Information provision control device, information provision control method, and information provision control system in information provision space for customer service

Abstract

To provide an information provision control device, etc. in an information provision space for service provided in a store, etc. which enables information provision to a user in a space having privacy of the user in consideration while reducing a queue.SOLUTION: Content for providing information to a customer is played back in an information provision space 10 for service divided by an automatic openable and closable door 15 from a space where waiting persons wait to thereby take privacy of a user in consideration during information provision. Also, the waiting persons are detected with a waiting person detection sensor 20 at a start of use of the information provision space 10 for service or during content playback and, according to a situation of the waiting persons, an initial setting of playback time of the content, shortening processing of the playback time in the content playback, and so on are carried out, to thereby achieve a configuration effective for reduction in a queue. Adjustment for consideration to good customers and so on against customer service can be carried out by reflecting status of the user and the waiting persons in the initial setting of playback time and so on.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information provision control device, an information provision control method, and an information provision control system in an information provision space for customer service provided in a retail store or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] As part of their efforts to promote product sales, retail stores such as drug stores and convenience stores use KIOSK terminals installed in their stores to provide information about products they are promoting, to offer discounts to encourage customers to purchase products, to issue coupons that can be used in exchange for samples, and to offer rewards such as points that can be used to purchase products.

[0003] Such KIOSK terminals are typically used in a way that buttons are displayed on the screen to allow customers to select recommended products or bargain products when they visit the store, and when one of the buttons is pressed, a coupon related to that product is printed out (see, for example, Figures 2-6 of Patent Document 1). However, an invention has also been disclosed that aims to promote use by turning the device into a competitive game format to add entertainment value (see Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5738460 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6585228 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is expected that in the future, retail stores will be required to provide various functions in addition to issuing coupons to the KIOSK terminals installed in the stores as a means of improving personalized customer service without the need for manpower, and in addition to the function of enhancing entertainment value as described in Patent Document 2, concierge functions such as responding to inquiries from customers and proposing personalized products will be one of these. Assuming a case in which a KIOSK terminal is equipped with a function for dialogue with customers using purchase history, etc. (for example, speaking to the customer by saying, "Sir, you bought a razor last week, but do you have a replacement blade?"), as an example of a concierge function, the following problems are expected to arise.

[0006] First, if we were to try to provide customers with personalized information using sound and video, there is a concern that the type of kiosk terminals currently in common use at retail stores could result in personal information being leaked to people nearby, or that users would be embarrassed to be seen by others playing games in the store, raising concerns about privacy issues.

[0007] Secondly, the addition of personalized customer service features and features that enhance entertainment value is expected to increase the amount of time each person spends using the system. Currently, there are occasional queues at KIOSK terminals in retail stores. However, measures to minimize waiting times are likely to become a more important issue.

[0008] The present invention has been made to address such issues, and aims to provide an information provision control device, an information provision control method, and an information provision control system in a customer service information provision space set up in a retail store, etc., which enables the provision of information to users while minimizing waiting lines in a space that respects the privacy of users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In the present invention, by playing content to provide information to customers in a customer service information space separated from the space where waiting persons wait, the privacy of the user is respected when providing information, and a configuration that is effective in reducing waiting queues is realized by initially setting the content playback time, shortening the playback time during content playback, or ending playback, etc., depending on the situation of the waiting person when they start using the customer service information space or while the content is being played.

[0010] The first invention for solving the problems related to the present invention is an information provision control device that controls the provision of information to customers in a customer service information provision space separated from a space where waiting persons wait, the information provision control device including a user information receiving means for receiving information about a user who starts using the customer service information provision space, a waiting person information receiving means for receiving information about the status of the waiting person who is waiting to use the customer service information provision space, and a playback time set as an initial condition of content to be played back for the user in the customer service information provision space ... the status of the waiting person. Number of people waiting identified from and outputting the content to a playback device, the content outputting means being configured to determine whether the content is to be played back based on the status of the waiting person. A certain number of people will be selected from the number of people waiting to be identified. This information provision control device is characterized in that when the presence of a person waiting is confirmed, the playback time set as an initial condition for the content is set to a shorter time than when the presence of a person waiting is not confirmed.

[0011] In the first invention, when the customer service information provision space starts to be used, the playback time of the content to be played for the user is adjusted according to the status of the waiting people, and when there is a certain number of waiting people (which may be one or more), the playback time is set to be shorter than when there are no waiting people. The playback time of the content set as the initial condition here may be the time until playback of one piece of content that is automatically played continuously ends (for example, if the content requires five minutes to play, the "playback time" is five minutes), or it may be the time limit during which the user is allowed to select the next content in a case where the user can select and play multiple contents in sequence within a predetermined time limit (for example, in a case where the user is allowed to select the next content until five minutes have elapsed, the "playback time" is five minutes), or the total time during which multiple contents can be played (for example, in a case where the total time required to play multiple contents is limited to within five minutes, the "playback time" is five minutes).

[0012] In the first aspect of the present invention, the content output means is Eligible for loyal customers If the specified preferential treatment conditions are met, the status of the waiting list Number of people waiting identified from The playback time set as an initial condition for the content may be set to a longer time than in a case where the user's status is equal to the content and the user's status does not match the preferential treatment condition.

[0013] With this configuration, if the user is a frequent customer who visits the store frequently or spends a lot of money, it is possible to adjust the balance between reducing queues and providing good customer service by setting the playback time to a relatively long time.

[0014] In the first aspect of the present invention, the content output means determines, based on the status of the waiting person accepted by the waiting person information accepting means, Number of people waiting to be identified The more the number of the content elements is determined to be large, the shorter the playback time set as an initial condition of the content is set.

[0015] With this configuration, when the queue is long, it is possible to prevent the queue from becoming worse by setting the playback time of the content as short as possible.

[0016] In the first aspect of the present invention, the waiting person information receiving means receives information about each of the waiting persons who are waiting, and the content output means determines whether the status is Eligible for loyal customers If it is determined that there is a person waiting who meets the specified preferential treatment conditions, the status of said person Number of people waiting identified from It can also be characterized in that the playback time set as the initial condition for the content is set to a shorter time than when it is determined that there is no waiting person whose status matches the preferential treatment condition and whose status is equal.

[0017] With this configuration, if the people waiting are frequent customers who visit the store frequently or spend a lot of money, the initial setting is set so that the playback time is relatively short, making it possible to adjust the balance between suppressing queues and providing good customer service.

