Information processing device, product storage system, and product management method

Abstract

To provide an information processing device capable of acquiring information on demand of a commodity when confirming a customer's age a to sell the commodity.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes reception means for receiving selection of a commodity from an information terminal on which age confirmation processing for a customer has been executed, and lock control means for unlocking a storage device with lock storing the selected commodity to be taken out by the customer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information terminal, and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] In convenience stores, some products that require age verification, such as cigarettes, are stored in a rack near the cash register, out of reach of customers. The customer tells a store clerk which product they wish to purchase, and the clerk takes the product from the rack for the customer. When there is a large variety of products, it can be a hassle for the clerk to search for the product. Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a sales support system in which, when a product is selected by a customer operation terminal, a sales processing device notifies the clerk and lights up a light-emitting element at the product's storage location. This reduces the effort required of the clerk to search for the product.

[0003] As a technology related to the present disclosure, Patent Document 2 discloses a vending machine system that checks the age of a customer and sells products if the customer satisfies certain conditions. Patent Document 3 discloses a system that performs authentication based on a face image and unlocks an electronic lock on a product shelf if the authentication is successful. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-061210 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2013-206232 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2009-009231 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technology of Patent Document 1 reduces the effort required of store clerks to search for products, but does not reduce the effort required to retrieve products for customers. The technologies of Patent Documents 2 and 3 reduce the effort required of store clerks. However, the technologies of Patent Documents 2 and 3 have an issue in that store personnel such as store clerks cannot grasp information regarding product demand, such as whether customers were able to purchase the desired product, compared to when customers obtain products through a store clerk.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide an information processing device and the like that can acquire information regarding demand for a product when selling the product by confirming the age of a customer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The information processing device according to the present disclosure includes a reception means for receiving a product selection from an information terminal on which a customer's age verification process has been performed, and a lock control means for unlocking a locked storage device containing the selected product removed by the customer.

[0008] The product management method according to the present disclosure accepts a product selection from an information terminal on which age verification processing has been performed for a customer, and unlocks a locked storage device containing the selected product removed by the customer.

[0009] The information terminal of the present disclosure comprises an age verification means for verifying the age of a customer, a display control means for displaying a screen on which a product can be selected, a reception means for receiving the product selection, and a communication means for transmitting a request to unlock a locked storage device containing the selected product removed by the customer. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, when selling a product by confirming the age of a customer, information regarding the demand for the product can be obtained. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of each device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a storage device 20 and an information processing device 100 according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information terminal 30 and the information processing device 100. [Figure 4A] 13 is an example of a product selection screen. [Figure 4B] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a storage position notification screen. [Figure 4C] 13 is another example of a product selection screen. [Figure 4D] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing display switching of a product selection screen. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of each device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a plurality of storage devices 20 and an information processing device 100 that controls these storage devices 20 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the information terminal 30 and the information processing device 100. [Figure 8A] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of inventory data to be transmitted. [Figure 8B] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a storage position notification screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information terminal 30 according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the information terminal 30. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing device 100 according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of the information processing device 100. [Figure 13] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 500. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] [First embodiment] The following description will be given with reference to the drawings, assuming that a customer takes out a product from a lockable storage device installed in a store and pays for the taken-out product at a POS (Point of Sales) register. Age verification products that are sold after the customer's age is verified are stored inside the lockable storage device. However, products other than age verification products (products that do not require age verification) may also be stored. Hereinafter, age verification products will be simply referred to as products unless otherwise specified. The lockable storage device can be used, for example, as a display fixture for tobacco in staff-reduced stores, including unmanned stores.

[0013] (composition) In the first embodiment, a case will be described in which an information processing device 100 controls one lockable storage device 20 (hereinafter referred to as storage device 20). Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of each device according to the first embodiment.

[0014] The information processing device 100 includes a reception unit 101, a lock control unit 102, an inventory determination unit 103, and an update unit 104. The reception unit 101 wirelessly communicates with the information terminal 30 and receives a selection of a product from the information terminal 30 that has already undergone age verification processing. In the first embodiment, the information processing device 100 does not receive a selection of a product from an information terminal 30 that has not undergone age verification. For example, the reception unit 101 may determine whether the information terminal 30 contains information indicating the age of the customer when receiving the selection of a product. The information processing device 100 may perform wireless communication using NFC (Near Field Communication), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like. The lock control unit 102 is connected to the storage device 20 by wire or wirelessly, and controls locking and unlocking of the storage device 20. The lock control unit 102 unlocks the storage device 20 containing the selected product based on the selection of the product received by the reception unit 101 from the information terminal 30. When the lock control unit 102 unlocks the storage unit 20, the selected item is removed by the customer.

