Information processing device and information processing program

Abstract

This will allow users to check how long ago items such as clothing were manufactured. [Solution] The information processing device of this embodiment comprises a determination means, a calculation means, and an output means. The determination means determines the manufacturing timing of an item based on tag information read from a wireless tag attached to the item. The calculation means calculates the elapsed time from the manufacturing timing determined by the determination means. The output means outputs information representing the elapsed time calculated by the calculation means.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing apparatus and an information processing program.

Background Art

[0002] An information providing service that enables a user to check the purchase history of clothing is already known. However, since the information provided is the purchase history, it has been difficult for the user to check how much time has elapsed since the manufacture of each piece of clothing. Under such circumstances, it has been desired that a user be able to check how much time has elapsed since the manufacture of an article such as clothing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing program that enable a user to check how much time has elapsed since the manufacture of an article such as clothing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The information processing device of this embodiment comprises a determination means, a calculation means, and an output means. The determination means determines the manufacturing timing of an article based on tag information read from a wireless tag attached to the article. The calculation means calculates the elapsed time from the manufacturing timing determined by the determination means. The output means outputs information representing the elapsed time calculated by the calculation means. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of an information service system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the transaction processing device. [Figure 3] A diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the information gathering server. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram representing one of the structures of data records included in a collected database. [Figure 5] A block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the user terminal. [Figure 6] Transaction processing flowchart. [Figure 7] Flowchart of the data collection process. [Figure 8] A diagram illustrating an example of the sequence between an information gathering server and a user terminal. [Figure 9] A diagram illustrating an example of a list screen. [Figure 10] A diagram showing an example of a details screen. [Figure 11] A diagram showing an example of a details screen. [Figure 12] A diagram illustrating an example of a list screen. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] An example of an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an information service system will be described that provides information services related to clothing sold in stores to users of the information service. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of an information service system 1 according to one embodiment. The information service system 1 shown in Figure 1 is configured to allow communication between a transaction processing unit 100, an information collection server 200, a product master server 300, and a user terminal 400 via a communication network 2. While any number of transaction processing units 100, information collection servers 200, product master servers 300, and user terminals 400 may be included in the information service system 1, only one of each is shown in Figure 1. Generally, the transaction processing unit 100 may include multiple units installed in one or more stores. Generally, the product master server 300 may include multiple units operated by different store operators. Generally, the user terminal 400 may include multiple terminals owned by different users utilizing the information provision service. However, for the sake of simplicity in the following explanation, we will assume that only one transaction processing unit 100, one information collection server 200, one product master server 300, and one user terminal 400 are included in the information service system 1.

[0008] Communication network 2 can use the internet, VPN (virtual private network), LAN (local area network), public communication network, mobile communication network, etc., individually or in appropriate combinations. As an example, communication network 2 can be used in combination with the internet and a mobile communication network.

[0009] The transaction processing device 100 is an information processing device that performs information processing for transactions targeting the sale of goods to customers in a store. In this embodiment, as described above, clothing is the product. The information collection server 200 is an information processing device that collects information about the goods that were the subject of a transaction processed by the transaction processing device 100, and performs information processing to provide this collected information to the user.

[0010] The product master server 300 is an information processing device that performs information processing for storing and managing a product master database that describes product information including various data related to products sold at stores where transactions processed by the transaction processing device 100 are conducted. The user terminal 400 is an information terminal that performs information processing for allowing a user to view information provided by the information collection server 200.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the transaction processing device 100. The transaction processing device 100 includes a processor 101, a main storage unit 102, a sub-storage unit 103, an input unit 104, a display unit 105, a sound unit 106, a tag reader 107, a currency receiving unit 108, a settlement unit 109, a printer 110, a communication unit 111, a transmission path 112, and the like.

[0012] By connecting the processor 101, the main storage unit 102, and the sub-storage unit 103 via the transmission path 112, a computer for performing information processing for controlling the transaction processing device 100 is configured. The processor 101 corresponds to the central part of the above computer. The processor 101 executes information processing for controlling each part in order to realize various functions as the transaction processing device 100 according to information processing programs such as an operating system and application programs.