[0018] In the first invention, the customer service information providing space is provided with a door for separating the customer service information providing space from a space where the waiting person waits, and based on the status of the waiting person received by the waiting person information receiving means, From the number of identified waiting The vehicle may further comprise a door closing means for executing a process for closing the door when the presence of a waiting person is confirmed.

[0019] With this configuration, when a user is viewing content, the customer service information provision space where the user is viewing the content is separated from the space where the waiting person is waiting by the door, so that even if the content being played contains information related to the user's privacy, it is possible to provide a space that is safe and easy to use. Note that the structure of the door used here is not particularly limited, and examples that can be used include two sliding doors that move left and right to open and close, a single sliding door that moves left and right to open and close, a shutter-like door that moves up and down to open and close, a transparent glass door that becomes opaque and blocks the view, etc.

[0020] In the first aspect of the present invention, the status of the waiting person accepted by the waiting person information accepting means during the reproduction of the content outputted by the content output means is Number of people waiting identified from However, it is judged that the number of people waiting has increased. Regarding the number of people waiting The information output control means may be arranged to execute a process to shorten the playback time of the content being played back or to end the content when it is confirmed that a predetermined condition is met.

[0021] By configuring it in this manner, not only when the customer service information space begins to be used, but also in cases where the number of people waiting increases while content is being played, it is possible to prevent the queue from worsening by shortening the content playback time or ending the content.

[0022] A second invention for solving the problems related to the present invention is an information provision control device that controls the provision of information to customers in a customer service information provision space separated from a space where waiting persons wait, the information provision control device including a user information receiving means for receiving information about a user who starts using the customer service information provision space, a waiting person information receiving means for receiving information about the status of the waiting person who is waiting to use the customer service information provision space, a content output means for outputting content to be reproduced for the user to a reproduction device in the customer service information provision space, and information about the status of the waiting person received by the waiting person information receiving means during reproduction of the content output by the content output means. Number of people waiting identified from However, it is judged that the number of people waiting has increased. Regarding the number of people waiting This information provision control device is characterized by having an information output control means that, when it is confirmed that a specified condition is met, executes processing to shorten the playback time of the content being played or to end the content.

[0023] In the second invention, when it is confirmed that a predetermined condition for judging that the number of waiting people has increased (the number of people who increased and the time interval for judging the increase are not particularly limited) is met during the playback of content in the customer service information provision space, a process is executed to shorten the playback time of the content or to end the content. Note that the shortening of the playback time of the content performed here may be shortening the playback time by compressing all or part of one piece of content that is automatically played continuously, or may be shortening the time limit for selecting the next piece of content or the total time for which multiple pieces of content can be played in a case where a user can select and play multiple pieces of content in sequence within a predetermined time limit.

[0024] In the second aspect of the present invention, the information output control means is Eligible for loyal customers When a predetermined preferential treatment condition is met, a process for shortening the playback time of the content or terminating the content is not executed, or the status of the waiting person is changed. Number of people waiting identified fromIt may also be characterized in that the reduction in the playback time of the content is set to be smaller or the time until the end of the content is set to be longer, compared to a case in which the user's status is equal to the preferential treatment conditions and the user's status does not match the preferential treatment conditions.

[0025] With this configuration, if the user is a frequent customer who visits the store frequently or spends a lot of money, it is possible to adjust the balance between reducing queues and customer service by not shortening or terminating the content, or by setting the effect of shortening or terminating the content to be relatively minor.

[0026] In the second aspect of the present invention, the information output control means determines, based on the status of the waiting person received by the waiting person information receiving means, From the number of identified waiting It may be characterized in that the greater the increase in the number of waiting users is determined to be, the greater the shortening of the playback time of the content or the shorter the time until the end of the content is set.

[0027] With this configuration, if the queue becomes long during content playback, the playback time of the subsequent content can be set to be as short as possible, thereby preventing the queue from becoming longer.

[0028] In the second aspect of the present invention, the waiting person information receiving means receives information about each waiting person who is waiting, and the information output control means determines whether the status is Eligible for loyal customers If it is determined that there is a person waiting who meets the specified preferential treatment conditions, the status of said person Number of people waiting identified from It may also be characterized in that the reduction in the playback time of the content is set to be greater or the time until the end of the content is set to be shorter than when it is determined that a waiting person whose status is equivalent and whose status matches the preferential treatment conditions is not waiting.

[0029] With this configuration, if the people waiting include frequent customers who visit the store frequently or spend a lot of money, the subsequent playback time can be set to be relatively short, making it possible to adjust the balance between suppressing queues and providing good customer service.

[0030] In a second aspect of the present invention, the customer service information providing space is provided with a door for separating the customer service information providing space from a space in which the waiting person waits, and based on the status of the waiting person received by the waiting person information receiving means, From the number of identified waiting The present invention may also be characterized by comprising a door closing means for executing a process for closing the door when it is confirmed that a person is waiting.

[0031] With this configuration, if a person who was not present when the user started using the service appears while the user is viewing the content, the information provision space for the user is separated from the space where the person is waiting by the door, so that it is possible to provide a space that is safe and easy to use even if the content being played contains information related to the user's privacy. Note that the structure of the door used here is not particularly limited, as in the first invention.

[0032] The present invention can also be specified as an information provision control method executed by the information provision control device according to the present invention.

[0033] A method of controlling information provision according to a first aspect of the present invention is a method of controlling information provision executed by an information provision control device that controls provision of information to customers in a customer service information provision space separated from a space where waiting persons wait, the method including a user information receiving step in which the information provision control device receives information about a user who starts using the customer service information provision space, a waiting person information receiving step in which the information provision control device receives information about the status of a waiting person who is waiting to use the customer service information provision space, and a playback time set as an initial condition of content to be played back for the user in the customer service information provision space based on the status of the waiting person. Number of people waiting identified from and outputting the content to a playback device, wherein in the content output step, the information provision control device A certain number of people will be selected from the number of people waiting to be identified. This is a method for controlling information provision, characterized in that when the presence of a person waiting is confirmed, the playback time set as an initial condition of the content is set to a shorter time than when the presence of a person waiting is not confirmed.

[0034] Moreover, the method of controlling information provision according to the first aspect of the present invention can also be specified as a method of controlling information provision that is executed by each of the configurations of the first aspect of the present invention relating to the information provision control device described above.