[0015] The information processing device 100 stores inventory data in a storage unit (not shown) that associates an identifier of a product (e.g., product name or product identification number) with the number of products in stock. The inventory data may further include an image of the product's package and an image showing the storage position. The inventory determination unit 103 of the information processing device 100 refers to the inventory data based on information of the selected product received by the reception unit 101, such as the product identifier, and determines whether the selected product is contained in the storage device 20. The inventory determination unit 103 transmits the determination result regarding whether the product is contained to the lock control unit 102. If it is determined that the product is contained, the lock control unit 102 unlocks the storage device 20, and if it is determined that the product is not contained, it does not unlock the storage device 20.

[0016] In the example of a showcase-type storage device described below, it is assumed that only one product is taken out each time the storage device 20 is unlocked. In this case, the update unit 104 of the information processing device 100 may update the inventory data to decrease the number of stock items by one based on the fact that the storage device 20 is unlocked after receiving a product selection. Alternatively, the update unit 104 may update the inventory data based on the detection of the door of the storage device 20 being opened and closed.

[0017] Alternatively, the update unit 104 may update the inventory data based on the inventory quantity in the storage equipment 20 detected by various sensors. In this case, multiple products may be taken out by unlocking the storage equipment 20 once.

[0018] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a storage unit 20 and an information processing device 100 according to the first embodiment. The showcase-type storage unit 20 in Fig. 2 has a handle 21, a door 22, a shelf board 23, and a locking mechanism (not shown). A plurality of types of age verification products are displayed inside the storage unit 20, which is partitioned by the shelf board 23. A part of the door 22 shown in Fig. 2 is transparent, so that a customer can see the products with the door 22 closed.

[0019] The information processing device 100 shown in FIG. 2 is attached to the storage device 20. When the storage device 20 receives an unlocking instruction from the information processing device 100, it unlocks the lock. When the lock is unlocked, the customer can hold the handle 21 to open the door 22 and take out the product. When the door 22 is closed, the lock control unit 102 receives a signal from the storage device 20 and controls the lock mechanism to lock it again. If the door 22 is not closed after a predetermined time has elapsed since it was opened, the information processing device 100 may output an alarm. By outputting the alarm, it is possible to inform the store clerk or the customer who opened the door 22 that the door 22 is still open and to guide the store clerk or the customer who opened the door 22 to close the door 22. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a person who has not been age-verified from taking a product from the open storage device 20.

[0020] If multiple customers simultaneously remove products, it becomes difficult to check whether a customer who has not completed age verification has removed a product. To solve this problem, the reception unit 101 may be configured not to accept the selection of the next product after accepting the selection of a product until the storage device 20 is unlocked and then locked again, or until the processing is completed without unlocking the storage device 20. This allows the selection of products to be accepted one customer at a time in order, preventing multiple customers from simultaneously removing products.

[0021] In the first embodiment, the information terminal 30 is a terminal used by a customer, for example, a smartphone or a wearable device carried by the customer.

[0022] 1, the information terminal 30 includes an age verification unit 31, a display control unit 32, a reception unit 33, and a communication unit 34. An application program may be installed in the information terminal 30 to realize the functions of the age verification unit 31, the display control unit 32, the reception unit 33, and the communication unit 34 by a processor.

[0023] The age verification unit 31 performs age verification of the customer. A specific method of age verification will be described later.

[0024] The display control unit 32 displays a product selection screen on a display (not shown). For example, the display control unit 32 displays a selectable list of products on the product selection screen. The reception unit 33 receives the selection of a product.

[0025] The communication unit 34 communicates with the information processing device 100, and when a product is selected by a customer, transmits to the information processing device 100 a request to unlock the storage device 20 containing the selected product. The unlock request may be, for example, product information related to the selected product. An example of product information is a product identifier. The product information may include the number of selected products that the customer desires to remove from the storage device.

[0026] (Example of operation) Hereinafter, the operations of the information terminal 30 and the information processing device 100 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operations of the information terminal 30 and the information processing device 100.