[0013] The main storage unit 102 corresponds to the main storage part of the above computer. The main storage unit 102 includes a read-only memory area and a rewritable memory area. The main storage unit 102 stores a part of the above information processing program in the read-only memory area. Also, the main storage unit 102 may store data necessary for the processor 101 to execute processing for controlling each part in the read-only memory area or the rewritable memory area. The main storage unit 102 uses the rewritable memory area as a work area by the processor 101.

[0014] The sub-memory unit 103 corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the above computer. The sub-memory unit 103 can use, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), an HDD (hard disc drive), an SSD (solid state drive), or other various well-known memory devices. The sub-memory unit 103 stores the data used by the processor 101 to perform various processes and the data generated by the processes in the processor 101. The sub-memory unit 103 may also store the above information processing program. In this embodiment, the sub-memory unit 103 stores a transaction processing program PRA, which is one of the information processing programs. The transaction processing program PRA is an application program that describes the procedures of the transaction processing described later by the processor 101.

[0015] The input unit 104 inputs various instructions by the operator. As the input unit 104, well-known input devices such as a touch sensor, a key switch, and a keyboard can be used alone or in combination. The input device included in the input unit 104 is, for example, a touch sensor provided on the touch panel.

[0016] The display unit 105 performs various display operations for notifying the operator of various information. As the display unit 105, well-known display devices such as a screen display device such as a liquid crystal display and a light emitting device such as an LED (light emitting diode) lamp can be used alone or in combination. One of the display devices included in the display unit 105 is, for example, a display device provided on the above touch panel. The sound unit 106 outputs sounds for various guides and alarms. As the sound unit 106, various well-known sound devices such as a voice synthesis device and a buzzer can be used alone or in combination.

[0017] The tag reader 107 reads the tag information recorded on the wireless tag attached to the product. The transaction processing device 100 forms a product placement space, for example, a space defined as the inside of a recess formed by the housing, or a space above the stand. The tag reader 107 then reads the tag information recorded on all wireless tags present in the placement space. As the tag reader 107, a well-known device conforming to the RFID (radio frequency identification) standard can be used. In other words, an RFID tag can be used as one example of a wireless tag.

[0018] The currency receiving unit 108 counts the value of coins inserted through the coin slot and stores them in its internal storage compartment. The currency receiving unit 108 then discharges the coins stored in its storage compartment into a coin tray via a coin discharge port. The currency receiving unit 108 counts the value of banknotes inserted through the banknote slot and stores them in its internal storage compartment. The currency receiving unit 108 then discharges the banknotes stored in its storage compartment through a banknote discharge port. The banknote discharge port holds the discharged banknotes with a portion of them exposed to the outside.

[0019] The payment unit 109 reads payment data according to various payment methods. For example, the payment unit 109 reads payment data for credit card payments from a credit card or a mobile communication terminal. For example, the payment unit 109 reads payment data for prepaid payments from a prepaid card. For example, the payment unit 109 reads payment data for electronic money payments from an electronic money card or a mobile communication terminal. For example, the payment unit 109 reads code information for code payments from a barcode or 2D code displayed on the screen of a mobile communication terminal. The payment unit 109 is equipped with a magnetic stripe reader, a contact-type IC (integrated circuit) reader, a proximity communication reader, a barcode reader, or a 2D code reader as appropriate for the above readings. The printer 110 prints an image of a transaction document such as a receipt, invoice, or sales slip onto the receipt paper. The printer 110 then ejects the receipt paper with the printed image from the receipt output slot to the outside.

[0020] The communication unit 111 performs communication processing for data communication via the communication network 2. The communication unit 111 can use, for example, an existing communication device for the internet. The transmission line 112 includes an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines, and transmits data and control signals exchanged between the connected parts.