[0035] A method of controlling information provision according to a second aspect of the present invention is a method of controlling information provision executed by an information provision control device that controls provision of information to customers in a customer service information provision space separated from a space where waiting persons wait, the method including a user information receiving step in which the information provision control device receives information about a user who starts using the customer service information provision space, a waiting person information receiving step in which the information provision control device receives information about the status of waiting persons who are waiting to use the customer service information provision space, a content output step in which the information provision control device outputs content to be reproduced for the user to a reproduction device in the customer service information provision space, and the information provision control device outputs information about the status of the waiting persons received in the waiting person information receiving step while the content outputted in the content output step is being reproduced. Number of people waiting identified from However, it is judged that the number of people waiting has increased. Regarding the number of people waiting This is an information provision control method characterized by having an information output control step of executing a process to shorten the playback time of the content being played or to end the content when it is confirmed that a specified condition is met.

[0036] Furthermore, the method of controlling information provision according to the second aspect of the present invention can also be specified as a method of controlling information provision that is executed by each of the configurations of the second aspect of the present invention relating to the information provision control device described above.

[0037] The present invention can also be specified as an information provision control system including an information provision control device according to the present invention.

[0038] An information provision control system according to a first aspect of the present invention is an information provision control system that controls provision of information to customers in a customer service information provision space separated from a space where waiting persons wait, the information provision control system including a user information receiving means for receiving information about a user who starts using the customer service information provision space, a waiting person information receiving means for receiving information about the status of a waiting person who is waiting to use the customer service information provision space, and a playback time set as an initial condition of content to be played back for the user in the customer service information provision space based on the status of the waiting person. Number of people waiting identified from and outputting the content to a playback device, A certain number of people will be selected from the number of people waiting to be identified. an information provision control device that sets a playback time set as an initial condition of the content to a shorter time when the presence of a waiting person is confirmed, compared with a case where the presence of a waiting person is not confirmed; a playback device that plays back the content output by the content output means; person The information receiving means is waiting to receive information Including the number of people waiting and a detection device that detects the status of a person waiting.

[0039] Moreover, the information provision control system corresponding to the first aspect of the invention can also be specified as an information provision system including each of the configurations of the first aspect of the invention relating to the information provision control device described above.

[0040] An information provision control system according to a second aspect of the present invention is an information provision control system that controls provision of information to customers in a customer service information provision space separated from a space where waiting persons wait, and includes a user information receiving means for receiving information about a user who starts using the customer service information provision space, a waiting person information receiving means for receiving information about the status of the waiting persons who are waiting to use the customer service information provision space, a content output means for outputting content to be reproduced for the user to a reproduction device in the customer service information provision space, and information about the status of the waiting persons received by the waiting person information receiving means during reproduction of the content output by the content output means. Number of people waiting identified from However, it is judged that the number of people waiting has increased. Regarding the number of people waiting An information provision control device including an information output control means for executing a process for shortening the playback time of the content being played back or for terminating the content when it is confirmed that a predetermined condition is met; a playback device for playing back the content output by the content output means; person The information receiving means is waiting to receive information Including the number of people waiting and a detection device that detects the status of a person waiting.

[0041] Moreover, the information provision control system corresponding to the second aspect of the present invention can also be specified as an information provision system including each of the configurations of the second aspect of the present invention relating to the information provision control device described above. Effect of the Invention

[0042] According to the present invention, in a customer service information space set up in a retail store or the like, content can be played to provide users with a variety of information while respecting the users' privacy, and the problem of queues that is a concern when introducing such equipment can be addressed while also taking into account the balance with customer service, thereby realizing a configuration that is effective in reducing queues.

[0043] This will enable retailers to improve customer service by providing personalized information, while providing customers with new ways to enjoy physical stores that go beyond just purchasing products. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0044] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a customer information provision space realized by the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a customer information provision space realized by a second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a location within a store where a customer information provision space realized by the present invention is installed. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a customer information provision space realized according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a customer information provision space in a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a customer information provision space in a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow by an information provision control device according to the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of determining whether to shorten the playback time of content being played back, etc., depending on the user's status. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of determining whether to shorten the playback time of content being played back depending on the status of a waiting user. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] The following describes in detail the embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description is merely an example of the embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the specific example shown below in terms of the form, size and function of the information provision space for customer service, the layout within the store, the method of setting and shortening the playback time of the content, etc.

[0046] 1 and 2 show an example of a customer service information space realized by the present invention. The customer service information space 10 realized by the present invention is provided near the entrance of a retail store such as a drugstore or convenience store, or a service store such as a bank or mobile phone shop. In the example of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, three booth-style customer service information spaces 10 are lined up, each of which is equipped with a content playback device 13 such as a large display, and content such as product introductions personalized for users is played on the screen.

[0047] An automatic door 15 is provided at the entrance of the customer service information space 10 where users view the reproduced content, separating it from a space where people waiting to use the customer service information space 10 wait, and ensuring the privacy of users; the automatic door 15 is automatically closed at the start of use if there are people waiting when use of the customer service information space 10 begins, and when there were no people waiting at the start of use but people waiting arise during the reproduction of the content, the automatic door 15 is automatically closed when it is confirmed that there are people waiting.

[0048] The automatic opening / closing door 15 may have any structure capable of blocking the video and audio of the content, such as a door with two sliding doors that move left and right to open and close, a single sliding door that moves left and right to open and close, a shutter-like door that moves up and down to open and close, or a door with a transparent glass door that becomes opaque to block the view. However, it may also be substituted by means other than a blocking door (for example, the adoption of a content playback device 13 that makes video from a specific angle invisible, the adoption of a directional speaker that allows only specific people to hear the audio, the installation of a sound wave generator that blocks audio to the outside, etc.).

[0049] The presence of a person waiting in the space where the person is waiting is detected by a waiting person detection sensor 20 in FIG. 1 showing the first embodiment, and by a card scanner 40 in FIG. 2 showing the second embodiment. In FIG. 1, the space where the person is waiting is monitored by the waiting person detection sensor 20, and the situation of the person waiting is grasped from the presence of the person detected. The card scanner 12 is used to identify the user when the user who entered the customer service information provision space 10 touches a membership card of a retail store or a smartphone with a membership app installed. In FIG. 2, the waiting person touches a membership card or the like to the card scanner 40 when starting to wait, and the situation of the person waiting is grasped from the information read by the card scanner 40. The user can be identified by requesting the user to touch a membership card or the like to the card scanner 40 when entering the customer service information provision space 10.