[0027] <Age verification process> The age verification unit 31 of the information terminal 30 performs age verification of the customer (step S31). Specifically, in step S31, the age verification unit 31 communicates with a server (not shown) having a customer database, transmits a customer identifier to the server, and acquires the age of the customer stored in the customer database.

[0028] Furthermore, the age verification unit 31 may verify whether the acquired age satisfies a predetermined age condition. If the age verification unit 31 cannot acquire the customer's age, or if the acquired age does not satisfy the age condition, the information terminal 30 may end the process.

[0029] In addition, in step S31, other existing technologies may be used to perform age verification. For example, the age verification unit 31 may take a picture of an object (e.g., a driver's license, a health insurance card, a My Number card, etc.) containing information that can verify the identity and age using a camera not shown, and acquire the image as age verification information. In this case, the age verification unit 31 may recognize the age verification information contained in the image using an image analysis technology or a character recognition technology. The age verification unit 31 may also acquire a facial image of the user of the information terminal 30, and determine whether the acquired facial image and the facial image contained in the age verification information are the same person. Once the age of the customer is confirmed using an object containing information that can verify the identity and age, the age verification unit 31 of the information terminal 30 may store the age associated with the customer in a predetermined memory.

[0030] If the age of the customer is stored in the memory of the information terminal 30, the information terminal 30 may execute age verification by acquiring the age stored in the memory as the process of step S31.

[0031] <Start of communication> The communication unit 34 of the information terminal 30 is communicatively connected to the information processing device 100 in the store (step S32). For example, the communication unit 34 connects to the information processing device 100 when the customer holds the information terminal 30 over an NFC reader attached to the storage equipment 20 or when the communication unit 34 connects to Wi-Fi (registered trademark) of the store. By step S32, the information processing device 100 can recognize that the customer has come to the store and that the customer wishes to remove a product from the storage equipment 20. Step S32 may be performed before step S31.

[0032] <Display of product selection screen> After age verification, the display control unit 32 of the information terminal 30 displays a product selection screen (step S33). FIG. 4A is an example of a product selection screen for selecting a product in the storage equipment 20. The reception unit 33 of the information terminal 30 receives the selection of a product based on, for example, the customer's touching of the product name or an image representing the product (step S34). The reception unit 33 sends product information including a product identifier of the selected product to the communication unit 34. The communication unit 34 transmits the product information including the identifier of the selected product to the information processing device 100 as an unlocking request for the storage equipment 20 (step S35).

[0033] In the product selection screen of Fig. 4A, products are displayed in a selectable list. In order to display the screen, the communication unit 34 of the information terminal 30 may receive display information of products that may be stored in the storage device 20 from the information processing device 100 in step S32. The display information may include, for example, the product name, product package, and product price. Alternatively, the communication unit 34 may receive the display information from a server (not shown) at any timing after the start of the process of Fig. 3.

[0034] By performing steps S33 and S34 after confirming the age in step S31, the information terminal 30 can prevent the customer who has not confirmed his / her age from selecting a product. Note that steps S33 and S34 may be performed before step S32. In this case, the customer can select a product before coming to the store.

[0035] <Check stock> The reception unit 101 of the information processing device 100 receives a product selection from the age-verified information terminal 30 (step S101). Specifically, the reception unit 101 receives product information including a product identifier from the information terminal 30. The reception unit 101 sends the received product information to the stock determination unit 103.

[0036] After step S101, the inventory determination unit 103 of the information processing device 100 determines, based on the product information, whether or not the selected product is in stock in the storage device 20. Specifically, the inventory determination unit 103 refers to the product inventory data based on the product identifier and determines whether or not the selected product is in stock.

[0037] If there is stock (step S101A; Yes), the lock control unit 102 unlocks the storage device 20 containing the selected product (step S102). If there is no stock (step S101A; No), the lock control unit 102 does not unlock the storage device 20 (step S104). If the storage device 20 is not unlocked, the stock determination unit 103 may notify the information terminal 30 that the selected product is out of stock.

[0038] <Storage position notification> After step S102, the inventory determination unit 103 of the information processing device 100 notifies the information terminal 30 of the storage location of the product (step S103). Specifically, the inventory determination unit 103 of the information processing device 100 refers to inventory data in a storage unit (not shown) to identify the storage location of the selected product. The communication unit 34 of the information terminal 30 receives the notification of the storage location, and the display control unit 32 displays a notification screen of the storage location (step S36).