[0021] The hardware of the transaction processing device 100 can, for example, be the hardware of an existing transaction processing device of the same type. Generally, the transfer of the transaction processing device 100 is carried out with the transaction processing program PRA stored in the sub-storage unit 103. However, the hardware may be transferred separately from the transaction processing program PRA, either without the transaction processing program PRA stored in the sub-storage unit 103, or with a different version of the same type of application program stored in the sub-storage unit 103. Furthermore, the transaction processing device 100 may be configured by writing the transaction processing program PRA to the sub-storage unit 103 in response to an operation by any operator. The transfer of the transaction processing program PRA can be carried out by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, or semiconductor memory, or by communication over a network.

[0022] Figure 3 shows the main circuit configuration of the information gathering server 200. The information gathering server 200 includes a processor 201, a main memory unit 202, a sub-memory unit 203, a communication unit 204, and a transmission line 205, among other things. The general functions of the processor 201, main memory unit 202, sub-memory unit 203, communication unit 204, and transmission line 205 are equivalent to those of the processor 101, main memory unit 102, sub-memory unit 103, communication unit 111, and transmission line 112.

[0023] However, the sub-storage unit 203 stores the collection program PRB instead of the transaction processing program PRA. The collection program PRB is an application program that describes the procedures for the collection and provision processing described later. In addition, a portion of the storage area of ​​the sub-storage unit 103 is used as an area to store the collection database DBA, which will be described later.

[0024] The hardware for the information collection server 200 can, for example, be the hardware of an existing general-purpose server device. Generally, the transfer of the information collection server 200 is performed with the collection program PRB stored in the sub-storage unit 203. However, the hardware may be transferred separately from the collection program PRB, either without the PRB stored in the sub-storage unit 203, or with a different version of the same application program stored in the sub-storage unit 203. Furthermore, the information collection server 200 may be configured by writing the collection program PRB to the sub-storage unit 203 in response to an operation by any worker. The transfer of the collection program PRB can be performed by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, or semiconductor memory, or by communication over a network.

[0025] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating one structure of data records included in the collection database DBA. The collection database DBA is a collection of data records REA associated with each individual product that was the subject of a transaction processed by the transaction processing unit 100. The data record REA includes fields FAA, FAB, FAC, FAD, FAE, FAF, and FAG.

[0026] Field FAA is set to the unique number that serves as the identifier for the data record REA. Field FAB is set to the product code that serves as the identifier for the product associated with the data record REA. Field FAC is set to the purchase date of the product associated with the data record REA. Field FAD is set to the manufacturing date of the product associated with the data record REA. Field FAE is set to the lot number of the product associated with the data record REA. Field FAF is set to the user code that serves as the identifier for the user who purchased the product associated with the data record REA. Field FAG is set to product information that represents the attributes of the product associated with the data record REA and includes various attribute data different from those set in fields FAB to FAF. Attribute data may include, for example, an image of the product, product name, manufacturer name, price, or color, but it is arbitrary for each data record REA which of these attribute data the product information includes. For example, product information set in the FAF field of one data record REA may include attribute data for product name, manufacturer name, price, and color, while product information set in the FAF field of another data record REA may not include the color attribute data.

[0027] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the user terminal 400. The user terminal 400 includes a processor 401, a main memory unit 402, a sub-memory unit 403, a touch panel 404, a mobile communication unit 405, and a transmission line 406, among other things. The general functions of the processor 401, main memory unit 402, sub-memory unit 403, and transmission line 406 are equivalent to those of the processor 101, main memory unit 102, sub-memory unit 103, and transmission line 112. However, the sub-memory unit 403 stores the client program PRC instead of the transaction processing program PRA. The client program PRC is an application program that describes the client processing procedure, which will be described later.

[0028] The touch panel 404 functions as both an input device and a display device for the user terminal 400. The mobile communication unit 405 is an interface for data communication via the communication network 2. For example, a well-known communication device for performing data communication via a mobile communication network can be used as the mobile communication unit 405.