[0050] In the present invention, if the presence of a person waiting is confirmed at the start of use of the customer service information provision space 10, the playback time set as the initial condition of the content to be played for the user is determined according to the situation of the person waiting. When the presence of a person waiting that meets a predetermined condition (which may be one or more people waiting) is confirmed, the playback time of the content is set to a shorter time than when the presence of no person waiting is confirmed, thereby making it possible to end playback of the content as early as possible during busy times and prevent the queue from becoming worse.

[0051] Furthermore, while content is being played in the customer service information space 10, if it is confirmed that a specified condition is met that determines that the number of people waiting has increased (the number of people who have increased and the time interval for determining the increase are not particularly limited), the playback time of the content being played is shortened or a process is executed to end the content, thereby making it possible to end playback of the content as soon as possible and prevent the queue from worsening.

[0052] When setting the initial conditions for the content playback time or executing the process of shortening the content playback time, if the user's status matches preferential conditions that indicate that the user is a frequent visitor to the store or has made large purchase amounts, it is possible to adjust the balance between suppressing queues and customer service by setting the effect of shortening the content due to the presence of people waiting to be relatively minor.

[0053] In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the status of those waiting can also be checked using the card scanner 40. If there is a waiting person who meets the preferential treatment conditions, it is possible to adjust the balance between reducing queues and customer service by setting the content playback to end as soon as possible.

[0054] The sample providing device 14 provided in the customer service information providing space 10 stores samples of products recommended to users according to the content being viewed, and the locked key is automatically unlocked when the content playback ends, etc., allowing the user to obtain a sample. The sample providing device 14 may also be replaced with a printer, which outputs coupons that allow users to purchase products under favorable conditions or exchange them for samples.

[0055] Fig. 3 shows an example of the installation location of the customer service information provision space 10 realized by the present invention in a store such as a retail store or a service store. The location and number of customer service information provision spaces 10 in a store are not particularly limited, and for example, as shown in Fig. 3(1), multiple customer service information provision spaces 10 may be installed side by side along the wall on the side seen from the store entrance, or as shown in Fig. 3(2), multiple customer service information provision spaces 10 may be installed side by side along the wall along the store entrance. Alternatively, the information provision spaces may be installed not only inside the store, but also in a gate-like manner in front of the store entrance, or in another building on the store premises.

[0056] Furthermore, the placement of the content playback device 13 inside the customer service information space 10 is not limited to a position in front of the automatic opening and closing door 15 that serves as the entrance, as in the examples of Figures 1 and 2. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the customer service information space 10 may be installed in a position parallel to the store entrance so that customers can pass through when entering, and the content playback device 13 may be provided on the side of the customer service information space 10 so that customers who pass through the customer service information space 10 can enter the store directly.

[0057] The shape of the customer service information space 10 is not limited to the rectangular booth type illustrated in Figure 1-3 or the gate type illustrated in Figure 4, but may be, for example, a dome shape or a shape that imitates various buildings such as stores, giving the space an appearance with a stronger entertainment feel.

[0058] 5 and 6 are block diagrams showing, in functional blocks, an example of the configuration of the information provision space 10 for customer service in the first and second embodiments of the present invention, respectively. In Fig. 5, an information provision control device 11 corresponds to the information provision control device of the present invention. The information provision control system of the present invention includes the information provision control device 11, a content playback device 13, and a waiting person detection sensor 20 (a card scanner 40 in Fig. 6).

[0059] 5 uses a computer that is connected to a network such as the Internet, has a communication function, and is equipped with a CPU, main memory, and auxiliary storage device such as a HDD, and is installed in the information provision space for customer service 10. The installation location of the information provision control device 11 is not particularly limited, and it may be formed integrally with a content playback device 13 such as a large display, or may be installed on the back of the content playback device 13, or inside a wall or ceiling of the information provision space for customer service 10.

[0060] The information provision control device 11 has functions such as playing the content necessary for the present invention and shortening the playback time when there are waiting users, but other functions are not particularly limited, and it may also have other functions such as measuring the environment within the customer service information provision space 10 and recording video of users who are using it.

[0061] The member ID reception unit 111, information call-up unit 112, information output control unit 113, content output unit 114, waiting status confirmation unit 115, and sample provision unit 116 of the information provision control device 11 are all functionally specified, and the functions corresponding to each unit are realized by reading out programs corresponding to the functions of each unit stored in an auxiliary storage device such as a HDD into the main memory, and executing calculations in the CPU.

[0062] Card scanner 12 is a scanner capable of reading information such as a member ID that can identify a user from a member card of a retail store or a smartphone with a member app installed, which is held by a user who is a customer of a retail store, etc. A similar scanner can be used for card scanner 40 in Fig. 6, but whereas card scanner 12 in Fig. 5 is provided inside information provision space 10 for customer service, card scanner 40 in Fig. 6 is provided outside information provision space 10 for customer service.

[0063] The content reproducing device 13 is a device that reproduces contents such as product introductions personalized for users, and may use a large display such as a liquid crystal or organic electroluminescence display, but may also use a device other than a large display, such as projecting contents onto a plain wall with a projector. In an embodiment in which a user can select and reproduce a plurality of contents, for example, a touch display that allows touch operation may be adopted for the content reproducing device 13 so that the user can perform selection operations, or a terminal such as a tablet computer that the user can operate, or a microphone with a voice recognition function so that operation by voice can be performed may be provided in addition to the content reproducing device 13. In this case, the content reproducing device 13 has a function of accepting user operations, and the content output unit 114 has a function of accepting user operation information from the content reproducing device 13.

[0064] The sample providing device 14 may be, for example, an electronic locker equipped with one or more doors, each of which has a storage section for storing samples, and each door may be electronically locked, and the designated door may be unlocked after the playback of the content is completed or the like in response to a command from the information provision control device 11, allowing the user to take out the sample stored inside the door. The sample providing device 14 may be replaced with a printer capable of issuing coupons, and a configuration may be adopted in which, in response to a command from the information provision control device 11, the printer outputs and issues coupons for purchasing products under favorable conditions or for exchanging them for samples.