[0039] A case will be described where a customer standing in front of the storage device 20 in Fig. 2 selects "Product X" on the product selection screen in Fig. 4A. Fig. 4B is a diagram showing an example of a storage position notification screen. In Fig. 4B, an illustration of the products displayed in the storage device 20 is displayed, with the selected product prominently displayed. In addition, the product name of the selected product (Product X) is displayed superimposed on the illustration of the displayed products.

[0040] The customer looks at the storage position notification screen and removes the product from the storage device 20 that has been unlocked.

[0041] (effect) According to the first embodiment, when selling a product after confirming the customer's age, information on the demand for the product, such as which product the customer wishes to purchase, can be obtained. In addition, the work of the store clerk can be reduced compared to when the store clerk confirms the customer's age. This is because the lock control unit 102 unlocks the storage device 20 containing the selected product to be taken out by the customer, based on the product selection accepted by the reception unit 101 from the information terminal 30 that has already executed the age confirmation process.

[0042] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the work of the store clerk can be reduced compared to when the store clerk takes out products for the customer from a rack near the cash register, because the customer can take out the products from the storage equipment 20 when the information processing device 100 unlocks the storage equipment 20.

[0043] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the customer can easily find the selected product in the storage equipment 20. This is because the information terminal 30 displays the storage location notification screen.

[0044] In the first embodiment, the reception unit 101 of the information processing device 100 can obtain information about a product that a customer is considering taking out from the storage equipment 20 after viewing the product selection screen. That is, the reception unit 101 can obtain information about the customer's preferences. The information about the customer's preferences can be used, for example, to determine a personalized sales promotion method for each customer.

[0045] Furthermore, the reception unit 101 of the information processing device 100 can obtain information regarding lost sales opportunities. Specifically, the reception unit 101 can obtain information regarding the case where the product for which product information was received was out of stock, the case where product information was not received after communication with the information terminal 30 was started, and the case where a customer left without removing a product from the storage device 20. Such information is difficult to obtain from POS sales data. The store manager can derive an appropriate stock quantity by referring to the information regarding lost sales obtained by the information processing device 100.

[0046] (Modification) <Another example of the product selection screen> The display control unit 32 may display a list of all products handled in the store on the product selection screen, or may display recommended products on the product selection screen. Recommended products are, for example, products previously purchased by a user (e.g., a customer) of the information terminal 30, products previously registered as favorites by the user, or products for which a campaign is being held at the store. It may be possible to switch between displaying all products or displaying recommended products using a button on the screen. Furthermore, the display control unit 32 may display recommended products above the list of all products.

[0047] FIG. 4C is another example of the product selection screen. The product selection screen in FIG. 4C shows a shelf image that mimics the actual product arrangement in the storage device 20. The communication unit 34 of the information terminal 30 may receive from the information processing device 100 in step S32 shelf allocation information related to the arrangement of products (also called storage positions) in the storage device 20, which is necessary for displaying the screen. The screen in FIG. 4C includes an image showing the shelf board 23. Furthermore, the screen in FIG. 4C shows images of the product packages for the aforementioned recommended products, and shows products other than the recommended products in a darkened state. Note that products other than the recommended products may be shown in silhouette to highlight the recommended products.

[0048] According to the screen of Fig. 4C, the customer can search for the product he / she wishes to purchase from the screen, or can search for it by looking at the actual storage device 20. After the customer has looked at the actual storage device 20 and decided on the product he / she wishes to purchase, the customer can quickly find the product in the selection screen by looking at the screen of Fig. 4C.

[0049] The list screen in Fig. 4A and the shelf image screen in Fig. 4C may be switchable by a button. Fig. 4D is a diagram showing display switching of the product selection screen. As shown in Fig. 4D, the recommended product display screen and the all product display screen may be switchable by a button 38 and a button 39. The image showing the product arrangement may be displayed in a manner that allows it to be enlarged, reduced, and scrolled.

[0050] <Acceptance of product quantity> The reception unit 33 of the information terminal 30 may receive the quantity of the selected products that the customer wishes to purchase in step S34, and the communication unit 34 may transmit the received quantity of the products to the information processing device 100 in step S35.

