Information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To promote online sales of a product to be discounted.SOLUTION: An information processing system includes a user terminal carried by a user and an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the user terminal. The information processing apparatus includes: a storage unit in which product information of products to be discounted in a store, state information showing states of the products, and offer price information of the products are stored in association with each other; and a payment processing unit which performs payment processing on a product corresponding to product information acquired from the user terminal on the basis of a payment request for the product. The user terminal includes a display control unit which acquires state information corresponding to the product information of the product selected by the user and offer price information of the product from the information processing apparatus and causes a display unit to display them.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the demand for online sales of products has been increasing, and systems for constructing online sales are known. For example, an online sales method is known that includes the steps of collecting purchase request information that associates multiple products with multiple sets from a terminal, transmitting multiple pieces of delivery date and time information corresponding to multiple delivery dates and times to a delivery system, and transmitting payment information for paying for all of the multiple products to a payment system (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-053921 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, currently, there are challenges in selling products online, especially perishables, which are likely to be discounted as their expiration dates approach. First, consumers dislike products with approaching expiration dates being sold without discounts, but they also feel uneasy about purchasing products with approaching expiration dates without looking at them, so they want to purchase the products in stores. On the other hand, retailers such as stores may choose not to sell products with an approaching expiration date online out of fear of customer complaints. For example, if a customer receives a product with an earlier expiration date than they expected, this could lead to customer dissatisfaction. For these reasons, online sales of products, particularly fresh food, are not taking place, which means that stores lose sales opportunities for fresh food and increase food waste, and for consumers, it reduces the convenience of online sales.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to promote online sales of discounted products. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an information processing system including a user terminal carried by a user and an information processing device capable of communicating with the user terminal, wherein the information processing device has a storage unit that stores product information of products that are subject to discounts in a store, status information indicating the status of the products, and offered price information of the products in association with each other, and a payment processing unit that performs payment processing for the products based on a payment request for the products corresponding to the product information acquired from the user terminal, and the user terminal has a display control unit that acquires the status information and offered price information of the products corresponding to the product information of the products selected by the user from the information processing device and displays them on a display unit. the display control unit causes the display unit to display, as status information indicating the status of the product, image data of the product acquired when the product becomes eligible for discount. It is an information processing system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, online sales of discounted products can be promoted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a mechanism of an online sales system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 10 is a diagram illustrating in-store operations carried out from the production date of fresh food to its expiration date in an online sales system according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating preparation of a product to be handed over to a user in the online sales system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4]10 is a diagram illustrating the procedure for a user to receive a product at a receiving location in the online sales system according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of screen transitions of a product purchasing application on a user terminal. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a system configuration of an online sales system according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of each device of the online sales system according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a product inventory database. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a product image database. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a user database. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data configuration of a transaction history database. [Figure 12] 1 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the online sales system according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] 1 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the online sales system according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the product label. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart executed by a store terminal in an online sales system according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An online sales system, which is an example of an information processing system, will be described below. The online sales system of this embodiment is configured to allow users to purchase products, such as fresh food, online whose condition may change over time. At this time, the system is configured to allow users to display status information indicating the current status of the product (for example, at the time when the product becomes eligible for price reduction) on their terminal before purchasing the product. Before purchasing (paying for) a product, users can check the current product status information and can predict the product's condition when they receive it or when they use it (cook it), allowing them to purchase products with peace of mind even when purchasing online. In the following explanation, product status information will be exemplified by image data of the product.

[0010] (1) Structure of the online sales system according to this embodiment In the following description, an online sales system 1 for a retail business such as a supermarket that handles food products will be described as an example with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. Figure 1 shows a schematic structure of the online sales system 1 of this embodiment. In Figure 1, steps (I) to (VII) show a series of steps up to handing over a product to a user in the online sales system 1 of this embodiment. In Figure 1, data communication is indicated by solid lines, and the movement of people and goods is indicated by dotted lines.

[0011] Step (I) First, the store produces a product P, such as fresh food, and then prints a product label PL (e.g., a measurement label) using a label printer (not shown) and affixes it to the product P. The product label PL has printed thereon code information including, for example, a product code, information indicating a best-before date (best-before date data; an example of expiration date information), and a unique number (an example of individual identification information) that identifies the individual product. If there are multiple products with the same product code and best-before date data in the store, a unique number can be assigned to identify each product. In particular, if the product is fresh food, even products with the same product code and best-before date data will be in different conditions, so it is advisable to assign a unique number so that customers can select a product based on the condition of each individual product.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing, in chronological order, the work to be performed in a store from the date of manufacture (day 0) of a product to its expiration date (here, as an example, day 4). Step (I) in Fig. 1 corresponds to the work on day 0 in Fig. 2, i.e., the work of manufacturing product P and creating and attaching a product label PL (measurement label) to product P. An exemplary product label PL is also shown in Fig. 2. The product label PL in Fig. 2 includes, for example, code information C1. For example, the code information C1 includes the product code, expiration date data, and unique number of the corresponding product P. The code format of the code information C1 does not matter, but if it is a barcode (one-dimensional code), for example, CODE128 such as GS1-128 can be used. CODE128 can convert all 128 ASCII characters into barcodes, so it can be configured to include the product code, expiration date data, and unique number, making it convenient for source marking.

[0013] Step (II) If product P remains unsold over time, the store decides to discount (mark down) product P. In the example of FIG. 2, for example, on the second day, store staff affixes discount sticker 101 to product P, which is subject to a discount, to notify consumers in the store that product P has been discounted. Note that, although discount sticker 101 is affixed to product label PL in FIG. 2, it may also be affixed to a part of product P other than product label PL. Here, the store staff uses the store terminal 3 to acquire an image of the product P with, for example, a discount sticker 101 attached. Note that the discount sticker 101 does not have to be attached to the product P. Also, instead of a discount sticker, a mark that indicates that the product is subject to a price reduction, such as a "food waste contribution product," may be displayed, thereby enabling label-less markdowns to be accommodated. As will be described in a modified example below, a character string corresponding to the unique number may be displayed on the product label PL. By displaying the character string corresponding to the unique number, it is possible to immediately identify the product as being eligible for a discount. The character string corresponding to the unique number may be printed on the product label PL or may be written by hand by a store staff member.

