of a system that allowed users to compare sales items from multiple stores at a glance, so users had to visit multiple websites and manually compare the information on each site, which was a time-consuming process. Furthermore, there was no way to generate an efficient shopping list, resulting in a waste of time and effort.
[0535] The specific processing by the specific processing unit 290 of the data processing device 12 in the application example 1 is realized by the following means.
[0536] In this invention, the server includes means for acquiring user location information, means for collecting information on nearby stores based on the acquired location information, means for acquiring flyer information from the collected store information, means for converting the acquired flyer information into a unified format using a generation AI, means for displaying the converted flyer information on a terminal, means for providing information on similar products related to the flyer information, means for providing links to online shopping, means for comparing and displaying sales information from multiple stores based on the information on similar products, and means for generating a shopping list based on the displayed information, thereby enabling users to efficiently collect and compare sales information in their surrounding areas and create an efficient shopping list.
[0537] "User" means a consumer or end user who uses this system to collect information.
[0538] "Location information" is data that indicates a user's current location and is obtained through GPS or other location acquisition technologies.
[0539] "Store information" is data about surrounding sales facilities collected based on the user's location information, and includes information such as store name, address, contact information, and product categories.
[0540] "Flyer information" is information about special sales and promotional items offered by each store, and is information necessary for users to efficiently compare products.
[0541] "Generative AI" is an artificial intelligence system that uses natural language processing technology to analyze data provided in different formats and convert it into a unified format.
[0542] A "unified format" is information provided in different formats that has been standardized and converted into a consistent display format.
[0543] "Terminal" refers to a device used by a user, including a smartphone, tablet, or PC.
[0544] "Similar products" are other products related to the original flyer information, and are information for comparison with sale items and promotional items.
[0545] "Link to online shopping" is a hyperlink that allows users to access an online shop directly from their device and purchase products.
[0546] "Special Offer Information" is information about discount prices and promotions offered by stores.
[0547] A "shopping list" is a list of products that a user creates to plan their shopping efficiently, and is automatically generated by the system.
[0548] The system realizing this invention acquires the user's location information, collects and organizes information on surrounding stores and flyers, and efficiently provides information to the user. This system is configured as follows.
[0549] Hardware and Software Configuration
[0550] Hardware:
[0551] Smartphone: A device that allows users to obtain and display information. It has a built-in GPS module and obtains the user's location information.
[0552] Server: A central processing unit that receives location information, collects store information and flyer information, and converts them into a unified format.
[0553] software:
[0554] GPS module: A location information acquisition tool built into a smartphone.
[0555] Flask: A lightweight Python framework that runs on the server to provide API endpoints and process data.
[0556] SQLite: A database management system used on the server to temporarily store and manage collected data.
[0557] Generative AI model: An artificial intelligence system that uses natural language processing techniques to convert different forms of data into a unified format.
[0558] System operation explanation
[0559] Obtaining location information
[0560] When a device (smartphone) is turned on, it uses the built-in GPS module to obtain the user's location information, which is temporarily stored in the device as latitude and longitude.
[0561] Sending location information to the server
[0562] The device encrypts the acquired location information and sends it to the server with due consideration to security and privacy. Communications are encrypted to fully protect user privacy.
[0563] Collecting store information and flyer information
[0564] Based on the received location information, the server retrieves a list of multiple stores within a specified radius from a database or external API. Store information includes store name, address, contact information, product categories, etc. The server also collects the latest flyer information from each store's website or API.
[0565] Converting information into a unified format
[0566] A generative AI model runs on the server and converts flyer information provided in different formats into a unified format. The generative AI uses natural language processing technology to analyze the information, extracting and organizing the necessary items.
[0567] Sending unified format information to user terminals
[0568] The unified format flyer information converted by the generation AI is sent from the server to the device, where the data appropriate for the display format is prepared for display on the user interface.
[0569] Information display and comparison function
[0570] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format on the user interface. The layout allows for visual comparison of sale and promotion information at a glance. It also displays detailed information about each product and links to online shopping.
[0571] Generate a shopping list
[0572] Based on the displayed information, the device automatically generates a shopping list to help users plan their shopping efficiently.
[0573] For example, a user launches the app and sets their location to Shinjuku, Tokyo. This information is sent to a server, which then collects sales flyers from nearby supermarkets and drugstores and converts them into a unified format. This information is then sent back to the device, allowing the user to efficiently create a shopping list based on the displayed information.
[0574] Examples of prompts for a generative AI model include:
[0575] Based on the location "35.6895, 139.6917", please provide the store name, address, and latest flyer information of all supermarkets within a 5-kilometer radius.
[0576] As described above, this system allows users to efficiently collect and compare information on nearby special offers and enjoy the best possible shopping experience.
[0577] The flow of the specific processing in the application example 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0578] Step 1:
[0579] When a user launches the app, the device uses the built-in GPS module to obtain the user's location information. This location information is obtained in the form of latitude and longitude. The input is the launch of the app, and the output is the latitude and longitude of the user's current location. Specifically, the GPS module detects the current location and temporarily stores that data within the app.
[0580] Step 2:
[0581] The device encrypts the acquired location information and sends it to the server. Data transmission is performed using a secure communication protocol (e.g., HTTPS). The server receives the location information as input and the encrypted location information as output. Specifically, the location information is properly formatted and sent to the server over a secure channel.
[0582] Step 3:
[0583] Based on the received location information, the server retrieves store information within a specified radius from an external API or database. The server receives location information as input and a list of surrounding store information as output. Specifically, it executes a database query based on the location information and lists the corresponding stores.
[0584] Step 4:
[0585] The server collects the latest flyer information from the websites and APIs of each store using web scraping and API request techniques. The input is a list of store information, and the output is flyer information for each store. Specifically, the server accesses the URL or API endpoint for each store, retrieves the flyer information, and saves it.
[0586] Step 5:
[0587] The server converts the collected flyer information in various formats into a unified format using a generative AI model. The generative AI model uses natural language processing technology to analyze the data and convert it into a standardized format. The collected flyer information is the input, and the unified format flyer information is the output. Specifically, the generative AI performs text analysis and conversion processing to organize the data.
[0588] Step 6:
[0589] The server sends the flyer information converted into a unified format by the generative AI model to the terminal. The unified format flyer information is input, and the flyer information is sent to the terminal as output. Specifically, the server reformats the organized data, properly packets it, and sends it to the terminal.
[0590] Step 7:
[0591] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format on the user interface. Special sale information and promotion information are displayed in a layout that makes it easy to compare. The input is the flyer information in a unified format sent from the server, and the output is visual information displayed on the terminal. Specifically, the terminal parses the data and renders it appropriately on the user interface.
[0592] Step 8:
[0593] The device provides information on similar products related to the displayed flyer information and also displays links to online shopping. The input is the flyer information and the user's selection, and the output is information on similar products and online links. Specifically, the device filters and displays related data and provides users with clickable links.
[0594] Step 9:
[0595] The terminal generates an efficient shopping list for the user based on the displayed information. The input is the product information selected by the user, and the output is an automatically generated shopping list. Specifically, the list is automatically created based on the user's selections and displayed in the user interface.
[0596] Through the above processing steps, users can efficiently collect and compare information on nearby sales and create optimal shopping plans.
[0597] Furthermore, an emotion engine that estimates the user's emotion may be further combined. That is, the identification processing unit 290 may estimate the user's emotion using the emotion identification model 59, and perform identification processing using the user's emotion.
[0598] The present invention provides a system that allows users to efficiently collect and compare flyer information from nearby stores, and also provides a system that provides more convenient information by recognizing and utilizing the user's emotions. The operation of the system will be explained below as a specific example.
[0599] System Overview
[0600] This system consists of three main components: a terminal application that acquires the user's location and emotion information, and then uses that information to collect, integrate, and display flyer information from surrounding stores. The first is a terminal application that acquires location and emotion information, the second is a server that collects and integrates store information and flyer information, and the third is a user interface that displays the integrated information to the user.
[0601] Explanation of program processing
[0602] 1. Obtaining user GPS information
[0603] The user launches the terminal application on their smartphone.
[0604] As soon as the application is launched, the device uses the GPS module to obtain the user's location information.
[0605] 2. Obtaining user emotional information
[0606] The device uses a camera and microphone to obtain emotional information from the user's facial expressions and voice.
[0607] The acquired emotional information is analyzed by the emotion engine to identify the user's current emotional state (joy, anger, sadness, surprise, etc.).
[0608] 3. Sending location and emotional information to the server
[0609] The acquired location and emotion information is sent from the device to a server, and the communication is encrypted to protect the user's privacy.
[0610] 4. Gathering information about nearby stores
[0611] Based on the location information received by the server, a list of multiple stores within a specific radius is retrieved from a database or external API.
[0612] The store information includes the store name, address, contact information, product categories, etc.
[0613] 5. Collect flyer information from each store
[0614] Based on the store list, the server collects the latest flyer information from each store's website or API.
[0615] Data is obtained using web scraping technology or API requests and temporarily stored in a database.
[0616] 6. Convert flyer information into a unified format
[0617] The generation AI runs on the server and converts flyer information provided in different formats into a unified format. The generation AI uses natural language processing technology to analyze the information, extracting and organizing the necessary items.
[0618] 7. Emotion-based information regulation
[0619] The server adjusts the information displayed based on the user's emotional state based on the emotional information sent from the device. For example, if the user is in a "surprise" emotional state, special promotional information and limited offers will be displayed preferentially.
[0620] 8. Transmission of information in a unified format to the user's device
[0621] The unified format flyer information converted by the generation AI is sent from the server to the device, where it is formatted for display on the user interface.
[0622] 9. Displaying Information in the User Interface
[0623] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format, and the user interface is laid out so that special sale and promotion information from each store can be compared visually at a glance.
[0624] In addition to detailed information about each product, the device also displays information about similar products and links to online shopping.
[0625] Specific examples
[0626] For example, suppose User B launches this application on their smartphone. The device immediately acquires User B's location information (e.g., "35.6895, 139.6917"). Additionally, the device uses a camera and microphone to acquire emotion information about "happiness" from User B's facial expressions and voice. This information is sent to a server, which then lists all supermarkets within a 5-kilometer radius. The server then collects the latest flyer information from each supermarket's website and converts it into a unified format. This unified format information is then sent back to the device, and User B's smartphone displays comprehensive flyer information, information about similar products, and online links. Furthermore, based on the emotion information, special promotional offers are also displayed in recognition of User B's emotion of "happiness."
[0627] This invention significantly reduces the effort required for users to gather and compare information, saving time and money. In addition, the use of emotion information makes it possible to provide more personalized information, thereby increasing user convenience and satisfaction.
[0628] The processing flow will be explained below.
[0629] Step 1:
[0630] The user launches the terminal application on their smartphone. When the application launches, a dialog box appears requesting permission to use the camera and microphone for location acquisition and emotion recognition.
[0631] Step 2:
[0632] The device obtains the user's location information. It uses the GPS module to collect the current longitude and latitude data and temporarily stores it on the device.
[0633] Step 3:
[0634] The device uses the camera and microphone to capture the user's emotional information, and the emotion engine analyzes the user's facial expressions and voice to identify their current emotional state.
[0635] Step 4:
[0636] The location and emotion information acquired by the device is sent to a server, where it is encrypted to ensure data security.
[0637] Step 5:
[0638] The server analyzes the received location information and retrieves a list of multiple stores within a specific radius from a database or external API. The store list includes the name, address, contact information, product categories, etc. of each store.
[0639] Step 6:
[0640] The server uses the store list to collect the latest flyer information from each store's website or API, using web scraping technology and API requests to obtain the data, and temporarily stores each flyer information in a database.
[0641] Step 7:
[0642] The server converts the flyer information collected into a unified format using a generation AI, which uses natural language processing technology to analyze the information, extracting and organizing the necessary items.
[0643] Step 8:
[0644] The server then converts the flyer information into a unified format and adjusts the information based on the user's emotional state. For example, if the user is in a "joy" emotional state, it prioritizes including special promotional information and offers.
[0645] Step 9:
[0646] The server sends emotion-adjusted flyer information in a unified format to the terminal, where the data is formatted for display in the user interface.
[0647] Step 10:
[0648] The device displays flyer information received in a unified format. The layout allows for a visual comparison of special sale and promotion information from each store at a glance. In addition to detailed information about each product, the device also displays information about similar products and links to online shopping.
[0649] Step 11:
[0650] Based on the displayed information, users can choose whether to shop in a physical store or online, helping them efficiently compare information and plan their shopping. Special offers based on emotional information are also displayed, providing a more satisfying shopping experience.
[0651] Example 2
[0652] Next, a description will be given of Example 2. In the following description, the data processing device 12 will be referred to as a "server" and the smart glasses 214 will be referred to as a "terminal."
[0653] Conventional systems allowed users to efficiently collect and compare flyer information from nearby stores, but did not provide information that took the user's emotions into consideration. As a result, only uniform information was provided regardless of the user's state, which did not improve user satisfaction. Furthermore, there was insufficient means to unify the diverse flyer information provided in different formats and provide it in an easy-to-compare format.
[0654] The specific processing by the specific processing unit 290 of the data processing device 12 in the second embodiment is realized by the following means.
[0655] In this invention, the server includes means for acquiring user location information, means for collecting information on surrounding stores, means for converting flyer information into a unified format using a generation AI, means for acquiring user emotional information, and means for analyzing the emotional information and adjusting the information. This makes it possible to provide information based on the user's location information and emotional state, improving user satisfaction, and providing diverse flyer information in a unified format makes it easier to compare information.
[0656] "Location information" is latitude and longitude data that indicates where a user is currently located.
[0657] "Store information" refers to information about a specific store, such as the name, address, contact information, and product categories.
[0658] "Flyer information" is advertising data that lists the prices of products offered by the store, special sale information, and the like.
[0659] "Generative AI" is an artificial intelligence technology that uses natural language processing technology to analyze data provided in different formats and convert it into a unified format.
[0660] "Emotional information" is data that indicates the user's emotional state (e.g., joy, anger, sadness, surprise, etc.) obtained from the user's facial expressions and voice.
[0661] "User interface" refers to the design and layout of screens and applications that allow users to operate and view information on a terminal.
[0662] A "terminal" is an electronic device operated by a user, such as a smartphone or tablet.
[0663] A "server" is a computer system for collecting, processing, and transmitting data over a network.
[0664] An "online shopping link" is a hyperlink that users can click to go directly to a shopping site on the Internet.
[0665] "Similar product information" is information about other similar products or services related to the flyer information viewed by the user.
[0666] This invention is a system that acquires a user's location information and emotion information, and then collects, integrates, and displays flyer information from surrounding stores based on that information. The system is primarily composed of a terminal application that acquires location information and emotion information, a server that collects and integrates store information and flyer information, and a user interface that displays the integrated information to the user. Each element of the system is described in detail below.
[0667] Terminal application
[0668] 1. Obtaining location information
[0669] The user launches the application on their smartphone.
[0670] The device uses the GPS module to obtain the user's location information (latitude and longitude) in real time, thereby determining the user's current location.
[0671] 2. Acquiring emotional information
[0672] The device uses the smartphone's camera and microphone to collect emotional information from the user's facial expressions and tone of voice.
[0673] For example, the camera captures the user's facial expressions and the microphone records the user's voice, and this data is sent in real time to an emotion analysis engine to identify the user's emotional state (e.g., joy, anger, sadness, surprise, etc.).
[0674] server
[0675] 1. Sending and Receiving Information
[0676] The device transmits the acquired location information and emotional information to the server using an encrypted communication protocol (e.g., TLS / SSL).
[0677] 2. Collecting store information
[0678] Based on the received location information, the server collects store information within a specific range via a database or external API.
[0679] The collected store information includes the store's name, address, contact information, product categories, etc.
[0680] 3. Collect flyer information
[0681] Based on the collected store list, the server retrieves the latest flyer information from each store's website or API, using web scraping technology and API requests.
[0682] 4. Generative AI for Data Integration
[0683] A generative AI model runs on the server and converts flyer information provided in different formats into a unified format.