[0051] The receiving unit 101 of the information processing device 100 may further receive the quantity of the products in step S101, and the stock determination unit 103 may determine whether there is enough stock of the selected products for the received quantity. If there is enough stock (step S101A; Yes), the lock control unit 102 unlocks the storage device 20 (step S102). In this case, the update unit 104 reduces the stock quantity in the stock data by the received quantity of the products.

[0052] If the stock is insufficient (step S101A; No), the lock control unit 102 does not unlock the storage equipment 20 (step S104). However, as a modified example, the lock control unit 102 may operate to unlock the storage equipment 20 (step S102) if there is at least one product (step S101A; Yes) even if the stock is insufficient.

[0053] By receiving the quantity of the product that the customer wishes to purchase, the information processing device 100 can obtain information regarding sales opportunity loss based on the difference between the quantity of the product that the customer wishes to purchase and the quantity of the product that was actually provided.

[0054] <Determining availability of stock> In step S32, the information processing device 100 may transmit inventory data in the storage device 20 to the information terminal 30. At this time, the display control unit 32 of the information terminal 30 may display only products that are in stock, based on the inventory data of the storage device 20 received from the information processing device 100, so that they can be selected. According to this modification, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of the customer selecting a product that is out of stock. Also, according to this modification, it is possible to obtain information on the number of customers who did not select a product and did not take out a product despite viewing the product selection screen. Note that the information processing device 100 may transmit the presence or absence of stock instead of transmitting the number of stocks in the inventory data. In the operation example of FIG. 3, a case has been described in which the inventory determination unit 103 of the information processing device 100 determines the presence or absence of stock of the product selected by the customer after step S101. However, in this modification, the determination may be omitted.

[0055] <Storage device 20 for hiding products> 2, the door 22 is transparent, and the products are displayed so that they can be seen when the door 22 is closed, but the door 22 may be opaque. If the products such as tobacco and alcohol in the storage device 20 cannot be seen when the door 22 is closed, consideration can be given to not stimulating the purchasing desire of customers who are trying to refrain from making a purchase.

[0056] However, if the door 22 is opaque, a customer who wishes to purchase an item cannot check whether the desired item is in the storage device 20 before unlocking it. Therefore, as in the above embodiment, the customer selects an item on the information terminal 30, and the information processing device 100 unlocks the storage device 20 containing the selected item, thereby reducing the effort required by the customer to search for the item. Specifically, for example, the customer does not need to search inside the storage device 20 that does not contain the item they want to purchase, thereby reducing the effort required.

[0057] [Second embodiment] (composition) 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of each device according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which the information processing device 100 according to the first embodiment controls two or more lockable storage devices 20 (storage devices 20_1, ..., 20_x; x is an integer equal to or greater than 2).

[0058] In the second embodiment, as another configuration of the storage device 20, a plurality of automatic locker type storage devices 20 as shown in Fig. 6 will be exemplified. However, the information processing device 100 may control a plurality of storage devices 20 as shown in Fig. 2 above.

[0059] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a plurality of storage devices 20 and an information processing device 100 that controls these storage devices 20 according to the second embodiment. In Fig. 6, a unique locker number is printed on the door of each of the 16 storage devices 20. Stored products are not shown. The number of products stored in one storage device 20 can be freely determined.

[0060] In the second embodiment, at least one storage device 20 among the multiple storage devices 20 stores age-restricted products for which an age limit is set for purchase. Age-restricted products are a type of age verification product. Age-restricted products and products with no age limit (products for all ages) may be displayed in different storage devices 20. Alternatively, products with different target ages may be stored in different storage devices 20.

[0061] When a target age is set for the product, the information processing device 100 controls the storage device 20 that can be unlocked by the customer according to the result of the age verification of the customer.

[0062] 5, the information processing device 100 differs from the information processing device 100 according to the first embodiment in that it further includes an age determination unit 105 and does not include the inventory determination unit 103.

[0063] In order to realize age-based control, a storage unit (not shown) of the information processing device 100 stores age-related sales conditions for the products in the storage device 20. The sales conditions include, for example, that the customer's age is above or below a predetermined age, or that the customer is within a predetermined age group.

[0064] The age determination unit 105 determines, for example, whether the age of the customer accepted by the acceptance unit 101 satisfies a sales condition.