[0029] The hardware of the user terminal 400 can be, for example, the hardware of an existing smartphone or tablet terminal. Generally, the transfer of the user terminal 400 is performed with the client program PRC not stored in the sub-storage unit 403. Then, in response to an operation by any operator, the user terminal 400 is configured by writing the client program PRC to the sub-storage unit 403. The transfer of the collection program PRB can be performed by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, or semiconductor memory, or by communication over a network. However, the transfer of the user terminal 400 may also be performed with the client program PRC stored in the sub-storage unit 403.

[0030] Next, the operation of the information service system 1 configured as described above will be explained. Note that the content of the processes described below is just an example, and it is possible to change the order of some processes, omit some processes, or add other processes as appropriate. For example, in the following explanation, some processes have been omitted in order to clearly explain the characteristic operation of this embodiment. For example, after transitioning from one processing state to another, the system may return to the processing state before the transition in response to instructions from the operator, but such processes have been omitted from the description. Or, for example, if some error occurs, processing to deal with that error may be performed, but such processes have been omitted from the description.

[0031] Users of the information services provided by Information Service System 1 register with the information service provider and are assigned a user code. The user then selects the products to purchase at the store and places all of these selected products in the designated space on the transaction processing device 100. The user then performs the predetermined operations required to start using the transaction processing device 100.

[0032] In the transaction processing unit 100, the processor 101 starts transaction processing based on the transaction processing program PRA in response to the above operation. Figure 6 is a flowchart of the transaction processing. As ACT101, processor 101 obtains the user code. For example, at the user terminal 400, processor 401 displays a screen on the touch panel 404 containing a barcode representing a pre-set user code through client processing according to the client program PRC. The user has the barcode read by, for example, a barcode reader provided by the payment unit 109. Once the payment unit 109 has read the barcode, processor 101 determines the user code represented by that barcode. Processor 101 may also obtain the user code by any other method, such as obtaining the user code entered through touch operation on the touch panel 404. Alternatively, it may receive a designated membership code for each store and obtain the user code recorded in the data table associated with that designated membership code.

[0033] As ACT102, processor 101 instructs tag reader 107 to read tag information. Under the command of processor 101, tag reader 107 reads tag information from all wireless tags present in the mounting space. Processor 101 then stores all the read tag information in main storage unit 402 or sub-storage unit 403.

[0034] As ACT103, processor 101 performs accounting processing. That is, processor 101 determines the details of a transaction based on all the tag information read and performs accounting processing to calculate the amount to be settled for that transaction. Furthermore, processor 101 performs settlement processing to settle the amount calculated by the accounting processing. The details of this accounting processing may be the same as, for example, the processing performed in existing fully self-service type POS terminals.

[0035] As ACT104, processor 101 requests information gathering server 200 to collect information about the goods that are the subject of this transaction. For example, processor 101 sends predetermined request data for information gathering to information gathering server 200 from communication unit 111 to communication network 2. Processor 101 includes, for example, the user code obtained in ACT101 and all tag information stored in ACT102 in the request data. After this, processor 101 terminates the transaction processing.

[0036] When the above request data is transmitted to the information collection server 200 via the communication network 2 and received by the communication unit 204, the processor 201 starts the collection process based on the collection program PRB. Figure 7 is a flowchart of the data collection process. As ACT201, processor 201 stores the request data received by communication unit 204 in main storage unit 202 or sub-storage unit 203. At this point, processor 201 acquires the tag information read from the wireless tag. Thus, by having processor 201 perform information processing based on the collection program PRB, the computer with processor 201 as its central component functions as an acquisition means.