[0684] Specifically, generative AI uses natural language processing technology (e.g., OpenAI's GPT-4) to analyze data and extract and organize necessary items.
[0685] 5. Coordination of Information
[0686] The server has the ability to adjust information based on the user's emotional information, and prioritizes the display of information such as special promotions and limited offers.
[0687] User Interface
[0688] 1. Displaying data
[0689] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format and emotion-adjusted information to the user.
[0690] The user interface displays flyers, special offers, and promotions in a visually appealing layout, using HTML and CSS to format the information into cards, each containing product details and links to online shopping.
[0691] Specific examples
[0692] For example, when a user launches an application on their smartphone, the device immediately acquires the user's location information (e.g., latitude 35.6895, longitude 139.6917). At the same time, the camera and microphone are used to acquire emotional information such as "happiness" from the user's facial expressions and voice. This information is then sent to a server, which then lists all supermarkets within a 5-kilometer radius, collects the latest flyer information for each supermarket, and uses generative AI to convert it into a unified format. The converted information is then sent to the device, and finally, comprehensive flyer information, information on similar products, and online links are displayed on the user's smartphone. In addition, special promotional offers are also displayed based on the emotional information.
[0693] Prompt Sentence Examples
[0694] "Using my current location, list supermarkets within 5 kilometers."
[0695] "Convert the collected flyer information into a unified format and send it to the terminal."
[0696] "Show special promotions based on user sentiment."
[0697] As described above, the present invention utilizes the user's location information and emotional information to provide efficient and personalized information, thereby reducing the effort required for collecting and comparing information and increasing user satisfaction.
[0698] The flow of the identification process in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0699] Step 1:
[0700] Obtaining user GPS information
[0701] A user launches an application on their smartphone. The device uses the built-in GPS module to obtain the user's current location (latitude and longitude). This location information becomes the input data for subsequent processing. Specifically, the device obtains data from the GPS sensor in real time and calculates the latitude and longitude.
[0702] Step 2:
[0703] Obtaining user emotion information
[0704] The device uses the smartphone's camera and microphone to collect the user's facial expressions and voice. This data is input into an emotion analysis engine, which outputs emotional information (e.g., "joy," "surprise," etc.) as the analysis result. Specifically, the camera captures the user's face, and the microphone records their voice. The collected data undergoes image and audio processing in real time.
[0705] Step 3:
[0706] Sending location and emotion information to the server
[0707] The device encrypts the acquired location and emotion information and sends it to the server. A communication protocol (e.g., TLS / SSL) is used to protect the user's privacy. Specifically, the device encrypts the data using an encryption algorithm and sends it to the server via a secure communication channel.
[0708] Step 4:
[0709] Gathering information about nearby stores
[0710] Based on the location information received from the device, the server retrieves information about multiple stores within a specific radius from a database or external API. This store information becomes the input data for the next step. Specifically, the server queries the database with the location information and retrieves the corresponding store information. The target store information includes the store name, address, contact information, and product categories.
[0711] Step 5:
[0712] Collect flyer information from each store
[0713] Based on the collected store list, the server collects the latest flyer information from each store's website or API. This flyer information becomes input data and is processed in the next step. Specifically, the server obtains the necessary data using web scraping technology or API requests. The data is temporarily stored in a database.
[0714] Step 6:
[0715] Converting flyer information into a unified format
[0716] The generative AI model runs on the server and converts flyer information provided in different formats into a unified format. It receives data in different flyer formats as input and generates flyer information in a unified format as output. Specifically, the generative AI performs text analysis, extracts necessary items (e.g., price, product name, promotion information), and formats them into a consistent format.
[0717] Step 7:
[0718] Emotion-based information regulation
[0719] The server adjusts information to match the user's emotional state based on the emotional information sent from the device. For example, if the emotion of "surprise" is detected, special promotional information and limited offers are displayed preferentially. The emotional information is used as input, and adjusted flyer information is generated as output. Specifically, the server changes the priority of information and adjusts the display order based on the emotional information.
[0720] Step 8:
[0721] Sending information in a unified format to user terminals
[0722] The server then sends the flyer information, converted into a unified format by the AI, to the device. This information becomes the input data for display on the user interface. Specifically, the server sends the data to the device via an encrypted communication channel, and the device formats the received data for display.
[0723] Step 9:
[0724] Displaying information in the user interface
[0725] The terminal displays flyer information in a unified format received from the server on a user interface. Users can compare special sale and promotion information from each store at a glance in a visually easy-to-understand layout. Specifically, the information is formatted in a card format using HTML and CSS, and each card contains detailed product information and links to online shopping.
[0726] (Application example 2)
[0727] Next, a description will be given of Application Example 2. In the following description, the data processing device 12 will be referred to as a "server" and the smart glasses 214 will be referred to as a "terminal."
[0728] Conventional store information collection systems allowed users to efficiently collect and compare flyer information from nearby stores, but they were unable to provide information that took into account the user's emotional state, making it difficult to provide personalized services. The present invention aims to solve this problem by providing a system that can provide more appropriate information based on the user's emotional information.
[0729] The specific processing by the specific processing unit 290 of the data processing device 12 in the application example 2 is realized by the following means.
[0730] In this invention, the server includes means for acquiring user location information, means for collecting information on surrounding stores based on the acquired location information, means for acquiring flyer information from the collected store information, means for converting the acquired flyer information into a unified format using a generation AI, means for displaying the converted flyer information on a terminal, means for providing information on similar products related to the flyer information, means for providing links to online shopping, means for acquiring user emotion information, and means for adjusting information based on the acquired emotion information, thereby enabling the provision of personalized information according to the user's emotional state.
[0731] "User location information" is data used to identify a user's current location using location acquisition technology such as GPS.
[0732] "Nearby store information" is information about multiple stores that exist within a specific range centered on the user's current location.
[0733] "Flyer information" is marketing material that includes information about special sales and promotions offered by stores.
[0734] "Generative AI" is a technology that uses artificial intelligence to generate and analyze data through techniques such as natural language processing.
[0735] The "unified format" is a data format for converting flyer information provided in different formats into a consistent format.
[0736] A "terminal" is an electronic device that a user can carry around, such as a smartphone or smart glasses.
[0737] "Information about similar products" refers to information about other products that have similar characteristics or functions to the product in which the user is interested.
[0738] "Link to online shopping" is information for connecting to a website where products can be purchased via the Internet.
[0739] "User emotional information" is data related to the emotional state of the user analyzed from facial expressions and voice captured by a camera, microphone, etc.
[0740] A "server" is a computer system that communicates with client terminals and collects, analyzes, stores, and provides data.
[0741] "Adjusting information" refers to optimizing the content of the information provided based on the acquired emotional and location information.
[0742] The present invention relates to a system that provides personalized store information and sale information based on a user's location information and emotional information. This system can acquire the user's current location and emotional information using a smartphone or smart glasses, and display flyer information and special offers from nearby physical stores. The specific system configuration and processing procedures are described below as an embodiment of the invention.
[0743] System Configuration
[0744] Hardware:
[0745] Devices: Smartphones, smart glasses
[0746] Server: A high-performance computer system
[0747] GPS module: A device for obtaining location information
[0748] Camera and microphone: Devices that capture your facial expressions and voice.
[0749] software:
[0750] Generative AI: Programs that use natural language processing techniques to analyze and convert information into a unified format (e.g., GPT-3)
[0751] Emotion analysis engine: Software that identifies user emotions from facial expressions and voice (e.g., DeepFace)
[0752] Database system: Store and manage store information and flyer information (e.g., MySQL)
[0753] User interface: A framework for displaying information on the application screen (e.g., React Native)
[0754] Hardware and software usage
[0755] The device acquires the user's location information through a GPS module. The camera and microphone capture the user's facial expressions and voice in real time, and an emotion analysis engine analyzes them to identify the user's emotional information. This location information and emotional information is encrypted and sent to a server.
[0756] Based on the received location information, the server retrieves information on multiple stores within a specific radius from a database or external API. The server then collects the latest flyer information based on that store list. The collected flyer information is then converted into a unified format using generation AI.
[0757] The server adjusts the content of information provided based on the user's emotional state. For example, if the user's emotional state is "joy," promotional information and special offers tailored to that state will be displayed preferentially.
[0758] The terminal receives flyer information in a unified format sent from the server and displays it on the user interface. Users can check the information in a layout that allows them to compare it visually at a glance. It also displays detailed information about each product and links to related online shopping.
[0759] Specific examples
[0760] For example, suppose a user is using smart glasses to think about shopping. The user's emotional information (e.g., "sadness") is acquired and sent to the server along with their current location. The server then collects the latest flyers from nearby stores and prioritizes displaying offers such as "great deals on relaxation items" and "coupons for relaxing cafes" to the user.
[0761] Example prompt sentence:
[0762] "My emotion is sadness. Please let me know the latest promotions for relaxation items and relaxing cafes from nearby stores."
[0763] The present invention allows users to receive personalized information, resulting in an efficient and satisfying shopping experience.
[0764] The flow of the specific processing in the application example 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0765] Step 1:
[0766] The device receives the user's location information. The input is the current location coordinate data obtained from the GPS module, and the device uses this to determine the user's exact location. The output is the location information.
[0767] Step 2:
[0768] The device acquires the user's emotional information using a camera and microphone. The input is camera video and audio data, which are processed by an emotion analysis engine (e.g., DeepFace). This outputs the user's current emotional state (e.g., joy, sadness, surprise).
[0769] Step 3:
[0770] The device sends the acquired location information and emotion information to the server. The input is location information and emotion information, and these data are encrypted and communicated. The server receives these data as output.
[0771] Step 4:
[0772] The server collects information about nearby stores from a database or external API based on the received location information. The input is location information, and a list of stores within a specific radius is output. The collected store information includes the store name, address, contact information, product categories, etc.
[0773] Step 5:
[0774] The server retrieves the latest flyer information for each store based on the collected store information. The input is a store list, and flyer information is obtained using web scraping technology or API requests. The obtained flyer information is generated as output.
[0775] Step 6:
[0776] The server uses a generative AI model to convert different formats of flyer information into a unified format. The input is flyer information obtained from each store, and natural language processing technology is used to extract, organize, and consolidate the necessary items. The output is flyer information in a unified format.
[0777] Step 7:
[0778] The server adjusts the information content provided based on the user's emotional information. The input is the emotional information and flyer information in a unified format, and special offers and promotional information are selected according to the emotion. The adjusted flyer information is generated as the output.
[0779] Step 8:
[0780] The server sends the flyer information converted into a unified format to the terminal. The input is the adjusted flyer information, which is encrypted and sent to the terminal. The output is the flyer information sent to the terminal.
[0781] Step 9:
[0782] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format. The input is the flyer information sent from the server, which is displayed on the user interface in a format that can be visually compared. The output is flyer information that the user can visually confirm.
[0783] Specific operation example
[0784] For example, if a user is planning to go shopping, the following specific actions will occur:
[0785] 1. When a user launches a smartphone app, the device obtains its current location (e.g., "35.6895, 139.6917") using the GPS module.
[0786] 2. Use a camera and microphone to capture the user's facial expressions and voice, and use an emotion analysis engine to identify the emotion of "happiness."
[0787] 3. This location information and emotion information is sent to the server.
[0788] 4. The server collects store information within a 5-kilometer radius based on the location information.
[0789] 5. Obtain the latest flyer information for each store via web scraping or API.
[0790] 6. The generative AI model converts the flyer information into a unified format.
[0791] 7. Based on the user's emotional data, select promotional information that matches the emotion of "joy."
[0792] 8. This adjusted flyer information is sent back to the terminal.
[0793] 9. A flyer containing special promotional offers will be displayed on the user's smartphone screen.
[0794] Example prompt sentence:
[0795] "My emotion is joy. Please tell me the latest promotions at stores near me."
[0796] The specific processing unit 290 transmits the result of the specific processing to the smart glasses 214. In the smart glasses 214, the control unit 46A causes the speaker 240 to output the result of the specific processing. The microphone 238 acquires audio indicating a user input regarding the result of the specific processing. The control unit 46A transmits audio data indicating the user input acquired by the microphone 238 to the data processing device 12. In the data processing device 12, the specific processing unit 290 acquires the audio data.
[0797] The data generation model 58 is a so-called generative AI (Artificial Intelligence). An example of the data generation model 58 is ChatGPT (Internet Search<URL: https: / / openai.com / blog / chatgpt> ), Gemini (Internet search <url: https: gemini.google.com ?hl="ja">) and other generation AIs. The data generation model 58 is obtained by performing deep learning on a neural network. A prompt including an instruction is input to the data generation model 58, and inference data such as voice data indicating voice, text data indicating text, and image data indicating an image is also input. The data generation model 58 performs inference on the input inference data in accordance with the instruction indicated by the prompt, and outputs the inference result in a data format such as voice data and text data. Here, inference refers to, for example, analysis, classification, prediction, and / or summarization.
[0798] In the above embodiment, an example in which the specific processing is performed by the data processing device 12 has been given, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the specific processing may be performed by the smart glasses 214.
[0799] [Third embodiment]
[0800] FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of a data processing system 310 according to the third embodiment.
[0801] 5, the data processing system 310 includes the data processing device 12 and a headset type terminal 314. An example of the data processing device 12 is a server.
[0802] The data processing device 12 includes a computer 22, a database 24, and a communication I / F 26. The computer 22 is an example of a "computer" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The computer 22 includes a processor 28, a RAM 30, and a storage 32. The processor 28, the RAM 30, and the storage 32 are connected to a bus 34. The database 24 and the communication I / F 26 are also connected to the bus 34. The communication I / F 26 is connected to a network 54. Examples of the network 54 include a WAN (Wide Area Network) and / or a LAN (Local Area Network).
[0803] The headset type terminal 314 includes a computer 36, a microphone 238, a speaker 240, a camera 42, a communication I / F 44, and a display 343. The computer 36 includes a processor 46, a RAM 48, and a storage 50. The processor 46, the RAM 48, and the storage 50 are connected to a bus 52. The microphone 238, the speaker 240, the camera 42, and the display 343 are also connected to the bus 52.
[0804] The microphone 238 receives instructions and the like from the user 20 by receiving voice uttered by the user 20. The microphone 238 captures the voice uttered by the user 20, converts the captured voice into audio data, and outputs it to the processor 46. The speaker 240 outputs audio in accordance with instructions from the processor 46.
[0805] Camera 42 is a small digital camera equipped with an optical system including a lens, aperture, and shutter, and an imaging element such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) image sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, and captures images of the surroundings of user 20 (for example, an imaging range defined by an angle of view equivalent to the field of vision of a typical healthy person).
[0806] The communication I / F 44 is connected to a network 54. The communication I / Fs 44 and 26 are responsible for the exchange of various information between the processor 46 and the processor 28 via the network 54. The exchange of various information between the processor 46 and the processor 28 using the communication I / Fs 44 and 26 is carried out in a secure state.
[0807] Fig. 6 shows an example of the main functions of the data processing device 12 and the headset type terminal 314. As shown in Fig. 6, in the data processing device 12, a specific process is performed by the processor 28. A specific process program 56 is stored in the storage 32.
[0808] The specific processing program 56 is an example of a "program" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The processor 28 reads the specific processing program 56 from the storage 32 and executes the read specific processing program 56 on the RAM 30. The specific processing is realized by the processor 28 operating as a specific processing unit 290 in accordance with the specific processing program 56 executed on the RAM 30.
[0809] The storage 32 stores a data generation model 58 and an emotion identification model 59. The data generation model 58 and the emotion identification model 59 are used by the identification processing unit 290.
[0810] In the headset type terminal 314, a reception output process is performed by the processor 46. A reception output program 60 is stored in the storage 50. The processor 46 reads the reception output program 60 from the storage 50 and executes the read reception output program 60 on the RAM 48. The reception output process is realized by the processor 46 operating as the control unit 46A in accordance with the reception output program 60 executed on the RAM 48.