[0065] (Example of operation) The operations of the information terminal 30 and the information processing device 100 in the second embodiment are basically the same as those in the first embodiment. Operations different from those in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing another example of the operations of the information terminal 30 and the information processing device 100.

[0066] <Age-based determination> In step S32, when connecting to the information processing device 100 so as to be able to communicate with each other, the communication unit 34 of the information terminal 30 transmits the age of the customer to the information processing device 100.

[0067] The reception unit 101 of the information processing device 100 recognizes the information terminal that has executed the age verification process, and receives the customer's age (step S201). The age determination unit 105 determines whether the age satisfies the sales conditions of the product in the storage device 20. When the information processing device 100 determines that there is a product in the storage device 20 whose customer's age satisfies the sales conditions (step S202; Yes), it proceeds to step S203.

[0068] If there is no product that satisfies the sales conditions (step S202; No), the lock control unit 102 of the information processing device 100 ends the process without unlocking the storage device 20 (step S104). The reception unit 101 of the information processing device 100 may notify the information terminal 30 that there is no product available for sale.

[0069] <Send inventory and storage location> After step S201, the reception unit 101 of the information processing device 100 transmits inventory data related to products in the storage devices 20_1, ..., 20_x to the information terminal 30 (step S203). Fig. 8A is a diagram showing an example of the inventory data to be transmitted. In step S202, the reception unit of the information processing device 100 may perform processing to transmit inventory data for products whose customer age satisfies a sales condition, and not transmit inventory data for products whose customer age does not satisfy the sales condition.

[0070] <Product Selection> The display control unit 32 of the information terminal 30 displays, in a selectable manner, the products for which the customer's age satisfies the sales condition on the product selection screen (step S33). Specifically, the display control unit 32 of the information terminal 30 displays, in a selectable manner, the products for which the inventory data has been received from the information processing device 100.

[0071] <Unlocking the storage device> When the reception unit 101 receives the selection of the product (step S203), the lock control unit 102 identifies the storage unit 20 containing the selected product among the multiple storage units 20, and unlocks it (step S204).

[0072] <Storage position notification> Based on the storage location included in the inventory data received in step S203, the display control unit 32 of the information terminal 30 displays a screen notifying the user of the storage location of the selected product (step S36). Fig. 8B is a diagram showing an example of the storage location notification screen according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8B, the storage location notification screen displays the product name of the selected product and the locker number of the storage device 20 to be unlocked.

[0073] (Other examples of operation) In the above operation example, the age determination unit 105 of the information processing device 100 determines whether the age of the customer received by the reception unit 101 satisfies the sales conditions of the products. However, the age determination unit 105 may be provided in the information terminal 30. In this case, the communication unit 34 of the information terminal 30 does not need to transmit the age of the customer to the information processing device 100. For example, in step S32, the information terminal 30 receives the product list and the sales conditions from the information processing device 100. Note that the information terminal 30 may receive the sales conditions from a server (not shown). Then, in step S31, the age determination unit 105 of the information terminal 30 determines whether the age confirmed by the age confirmation unit 31 satisfies the sales conditions of each product, and the display control unit 32 displays the products determined to satisfy the sales conditions in a selectable manner in step S33.

[0074] (effect) According to the second embodiment, it is possible to control whether or not to unlock the storage equipment 20 depending on the age of the customer. This is because the information terminal 30 displays products whose sales conditions are met by the customer's age in a selectable manner. Also, the reception unit 101 of the information processing device 100 receives the customer's age, and the age determination unit 105 determines whether the customer's age meets the sales conditions of the products in the storage equipment 20.

[0075] Moreover, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to control which storage unit 20 is to be unlocked depending on the product selected by the customer. In addition, it is possible to reduce the effort required for the customer to search for the storage unit 20 containing the product they want to acquire from among the multiple storage units 20. This is because the lock control unit 102 identifies and unlocks the storage unit 20 containing the selected product from among the multiple storage units 20.

[0076] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, the risk of shoplifting can be reduced because the information processing device 100 does not unlock any storage unit 20 that does not contain the selected product among the multiple storage units 20.

[0077] (Modification) <Processing when multiple items are selected> In step S34, the reception unit 33 of the information terminal 30 may receive the selection of multiple products. The communication unit 34 of the information terminal 30 transmits product identifiers of each of the selected multiple products to the information processing device 100 as an unlocking request. The lock control unit 102 of the information processing device 100 unlocks the storage devices 20 containing each of the multiple products. However, if multiple storage devices 20 are unlocked simultaneously, there is a risk that while a customer is taking out a product from one storage device, a person other than the customer who has verified his / her age may steal a product from another storage device.