[0037] As ACT202, processor 201 selects one of the tag information included in the request data. As ACT203, processor 201 generates a new data record REA associated with the product to which the wireless tag storing the selected tag information (hereinafter referred to as "selected information") was attached, and adds this data record REA to the collection database DBA. Processor 201 sets the field FAA of the data record REA to be added to a unique number that is different from the one set in the field FAA of the data record REA already included in the collection database DBA. Processor 201 sets the field FAB of the data record REA to be added to a product code included in the selected information. Processor 201 sets the current date as the purchase date in the field FAC of the data record REA to be added. Alternatively, the transaction processing device 100 may include data in the request data that represents the date when processor 101 sends the request data, or the date when a predetermined event occurs during transaction processing. In this case, the information collection server 200 may set the date represented by the data included in the request data as the purchase date in the field FAC. The processor 201 may also set the purchase date in field FAC to data including the current hour, hour and minute, or hour, minute, and second. The processor 201 sets the manufacturing date shown in the traceability information included in the selected data in field FAD of the data record REA to be added, for example. The processor 201 sets the lot number shown in the traceability information included in the selected data in field FAE of the data record REA to be added, for example. The processor 201 sets the user code included in the request data in field FAF of the data record REA to be added, for example. The processor 201 sets the product information including the attribute data obtained from the product master server 300 in field FAG of the data record REA to be added, for example, multiple attribute data representing the attributes of the product identified by the product code included in the selected information.The processor 201 retrieves data from the product master server 300 regarding the relevant product, specifically data for items predetermined to be included in the product information as attribute data. For example, the processor 201 retrieves data from the product master server 300 regarding the appearance image, product name, manufacturer name, price, or color, and includes these as attribute data in the product information. However, the processor 201 does not include any attribute information that it could not retrieve from the product master server 300. For example, if the processor 201 can retrieve data for all items of a product—appearance image, product name, manufacturer name, price, and color—it sets product information containing all of these as attribute data in the field FAG. Alternatively, if the processor 201 can retrieve data for the appearance image, product name, manufacturer name, and price of another product, but cannot retrieve data for the color, it sets product information containing only the retrieved data as attribute data in the field FAG.

[0038] As ACT204, processor 201 checks if there is any tag information in the requested data that has not yet been selected in ACT202. If there is such tag information, processor 201 determines YES and returns to ACT202, and the process is repeated as described above. When processor 201 executes ACT202 for the second time or later, it selects tag information that has not been selected before. In other words, processor 201 adds a data record REA to the collection database DBA for each piece of tag information included in the requested data. Once it has finished adding the generated data records REA for each piece of tag information included in the requested data to the collection database DBA, it determines NO in ACT204 and terminates the collection process. In this way, the information collection server 200 collects information about products purchased by the user at the store and stores it in the database DBA. The information collection server 200 then provides the collected data to the user via the user terminal 400, as will be described later.

[0039] Figure 8 shows an example of a sequence between the information gathering server 200 and the user terminal 400. If a user wants to check information about products they have purchased in the past, they cause the processor 401 of the user terminal 400 to execute client processing according to the client program PRC and perform predetermined operations to specify the display of the product list screen.

[0040] In response to this instruction, processor 401 proceeds to ACT401. As ACT401, processor 401 requests a list screen from the information collection server 200. For example, processor 401 sends predetermined request data for requesting the list screen from the mobile communication unit 405 to the communication network 2 addressed to the information collection server 200. Processor 401 also includes the user code assigned to the user of the user terminal 400 in the request data. Once this request data is transmitted to the information collection server 200 via the communication network 2 and received by the communication unit 204, processor 201 starts the provision process based on the collection program PRB and proceeds to ACT211.

[0041] As ACT211, processor 201 extracts data record REA from the collection database DBA, in which the user code included in the request data is set in field FAF. As ACT212, processor 201 generates a list screen representing a list of purchased items based on the extracted data record REA described above.

[0042] Figure 9 shows an example of a list screen. The list screen shown in Figure 9 consists of areas ARA, ARB, and ARC, each representing information about a different product, and a button BUA. Processor 201 displays information based on the data record REA extracted by ACT211 in area ARA. For example, Processor 201 displays the appearance image included in the product information set in field FAG of the data record REA in area ARA. Processor 201 displays the product name included in the product information set in field FAG of the data record REA as a string in area ARA. Processor 201 displays the purchase date set in field FAC of the data record REA as a string in area ARA. Processor 201 calculates the number of days elapsed from the manufacturing date set in field FAD of the data record REA to the present and displays this as a string in area ARA. Here, Processor 201 determines the manufacturing timing of the clothing based on the manufacturing date expressed in the traceability information included in the tag information read from the wireless tag. Then, Processor 201 calculates the elapsed time from the manufacturing timing as the number of days elapsed from the manufacturing date to the present. Thus, by having the processor 201 perform information processing based on the collection program PRB, the computer with the processor 201 as its central component functions as a determination means and a calculation means.