[0014] Step (III) The store staff operates the store terminal 3 to upload the image of the product P (an example of condition information) acquired in step (II) together with data contained in the code information C1 of the product label PL (i.e., product code, expiration date data, unique number), etc., to the server 5 (an example of an information processing device). The uploaded data can be accessed from the user terminal 7 in response to an operation by a user U using online sales. The server 5 associates, for example, the unique number of the product P with the image of the product P.

[0015] Step (IV) A user U using online sales can purchase products available in stores online by operating a user terminal 7. The user terminal 7 can access information about products available for sale by accessing a database on the server 5. Online product sales and payments can be realized, for example, by a web application.

[0016] The user terminal 7 can display, for example, the product code and expiration date of the product P selected by the user U, as well as an image associated with the unique number. This allows the user U to select a product to purchase while viewing the images of each product. For example, if multiple products with the same product code (e.g., American pork "loin for ginger pork" in the example of FIG. 2) and the same expiration date are sold online, the user U can compare the images of each product and select and purchase a specific product (i.e., a product with a specific unique number) based on the product's color (condition such as the freshness of the part), thickness, quantity, quality, etc. This allows the user U to purchase with confidence even if the product's expiration date is approaching.

[0017] Procedure (V) When the server 5 notifies the store terminal 3 that the product P has been purchased online, the store staff moves the product P from the storefront to a storage location within the store. Although not shown, a picking list is created by the store terminal 3 based on data related to product purchases by the user U that is notified to the store terminal 3 from the server 5. Based on the picking list, the store staff uses, for example, the handheld terminal 6 to perform picking (the work of picking up products) and inspection of the products purchased online. The picking list (not shown) contains a list of code information (e.g., the same as the code information C1 (see FIG. 2) printed on the product label PL) corresponding to one or more products to be picked, in association with the order number issued at the time of payment for the product purchase. As shown in FIG. 3, the store staff, for example, checks the code information included in the picking list against the code information C1 on the product label PL affixed to the product P using a handheld terminal 6, thereby picking the products one by one and storing all of the products to be picked in the storage container 10. Finally, a label L1 is printed using a label printer, on which code information C2 corresponding to, for example, the location number of the storage location or the order number is printed, and the label L1 is affixed to the storage container 10.

[0018] Step (VI) After completing payment for the product online, for example, the user U comes to the store to pick up the product. However, this is not limited to this, and the product may be mailed from the store to a location specified by the user U. The product is handed over, for example, at a predetermined pick-up location in the store (see FIG. 1). To ensure that the product purchased by user U is handed over to user U without any errors, the product is handed over by, for example, three-point verification as described below.

[0019] 4, for example, a label printer 2 and a code reader 8 are installed at the receiving location of the store. The label printer 2 and the code reader 8 are connected by a cable 110. A user U who has come to pick up an item presents the screen displayed on the user terminal 7 (in the example of FIG. 4, a screen including the order number ON and code information C3 corresponding to the order number ON) to a store staff member. When the store staff member uses the code reader 8 to perform an operation (scan operation) to read the code information C3, the label printer 2 is configured to issue a label L2 on which the code information C4 corresponding to the order number ON and the location number are printed.

[0020] Step (VII) The store staff member goes to pick up the container 10 intended for the user U from a storage location within the store based on the location number displayed on the label L2, and returns to the receiving location. Here, the store staff sequentially reads the code information C3 displayed on the user terminal 7, the code information C4 contained in the label L2 printed by the label printer 2, and the code information C2 contained in the label L1 attached to the storage item 10 brought from the storage location using the code reader 8. Only if the three pieces of code information match, the store staff hands over the storage item 10 containing one or more products to the user U (three-point matching).

[0021] Figure 5 shows an example of the screen transitions displayed on the user terminal 7 when purchasing a product online. For example, the screen transitions shown in Figure 5 are performed when the web browser on the user terminal 7 requests, acquires, and displays data from a server program running on the server 5. When the type of product sold in the online store is selected, screen G1 is displayed. Screen G1 shows an example in which "Loin for Ginger Pork" within "Pork" has been selected as the product type. Here, the product type corresponds to the product code. Screen G1 displays a list of multiple individual products that match the selected type. For each individual product in each row, data such as expiration date and discount rate is displayed. It is advisable to assign a different unique number to each discounted product. In the following explanation, each individual product may be referred to as an "individual product."

[0022] Among the multiple individual products displayed on screen G1, those with an approaching expiration date are discounted, and an image of the individual product can be viewed by operating button b1. Operating button b1 corresponding to any of the individual products transitions to screen G2, where an image 210 of the selected individual product is displayed. This allows the user to carefully consider the condition of the product before deciding to purchase it, and if they do, they can purchase the product at a discounted price. For example, operating button b2 on screen G2 adds the corresponding individual product to the shopping cart (screen G3). By repeatedly performing operations on screens G1 to G3, the individual products selected by the user are added to the wish list. Finally, an operation (not shown) is performed to confirm the purchase of the products included in the wish list, and when payment processing for the products is completed on server 5, an order number ON is assigned to identify the transaction history, as shown on screen G4. Code information C3 displayed on screen G4 corresponds to order number ON. As described with reference to FIG. 4, code information C3 is required when receiving the products.

[0023] (2) Overview of the online sales system The system configuration of the online sales system 1 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. Fig. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a portion of the system configuration of the online sales system 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the online sales system 1 of this embodiment includes a store terminal 3 and a label printer 2 located in a store, a handheld terminal 6, a user terminal 7 carried by a user who uses online sales, and a server 5 that provides online sales services to the user.

[0024] (2-1) Overall system 6, the server 5 and the user terminal 7 can communicate with each other via a network NW, and the server 5 and the store terminal 3 can communicate with each other via the network NW. The server 5 and the label printer 2 can communicate with each other via the network NW. The network NW is, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The store terminal 3 can communicate with the label printer 2 via wired or wireless communication.

[0025] The label printer 2 is installed in the store and issues product labels PL (see FIG. 2) to be affixed to the products P and labels L1 (see FIG. 3) to be affixed to the storage containers 10 based on print data. For example, if the products are fresh food, the label printer 2 is located at the fresh food production site within the store. The label printer 2 may also be a small, portable printer (mobile printer). When the above three-point matching is performed at the receiving location in the store, it is preferable to install a separate label printer 2 and code reader 8 at the receiving location as shown in Figure 4. It is also preferable to install a handheld terminal 6 in the store to perform the picking work.