[0078] Therefore, the lock control unit 102 first unlocks one of the storage units 20 containing the selected products. When the unlocked storage unit 20 is closed, the lock control unit 102 locks that storage unit 20 and then unlocks the next storage unit 20. Through the above process, the information processing device 100 can prevent products from being stolen.

[0079] The display control unit 32 of the information terminal 30 may first display the position of the first storage apparatus 20 to be unlocked in the process of step S36. The information processing device 100 may notify the information terminal 30 that the unlocked storage apparatus 20 has been locked. After receiving the notification of the locking, the display control unit 32 of the information terminal 30 may display the position of the next storage apparatus 20 to be unlocked. This makes it possible to prevent the storage apparatus 20 from being left unlocked.

[0080] The lock control unit 102 of the information processing device 100 may unlock the storage devices 20 one by one in the order in which the selection of products is received on the information terminal 30, in alphabetical order of product names, from top to bottom of the storage location, etc. Alternatively, when the selection of the quantity of products is received on the information terminal 30, the storage devices 20 may be unlocked one by one in the order of the largest or smallest quantity selected.

[0081] <Processing for customers who have not verified their age> In each of the above embodiments, a case has been described in which the selection of a product is accepted after the age of the customer has been verified. However, in the second embodiment, the reception unit 101 may accept a selection of a product from an information terminal 30 for which age verification has not been performed. An information terminal 30 for which age verification has not been performed does not display age-restricted products on the product selection screen, or displays them in a state in which they cannot be selected. This allows a customer for whom age verification has not been performed to select a product with no age restriction and remove the product from the storage device 20. In addition, the lock control unit 102 does not unlock a storage device 20 containing age-restricted products, thereby preventing the sale of age-restricted products to customers for whom age verification has not been performed.

[0082] [Third embodiment] 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information terminal 30 according to the third embodiment. The information terminal 30 includes an age verification unit 31, a display control unit 32, a reception unit 33, and a communication unit .

[0083] The information terminal 30 is a terminal used by a customer who wishes to take out an age verification product stored in a locked storage device. In the third embodiment, the information terminal 30 may be a terminal carried by the customer or a terminal installed in a store. For example, the information terminal 30 may be a touch panel display attached to the storage device.

[0084] The age verification unit 31 of the information terminal 30 verifies the age of the customer. The communication unit 34 communicates with an information processing device that controls the locking mechanism of the lockable storage device in which the product is stored. The display control unit 32 displays a screen on which a product can be selected. The reception unit 33 receives the selection of the product. The communication unit 34 transmits a request to unlock the lockable storage device in which the selected product is stored.

[0085] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the information terminal 30. The age verification unit 31 verifies the age of the customer (step S31).

[0086] The display control unit 32 displays a screen on which a product can be selected (step S33). The reception unit 33 receives the selection of the product (step S34). The communication unit 34 transmits a request to the information processing device to unlock the lockable storage device containing the selected product (step S35). When the information processing device releases the locking mechanism, the customer can remove the product from the storage device.

[0087] According to the third embodiment, when a product is sold after confirming the age of the customer, information regarding the demand for the product can be transmitted to the information processing device.

[0088] [Fourth embodiment] Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing device 100 according to the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the information processing device 100 includes a reception unit 101 and a lock control unit 102. The information processing device 100 controls a lock mechanism of a lockable storage device in which age verification products are stored. The information processing device 100 communicates with an information terminal used by a customer.

[0089] The reception unit 101 receives the selection of a product from an information terminal on which the customer's age verification process has been completed. The lock control unit 102 unlocks the locked storage device containing the selected product. Once the lock is released, the customer removes the selected product from the storage device.

[0090] 12 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the information processing device 100. The reception unit 101 receives a product selection from an information terminal on which the age verification process has been performed by a customer (step S101). The lock control unit 102 unlocks the lockable storage device containing the selected product (step S102).

[0091] According to the fourth embodiment, when a product is sold by confirming the age of the customer, information regarding the demand for the product can be obtained.

