Product information management device

Abstract

A product information management device, method, and program for generating a product master database updated with the latest information is provided. [Solution] The product information management device has a storage means for storing product identification information, first item information, and second item information in association with each other for each product, a means for extracting the one product identification information and the first item information from an image medium using image recognition processing, a means for accessing a database stored in an external device and extracting the one product identification information and the second item information, a means for determining whether the first and second item information associated with the extracted one product identification information matches the first and second item information associated with the one product identification information stored in the storage means, and a means for notifying this fact and replacing the first and second item information associated with the one product identification information stored in the storage means with the first and second item information associated with the extracted one product identification information.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Regarding product master database technology. [Background technology]

[0002] A product master database is a database that registers basic information and attributes about products. For example, by centrally managing information such as product name, ingredients, expiration date, content volume, storage method, reviews, order unit, and weight, it helps to improve the efficiency of operations such as inventory management and sales management.

[0003] Against this background, technical proposals have been made regarding product master databases. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a product information provision system that achieves confidentiality and flexibility while improving convenience by standardizing the system as a whole. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-004308 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the above-mentioned conventional technologies, there were problems such as the existence of multiple product master databases, making it difficult to know which one contained the correct information, and data registration and management being left to manual labor, meaning that the accuracy of the data could not be guaranteed. In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a product information management device that generates a product master database that is updated with the latest information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the disclosed product information management device includes a product information storage means for storing product identification information, first item identification information and its item value, and second item identification information and its item value in association with each other for each product, an image information extraction means for extracting one of the product identification information related to one of the products from an image medium by image recognition processing, and a combination of the first item identification information and its item value, a DB information extraction means for accessing a database stored in an external device and extracting the one of the product identification information and the combination of the second item identification information and its item value from the database, a first determination means for determining whether or not the combination of the first item identification information and its item value associated with the one of the product identification information acquired by the image information extraction means matches the combination of the first item identification information and its item value associated with the one of the product identification information stored in the product information storage means, and a DB information extraction means for extracting the one of the product identification information related to the one of the product identification information acquired by the DB information extraction means. the first product information correcting means for, when the first determination means determines that there is no match, notifying the user of the fact and replacing the item value relating to the first item identification information associated with the one product identification information stored in the product information storage means with the item value relating to the first item identification information associated with the one product identification information acquired by the image information extraction means; and the second product information correcting means for, when the second determination means determines that there is no match, notifying the user of the fact and replacing the item value relating to the second item identification information associated with the one product identification information stored in the product information storage means with the item value relating to the second item identification information associated with the one product identification information acquired by the DB information extraction means. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The disclosed product information management device generates a product master database that is updated with the latest information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a product information management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a functional block diagram of a product information management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a product information management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of an example of processing by the product information management device according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to the drawings, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. (Operation principle of the product information management device according to the present embodiment)

[0010] The operation principle of a product information management device (hereinafter simply referred to as "the device") 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the connection relationship between the device 100 and other devices, and Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the device 100.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, the present device 100 is connected to one or more external devices 280 via a communication network 300. The communication network 300 may be a wired communication network or a wireless communication network. The external devices 280 may be, for example, devices managed by the manufacturer of the product 210, or may be a POS (Point of Sales) system. Each of the external devices 280 includes a database 290 related to the product 210. The present device 100 also includes a product information storage means 110 that is a master database related to the product 210.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the device 100 has a product information storage means 110, an image information extraction means 120, a DB information extraction means 130, a first determination means 140, a second determination means 150, a first product information correction means 160, and a second product information correction means 170.

[0013] The product information storage means 110 associates and stores, for each product 210, product identification information 220, first item identification information 230 and its item value 240, and second item identification information 250 and its item value 260. The product identification information 220 is, for example, a JAN code.

[0014] The first item identification information 230 and the second item identification information 250 are, for example, information such as product name, ingredients, expiration date, content volume, storage method, reviews, ordering method, weight, expiration date, etc., but may be information other than that listed here.

[0015] The image information extraction means 120 extracts one commodity identification information 220 related to one commodity 210, and a combination of the first item identification information 230 and its item value 240 from the image medium 270 by image recognition processing. The image medium 270 is, for example, an advertising flyer. The method of image recognition processing adopted by the image information extraction means 120 is not particularly limited.

[0016] The DB information extraction means 130 accesses a database 290 stored in an external device 280, and extracts from the database 290 one item identification information 220 related to one item 210, and a combination of second item identification information 250 and its item value 260. There are one or more external devices 280, each installed for a different management means and purpose.

[0017] The DB information extraction means 130 has the function of collecting information from various databases 290 and integrating the information using the product identification information 220 as a key.