[0026] When the label printer 2 issues a product label PL based on the print data, it transmits the print data to the server 5. The print data includes the product code, expiration date data, a unique number, and data such as the price and net weight (g) per 100g, and the server 5 updates the product inventory database based on the received print data. For example, if the product is a perishable food, a product label PL is issued when the product is produced in the store, and print data is provided to the server 5, which updates the product inventory database.

[0027] The store terminal 3 provides information about products available in the store to the server 5. Based on the information provided by the store terminal 3, the server 5 updates various databases (described later) required for online sales. The store terminal 3 is, for example, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a smartphone. The store terminal 3 has an imaging function for acquiring images of the product P in the store, and transmits to the server 5 information (e.g., product code, expiration date data, unique number) contained in the code information (e.g., code information C1 in Figure 2) of the product label PL attached to the product P, in association with an image of the product P at the time it became subject to a price reduction.

[0028] The server 5 provides web services relating to online sales to the web browser of the user terminal 7, which is a client. For example, when the server 5 receives a request from the user terminal 7 to view a product for sale, it reads the necessary data from a database (described later) and returns an HTML document including that data to the web browser. In addition, when the server 5 receives a payment request for the product from the user terminal 7, it performs payment processing in cooperation with a payment agent server (not shown). The server 5 transmits to the store terminal 3 a shipping instruction including data relating to the product purchased by the user and the order number.

[0029] The user terminal 7 is, for example, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a smartphone. As described above, the user terminal 7 has a web browser, and by performing HTTP communication with the user terminal 7, it displays information about products for online sales, requests payment for products to the server 5, and the like.

[0030] (2-2) Configuration of each device Next, the configuration of each device in Fig. 7 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a block diagram including the internal configuration of the store terminal 3, label printer 2, user terminal 7, and server 5 in the online sales system 1 of this embodiment.

[0031] (2-2-1) Shop Terminal 3 As shown in FIG. 7, the shop terminal 3 includes a control unit 31, a storage 32, an operation input unit 33, a display unit , an imaging unit 35, and a communication unit . The control unit 31 is mainly composed of a microprocessor and memory (Read-only Memory (ROM) and Random Access Memory (RAM)), and controls the entire store terminal 3. To realize an online sales system in cooperation with the server 5, the microprocessor loads and executes programs from the ROM. For example, the control unit 31 receives from the server 5 a shipping instruction including data on the product purchased by the user and the order number, and displays the data on the display unit .

[0032] The control unit 31 receives data related to product purchases by users from the server 5 and creates a picking list based on the data. As described above, the picking list includes a list of code information corresponding to each of one or more products to be picked, in association with the order number issued at the time of payment for the product purchase. The picking list is necessary for carrying out the picking and inspection of products purchased online using the handheld terminal 6. The control unit 31 acquires a unique number to be assigned to a newly manufactured (or stocked) product, and performs processing to determine a location number that is a storage location for the product to be sold online.

[0033] The storage 32 is a storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores image data of products (individual products) in the store acquired by the imaging unit 35. The storage 32 may also store product information (for example, product code, expiration date data, unique number) acquired from the image data. The operation input unit 33 includes an input device such as a touch panel input device provided on the display panel, a mouse and / or a keyboard, and is configured to receive operation inputs from store staff. The display unit 34 includes a display panel such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a display drive circuit, and is configured to display the results of processing performed by the control unit 31.

[0034] The imaging unit 35 has, for example, an optical lens and an imaging element (image sensor) that converts incident light from the optical lens into an electrical signal, and sequentially generates digital images. For example, the imaging unit 35 acquires image data of products (individual products) in the store. The control unit 31 extracts the product code, expiration date data, and unique number of the product by analyzing the code information of the product label included in the image data acquired by the imaging unit 35, and also extracts the product price and discount rate data included in the image data by image recognition. The control unit 31 associates the product code, price data, discount rate data, expiration date data, and unique number of the product with the image data and transmits them to the server 5 via the communication unit 36. The communication unit 36 ​​is a communication interface for communicating with the server 5 and the label printer 2.

[0035] A product code is an example of product information, and may be a one-dimensional code (barcode) or a two-dimensional code (e.g., QR Code (registered trademark)). There is no limitation on the method for acquiring product information from a product, and various methods can be used. For example, if text information corresponding to the product information is displayed on the product, an image containing the text information can be captured, and the text information can be acquired from the image using image recognition technology.

[0036] (2-2-2) Label Printer 2 7, the label printer 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage 22, an operation input unit 23, a display unit 24, a conveying unit 25, a printing unit 26, and a communication unit 27. The label printer 2 is, but is not limited to, a thermal printer, for example. The control unit 21 is mainly composed of a microprocessor and memory (ROM and RAM), and controls the label printer 2 as a whole. The storage 22 is a non-volatile memory, such as an SSD, such as a flash memory. In addition to firmware, the storage 22 stores label issuance data for issuing labels to be used in stores, a label editing program for editing the label issuance data to generate print data, and the like. The operation input unit 23 includes, for example, a touch panel input mechanism mounted on the display panel of the display unit 24. The display unit 24 includes a display panel such as an LCD and a display drive circuit, and displays the results of the execution of the label editing program.

[0037] Execution of the label editing program provides, for example, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for store staff to edit the content to be printed on the label. For example, by incorporating data such as a product code, expiration date, and unique number input by the store staff via the operation input unit 23, as well as data such as the price and net weight (g) per 100 g, into a predetermined label format, print data for issuing a product label (for example, a measurement label) is generated.

[0038] Control unit 21 issues product labels and shipping labels based on the print data. That is, control unit 21 sequentially sends line data, which is data for each line of the print data, to printing unit 26. Conveyance unit 25 and printing unit 26 perform printing based on the line data that is sequentially sent out. The transport unit 25 includes a platen roller (not shown) and a motor drive circuit and motor (not shown), and transports the continuous paper within the label printer 2. The continuous paper is, for example, a sheet of paper with multiple labels temporarily attached to a strip-shaped backing. Based on a transport request from the firmware, the motor drive circuit drives the motor that controls the rotation of the platen roller, thereby transporting the continuous paper. The printing unit 26 includes a thermal head and a head drive circuit (both not shown). The head drive circuit selectively applies current to each heating element of the thermal head based on line data, thereby printing on the continuous paper label. The communication unit 27 is a communication interface for communicating with the store terminal 3.