[0811] Next, a description will be given of the identification process performed by the identification processing unit 290 of the data processing device 12. In the following description, the data processing device 12 will be referred to as the "server" and the headset type terminal 314 will be referred to as the "terminal."
[0812] The present invention provides a system that allows a user to efficiently collect flyer information from nearby stores and compare and consider them. Specific embodiments for carrying out the invention are described below.
[0813] System Overview
[0814] This system is broadly composed of three main components: the terminal application that acquires the user's location information, the server that collects and integrates information on surrounding stores and flyers, and the user interface that displays the integrated information to the user and allows them to efficiently compare and consider it.
[0815] Explanation of program processing
[0816] 1. Obtaining user GPS information
[0817] The user launches the terminal application on their smartphone.
[0818] As soon as the application is launched, the device uses the built-in GPS module to obtain the user's location information.
[0819] The acquired location information is temporarily stored inside the terminal.
[0820] 2. Sending location information to the server
[0821] The acquired location information is sent from the device to a server while respecting security and privacy. The communication is encrypted to protect the user's privacy.
[0822] 3. Gathering information about nearby stores
[0823] Based on the received location information, the server retrieves a list of multiple stores within a specific radius from a database or external API.
[0824] The store information includes the store name, address, contact information, product categories, etc.
[0825] 4. Collect flyer information from each store
[0826] Based on the acquired store list, the server collects the latest flyer information from each store's website or API, using web scraping technology and API requests to obtain the data, and temporarily stores each flyer information in a database.
[0827] 5. Convert flyer information into a unified format
[0828] The generation AI runs on the server and converts flyer information provided in different formats into a unified format. The generation AI uses natural language processing technology to analyze the information, extracting and organizing the necessary items.
[0829] 6. Transmission of information in a unified format to the user's device
[0830] The unified format flyer information converted by the generation AI is sent from the server to the device, which receives the data appropriate for the display format and prepares it for display on the user interface.
[0831] 7. Displaying Information in the User Interface
[0832] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a standardized format on the user interface, with sales and promotion information from each store laid out so that it can be compared visually at a glance.
[0833] In addition to detailed information about each product, the device also displays information about similar products and links to online shopping, allowing users to choose whether to purchase online or in-store.
[0834] Specific examples
[0835] For example, suppose User A launches this application on their smartphone. The device immediately obtains User A's location information (e.g., "35.6895, 139.6917"). This information is sent to the server, which then lists all supermarkets within a 5-kilometer radius. The server then collects the latest flyer information from each supermarket's website and converts it into a unified format. This unified format information is then sent back to the device, and User A's smartphone displays comprehensive flyer information, information on similar products, and online links. This allows User A to efficiently compare special offers from each store and create an optimal shopping plan.
[0836] The present invention significantly reduces the effort required for users to gather and compare information, saving time and money, and also integrates offline and online shopping experiences, greatly enhancing user convenience.
[0837] The processing flow will be explained below.
[0838] Step 1:
[0839] The user launches the terminal application on their smartphone. When the user launches the application, a message appears prompting them to confirm whether they want to use GPS.
[0840] Step 2:
[0841] The device obtains the user's location information. It uses the GPS module to collect the current longitude and latitude data and stores it temporarily on the device.
[0842] Step 3:
[0843] The location information acquired by the device is sent to the server, and is encrypted during transmission to ensure data security.
[0844] Step 4:
[0845] The server analyzes the location information received and generates a list of nearby stores based on that information. Store information within a specific radius is obtained from a database or external API.
[0846] Step 5:
[0847] Based on the store list generated by the server, flyer information is collected from each store's website and API. The latest flyer information is obtained using web scraping technology and API requests and temporarily stored in a database.
[0848] Step 6:
[0849] The server uses a generation AI to convert the collected flyer information into a unified format. The generation AI uses natural language processing technology to analyze the information, extract necessary items, and organize them into a common format.
[0850] Step 7:
[0851] The server retransmits the flyer information converted into a unified format to the terminal, where the transmitted data is formatted for display on the user interface.
[0852] Step 8:
[0853] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format, and the user interface is laid out so that special sale and promotion information from each store can be compared visually at a glance.
[0854] Step 9:
[0855] The device provides information on similar products related to the flyer information displayed on the device. The AI analyzes and displays similar products, and also provides links to online shopping.
[0856] Step 10:
[0857] Based on the displayed information, users can choose between shopping in a physical store or online, efficiently comparing information and creating the optimal shopping plan.
[0858] Example 1
[0859] Next, a description will be given of Example 1. In the following description, the data processing device 12 will be referred to as a "server" and the headset type terminal 314 will be referred to as a "terminal."
[0860] There is a need for a system that allows users to efficiently collect flyer information from nearby stores and compare and consider it. However, existing systems provide flyer information from each store in a different format, making it difficult for users to compare them in a consistent manner. In addition, there are few ways to seamlessly integrate offline and online purchasing experiences. This increases the effort required to collect and compare information, resulting in problems that reduce user convenience.
[0861] The specific processing by the specific processing unit 290 of the data processing device 12 in the first embodiment is realized by the following means.
[0862] In this invention, the server includes a means for acquiring user location information, a means for collecting information on nearby stores based on the acquired location information, a means for acquiring flyer information for each store from the collected store information, a means for converting the acquired flyer information into a unified format using a generative AI model, a means for displaying the converted flyer information on a user interface, a means for providing information on similar products related to the flyer information, and a means for providing links to online shopping. This allows users to efficiently collect and compare sale and promotion information from nearby stores. Furthermore, seamless integration of offline and online shopping experiences greatly improves user convenience.
[0863] "User location information" is data that indicates the geographic location where a user is currently located.
[0864] "Device" refers to a computing device used by a User, such as a smartphone or tablet.
[0865] A "server" is a computer system that collects, stores, processes, and distributes data over a network.
[0866] "Store information" is data that includes details about a specific store, such as the name, location, contact information, and product categories.
[0867] "Flyer information" is advertising information that includes product prices, sale information, promotion information, and the like offered by retail stores.
[0868] A "generative AI model" is an artificial intelligence system that analyzes and generates data using techniques such as generative adversarial networks (GAN) and natural language processing (NLP).
[0869] A "unified format" is a format that converts data of different formats into a consistent format and organizes it.
[0870] "User interface" refers to the screens and methods of operation that allow users to interact with a system.
[0871] "Similar product information" refers to data about substitutes and related products for the product selected by the user.
[0872] An "online shopping link" is a URL link to a web page where a user can purchase an item from an online store.
[0873] "Encryption" is the technology of transforming data using a specific algorithm to protect it from unauthorized access.
[0874] A "database" is a system for efficiently storing, managing, and searching large amounts of data.
[0875] "Web scraping" is a technique for automatically extracting information from websites.
[0876] "HTTPS" is an internet protocol for secure communications.
[0877] The present invention provides a system that allows users to efficiently collect flyer information from nearby stores and compare and consider them. This system has the function of collecting information about nearby stores based on the user's location information, converting the flyer information collected from each store into a unified format using a generative AI model, and displaying it in an easy-to-understand manner for the user. Specific embodiments for implementing the present invention are described below.
[0878] First, the user launches the application on their smartphone or other device. When the application is launched, the device's built-in GPS module is used to obtain the user's current location. This location information is temporarily stored inside the device and then sent to the server via encrypted communication. The server uses the received location information to collect information about stores within a specific radius.
[0879] Store information is collected using external APIs such as the Google Maps API and Foursquare API. The collected store information includes details such as store name, address, contact information, and product categories. Once this information is stored in the server's database, the server then collects the latest flyer information from each store's website or API. The data is retrieved using web scraping techniques (e.g., Python's Beautiful Soup library) or API requests and temporarily stored in the server's database.
[0880] Next, a generative AI model runs on the server and converts the flyer information from different formats into a unified format. This generative AI model uses natural language processing techniques (such as BERT or GPT models) to parse, extract, and format the unstructured data. The converted flyer information in a unified format is saved in JSON or XML format.
[0881] The flyer information converted into a unified format is then sent back from the server to the device, where it is prepared to be displayed on the user interface. Frameworks such as React Native and Flutter are used for display, creating a layout that allows for visual comparison at a glance. In addition to the flyer information, information on similar products and links to online shopping are also displayed, allowing users to choose whether to purchase online on the spot or by visiting a physical store.
[0882] For example, when User A launches this application on their smartphone, the device immediately obtains User A's location information (e.g., "35.6895, 139.6917") and sends it to the server via HTTPS. The server uses the Google Maps API to list all supermarkets within a 5km radius and uses Beautiful Soup to collect flyer information from each supermarket's website. This flyer information is converted into a unified format by a generation AI and sent back from the server to the device. The device uses React Native to display special sale information, similar product information, and online links on User A's smartphone.
[0883] An example of a prompt sentence to be input to the generative AI model is, "Collect the latest flyer information from supermarkets within a 5-kilometer radius, convert it into a unified format, and display it on the user's device."
[0884] The flow of the identification process in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0885] Step 1:
[0886] A user launches an application on their smartphone. The device uses its built-in GPS module to obtain the user's current location. This location information (e.g., latitude and longitude coordinates) is temporarily stored internally on the device.
[0887] Input: User interaction when launching the application
[0888] Data processing: Location information is acquired using the GPS module and stored internally
[0889] Output: User's latitude and longitude information
[0890] Step 2:
[0891] The acquired location information is sent from the device to the server. The HTTPS protocol is used for transmission, and the location information is encrypted before being sent. The server stores the received location information in a database.
[0892] Input: User's location information stored on the device
[0893] Data processing: Location information is encrypted and sent via HTTPS
[0894] Output: Location information stored on the server
[0895] Step 3:
[0896] The server uses the received location information to collect information about stores within a specific radius, using the Google Maps API and Foursquare API to obtain information about surrounding stores, and stores details (such as store name, address, contact information, and product categories) in a database.
[0897] Input: Location information stored on the server
[0898] Data processing: Collecting information about surrounding stores through API calls
[0899] Output: Store information saved in the database
[0900] Step 4:
[0901] The server uses the collected store list to collect the latest flyer information from each store's website or API, and performs web scraping using libraries such as Python's Beautiful Soup to obtain flyer data, which is then temporarily stored in a database.
[0902] Input: A list of stores stored in the database
[0903] Data processing: Web scraping to obtain flyer information
[0904] Output: Flyer information stored in the database
[0905] Step 5:
[0906] The generative AI model runs on the server and converts flyer information from different formats into a unified format. It uses natural language processing technologies such as BERT and GPT to analyze unstructured data and extract and format the necessary information.
[0907] Input: Flyer information stored in the database
[0908] Data processing: Analyze data using generative AI models and convert it into a unified format
[0909] Output: Flyer information converted into a unified format
[0910] Step 6:
[0911] The flyer information converted into a unified format is then sent from the server to the device. The data is sent using socket communication or a REST API. The device then prepares to display the received data on the user interface.
[0912] Input: Flyer information stored on the server in a unified format
[0913] Data processing: Send data using socket communication or REST API
[0914] Output: Flyer information received by the terminal in a unified format
[0915] Step 7:
[0916] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format on a user interface. The UI is built using frameworks such as React Native and Flutter to visually display the information. The layout visually includes information on special sales and promotions from each store, information on similar products, and links to online shopping.
[0917] Input: flyer information in a unified format received by the terminal
[0918] Data processing: Building UI using React Native and Flutter
[0919] Output: Flyer information displayed on the user interface
[0920] (Application example 1)
[0921] Next, a description will be given of Application Example 1. In the following description, the data processing device 12 will be referred to as a "server" and the headset type terminal 314 will be referred to as a "terminal."
[0922] Conventional store information gathering and flyer information comparison systems made it difficult for users to efficiently gather information about nearby sales and compare the product information they needed. In particular, there was a lack of a system that allowed users to compare sales items from multiple stores at a glance, so users had to visit multiple websites and manually compare the information on each site, which was a time-consuming process. Furthermore, there was no way to generate an efficient shopping list, resulting in a waste of time and effort.
[0923] The specific processing by the specific processing unit 290 of the data processing device 12 in the application example 1 is realized by the following means.
[0924] In this invention, the server includes means for acquiring user location information, means for collecting information on nearby stores based on the acquired location information, means for acquiring flyer information from the collected store information, means for converting the acquired flyer information into a unified format using a generation AI, means for displaying the converted flyer information on a terminal, means for providing information on similar products related to the flyer information, means for providing links to online shopping, means for comparing and displaying sales information from multiple stores based on the information on similar products, and means for generating a shopping list based on the displayed information, thereby enabling users to efficiently collect and compare sales information in their surrounding areas and create an efficient shopping list.
[0925] "User" means a consumer or end user who uses this system to collect information.
[0926] "Location information" is data that indicates a user's current location and is obtained through GPS or other location acquisition technologies.
[0927] "Store information" is data about surrounding sales facilities collected based on the user's location information, and includes information such as store name, address, contact information, and product categories.
[0928] "Flyer information" is information about special sales and promotional items offered by each store, and is information necessary for users to efficiently compare products.
[0929] "Generative AI" is an artificial intelligence system that uses natural language processing technology to analyze data provided in different formats and convert it into a unified format.
[0930] A "unified format" is information provided in different formats that has been standardized and converted into a consistent display format.
[0931] "Terminal" refers to a device used by a user, including a smartphone, tablet, or PC.
[0932] "Similar products" are other products related to the original flyer information, and are information for comparison with sale items and promotional items.
[0933] "Link to online shopping" is a hyperlink that allows users to access an online shop directly from their device and purchase products.
[0934] "Special Offer Information" is information about discount prices and promotions offered by stores.
[0935] A "shopping list" is a list of products that a user creates to plan their shopping efficiently, and is automatically generated by the system.
[0936] The system realizing this invention acquires the user's location information, collects and organizes information on surrounding stores and flyers, and efficiently provides information to the user. This system is configured as follows.
[0937] Hardware and Software Configuration
[0938] Hardware:
[0939] Smartphone: A device that allows users to obtain and display information. It has a built-in GPS module and obtains the user's location information.
[0940] Server: A central processing unit that receives location information, collects store information and flyer information, and converts them into a unified format.
[0941] software:
[0942] GPS module: A location information acquisition tool built into a smartphone.
[0943] Flask: A lightweight Python framework that runs on the server to provide API endpoints and process data.
[0944] SQLite: A database management system used on the server to temporarily store and manage collected data.
[0945] Generative AI model: An artificial intelligence system that uses natural language processing techniques to convert different forms of data into a unified format.
[0946] System operation explanation
[0947] Obtaining location information
[0948] When a device (smartphone) is turned on, it uses the built-in GPS module to obtain the user's location information, which is temporarily stored in the device as latitude and longitude.
[0949] Sending location information to the server
[0950] The device encrypts the acquired location information and sends it to the server with due consideration to security and privacy. Communications are encrypted to fully protect user privacy.
[0951] Collecting store information and flyer information
[0952] Based on the received location information, the server retrieves a list of multiple stores within a specified radius from a database or external API. Store information includes store name, address, contact information, product categories, etc. The server also collects the latest flyer information from each store's website or API.
[0953] Converting information into a unified format
[0954] A generative AI model runs on the server and converts flyer information provided in different formats into a unified format. The generative AI uses natural language processing technology to analyze the information, extracting and organizing the necessary items.
[0955] Sending unified format information to user terminals
[0956] The unified format flyer information converted by the generation AI is sent from the server to the device, where the data appropriate for the display format is prepared for display on the user interface.
[0957] Information display and comparison function
[0958] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format on the user interface. The layout allows for visual comparison of sale and promotion information at a glance. It also displays detailed information about each product and links to online shopping.
[0959] Generate a shopping list
[0960] Based on the displayed information, the device automatically generates a shopping list to help users plan their shopping efficiently.
[0961] For example, a user launches the app and sets their location to Shinjuku, Tokyo. This information is sent to a server, which then collects sales flyers from nearby supermarkets and drugstores and converts them into a unified format. This information is then sent back to the device, allowing the user to efficiently create a shopping list based on the displayed information.