[0092] (Modification) A combination of the information processing device 100 according to the first, second, and fourth embodiments and various lockable storage devices 20 is called a product storage system. In the product storage system, the information processing device 100 may be formed integrally with the lockable storage device 20. The product storage system may further include an information terminal 30 according to the third embodiment.

[0093] [Hardware configuration] In each of the above-described embodiments, each component of the information processing device 100 and the information terminal 30 is represented by a functional block. A part or all of each component of each device (the information processing device 100 and the information terminal 30) may be realized by any combination of the computer 500 and a program.

[0094] Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a computer 500. Referring to Fig. 13, the computer 500 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 503, a program 504, a storage device 505, a drive device 507, a communication interface 508, an input device 509, an input / output interface 511, and a bus 512.

[0095] The program 504 includes instructions for implementing each function of each device. The program 504 is stored in advance in the ROM 502, the RAM 503, or the storage device 505. The CPU 501 implements each function of each device by executing instructions included in the program 504. For example, the CPU 501 of the information processing device 100 implements the functions of the information processing device 100 by executing instructions included in the program 504. The RAM 503 may also store data to be processed in each function of each device. For example, the RAM 503 of the computer 500 may store inventory data or sales conditions in the information processing device 100.

[0096] The drive device 507 reads and writes data from the recording medium 506. The communication interface 508 provides an interface with a communication network. The input device 509 is, for example, a mouse or a keyboard, and receives information input from the store manager or customers. The output device 510 is, for example, a display, and outputs (displays) information to the store manager or customers. The input / output interface 511 provides an interface with peripheral devices. The bus 512 connects these hardware components. The program 504 may be supplied to the CPU 501 via a communication network, or may be stored in advance in the recording medium 506, read by the drive device 507, and supplied to the CPU 501.

[0097] It should be noted that the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 13 is merely an example, and other components may be added, or some components may not be included.

[0098] There are various variations in the method of realizing each device. For example, each device may be realized by any combination of a different computer and program for each component. Furthermore, multiple components of each device may be realized by any combination of a single computer and program.

[0099] In addition, some or all of the components of each device may be realized by general-purpose or dedicated circuits including a processor, etc., or a combination of these. These circuits may be configured by a single chip, or may be configured by multiple chips connected via a bus. Some or all of the components of each device may be realized by a combination of the above-mentioned circuits, etc., and a program.

[0100] Furthermore, when some or all of the components of each device are realized by a plurality of computers, circuits, etc., the plurality of computers, circuits, etc. may be arranged in a centralized manner or in a distributed manner.

[0101] At least a part of the present disclosure may be provided in a Software as a Service (SaaS) format, that is, at least a part of the functions for realizing the information processing device 100 may be executed by software executed via a network.

[0102] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by a person skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the configurations in each embodiment can be combined with each other without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 100 Information processing device 101 Reception 102 Lock control section 103 Inventory Judgment Department 104 Update section 105 Age Determination Department 20 Storage device 30 Information terminal

Claims

1. A reception means for receiving a product selection from an information terminal on which age verification processing of a customer has been performed; a lock control means for unlocking a lockable storage device containing the selected items to be removed by the customer; The receiving means receives a selection of a plurality of products, the lock control means controls a plurality of storage devices and unlocks the plurality of storage devices in which the selected plurality of products are contained, in a predetermined order. Information processing device.

2. In the plurality of storage devices, products are stored according to the target age of the products, the lock control means controls whether or not to unlock the storage device depending on the confirmed age of the customer. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The lock control means controls whether or not to unlock the storage device based on inventory data of the products stored in the storage device.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A lockable storage device and an information processing device are provided. The information processing device includes: A reception means for receiving a product selection from an information terminal on which age verification processing of a customer has been performed; a lock control means for unlocking the lockable storage device containing the selected items to be removed by the customer; The receiving means receives a selection of a plurality of products, the lock control means controls a plurality of storage devices and unlocks the plurality of storage devices in which the selected plurality of products are contained, in a predetermined order. Product storage system.

5. An information processing device, Accept the product selection from the information terminal where the customer's age verification process has been completed, unlocking a lockable storage device containing the selected items to be removed by the customer; when a selection of a plurality of products is accepted from the information terminal, a plurality of storage devices are controlled, and among the plurality of storage devices, the plurality of storage devices in which the plurality of selected products to be taken out by the customer are stored are unlocked in a predetermined order. Product management method.

Images