[0039] When issuing a product label PL based on the print data, the control unit 21 transmits the print data to the server 5 via the communication unit 27. As described above, the print data includes a product code, expiration date data, a unique number, and data such as the price and net weight (g) per 100 g. The product inventory database is updated in the server 5 based on the data included in the print data. That is, in the online sales system 1, the issuance of the product label PL and the update of the product inventory database are linked.

[0040] (2-2-3) User terminal 7 7, the user terminal 7 includes a control unit 71, a storage unit 72, an operation input unit 73, a display unit 74, and a communication unit 75. The control unit 71 is mainly composed of a microprocessor and memory (ROM and RAM), and controls the entire user terminal 7. For example, the microprocessor included in the control unit 71 executes, for example, a web browser and displays the execution results on the display unit 74. The web browser communicates with the server 5, for example, via HTTP, makes predetermined data requests (for example, image requests) and processing requests (for example, payment requests) to a server program running on the server 5, and also obtains and displays necessary data (such as HTML documents) from the server program. This allows the user terminal 7 to use, for example, online sales services provided by the server 5. Examples of data obtained from the server program include image data and order number data.

[0041] The control unit 71 executes the web browser, and thereby functions as a display control unit that acquires, from the server 5, image data corresponding to, for example, the product code of a product selected by a user and information on the product's offered price (offered price information), and displays the acquired data on the display unit 74. For example, when a product's unique number (an example of individual identification information) is selected by a user, the display control unit acquires image data corresponding to the selected unique number from the server 5 and displays the image data on the display unit 74. The unique number is selected on the display unit 74, for example, as shown on screen G1 in FIG. 5.

[0042] The storage 72 is a non-volatile memory, such as a solid state drive (SSD) such as a flash memory, etc. The storage 72 stores, for example, authentication information used when accessing a web browser or the server 5. The operation input unit 73 is, for example, a touch panel type input device provided on the display panel of the user terminal 7. The display unit 74 includes a display panel such as an LCD and a display drive circuit, and displays web pages for online sales via a web browser. The communication unit 75 is a communication interface for communicating with the server 5.

[0043] (2-2-4) Server 5 As shown in FIG. 7, the server 5 includes a control unit 51, a storage 52, and a communication unit 53. The control unit 51 is mainly composed of a microprocessor and memory (ROM and RAM), and controls the entire server 5. For example, the microprocessor included in the control unit 51 loads and executes a server program recorded in the storage 52. The server program creates HTML documents related to online sales of products based on various databases stored in the storage 52 in response to predetermined data requests or processing requests from, for example, a web browser on the user terminal 7, or executes predetermined processes such as payment processing for products. In other words, the microprocessor executes the server program to realize web applications related to online sales.

[0044] The storage 52 (an example of a storage unit) is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores a product inventory database (product inventory DB), a product image database (product image DB), a transaction history database (transaction history DB), and a user database (user DB). Each database is accessed by the control unit 51 as appropriate when the server program is executed. Each database will be described later with examples.

[0045] The communication unit 53 is a communication interface for communicating with the store terminal 3, the user terminal 7, and the label printer 2. The communication unit 53 also serves as a communication interface for communicating with a payment agent server (not shown). The payment agent server can communicate with the server 5 via the network NW and provides a service of handling payments for products in a store on behalf of users.

[0046] FIG. 8 shows an example of the configuration of a product inventory database. Each record in the product inventory database illustrated in Figure 8 includes values ​​in the fields of "product code," "price," "discount rate," "best before date," and "unique number." Each field corresponds to the product code, price data, discount rate data, best before date data, and unique number, respectively, transmitted from, for example, the store terminal 3. The control unit 51 of the server 5 creates a new record in the product inventory database or updates the value of one of the fields in an existing record, for example, every time it receives data from, for example, the store terminal 3.

[0047] The control unit 51 of the server 5 acquires print data from the label printer 2 and updates the product inventory database based on the data included in the print data. The control unit 51 of the server 5 also acquires product data (described later) from the store terminal 3 and updates the product inventory database based on the product data. In addition, the control unit 51 of the server 5 updates the product inventory database based on the payment request received from the user terminal 7.

[0048] FIG. 9 shows an example of the configuration of a product image database. Each record in the product image database illustrated in FIG. 9 includes values ​​in the fields "unique number" and "image data." The image data format is not limited to gif, but may be other available formats such as jpeg and tiff. By referencing the product image database, the control unit 51 can identify image data corresponding to a unique number assigned to an individual product, for example. In addition, to notify the user of the state of the product, it is advisable to provide a field such as "image acquisition date and time" and include in the database a value indicating the date and time when the corresponding image data was acquired.

[0049] The control unit 51 of the server 5 receives, for example, image data of the product associated with the unique number from the store terminal 3, and updates the product image database.

[0050] FIG. 10 shows an example of the configuration of a user database. Each record in the user database illustrated in Figure 10 contains values ​​for the fields "User ID," "User Name," and "Payment Method." Here, the value in the "User ID" field is identification information assigned to the user. The value in the "User Name" field is obtained based on the user's operational input when the user begins using online sales, and is recorded in the user database. The value in the "Payment Method" field is obtained based on the user's operational input when the user begins using online sales, or at any other time, and is recorded or updated in the user database. The value of the "payment method" field is data necessary for making payment for the product to the user, such as credit card number information and / or information related to electronic money (prepaid number, etc.). The value of the "payment method" field is provided to a payment agent server (not shown) when the user corresponding to the user ID makes a payment.

[0051] FIG. 11 shows an example of the structure of a transaction history database. Each record in the transaction history database shown in Figure 11 contains values ​​for the fields "User ID," "Order Number," "Purchase Details," and "Receipt." The value of the "Order Number" field is uniquely assigned to each individual user's payment after the payment for the product is completed. The "Purchase Details" field contains the subfields "Product Code," "Quantity," "Price," and "Unique Number." The value of each subfield indicates the details of the purchase that is the subject of the payment identified by the payment ID. The value of the "Received" field indicates whether the user has received the product at the store for which payment has been completed ("Received") or has not yet received it ("Not yet"). In the following description, data contained in one or more records identified by an order number in the transaction history database will be referred to as "purchase data." The store's POS (not shown) can read data from the transaction history database to compile sales data from online sales and sales data from payments made in the store. The control unit 51 of the server 5 updates the transaction history database based on a payment request received from the user terminal 7. The control unit 51 of the server 5 also updates the transaction history database based on a shipping completion notification (described later) received from the store terminal 3.