[0962] Examples of prompts for a generative AI model include:
[0963] Based on the location "35.6895, 139.6917", please provide the store name, address, and latest flyer information of all supermarkets within a 5-kilometer radius.
[0964] As described above, this system allows users to efficiently collect and compare information on nearby special offers and enjoy the best possible shopping experience.
[0965] The flow of the specific processing in the application example 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0966] Step 1:
[0967] When a user launches the app, the device uses the built-in GPS module to obtain the user's location information. This location information is obtained in the form of latitude and longitude. The input is the launch of the app, and the output is the latitude and longitude of the user's current location. Specifically, the GPS module detects the current location and temporarily stores that data within the app.
[0968] Step 2:
[0969] The device encrypts the acquired location information and sends it to the server. Data transmission is performed using a secure communication protocol (e.g., HTTPS). The server receives the location information as input and the encrypted location information as output. Specifically, the location information is properly formatted and sent to the server over a secure channel.
[0970] Step 3:
[0971] Based on the received location information, the server retrieves store information within a specified radius from an external API or database. The server receives location information as input and a list of surrounding store information as output. Specifically, it executes a database query based on the location information and lists the corresponding stores.
[0972] Step 4:
[0973] The server collects the latest flyer information from the websites and APIs of each store using web scraping and API request techniques. The input is a list of store information, and the output is flyer information for each store. Specifically, the server accesses the URL or API endpoint for each store, retrieves the flyer information, and saves it.
[0974] Step 5:
[0975] The server converts the collected flyer information in various formats into a unified format using a generative AI model. The generative AI model uses natural language processing technology to analyze the data and convert it into a standardized format. The collected flyer information is the input, and the unified format flyer information is the output. Specifically, the generative AI performs text analysis and conversion processing to organize the data.
[0976] Step 6:
[0977] The server sends the flyer information converted into a unified format by the generative AI model to the terminal. The unified format flyer information is input, and the flyer information is sent to the terminal as output. Specifically, the server reformats the organized data, properly packets it, and sends it to the terminal.
[0978] Step 7:
[0979] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format on the user interface. Special sale information and promotion information are displayed in a layout that makes it easy to compare. The input is the flyer information in a unified format sent from the server, and the output is visual information displayed on the terminal. Specifically, the terminal parses the data and renders it appropriately on the user interface.
[0980] Step 8:
[0981] The device provides information on similar products related to the displayed flyer information and also displays links to online shopping. The input is the flyer information and the user's selection, and the output is information on similar products and online links. Specifically, the device filters and displays related data and provides users with clickable links.
[0982] Step 9:
[0983] The terminal generates an efficient shopping list for the user based on the displayed information. The input is the product information selected by the user, and the output is an automatically generated shopping list. Specifically, the list is automatically created based on the user's selections and displayed in the user interface.
[0984] Through the above processing steps, users can efficiently collect and compare information on nearby sales and create optimal shopping plans.
[0985] Furthermore, an emotion engine that estimates the user's emotion may be further combined. That is, the identification processing unit 290 may estimate the user's emotion using the emotion identification model 59, and perform identification processing using the user's emotion.
[0986] The present invention provides a system that allows users to efficiently collect and compare flyer information from nearby stores, and also provides a system that provides more convenient information by recognizing and utilizing the user's emotions. The operation of the system will be explained below as a specific example.
[0987] System Overview
[0988] This system consists of three main components: a terminal application that acquires the user's location and emotion information, and then uses that information to collect, integrate, and display flyer information from surrounding stores. The first is a terminal application that acquires location and emotion information, the second is a server that collects and integrates store information and flyer information, and the third is a user interface that displays the integrated information to the user.
[0989] Explanation of program processing
[0990] 1. Obtaining user GPS information
[0991] The user launches the terminal application on their smartphone.
[0992] As soon as the application is launched, the device uses the GPS module to obtain the user's location information.
[0993] 2. Obtaining user emotional information
[0994] The device uses a camera and microphone to obtain emotional information from the user's facial expressions and voice.
[0995] The acquired emotional information is analyzed by the emotion engine to identify the user's current emotional state (joy, anger, sadness, surprise, etc.).
[0996] 3. Sending location and emotional information to the server
[0997] The acquired location and emotion information is sent from the device to a server, and the communication is encrypted to protect the user's privacy.
[0998] 4. Gathering information about nearby stores
[0999] Based on the location information received by the server, a list of multiple stores within a specific radius is retrieved from a database or external API.
[1000] The store information includes the store name, address, contact information, product categories, etc.
[1001] 5. Collect flyer information from each store
[1002] Based on the store list, the server collects the latest flyer information from each store's website or API.
[1003] Data is obtained using web scraping technology or API requests and temporarily stored in a database.
[1004] 6. Convert flyer information into a unified format
[1005] The generation AI runs on the server and converts flyer information provided in different formats into a unified format. The generation AI uses natural language processing technology to analyze the information, extracting and organizing the necessary items.
[1006] 7. Emotion-based information regulation
[1007] The server adjusts the information displayed based on the user's emotional state based on the emotional information sent from the device. For example, if the user is in a "surprise" emotional state, special promotional information and limited offers will be displayed preferentially.
[1008] 8. Transmission of information in a unified format to the user's device
[1009] The unified format flyer information converted by the generation AI is sent from the server to the device, where it is formatted for display on the user interface.
[1010] 9. Displaying Information in the User Interface
[1011] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format, and the user interface is laid out so that special sale and promotion information from each store can be compared visually at a glance.
[1012] In addition to detailed information about each product, the device also displays information about similar products and links to online shopping.
[1013] Specific examples
[1014] For example, suppose User B launches this application on their smartphone. The device immediately acquires User B's location information (e.g., "35.6895, 139.6917"). Additionally, the device uses a camera and microphone to acquire emotion information about "happiness" from User B's facial expressions and voice. This information is sent to a server, which then lists all supermarkets within a 5-kilometer radius. The server then collects the latest flyer information from each supermarket's website and converts it into a unified format. This unified format information is then sent back to the device, and User B's smartphone displays comprehensive flyer information, information about similar products, and online links. Furthermore, based on the emotion information, special promotional offers are also displayed in recognition of User B's emotion of "happiness."
[1015] This invention significantly reduces the effort required for users to gather and compare information, saving time and money. In addition, the use of emotion information makes it possible to provide more personalized information, thereby increasing user convenience and satisfaction.
[1016] The processing flow will be explained below.
[1017] Step 1:
[1018] The user launches the terminal application on their smartphone. When the application launches, a dialog box appears requesting permission to use the camera and microphone for location acquisition and emotion recognition.
[1019] Step 2:
[1020] The device obtains the user's location information. It uses the GPS module to collect the current longitude and latitude data and temporarily stores it on the device.
[1021] Step 3:
[1022] The device uses the camera and microphone to capture the user's emotional information, and the emotion engine analyzes the user's facial expressions and voice to identify their current emotional state.
[1023] Step 4:
[1024] The location and emotion information acquired by the device is sent to a server, where it is encrypted to ensure data security.
[1025] Step 5:
[1026] The server analyzes the received location information and retrieves a list of multiple stores within a specific radius from a database or external API. The store list includes the name, address, contact information, product categories, etc. of each store.
[1027] Step 6:
[1028] The server uses the store list to collect the latest flyer information from each store's website or API, using web scraping technology and API requests to obtain the data, and temporarily stores each flyer information in a database.
[1029] Step 7:
[1030] The server converts the flyer information collected into a unified format using a generation AI, which uses natural language processing technology to analyze the information, extracting and organizing the necessary items.
[1031] Step 8:
[1032] The server then converts the flyer information into a unified format and adjusts the information based on the user's emotional state. For example, if the user is in a "joy" emotional state, it prioritizes including special promotional information and offers.
[1033] Step 9:
[1034] The server sends emotion-adjusted flyer information in a unified format to the terminal, where the data is formatted for display in the user interface.
[1035] Step 10:
[1036] The device displays flyer information received in a unified format. The layout allows for a visual comparison of special sale and promotion information from each store at a glance. In addition to detailed information about each product, the device also displays information about similar products and links to online shopping.
[1037] Step 11:
[1038] Based on the displayed information, users can choose whether to shop in a physical store or online, helping them efficiently compare information and plan their shopping. Special offers based on emotional information are also displayed, providing a more satisfying shopping experience.
[1039] Example 2
[1040] Next, a description will be given of Example 2. In the following description, the data processing device 12 will be referred to as a "server" and the headset type terminal 314 will be referred to as a "terminal."
[1041] Conventional systems allowed users to efficiently collect and compare flyer information from nearby stores, but did not provide information that took the user's emotions into consideration. As a result, only uniform information was provided regardless of the user's state, which did not improve user satisfaction. Furthermore, there was insufficient means to unify the diverse flyer information provided in different formats and provide it in an easy-to-compare format.
[1042] The specific processing by the specific processing unit 290 of the data processing device 12 in the second embodiment is realized by the following means.
[1043] In this invention, the server includes means for acquiring user location information, means for collecting information on surrounding stores, means for converting flyer information into a unified format using a generation AI, means for acquiring user emotional information, and means for analyzing the emotional information and adjusting the information. This makes it possible to provide information based on the user's location information and emotional state, improving user satisfaction, and providing diverse flyer information in a unified format makes it easier to compare information.
[1044] "Location information" is latitude and longitude data that indicates where a user is currently located.
[1045] "Store information" refers to information about a specific store, such as the name, address, contact information, and product categories.
[1046] "Flyer information" is advertising data that lists the prices of products offered by the store, special sale information, and the like.
[1047] "Generative AI" is an artificial intelligence technology that uses natural language processing technology to analyze data provided in different formats and convert it into a unified format.
[1048] "Emotional information" is data that indicates the user's emotional state (e.g., joy, anger, sadness, surprise, etc.) obtained from the user's facial expressions and voice.
[1049] "User interface" refers to the design and layout of screens and applications that allow users to operate and view information on a terminal.
[1050] A "terminal" is an electronic device operated by a user, such as a smartphone or tablet.
[1051] A "server" is a computer system for collecting, processing, and transmitting data over a network.
[1052] An "online shopping link" is a hyperlink that users can click to go directly to a shopping site on the Internet.
[1053] "Similar product information" is information about other similar products or services related to the flyer information viewed by the user.
[1054] This invention is a system that acquires a user's location information and emotion information, and then collects, integrates, and displays flyer information from surrounding stores based on that information. The system is primarily composed of a terminal application that acquires location information and emotion information, a server that collects and integrates store information and flyer information, and a user interface that displays the integrated information to the user. Each element of the system is described in detail below.
[1055] Terminal application
[1056] 1. Obtaining location information
[1057] The user launches the application on their smartphone.
[1058] The device uses the GPS module to obtain the user's location information (latitude and longitude) in real time, thereby determining the user's current location.
[1059] 2. Acquiring emotional information
[1060] The device uses the smartphone's camera and microphone to collect emotional information from the user's facial expressions and tone of voice.
[1061] For example, the camera captures the user's facial expressions and the microphone records the user's voice, and this data is sent in real time to an emotion analysis engine to identify the user's emotional state (e.g., joy, anger, sadness, surprise, etc.).
[1062] server
[1063] 1. Sending and Receiving Information
[1064] The device transmits the acquired location information and emotional information to the server using an encrypted communication protocol (e.g., TLS / SSL).
[1065] 2. Collecting store information
[1066] Based on the received location information, the server collects store information within a specific range via a database or external API.
[1067] The collected store information includes the store's name, address, contact information, product categories, etc.
[1068] 3. Collect flyer information
[1069] Based on the collected store list, the server retrieves the latest flyer information from each store's website or API, using web scraping technology and API requests.
[1070] 4. Generative AI for Data Integration
[1071] A generative AI model runs on the server and converts flyer information provided in different formats into a unified format.
[1072] Specifically, generative AI uses natural language processing technology (e.g., OpenAI's GPT-4) to analyze data and extract and organize necessary items.
[1073] 5. Coordination of Information
[1074] The server has the ability to adjust information based on the user's emotional information, and prioritizes the display of information such as special promotions and limited offers.
[1075] User Interface
[1076] 1. Displaying data
[1077] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format and emotion-adjusted information to the user.
[1078] The user interface displays flyers, special offers, and promotions in a visually appealing layout, using HTML and CSS to format the information into cards, each containing product details and links to online shopping.
[1079] Specific examples
[1080] For example, when a user launches an application on their smartphone, the device immediately acquires the user's location information (e.g., latitude 35.6895, longitude 139.6917). At the same time, the camera and microphone are used to acquire emotional information such as "happiness" from the user's facial expressions and voice. This information is then sent to a server, which then lists all supermarkets within a 5-kilometer radius, collects the latest flyer information for each supermarket, and uses generative AI to convert it into a unified format. The converted information is then sent to the device, and finally, comprehensive flyer information, information on similar products, and online links are displayed on the user's smartphone. In addition, special promotional offers are also displayed based on the emotional information.
[1081] Prompt Sentence Examples
[1082] "Using my current location, list supermarkets within 5 kilometers."
[1083] "Convert the collected flyer information into a unified format and send it to the terminal."
[1084] "Show special promotions based on user sentiment."
[1085] As described above, the present invention utilizes the user's location information and emotional information to provide efficient and personalized information, thereby reducing the effort required for collecting and comparing information and increasing user satisfaction.
[1086] The flow of the identification process in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[1087] Step 1:
[1088] Obtaining user GPS information
[1089] A user launches an application on their smartphone. The device uses the built-in GPS module to obtain the user's current location (latitude and longitude). This location information becomes the input data for subsequent processing. Specifically, the device obtains data from the GPS sensor in real time and calculates the latitude and longitude.
[1090] Step 2:
[1091] Obtaining user emotion information
[1092] The device uses the smartphone's camera and microphone to collect the user's facial expressions and voice. This data is input into an emotion analysis engine, which outputs emotional information (e.g., "joy," "surprise," etc.) as the analysis result. Specifically, the camera captures the user's face, and the microphone records their voice. The collected data undergoes image and audio processing in real time.
[1093] Step 3:
[1094] Sending location and emotion information to the server
[1095] The device encrypts the acquired location and emotion information and sends it to the server. A communication protocol (e.g., TLS / SSL) is used to protect the user's privacy. Specifically, the device encrypts the data using an encryption algorithm and sends it to the server via a secure communication channel.
[1096] Step 4:
[1097] Gathering information about nearby stores
[1098] Based on the location information received from the device, the server retrieves information about multiple stores within a specific radius from a database or external API. This store information becomes the input data for the next step. Specifically, the server queries the database with the location information and retrieves the corresponding store information. The target store information includes the store name, address, contact information, and product categories.
[1099] Step 5:
[1100] Collect flyer information from each store
[1101] Based on the collected store list, the server collects the latest flyer information from each store's website or API. This flyer information becomes input data and is processed in the next step. Specifically, the server obtains the necessary data using web scraping technology or API requests. The data is temporarily stored in a database.
[1102] Step 6:
[1103] Converting flyer information into a unified format
[1104] The generative AI model runs on the server and converts flyer information provided in different formats into a unified format. It receives data in different flyer formats as input and generates flyer information in a unified format as output. Specifically, the generative AI performs text analysis, extracts necessary items (e.g., price, product name, promotion information), and formats them into a consistent format.
[1105] Step 7:
[1106] Emotion-based information regulation
[1107] The server adjusts information to match the user's emotional state based on the emotional information sent from the device. For example, if the emotion of "surprise" is detected, special promotional information and limited offers are displayed preferentially. The emotional information is used as input, and adjusted flyer information is generated as output. Specifically, the server changes the priority of information and adjusts the display order based on the emotional information.
[1108] Step 8:
[1109] Sending information in a unified format to user terminals
[1110] The server then sends the flyer information, converted into a unified format by the AI, to the device. This information becomes the input data for display on the user interface. Specifically, the server sends the data to the device via an encrypted communication channel, and the device formats the received data for display.