[0018] The first determination means 140 determines whether or not a combination of one first item identification information 230 and its item value 240 acquired (extracted) by the image information extraction means 120 matches with that stored in the product information storage means 110. The first determination means 140 verifies whether the combination of one first item identification information 230 and its item value 240 is the latest information, is valid information, etc.

[0019] The second determination means 150 determines whether or not a combination of one second item identification information 250 and its item value 260 acquired (extracted) by the DB information extraction means 130 matches with that stored in the product information storage means 110. The second determination means 150 verifies whether the combination of one second item identification information 250 and its item value 260 is the latest information, is legitimate information, etc.

[0020] When the first determination means 140 determines that there is no match, the first product information correction means 160 notifies that fact. Then, the first product information correction means 160 replaces the item value 240 related to the first item identification information 230 associated with one product identification information 220 stored in the product information storage means 11 with the item value acquired (extracted) by the image information extraction means 120. The first product information correction means 160 updates the item value 240 related to the first item identification information 230 to the latest information.

[0021] If the second determination means 150 determines that there is no match, the second product information correction means 170 notifies that fact. Then, the second product information correction means 170 replaces the item value 260 related to the second item identification information 250 associated with one product identification information 220 stored in the product information storage means 110 with the item value acquired (extracted) by the DB information extraction means 130. The second product information correction means 170 updates the item value 260 related to the second item identification information 250 to the latest information. Based on the above-mentioned operating principle, the device 100 generates a product master database 110 that is updated with the latest information. (Hardware configuration of the product information management device according to the present embodiment)

[0022] An example of the hardware configuration of the present device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the present device 100. As shown in Fig. 3, the present device 100 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 510, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 520, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 530, an auxiliary storage device 540, a communication I / F 550, an input device 560, a display device 570, and a storage medium I / F 580.

[0023] CPU 510 is a device that executes a program stored in ROM 520, performs arithmetic processing on data expanded (loaded) in RAM 530 in accordance with instructions from the program, and controls the entire device 100. ROM 520 stores programs and data to be executed by CPU 510. When CPU 510 executes a program stored in ROM 520, the program and data to be executed are expanded (loaded) into RAM 530, and RAM 530 temporarily holds the arithmetic data during calculation.

[0024] The auxiliary storage device 540 is a device that stores the OS (Operating System) which is basic software, the application program according to the present embodiment, and the like together with related data, and may be in a form including, for example, the product information storage means 110. The auxiliary storage device 540 is, for example, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory.

[0025] The communication I / F 550 is an interface for connecting to a communication network 300 such as a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, and for transmitting and receiving data to and from another device (such as a POS system) 280 that provides a communication function.

[0026] The input device 560 is a device such as a keyboard for inputting data to the present device 100. The display device (output device) 570 is a device constituted by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and functions as a user interface when the user utilizes the functions of the present device 100 or when performing various settings. The storage medium I / F 580 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from a storage medium 590 such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or USB memory.

[0027] Each of the means of the present device 100 may be realized by CPU 510 executing a program corresponding to each of the means stored in ROM 520 or auxiliary storage device 540. Each of the means of the present device 100 may be realized by hardware that performs processing related to each of the means. Alternatively, the present device 100 may be caused to read the program according to the present invention from an external server device via communication I / F 550, or to read the program according to the present invention from storage medium 590 via storage medium I / F 580, and cause the present device 100 to execute the program. (Example of processing by the product information management device according to the present embodiment) A flow of an example of processing by the present device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of an example of processing by the present device 100.

[0028] At S10, the image information extraction means 120 extracts one commodity identification information 220 related to one commodity 210, and a combination of the first item identification information 230 and its item value 240 from the image medium 270 by image recognition processing. The image medium 270 is, for example, an advertising flyer. The method of image recognition processing adopted by the image information extraction means 120 is not particularly limited.

[0029] Furthermore, in S10, the DB information extraction means 130 accesses the database 290 stored in the external device 280, and extracts from the database 290 one item identification information 220 relating to one item 210, and a combination of second item identification information 250 and its item value 260. There are one or more external devices 280, each installed for a different management means and purpose.

[0030] The DB information extraction means 130 has the function of collecting information from various databases 290 and integrating the information using the product identification information 220 as a key.

[0031] In S20, the first determination means 140 determines whether or not the combination of one first item identification information 230 and its item value 240 acquired (extracted) in S10 matches that stored in the product information storage means 110. The first determination means 140 verifies whether the combination of one first item identification information 230 and its item value 240 is the latest information, is valid information, etc.