[0043] The elapsed period can be calculated in any of the following formats: "1 year," "1 year, 2 months, and 3 days," "1 year, 2 months, and 3 days and 4 hours," "1 year, 2 months, and 3 days and 4 hours and 5 minutes," or "1 year, 2 months, and 3 days and 4 hours, 5 minutes, and 6 seconds," "23 days," or "3 years or more." For example, if the elapsed period is less than one month, it can be expressed as "23 days"; if it is one month or more but less than three years, it can be expressed as "1 year and 2 months"; and if it is three years or more, it can be expressed as "3 years or more." Processor 201 similarly displays information based on other data records REA extracted by ACT211 in other areas ARB and ARC. The button BUA is a soft key used to specify deletion.

[0044] As ACT213 in Figure 8, the processor 201 sends the list screen data generated as described above to the user terminal 400 via the communication unit 204 to the communication network 2, so that the list screen can be displayed on the user terminal 400. Thus, by having the processor 201 perform information processing based on the collection program PRB, the computer with the processor 201 as its central component functions as an output means that outputs list screen data as information representing the number of days elapsed as a period of time. When this list screen data is transmitted to the user terminal 400 via the communication network 2 and received by the mobile communication unit 405, the processor 401 proceeds to ACT402. As ACT402, processor 401 displays the list screen on touch panel 404 based on the received list screen data.

[0045] By visually inspecting the list screen displayed on the touch panel 404, users can check the appearance, product name, purchase date, and age of previously purchased clothing. In other words, users can identify the clothing they own based on its appearance and product name, and then check how old the clothing is based on the age.

[0046] If a user wants to see more detailed information about one of the clothing items displayed on the list screen, they specify the display of details by performing a predetermined operation, such as swiping over the area displaying information about the relevant product. In response to this specification, processor 401 proceeds to ACT403.

[0047] As ACT403, processor 401 requests a detailed screen from the information collection server 200. For example, processor 401 sends predetermined request data for requesting a detailed screen to the information collection server 200 from mobile communication unit 405 to communication network 2. Processor 401 includes data in the request data that allows it to determine which product the detailed display specification was made for. If processor 401 receives the detailed display specification by swiping as described above, it includes, for example, the identifier of the swiped area in the request data as data that allows it to determine which product the detailed display specification was made for. When this request data is transmitted to the information collection server 200 via communication network 2 and received by communication unit 204, processor 201 proceeds to ACT214. As ACT214, processor 201 generates a details screen that displays detailed information about the specified product.

[0048] Figure 10 shows an example of a detail screen. The detail screen shown in Figure 10 is an example where the user specifies the display of details for clothing items shown in area ARA of the list screen shown in Figure 9. Therefore, the detail screen shown in Figure 10 displays the manufacturing date, manufacturer name, and price of the clothing item in text format, in addition to the appearance image, item name, purchase date, and number of days since purchase that were displayed in area ARA in Figure 9. In this embodiment, color is also displayed on the detail screen, but the detail screen shown in Figure 10 is an example where the product information of the item in question does not include attribute data related to color. Furthermore, the detail screen shown in Figure 10 represents a button BUB. A button BUB is a soft key used to specify that attribute information should be edited.

[0049] In Figure 8, the processor 201, as ACT215, sends detailed screen data, generated as described above, to the user terminal 400 via the communication unit 204 to the communication network 2. Once the detailed screen data is transmitted to the user terminal 400 via the communication network 2 and received by the mobile communication unit 405, the processor 401 proceeds to ACT404. As ACT404, processor 401 displays a detailed screen on touch panel 404 based on the received detailed screen data.