[1111] Step 9:
[1112] Displaying information in the user interface
[1113] The terminal displays flyer information in a unified format received from the server on a user interface. Users can compare special sale and promotion information from each store at a glance in a visually easy-to-understand layout. Specifically, the information is formatted in a card format using HTML and CSS, and each card contains detailed product information and links to online shopping.
[1114] (Application example 2)
[1115] Next, a description will be given of Application Example 2. In the following description, the data processing device 12 will be referred to as a "server" and the headset type terminal 314 will be referred to as a "terminal."
[1116] Conventional store information collection systems allowed users to efficiently collect and compare flyer information from nearby stores, but they were unable to provide information that took into account the user's emotional state, making it difficult to provide personalized services. The present invention aims to solve this problem by providing a system that can provide more appropriate information based on the user's emotional information.
[1117] The specific processing by the specific processing unit 290 of the data processing device 12 in the application example 2 is realized by the following means.
[1118] In this invention, the server includes means for acquiring user location information, means for collecting information on surrounding stores based on the acquired location information, means for acquiring flyer information from the collected store information, means for converting the acquired flyer information into a unified format using a generation AI, means for displaying the converted flyer information on a terminal, means for providing information on similar products related to the flyer information, means for providing links to online shopping, means for acquiring user emotion information, and means for adjusting information based on the acquired emotion information, thereby enabling the provision of personalized information according to the user's emotional state.
[1119] "User location information" is data used to identify a user's current location using location acquisition technology such as GPS.
[1120] "Nearby store information" is information about multiple stores that exist within a specific range centered on the user's current location.
[1121] "Flyer information" is marketing material that includes information about special sales and promotions offered by stores.
[1122] "Generative AI" is a technology that uses artificial intelligence to generate and analyze data through techniques such as natural language processing.
[1123] The "unified format" is a data format for converting flyer information provided in different formats into a consistent format.
[1124] A "terminal" is an electronic device that a user can carry around, such as a smartphone or smart glasses.
[1125] "Information about similar products" refers to information about other products that have similar characteristics or functions to the product in which the user is interested.
[1126] "Link to online shopping" is information for connecting to a website where products can be purchased via the Internet.
[1127] "User emotional information" is data related to the emotional state of the user analyzed from facial expressions and voice captured by a camera, microphone, etc.
[1128] A "server" is a computer system that communicates with client terminals and collects, analyzes, stores, and provides data.
[1129] "Adjusting information" refers to optimizing the content of the information provided based on the acquired emotional and location information.
[1130] The present invention relates to a system that provides personalized store information and sale information based on a user's location information and emotional information. This system can acquire the user's current location and emotional information using a smartphone or smart glasses, and display flyer information and special offers from nearby physical stores. The specific system configuration and processing procedures are described below as an embodiment of the invention.
[1131] System Configuration
[1132] Hardware:
[1133] Devices: Smartphones, smart glasses
[1134] Server: A high-performance computer system
[1135] GPS module: A device for obtaining location information
[1136] Camera and microphone: Devices that capture your facial expressions and voice.
[1137] software:
[1138] Generative AI: Programs that use natural language processing techniques to analyze and convert information into a unified format (e.g., GPT-3)
[1139] Emotion analysis engine: Software that identifies user emotions from facial expressions and voice (e.g., DeepFace)
[1140] Database system: Store and manage store information and flyer information (e.g., MySQL)
[1141] User interface: A framework for displaying information on the application screen (e.g., React Native)
[1142] Hardware and software usage
[1143] The device acquires the user's location information through a GPS module. The camera and microphone capture the user's facial expressions and voice in real time, and an emotion analysis engine analyzes them to identify the user's emotional information. This location information and emotional information is encrypted and sent to a server.
[1144] Based on the received location information, the server retrieves information on multiple stores within a specific radius from a database or external API. The server then collects the latest flyer information based on that store list. The collected flyer information is then converted into a unified format using generation AI.
[1145] The server adjusts the content of information provided based on the user's emotional state. For example, if the user's emotional state is "joy," promotional information and special offers tailored to that state will be displayed preferentially.
[1146] The terminal receives flyer information in a unified format sent from the server and displays it on the user interface. Users can check the information in a layout that allows them to compare it visually at a glance. It also displays detailed information about each product and links to related online shopping.
[1147] Specific examples
[1148] For example, suppose a user is using smart glasses to think about shopping. The user's emotional information (e.g., "sadness") is acquired and sent to the server along with their current location. The server then collects the latest flyers from nearby stores and prioritizes displaying offers such as "great deals on relaxation items" and "coupons for relaxing cafes" to the user.
[1149] Example prompt sentence:
[1150] "My emotion is sadness. Please let me know the latest promotions for relaxation items and relaxing cafes from nearby stores."
[1151] The present invention allows users to receive personalized information, resulting in an efficient and satisfying shopping experience.
[1152] The flow of the specific processing in the application example 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
[1153] Step 1:
[1154] The device receives the user's location information. The input is the current location coordinate data obtained from the GPS module, and the device uses this to determine the user's exact location. The output is the location information.
[1155] Step 2:
[1156] The device acquires the user's emotional information using a camera and microphone. The input is camera video and audio data, which are processed by an emotion analysis engine (e.g., DeepFace). This outputs the user's current emotional state (e.g., joy, sadness, surprise).
[1157] Step 3:
[1158] The device sends the acquired location information and emotion information to the server. The input is location information and emotion information, and these data are encrypted and communicated. The server receives these data as output.
[1159] Step 4:
[1160] The server collects information about nearby stores from a database or external API based on the received location information. The input is location information, and a list of stores within a specific radius is output. The collected store information includes the store name, address, contact information, product categories, etc.
[1161] Step 5:
[1162] The server retrieves the latest flyer information for each store based on the collected store information. The input is a store list, and flyer information is obtained using web scraping technology or API requests. The obtained flyer information is generated as output.
[1163] Step 6:
[1164] The server uses a generative AI model to convert different formats of flyer information into a unified format. The input is flyer information obtained from each store, and natural language processing technology is used to extract, organize, and consolidate the necessary items. The output is flyer information in a unified format.
[1165] Step 7:
[1166] The server adjusts the information content provided based on the user's emotional information. The input is the emotional information and flyer information in a unified format, and special offers and promotional information are selected according to the emotion. The adjusted flyer information is generated as the output.
[1167] Step 8:
[1168] The server sends the flyer information converted into a unified format to the terminal. The input is the adjusted flyer information, which is encrypted and sent to the terminal. The output is the flyer information sent to the terminal.
[1169] Step 9:
[1170] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format. The input is the flyer information sent from the server, which is displayed on the user interface in a format that can be visually compared. The output is flyer information that the user can visually confirm.
[1171] Specific operation example
[1172] For example, if a user is planning to go shopping, the following specific actions will occur:
[1173] 1. When a user launches a smartphone app, the device obtains its current location (e.g., "35.6895, 139.6917") using the GPS module.
[1174] 2. Use a camera and microphone to capture the user's facial expressions and voice, and use an emotion analysis engine to identify the emotion of "happiness."
[1175] 3. This location information and emotion information is sent to the server.
[1176] 4. The server collects store information within a 5-kilometer radius based on the location information.
[1177] 5. Obtain the latest flyer information for each store via web scraping or API.
[1178] 6. The generative AI model converts the flyer information into a unified format.
[1179] 7. Based on the user's emotional data, select promotional information that matches the emotion of "joy."
[1180] 8. This adjusted flyer information is sent back to the terminal.
[1181] 9. A flyer containing special promotional offers will be displayed on the user's smartphone screen.
[1182] Example prompt sentence:
[1183] "My emotion is joy. Please tell me the latest promotions at stores near me."
[1184] The specific processing unit 290 transmits the result of the specific processing to the headset type terminal 314. In the headset type terminal 314, the control unit 46A causes the speaker 240 and the display 343 to output the result of the specific processing. The microphone 238 acquires audio indicating a user input regarding the result of the specific processing. The control unit 46A transmits audio data indicating the user input acquired by the microphone 238 to the data processing device 12. In the data processing device 12, the specific processing unit 290 acquires the audio data.
[1185] The data generation model 58 is a so-called generative AI (Artificial Intelligence). An example of the data generation model 58 is ChatGPT (Internet Search<URL: https: / / openai.com / blog / chatgpt> ), Gemini (Internet search <url: https: gemini.google.com ?hl="ja">) and other generation AIs. The data generation model 58 is obtained by performing deep learning on a neural network. A prompt including an instruction is input to the data generation model 58, and inference data such as voice data indicating voice, text data indicating text, and image data indicating an image is also input. The data generation model 58 performs inference on the input inference data in accordance with the instruction indicated by the prompt, and outputs the inference result in a data format such as voice data and text data. Here, inference refers to, for example, analysis, classification, prediction, and / or summarization.
[1186] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the specific processing is performed by the data processing device 12, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the specific processing may be performed by the headset type terminal 314.
[1187] [Fourth embodiment]
[1188] FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of a data processing system 410 according to the fourth embodiment.
[1189] 7, a data processing system 410 includes a data processing device 12 and a robot 414. An example of the data processing device 12 is a server.
[1190] The data processing device 12 includes a computer 22, a database 24, and a communication I / F 26. The computer 22 is an example of a "computer" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The computer 22 includes a processor 28, a RAM 30, and a storage 32. The processor 28, the RAM 30, and the storage 32 are connected to a bus 34. The database 24 and the communication I / F 26 are also connected to the bus 34. The communication I / F 26 is connected to a network 54. Examples of the network 54 include a WAN (Wide Area Network) and / or a LAN (Local Area Network).
[1191] The robot 414 includes a computer 36, a microphone 238, a speaker 240, a camera 42, a communication I / F 44, and a control target 443. The computer 36 includes a processor 46, a RAM 48, and a storage 50. The processor 46, the RAM 48, and the storage 50 are connected to a bus 52. The microphone 238, the speaker 240, the camera 42, and the control target 443 are also connected to the bus 52.
[1192] The microphone 238 receives instructions and the like from the user 20 by receiving voice uttered by the user 20. The microphone 238 captures the voice uttered by the user 20, converts the captured voice into audio data, and outputs it to the processor 46. The speaker 240 outputs audio in accordance with instructions from the processor 46.
[1193] Camera 42 is a small digital camera equipped with an optical system including a lens, aperture, and shutter, and an imaging element such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) image sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, and captures images of the surroundings of user 20 (for example, an imaging range defined by an angle of view equivalent to the field of vision of a typical healthy person).
[1194] The communication I / F 44 is connected to a network 54. The communication I / Fs 44 and 26 are responsible for the exchange of various information between the processor 46 and the processor 28 via the network 54. The exchange of various information between the processor 46 and the processor 28 using the communication I / Fs 44 and 26 is carried out in a secure state.
[1195] The control object 443 includes a display device, LEDs in the eyes, and motors for driving the arms, hands, and feet. The posture and gestures of the robot 414 are controlled by controlling the motors of the arms, hands, and feet. Some of the emotions of the robot 414 can be expressed by controlling these motors. In addition, the facial expressions of the robot 414 can also be expressed by controlling the light emission state of the LEDs in the eyes of the robot 414.
[1196] Fig. 8 shows an example of the main functions of the data processing device 12 and the robot 414. As shown in Fig. 8, in the data processing device 12, a specific process is performed by the processor 28. A specific process program 56 is stored in the storage 32.
[1197] The specific processing program 56 is an example of a "program" according to the technology of the present disclosure. The processor 28 reads the specific processing program 56 from the storage 32 and executes the read specific processing program 56 on the RAM 30. The specific processing is realized by the processor 28 operating as a specific processing unit 290 in accordance with the specific processing program 56 executed on the RAM 30.
[1198] The storage 32 stores a data generation model 58 and an emotion identification model 59. The data generation model 58 and the emotion identification model 59 are used by the identification processing unit 290.
[1199] In the robot 414, the processor 46 performs the reception output process. A reception output program 60 is stored in the storage 50. The processor 46 reads the reception output program 60 from the storage 50 and executes the read reception output program 60 on the RAM 48. The reception output process is realized by the processor 46 operating as the control unit 46A in accordance with the reception output program 60 executed on the RAM 48.
[1200] Next, a description will be given of the specific processing performed by the specific processing unit 290 of the data processing device 12. In the following description, the data processing device 12 will be referred to as a "server" and the robot 414 will be referred to as a "terminal."
[1201] The present invention provides a system that allows a user to efficiently collect flyer information from nearby stores and compare and consider them. Specific embodiments for carrying out the invention are described below.
[1202] System Overview
[1203] This system is broadly composed of three main components: the terminal application that acquires the user's location information, the server that collects and integrates information on surrounding stores and flyers, and the user interface that displays the integrated information to the user and allows them to efficiently compare and consider it.
[1204] Explanation of program processing
[1205] 1. Obtaining user GPS information
[1206] The user launches the terminal application on their smartphone.
[1207] As soon as the application is launched, the device uses the built-in GPS module to obtain the user's location information.
[1208] The acquired location information is temporarily stored inside the terminal.
[1209] 2. Sending location information to the server
[1210] The acquired location information is sent from the device to a server while respecting security and privacy. The communication is encrypted to protect the user's privacy.
[1211] 3. Gathering information about nearby stores
[1212] Based on the received location information, the server retrieves a list of multiple stores within a specific radius from a database or external API.
[1213] The store information includes the store name, address, contact information, product categories, etc.
[1214] 4. Collect flyer information from each store
[1215] Based on the acquired store list, the server collects the latest flyer information from each store's website or API, using web scraping technology and API requests to obtain the data, and temporarily stores each flyer information in a database.
[1216] 5. Convert flyer information into a unified format
[1217] The generation AI runs on the server and converts flyer information provided in different formats into a unified format. The generation AI uses natural language processing technology to analyze the information, extracting and organizing the necessary items.
[1218] 6. Transmission of information in a unified format to the user's device
[1219] The unified format flyer information converted by the generation AI is sent from the server to the device, which receives the data appropriate for the display format and prepares it for display on the user interface.
[1220] 7. Displaying Information in the User Interface
[1221] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a standardized format on the user interface, with sales and promotion information from each store laid out so that it can be compared visually at a glance.
[1222] In addition to detailed information about each product, the device also displays information about similar products and links to online shopping, allowing users to choose whether to purchase online or in-store.
[1223] Specific examples
[1224] For example, suppose User A launches this application on their smartphone. The device immediately obtains User A's location information (e.g., "35.6895, 139.6917"). This information is sent to the server, which then lists all supermarkets within a 5-kilometer radius. The server then collects the latest flyer information from each supermarket's website and converts it into a unified format. This unified format information is then sent back to the device, and User A's smartphone displays comprehensive flyer information, information on similar products, and online links. This allows User A to efficiently compare special offers from each store and create an optimal shopping plan.
[1225] The present invention significantly reduces the effort required for users to gather and compare information, saving time and money, and also integrates offline and online shopping experiences, greatly enhancing user convenience.
[1226] The processing flow will be explained below.
[1227] Step 1:
[1228] The user launches the terminal application on their smartphone. When the user launches the application, a message appears prompting them to confirm whether they want to use GPS.
[1229] Step 2:
[1230] The device obtains the user's location information. It uses the GPS module to collect the current longitude and latitude data and stores it temporarily on the device.
[1231] Step 3:
[1232] The location information acquired by the device is sent to the server, and is encrypted during transmission to ensure data security.
[1233] Step 4:
[1234] The server analyzes the location information received and generates a list of nearby stores based on that information. Store information within a specific radius is obtained from a database or external API.
[1235] Step 5:
[1236] Based on the store list generated by the server, flyer information is collected from each store's website and API. The latest flyer information is obtained using web scraping technology and API requests and temporarily stored in a database.
[1237] Step 6:
[1238] The server uses a generation AI to convert the collected flyer information into a unified format. The generation AI uses natural language processing technology to analyze the information, extract necessary items, and organize them into a common format.
[1239] Step 7:
[1240] The server retransmits the flyer information converted into a unified format to the terminal, where the transmitted data is formatted for display on the user interface.
[1241] Step 8:
[1242] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format, and the user interface is laid out so that special sale and promotion information from each store can be compared visually at a glance.