[0052] By executing the server program, the control unit 51 functions as a payment processing unit. The payment processing unit performs payment processing for a product based on a payment request for the product corresponding to the product code acquired from the user terminal 7. In this embodiment, the control unit 51 reads the user name and payment method data from the user database and provides it to a payment agent server (not shown). The control unit 51 also creates a new record in the transaction history database when it receives a payment request from the user terminal 7.

[0053] (3) Operation of online sales system 1 Next, the operation of the online sales system 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12 and Fig. 13. Fig. 12 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the online sales system 1 up to the time when a user purchases a discounted product online at a store. As shown in Fig. 2, a discounted product is a product that has become eligible for a price reduction after a predetermined time has passed since the product was manufactured. It is preferable that a discount sticker 101 or the like is affixed to the product label PL of the discounted product, but this is not limited to this.

[0054] First, at the time of manufacturing a product, the store terminal 3 acquires a unique number for the product in response to a predetermined operation by a store staff member (Step S1). The unique number is a number for identifying each of a plurality of products (each individual product) with the same product code, and is therefore determined so as not to overlap with unique numbers already assigned to other individual products.

[0055] Once the unique number for the product has been acquired, the store staff performs tasks such as weighing the product and then inputs the product code, expiration date data, the unique number acquired in step S1, and other data such as the price per 100 g and net quantity (g) into the label printer 2. The label printer 2 generates print data based on the input data and issues a product label (step S2), and sends the print data to the server 5 (step S3). The server 5 updates the product inventory database based on the data included in the received print data (the above-mentioned product code, expiration date data, unique number, and data such as the price per 100 g and net quantity (g)) (step S4). The product label issued in step S2 includes code information as shown in FIG. 2 and is attached to the product.

[0056] When it is time to discount a product, for example, a store staff member affixes a discount sticker or the like to the product. The store terminal 3 acquires image data of the discounted product based on a predetermined operation by the store staff member (step S5). The store terminal 3 analyzes the code information of the product label included in the image data acquired in step S4 to extract the product code, expiration date data, and unique number of the product, and also extracts data such as the product price and discount rate included in the image data through image recognition. The store terminal 3 transmits data (referred to as "product data") associating the product code, price data, discount rate data, expiration date data, and unique number of the discounted product with the image data to the server 5 (step S6). Note that the image data of the discounted product may also be acquired at the time of discount using an imaging device such as a camera installed in the store in advance.

[0057] The server 5 updates the product image database by creating a record that associates the unique number included in the product data received from the store terminal 3 or the in-store imaging device with the image data (step S8).The server 5 further updates the product inventory database by creating a record that includes the product code, price data, discount rate data, expiration date data, and unique number included in the received product data (step S10).

[0058] When a user uses online sales, the user operates the user terminal 7 to browse a web page for online sales provided by a store, for example. That is, the web browser of the user terminal 7 starts a session for HTTP communication with the server program of the server 5 (step S20). The web browser of the user terminal 7 makes an image request to the server 5 for an image of the product selected by the user (step S22), as shown on screens G1 and G2 in FIG. 5, receives an HTML document containing the corresponding image data (step S24), and displays the image. Here, if multiple discounted products (multiple individual products) with the same product code are available for purchase, the user can select a discounted product while checking the images of each product.

[0059] When the selection of all products to be purchased is completed, the user performs a predetermined operation, and the web browser of the user terminal 7 transmits a payment request for the products to the server 5 (step S26). The server 5 reads the user's payment method information from the user database and performs the payment process by providing the payment method information and the price to be paid to a payment agent server (not shown) (step S28). If the payment process is completed without any problems, the server 5 updates the transaction history database (step S30). That is, the server 5 issues a new order number and creates one or more records in the transaction history database that correspond to the issued order number and contain purchase data corresponding to the payment process of step S28. At this point, the value of the "Received" field is set to "Not Yet". Next, the server 5 updates the product inventory database by deleting the record of the product corresponding to the unique number among the products for which payment has been completed (step S31).

[0060] The server 5 transmits the data of the order number issued in step S30 to the user terminal 7 (step S32). Thereafter, the session started in step S20 ends (step S34). The web browser of the user terminal 7 displays the order number ON acquired in step S32 and the code information C3 corresponding to the order number, as shown in screen G4 of FIG.

[0061] FIG. 13 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the online sales system 1 from when a user purchases a product online until when the user receives the product at a store. After transmitting the order number data to the user terminal 7, the server 5 transmits a shipping instruction to the store terminal 3 (step S40). The shipping instruction is a message instructing the store staff to prepare for shipping the products in the store corresponding to the order number, and includes, for example, the order number, the quantity of each product corresponding to the order number, the product code of each product, expiration date data, and a unique number.

[0062] When the store terminal 3 receives the shipping instruction, it creates a picking list based on the data included in the shipping instruction (step S42). The picking list includes code information (coded product code, expiration date data, and unique number) corresponding to each of one or more products to be picked, in association with the order number.

[0063] As shown in Figure 3, the store staff picks products one by one by comparing the code information included in the picking list with the code information C1 on the product label PL affixed to the product P using the handheld terminal 6, and stores all of the products to be picked in the storage unit 10.

[0064] Next, the store terminal 3 determines the location number of the storage location based on a predetermined operation by the store staff (step S44), and creates print data including code information corresponding to the location number and the order number, and sends this to the label printer 2 (step S46). The label printer 2 issues a label (for example, label L1 in FIG. 3) based on the received print data. The store staff attaches the label issued by the label printer 2 to the storage unit 10, and the product is ready to be handed over to the customer.

[0065] The customer then comes to the store to pick up the product, and the three-point verification process is carried out using the label printer 2 and code reader 8 installed at the store's pick-up location, as described with reference to Figure 4. That is, a user who has come to pick up an item presents the screen displayed on the user terminal 7 (in the example of FIG. 4, a screen including the order number ON and code information C3 corresponding to the order number ON) to the store staff. When the store staff performs an operation (scanning operation) to read the code information C3 using the code reader 8, the label printer 2 is configured to issue a label L2 on which the code information C4 corresponding to the order number ON and the location number are printed. The store staff member goes to pick up the container 10 intended for the user U from a storage location within the store based on the location number displayed on the label L2, and returns to the receiving location. Here, the store staff sequentially reads the code information C3 displayed on the user terminal 7, the code information C4 contained in the label L2 printed by the label printer 2, and the code information C2 contained in the label L1 attached to the storage unit 10 brought from the storage location using the code reader 8. Only if the three pieces of code information match, the store staff hands over the storage unit 10 containing one or more products to the customer (three-point matching).