[0065] The automatic door 15 is a door for separating the customer service information provision space 10 where the user watches the reproduced content from the space where people waiting to use the customer service information provision space 10 wait, thereby ensuring the privacy of the user, and its physical structure is not particularly limited. The automatic door 15 is automatically opened and closed in response to a command from the information provision control device 11.

[0066] The waiting person detection sensor 20 is a sensor that monitors the space where people waiting to use the customer service information provision space 10 wait, and detects the status of the waiting people, such as the occurrence of new waiting people, and its technical configuration is not particularly limited as long as it has the function of detecting the presence of a person. The waiting person detection sensor 20 may notify the information provision control device 11 in real time that it has detected a waiting person, or may notify information regarding the status of the waiting person at predetermined intervals.

[0067] The information providing server 30 is a server computer that communicates with the information providing control device 11 via a network such as the Internet, and is equipped with a CPU, a main memory, an auxiliary storage device such as a HDD, etc. In the information providing server 30, a program stored in the auxiliary storage device is read into the main memory, and a predetermined function is realized by executing arithmetic processing by the CPU.

[0068] The configuration of the computer constituting the information provision server 30 is not particularly limited, and other functions may be provided in the same computer in addition to the function of communicating information required for the present invention with the information provision control device 11. Each function required for the present invention may be physically realized by one computer, or may be realized by using multiple computers.

[0069] The information providing unit 33 of the information providing server 30 (in FIG. 6, the information providing unit 33 and the waiting person confirmation unit 34) is specified functionally, and the function of the information providing unit 33 is realized by reading a program corresponding to the function of the information providing unit 33 stored in an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD into the main memory and executing arithmetic processing in the CPU.

[0070] The member information storage unit 31 and the content / product information storage unit 32 of the information providing server 30 are assigned storage areas of an auxiliary storage device such as a HDD provided in a computer constituting the information providing server 30. These storage areas do not necessarily have to be physically provided in one computer, but may be provided in a distributed manner across multiple computers.

[0071] Based on the above-described configuration, a process flow of the information provision control device 11 corresponding to the information provision control device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0072] When the customer service information space 10 starts operating when the store opens, or after the previous user has left and the customer service information space 10 has become vacant (at this time the automatic opening and closing door 15 is in an open state), in the first embodiment, the entering user touches a membership card or the like to the card scanner 12, and in the second embodiment, the user before entering touches a membership card or the like to the card scanner 40 to have the member ID that identifies the user read, and the read member ID is accepted by the member ID acceptance unit 111 (S01).

[0073] In addition, in the first embodiment, the status of the waiting people, such as the number of people waiting to use the customer service information provision space 10 detected by the waiting person detection sensor 20, and in the second embodiment, the status of the waiting people, such as the number of people who have touched their membership card or the like to the card scanner 40 (in the second embodiment, a user who uses the customer service information provision space 10 touches their membership card or the like to the card scanner 40 when they start waiting in the waiting space and before entering the customer service information provision space 10 when they start using it), are confirmed by the waiting status confirmation unit 115 (S02). The assistance regarding the status of the waiting people may be performed by transmitting the detection of the waiting people and the people who have stopped waiting from the waiting person detection sensor 20 or the card scanner 40 to the waiting status confirmation unit 115 in real time, calculating the number of people waiting and storing it in the waiting status confirmation unit 115, or by performing the calculation of the number of people waiting in the waiting person detection sensor 20 or the card scanner 40, storing it, and transmitting it to the waiting status confirmation unit 115.

[0074] Furthermore, if the presence of a waiting person is confirmed here, in order to ensure the user's privacy, a process can be executed to close the automatic door 15 that separates the customer service information provision space 10 from the space where the waiting person is waiting.

[0075] Information regarding the user who will start using the customer service information provision space 10, such as the member ID, received by the member ID reception unit 111, is transmitted from the information calling unit 112 to the information provision server 30 (S03). In the information provision server 30 that receives this, the information provision unit 33 is started, and the member information storage unit 31 is searched using the received member ID as a key, and the user status set in the member master information for each member is identified based on the frequency of visits to the store and the purchase amount (various preferential services are provided to members who are given a predetermined status corresponding to a frequent customer).

[0076] In addition, based on the user's attributes, purchase history, etc. stored in the member information storage unit 31, content such as product introductions to be played for the user in the customer service information provision space 10 is determined, and a file for playing the content is called from the content / product information storage unit 32. The content to be played may be one content that is automatically played consecutively, or multiple contents that can be played in order by the user's selection within a predetermined playback time. In the latter case, the user can select and play the content he or she wants to view from, for example, content that introduces multiple products recommended to the user and content that introduces each product in detail, content that introduces trends in a category that the user is interested in, content that introduces today's bargains, etc.

[0077] Furthermore, based on the user's attributes, purchase history, etc. stored in the member information storage unit 31, the content / product information storage unit 32 may call up information necessary to output to the sample providing device 14 (a printer in this case) a sample to be provided to the user (for example, a sample of a product introduced in the content being played back) and the door number of the sample providing device 14 in which the sample is stored, or a coupon that allows the user to purchase the product to be provided to the user under favorable conditions or to exchange it for a sample.

[0078] The information relating to the user's status, the content to be played, and the sample (or coupon) is transmitted from the information providing unit 33 to the information provision control device 11, and the information is received by the information calling unit 112 of the information provision control device 11 (S04). Then, the information output control unit 113 is started, and the following process is executed.

[0079] First, the playback time of the content to be played for the user is set as an initial condition (S06 and S09), and the playback time during which the content can be played is determined based on both or either one of information regarding the status of people waiting to use the customer service information providing space 10, such as the number of people waiting, confirmed by the waiting status confirmation unit 115 in S02, and the user's status received by the information call unit 112 in S04.

[0080] Regarding the status of those waiting, when the presence of at least one person who meets a predetermined condition (which may be one person or multiple people) is confirmed, the playback time set as the initial condition is set to a shorter time than when the presence of no person is confirmed, thereby making it possible to achieve a configuration that takes into consideration the suppression of queues. Furthermore, the more people it is determined that there are waiting, the shorter the playback time set as the initial condition is set (for example, the playback time that is originally set as the initial condition, which is five minutes, is set to four minutes if there is one person waiting, three minutes if there are two people waiting, two minutes if there are three people waiting, and one minute, which is the minimum amount ensured, if there are four or more people waiting). This makes it possible to make fine adjustments according to the status of those waiting.