[1243] Step 9:
[1244] The device provides information on similar products related to the flyer information displayed on the device. The AI analyzes and displays similar products, and also provides links to online shopping.
[1245] Step 10:
[1246] Based on the displayed information, users can choose between shopping in a physical store or online, efficiently comparing information and creating the optimal shopping plan.
[1247] Example 1
[1248] Next, a description will be given of Example 1. In the following description, the data processing device 12 will be referred to as a "server" and the robot 414 will be referred to as a "terminal."
[1249] There is a need for a system that allows users to efficiently collect flyer information from nearby stores and compare and consider it. However, existing systems provide flyer information from each store in a different format, making it difficult for users to compare them in a consistent manner. In addition, there are few ways to seamlessly integrate offline and online purchasing experiences. This increases the effort required to collect and compare information, resulting in problems that reduce user convenience.
[1250] The specific processing by the specific processing unit 290 of the data processing device 12 in the first embodiment is realized by the following means.
[1251] In this invention, the server includes a means for acquiring user location information, a means for collecting information on nearby stores based on the acquired location information, a means for acquiring flyer information for each store from the collected store information, a means for converting the acquired flyer information into a unified format using a generative AI model, a means for displaying the converted flyer information on a user interface, a means for providing information on similar products related to the flyer information, and a means for providing links to online shopping. This allows users to efficiently collect and compare sale and promotion information from nearby stores. Furthermore, seamless integration of offline and online shopping experiences greatly improves user convenience.
[1252] "User location information" is data that indicates the geographic location where a user is currently located.
[1253] "Device" refers to a computing device used by a User, such as a smartphone or tablet.
[1254] A "server" is a computer system that collects, stores, processes, and distributes data over a network.
[1255] "Store information" is data that includes details about a specific store, such as the name, location, contact information, and product categories.
[1256] "Flyer information" is advertising information that includes product prices, sale information, promotion information, and the like offered by retail stores.
[1257] A "generative AI model" is an artificial intelligence system that analyzes and generates data using techniques such as generative adversarial networks (GAN) and natural language processing (NLP).
[1258] A "unified format" is a format that converts data of different formats into a consistent format and organizes it.
[1259] "User interface" refers to the screens and methods of operation that allow users to interact with a system.
[1260] "Similar product information" refers to data about substitutes and related products for the product selected by the user.
[1261] An "online shopping link" is a URL link to a web page where a user can purchase an item from an online store.
[1262] "Encryption" is the technology of transforming data using a specific algorithm to protect it from unauthorized access.
[1263] A "database" is a system for efficiently storing, managing, and searching large amounts of data.
[1264] "Web scraping" is a technique for automatically extracting information from websites.
[1265] "HTTPS" is an internet protocol for secure communications.
[1266] The present invention provides a system that allows users to efficiently collect flyer information from nearby stores and compare and consider them. This system has the function of collecting information about nearby stores based on the user's location information, converting the flyer information collected from each store into a unified format using a generative AI model, and displaying it in an easy-to-understand manner for the user. Specific embodiments for implementing the present invention are described below.
[1267] First, the user launches the application on their smartphone or other device. When the application is launched, the device's built-in GPS module is used to obtain the user's current location. This location information is temporarily stored inside the device and then sent to the server via encrypted communication. The server uses the received location information to collect information about stores within a specific radius.
[1268] Store information is collected using external APIs such as the Google Maps API and Foursquare API. The collected store information includes details such as store name, address, contact information, and product categories. Once this information is stored in the server's database, the server then collects the latest flyer information from each store's website or API. The data is retrieved using web scraping techniques (e.g., Python's Beautiful Soup library) or API requests and temporarily stored in the server's database.
[1269] Next, a generative AI model runs on the server and converts the flyer information from different formats into a unified format. This generative AI model uses natural language processing techniques (such as BERT or GPT models) to parse, extract, and format the unstructured data. The converted flyer information in a unified format is saved in JSON or XML format.
[1270] The flyer information converted into a unified format is then sent back from the server to the device, where it is prepared to be displayed on the user interface. Frameworks such as React Native and Flutter are used for display, creating a layout that allows for visual comparison at a glance. In addition to the flyer information, information on similar products and links to online shopping are also displayed, allowing users to choose whether to purchase online on the spot or by visiting a physical store.
[1271] For example, when User A launches this application on their smartphone, the device immediately obtains User A's location information (e.g., "35.6895, 139.6917") and sends it to the server via HTTPS. The server uses the Google Maps API to list all supermarkets within a 5km radius and uses Beautiful Soup to collect flyer information from each supermarket's website. This flyer information is converted into a unified format by a generation AI and sent back from the server to the device. The device uses React Native to display special sale information, similar product information, and online links on User A's smartphone.
[1272] An example of a prompt sentence to be input to the generative AI model is, "Collect the latest flyer information from supermarkets within a 5-kilometer radius, convert it into a unified format, and display it on the user's device."
[1273] The flow of the identification process in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[1274] Step 1:
[1275] A user launches an application on their smartphone. The device uses its built-in GPS module to obtain the user's current location. This location information (e.g., latitude and longitude coordinates) is temporarily stored internally on the device.
[1276] Input: User interaction when launching the application
[1277] Data processing: Location information is acquired using the GPS module and stored internally
[1278] Output: User's latitude and longitude information
[1279] Step 2:
[1280] The acquired location information is sent from the device to the server. The HTTPS protocol is used for transmission, and the location information is encrypted before being sent. The server stores the received location information in a database.
[1281] Input: User's location information stored on the device
[1282] Data processing: Location information is encrypted and sent via HTTPS
[1283] Output: Location information stored on the server
[1284] Step 3:
[1285] The server uses the received location information to collect information about stores within a specific radius, using the Google Maps API and Foursquare API to obtain information about surrounding stores, and stores details (such as store name, address, contact information, and product categories) in a database.
[1286] Input: Location information stored on the server
[1287] Data processing: Collecting information about surrounding stores through API calls
[1288] Output: Store information saved in the database
[1289] Step 4:
[1290] The server uses the collected store list to collect the latest flyer information from each store's website or API, and performs web scraping using libraries such as Python's Beautiful Soup to obtain flyer data, which is then temporarily stored in a database.
[1291] Input: A list of stores stored in the database
[1292] Data processing: Web scraping to obtain flyer information
[1293] Output: Flyer information stored in the database
[1294] Step 5:
[1295] The generative AI model runs on the server and converts flyer information from different formats into a unified format. It uses natural language processing technologies such as BERT and GPT to analyze unstructured data and extract and format the necessary information.
[1296] Input: Flyer information stored in the database
[1297] Data processing: Analyze data using generative AI models and convert it into a unified format
[1298] Output: Flyer information converted into a unified format
[1299] Step 6:
[1300] The flyer information converted into a unified format is then sent from the server to the device. The data is sent using socket communication or a REST API. The device then prepares to display the received data on the user interface.
[1301] Input: Flyer information stored on the server in a unified format
[1302] Data processing: Send data using socket communication or REST API
[1303] Output: Flyer information received by the terminal in a unified format
[1304] Step 7:
[1305] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format on a user interface. The UI is built using frameworks such as React Native and Flutter to visually display the information. The layout visually includes information on special sales and promotions from each store, information on similar products, and links to online shopping.
[1306] Input: flyer information in a unified format received by the terminal
[1307] Data processing: Building UI using React Native and Flutter
[1308] Output: Flyer information displayed on the user interface
[1309] (Application example 1)
[1310] Next, a description will be given of Application Example 1. In the following description, the data processing device 12 will be referred to as a "server" and the robot 414 will be referred to as a "terminal."
[1311] Conventional store information gathering and flyer information comparison systems made it difficult for users to efficiently gather information about nearby sales and compare the product information they needed. In particular, there was a lack of a system that allowed users to compare sales items from multiple stores at a glance, so users had to visit multiple websites and manually compare the information on each site, which was a time-consuming process. Furthermore, there was no way to generate an efficient shopping list, resulting in a waste of time and effort.
[1312] The specific processing by the specific processing unit 290 of the data processing device 12 in the application example 1 is realized by the following means.
[1313] In this invention, the server includes means for acquiring user location information, means for collecting information on nearby stores based on the acquired location information, means for acquiring flyer information from the collected store information, means for converting the acquired flyer information into a unified format using a generation AI, means for displaying the converted flyer information on a terminal, means for providing information on similar products related to the flyer information, means for providing links to online shopping, means for comparing and displaying sales information from multiple stores based on the information on similar products, and means for generating a shopping list based on the displayed information, thereby enabling users to efficiently collect and compare sales information in their surrounding areas and create an efficient shopping list.
[1314] "User" means a consumer or end user who uses this system to collect information.
[1315] "Location information" is data that indicates a user's current location and is obtained through GPS or other location acquisition technologies.
[1316] "Store information" is data about surrounding sales facilities collected based on the user's location information, and includes information such as store name, address, contact information, and product categories.
[1317] "Flyer information" is information about special sales and promotional items offered by each store, and is information necessary for users to efficiently compare products.
[1318] "Generative AI" is an artificial intelligence system that uses natural language processing technology to analyze data provided in different formats and convert it into a unified format.
[1319] A "unified format" is information provided in different formats that has been standardized and converted into a consistent display format.
[1320] "Terminal" refers to a device used by a user, including a smartphone, tablet, or PC.
[1321] "Similar products" are other products related to the original flyer information, and are information for comparison with sale items and promotional items.
[1322] "Link to online shopping" is a hyperlink that allows users to access an online shop directly from their device and purchase products.
[1323] "Special Offer Information" is information about discount prices and promotions offered by stores.
[1324] A "shopping list" is a list of products that a user creates to plan their shopping efficiently, and is automatically generated by the system.
[1325] The system realizing this invention acquires the user's location information, collects and organizes information on surrounding stores and flyers, and efficiently provides information to the user. This system is configured as follows.
[1326] Hardware and Software Configuration
[1327] Hardware:
[1328] Smartphone: A device that allows users to obtain and display information. It has a built-in GPS module and obtains the user's location information.
[1329] Server: A central processing unit that receives location information, collects store information and flyer information, and converts them into a unified format.
[1330] software:
[1331] GPS module: A location information acquisition tool built into a smartphone.
[1332] Flask: A lightweight Python framework that runs on the server to provide API endpoints and process data.
[1333] SQLite: A database management system used on the server to temporarily store and manage collected data.
[1334] Generative AI model: An artificial intelligence system that uses natural language processing techniques to convert different forms of data into a unified format.
[1335] System operation explanation
[1336] Obtaining location information
[1337] When a device (smartphone) is turned on, it uses the built-in GPS module to obtain the user's location information, which is temporarily stored in the device as latitude and longitude.
[1338] Sending location information to the server
[1339] The device encrypts the acquired location information and sends it to the server with due consideration to security and privacy. Communications are encrypted to fully protect user privacy.
[1340] Collecting store information and flyer information
[1341] Based on the received location information, the server retrieves a list of multiple stores within a specified radius from a database or external API. Store information includes store name, address, contact information, product categories, etc. The server also collects the latest flyer information from each store's website or API.
[1342] Converting information into a unified format
[1343] A generative AI model runs on the server and converts flyer information provided in different formats into a unified format. The generative AI uses natural language processing technology to analyze the information, extracting and organizing the necessary items.
[1344] Sending unified format information to user terminals
[1345] The unified format flyer information converted by the generation AI is sent from the server to the device, where the data appropriate for the display format is prepared for display on the user interface.
[1346] Information display and comparison function
[1347] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format on the user interface. The layout allows for visual comparison of sale and promotion information at a glance. It also displays detailed information about each product and links to online shopping.
[1348] Generate a shopping list
[1349] Based on the displayed information, the device automatically generates a shopping list to help users plan their shopping efficiently.
[1350] For example, a user launches the app and sets their location to Shinjuku, Tokyo. This information is sent to a server, which then collects sales flyers from nearby supermarkets and drugstores and converts them into a unified format. This information is then sent back to the device, allowing the user to efficiently create a shopping list based on the displayed information.
[1351] Examples of prompts for a generative AI model include:
[1352] Based on the location "35.6895, 139.6917", please provide the store name, address, and latest flyer information of all supermarkets within a 5-kilometer radius.
[1353] As described above, this system allows users to efficiently collect and compare information on nearby special offers and enjoy the best possible shopping experience.
[1354] The flow of the specific processing in the application example 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
[1355] Step 1:
[1356] When a user launches the app, the device uses the built-in GPS module to obtain the user's location information. This location information is obtained in the form of latitude and longitude. The input is the launch of the app, and the output is the latitude and longitude of the user's current location. Specifically, the GPS module detects the current location and temporarily stores that data within the app.
[1357] Step 2:
[1358] The device encrypts the acquired location information and sends it to the server. Data transmission is performed using a secure communication protocol (e.g., HTTPS). The server receives the location information as input and the encrypted location information as output. Specifically, the location information is properly formatted and sent to the server over a secure channel.
[1359] Step 3:
[1360] Based on the received location information, the server retrieves store information within a specified radius from an external API or database. The server receives location information as input and a list of surrounding store information as output. Specifically, it executes a database query based on the location information and lists the corresponding stores.
[1361] Step 4:
[1362] The server collects the latest flyer information from the websites and APIs of each store using web scraping and API request techniques. The input is a list of store information, and the output is flyer information for each store. Specifically, the server accesses the URL or API endpoint for each store, retrieves the flyer information, and saves it.
[1363] Step 5:
[1364] The server converts the collected flyer information in various formats into a unified format using a generative AI model. The generative AI model uses natural language processing technology to analyze the data and convert it into a standardized format. The collected flyer information is the input, and the unified format flyer information is the output. Specifically, the generative AI performs text analysis and conversion processing to organize the data.
[1365] Step 6:
[1366] The server sends the flyer information converted into a unified format by the generative AI model to the terminal. The unified format flyer information is input, and the flyer information is sent to the terminal as output. Specifically, the server reformats the organized data, properly packets it, and sends it to the terminal.
[1367] Step 7:
[1368] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format on the user interface. Special sale information and promotion information are displayed in a layout that makes it easy to compare. The input is the flyer information in a unified format sent from the server, and the output is visual information displayed on the terminal. Specifically, the terminal parses the data and renders it appropriately on the user interface.
[1369] Step 8:
[1370] The device provides information on similar products related to the displayed flyer information and also displays links to online shopping. The input is the flyer information and the user's selection, and the output is information on similar products and online links. Specifically, the device filters and displays related data and provides users with clickable links.
[1371] Step 9:
[1372] The terminal generates an efficient shopping list for the user based on the displayed information. The input is the product information selected by the user, and the output is an automatically generated shopping list. Specifically, the list is automatically created based on the user's selections and displayed in the user interface.
[1373] Through the above processing steps, users can efficiently collect and compare information on nearby sales and create optimal shopping plans.
[1374] Furthermore, an emotion engine that estimates the user's emotion may be further combined. That is, the identification processing unit 290 may estimate the user's emotion using the emotion identification model 59, and perform identification processing using the user's emotion.
[1375] The present invention provides a system that allows users to efficiently collect and compare flyer information from nearby stores, and also provides a system that provides more convenient information by recognizing and utilizing the user's emotions. The operation of the system will be explained below as a specific example.
[1376] System Overview
[1377] This system consists of three main components: a terminal application that acquires the user's location and emotion information, and then uses that information to collect, integrate, and display flyer information from surrounding stores. The first is a terminal application that acquires location and emotion information, the second is a server that collects and integrates store information and flyer information, and the third is a user interface that displays the integrated information to the user.
[1378] Explanation of program processing
[1379] 1. Obtaining user GPS information
[1380] The user launches the terminal application on their smartphone.
[1381] As soon as the application is launched, the device uses the GPS module to obtain the user's location information.
[1382] 2. Obtaining user emotional information
[1383] The device uses a camera and microphone to obtain emotional information from the user's facial expressions and voice.
[1384] The acquired emotional information is analyzed by the emotion engine to identify the user's current emotional state (joy, anger, sadness, surprise, etc.).