[0050] By visually inspecting the detailed screen shown in Figure 10 displayed on the touch panel 404, users can confirm the appearance, product name, purchase date, and age of previously purchased clothing, as well as the manufacturing date, manufacturer name, and price. If the user does not have information on an item that is supposed to be displayed on the details screen, they can add that information. If the user wishes to do so, they specify editing by performing a predetermined operation, such as touching button BUB. In response, processor 401 proceeds to ACT405.

[0051] As ACT405, processor 401 executes an edit acceptance process to receive user-specified edit content. For example, processor 401 displays an input screen on touch panel 404 for the user to input edit content, and inputs the edit content according to the user's operation on the input screen. As shown in Figure 10, if the color is not displayed on the detail screen, the user performs a predetermined operation to input, for example, that the color be "red". In this case, processor 401 accepts "red" as the edit content.

[0052] As ACT406, processor 401 requests editing from information gathering server 200. For example, processor 401 sends predetermined request data for requesting editing from mobile communication unit 405 to communication network 2 addressed to information gathering server 200. Processor 401 includes data representing the received editing content in the request data. When this request data is transmitted to information gathering server 200 via communication network 2 and received by communication unit 204, processor 201 proceeds to ACT216.

[0053] As ACT216, processor 201 updates the collection database DBA according to the edit content represented by the data included in the request data. For example, processor 201 updates the product information set in field FAG of data record REA associated with a product displayed on the detail screen shown on user terminal 400. If the relevant product information does not include color attribute data as described above, and the edit content is to set the color to "red" as described above, processor 201 adds attribute data indicating that the color is "red" to the relevant product data. As ACT217, processor 201 generates a detailed screen based on the product information modified as described above. In other words, processor 201 regenerates an updated detailed screen that reflects the user's edits.

[0054] Figure 11 shows an example of a detail screen. The detail screen shown in Figure 11 is an example of a detail screen that is regenerated in response to the editing process described above, where the color is changed to "red" from the state where the detail screen shown in Figure 10 is displayed. Therefore, the detail screen shown in Figure 11 has the string "Color: Red" added to it compared to the detail screen shown in Figure 10.

[0055] As ACT218 in Figure 8, the processor 201 sends detailed screen data, which has been regenerated as described above, to the user terminal 400 via the communication unit 204 to the communication network 2. Once this detailed screen data is transmitted to the user terminal 400 via the communication network 2 and received by the mobile communication unit 405, the processor 401 proceeds to ACT407. As ACT407, processor 401 displays a detailed screen on touch panel 404 based on the received detailed screen data.

[0056] Thus, the product information collected by the information collection server 200 and provided to the user can be edited by the user as appropriate. If a user wishes to view the list screen again while the details screen is displayed, they specify the list display using a predetermined operation. In response, the processor 401 on the user terminal 400 proceeds to ACT408. As ACT408, processor 401 redisplays the list screen that was displayed before the details screen was displayed.

[0057] If a user disposes of clothing and no longer needs to provide information about that clothing, they touch the area on the list screen where the information about that clothing is displayed, select the item, and then touch the BUA button. For example, to delete information about clothing displayed in area ARC, the user touches within area ARC and then touches the BUA button. In response, the processor 401 on the user terminal 400 proceeds to ACT409.

[0058] As ACT409, processor 401 requests deletion from information collection server 200. For example, processor 401 sends predetermined request data for requesting deletion to information collection server 200 from mobile communication unit 405 to communication network 2. Processor 401 includes data in the request data that enables the determination of the product to be deleted. If a product has been selected by touching the area ARC as described above, processor 401 includes the area ARC identifier in the request data as data that enables the determination of the product to be deleted. When this request data is transmitted to information collection server 200 via communication network 2 and received by communication unit 204, processor 201 proceeds to ACT219.

[0059] As ACT219, processor 201 updates the collection database DBA so that it does not include the data record REA associated with the product represented by the data included in the request data. As ACT220, processor 201 generates a list screen based on the updated collection database DBA as described above.