[0081] Regarding the status of a user, if the user's status corresponds to a preferred member that meets the specified preferential conditions, the playback time of the content set as the initial condition is set to be longer than when the situation of people waiting is the same (this includes not only the case where the number of people waiting is exactly the same, but also the case where the number of people waiting is close enough that the level of congestion is judged to be the same. "Equal" has the same meaning hereafter.) and the user's status does not meet the preferential conditions. As a result, if the user is a frequent customer who visits the store frequently or spends a lot of money, the extent to which the content provided is shortened can be reduced even when it is crowded, making it possible to adjust the balance between reducing queues and customer service.

[0082] In addition, in the second embodiment, the status of the waiting person can be known from the information read by the card scanner 40, so that the status of the waiting person can be reflected in the playback time of the content set as the initial condition. When the waiting person starts waiting in the waiting space, the waiting person touches the membership card or the like to the card scanner 40 to read the membership ID, and the read membership ID is inquired from the waiting status confirmation unit 115 to the waiting person confirmation unit 34 of the information providing server 30, so that the status of each waiting person that can be confirmed in the member information storage unit 31 can be known. When it is determined that a waiting person corresponding to a preferred member is waiting, the playback time set as the initial condition is set to a shorter time than when it is determined that the waiting person's situation is the same and that no person corresponding to a preferred member is waiting, so that the content can be ended earlier if a frequent customer is waiting.

[0083] If the playback time set as the initial condition does not fit within the playback time of the content received in S04, the information output control unit 113 adjusts the playback time. The method of adjusting the playback time is not particularly limited, but in the case of one content that is automatically played continuously, a method of cutting a part of the content or playing all or a part of the content in fast forward can be considered. In the case of a plurality of contents that can be played in sequence by the user within the playback time, the playback time can be set to the time at which a playback request for the next content cannot be accepted (in this case, the playback time that is set is not the time at which the content is played, but the time at which a new content playback can be accepted, and when the user tries to select the next content after the playback time has elapsed, a message such as "Now enjoy your shopping" is played, the playback of the content ends, and the automatic opening and closing door 15 may open).

[0084] Once the content playback conditions, including the playback time which is set as the initial condition for the content to be played, have been set in this manner (S06 and S09), the content is output from the content output unit 114 to the content playback device 13, and playback of the content begins (S07 and S10). The flow from this point onwards differs depending on whether the user's status is that of a preferential member who meets the specified preferential conditions (whether S05 is Yes or No).

[0085] Even while content is being played in the customer service information space 10, the waiting person detection sensor 20 (in the second embodiment of Figure 6, by touching a membership card or the like to the card scanner 40) monitors the status of the waiting people, such as the number of people waiting to use the customer service information space 10, and when it is confirmed by the waiting status confirmation unit 115 that a specified condition for determining that the number of waiting people has increased (the increased number and the time interval for determining the increase are not particularly limited) is met (Yes in S11), the information output control unit 113 executes a process for changing the playback conditions, such as a process for shortening the playback time of the content being played or a process for pausing and ending the content (S12), and this monitoring of waiting people and the process for changing the playback conditions continue (S10-S13) until the playback time has elapsed and playback of the content has ended (Yes in S13).

[0086] Even in this case, it is possible to make fine adjustments according to the situation of those waiting by setting a longer shortened playback time the more the number of people waiting is determined to be (for example, shortening the playback time by one minute for each additional person waiting, leaving a minimum amount of time), or by shortening the time until the content is interrupted and ended (for example, ending after one minute if only one person waiting, but ending immediately if two or more people waiting).

[0087] If the user's status does not meet the specified preferential conditions and the user is not a preferred member, the processing described above (S09-S13) is executed, but if the user's status meets the specified preferential conditions and the user is a preferred member, the processing to shorten the playback time of the content or end the content is not executed, or the amount of shortening of the content playback time is set smaller or the time until the content is interrupted and ended is set longer than when the situation of the waiting people is the same but the user's status does not meet the specified preferential conditions and the user is not a preferred member. This makes it possible to secure as much of the original playback time as possible when a frequent customer uses the customer service information space 10, and adjust the balance between reducing queues and providing customer service.

[0088] The flowchart in Figure 7 shows an example of a processing flow in which, if the user's status corresponds to a preferential membership that meets certain preferential conditions, processing to shorten the content playback time or processing to end the content are not performed. Once content playback has started (S07), even if the number of waiting users increases, playback of the content will continue (S07-S08) until the playback time set as the initial condition has elapsed and playback of the content has ended (S08 is Yes).

[0089] In this case, as in the case where the user is not a preferred member (S09-S13), if the number of people waiting increases, the playback time of the content may be shortened or the content may be terminated. In this case, the shortening of the playback time of the content may be set to a smaller extent than when the user is a non-preferred member and the user is in the same situation but is not a preferred member (for example, the shortening of the playback time of the content may be set to one minute for each additional person waiting, but for a preferred member, the shortening may be set to 30 seconds, or for each additional two people waiting, the shortening may be set to one minute). Alternatively, the time until the end of the content may be set to a longer extent (for example, the content may be terminated immediately if the user is not a preferred member and even one person waiting increases, but for a preferred member, the content may be terminated after one minute, or may not be terminated until two or more people increase). This makes it possible to adjust the balance between suppressing queues and providing customer service while taking into consideration valued customers.

[0090] FIG. 8 shows an example in which a decision is made to shorten the playback time of content being played, etc., depending on the user's status. In this example, if the user of the customer service information space 10 is a general member who does not qualify as a preferred member, a process to shorten the playback time of the content or to end the content is executed if there are three or more people waiting. However, if the user is a preferred member, even if there are three or more people waiting, a process to shorten the playback time of the content or to end the content is not executed, and the user who is a preferred member can enjoy the content as initially set.

[0091] Furthermore, the following operation can be performed according to the status of the waiting person. In the second embodiment, when a new person is waiting while content is being played back, the status of the person can be known from the information read by the card scanner 40, so that the status of the person can be reflected in shortening the content playback time or changing the playback conditions for ending the content. When a person starts waiting in a waiting space, the person touches a membership card or the like to the card scanner 40 to read the member ID, and the read member ID is queried from the waiting status confirmation unit 115 to the waiting person confirmation unit 34 of the information providing server 30, whereby the status of each person waiting can be known by referring to the master information of the member stored in the member information storage unit 31.