[0066] The system may be configured to notify the user that expired items are included in the shipment if the user comes to collect the items after their expiration date. For example, the label printer 2 references the order number included in the code information to be verified in the three-point verification, and if the current time has passed the expiration date of any of the items associated with that order number, the label printer 2 displays a message notifying the user that expired items are included. In this case, the label printer 2 installed at the pickup location is configured to communicate with the store terminal 3, and can determine whether or not any expired items are included by accessing data included in the shipping instructions, for example.

[0067] After handing over the storage item 10 to the user, if the store staff performs a predetermined operation, the store terminal 3 sends a shipping completion notice including the order number to the server 5 (step S50). Upon receiving the shipping completion notice, the server 5 updates the transaction history database by rewriting the value of the "Received" field corresponding to the order number included in the shipping completion notice from "Not yet" to "Received" (step S52).

[0068] As described above, according to the online sales system 1 of this embodiment, in online sales of products, the server 5 stores a database in the storage 52 that associates data such as product codes, image data, prices, and discount rates of discounted products in the store. The user terminal 7 obtains data such as product codes, image data, prices, and discount rates of discounted products selected by the user from the server 5 and displays the data on the display unit. That is, by storing image data of discounted products in the database of the server 5, it is possible to visually inform users on the online screen what kind of products are discounted and what the condition of the products is. Therefore, it is possible to create an online environment that is similar to the criteria that users use when deciding whether or not to purchase discounted products, at the same level as an actual store.

[0069] In the online sales system 1 of this embodiment, once payment for a discounted item is completed, the item is deleted from the product inventory database. Therefore, by referencing the product inventory database from the store terminal 3, store staff can check the inventory status of each discounted item in real time and update the discount rate of the discounted item to an appropriate value at the desired timing before the expiration date. Because the appearance of discounted items, such as fresh foods, may change before their expiration date, it is preferable to acquire image data, for example, when the discount rate is updated, and update the product image database on the server 5 accordingly. This allows users to be offered the optimal price online based on the quality of the discounted item. Even if the discount rate is not updated, image data of discounted products may be acquired at different times and the product image database may be updated sequentially, in order to accurately inform the purchaser of the current (e.g., at the time of purchase) status of the discounted products, just as in an actual store. The timing for updating the image data may be, for example, within a predetermined period from any point between the start of production and the expiration date of the product until the expiration date.

[0070] In the online sales system 1 of this embodiment, the product inventory database of the server 5 preferably reflects not only online sales data but also sales data from regular cash registers, self-checkouts, self-scanning, and other methods in the store. In the online sales system 1, when a product label is issued, print data is sent from the label printer 2 to the server 5, and the product inventory database is updated. In other words, the data at the time of product label issuance corresponds to the store's product inventory information. In contrast, online sales data and sales data from regular cash registers, self-checkouts, self-scanning, and other methods in the store correspond to the store's product shipment information. Therefore, by reflecting the product shipment information and product shipment information in the product inventory database, the product inventory database can visualize the product inventory in the store, enabling a system to be established that allows store staff to recognize the appropriate inventory levels based on expiration dates. This makes it possible to optimize the timing of product discounts and set appropriate discount rates for products. For example, if it is found from the product inventory database that there are many unsold products with the same product code that are close to their expiration date, it is possible to proactively offer discounts on those products even in online sales.

[0071] In the online sales system 1 of this embodiment, it is preferable to affix a discount sticker to a product that is subject to a discount, as shown in Fig. 2. This makes it easier for users online to recognize that the product has been reduced in price. It should be noted that the material attached to the product is not limited to stickers, and may be a label attached by a simple label attaching machine such as a hand labeler.

[0072] In the online sales system 1 of this embodiment, the code information printed on the product label includes expiration date data, so the product inventory database can include expiration date data in association with the product code. This makes it possible to determine the price (or discount rate) of each product while taking into consideration the product's inventory status and expiration date. Furthermore, online sales users can purchase products while viewing the expiration date and an image of the actual product, eliminating any anxiety users may have when purchasing discounted products online.

[0073] The mechanism provided by the online sales system 1 of this embodiment makes it possible to sell discounted products that are close to their expiration date in online sales, which are expected to increase further in the future, and therefore it is possible to attract consumers who think that online sales are expensive to online sales. In addition, it will promote online sales of discounted products, which will contribute to reducing food waste, such as that of fresh food.

[0074] The online sales system 1 of this embodiment can be applied to in-store pickup online sales, which are expected to increase in the future. When the online sales system 1 of this embodiment is applied to in-store pickup online sales, for example, it is possible to pay for discounted products online in the daytime and pick up the discounted products at the store in the evening, which can create new demand.

[0075] (4) Modifications of the embodiment Next, an online sales system according to a modified example of the embodiment will be described.

[0076] (4-1) First Modification In the above-described embodiment, a unique number is included in the code information contained in the product label attached to the product, but this is not limited to this. The unique number may be displayed in any format on the product or product label. 14 shows an example in which code information C5 corresponding to a unique number is displayed on a product label PL (FIG. 14A), and an example in which a character string corresponding to the unique number UN is displayed on a product label PL (FIG. 14B). In both examples, code information C4a differs from code information C1 (see FIG. 2) in that it includes a product code and expiration date data but does not include a unique number. In Fig. 14A, code information C5 corresponding to the unique number may be printed on the product label PL, or a separate label with code information C5 printed thereon may be affixed to the product label PL. In Fig. 14B, a character string corresponding to the unique number UN may be printed on the product label PL, or may be handwritten by a store staff member.

[0077] 14B, the store terminal 3 can obtain the unique number from the image data of the product by character recognition. If the unique number string is displayed on a picking list during the picking operation, the store staff can pick up the product with the unique number that matches the unique number displayed on the picking list.

[0078] (4-2) Second Modification In the above-described embodiment, a method for identifying each product by assigning a unique number (an example of individual identification information) to each of multiple products with the same product code has been described, but this is not limiting. The individual identification information for each product may not be a unique number, but may be feature data extracted from image data associated with each product.