[1385] 3. Sending location and emotional information to the server
[1386] The acquired location and emotion information is sent from the device to a server, and the communication is encrypted to protect the user's privacy.
[1387] 4. Gathering information about nearby stores
[1388] Based on the location information received by the server, a list of multiple stores within a specific radius is retrieved from a database or external API.
[1389] The store information includes the store name, address, contact information, product categories, etc.
[1390] 5. Collect flyer information from each store
[1391] Based on the store list, the server collects the latest flyer information from each store's website or API.
[1392] Data is obtained using web scraping technology or API requests and temporarily stored in a database.
[1393] 6. Convert flyer information into a unified format
[1394] The generation AI runs on the server and converts flyer information provided in different formats into a unified format. The generation AI uses natural language processing technology to analyze the information, extracting and organizing the necessary items.
[1395] 7. Emotion-based information regulation
[1396] The server adjusts the information displayed based on the user's emotional state based on the emotional information sent from the device. For example, if the user is in a "surprise" emotional state, special promotional information and limited offers will be displayed preferentially.
[1397] 8. Transmission of information in a unified format to the user's device
[1398] The unified format flyer information converted by the generation AI is sent from the server to the device, where it is formatted for display on the user interface.
[1399] 9. Displaying Information in the User Interface
[1400] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format, and the user interface is laid out so that special sale and promotion information from each store can be compared visually at a glance.
[1401] In addition to detailed information about each product, the device also displays information about similar products and links to online shopping.
[1402] Specific examples
[1403] For example, suppose User B launches this application on their smartphone. The device immediately acquires User B's location information (e.g., "35.6895, 139.6917"). Additionally, the device uses a camera and microphone to acquire emotion information about "happiness" from User B's facial expressions and voice. This information is sent to a server, which then lists all supermarkets within a 5-kilometer radius. The server then collects the latest flyer information from each supermarket's website and converts it into a unified format. This unified format information is then sent back to the device, and User B's smartphone displays comprehensive flyer information, information about similar products, and online links. Furthermore, based on the emotion information, special promotional offers are also displayed in recognition of User B's emotion of "happiness."
[1404] This invention significantly reduces the effort required for users to gather and compare information, saving time and money. In addition, the use of emotion information makes it possible to provide more personalized information, thereby increasing user convenience and satisfaction.
[1405] The processing flow will be explained below.
[1406] Step 1:
[1407] The user launches the terminal application on their smartphone. When the application launches, a dialog box appears requesting permission to use the camera and microphone for location acquisition and emotion recognition.
[1408] Step 2:
[1409] The device obtains the user's location information. It uses the GPS module to collect the current longitude and latitude data and temporarily stores it on the device.
[1410] Step 3:
[1411] The device uses the camera and microphone to capture the user's emotional information, and the emotion engine analyzes the user's facial expressions and voice to identify their current emotional state.
[1412] Step 4:
[1413] The location and emotion information acquired by the device is sent to a server, where it is encrypted to ensure data security.
[1414] Step 5:
[1415] The server analyzes the received location information and retrieves a list of multiple stores within a specific radius from a database or external API. The store list includes the name, address, contact information, product categories, etc. of each store.
[1416] Step 6:
[1417] The server uses the store list to collect the latest flyer information from each store's website or API, using web scraping technology and API requests to obtain the data, and temporarily stores each flyer information in a database.
[1418] Step 7:
[1419] The server converts the flyer information collected into a unified format using a generation AI, which uses natural language processing technology to analyze the information, extracting and organizing the necessary items.
[1420] Step 8:
[1421] The server then converts the flyer information into a unified format and adjusts the information based on the user's emotional state. For example, if the user is in a "joy" emotional state, it prioritizes including special promotional information and offers.
[1422] Step 9:
[1423] The server sends emotion-adjusted flyer information in a unified format to the terminal, where the data is formatted for display in the user interface.
[1424] Step 10:
[1425] The device displays flyer information received in a unified format. The layout allows for a visual comparison of special sale and promotion information from each store at a glance. In addition to detailed information about each product, the device also displays information about similar products and links to online shopping.
[1426] Step 11:
[1427] Based on the displayed information, users can choose whether to shop in a physical store or online, helping them efficiently compare information and plan their shopping. Special offers based on emotional information are also displayed, providing a more satisfying shopping experience.
[1428] Example 2
[1429] Next, a description will be given of Example 2. In the following description, the data processing device 12 will be referred to as a "server" and the robot 414 will be referred to as a "terminal."
[1430] Conventional systems allowed users to efficiently collect and compare flyer information from nearby stores, but did not provide information that took the user's emotions into consideration. As a result, only uniform information was provided regardless of the user's state, which did not improve user satisfaction. Furthermore, there was insufficient means to unify the diverse flyer information provided in different formats and provide it in an easy-to-compare format.
[1431] The specific processing by the specific processing unit 290 of the data processing device 12 in the second embodiment is realized by the following means.
[1432] In this invention, the server includes means for acquiring user location information, means for collecting information on surrounding stores, means for converting flyer information into a unified format using a generation AI, means for acquiring user emotional information, and means for analyzing the emotional information and adjusting the information. This makes it possible to provide information based on the user's location information and emotional state, improving user satisfaction, and providing diverse flyer information in a unified format makes it easier to compare information.
[1433] "Location information" is latitude and longitude data that indicates where a user is currently located.
[1434] "Store information" refers to information about a specific store, such as the name, address, contact information, and product categories.
[1435] "Flyer information" is advertising data that lists the prices of products offered by the store, special sale information, and the like.
[1436] "Generative AI" is an artificial intelligence technology that uses natural language processing technology to analyze data provided in different formats and convert it into a unified format.
[1437] "Emotional information" is data that indicates the user's emotional state (e.g., joy, anger, sadness, surprise, etc.) obtained from the user's facial expressions and voice.
[1438] "User interface" refers to the design and layout of screens and applications that allow users to operate and view information on a terminal.
[1439] A "terminal" is an electronic device operated by a user, such as a smartphone or tablet.
[1440] A "server" is a computer system for collecting, processing, and transmitting data over a network.
[1441] An "online shopping link" is a hyperlink that users can click to go directly to a shopping site on the Internet.
[1442] "Similar product information" is information about other similar products or services related to the flyer information viewed by the user.
[1443] This invention is a system that acquires a user's location information and emotion information, and then collects, integrates, and displays flyer information from surrounding stores based on that information. The system is primarily composed of a terminal application that acquires location information and emotion information, a server that collects and integrates store information and flyer information, and a user interface that displays the integrated information to the user. Each element of the system is described in detail below.
[1444] Terminal application
[1445] 1. Obtaining location information
[1446] The user launches the application on their smartphone.
[1447] The device uses the GPS module to obtain the user's location information (latitude and longitude) in real time, thereby determining the user's current location.
[1448] 2. Acquiring emotional information
[1449] The device uses the smartphone's camera and microphone to collect emotional information from the user's facial expressions and tone of voice.
[1450] For example, the camera captures the user's facial expressions and the microphone records the user's voice, and this data is sent in real time to an emotion analysis engine to identify the user's emotional state (e.g., joy, anger, sadness, surprise, etc.).
[1451] server
[1452] 1. Sending and Receiving Information
[1453] The device transmits the acquired location information and emotional information to the server using an encrypted communication protocol (e.g., TLS / SSL).
[1454] 2. Collecting store information
[1455] Based on the received location information, the server collects store information within a specific range via a database or external API.
[1456] The collected store information includes the store's name, address, contact information, product categories, etc.
[1457] 3. Collect flyer information
[1458] Based on the collected store list, the server retrieves the latest flyer information from each store's website or API, using web scraping technology and API requests.
[1459] 4. Generative AI for Data Integration
[1460] A generative AI model runs on the server and converts flyer information provided in different formats into a unified format.
[1461] Specifically, generative AI uses natural language processing technology (e.g., OpenAI's GPT-4) to analyze data and extract and organize necessary items.
[1462] 5. Coordination of Information
[1463] The server has the ability to adjust information based on the user's emotional information, and prioritizes the display of information such as special promotions and limited offers.
[1464] User Interface
[1465] 1. Displaying data
[1466] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format and emotion-adjusted information to the user.
[1467] The user interface displays flyers, special offers, and promotions in a visually appealing layout, using HTML and CSS to format the information into cards, each containing product details and links to online shopping.
[1468] Specific examples
[1469] For example, when a user launches an application on their smartphone, the device immediately acquires the user's location information (e.g., latitude 35.6895, longitude 139.6917). At the same time, the camera and microphone are used to acquire emotional information such as "happiness" from the user's facial expressions and voice. This information is then sent to a server, which then lists all supermarkets within a 5-kilometer radius, collects the latest flyer information for each supermarket, and uses generative AI to convert it into a unified format. The converted information is then sent to the device, and finally, comprehensive flyer information, information on similar products, and online links are displayed on the user's smartphone. In addition, special promotional offers are also displayed based on the emotional information.
[1470] Prompt Sentence Examples
[1471] "Using my current location, list supermarkets within 5 kilometers."
[1472] "Convert the collected flyer information into a unified format and send it to the terminal."
[1473] "Show special promotions based on user sentiment."
[1474] As described above, the present invention utilizes the user's location information and emotional information to provide efficient and personalized information, thereby reducing the effort required for collecting and comparing information and increasing user satisfaction.
[1475] The flow of the identification process in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[1476] Step 1:
[1477] Obtaining user GPS information
[1478] A user launches an application on their smartphone. The device uses the built-in GPS module to obtain the user's current location (latitude and longitude). This location information becomes the input data for subsequent processing. Specifically, the device obtains data from the GPS sensor in real time and calculates the latitude and longitude.
[1479] Step 2:
[1480] Obtaining user emotion information
[1481] The device uses the smartphone's camera and microphone to collect the user's facial expressions and voice. This data is input into an emotion analysis engine, which outputs emotional information (e.g., "joy," "surprise," etc.) as the analysis result. Specifically, the camera captures the user's face, and the microphone records their voice. The collected data undergoes image and audio processing in real time.
[1482] Step 3:
[1483] Sending location and emotion information to the server
[1484] The device encrypts the acquired location and emotion information and sends it to the server. A communication protocol (e.g., TLS / SSL) is used to protect the user's privacy. Specifically, the device encrypts the data using an encryption algorithm and sends it to the server via a secure communication channel.
[1485] Step 4:
[1486] Gathering information about nearby stores
[1487] Based on the location information received from the device, the server retrieves information about multiple stores within a specific radius from a database or external API. This store information becomes the input data for the next step. Specifically, the server queries the database with the location information and retrieves the corresponding store information. The target store information includes the store name, address, contact information, and product categories.
[1488] Step 5:
[1489] Collect flyer information from each store
[1490] Based on the collected store list, the server collects the latest flyer information from each store's website or API. This flyer information becomes input data and is processed in the next step. Specifically, the server obtains the necessary data using web scraping technology or API requests. The data is temporarily stored in a database.
[1491] Step 6:
[1492] Converting flyer information into a unified format
[1493] The generative AI model runs on the server and converts flyer information provided in different formats into a unified format. It receives data in different flyer formats as input and generates flyer information in a unified format as output. Specifically, the generative AI performs text analysis, extracts necessary items (e.g., price, product name, promotion information), and formats them into a consistent format.
[1494] Step 7:
[1495] Emotion-based information regulation
[1496] The server adjusts information to match the user's emotional state based on the emotional information sent from the device. For example, if the emotion of "surprise" is detected, special promotional information and limited offers are displayed preferentially. The emotional information is used as input, and adjusted flyer information is generated as output. Specifically, the server changes the priority of information and adjusts the display order based on the emotional information.
[1497] Step 8:
[1498] Sending information in a unified format to user terminals
[1499] The server then sends the flyer information, converted into a unified format by the AI, to the device. This information becomes the input data for display on the user interface. Specifically, the server sends the data to the device via an encrypted communication channel, and the device formats the received data for display.
[1500] Step 9:
[1501] Displaying information in the user interface
[1502] The terminal displays flyer information in a unified format received from the server on a user interface. Users can compare special sale and promotion information from each store at a glance in a visually easy-to-understand layout. Specifically, the information is formatted in a card format using HTML and CSS, and each card contains detailed product information and links to online shopping.
[1503] (Application example 2)
[1504] Next, a description will be given of Application Example 2. In the following description, the data processing device 12 will be referred to as a "server" and the robot 414 will be referred to as a "terminal."
[1505] Conventional store information collection systems allowed users to efficiently collect and compare flyer information from nearby stores, but they were unable to provide information that took into account the user's emotional state, making it difficult to provide personalized services. The present invention aims to solve this problem by providing a system that can provide more appropriate information based on the user's emotional information.
[1506] The specific processing by the specific processing unit 290 of the data processing device 12 in the application example 2 is realized by the following means.
[1507] In this invention, the server includes means for acquiring user location information, means for collecting information on surrounding stores based on the acquired location information, means for acquiring flyer information from the collected store information, means for converting the acquired flyer information into a unified format using a generation AI, means for displaying the converted flyer information on a terminal, means for providing information on similar products related to the flyer information, means for providing links to online shopping, means for acquiring user emotion information, and means for adjusting information based on the acquired emotion information, thereby enabling the provision of personalized information according to the user's emotional state.
[1508] "User location information" is data used to identify a user's current location using location acquisition technology such as GPS.
[1509] "Nearby store information" is information about multiple stores that exist within a specific range centered on the user's current location.
[1510] "Flyer information" is marketing material that includes information about special sales and promotions offered by stores.
[1511] "Generative AI" is a technology that uses artificial intelligence to generate and analyze data through techniques such as natural language processing.
[1512] The "unified format" is a data format for converting flyer information provided in different formats into a consistent format.
[1513] A "terminal" is an electronic device that a user can carry around, such as a smartphone or smart glasses.
[1514] "Information about similar products" refers to information about other products that have similar characteristics or functions to the product in which the user is interested.
[1515] "Link to online shopping" is information for connecting to a website where products can be purchased via the Internet.
[1516] "User emotional information" is data related to the emotional state of the user analyzed from facial expressions and voice captured by a camera, microphone, etc.
[1517] A "server" is a computer system that communicates with client terminals and collects, analyzes, stores, and provides data.
[1518] "Adjusting information" refers to optimizing the content of the information provided based on the acquired emotional and location information.
[1519] The present invention relates to a system that provides personalized store information and sale information based on a user's location information and emotional information. This system can acquire the user's current location and emotional information using a smartphone or smart glasses, and display flyer information and special offers from nearby physical stores. The specific system configuration and processing procedures are described below as an embodiment of the invention.
[1520] System Configuration
[1521] Hardware:
[1522] Devices: Smartphones, smart glasses
[1523] Server: A high-performance computer system
[1524] GPS module: A device for obtaining location information
[1525] Camera and microphone: Devices that capture your facial expressions and voice.
[1526] software:
[1527] Generative AI: Programs that use natural language processing techniques to analyze and convert information into a unified format (e.g., GPT-3)
[1528] Emotion analysis engine: Software that identifies user emotions from facial expressions and voice (e.g., DeepFace)
[1529] Database system: Store and manage store information and flyer information (e.g., MySQL)
[1530] User interface: A framework for displaying information on the application screen (e.g., React Native)
[1531] Hardware and software usage
[1532] The device acquires the user's location information through a GPS module. The camera and microphone capture the user's facial expressions and voice in real time, and an emotion analysis engine analyzes them to identify the user's emotional information. This location information and emotional information is encrypted and sent to a server.
[1533] Based on the received location information, the server retrieves information on multiple stores within a specific radius from a database or external API. The server then collects the latest flyer information based on that store list. The collected flyer information is then converted into a unified format using generation AI.
[1534] The server adjusts the content of information provided based on the user's emotional state. For example, if the user's emotional state is "joy," promotional information and special offers tailored to that state will be displayed preferentially.
[1535] The terminal receives flyer information in a unified format sent from the server and displays it on the user interface. Users can check the information in a layout that allows them to compare it visually at a glance. It also displays detailed information about each product and links to related online shopping.