[0092] When it is determined that there is a person waiting who corresponds to a preferred member, the shortening of the playback time of the content is set to be greater than when it is determined that there is no person waiting who corresponds to a preferred member and the situation of the people waiting is the same (for example, if there are no preferred members waiting, the shortening would be by one minute for every two people waiting, but if there is a preferred member among the people waiting, the shortening is by two minutes, or by one minute if there is even one preferred member waiting), or the time until the end of the content is set to be shorter (for example, if there are no preferred members waiting, the shortening would be by one minute if there is an increase of three people waiting, but if there is even one preferred member waiting, the shortening is by one minute even if the increase does not reach three, or the shortening is immediate if there is even one preferred member waiting). This makes it possible to end the content being played earlier when a patron is waiting.

[0093] Figure 9 shows an example in which a decision is made to shorten the playback time of content being played, etc., depending on the differences in the status of these waiting people. In this example, it is assumed that if there are three or more people waiting, processing to shorten the playback time of the content or processing to terminate the content are executed. If two general members who do not qualify as preferred members are waiting, processing to shorten the playback time of the content or processing to terminate the content are not executed. However, if a person who corresponds to a preferred member is waiting, processing to shorten the playback time of the content or processing to terminate the content are executed even if there are fewer than three people waiting, making it possible to relatively shorten the waiting time of preferred members.

[0094] Furthermore, if the presence of a waiting person is not confirmed when the customer service information space 10 begins to be used, the automatic opening and closing door 15 may remain open (it may also be possible to close the automatic opening and closing door 15 when a user enters the customer service information space 10, regardless of whether there is a waiting person or not), but in this case, if the waiting status confirmation unit 115 detects that a waiting person has appeared while content is being played, a process can be executed to close the automatic opening and closing door 15 in order to ensure the user's privacy.

[0095] When the playback of the content is completed (Yes in S08 or S13), a process is performed to provide the user with a sample (or a coupon) based on the information about the sample (or coupon) received in S04.

[0096] Specifically, information on the door number of the free sample providing device 14 in which the free sample to be provided to the user is stored is delivered to the free sample providing section 116, and the free sample providing section 116 transmits a command to the free sample providing device 14 to unlock the electronically locked door of the specified door number. The free sample providing device 14 that receives this command automatically unlocks the specified door, so that the user can take out the free sample from there. Alternatively, information required for outputting to the free sample providing device 14 a coupon for purchasing a product under favorable conditions or exchanging it for a free sample is delivered to the free sample providing section 116, and transmitted from the free sample providing section 116 to the free sample providing device 14 with a printer function. The free sample providing device 14 with a printer function that receives this information issues a coupon, and the user can receive the coupon.

[0097] Regarding the determination of whether or not the playback of the content has ended (S08 and S13), in the case where one content is automatically played continuously, the information output control unit 113 determines whether the playback time of the content output from the content output unit 114 (the playback time set as the initial setting or the shortened playback time) has elapsed and the playback of the content has ended. In the case where the user can select and play multiple contents in order within a predetermined time limit, for example, when the content being played ends and the user's operation to select the next content is accepted, the information output control unit 113 may determine whether or not the playback time has exceeded the limit.

[0098] As described above, in the present invention, the playback conditions, such as the initial setting of the playback time or shortening the playback time, are changed depending on the status of the waiting people both when the customer service information space 10 starts to be used and while the content is being played, and if there are many people waiting, the content playback time is set to be short to prevent the queue from worsening. However, the present invention does not require that the content playback time be set to reflect the status of the waiting people both when the customer service information space 10 starts to be used and while the content is being played, and it is also possible to execute processing that reflects the status of the waiting people at only one of the times.

[0099] In addition, with regard to the determination of the content playback time or the amount of reduction based on the status of the user or waiting person, there are no particular limitations as to whether this is done at the start of use of the customer service information provision space 10 or at any time during content playback, or whether it reflects both the status of the user and waiting person or only one of them, and it is also possible to operate the present invention without using the status of the user or waiting person to determine the content playback time or the amount of reduction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 10 Customer service information space 11 Information provision control device 111 Member ID Reception 112 Information call section 113 Information output control section 114 Content Output Section 115 Waiting Status Check Department 116 Free sample provision department 12 Card Scanner 13 Content playback device 14 Free sample provision equipment 15 Automatic opening and closing door 20 Waiting person detection sensor 30 Information Server 31 Member information storage section 32 Content and product information storage section 33 Information Provision Department 34 Waiting Person Confirmation Department 40 Card Scanner

Claims

1. An information provision control device that controls provision of information to customers in a customer service information provision space separated from a space where waiting persons wait, a user information receiving means for receiving information about a user who starts using the information providing space for customer service; a waiting person information receiving means for receiving information regarding the status of a waiting person who is waiting to use the customer service information providing space; a content output means for determining a playback time set as an initial condition of the content to be played back for the user in the customer service information providing space based on the number of waiting people identified from the status of the waiting people, and outputting the content to a playback device; When it is confirmed that there are a certain number of people waiting from the number of people waiting specified from the status of the people waiting, the content output means sets the playback time set as the initial condition of the content to a shorter time than when it is not confirmed that there are people waiting. An information provision control device comprising:

2. When the status of the user matches a predetermined preferential treatment condition corresponding to a frequent customer, the content output means sets a playback time set as an initial condition of the content to a longer time than when the number of waiting people specified from the status of the waiting people is the same and the status of the user does not match the preferential treatment condition.

2. The information provision control device according to claim 1,

3. The content output means sets a playback time set as an initial condition of the content to a shorter time as it is determined that the number of waiting persons identified from the status of the waiting persons accepted by the waiting person information accepting means is larger.

3. The information provision control device according to claim 1 or 2,

4. The waiting person information receiving means receives information about each waiting person who is waiting, When it is determined that there is a person waiting whose status matches a predetermined preferential treatment condition corresponding to a frequent customer based on the situation of the people waiting and the status of each person waiting received by the waiting person information receiving means, the content output means sets the playback time set as the initial condition of the content to a shorter time than when it is determined that there is no person waiting whose status matches the preferential treatment condition when the number of people waiting specified from the situation of the people waiting is equal.