[0079] The feature data extracted from the image data is not limited, but for example, the feature data may be information specifying the label position of the affixed product label (for example, the coordinates of the four corners of the label) when the reference position of the product (or product package) in the image data (for example, one of the four corners) is set as the origin. Since it is considered unlikely that the information specifying the label position will be completely consistent between multiple products, such feature data can be used as identification information for identifying individual products.

[0080] Alternatively, since it is unlikely that character string information (net quantity and expiration date information in the example of Figure 2) included in product labels in image data will be completely identical between multiple individual products, such character string information may be used as feature data, or character strings or marks handwritten by store staff may be recognized and used as feature data. Furthermore, such character information may be combined with the color of the product on the product package, the position of the product or label, etc., to create feature data.

[0081] The feature data extracted from the image data may be associated with a unique number. In this case, a unique number corresponding to the feature data is assigned to each individual product corresponding to a record in the product inventory database, so that the unique number does not overlap with other individual products. The assigned unique number and the corresponding feature data may then be registered in the product image database.

[0082] Fig. 15 is a flowchart executed by the store terminal 3 in the online sales system according to this modification. More specifically, Fig. 15 shows a flowchart executed by the store terminal 3 when store staff pick up products in the store during picking work, based on feature data extracted from product image data. The shipping instruction (step S40 in FIG. 13) sent from the server 5 to the store terminal 3 after payment for the product is completed includes the unique number of the discounted product. Here, it is assumed that the store terminal 3 has stored the image data acquired in step S4 in FIG. 12 in storage 32 in association with the unique number. When the store terminal 3 acquires the unique number included in the shipping instruction (step S60), it reads the image data corresponding to the unique number from storage 32 and extracts feature data from the image data (step S62).

[0083] Next, when a store staff member finds a product to be picked up from the products in the store, the store terminal 3 acquires image data of the product in the store (step S64: YES), and extracts feature data from the acquired image data in the same manner as in step S62 (step S66). Next, the store terminal 3 compares the feature data extracted in step S62 with the feature data extracted in step S66 and displays the comparison result (step S68). If the comparison result is OK, the store terminal 3 picks up the product whose image data was acquired in step S64. If the comparison result is NG, the store terminal 3 acquires image data of another product in the store and repeats steps S66 and S68. In this way, the store terminal 3 can check the image feature data to pick up the appropriate product from within the store. Note that the association of image data is not limited to unique numbers. Image data may be stored in association with an order number, and products may be picked up based on the feature data of the image data that corresponds to the order number.

[0084] (4-3) Third Modification Even if a user pays for a discounted item online, it is possible that the discounted item may be added to a cart or purchased by a consumer in the store before it can be picked up by a store staff member. In this case, the store terminal 3 sends a notification to the server 5 that the discounted product corresponding to the specific order number cannot be delivered. Upon receiving this notification, the server 5 preferably presents to the user terminal 7 several alternatives that the user can choose. The several alternatives may include, for example, (i) not needing a replacement product for the discounted product for which payment has been made, or (ii) if an identical product is available that is more expensive than the discounted product for which payment has been made, purchasing that product. Regardless of which alternative is selected, the payment for the discounted product that has already been made is canceled, and payment for another product is made as necessary.

[0085] The online retailer may be notified in advance of the possibility that the product may be purchased first at the store, and if the user accepts this, the procedure described below may be performed. That is, the web application is configured to set the user's options in advance, prioritized, in case the product is purchased first. The options may include: (i) not purchasing another product with the same product code as the target product; (ii) purchasing the same product with the same product code as the target product, even if it is more expensive; (iii) receiving a proposal for a product with the same product code as the target product but with an approaching expiration date; and (iv) receiving a proposal for a product with a different product code similar to the target product. If the user selects options (ii) to (iv), the product information and image data corresponding to options (ii) to (iv) may be displayed, allowing the user to select the order of purchase. The list may then be registered as a purchase order list for the case that the product is purchased first. If option (iv) is included, the server 5 may associate similar product codes with each other. If the product selected by the user at the store is purchased first, the server 5 performs payment processing for an alternative product as necessary, in accordance with a priority order (including a purchase order list) previously set for the user.

[0086] (4-4) Fourth Modification Next, a fourth modified example will be described. In the above-described embodiments, the method of acquiring the product code, expiration date data, and unique number from the product is described as reading the product code information, but the present invention is not limited to this. Another method for acquiring the product code, expiration date data, and unique number from a product is to receive the product code, expiration date data, and unique number from a wireless tag attached to the product, shelf label, or exterior packaging of the product, or from a wireless tag placed near the product. In this case, the communication method for receiving the information (e.g., communication protocol, frequency used, etc.) is not important. Examples of communication methods include RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) such as NFC (Near Field Communication), Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.

[0087] For example, assume that an NFC tag recording the product code, expiration date data, and unique number of the product is attached to a product or shelf tag, and an NFC reader is installed in the store terminal 3. In this case, when a store staff member brings the store terminal 3 close to the product, the NFC reader of the store terminal 3 receives the product code, expiration date data, and unique number of the product from the NFC tag of the product.

[0088] Although the embodiments of the information processing system, information processing method, and program of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Furthermore, various improvements and modifications to the above embodiments are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the individual technical features described in the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate as long as no technical contradiction occurs. For example, in the above-described embodiment, at least a part of the functions of the server 5 may be realized by software on the user terminal 7, or at least a part of the functions of the user terminal 7 may be realized by software on the server 5. Furthermore, the functions of the user terminal 7 and the functions of the server 5 may be distributed and realized between the user terminal 7 and the server 5 as necessary. The same applies to the relationships between the server 5, the store terminal 3, and the user terminal 7.

[0089] In the above-described embodiment, the code information printed on the product label contains expiration date data of the product, and the expiration date data is stored in association with the product code in the product inventory database of the server 5. However, this is not the only case. Because the user can recognize the expiration date from the product label included in the image of the product, it is not necessarily the case that the store terminal 3 acquires the expiration date data and the server 5 manages it.

[0090] In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a unique number is associated with each individual product as individual identification information, but this is not limited to this. In other words, in the case of products that have the same product code and the same expiration date but are in different states, such as fresh foods, associating individual identification information with the product is effective for users when selecting individual products. However, in the case of industrial products, for example, where products with the same product code deteriorate at a substantially uniform rate toward their expiration date, it is considered that being able to identify individual products is not necessarily necessary for users when selecting products.