[0032] Furthermore, in S20, the second determination means 150 determines whether or not the combination of one second item identification information 250 and its item value 260 acquired (extracted) in S10 matches that stored in the product information storage means 110. The second determination means 150 verifies whether the combination of one second item identification information 250 and its item value 260 is the latest information, is legitimate information, and so on.

[0033] In S30, if the first determination means 140 determines in S20 that there is no match, the first product information correction means 160 notifies that fact. In addition, in S30, the first product information correction means 160 replaces the item value 240 related to the first item identification information 230 associated with one product identification information 220 stored in the product information storage means 11 with the item value acquired (extracted) by the image information extraction means 120. The first product information correction means 160 updates the item value 240 related to the first item identification information 230 to the latest information.

[0034] Furthermore, in S30, if the second determination means 150 determines in S20 that there is no match, the second product information correction means 170 notifies that fact. In addition, in S30, the second product information correction means 170 replaces the item value 260 related to the second item identification information 250 associated with one product identification information 220 stored in the product information storage means 110 with the item value acquired (extracted) by the DB information extraction means 130. The second product information correction means 170 updates the item value 260 related to the second item identification information 250 to the latest information. By carrying out the above-mentioned processing, the device 100 generates a product master database 110 that is updated to the latest information.

[0035] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 100 Product information management device 110 Product information storage means 120 Image information extraction means 130 DB information extraction means 140 First determination means 150 Second determination means 160 1st product information correction means 170 Second product information correction means 210 items 220 Product Identification Information 230 First item identification information 240 Item value of first item identification information 250 Second item identification information 260 Item value of second item identification information 270 Image Media 280 External device 290 Database stored in external device 300 Communication Network 510 CPU 520 ROM 530 RAM 540 Auxiliary storage 550 Communication Interface 560 Input Device 570 Output Device 580 Storage Media Interface 590 Storage medium

Claims

1. a product information storage means for storing, for each product, product identification information, first item identification information and its item value, and second item identification information and its item value in association with each other; an image information extraction means for extracting, from an image medium, one of the commodity identification information related to one of the commodity, and a combination of the first item identification information and its item value by image recognition processing; a DB information extraction means for accessing a database stored in an external device and extracting from the database the one product identifying information and the second item identifying information and a combination of the item values ​​thereof; a first determination means for determining whether or not a combination of the first item identification information and its item value associated with the one of the commodity identification information acquired by the image information extraction means matches a combination of the first item identification information and its item value associated with the one of the commodity identification information stored in the commodity information storage means; a second determination means for determining whether or not a combination of the second item identification information and its item value associated with the one product identification information acquired by the DB information extraction means matches a combination of the second item identification information and its item value associated with the one product identification information stored in the product information storage means; a first product information correcting means for notifying the user of a mismatch when the first determining means determines that the two products do not match, and replacing an item value related to the first item identifying information associated with the one product identifying information stored in the product information storage means with an item value related to the first item identifying information associated with the one product identifying information acquired by the image information extracting means; A product information management device characterized in that it has a second product information correction means that, when the second determination means determines that there is no match, notifies that fact and replaces the item value related to the second item identification information associated with the one product identification information stored in the product information storage means with the item value related to the second item identification information associated with the one product identification information acquired by the DB information extraction means.

2. A product information management method carried out by a computer having a product information storage means for storing product identification information, first item identification information and its item value, and second item identification information and its item value in association with each other for each product, the method comprising: An image information extracting means extracts one of the commodity identification information related to one of the commodity and a combination of the first item identification information and its item value from an image medium by image recognition processing; a DB information extraction means accessing a database stored in an external device and extracting from the database the one product identifying information and the second item identifying information and a combination of the item values ​​thereof; a step of a first determination means determining whether or not a combination of the first item identification information and its item value associated with the one product identification information acquired by the image information extraction means matches a combination of the first item identification information and its item value associated with the one product identification information stored in the product information storage means; a step of a second determination means determining whether or not a combination of the second item identification information and its item value associated with the one product identification information acquired by the DB information extraction means matches a combination of the second item identification information and its item value associated with the one product identification information stored in the product information storage means; a first product information correcting means, when the first determining means determines that there is no match, notifying the fact and replacing an item value related to the first item identification information associated with the one product identification information stored in the product information storage means with an item value related to the first item identification information associated with the one product identification information acquired by the image information extracting means; A product information management method including a step in which, when the second determination means determines that there is no match, a second product information correction means notifies that fact and replaces the item value related to the second item identification information associated with the one product identification information stored in the product information storage means with the item value related to the second item identification information associated with the one product identification information acquired by the DB information extraction means.

3. A product information management program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 2.

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