4. The information provision control device according to claim 1, wherein:

5. The customer service information provision space is provided with a door that separates the customer service information provision space from a space where the waiting person waits, and a door closing means for executing a process for closing the door when the presence of waiting persons is confirmed based on the number of waiting persons specified from the status of waiting persons received by the waiting person information receiving means.

5. The information provision control device according to claim 1,

6. The apparatus further comprises an information output control means for executing a process to shorten the playback time of the content being played back or to end the content when it is confirmed during playback of the content outputted by the content output means that the number of waiting persons specified from the status of waiting persons accepted by the waiting person information accepting means satisfies a predetermined condition related to the number of waiting persons for which it is determined that the number of waiting persons has increased.

6. The information provision control device according to claim 1,

7. An information provision control device that controls provision of information to customers in a customer service information provision space separated from a space where waiting persons wait, a user information receiving means for receiving information about a user who starts using the information providing space for customer service; a waiting person information receiving means for receiving information regarding the status of a waiting person who is waiting to use the customer service information providing space; a content output means for outputting content to be reproduced for the user to a reproduction device in the information providing space for customer service; an information output control means for executing a process for shortening a playback time of the content being played back or terminating the content when it is confirmed during playback of the content output by the content output means that the number of waiting persons identified from the status of waiting persons accepted by the waiting person information accepting means satisfies a predetermined condition related to the number of waiting persons for which it is determined that the number of waiting persons has increased; An information provision control device comprising:

8. When the status of the user matches a predetermined preferential treatment condition corresponding to a frequent customer, the information output control means does not execute a process for shortening the playback time of the content or for terminating the content, or sets a smaller amount of shortening of the playback time of the content or a longer time until the end of the content, compared to a case in which the number of waiting people identified from the status of the waiting people is the same and the status of the user does not match the preferential treatment condition.

8. The information provision control device according to claim 7,

9. The information output control means sets a larger reduction amount of the playback time of the content or a shorter time until the end of the content as it is determined that the degree of increase in the number of waiting persons is large from the number of waiting persons specified from the status of the waiting persons received by the waiting person information receiving means.

9. The information provision control device according to claim 7 or 8,

10. The waiting person information receiving means receives information about each waiting person who is waiting, When it is determined that there is a person waiting whose status matches a predetermined preferential treatment condition corresponding to a frequent customer based on the situation of the people waiting and the status of each person waiting received by the waiting person information receiving means, the information output control means sets a larger reduction amount of the playback time of the content or a shorter time until the end of the content compared to when it is determined that there is no person waiting whose status matches the preferential treatment condition when the number of people waiting specified from the situation of the people waiting is the same.

10. The information provision control device according to claim 7,

11. The customer service information provision space is provided with a door that separates the customer service information provision space from a space where the waiting person waits, and a door closing means for executing a process for closing the door when it is confirmed that there are people waiting based on the number of people waiting that is specified based on the status of people waiting that is received by the waiting person information receiving means.

11. The information provision control device according to claim 7,

12. A method for controlling information provision executed by an information provision control device that controls information provision to customers in a customer information provision space separated from a space where waiting persons wait, comprising: a user information receiving step in which the information provision control device receives information about a user who starts using the customer service information provision space; a waiting person information receiving step in which the information provision control device receives information regarding the status of a waiting person who is waiting to use the customer service information provision space; a content output step of the information provision control device determining a playback time set as an initial condition of the content to be played back for the user in the information provision space for customer service based on the number of waiting people identified from the status of the waiting people, and outputting the content to a playback device; In the content output step, when it is confirmed that there are a certain number of waiting people from the number of waiting people specified from the status of the waiting people, the information provision control device sets a playback time set as an initial condition of the content to a shorter time than when it is not confirmed that there are any waiting people. The method for controlling provision of information is characterized by the above.

13. A method for controlling information provision executed by an information provision control device that controls information provision to customers in a customer information provision space separated from a space where waiting persons wait, comprising: a user information receiving step in which the information provision control device receives information about a user who starts using the customer service information provision space; a waiting person information receiving step in which the information provision control device receives information regarding the status of a waiting person who is waiting to use the customer service information provision space; a content output step of the information provision control device outputting content to be reproduced for the user to a reproduction device in the customer service information provision space; an information output control step of executing a process for shortening a playback time of the content being played or terminating the content when it is confirmed by the information provision control device during playback of the content outputted in the content output step that the number of waiting persons identified from the status of the waiting persons accepted in the waiting person information accepting step satisfies a predetermined condition related to the number of waiting persons for which it is determined that the number of waiting persons has increased; 13. A method for controlling information provision, comprising:

14. An information provision control system that controls provision of information to customers in a customer service information provision space separated from a space where waiting persons wait, a user information receiving means for receiving information about a user who starts using the information providing space for customer service; a waiting person information receiving means for receiving information regarding the status of a waiting person who is waiting to use the customer service information providing space; an information provision control device comprising: a content output means for determining a playback time set as an initial condition of content to be played for the user in the information provision space for customer service based on the number of waiting people identified from the status of the waiting people, and outputting the content to a playback device, wherein when the presence of a certain number of waiting people is confirmed from the number of waiting people identified from the status of the waiting people, the content output means sets the playback time set as the initial condition of the content to a shorter time than when the presence of waiting people is not confirmed; a playback device that plays the content output by the content output means; a detection device for detecting the status of waiting persons including the number of waiting persons whose information is received by the waiting person information receiving means; An information provision control system comprising at least the following:

15. An information provision control system that controls provision of information to customers in a customer service information provision space separated from a space where waiting persons wait, a user information receiving means for receiving information about a user who starts using the information providing space for customer service; a waiting person information receiving means for receiving information regarding the status of a waiting person who is waiting to use the customer service information providing space; a content output means for outputting content to be reproduced for the user to a reproduction device in the information providing space for customer service; an information provision control device including an information output control means for executing a process to shorten a playback time of the content being played back or to end the content when it is confirmed during playback of the content output by the content output means that the number of waiting persons identified from the status of waiting persons accepted by the waiting person information accepting means satisfies a predetermined condition related to the number of waiting persons for which it is determined that the number of waiting persons has increased; a playback device that plays the content output by the content output means; a detection device for detecting the status of waiting persons including the number of waiting persons whose information is received by the waiting person information receiving means; An information provision control system comprising at least the following:

Images