[0091] In the above-described embodiment, image data of a product is used as an example of product condition information, but the condition information is not limited to this. The condition information is not limited to information that allows the user to visually recognize the condition of the product, such as an image of the product, and may be any information that allows the user to estimate the condition of the product. The condition information may include information indicating the condition of the product estimated from the analysis of the product image. For example, information such as the color and grade of the product estimated from the analysis of the product image is useful information for users to estimate the quality of the product even when there is no image of the product. Therefore, information indicating the condition of the product estimated from the analysis of the product image is also useful information for users to make online purchase decisions for discounted products.

[0092] The condition information may include management information indicating the management state of the product when it is stored. For example, the management information may indicate the number of days that have passed since the product was manufactured, the environment (location, temperature, humidity, etc.) in which the product was stored during that time, image data for each elapsed time, and other management states. Such management information is useful for users to estimate the quality of the product. Therefore, such management information is also useful for users to make online purchase decisions about discounted products. For example, store staff may input the management information into the store terminal 3 one by one, and the input management information may be uploaded to the server 5 and stored in a database. At this time, the management information may be transmitted to the server 5 in association with the unique number of each individual product.

[0093] In the above-described embodiment, best-before date information is given as an example of expiration date information, but this is not limiting, and the "expiration date information" of a product is information regarding the expiration date that indicates whether the user can use, enjoy, or consume the product. Examples of expiration dates include use-by date, best-before date, expiration date, quality assurance date, etc. In the above-described embodiment, a server 5 was given as an example of an information processing device, but this is not limited to this and the information processing device may be a computer device with communication capabilities, or multiple devices such as a combination of a web server and a database server. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1. Online sales system 2. Label printer 21...Control unit 22…Storage 23...Operation input section 24…Display section 24a...Display panel 25...Transport unit 26...Printing section 27…Communications Department 3...Store terminal 31...Control unit 32…Storage 33...Operation input section 34…Display section 35...imaging unit 36…Communications Department 5...Server 51...Control unit 52…Storage 53…Communications Department 6...Handheld terminal 7...User terminal 71...Control unit 72…Storage 73...Operation input section 74...Display section 75…Communications Department 8...Code reader 10...Storage body 101...Discount sticker 110...Cable b1~b3...buttons C1~C5,C4a...chord information U…User NW...Network P…Product L1, L2...Labels PL: Product label ON…Order number UN...Unique number

Claims

1. An information processing system including a user terminal owned by a user and an information processing device capable of communicating with the user terminal, The information processing device includes: a storage unit that stores product information of products that are discounted in a store, status information indicating the status of the products, and offered price information of the products in association with each other; a payment processing unit that performs payment processing for the product based on a payment request for the product corresponding to the product information acquired from the user terminal, The user terminal includes: a display control unit that acquires the status information and the offered price information corresponding to the product information of the product selected by the user from the information processing device and displays them on a display unit; The display control unit is displaying, on the display unit, image data of the product acquired when the product becomes eligible for discount as status information indicating the status of the product; Information processing system.

2. the product information is associated with expiration date information regarding an expiration date of the product, a display control unit of the user terminal causing the expiration date information of the product selected by the user to be displayed on the display unit together with the status information; 2. An information processing system according to claim 1.

3. a storage unit of the information processing device stores individual identification information of the product in association with the status information; a display control unit of the user terminal acquiring status information corresponding to individual identification information of the product selected by the user from the information processing device, and displaying the status information on the display unit; a payment processing unit of the information processing device, based on a payment request for the product associated with the individual identification information acquired from the user terminal, performing a payment process for the product; 3. An information processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a printer that prints the individual identification information on a print medium that is attached to a product with which the individual identification information is associated; 4. An information processing system according to claim 3.

5. The printer prints code information including the individual identification information on the print medium.

5. An information processing system according to claim 4.

6. The product status information stored in the storage unit of the information processing device is updated at least once during a predetermined period.

6. An information processing system according to claim 1.

7. The condition information includes information indicating a condition of the product estimated from an analysis result of an image of the product.

7. An information processing system according to claim 1.

8. The state information includes management information indicating a management state when the product is stored.

7. An information processing system according to claim 1.

9. the information processing system includes a store terminal capable of communicating with the information processing device, The status information includes image information of the product, The individual identification information is feature information extracted from the associated image information, The store terminal includes: comparing feature information extracted from image information of a product that is the subject of payment processing by the information processing device with feature information extracted from image information of products present in the store; 4. An information processing system according to claim 3.

10. The information processing device has a control unit that acquires product information of one or more products corresponding to a type of product selected from the user terminal and offer price information of the products from the storage unit, and controls the display unit of the user terminal to display the product information, The control unit of the information processing device As the status information, a product image acquired at the time when the product to be discounted becomes eligible for discount is stored in the storage unit in association with individual identification information that individually identifies the product, and when product images are acquired at a plurality of times including a time when the discount rate is updated after the product becomes eligible for discount and a time when the discount rate is not updated, the product image stored in association with the individual identification information for each of the times is updated; When a viewing request is received from the user terminal, a product image associated with individual identification information of the product for which the viewing request is received is controlled to be displayed on the display unit of the user terminal as the status information.

2. An information processing system according to claim 1.

11. An information processing method carried out between a user terminal owned by a user and an information processing device capable of communicating with the user terminal, comprising: the information processing device records in a storage unit product information of a product to be discounted in the store, status information indicating a status of the product, and offered price information of the product in association with each other; the user terminal acquires, from the information processing device, image data of the product acquired when the product became a discount target and offered price information of the product as the status information corresponding to the product information of the product selected by the user, and displays the image data and offered price information of the product on a display unit; the information processing device performs a payment process for the product based on a payment request for the product corresponding to the product information acquired from the user terminal; Information processing methods.

12. A server computer that can communicate with the user terminal owned by the user, a step of recording in a storage unit product information of a product to be discounted in the store, status information indicating the status of the product, and offered price information of the product in association with each other; providing, to the user terminal, image data of the product acquired when the product becomes eligible for discount and offered price information of the product as the status information corresponding to product information of the product selected by the user; a step of performing a payment process for the product based on a payment request for the product corresponding to the product information acquired from the user terminal; A program for executing the above.

Images