[0060] Figure 12 shows an example of a list screen. The list screen shown in Figure 12 is an example where a product represented in Area ARC is selected and deleted in the list screen shown in Figure 9. Therefore, the list screen shown in Figure 12 does not represent Area ARC as shown in Figure 9.

[0061] In Figure 8, as ACT221, processor 201 sends list screen data, generated as described above, to the user terminal 400 via communication unit 204 to communication network 2, for display on the user terminal 400. Once this list screen data is transmitted to the user terminal 400 via communication network 2 and received by mobile communication unit 405, processor 401 proceeds to ACT410. As ACT410, processor 401 displays the list screen on touch panel 404 based on the received list screen data.

[0062] As described above, the information collection server 200 collects and stores data, including the manufacturing date, read from the wireless tag, for clothing items that are the subject of transactions processed by the transaction processing device 100. The information collection server 200 then calculates the number of days since the clothing was manufactured based on the manufacturing date and presents the product information, including this number of days since manufacture, to the user. Therefore, the user can easily check how long ago their clothing was manufactured. Furthermore, since the data is collected from the wireless tag for transaction processing by the transaction processing device 100, there is no need to read the data from the wireless tag again for data collection by the information collection server 200.

[0063] This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows: The processor 201 may also process tag information read from wireless tags attached to items other than clothing.

[0064] The processor 201 may process tag information read by a tag reader connected to any information processing device different from the transaction processing device 100 at any time other than transaction processing. For example, tag information read by a tag reader connected to a user terminal 400 under user operation may be sent from the user terminal 400 to the information collection server 200, and this tag information may be processed by the processor 201.

[0065] Processor 201 may determine the manufacturing timing as year, year, month, year, month, day, hour, minute, or year, month, day, minute, second. Alternatively, Processor 201 may determine the manufacturing timing as "January-March 2024".

[0066] The processor 201 may also send data in a different format from the screen data to the user terminal 400, such as data that directly represents the calculated elapsed time.

[0067] The information service system 1 may, in place of or in addition to the user terminal 400, include an information service terminal installed in the store, and perform user interface operations on the information service terminal that are similar to the user interface on the user terminal 400.

[0068] Each of the functions realized by processors 101, 201, and 401 through information processing can also be partially or entirely realized by hardware that performs non-program-based information processing, such as logic circuits. Furthermore, each of the above functions can also be realized by combining the aforementioned hardware, such as logic circuits, with software control.

[0069] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0070] 1... Information service system, 2... Communication network, 100... Transaction processing unit, 200... Information collection server, 300... Product master server, 400... User terminal, 101, 201, 401... Processor, 102, 202, 402... Main storage unit, 103, 203, 403... Sub-storage unit, 104... Input unit, 105... Display unit, 106... Sound unit, 107... Tag reader, 108... Currency receiving unit, 109... Settlement unit, 110... Printer, 111, 204... Communication unit, 112, 205, 406... Transmission line, 404... Touch panel, 405... Mobile communication unit.

Claims

1. A determination means for determining the manufacturing timing of an item based on tag information read from a wireless tag attached to the item, A calculation means for calculating the elapsed time from the manufacturing timing determined by the determination means, An output means that outputs information representing the elapsed period calculated by the calculation means, An information processing device equipped with the following.

2. The system further comprises acquisition means for acquiring tag information read from a wireless tag in transaction processing for the sale of the aforementioned goods, The determination means determines the manufacturing timing based on the tag information acquired by the acquisition means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The output means outputs information representing the name of the item along with the elapsed period calculated by the calculation means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The output means transmits screen data to the information terminal for displaying a screen on the information terminal that shows the elapsed period calculated by the calculation means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The computer installed in the information processing device, A determination means for determining the manufacturing timing of an item based on tag information read from a wireless tag attached to the item, A calculation means for calculating the elapsed time from the manufacturing timing determined by the determination means, An output means that outputs information representing the elapsed period calculated by the calculation means, An information processing program that enables a function to work.

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