[1536] Specific examples
[1537] For example, suppose a user is using smart glasses to think about shopping. The user's emotional information (e.g., "sadness") is acquired and sent to the server along with their current location. The server then collects the latest flyers from nearby stores and prioritizes displaying offers such as "great deals on relaxation items" and "coupons for relaxing cafes" to the user.
[1538] Example prompt sentence:
[1539] "My emotion is sadness. Please let me know the latest promotions for relaxation items and relaxing cafes from nearby stores."
[1540] The present invention allows users to receive personalized information, resulting in an efficient and satisfying shopping experience.
[1541] The flow of the specific processing in the application example 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
[1542] Step 1:
[1543] The device receives the user's location information. The input is the current location coordinate data obtained from the GPS module, and the device uses this to determine the user's exact location. The output is the location information.
[1544] Step 2:
[1545] The device acquires the user's emotional information using a camera and microphone. The input is camera video and audio data, which are processed by an emotion analysis engine (e.g., DeepFace). This outputs the user's current emotional state (e.g., joy, sadness, surprise).
[1546] Step 3:
[1547] The device sends the acquired location information and emotion information to the server. The input is location information and emotion information, and these data are encrypted and communicated. The server receives these data as output.
[1548] Step 4:
[1549] The server collects information about nearby stores from a database or external API based on the received location information. The input is location information, and a list of stores within a specific radius is output. The collected store information includes the store name, address, contact information, product categories, etc.
[1550] Step 5:
[1551] The server retrieves the latest flyer information for each store based on the collected store information. The input is a store list, and flyer information is obtained using web scraping technology or API requests. The obtained flyer information is generated as output.
[1552] Step 6:
[1553] The server uses a generative AI model to convert different formats of flyer information into a unified format. The input is flyer information obtained from each store, and natural language processing technology is used to extract, organize, and consolidate the necessary items. The output is flyer information in a unified format.
[1554] Step 7:
[1555] The server adjusts the information content provided based on the user's emotional information. The input is the emotional information and flyer information in a unified format, and special offers and promotional information are selected according to the emotion. The adjusted flyer information is generated as the output.
[1556] Step 8:
[1557] The server sends the flyer information converted into a unified format to the terminal. The input is the adjusted flyer information, which is encrypted and sent to the terminal. The output is the flyer information sent to the terminal.
[1558] Step 9:
[1559] The terminal displays the received flyer information in a unified format. The input is the flyer information sent from the server, which is displayed on the user interface in a format that can be visually compared. The output is flyer information that the user can visually confirm.
[1560] Specific operation example
[1561] For example, if a user is planning to go shopping, the following specific actions will occur:
[1562] 1. When a user launches a smartphone app, the device obtains its current location (e.g., "35.6895, 139.6917") using the GPS module.
[1563] 2. Use a camera and microphone to capture the user's facial expressions and voice, and use an emotion analysis engine to identify the emotion of "happiness."
[1564] 3. This location information and emotion information is sent to the server.
[1565] 4. The server collects store information within a 5-kilometer radius based on the location information.
[1566] 5. Obtain the latest flyer information for each store via web scraping or API.
[1567] 6. The generative AI model converts the flyer information into a unified format.
[1568] 7. Based on the user's emotional data, select promotional information that matches the emotion of "joy."
[1569] 8. This adjusted flyer information is sent back to the terminal.
[1570] 9. A flyer containing special promotional offers will be displayed on the user's smartphone screen.
[1571] Example prompt sentence:
[1572] "My emotion is joy. Please tell me the latest promotions at stores near me."
[1573] The specific processing unit 290 transmits the result of the specific processing to the robot 414. In the robot 414, the control unit 46A causes the speaker 240 and the control target 443 to output the result of the specific processing. The microphone 238 acquires voice indicating a user input regarding the result of the specific processing. The control unit 46A transmits voice data indicating the user input acquired by the microphone 238 to the data processing device 12. In the data processing device 12, the specific processing unit 290 acquires the voice data.
[1574] The data generation model 58 is a so-called generative AI (Artificial Intelligence). An example of the data generation model 58 is ChatGPT (Internet Search<URL: https: / / openai.com / blog / chatgpt> ), Gemini (Internet search <url: https: gemini.google.com ?hl="ja">) and other generation AIs. The data generation model 58 is obtained by performing deep learning on a neural network. A prompt including an instruction is input to the data generation model 58, and inference data such as voice data indicating voice, text data indicating text, and image data indicating an image is also input. The data generation model 58 performs inference on the input inference data in accordance with the instruction indicated by the prompt, and outputs the inference result in a data format such as voice data and text data. Here, inference refers to, for example, analysis, classification, prediction, and / or summarization.
[1575] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the specific processing is performed by the data processing device 12, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the specific processing may be performed by the robot 414.
[1576] The emotion identification model 59 as an emotion engine may determine the user's emotion according to a specific mapping. Specifically, the emotion identification model 59 may determine the user's emotion according to an emotion map (see FIG. 9), which is a specific mapping. Similarly, the emotion identification model 59 may determine the robot's emotion, and the identification processing unit 290 may perform identification processing using the robot's emotion.
[1577] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an emotion map 400 on which multiple emotions are mapped. In the emotion map 400, emotions are arranged in concentric circles radiating from the center. Emotions closer to the center of the concentric circles are more primitive. Emotions representing states and actions arising from a state of mind are arranged on the outer edges of the concentric circles. The concept of emotion includes both affect and mental states. Emotions generally generated from reactions occurring in the brain are arranged on the left side of the concentric circles. Emotions generally induced by situational judgment are arranged on the right side of the concentric circles. Emotions generally generated from reactions occurring in the brain and induced by situational judgment are arranged on the upper and lower sides of the concentric circles. Furthermore, the emotion of "pleasure" is arranged on the upper side of the concentric circles, and the emotion of "discomfort" is arranged on the lower side. In this way, in the emotion map 400, multiple emotions are mapped based on the structure by which emotions are generated, and emotions that tend to occur simultaneously are mapped close to each other.
[1578] These emotions are distributed in the 3 o'clock direction on emotion map 400, and typically fluctuate between relief and anxiety. In the right half of emotion map 400, situational awareness dominates over internal sensations, resulting in a sense of calm.
[1579] The inside of emotion map 400 represents what is going on in the mind, and the outside of emotion map 400 represents behavior, so the further you go outside emotion map 400, the more visible the emotions become (the more they are expressed in behavior).
[1580] Human emotions are based on various balances, such as posture and blood sugar levels. When these balances deviate from the ideal, a state of discomfort is indicated, and when they approach the ideal, a state of pleasure is indicated. Emotions can also be created for robots, automobiles, and motorcycles, based on various balances, such as posture and remaining battery life. When these balances deviate from the ideal, a state of discomfort is indicated, and when they approach the ideal, a state of pleasure is indicated. An emotion map can be generated, for example, based on Dr. Mitsuyoshi's emotion map (Research on Voice Emotion Recognition and Emotional Brain Physiological Signal Analysis Systems, Tokushima University, Doctoral Dissertation: https: / / ci.nii.ac.jp / naid / 500000375379). The left half of the emotion map lists emotions belonging to the "reaction" domain, where sensation is dominant. The right half of the emotion map lists emotions belonging to the "situation" domain, where situational awareness is dominant.
[1581] The emotion map defines two emotions that promote learning. One is a negative emotion on the situation side, around the middle of "repentance" or "reflection." In other words, this occurs when the robot experiences negative emotions such as "I never want to feel this way again" or "I don't want to be scolded again." The other is a positive emotion on the response side, around "desire." In other words, this occurs when the robot experiences positive feelings such as "I want more" or "I want to know more."
[1582] The emotion identification model 59 inputs user input into a pre-trained neural network, obtains emotion values indicating each emotion shown in the emotion map 400, and determines the user's emotion. This neural network is pre-trained based on multiple pieces of training data that are combinations of user input and emotion values indicating each emotion shown in the emotion map 400. Furthermore, this neural network is trained so that emotions that are located close to each other have similar values, as in the emotion map 900 shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 10 shows an example in which multiple emotions, "relieved," "calm," and "reassuring," have similar emotion values.
[1583] The system according to the present disclosure has been described above mainly with respect to the functions of the data processing device 12, but the system according to the present disclosure is not necessarily implemented on a server. The system according to the present disclosure may be implemented as a general information processing system. The present disclosure may be implemented, for example, as a software program running on a personal computer or an application running on a smartphone, etc. The method according to the present disclosure may be provided to users in the form of SaaS (Software as a Service).
[1584] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the specific processing is performed by one computer 22, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the specific processing may be distributed and performed by a plurality of computers including the computer 22. For example, the data generation model 58 may be provided in an external device of the data processing device 12, and data may be generated in the external device in accordance with input data.
[1585] In the above embodiment, an example in which the specific processing program 56 is stored in the storage 32 has been described, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the specific processing program 56 may be stored in a portable, computer-readable, non-transitory storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. The specific processing program 56 stored in the non-transitory storage medium is installed in the computer 22 of the data processing device 12. The processor 28 executes the specific processing in accordance with the specific processing program 56.
[1586] Alternatively, the specific processing program 56 may be stored in a storage device such as a server connected to the data processing device 12 via the network 54, and the specific processing program 56 may be downloaded and installed on the computer 22 in response to a request from the data processing device 12.
[1587] It is not necessary to store all of the specific processing program 56 in a storage device such as a server connected to the data processing device 12 via the network 54, or to store all of the specific processing program 56 in the storage 32; only a portion of the specific processing program 56 may be stored.
[1588] The hardware resource for executing a specific process can be any of the following processors: An example of a processor is a CPU, which is a general-purpose processor that functions as a hardware resource for executing a specific process by executing software, i.e., a program. Another example of a processor is a dedicated electrical circuit, such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), which is a processor with a circuit configuration designed specifically for executing a specific process. Each processor has built-in or connected memory, and each processor uses the memory to execute the specific process.
[1589] The hardware resource that executes the specific processing may be configured with one of these various processors, or may be configured with a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, a combination of multiple FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Also, the hardware resource that executes the specific processing may be a single processor.
[1590] As an example of a system configured with a single processor, first, one processor is configured by combining one or more CPUs and software, and this processor functions as a hardware resource that executes a specific process. Second, there is a system that uses a processor that realizes the functions of an entire system including multiple hardware resources that execute a specific process on a single IC chip, as typified by SoC (System-on-a-chip). In this way, a specific process is realized using one or more of the above-mentioned various processors as hardware resources.
[1591] Furthermore, the hardware structure of these various processors can be, more specifically, an electric circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor devices. The specific processing described above is merely an example. Therefore, it goes without saying that unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the processing order may be rearranged, without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[1592] The above-described description and illustrations are a detailed explanation of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure and are merely an example of the technology of the present disclosure. For example, the above description of the configuration, functions, actions, and effects is an explanation of an example of the configuration, functions, actions, and effects of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure. Therefore, it goes without saying that unnecessary parts may be deleted, new elements may be added, or replacements may be made to the above-described description and illustrations within the scope of the gist of the technology of the present disclosure. Furthermore, to avoid confusion and facilitate understanding of the parts related to the technology of the present disclosure, the above-described description and illustrations omit explanations of common technical knowledge that do not require particular explanation to enable the implementation of the technology of the present disclosure.
[1593] All publications, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, or technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
[1594] The following is further disclosed regarding the above embodiment.
[1595] (Claim 1)
[1596] A means for obtaining user location information;
[1597] a means for collecting information about surrounding stores based on the acquired location information;
[1598] A means for acquiring flyer information from the collected store information;
[1599] A means for converting the acquired flyer information into a unified format using a generation AI;
[1600] means for displaying the converted flyer information on a terminal;
[1601] A means for providing information on similar products related to the flyer information;
[1602] a means for providing links to online shopping;
[1603] A system including:
[1604] (Claim 2)
[1605] 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising: means for transmitting the obtained location information to a server.
[1606] (Claim 3)
[1607] 2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising means for comparatively displaying flyer information of a plurality of stores from the collected store information.
[1608] "Example 1"
[1609] (Claim 1)
[1610] A means for obtaining user location information;
[1611] a means for collecting information about surrounding stores based on the acquired location information;
[1612] A means for acquiring flyer information of each store from the collected store information;
[1613] A means for converting the acquired flyer information into a unified format using a generative AI model;
[1614] means for displaying the converted flyer information on a user interface;
[1615] A means for providing information on similar products related to the flyer information;
[1616] a means for providing links to online shopping;
[1617] A system including:
[1618] (Claim 2)
[1619] 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising: means for transmitting the obtained location information to a server.
[1620] (Claim 3)
[1621] 2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising means for comparatively displaying flyer information of a plurality of stores from the collected store information.
[1622] "Application Example 1"
[1623] (Claim 1)
[1624] A means for obtaining user location information;
[1625] a means for collecting information about surrounding stores based on the acquired location information;
[1626] A means for acquiring flyer information from the collected store information;
[1627] A means for converting the acquired flyer information into a unified format using a generation AI;
[1628] means for displaying the converted flyer information on a terminal;
[1629] A means for providing information on similar products related to the flyer information;
[1630] a means for providing links to online shopping;
[1631] a means for comparing and displaying sale information from a plurality of stores based on the information on similar products;
[1632] means for generating a shopping list based on the displayed information;
[1633] A system including:
[1634] (Claim 2)
[1635] 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising: means for transmitting the obtained location information to a server.
[1636] (Claim 3)
[1637] 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for generating a shopping list based on the displayed information.
[1638] "Example 2: Combining Emotion Engines"
[1639] (Claim 1)
[1640] A means for obtaining user location information;
[1641] a means for collecting information about surrounding stores based on the acquired location information;
[1642] A means for acquiring flyer information from the collected store information;
[1643] A means for converting the acquired flyer information into a unified format using a generation AI;
[1644] means for displaying the converted flyer information on a terminal;
[1645] A means for providing information on similar products related to the flyer information;
[1646] a means for providing links to online shopping;
[1647] A means for acquiring user emotion information;
[1648] means for analyzing the emotion information;
[1649] means for adjusting information based on the analyzed emotion information;
[1650] A system including:
[1651] (Claim 2)
[1652] The system of claim 1 , further comprising: means for transmitting the obtained location information and emotion information to a server.
[1653] (Claim 3)
[1654] 2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising means for comparatively displaying flyer information of a plurality of stores from the collected store information.
[1655] "Application example 2 when combining emotion engines"
[1656] (Claim 1)
[1657] A means for obtaining user location information;
[1658] a means for collecting information about surrounding stores based on the acquired location information;
[1659] A means for acquiring flyer information from the collected store information;
[1660] A means for converting the acquired flyer information into a unified format using a generation AI;
[1661] means for displaying the converted flyer information on a terminal;
[1662] A means for providing information on similar products related to the flyer information;
[1663] a means for providing links to online shopping;
[1664] A means for acquiring user emotion information;
[1665] means for adjusting information based on the acquired emotion information;
[1666] A system including:
[1667] (Claim 2)
[1668] The system of claim 1 , further comprising: means for transmitting the obtained location information and emotion information to a server.
[1669] (Claim 3)
[1670] 2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising means for comparatively displaying flyer information of a plurality of stores from the collected store information. [Explanation of symbols]
[1671] 10, 210, 310, 410 Data Processing Systems 12 Data Processing Device 14 Smart Devices 214 Smart Glasses 314 Headset-type terminal 414 Robot< / url:> < / url:> < / url:> < / url:>
Claims
1. A means for obtaining user location information; a means for collecting information about surrounding stores based on the acquired location information; A means for acquiring flyer information from the collected store information; A means for converting the acquired flyer information into a unified format using a generation AI; means for displaying the converted flyer information on a terminal; A means for providing information on similar products related to the flyer information; a means for providing links to online shopping; A system including:
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising: means for transmitting the obtained location information to a server.
3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising means for comparing and displaying flyer information of a plurality of stores from the collected store information.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Persona chatbot control method and system
JP2022180282A